Meet a Staffer: Vivian Wheeler

How long have you been working at 417 Magazine?
Five months.

Describe what you do at work day-to-day.
I split my time between the Art and Editorial departments. On any given day I could be found working on a story, fact checking an article, researching artwork, assisting on a photo shoot or performing myriad other random tasks. I exist to help make the lives of the awesome people I work with a little easier. 

Describe something you worked on recently that you’re proud of. 
I photographed the Health and Taste section openers for this issue. One of the things I love about working here is how everyone, regardless of where they land on the chain of command, is so receptive to ideas and input. I had ideas for the Taste and Health section openers and Heather Kane, the art director, let me run with both of them.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever had to do for this job? 
I assisted on a photo shoot for the May fashion feature, which was incredible. We photographed at the home of the Brundeges. Their house was a work of art in and of itself.  Everything from the clothes and the makeup to the model and the photographer came together perfectly. 

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever had to do for this job? 
I participated in this month’s Get Fit (see story on p. 136), which entailed doing a workout video in the middle of the office. It was a hot, sweaty mess. 

What’s your favorite thing to do in 417-land? 
I live on Walnut Street, and I love that I’m a five-minute walk from downtown where I can grab a drink or see a concert, and yet I’m also only a 30-minute drive from the James River where I can jump in a canoe for an easy day float. I consider myself part outdoorsy dirty hippie and part city girl. Springfield lets me be a little of both.

What’s your favorite piece of magazine lingo? 
Evergreen. (Editor’s Note: An evergreen story is one that doesn’t have a specific time peg; we can run it anytime, during any season. Like a tree that’s green all year. We like to keep one or two evergreen stories in our back pockets, in case we need to quickly add content to a magazine that’s bigger than expected.)

What’s your favorite thing to eat that you can only find in 417-land? 
I am currently obsessed with the Lebanese platter from That Lebanese Place. It’s basically all of its greatest hits on one plate. Everything is scrumptious, but the Lebanese salad that is served with the platter is on a whole other level. The platter comes with a choice of two kabobs and if you order it with lamb—as you should—make sure to order the garlic sauce. It’s suppose to only come with the chicken kabobs, but the garlic sauce is crucial to achieving peak deliciousness. 

If there were a movie about your life in 417-land, what would its title be?  
The Girl Who Ate Springfield 

What celebrity would you most like to have coffee and conversation with? 
Kathleen Hanna or Steve Carrell. Kathleen Hanna because she is intelligent and gorgeous and fearless, and Steve Carrell because he is intelligent and gorgeous and fearless. 

What do you do in your free time?
I love to throw parties and host get-togethers. I have a wonderful group of friends, and I will use the flimsiest of excuses in order to get as many of them as possible in one room. 

How would you spend $1 million?
I would move to Bordeaux, France, drink all the wine, attend L’Ecole de Cuisine and then become a celebrity chef. And David Chang and René Redzepi would be my best friends.

What is your current Facebook status ?
“Boulevard’s decision to start canning their Radler is probably great for their bottom line, but it is not so great for my bottom. Or my wallet. Can. Not. Stop.”

What do your co-workers say is your most distinguishing feature at work? 
I love ethnic food and have developed quite a reputation for bringing “smelly” lunches.