Alexandria Living Magazine - Jan/Feb 2021 by Alexandria Living Magazine

ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN

Winter Dining

Local restaurants get creative

Legend of the Hard Times CafÃ© Horse

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM January / February 2021

$4.95

CULINARY ADVENTURES IN ARUBA

BIRTHDAY TREATS FOR PETS

Style, Service, Staging, Sold by Jodie Burns Jodie Burns, McEnearney Associate

If you mention mid-century modern in earshot of Jodie Burns, she may have to join in on the conversation. As a resident and advocate of the MCM neighborhood, Hollin Hills, Jodie is passionate about her community and can tell you all about the history and uniqueness of this wooded enclave of homes nestled in Alexandria. But her passion doesn’t stop at MCM homes. She loves guiding her clients through a curated real estate experience with a blend of personalized service, authenticity, and humor. Whether it’s your first or forever home, Jodie is there with you every step of the way.

Jodie Burns, Realtor® Tel. 571.228.5790 I JBurns@McEnearney.com I www.JodieBurns.com Old Town Alexandria 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I tel. 703.549.9292 Equal Housing Opportunity

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS If you're looking for hand-crafted, thoughtful items that come with the bonus of supporting artists and makers here in Alexandria, stop by MadeinALX.com, where we have one goal: to make it easy for you to find and purchase locally-crafted goods. From candles to books, home decor to clothes and accessories, Made in ALX makes it easy to shop local.

W W W . M A D E I N A L X . C O M

CONTENTS

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUFFIO DOG TREATS PHOTO BY REGIS VOGT

Kick off 2021 by participating in some fun events in-person and online in and around Alexandria.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FOOD & DINING

OUTDOOR LIVING

PETS

THE SMALL THINGS

HISTORY

HOME & GARDEN

THE LAST WORD

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Got the winter blahs? We’ve got 21 ways to beat ’em.

Ever wonder about the Hard Times Café horse and vintage truck? Us too! Here’s a look at the Alexandria landmark.

Alexandria backyards come alive at night with all sorts of nocturnal wildlife. Here’s a look.

Want to celebrate your pet’s birthday in style? We found some posh pet-friendly cakes.

Alexandria columnist Stuart Perkins recalls winter grocery runs for “Nannie.”

The day that former Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg took an iconic photo of Coretta Scott King.

There’s nothing better than an organized kitchen. We get the latest tips from the design pros.

Out with the holiday clutter! Professional organizers give us their best ideas for streamlining your entire home.

We talk to Hossein Pishdad, owner of The Warehouse Bar & Grill in Old Town Alexandria.

29 January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

FEATURES

PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

38 Food & Dining A look at the dining scene in Alexandria: We discovered how local restaurants are getting creative during the winter season, the sustainability struggle and a new waterfront restaurant opening this year.

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER

51 Travel A visit to Aruba explores the many culinary adventures to be had on the “Happy Island.”

ON THE COVER Get cozy during the winter season in a heated igloo on King & Rye's patio at The Alexandrian in Old Town Alexandria.

SOCIALIZE WITH US  facebook.com/alexandrialivingmag

PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

 @alexlivingmag

 @alexandrialivingmag

THE FACE OF

OLD TOWN REAL ESTATE

BABS BECKWITH

611 QUEEN STREET ~ OLD TOWN Circa 1795, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath, semi-detached, Federal-style home blends historic elegance with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxuries. Notable original elements include heart-of-pine floors, hand-carved archway, handsome bulls-eye moldings, four fireplaces, and two staircases. Light-filled double parlors provide an inviting gathering space. Stunning dining room door with fan leaded window and flanking sidelights are distinctive elements of yesteryear. Large private garden with mature landscaping and brick walkway plus 2-car off street parking. $1,985,000

Shown by appointmentâ&#x20AC;ŚCall Babs to preview this fine residence! cell 703.627.5421 I Babs@BabsBeckwith.com I OldTownAlexandriaLiving.com 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I off. 703.549.9292 I Equal Housing Opportunity

A Letter from Our Founders

PUBLISHER

Beth Lawton EDITOR

Mary Ann Barton ADVERTISING

Cleo Chitester Lora Jerakis

Welcome to 2021! We hope you enjoyed the holidays and are ready to take on the new year.

DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION

Jessie Leiber

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Susannah Moore INTERN

Sara Dingmann Alexandria Living Magazine is published six times per year by Alexandria Living, LLC ©2021. 201 N. Union St. Alexandria, VA 22314. For newsstand or distribution locations or to subscribe for home delivery, go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/subscribe.

info@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.

PARTNER WITH US

Alexandria Living Magazine fully supports the local business community and offers several unique ways to partner with the publication. • Sponsored articles and multimedia content on the website, in our popular email newsletters and on social media. • Highlighted events in our events calendar, email newsletters and social media. • Sponsored real estate listings. • Brand awareness through online banner ads designed to boost your business. • Contests, sweepstakes and giveaways.

To learn more about how partnering with Alexandria Living Magazine can help build your business, contact us at ads@alexandrialivingmagazine.com or call 571-232-1310.

PRESS RELEASES & TIPS

Send news releases and story tips to

maryann@alexandrialivingmagazine.com.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

Subscribing to Alexandria Living Magazine is easy! You can go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/ subscribe to pay securely online by credit card, or mail a check with the subscription mailing address to Alexandria Living Magazine, 201 N. Union St. Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22314. Subscriptions are $14.95 for one year or $24.95 for two years.

The theme for this issue is food and dining, and we explore everything from Alexandria restaurants’ creativity during the pandemic to birthday cakes for our furry friends. Starting on Page 38, we dig into how restaurants are handling dining safety indoors and outdoors, followed by a story about new challenges in environmental and financial sustainability. We know many residents are still wary of eating at local restaurants due to coronavirus health concerns, but you can still support this part of our local economy with take-out and delivery. (Remember: It's best to order directly from a restaurant instead of using a third-party service like DoorDash or UberEats, which can eat into a restaurant’s profits.)

an iconic photo of his widow Coretta Scott King, on Page 28.

With less sunshine and plunging temperatures, some of us may be getting the “winter blahs.” Our antidote: Take a look at our events calendar and make plans! And be sure to look at our 21 tips for beating the blues, starting on Page 17.

Many of us can’t wait to travel. Photographer Chris Militzer got the difficult (pre-pandemic) assignment of not only visiting the tropical island of Aruba, but of sampling their amazing cuisine. Check out his adventures beginning on Page 51.

A perk to being on staff at Alexandria Living is tracking down answers to some of our city’s mysteries — including, ‘Just how did the vintage truck and horse come to be parked outside The Hard Times Café?’ We’ve got answers about this King Street icon on Page 20.

Not many restaurants play host to presidents. We talked to Hossein Pishdad, owner of The Warehouse Bar & Grill in Old Town Alexandria, about that experience as well as the famed portraits featured on the walls of his King Street eatery.

Another mystery solved: Ever wonder what nocturnal animals are up to as we sleep? Local writer and photographer Ann Cameron Siegal catches them venturing around her backyard on her “critter cam” on Page 22.

We enjoyed exploring Alexandria’s food and dining scene in this issue and hope our readers help all local businesses and restaurants weather the winter season — whether it’s in-person, pick-up or delivery. We’re all in this together, learning lessons that will carry us through 2021.

Local writer Stuart Perkins got in on our dining theme by tripping down memory lane, recalling the days his “Nannie” sent him to the grocery store during his snowy childhood winters, on Page 26. On Jan. 25, we’ll celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Former Mayor Allison Silberberg takes us back to a day 17 years ago when she took

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Beth Lawton, publisher, and Mary Ann Barton, editor

PHOTO BY MATT MENDELSOHN, TAKEN AT VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN.

If you’re like us, there’s something about getting organized in the new year that just feels right. We go straight to the pros for advice for design ideas in the kitchen and your entire home, starting on Page 29.

See you right back here in the spring!

Mary Ann Barton and Beth Lawton Founders

Our Team Meet some of the contributors to this issue.

ANN CAMERON SIEGAL Contributor Ann started her writing and photography career with the Alexandria Port Packet in the late 1970s. A “meandering minimalist,” she is always looking around the next bend for interesting experiences. Since 2001, many of her finds have been featured in The Washington Post. Ann and her husband Glenn just celebrated their 50th anniversary by driving cross country, savoring amazing landscapes along the way.

HUGH CLARKE Photographer Hugh is a freelance photographer covering news and events in the Washington D.C. region. Hugh was previously a photojournalist for the Washington Blade and covered Major League Soccer for Last Word on Sports. He is a Florida native and graduate of the University of Florida. After moving to D.C., Hugh became a lawyer, photographer and avid cyclist of Northern Virginia trails. His favorite spot in Alexandria is The Majestic bar in Old Town.

SARA DINGMANN Contributor

LUCINDA JENNINGS Illustrator

Sara is a senior at the University of Missouri, where she is studying journalism. She is spending her fall semester in the area. In the past she has contributed to publications in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota. When she isn’t working, you will find her getting coffee or ice cream from every local shop she can find. After graduation in the spring she hopes to work as a multimedia journalist.

Lucy lives in Woodstock N.Y., where she’s been drawing since she could hold a crayon. She is self-taught and known to spend hours filling her sketch books with elaborate drawings of eyes and lips. When she isn’t drawing and painting, Lucy spends her free time playing tennis, running track and swimming. She loves playing with her British shorthair cat Genki and her Australian Shepherd Auggie.

CHRIS MILITZER Contributor

SUSANNAH MOORE Contributor

STUART M. PERKINS Contributor

REGIS VOGT Photographer

Chris is a Virginia photographer whose work has been featured by USA Today, the United States Department of the Interior, Visit Virginia and Visit Alexandria. As a travel photographer, Chris has shot album covers in New York and performances in Paris. As a consultant and photographer, he has aided brands in their social media outreach. Chris has lived in Alexandria for 20 years and recently moved to Leesburg, where he resides with his wife and two daughters.

Susannah has called Alexandria home since 2015. After traveling the world as an Army brat, she graduated from the College of Charleston as a double major in Political Science and Jewish Studies. She has worked in the political and legal fields but is excited to rekindle her interest in writing. In her free time, she can be found practicing yoga, singing, running along the Potomac with her husband and spending as much time as possible with her golden retriever, Rosie.

