With four sisters, four daughters (from left, Nora, Hazel, Grace, and Willa) an editor/wife Jessica, and a dog named Rosie, it was high time the author/historian tackled a woman's adventure story. Out this month, Dean's long awaited Unbound: A True Story of War, Love, and Survival, retraces China's Long March. Thirty women were among the 86,000 Communists who embarked on the treacherous 4,000-mile journey in 1934. One year and 4,000 miles later, fewer than 10,000 soldiers - and all 30 women - survived.

What does chocolate say about the man who’s giving it? “He’s focused on you,” says the artisan chocolatier who’ll turn out 50,000 pieces of Gearhart’s Fine Chocolate for Valentine’s Day. “At Christmas, guys buy for everyone on their list,” Tim explains.

Sure, he’s our go-to juggling unicyclist. But Jonathan’s got card tricks, comedy and magic up his sleeve, too. And who else offers a “24-hour emergency juggling service” in this era of offshore outsourcing? With otherworldly hand-eye coordination, he tosses flaming torches and bowling balls as casually as the tennis ball trio he mastered at age 12. He’s performed at the White House, Disney World, a Presidential Inauguration, and countless backyard birthday parties. But for Jonathan, the crowd’s the thing: "There’s no bigger rush than seeing people laugh and have fun.” You’ll spot him this month at First Fridays, Saxon Shoes Stroller Stories, and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Duck Race, revving up Brown’s Island on the 25th. But let's get one thing straight girlfriends: The skirt stays with us.   



What’s the best thing about wearing a skirt?  Makes me feel like eating Yoplait and watching Oprah! 



What do you like about reading skirt!?  It’s fascinating to read about all the neat women in Richmond—many of whom I’ve met.

One stage. Two days. 1600 fourth-graders. “It’s exhilarating,” says Brett, director of Minds in Motion, the Richmond Ballet's outreach program, and its finale at the Arthur Ashe Center. The shows put 800 students on stage at once. “It’s as polished as any Richmond Ballet production—the cast members just happen to be fourth-graders,” says Brett, a former principal dancer. Teachers at the 22 area schools that have adopted Minds in Motion report improved concentration and self-discipline. The choreography reinforces classroom material and builds on memorized dance steps from week to week. "You can see their minds working through movement,” he says. “For this year's explorers theme, we collaborated with the Virginia Air and Space Museum and NASA." So far, 10,000 children have participated in the program since its 1994 launch. “When kids are exposed to the arts, they’re more likely to participate in and support the arts as adults.”

What’s the best thing about wearing a skirt:  “Any opportunity to embarrass my two sons, I’m all over it.”

What do you like about reading skirt!?   “It gives me a little insight into a woman’s psyche.” 

His card reads Fabulous Taxi, but U of R students just call him Taxi Bob. Four years ago, he traded his corporate cubicle for a Lincoln and quickly built a student fan base. "These girls, the seniors and juniors, they're the ones that started referring me." A freshman who scores Taxi Bob's number is in luck, the girls say. His cell phone blares two ringtones-- Pink's Let's Get The Party Started for girls; Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) for boys-as he shuttles students to the airport, Shockoe Bottom ("Karaoke night at Sine Irish Pub, they love that"), and concerts at the Landmark. Along the way, he dispenses fatherly advice on everything from sorority rush to boyfriends to bowling. "It's like having 300 kids," says Bob, who takes his responsibility seriously. "My motto is: You drink, I drive!"

What's the best thing about wearing a skirt? Elastic waistbands.

What do you like about reading skirt! It's fantastic especially the She Said / He Said page.

When he reopened the New York Deli in 2005, Demetrios wanted to celebrate. "Mexican restaurants do Cinco de Mayo; Irish pubs have St. Patrick's Day," he says."I figured New York Deli? New Year's Eve? They go together." He pictured a Carytown block party with a homemade chickenwire ball dropping at midnight. "Everybody said Richmond would never go for it-so I did it anyway." Byrd theater manager, Todd Schall-Vess, built a killer electric ball, Black Cash offered to play gratis, Demetrios chilled the bubbly, and 8000 people showed up. "Far beyond anyone's expectations." Carytown's second New Year's Eve brought 20,000 revelers and a prestigious VMFA Muse Award for it's creator.Coming this year: a fashion show, beer gardens, live bands, and jumbo screens. "It feels like Times Square but our ball doesn't drop at midnight-it goes up!"

What's the best thing about wearing a skirt? I'm just gladit's not a pantsuit.

What do you like about reading skirt!? I like to check out United Skirts of America to see how many resaturants I know. I even catch the poetry, sometimes.

When Ward and his friend, Shelley Briggs pull the MbookMobikeMobile into city neighborhoods, kids of all ages come for free books and bike repairs.“We want to make books and bikes cool,” says Ward, owner of Carytown bookstore, Chop Suey Tuey. “Kids get excited; they can take all the books they can read.” He’d always wanted a bookmobile; she dreamed about mobile bike-repair. So the longtime buddies bought a blue bus in 2007 and drove from New York to New Orleans promoting literacy and alternative transportation. This Fall, look for Ward and Shelley around town; or drop a book in the donation box at his store. “We do it to give back to the world,” says Ward. “..and to have a great time.”

What’s the best thing about wearing a skirt?This one’s got pockets, so it’s great for carrying bike-repair tools.

How many orthodontists are also oral surgeons?  “In the whole country?” says Dr. Frank Ieurno a bit sheepishly,“maybe 50.” Ten years ago he left the on-call life of an emergency surgeon and returned to medical school to become an orthodontist.

A film critic for The Hollywood Reporter, Duane’s a regular at Sundance, the Oscars, and Shockoe Roastery. After 19 years in tinseltown, he now calls Richmond home. “I visited the Virginia Film Festival and was bowled over by the beauty and casual elegance of the state.” Duane’s reviews still sway Hollywood dealmakers. (“They’re all looking for the next Little Miss Sunshine.”) But these days, Professor Byrge is busy inspiring his students at Virginia State University in Petersburg. And after graduation? “I fly to Cannes for the Film Festival.”

He’s chilling the bubbly for the Grief Relief Gala, set for March 29 at the ScienceMuseum. This party-with-a-purpose benefits Comfort Zone Camp, founded by Kelly and his wife, Lynne, in 1998. Since then, over 3,000 children from 35 states and Canada have attended the weekend bereavement camps that mix traditional fun with emotional healing.