Stuart is originally from Richmond and has called Alexandria home for nearly 10 years. He enjoys relating observations and the inherent lessons found in everyday situations. Some of these stories have been shared in publications such as Virginia Living and Chicken Soup for the Soul. When not writing about special moments in daily life, Stuart works at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Regis loves capturing the people and places of his hometown Alexandria, from weddings and events to beautiful homes and historic spaces. An alumnus of UVA and the Institute for Documentary Filmmaking at GWU, Regis has been entrusted to create images and visual stories for many leading performing artists, civic leaders, home builders and interior designers. Follow him on Instagram @regis_vogt.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

EVEN T K E Y Arts Food & Dining Family-Friendly Historic/Educational Live Music Nightlife Pet-Friendly Recreation & Outdoor Shopping Theater Workshop

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER

WINTER 2021

Calendar of Events January Family Twilight Boardwalk Stroll Jan. 1 | 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28 | 5:30 p.m.

Ford Evening Book Talk with

Hidden World Art Exhibit

Nathaniel C. Green

Jan. 8 – 30

Jan. 7

Del Ray Artisans will feature the “Hidden World” art exhibit starting Jan. 8. Hidden World is a visual representation of things that are not readily visible in our ordinary lives — an exploration of microscopic organisms, macro-depictions of nature, the metaphysical world, emotions, sounds and more. Entrance to the exhibit is free. Face masks and social distancing are required.

Join George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Join a park naturalist for a guided walk along forested paths to experience Huntley Meadows Park as it transitions from day into night. Watch and listen for beavers, owls and other nocturnal residents. This event is best for ages 6-plus. Tickets are $9 per person.

as they host Nathaniel C. Green, author of

Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley

Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.

“The Man of the People: Political Dissent and the Making of the American Presidency.” The event will be streamed live from Mount Vernon’s website, YouTube and Facebook channel for free. mountvernon.org

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. delrayartisans.org

Due to ongoing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, some of the events listed here may move online, be postponed or be canceled. Keep an eye on alexandrialivingmagazine.com for an updated events calendar or check in with event organizers before heading out this winter!

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

CALENDAR OF EVENTS STARTING Galligan. Galligan is an Asian-American cartoonist and the creator of The New York Times bestselling “The Baby-Sitters Club” graphic novel adaptations of “Dawn and the Impossible Three,” “Kristy’s Big Day,” “Boy Crazy Stacy” and “Logan Likes Mary Anne.” Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom meeting information. Registrants can submit questions for Galligan in advance.

JAN

librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7226122

Meditation and You: Start the New Year with Meditation Jan. 13 | noon – 1 p.m. Bring joy, peace, positivity and relaxation into your daily life and begin the new year with a fresh start. In partnership with Fairfax County Public Library, Dr. Andrew Vidich will help you achieve this by sharing simple meditation techniques. Registration required to receive the link to this virtual event.

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro | PHOTO BY CHRIS CRUZ FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

Alexandria Restaurant Week To-Go Jan. 22 – Feb. 7

librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/6935029

Two times a year since 2009, Visit Alexandria has hosted Alexandria Restaurant Week to celebrate the City’s reputation for excellent dining. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it meant the event would look a little different. Last summer, Alexandria had a successful two-week long Restaurant Week To-Go. More than 60 local restaurants participated with special deals and menus for the occasion. In light of this, Alexandria Restaurant Week To-Go will be happening again this winter. Check out participating restaurants and deals on the event website. visitalexandriava.com/restaurants/restaurant-week

PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

Ice and Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run

Online Author Event: Raising a Screen-Smart Kid

Stories in the Architecture

Jan. 9 – Feb. 28 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Jan. 9 | 1 – 2 p.m.

Jan. 13, Feb. 27 | 2 p.m.

The ice rink at Cameron Run Regional Park is open Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time on the park’s website as they are not available at the door. Skate sessions are limited to one hour. Availability of tickets are subject to change with COVID-19 regulations.

Fairfax County Public Library presents author, blogger and public health expert Julianna Miner, who will share tips from her book, “Raising a Screen-Smart Kid,” with updates for pandemic and remoteschooling realities. The book is designed to help kids navigate friendships, bullying, dating, self-esteem and more. Registration is required.

Venture behind the scenes, from the basement to the attic, and explore the history of the Lee-Fendall House through its architecture. Changes in style and home technology have all left their mark on the home, from when it was built in 1785 through its continued use as a home in the 20th century. This tour will include parts of the house that are not regularly open to the public. For your safety and for those around you, face masks are required. The tour is limited to 10 participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Members of Lee-Fendall House are admitted free but must call or email to make a reservation. Call 703-548-1789 or email: contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Cameron Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave. novaparks.com/events/ice-lights

librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7225370 PHOTO COURTESY OF NOVA PARKS

An Evening with Bestselling Author Gale Galligan Jan. 11 | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fairfax County Public Library is giving you the opportunity to virtually meet bestselling author and illustrator Gale

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St. leefendallhouse.org

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Tour Jan. 16, Feb. 20 | 10 a.m.

Carlyle House Historic Park | PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

Carlyle House Architecture Tour

Alexandria has grown from a small community in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. This tour of Alexandria will explore various architecture styles that adorn the city streets. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID-19 safety procedures will be in place during this tour. Participants are asked to wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5-hour guided tour. The tour will be held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. Tickets are $15. Carlyle House Historic Park, 121. N. Fairfax St. novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

Jan. 14, Feb. 11 | 5:30 p.m.

Under the Same Roof

Carlyle House is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture on the East Coast. This one-hour tour of Carlyle House is solely focused on the architecture and restoration of Carlyle House. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID-19 safety procedures will be in place during the tour. Tickets are $10.

Jan. 16, Feb. 13 | 2 p.m.

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121. N. Fairfax St. novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

Equitable Urban Development: Medellín, Columbia Case Study Jan. 14 | 7 – 8 p.m. Alexandria Library presents this virtual lecture in which Dr. Delario Lindsey, of Marymount University, will detail the community-driven improvements happening in Medellín, Colombia that are creating sustainable and equitable living conditions in this remarkable city. Registration is required. alexlibraryva.org/event/4688976

Twilight Hilltop Tour Jan. 15 | 4:45 p.m. Feb. 21 | 5:30 p.m. Historic Huntley Meadows sits high upon a hill overlooking Hybla Valley and Huntley Meadows Park. It is a dramatic setting made all the more stunning by the setting sun. Join a special after-hours tour and see the house in a different light. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Dress appropriately for the weather. Tickets are $8 each.

Explore the Lee-Fendall House from the perspectives of the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home as domestic servants, both before and after the Civil War. Hear the stories of the many people who built and shaped the Lee-Fendall House over the course of its history. For your safety and for those around you, face masks are required. The tour is limited to 10 participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Members of Lee-Fendall House are admitted free of charge but must call or email to make a reservation. Call 703-548-1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org. Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St. leefendallhouse.org

Carlyle House Museum 45th Anniversary Specialty Tours Jan. 21 | 4 – 8 p.m. On Jan. 18, 1976, the newly restored Carlyle House Museum reopened to the public after an extensive six-year restoration completed by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a special tour of the house to look back at the restoration through photos and artifacts. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID safety procedures will be in place, and there will be six slots available every halfhour from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Carlyle House Historic Park, 121. N. Fairfax St. novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

Historic Huntley Meadows, 6918 Harrison Ln. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/historic-huntley

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Renewable Energy, Nuclear Energy and Climate Change Jan. 21 | 7 – 8 p.m. Dr. Robert Ehrlich, professor of physics at George Mason University, will examine options for renewable energy in a talk presented by Alexandria Library. Ehrlich will consider the impetus to move away from fossil fuels and toward greater usage of renewable energy. He will also discuss the advantages and problems associated with renewable energy, a possible future for nuclear energy and the best scienceinformed policy with regard to our energy future. Registration is required for this virtual event. alexlibraryva.org/event/4690738

Garden Talk – Easy Houseplants to Grow Jan. 23 | 10 a.m. Why wait for spring to get your hands back in the soil? You can enjoy beautiful flowering and foliage plants right now, inside your home. Extension Master Gardeners at Green Spring Gardens will provide you with all the know-how you need to be successful. Tickets are $10. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

“Janet, you are a Super Star. I do not have words to thank you for making this happen with us!” REBECCA A.

Let me help you make your move in this uncertain yet opportunistic time!

Janet Caterson Price, Realtor NVAR Lifetime Top Producer | Licensed in VA 703.622.5984 I JanetPriceHomes.com | Janet@JanetPriceHomes.com 1 0 9 S P it t S t re e t , A le x a nd r ia , VA 2 2 3 1 4 | 7 0 3 . 5 4 9 . 9 2 9 2 | M c E n e a r n e y. c o m | E q u a l H o u s i n g O p p o r t u n i t y

Models Open | Alexandria Living Magazine | Half-page 4C: 8.5" x 5.35"

Price_ALM_Jan-Feb 2021_Final.indd 1

12/1/2020 2:29:47 PM

Models Now Open We are here for you and your loved ones. Visit Sunrise of Old Town for a one-on-one tour of our brand new models. You’ll get a sneak peek of our community’s amenities, activities, and dining program. We look forward to sharing our personalized approach to assisted living and memory care, coming to Alexandria in the spring of 2021. •

Highly trained, compassionate team of caregivers

•

Activities and programming customized to resident interests, nourishing mind, body, and spirit

•

Minutes from shopping, dining, and entertainment

•

Community cleaning protocols are constantly reinforced, with professional deep-cleans performed as necessary

•

Conveniently close to medical centers and hospitals

703-828-9198 SunriseOldTown.com/Living

YOUR PERSONAL TOUR OLD TOWN

© 2020 Sunrise Senior Living All our team members are following COVID-19 infection control protocols, including wearing a mask. Number of visitors allowed inside is limited, to maintain appropriate social distancing.

58720156-061-Sunrise_Old_Town_Print_Media_Ads_MODELS_OPEN_hz3.indd 1

400 N Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314

11/2/20 1:39 PM

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

drawing instruction. Drawing improves your observational skills and adds a dimension to your time spent outdoors. No prior skill is required for this workshop. Six-foot distancing will be required. Face masks are recommended. This class is intended for adults. Indoor restrooms are not available. Tickets are $15. Huntley Meadows Park | PHOTO BY MIKE CROSBY

Wetland at Dusk Walk Jan. 23 | 4:45 p.m. Feb. 20 | 5:15 p.m.

Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/Huntley

February

Join park naturalists for a relaxing stroll through the forest and wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park. Look and listen for wildlife settling down or waking up during the transition of day to night. This program is for adults and tickets are $9 each.

Feb. 11 | 7 – 8 p.m.

Jan. 31, Feb. 21 and 28 | 11 a.m.

George Washington Birthday Events Various dates / times While many events celebrating George Washington’s birthday, like the annual parade, are canceled due to COVID-19, keep an eye out for virtual or socially distanced events in honor of our first president from the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee. George Washington’s Mount Vernon will offer free admission Monday, Feb. 15 and Monday, Feb. 22. washingtonbirthday.com or mountvernon.org

Ford Evening Book Talk featuring Elena Peña Nature Drawing

Feb. 4 | Time TBA

Jan. 31 | 1 p.m. Feb. 19 | 10 a.m.

Join George Washington’s Mount Vernon as they host Elena Peña, the author of ¡Viva George! The event will be streamed live from Mount Vernon’s website, YouTube and Facebook channel for free.

Learn about natural subjects through drawing. Discover how to keep a field sketch book to learn about plants and animals all around you, plus get some basic

The “After Edward Hopper: Themes of Solitude and Isolation” art exhibit is inspired by American realist painter and printmaker Edward Hopper. Del Ray Artisans member artists explore the sense of isolation and separateness experienced due to social, economic and racial divisiveness. Gallery hours are Thursdays noon – 6 p.m., Fridays noon – 6 p.m. and Saturdays noon – 4 p.m. Entrance to the exhibit is free. Face masks and social distancing are required.

Community Gardening: How-to, from Plot to Harvest

Tell Me Your Name

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121. N. Fairfax St. novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

Feb. 5 – 27

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. delrayartisans.org

Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley

Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and plantations. The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18thcentury Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID-procedures will be in place during this tour. Tickets are $10.

“After Edward Hopper: Themes of Solitude and Isolation” Art Exhibit

mountvernon.org

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

As part of Alexandria Library’s Upgraded and Grounded Resiliency series, Lucresha Murphy-Tate of the Parks and Recreation Commission will explain how to get involved in Alexandria’s community gardens. Participants will also hear from a community member about their experience. As a bonus, Ellen Eggerton, Sustainability coordinator for Transportation and Environmental Services, will discuss the City’s composting program and how you can compost at home. Registration is required for this virtual event. alexlibraryva.org/event/4671241

Joan Shannon YOUR EYES & EARS FOR ALEXANDRIA

OLD TOWN HGTV 2020 WINNER

BELLE VIEW

V I L L A M AY

Joan's renowned, award-winning real estate expertise from Old Town to Villamay is extraordinary and has been in high demand for more than 20 years. Today is the day to contact Joan at joan@joanhome.com to learn about her complimentary staging packages with your home's listing strategy.

Joan Shannon

THE

Diamond Lifetime Top Producer, NVAR Licensed in VA & DC | 703.507.8655 joan@joanhome.com | joanhome.com

SHANN N More than luck, it’s experience

GROUP

109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | Equal Housing Opportunity

S U B S C R I B E TO D AY ! TASTE-TESTING WINGS

Subscribe to Alexandria Living Magazine and save more than 50% off the newsstand price! Plus, get special discounts and benefits you won't find anywhere else!

The Old Town Shop Ad

BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS

HOW TO ZERO-WASTE

Autumn Hikes Near Alexandria Building Boom:

24 Brand-New Developments

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM September / October 2020

$4.95

Subscribe and pay online at alexandrialivingmagazine.com/subscribe with complete security through our partners at Subscription Genius. Or, subscribe by mail. Send a check to Alexandria Living Magazine. Mail it to 201 N. Union St., Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22314. A 2-year subscription is just $24.95. Or, call us at 571-232-1310 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We can take your order over the phone.

Renovations Built to Last! Looking for a home contractor you can trust? We’re a father & son team with more than 17 years of experience here in Alexandria and beyond!

◆

Bathrooms

◆

Kitchens

◆

Decks

◆

◆ ◆

◆

Masonry & Stone Tile Handyman Jobs and More!

Call us and we will gladly provide references! 703-585-3993 ◆ delcastilloconstruction.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Plant Forward Movement: Planning, Eating and Label Reading

FEB

Feb. 16 | 7 – 8 p.m. Giant Food nutritionist Kristen McGill will talk about plant-based foods on the market and what to know when it comes to making healthy and environmentallyfriendly decisions. Adding plant-based foods to your diet is a great way to improve long-term health and maintain a healthy weight. Whether you are curious about plant-forward eating, how to understand labels or simply want to know ways to stay environmentally conscious, this lively discussion will provide useful answers and strategies that will get you moving in the right direction. Registration for this virtual event is required. alexlibraryva.org/event/4695190

PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

2021 EcoSavvy Symposium Virtual Event

The Art League Patrons’ Show 2021

Feb. 20 | 9:30 a.m. Learn innovative techniques to capture, store and redirect rainwater on your property. This program will be offered virtually with an email link. Cost to register is $26.

Feb. 21 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Art League’s Patrons’ Show Fundraiser will be virtual this year. It’s The Art League’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and it provides seasoned art collectors and newcomers alike with the great opportunity to acquire high-quality, original fine art at a bargain price while supporting a great non-profit organization and community of artists. For each ticket drawn, ticket-holders go home with a work of art valued anywhere from $225 to upwards of thousands of dollars. The show may be viewed online beginning Jan. 1 and in-person at The Art League Gallery three weeks prior to the drawing. Tickets are $225.

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Springs Road. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

Meditation and You: The Practical Approach to Meditation Feb. 23 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join Fairfax County Public Library for this digital program. Nirav Sheth will share meditation techniques that can increase calmness and clarity as well as promote happiness. Registration is required to receive the link to program. librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty/gov/event/6935055

Promoting Ethical Food Systems Feb. 23 | 7 – 8 p.m. The Virginia Food System Council will share how it is supporting key participants to create a more just and resilient food network. Join Frank A. Johnson, Jr., Virginia Food System Council board chair, to learn how the council is working throughout the Commonwealth to ensure healthy and sustainable foods are available to all citizens. Johnson will discuss the importance of inclusive and informed decision-making needed to support

The Art League, 105 N. Union St. theartleague.org

participants from farmers to distributors to consumers. A time for questions and answers will be available at the end. Registration is required for this Alexandria Library virtual event. alexlibraryva.org/event/4695372

and dream-filled comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters and how we actually go about changing the world. The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St.

The Revolutionists

thelittletheatre.com

Feb. 27 – March 20 | various times Four beautiful, sassy women lose their heads in Lauren Gunderson’s irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

AROUND TOWN

New Art Installation ‘Groundswell’ Coming to Waterfront Park A new art installation called Groundswell, featuring about 130 wood pilings in various heights, will adorn Waterfront Park in Old Town this spring.

positive. Jeyifous’s concept framed Alexandria’s African American history through the lens of the city’s industrial and merchant history from the 17th to 20th centuries.

Mark Reigelman is the third artist in the Site See: New Views in Old Town public art series.

It was so popular, in fact, that residents circulated a petition to keep it in Alexandria, and the artist agreed to loan it to Alexandria for long-term display. The art pieces were moved and are now installed in the park by Old Town Pool on Cameron Street.

Reigelman found inspiration for his art installation in Alexandria’s ever-evolving waterfront boundary, which has been underwater at various points in the past few centuries. Groundswell will feature about 130 wood pilings in varying heights that will run along to the Potomac River’s contours. Each piling will have cobalt-colored mirrors that will shimmer and reflect like water. They will be etched with a growth ring pattern, recalling the passing of time, according to the Alexandria Office of the Arts. Reaction to The 2020 art installation by Olalekan Jeyifous, Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies, was overwhelmingly

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of a planned live performance series around Jeyifous’s work. Instead, the Alexandria Office of the Arts commissioned Haus of Bambi for two films to capture them. The first, which was a spoken word series organized by Alexandria’s Poet Laureate KaNikki Jakarta, was released in November 2020 through Facebook. The second is set for a winter release and features a dance and movement performance by Tariq O’Meally. Both are available on Facebook at facebook.com/RCPAAlexandriaVA.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

New Year & needing a new home? We have the guide to make the move with ease.

JILLIAN KECK HOGAN R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P

Licensed in VA & DC 703.951.7655 I JillianKeckHogan.com

109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I 703.549.9292 I Equal Housing Opportunity

Artful Living

LUXURY CONDOMINIUMS NOW PRE-SELLING FROM THE $800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TO $2.65M 1201 N ROYAL STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSIE LEIBER

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs

BY MARY ANN BARTON

Winter officially settled in on Dec. 21 and will continue through March 20. The average high in January in Alexandria is about 44 degrees and the average amount of sunshine a day is less than three hours. Add a layer of COVID-19 anxiety, and you’ve got a recipe for the “blahs.” There are some things you can do to add a spring to your step and stave off the winter gloom.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

Volunteer. Helping others is scientifically guaranteed to boost your mood. According to Psychology Today, giving is a pathway to personal joy and improving your health. Check out volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Alexandria at volunteeralexandria.org.

Eat right. Foods with folic acid such as spinach and broccoli can increase your levels of serotonin, a hormone that stabilizes feelings of well-being and happiness. Omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, sardines, flax seeds and chia seeds are known to be mood stabilizers and play a role in mental well-being, too, according to WebMD.com. If you need a bigger boost in the right direction, contact a local licensed nutritionist such as Fueled & Fed in Del Ray.

Reconnect. Connect with a childhood friend on Facebook or a phone call. You’ll be going down memory lane and talking about the good old days in no time.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Rediscover the library. In addition to

Try a new hairstyle. Even if you’re

Dance. Create your own playlist

Gather 'round the firepit. Stop by

Surround yourself with plants and flowers. It’s not just your imagination, flowers really do boost your mood, according to a Rutgers study. Stop by one of Alexandria’s farmers markets, local florists or grocery stores to pick up a bunch of your favorite blooms.

Drink up! Are you staying hydrated? Even though it’s winter, you should be drinking about 124 oz. of water a day if you’re a man or 92 oz. of water a day if you’re a woman, according to U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. Dehydration can lead to achy joints, constipation and headaches. Make water more tasty and nutritious by adding a non-sugar sweetener with vitamins such as MiO.

Create a family tree. Speaking of reconnecting, hop on ancestry.com, and get started on your family tree. Need some help? Local company Family History Intelligence, run by former CIA analyst Lisa Maddox, can help you tell your story.

ebooks and a variety of virtual programs, you can peruse the latest editions of more than 100 national magazines — everything from Traditional Home and Prevention to Vanity Fair and Architectural Digest. Go to: alexlibraryva.org/ digital-magazines.

not going to the hairdresser these days due to the pandemic, you can still try something new like highlights (pick up some hair color at the drug store and watch a tutorial on YouTube). Not ready to commit? Try Crown Wigs, 706 King St. or Hollywood Fashion Wigs, 716 King St.

on Spotify or YouTube from your favorites and have a dance party in the living room. Try swing dance lessons via Zoom from local teachers Sue and Gary Caley. Find out more at: gottaswing.com.

Blackwall Hitch on Alexandria’s waterfront where you can enjoy a seat by the fire-pit or gather on your patio or driveway and invite the neighbors. Be sure to have s’mores materials on hand for the little ones.

11 Paint a room. Potomac Paint &

Design at Bradlee Shopping Center will help you choose a color, as well as any other materials you might need. (The Sherwin-Williams color of the year? Aegean Teal.)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Get into a new TV series. Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t just rank movies. You can also get their take on the best on TV if you’re looking for a new program to get into at rottentomatoes.com/top-tv/. Look for Chris Meloni’s new show “SVU: Organized Crime,” in 2021. (Meloni is a Class of ’78 St. Stephen’s grad

who played quarterback on the football team.)

Music. Working from home? Listen to music with Alexandria roots: The Mamas and the Papas (John Phillips, Cass Elliott), The Doors (Jim

Morrison), Nirvana or Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl) or FeelFree (Andrew Pfeiffer and Evan Hulahan).

Hug a pooch. If you don’t have a dog at home, be sure to stop and say hello to neighbors’ dogs while walking or apply to volunteer at the local animal shelter. Wear a mask and you’ll likely be more approachable. If you can offer a night, week or month-long stay for a pet, check out the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s foster program.

Plan a weekly happy hour. Hold a standing happy hour via Zoom with friends, relatives, neighbors or co-workers. Many Alexandria restaurants are offering cocktails to go.

Try a new scent. Find your favorite

Plan a movie night. Get your favorite

Get into a great book. Looking for

Plan a tropical vacation. They say

Take it outside. A brisk walk outside does wonders for your health, helping combat depression, body fat and weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Some great local spots for a winter walk include the waterfront, Huntley Meadows and the Mount Vernon Trail.

Game night. Hold a weekly game night via Zoom, with family or friends. Charades, cards, trivia, traditional board games or online games are all possibilities.

perfume or cologne (pick something from high school or college) or pick up a lemon, lavender or jasmine candle at Reunions in Alexandria.

movie candy (M&Ms? Milk Duds?), popcorn and beverages. Decide on a movie early so you won’t spend all your time ... deciding on a movie. Need some ideas? Rotten Tomatoes ranks all of the Oscarwinning Best Picture winners here: editorial.rottentomatoes.com/ guide/oscars-best-and-worst-bestpictures/

a good read? Stop by Old Town Books, 104 S. Union St. (or 130 S. Royal St. if you visit after they move in March). Their website at oldtownbooks.com has lots of great information on new books coming out and online events. We recommend you pick up local author John Adam Wasowicz’ Mo Katz mystery series, including the latest, Slaters Lane.

that planning a trip is half the fun. Although it’s uncertain when travel will be back to normal, there’s no ban on jotting down where you want to go and what you’d like to do when you get there. Create an itinerary that you can refer to when it’s time! (And be sure to check out this issue’s travel story about Aruba.)

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

FOOD & DINING

Hard Times Café Legend of the Horse PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARD TIMES CAFÉ

BY SARA DINGMANN

The white horse on the back of an antique pickup truck on King Street has been an unofficial Alexandria landmark for decades, but few people know why. “I’d always say, ‘That’s the horse. It’s... umm…’ Gosh, I don’t even know how to explain it,” said Ned Parker, a son of Fred Parker, who helped found Hard Times Café and brought the horse to King Street. The horse and 1941 Chevy pickup truck is one of the legacies left by Fred Parker, who died in April after a battle with cancer. The horse and truck have stood proudly in front of the restaurant and have been featured in local parades. “There’s the Masonic Temple, and then there’s the horse, Fred’s unofficial landmark,” Ned said. Fred took a gamble starting a restaurant on upper King Street, an area that in the 1980s was somewhat risky to start a business. There was a lot of crime in the area. Back in 2015, Fred told Living Legends of Alexandria that some customers had their cars broken into while they were dining.

Initially, they did not have the benefit of being close to a metro station. There was significantly less foot traffic in the area before the King Street – Old Town metro station opened in December 1983. Back then, that part of King Street didn't have the brick sidewalks and storefronts it has now. Having Hard Times Café there paved the way for other businesses to be able to grow into the area. “All the businesses had always been down by the water, and Hard Times was a pioneer in bringing businesses up further towards the temple,” Ned said. When visiting Hard Times, it is pretty clear Fred could be described as nostalgic, and he was very interested in collecting antiques. With Hard Times Café, he wanted to bring a taste of nostalgia with neon signs and a feel for the Old West with antiques. The horse and the truck fit right in with the Western feel.

THE ORIGIN OF THE HORSE Hard Times Café opened in 1980. Not too long after that Fred discovered a tack shop

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

in rural Virginia was getting rid of an old mannequin horse that modeled saddles. Fred struck a deal with them to purchase it, and then put it in the back of his antique truck and parked it outside the restaurant. It has been a part of Hard Times Café ever since. As a kid, Jonathan Parker, one of Fred’s sons, remembers driving the truck around to events all over the area. They would go to the National Zoo, the National Kidney Foundation, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School fundraisers and National Hot Dog Day events (serving chili dogs, of course). Jonathan always felt it was risky to take the truck on the interstate, worried it wasn’t going to be able to make it. “I was like, ’Are we playing Russian roulette here?’” Jonathan said, laughing. They would take it to many of the same events each year and to multiple parades, as well. Ned was often the one to dress up as George Washington and ride the horse. Washington was always accompanied by his “Secret Service” detail, young Cub Scouts in suits. “The best part of it was that after the parade is over, my dad would go 30-40 mph down Duke Street while I’m still on the

“There’s the Masonic Temple, and then there’s the horse.”

Fred Parker leans against his 1941 Chevy pickup, which he loved to point out was as old as him.

horse. And I’d get to freak people out,” Ned said. “People just driving by, they don’t even know there is a parade going on and they see this person dressed up as George Washington sitting on a horse.”

‘MANY PARKING TICKETS’ Ned remembers when he was a teenager, Fred would have to move the truck every day from around the corner to the spot in front of the restaurant. The truck couldn’t park there until 5 p.m. because the area was a loading zone. Even though he would try to move it every day, the truck got many, many parking tickets. At some point though, city parking enforcement officials gave up. “I think the city appreciates the fact that he was the first business that was in that area of Old Town,” Ned said. “I think the reward that they gave Fred for that was finally not giving him tickets.” The horse definitely drew attention in different ways over the years — one year it was “knit bombed” by a local knitting club. Fred loved it so much he kept the garments on for the Scottish Walk parade. Unfortunately, not all the attention resulted in fun decorations.

"Secret Service" Boy Scouts escort Hard Times Cafe's George Washington down the George Washington Birthday Parade.

Around 2003, the horse was stolen. A group of teenage girls had just gotten a new pick-up truck, so one night they drove up next to the horse, lifted it into the back of their truck and drove off. They hid it in a garage and spray painted it. It was missing for several weeks. Finally, one of the parents spotted the horse in their garage, immediately recognized it and called up Fred. “They asked if he wanted to press charges or anything, and he said, ‘Not at all. Everything is fine as long as they paint back over the horse and bring it back,’” Ned said. “It was a happy ending.”

“It was nice that Fred was reminded of that in his last moments, that he impacted people he never met because of his quirky and cool aesthetics,” Ned said. The family plans to continue the legacy of driving the horse in parades. Ned most recently drove it in a parade when his father was not well enough to do so himself. It was a rough ride, but he knows he’ll be able to keep doing it in the future. In his last conversation with his father, Ned promised he would continue driving the horse in parades. “It was like he was just lying there the last day waiting to have those last things tied up,” Ned said. “He loved the legacy of Hard Times...and he wanted more than anything for those things to be continued. And I think he was waiting to hear that before he left.”

Fred really wanted to create more than a restaurant. He wanted to create a community. The horse drew people together because it was a conversation-starter and became a larger-than-life character.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY A few days before Fred died, Ned put out a post on Facebook asking people to leave him voicemails to play for his father. The family was surprised when people they had never met called. Many of those called to tell Fred how much the horse meant to them, how it made them laugh and how they always checked to see if it was there when they came back to Old Town.

Ned saw his father’s breathing slow, and Fred took his last breath as Ned told him how he was continuing his legacy. Fred was very proud of his legacy in Old Town, even if he wouldn’t have admitted it. “Deep down,” Jonathan said, “he would have this satisfaction knowing that the horse did become this larger-thanlife character.”

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

OUTDOOR LIVING

PHOTO BY SCOTT WALSH

What Roams Through Your Yard? BY ANN CAMERON SIEGAL

I’ve spent years exploring backroads, searching for wildlife in its natural habitat. Photographing black bears and alligators in the Carolinas, or griz and moose in Alaska provides unforgettable moments. Seeing beavers, otters and eagles in local parks like Huntley Meadows or Mason Neck is always a treat. However, since what my wee granddaughter calls “The Big Germ” reined in everyone’s travel this year, I’ve found a surprising array of four-footed critters roaming through my quarter-acre lot in the heart of Alexandria.

remotely by some small helpers — lightweight, inexpensive trail cameras or “cams.” The art of using these rugged, weather-resistant, motion-activated cams is called “camera trapping.” In other words, you are not interfering with an animal’s natural movement or behavior, nor are you baiting them with food. You’re just gathering information. Wildlife trail cams are often used by hunters, but also serve as extra eyes for nature lovers and researchers. They can record videos, still photos or both, depending on your settings. Pop in some good quality batteries and a memory card, set the mode and timing, then tie the cam to a tree, fence or deck

Who knew that opossums, foxes, raccoons and rabbits use our middle-of-theblock lot as their nightly personal pathway to wherever? For some reason, they never seem to meet each other. We joke that maybe there’s a master time-slot scheduler at work. “Fox exit left to alley at 2 a.m.; raccoon family enter stage right by firepit at 3:15 a.m.,” etc.

FINDING NIGHTTIME CRITTERS IN YOUR YARD There’s no need to lurk stealthily in the bushes at 4 a.m. waiting for furry trespassers. Documentation can be captured

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Hints for Cam Placement

post on your property. Checking your cam periodically is fun low-cost entertainment — like opening a box of surprises each time. Neighbors and their kids have joined us in observing the antics and behavior of adorable chipmunks or wondering why numerous traveling cats mosey on through the yard rather than taking advantage of the free and plentiful mice scurrying around. We found a mom raccoon with five kits living under our shed; a fox pair — one with a limp — passing through almost nightly; and a runaway dog, dragging its leash, sniffing around under our deck. (Fortunately, it was returned to its owner before we could post the video.)

Knee-height works well for the usual backyard critters — it gives views from their level. If you put your cam up high, put a stick behind it to angle the view toward the ground. Clear branches or tall grass from directly in front of your cam to avoid having them trigger the sensor. Aim the cam north or south, if possible, to avoid glare during sunrise and sunset or place the cam looking out from under a deck, tree canopy or other overhang. Use your cam to answer questions: What’s living under the shed? What’s getting into the garden or the trash? What’s making your dog bark late at night? Most of all, enjoy the discoveries.

Critter cam tip: An eight-battery camera (right) means you won't be replacing batteries as frequently. And some people find regular-sized SD cards (left) easier to find if they get dropped in the grass or leaves. PHOTOS BY ANN CAMERON SIEGAL

Our cams exposed some plant-nibbling culprits — two cute bunnies. Once, a wee opossum (called a joey) showed up alone for several nights, with no parent in sight. While it appeared old enough and able to fend for itself, we did some research. Apparently, if a joey falls off its mother’s back, she just keeps on going… not stopping to see if it’s OK… probably not even noticing it’s gone. Well, since they eat mice and ticks, the joey is more than welcome to stay. Another video showed a raccoon walking gingerly on what seemed to be a sore front paw, so we consulted a local wildlife expert. We learned that when wild animals look healthy and are coming and going as this

one and the young opossum did, local wildlife centers don’t interfere. Animals can usually handle routine injuries. If we ever find one that is showing serious signs of distress, lethargy, pain or illness, we will contact a rescue group for guidance. Trail cams have opened a world of wonder just outside our door. Each new sighting teaches us more about animal behavior, how beneficial they can be, and how lucky we are to be coexisting in the city with amazing wildlife. Just recently we heard of a local family whose wildlife cam photographed a piebald deer in their yard. (Less than 2 percent of whitetail deer are piebald, characterized by a lack of pigment.) Oh to be so lucky!

Trail Cam Tips for Beginners Trail cams come in many styles — from basic traditional ones under $100 to cellular wonders costing hundreds of dollars each. If you are a beginning backyard sleuth, the simpler the better. Online reviews and YouTube videos will help narrow your choice. Understand the Terminology: Trigger speed is how fast filming takes place once movement is detected. Less than one second can help prevent missing some of the action. Recovery time: How quickly the cam is ready for the next picture or video after taking one. Detection zone – range of the area in which the cam will pick up motion. “No-glow” vs. “low-glow,” how visible the infrared illumination will be to animals or humans at night. Sensor sensitivity – look for adjustable settings – too high, you’ll capture an SD card full of branches and grass swaying in the breeze. Battery life: Good quality alkaline batteries are OK in warm weather, but lithium batteries, while more expensive at outset, will give longer life – especially in cold weather.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

PETS

Celebrate Your Pet’s Birthday with a Tasty Surprise BY SUSANNAH MOORE

PHOTO COURTESY OF MJ PET BAKERY

With the number of pet adoptions soaring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, these numbers could be even higher. While increased restrictions on social gatherings mean holding a large party with all your pet’s favorite animals and people may be out of the question this year, you can still celebrate your constant quarantine companion with a special birthday cake, treat or ice cream. Here’s a look at where you can find that celebratory splurge. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUFFIO DOG TREATS

You never forget the day you bring a new dog, cat or other pet into your life. Whether you rescued your pet from an animal shelter or were sent a picture of your new furry family member from a breeder, it’s a special memory you will cherish. Nearly half (43 percent) of dog owners and a third (29 percent) of cat owners celebrate their pet’s birthday (or “gotcha day”), according to the Purina Pet Institute. The American Pet Products Association estimates pet owners spent $99 billion on their pets in 2020.

Smallcakes Nova, 1506 Mount Vernon Ave., offers “pupcakes” made specially for your dog. They are a carrot cupcake with peanut butter icing topped with crushed MilkBones®. It is always best to order ahead to be sure of availability. Call 703-664-0312 or fill out an online order form on the shop’s website, at smallcakesnova.com.

The Dairy Godmother, 2310 Mount Vernon Ave., sells puppy pops for their canine customers. These frozen treats come in pumpkin or banana flavor. Made with plain yogurt, peanut butter and pumpkin or banana, they are wheat-free for dogs with allergies. The store also sells baked dog treats (they call “squirrels”) made from spent barley malt (a byproduct of brewing beer), eggs, vegetable oil and stoneground wheat flour.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

You can purchase doggie ice cream created by Boss Dog, YöPup or Bear & Rat at The Dog Park store, 705 King St. Shhh, don’t tell your dog, but these ice creams are not only tasty, they are healthy too. Made from frozen yogurt instead of cream, they’re packed with probiotics to give your dog’s digestive system a boost. They come in flavors like banana and peanut butter, bacon and peanut butter, cheddar and bacon, apple and chedder and pumpkin and cinnamon.

Dolci Gelati’s Old Town location, at 107 S. Fairfax St., sells more than just sweet treats for humans. They also sell gelato for dogs made from pet-friendly ingredients like sweet potatoes, honey and peanut butter. You may want to check with the shop ahead of time to make sure they have it in stock.

Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming has over 130 locations all over the country including right here in South Alexandria. The franchise at 6462 Landsdowne Centre Dr., is owned by Mina Kim. “Treats come in a wide variety of sizes, textures and flavors to please the palates of all pups,” she said. “Whether you feed crunchy, soft and chewy, training or freeze-dried treats, when it comes to treating your pup, it is important to provide them with healthy treats that do

PHOTO COURTESY OF WOOF GANG BAKERY

not contain corn, soy or by-products. All of our treats use healthy, dog-friendly, natural ingredients and we always have a selection of birthday and seasonal treats in stock for your furry friend’s special day!” If you want to give your dog a gift that keeps on giving, sign up for a monthly treat subscription from Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats. This Alexandria non-profit, founded in 2017, provides meaningful work and employment to persons with developmental and physical disabilities. On their website, you can purchase a yearlong treat subscription for $15 a month. Each month your dog receives one 8-ounce and one 4-ounce bag of Pawfectly’s signature all-natural ginger treats.

If you venture just outside of Alexandria to other parts of Northern Virginia you can find birthday cakes for both Spot and Whiskers. Dogma Bakery has locations in Arlington

Homemade Treats

MJ Pet Bakery was founded by two friends,

If you want to try your hand at making a homemade treat for your pet, there are plenty of recipes online. Keep in mind there are certain ingredients that are toxic to cats and dogs. Avoid: chocolate, ice cream & milk, sugar, salt, almonds, macadamia nuts, raisins, and grapes.

Julissa and Maria, who started out by making treats for their beloved dogs and cats before deciding they wanted to share them with other pets. They make cute, custom cakes and other tasty treats for your cat or dog. The Manassas-based bakery delivers throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. They also regularly attend the Oakton Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. They shared some advice to keep in mind when you are selecting a birthday treat. “Be specific when ordering treats and cakes. What flavors does [your] dog like/dislike? More importantly, what allergies or dietary restrictions does [your] pup have?” PHOTO COURTESY OF MJ PET BAKERY

For treats that are good for your pet and for the planet, check out Ruffio Dog Treats. The company was founded by Patrick Thomas to provide locally sourced, plant-based and “superfood” treats for dogs. Each treat is handcrafted using ingredients from local farmers. You can order a variety of fun flavors on the company’s website or by stopping by the Old Town Farmers market on Saturday morning. For fun ideas to create gourmet dog snacks using Ruffio treats, be sure to follow them on Instagram @ruffiodogtreats.

(2772 S. Arlington Mill Dr.) and Reston (11414 Washington Plaza West). Their dog treats are baked in the store from human-grade, dogsafe ingredients. They are also able to make custom dog treats and even cakes to celebrate any occasion.

Instead, try using some of the following ingredients that are commonly used in treats for cats and dogs. Do not use them if your pet is sensitive or allergic to any of these ingredients. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian first. DOGS

Flour Oats Peanut Butter Honey Banana Pumpkin Sweet Potato Coconut Oil

CATS

Tuna Shrimp Chicken Egg Whites Flour Oats Cheese

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

THE SMALL THINGS

Just Some Vanilla BY STUART PERKINS

“Maybe it will move fast,” I thought, and took my place in line. There is often a long checkout line at Whole Foods and today was no different, but the added six feet of social distancing between shopping carts made it worse. Through the large storefront windows, I mindlessly watched traffic on Duke Street and waited my turn to move toward the register. I was only vaguely aware of the rack of extracts and flavorings beside me, leftovers from the Christmas baking rush. Just ahead of me, I noticed frantic movement from someone in line. A woman, already too far in front to reach the rack near me, waved her hand to get my attention. “Can you get me some vanilla?” I nodded and turned to help. That’s when old memories came flooding back. I’m no fan of winter weather now, but as a kid, there were times I looked forward to a heavy snowfall. Not because I missed school, or went sledding or built a snowman, but because my sister and I would go to the grocery store for my grandmother.

ILLUSTRATION BY LUCINDA JENNINGS

At some point as kids, we decided we must trudge through deep snow to our grandmother’s house, no matter

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

the cold, to see whether she needed anything from the store. Nannie lived in a huge old farmhouse just across a field from us. She cooked often, and when she did, she made a lot. At any given moment, she likely had enough ingredients in her pantry and refrigerator to prepare an impromptu meal for 20. Still, we were sure she needed something, and we would gladly suffer the bitter cold to make the trip for her. We were going to save the day, after all. Fueled by the excitement of our impending usefulness, we braved biting winds and plodded across the snowy field. We stomped snow from our boots and headed inside Nannie’s house to await what was sure to be her massive checklist of indispensable items. How else could she make it to the spring thaw if not for us? She relied on us. We were important. We waited stoically for her extensive list of needs. “Well,” Nannie began as she watched falling snow pile against the window, “can you get me some vanilla?” We knew she baked a lot, but still. What about milk? Bread? Eggs? Just ... vanilla? Well, if it was important to Nannie, it was important to us. Vanilla was apparently very, very necessary during inclement weather. How fortuitous that we arrived when we did! Off to the store in foul weather we walked, vanilla purchased, and back again to Nannie’s house. We might have returned cold, soaked, red-cheeked and tired... but, mission accomplished. See? We knew she needed us.

WHY BUY NOW? Interest rates are near historical lows. Don’t wait to buy because you may not get rates this low tomorrow!

“Here you go,” I said, and handed over the tiny brown bottle. That pattern repeated for years whenever there was a heavy snow. If a year happened to have two heavy snows, Nannie somehow needed two bottles of vanilla. Our timing was uncanny. How relevant we were. It was important Nannie have that vanilla and without our help, her hopes were dashed. All would have been lost, certainly. We felt an amazing sense of accomplishment after making those icy trips for her. We might be kids, but look at us. We mattered! Years later, as adults, my sister and I sat with Nannie on her back porch one hot afternoon. Although it was summer, our conversation worked around to those long-ago winters and our frigid walks to the store. I laughed and asked her why she needed so much vanilla. She sipped her iced tea, and grinned. “I didn’t need vanilla. You wanted to be of help, so that’s what I asked for,” Nannie said. She admitted there were probably times she truly needed something, but would never have asked us kids to carry groceries through the snow. She only “needed”

vanilla because she knew being helpful mattered to us — and vanilla was easy to carry! A few years after that conversation, Nannie was gone. While emptying her house, I stood in the kitchen and absent-mindedly opened a cabinet. There, in a back corner, were several bottles of vanilla. I can never be sure any were purchased by two kids in a snowstorm, but I slipped one into my pocket just the same. I still have that reminder today. Just then, a movement ahead of me in line caught my eye.

Toni Slye Miller

Mortgage Banker NMLS# 1083974 D: 703-466-4016 C: 703-402-6970 Toni.Miller@amerisbank.com

The woman was still waving her hand to get my attention. She repeated, “Can you get me some vanilla?” I mentally stomped snow from my boots as I reached for it. “Here you go,” I said, and handed over the tiny brown bottle. amerisbank.com/mortgage All loans subject to normal credit approval.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

HISTORY

The Right Place, the Right Time BY MARY ANN BARTON

One thing Allison Silberberg remembers about a day 17 years ago: She almost didn't bring her camera. It was a hot, muggy Saturday in August 2003 and she was about to hop into her car and head to the Lincoln Memorial, where a friend was shooting video. It was the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, when Martin Luther King, Jr. had delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. A stone etching of his words from the speech was being dedicated at the memorial and King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, was expected to attend. Silberberg, a former mayor of Alexandria, then 40, was doing some freelance photography at the time for The Washington Post and decided at the last minute to grab her camera. “I was right at my door when I grabbed some film from my refrigerator and shoved it in my pocket.” She placed her Canon and batteries in her bag and headed out.

Coretta Scott King attends a ceremony dedicating an engraved marker in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington Aug. 23, 2003 in Washington, D.C. | PHOTO BY ALLISON SILBERBERG / GETTY IMAGES

up there.’ I didn't know what that meant,” Silberberg said.

was in the perfect position to get a unique photo of King. “I guess I could...”

Forman asked Silberberg to escort him to the spot via an elevator. “I had no idea there was an elevator in the Lincoln Memorial,” she said.

“I pulled all of my equipment out and was fiddling with F-stops and trying to figure it out. I was like ‘Oh God!’ and I was mumbling.” She crouched down and got five or six shots off before King turned back to face forward.

As the ceremony got underway, Forman flagged Silberberg over to some empty seats and she ended up seated in the second row. “It was a beautiful day, blue sky, big puffy white clouds...except for the heat and humidity. In 1963, people were in suits and women were in dresses and heels. People were dressed, that's what the pictures show, but that day in August 2003, I was just there hanging out in my shorts and T-shirt. I was so hot, I had poured a bottle of water over my head. I was so overheated.” To her right was an area roped off for photographers and cameras covering the event.

At the memorial, Silberberg met civil rights activist James Forman, 75. “He and I had a great conversation,” she said. “I photographed him. I thought he had such a fascinating face and history and was so dedicated to civil rights. He was a bit frail, but he was really feisty and had a lot of great positive energy. You could see the young man in the elderly man.”

“You could hear the crowd go silent and they're looking and here comes Mrs. King,” Silberberg said. “She was just so elegant, and poised and epitomized the meaning of grace and she was in a beautiful pink silk suit that I just loved the minute I saw it. And I thought ‘Wow there's Mrs. King.’ She walked right past me and sat right in front of me as I’m sitting next to Mr. Forman.”

As they waited for the ceremony to begin, “someone came up to Forman and said ‘We need to start moving everyone to the base of the Lincoln Memorial and Mr. Forman we need to get you

When Mrs. King looked to her left, Silberberg saw her face in profile and thought “What a beautiful picture — with the sky and the crowd below at the Reflecting Pool,” she said, realizing she

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Using film, you don’t have a chance to see if you “got the shot,” but Silberberg was pretty certain she had. She took the film to be developed in Georgetown and after picking up the prints saw that she had indeed gotten a memorable photo. Silberberg contacted Getty Images to see if they would accept it and handle licensing agreements. Although it was unusual, after seeing the photo, a Getty representative agreed nearly on the spot to accept it. Since then, Silberberg's photo has been published extensively by many publications. The most memorable was after Mrs. King passed away in 2006, when the photo was used by Target for full-page ads the company took out in The Washington Post, The New York Times and other major metropolitan newspapers to commemorate King's service to the country. Silberberg said she would like to see her photo of Coretta Scott King make its way into the Smithsonian or on a U.S. postage stamp. For now, one thing’s for sure, each time she leaves the house: She’ll think twice before she leaves her camera behind.

HOME & GARDEN

PHOTO BY REGIS VOGT

New Year, New Kitchen BY MARY ANN BARTON

Homeowners are eating at home much more these days — and that means the heart of the home has been getting a workout. With the pandemic-induced zeal for sourdough bread and big holiday meals, an increasing number of homeowners are starting to look at how to improve their kitchen. Among the top reasons for a kitchen remodel are the desire for more functional space and better organization, according to according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

In 2020, the percentage of homeowners actively working on home remodeling projects increased from 19 percent in the first quarter, before the pandemic hit, to 36 percent by the end of the second quarter. In addition to wanting to spruce up the spaces where they're spending more time, some homeowners are redirecting dollars saved from canceled vacation travel other planned expenses into home improvement projects. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, check out the next few pages for ideas and tips.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

HOME & GARDEN

NKBA Kitchen Design Trends for 2021 • Pantry storage with custom organization features are in demand as people are staying home more and stocking up on supplies. • Steam ovens are the next big thing when it comes to high-end appliances. They make healthy eating less time consuming. • Marble inspired quartz countertops continue to be a favorite design choice. • Appliance garages are a great way to hide large, eyesore appliances out of sight but at the ready.

Right: Glass door china cabinets allow you to display your china collection and elevate simple pantry into an artful display. Below: Tiered spice organizer allows you to see all of your spices in a glance. PHOTOS BY REGIS VOGT

When planning a kitchen renovation, it’s critical to take a step back and think about what you need in your new kitchen. For a successful remodel, take inventory of what currently works in your kitchen, where you could use more storage and what areas of your kitchen could use improvement, said Nadia Wall of Braemar Cabinetry in Old Town Alexandria. “Before you embark on a kitchen remodel, it is helpful to take inventory of the items you don’t have enough storage for now and share those

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Custom pot and pan poll out organizers allow you to stack large pots and sauté pans in one area while keeping the lids organized and upright. PHOTO BY REGIS VOGT

with your kitchen designer. This will ensure your designer clearly understands your needs and incorporates solutions into your design,” Wall said. Kitchens have always been the heart of the home, but their role as a gathering place has really been cemented by the current pandemic. According to NKBA’s annual Market Outlook study: • 55 percent of respondents are spending more time cooking and eating at home • 45 percent are spending more time in the kitchen • 30 percent are buying and storing more groceries in bulk quantities • 13 percent are using the kitchen for remote work and learning That means that a family’s lifestyle will play a role in a new kitchen design, Wall explained. “‘Do they have kids? Are they enthusiastic bakers? Do they have an extensive wine collection? Finding out how clients use their space is key to meeting their needs through design.” Even through kitchens are being used for more than cooking, you likely won’t find mom, dad or the kids sitting at a traditional desk in newer kitchens. “Even though more people are working from home and home-schooling, built-in desks have fallen by the wayside,” said Wall. “People are more mobile now. Facing a wall is not appealing anymore. People would rather gather around the island or a kitchen table.” As more people shift to using their kitchen counter as a makeshift desk, the need to be able to put away everyday kitchen items in concealed spaces is becoming more desirable. “Today, the options are really endless as to how to create stylish storage in your kitchen. Custom cabinetry allows clients to tailor every single cabinet in their kitchen to serve a specific purpose,” Wall said.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

A custom hood with satin brass accents adds the right amount of glamour to this traditional navy and white kitchen. PHOTO BY REGIS VOGT

LIGHTING

Not ready for a full reno? Plan a kitchen refresh instead. You don’t have to gut-renovate your kitchen or buy all new appliances to make your kitchen more functional and organized. Organized Living, a business partner of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing, offers these tips: • Carve out “zones” in your pantry for snacks and drinks. • Browse storage solutions such as adjustable shelving. • Keep frequently-used items accessible. • Top shelf storage is where you can put things like punch bowls that don’t see a lot of use.

Lighting has always been important when designing a successful kitchen, as it can affect both mood and functionality of the space, said Danielle Steele of Marks-Woods Construction Services. Good kitchen lighting should include more than just decorative fixtures over the island; task lighting, recessed lighting, in-cabinet lighting and more can come together to make a kitchen both more attractive and easier to use.

APPLIANCES Kitchen appliances are growing in priority and size — but getting new appliances may be tricky. The pandemic created major supply chain disruptions in the first half of 2020, and the high demand for new appliances means homeowners may need to wait a little while for their appliances of choice to be available. In recent years, people seem to be willing to spend a larger amount of their renovation budget on appliances, Steele said. As they become visual focal points and statement pieces in their own right, high-end hoods and custom color appliances are a sought-after feature. Another appliance trend: People are looking for healthy options when cooking and asking

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

for steam ovens, Wall said. “It used to be a rarely-requested item, but that is making its way into a higher percentage of our projects.” With steam ovens, you can cook a variety of foods at the same time, such as a tray of fish, broccoli and rice. While stainless steel appliances are still very popular, a growing trend for appliances is to highlight them, Wall said. “Appliances are becoming a popular choice for clients who want to show off their individual flair. Custom color appliances and mixed metals allow clients to take appliances from solely functional to unique and decorative. Bright color ranges and mixed metal appliances are looking to be a big trend in 2021.” If people want to make a statement in their kitchen, it might be with the range. Ranges and hoods used to be utilitarian but now, “It’s where clients want to splash out,” Wall said. “There are so many appliance brands that let you customize the color or add brass bezels, fun colors or gold accents. It’s a showpiece.” The national average cost for a kitchen remodel is more than $25,000, according to HomeAdvisor.com. Save up (or consider a home equity loan, since kitchen renovations can help the value of a home) and plan before you dive in this year.

205 S. Union Street

Alexandria, VA

703.838.9788

www.markswoods.com January / February 2021

â&#x20AC;¢ alexandrialivingmagazine.com

HOME & GARDEN

The Pandemic Purge Refreshing your home in 2021 BY SARA DINGMANN

Countertops are cluttered. There’s paper everywhere and the holiday decorations are still up. Many Alexandria residents face a long winter cooped up in their homes, and the clutter that built up over the holidays can make it feel like the walls are closing in. We spoke to some local home organizer and designer pros who offered their tips on how to make your spaces feel fresh and welcoming. Here’s what they recommend.

PHOTO BY CHERISH PENNINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY

LESS IS MORE Professional organizer Lindsay Downes, owner of A Considered Home and mother of two, knows what it’s like to have toys and schoolwork all over the house. She understands the importance of having an organized home, but also realizes it might be a daunting task. While people might want to take on a large project like organizing an entire space, it is best to start small, she advised. Downes said instead of tackling your entire closet at once, take on one “category,” at a time, like your jeans. “I’ve seen it with clients who empty out

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

their closets and they are like, ’Oh my God, I don’t know what to do. Please help,’” she said. It’s OK if you can’t keep the entire house clean all the time, but you should try to have some “sanctuary spots” with lots of white space that you keep clean, she noted. When you feel disorganized, you can have that one spot of peace. Downes has minimal living room decorations, which is also the same room her kids play in. A great place to keep organized is the entrance of your home. Have a landing spot for gloves, hats, scarves, boots and jackets.

“There are two ways to get more space — you can move or you can get rid of stuff.” - LINDSAY DOWNES

But don’t overload this zone — keep one set of each for every person. “Having less is actually easier to manage,” Downes said. “So, when it comes to kids, having one set of gloves and just keeping track of one simplifies your life much more than having 12 different pairs of gloves and trying to match each one.” Store any back-up pairs outside your entryway.

ADD FUNCTION TO WORKSPACE As more people spend time working from home, they are realizing their space is not set up to be productive, said interior designer Jan Bertin, owner of Bertin’s Decorating Den Interiors. The seating might not be comfortable or there may not be enough light. Light for your workspace or favorite reading chair can really help to improve the functionality of that space. “I used to say that half of Fairfax County was sitting in the dark,” Bertin said. One of the most common things she sees is that people do not have enough lamps to light a room. While lamps used to be difficult to find, many more stores sell them now. People may also find they need a designated place to work rather than using the kitchen table. This is especially important for kids doing more schooling from home. However, desks have become difficult to find. If you’re in a pinch and desperately need a desk for kids to do their schoolwork you can check second-hand stores.

PHOTOS BY CHERISH PENNINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY CHERISH PENNINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY

“It gives it a second life and is something that you might much more easily find at a secondhand store,” Bertin said. “It doesn’t have to be a desk, it could be a table, but you have to be imaginative right now to get this kind of stuff.”

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

HOME HOME & & GARDEN GARDEN

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAN BERTIN

If that won’t work for you, Downes offers a different solution – rolling carts. A cart allows for all your child’s materials to stay in one place while he or she can move about the house and work where they feel most comfortable that day. It can be a challenge for kids to work in one spot all day. “I’ve seen people wanting to have very designated home space for their children to do work,” Downes said. “Like, ’This is the room, this is the desk, this is where my kid will sit all day and do their stuff for school.’ And as adults, we know that we don’t want to just sit in one place.”

PHOTO BY CHERISH PENNINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Even if your child does not need to move around the house for productivity, carts and baskets are a great way to prevent stuff from piling up.

REDUCE THE CLUTTER Creating white space and removing items to decrease clutter can help a space feel less overwhelming. “There are two ways to get more space — you can move or you can get rid of stuff,” Downes said. Getting rid of stuff is by far easier and cheaper. Even if you don’t want to get rid of all your stuff, you could try rotating your decor and furniture. One way to do that is to make sure your end tables, mantles and other horizontal spaces are not filled with every piece of decor you own. Figure out what you really want to display and rotate through the other pieces you still enjoy. Downes figured out what pieces were important to her when she

We love the homes we do - everything from highly traditional to rock star! PHOTO BY CHERISH PENNINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY

thought about how much time she spends cleaning it. “I got really annoyed dusting it all the time,” she said, asking herself: “’Do I really want to spend my life lifting this thing dusting and putting it back?’” Items like that she either gives away or puts in storage for a while. One way to cut down on clutter is to swap out your year-round decorations with your seasonal ones, Downes recommended. Rotating items can also apply to toys. Downes, who has a master’s degree in child development and previously a preschool teacher, said in her experience, she has seen that kids do not need a ton of toys to play with. In fact, offering fewer toys stimulates more creative play and is less stuff you have to clean.

REFRESH THE SPACE Interior designers have been busy as many people, spending more time at home, are opting to do full makeovers during the pandemic. If you want something new but can’t do a full makeover, change something smaller, like your bedding. “Just something to look forward to, having new bedding can be a real treat,” Bertin said. If looking for a larger project, it would be a good time to add some color. “A fresh coat of paint lifts everybody’s spirits.” For sunny rooms, she suggests brightening things with yellow. For darker rooms, you might want to embrace it and make it cozy with greens and navy blues.

Call us and let us help you love your home!

SERVING ALEXANDRIA FOR 25 YEARS 703-299-0633

janetbertin@decoratingden.com janetbertin.decoratingden.com

alexandrialivingmagazine.com â&#x20AC;˘ January / February 2021

Alexandria Dining Scene Warms Up to Winter The restaurant scene in Alexandria has always been a vibrant part of what makes the city so special. But an unprecedented pandemic (the National Restaurant Association estimated restaurants losing $240 billion by the end of 2020), has been the biggest challenge to ever hit the industry. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder that restaurant owners are getting as creative as possible to stay in business. Take-out, delivery, outdoor dining in cold temperatures, enhanced air filtration, reducing tables, plastic shields and more are all part of the mix as Alexandriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurants step up to keep their businesses alive. On the following pages, we talk to local restaurant owners about how they are fighting back, the added challenges of reducing waste from additional take-out and delivery and opening a restaurant during the pandemic.

At King & Rye's: Country ham biscuit, beer-battered cauliflower and oysters and seasonal cocktails. PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

January / February 2021 â&#x20AC;˘ alexandrialivingmagazine.com

Photos (top to bottom): Sonoma Cellar patio dining. PHOTOS BY SARA DINGMANN

King & Rye patio dining. PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

Outdoor Warmth, Indoor Air Safety Key to Restaurant Success BY SARA DINGMANN

The restaurant industry has faced many challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic started, but this winter could be one of their biggest hurdles yet.

filling almost every day, according to partner Dave Nicholas of Alexandria Restaurant Partners.

“It’s going to be a hard winter, a lot of guys aren’t going to make it,” said Mike Anderson, founder of Homegrown Restaurant Group, which operates Holy Cow, Sweet Fire Donna’s, Whiskey & Oyster, Tequila & Taco, Pork Barrel BBQ and The Sushi Bar.

“No matter how many people want to sit there, they are only going to wait so long for a table,” Nicholas said. Additional outdoor seating on the street and sidewalks has helped restaurants stay afloat.

While restaurants have been allowed to have some level of indoor dining since May, many restaurants like Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen and Fontaine Caffe and Creperie have seen most of their customers choose to sit outside. “You can have the inside completely empty, while the outside is full and has a wait list,” the owner of Fontaine said. Other restaurants like Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Vola’s Dockside Grill and Theismann’s Restaurant and Bar have seen the inside of the restaurant

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Even if they are able to fill the space available inside, the capacity limits of keeping tables 6 feet apart and no bar seating is not sustainable.

In early October, the City of Alexandria extended the outdoor dining program through March 2021, which allows for restaurants to use parking spaces for dining. Restaurant owners have worked hard to figure out how to keep their outdoor spaces open and make people feel safe while sitting inside.

Bringing the Heat One common solution to keeping outdoor spaces is open is heat lamps. However, their implementation can be a bit tricky.

The heat lamps you see with the mushroom top outside of restaurants run off of propane, which has strict regulations on how and where it can be stored. Tanks must be locked away, but they cannot be stored inside. Fontaine is working around the storage issue by using Propane Taxi, which will switch out low tanks for them. “We never planned to store them,” Fontaine’s owner said. “We don’t really have the space to do that. Even if we had the space to store something like that, we are probably using it for something much more important.” One of the crucial things for businesses right now is to keep space open for customers. Fontaine orders heater long before it started getting cold. Unlike some people, Fontaine's staff realized very early on that changes to business operations as a result of the pandemic were going to be long term. “Once we opened up in May, I was already thinking, ‘What does winter look like?’” the owner said. The heaters for the winter were ordered by June.

“This has been challenging. The good part is that we have all been forced to be creative and think outside the box in ways we probably would have never done.” - Owner of Fontaine

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

Safety Indoors While ARP has seen their restaurants fill up inside, they want to make everyone feel as safe as possible. In late October, ARP installed needlepoint dipolar ionization (NPBI) air purifiers at all of their Virginia restaurants.

Igloos at King & Rye are heated. | PHOTO BY HUGH CLARK

Other restaurants have had a difficult time finding heat lamps as so many other businesses are rushing to get them too. This also played out in the spring as restaurants all scrambled to get extra patio umbrellas. Outdoor winter dining veteran Sonoma Cellar lucked out and found four new heat lamps on eBay for their expanded outdoor seating. “There were none to be found at Home Depot or Lowe’s or any of the normal places to find patio heaters,” said co-owner Elizabeth Myllenbeck. “They were all sold out.” Sonoma Cellar has kept their back garden open during previous winters. Largely sheltered from the wind, they can keep the space warm with heaters and a fire pit. Every Tuesday night is cigar night. A group of guys have been doing that every week, even through the winter. In the past, Sonoma Cellar provided blankets for people to use, but out of safety concerns, they are asking people to bring their own blankets. At Hank & Mitzi’s, they’re asking patrons to BYOB (bring your own blanket) and offering free hot drinks from their bar menu to those who dine on the patio.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Blocking the Elements Other restaurants are not as fortunate as Sonoma Cellar when it comes to blocking the wind. Many places are looking at ways they can use tents and heaters, but normal propane heat lamps can’t be used near umbrellas or tents. At an Alexandria Economic Development Partnership webinar about businesses using outdoor spaces, Anderson discussed electric heaters specifically designed for use in a tent. ARP’s Nicholas is also trying to find the best way to heat a tent. He told us in September they were looking at using dining bubbles – igloo-looking tents, much like you would see in Europe. The Alexandrian’s King & Rye brought the igloos to its patio in December. There is not a clear consensus on how safe these bubbles are when trying to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In a Washington Post article, experts suggested dining with individuals from your close circle, keeping a side of the tent open, and disinfecting surfaces inside and airing out the tent after each use. Keeping a side of the tent open may make it a bit cold "inside," but air circulation is critical to pandemic safety.

This air-purifying system was tested on COVID-19 and has been able to reduce COVID-19 particles in the air by 99.4 percent in 30 minutes, according ARP. Sonoma Cellar is using Blueair purifiers in their restaurant. “People are going to start choosing indoors as a dining option, because it’s just too chilly outside,” Myllenbeck said. Air purifiers have been found to be an effective way to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, according to Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious disease expert at Mayo Clinic. Although he and other experts emphasize that we still need to layer protection in addition to filtering the air, limiting room capacity and having good ventilation are key factors in helping reduce the spread, experts told Vox. Restaurants will have to continue adapting their strategies throughout the winter. “This has been challenging,” Fontaine’s owner said. “The good part is that we have all been forced to be creative and think outside the box in ways we probably would have never done.”

How Alexandria Restaurants Will Survive the Pandemic BY SARA DINGMANN

The coronavirus pandemic has greatly altered our normal. One of the industries rattled the most? Restaurants.

began as soon as they closed their

At one point forced to close, they reopened with strict seating regulations and are adapting to make up for the lost customers.

their own solutions that will likely

doors in March. Sonoma Cellar and other restaurants have gotten creative with how they are serving customers by leaning on current trends and coming up with affect the local restaurant scene for years to come.

Takeout Takes Off Even before the pandemic, restaurants were growing their takeout and delivery services, but they have really exploded in the past year. Gregg Linzey, owner of Chewish Bagels, knew that’s where the industry was going when he opened his food truck in March. His food

“Bottom line, it has made us consider every possible additional revenue stream and ways we could support our employees and support our guests during this time,” said Elizabeth Myllenbeck, co-owner of Sonoma Cellar, a restaurant and tasting room near Alexandria’s waterfront. They completely revamped their food offerings, expanding to breakfast and afternoon tea. “We’re just a small family-run restaurant, but you have to be super nimble,” Myllebeck said. “So, we were able to move quite quickly on that.” Their menu expansion planning

Cheesetique readies takeout orders. | PHOTO BY CHRIS CRUZ FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

serve customers without having to take up more restaurant space. Running multiple restaurants out of one kitchen does create more work for the staff, but ARP partner Dave Nicholas said he knows that it means business is doing great. “I had a chef who said, ‘Oh my gosh, all this additional prep!’ And I said, ‘I hope this is a problem in the middle of the winter.’”

Sampling of food offered by Touchdown Wings & Burgers, food that travels well for takeout. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARP

truck flourished during the pandemic, inspiring him to open a Chewish Bagels storefront in the fall. He knew it had to be set up for take-out only since most people would not be parking themselves with their laptops. “With coworking spaces, fewer people need a place to sit down with a coffee and a bagel to get work done,” Linzey said. The pandemic has only forced this trend further. Restaurants that did not have online ordering platforms scrambled to set those up when the pandemic started. Before setting up their online ordering platform, Bread & Water Company converted their outside counter bar into a curbside pick-up window.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

Customers could call ahead to place orders and pick it up at the window. This solution allowed Bread & Water Company to open back up just after one day of being closed back in March. Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP) started their delivery and take-out program with Mia’s Italian Kitchen, and has since expanded to create a new virtual restaurant brand called Touchdown Wings & Burgers, exclusively for delivery. A virtual restaurant does not have a traditional storefront and is housed in existing facilities of another restaurant by the same owners. Touchdown Wings & Burgers is based out of Joe Theismann’s Restaurant (another ARP restaurant) and was a great way to

Touchdown Wings & Burgers took flight in mid-October, and in November they were looking for one space where they could combine their brands for delivery, allowing people to order different types of cuisines, all from one location. They were still finalizing the decision, but the concept is something Nicholas has been wanting to do for 20 years after experiencing a similar take-out restaurant in London. “I bring it up every year,” he said. “’Let’s do a kitchen where you could order Italian, Indian and burgers.’” “You got four different family members who can all order something different and it all comes from the same kitchen.” The concept of virtual kitchens has been a growing phenomenon and will likely continue to expand as the pandemic drives more delivery orders.

Owned and Operated Delivery ARP was not the only restaurant group to start a new virtual brand. Alexandria’s Neighborhood Restaurant Group started Neighborhood Provisions when the pandemic began. Neighborhood Provisions offers a combination of food, grocery and ready-tocook food delivery from their restaurants including Rustico and Red Apron in Alexandria and the surrounding D.C. area. “The goal of Neighborhood Provisions is to provide quality grocery items and prepared foods, exciting beverages and sundries in a safe and reliable manner while keeping as many of our people employed as possible,” Erik Bergman, director of operations, noted. When they closed at the beginning of the pandemic, Neighborhood Restaurant Group had to lay off several hundred employees. Starting the digital brand has enabled them to hire many of them back. While other virtual brands like Touchdown Wings & Burgers rely on third-party delivery services, items from Neighborhood Provisions are delivered by their own staff. This not only helps cut down the fees third-party services charge, it also allows Neighborhood Restaurant Group to hire back more of their employees. “If we need to pay someone to make a delivery, we would much

Taste in place at Sonoma Cellar. | PHOTO COURTESY OF SONOMA CELLAR

rather it be one of our own people,” Bergman said. Both Neighborhood Restaurant Group and ARP plan to continue their virtual brands after the pandemic. “We just hope that the broader Alexandria community will continue to support the local businesses that are a part of the community,” Bergman said. “We hope people will seek out ways to support businesses directly as opposed to third parties whenever possible.” Owner of Fontaine Caffe and Creperie also wanted to keep delivery in house to allow more servers to work, although most of the employees don’t have cars. Their solution – an electric bike. “Just thinking outside the box,” the owner said. Servers on the bike deliver to Old Town districts 1 – 5 and 9.

Expanded Services Sonoma Cellar has also been working on their take-out offerings. Myllenbeck and the rest of the team had to find alternative ways to provide their tasting experience with their tasting room closed. You can now “taste in place” watching videos. The wines are brought to you and you learn about them virtually. “People can literally go on to our Sonoma Cellar YouTube channel, and watch our associates give actual tasting information like they would if they were actually pouring it,” Myllenbeck said. Like the other restaurants we spoke to, she only anticipates the extra services will continue to grow and gain traction. “Being nimble and changing things up, seeing what works and really sticking with it, makes a big difference.”

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

Sustainability Struggle A Balance for Local Restaurants BY SUSANNAH MOORE

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, like many, Alexandria's Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG) decided to shut down all of their restaurants — Evening Star Cafe, Buzz Bakeshop, Columbia Firehouse, Vermilion and Rustico. At the same time, they wanted to find a way to retain as many employees as possible while also providing much-needed access to food, beer, wine, spirits and pantry items to their customers. With their existing stock and already established sources for these items, they decided to start an online delivery shop called Neighborhood Provisions. An added bonus was that it allowed them to reduce the amount of food wasted as a result of the sudden shutdown. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on so many aspects of food and beverage operations has been immense. Like NRG, many local restaurants have had to shift to primarily take-out service. Paying for disposable packaging,

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

increased sanitation requirements, reduced customer capacity and winterizing outdoor dining have created increased operational costs for restaurants struggling to keep their doors open. One of the unfortunate by-products of these changes has been a significant increase in waste from food, disposable take-out items and personal protective equipment (PPE) which is creating a strain on the environment already threatened by pollution and climate change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially advised restaurants to “use disposable food service items” and “avoid use of food and beverage utensils and containers brought in by customers.” This led restaurants to scramble to procure these disposable food service items, creating a lack in inventory and a rise in prices. Suddenly, cafes that encouraged customers to bring their own coffee cups or grocery stores that urged shoppers to bring bags were turning to single-use paper and plastics. Many cities and jurisdictions, like Philadelphia and New York City,

delayed enforcement of their ban on disposable plastic bags in response to COVID-19. Virginia managed to pass a bill (SB11) that Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law that authorized cities and counties to impose a 5 cent tax on disposable plastic bags beginning Jan. 1, 2021. These large-scale issues have had very real implications for local restaurant owners who are struggling to stay afloat in a sea of regulations. NRG addressed the issue of increased disposable packaging on their website saying, “we’re making efforts to use biodegradable or second-use recycled packaging as much as possible. We also encourage participation in local recycling programs and composting efforts.”

For Fontaine Caffe & Creperie located at 119 S. Royal St. in Old Town, food waste was not much of an issue. As a small restaurant where everything is cooked to order and inventory is ordered every day, scaling down to adjust to COVID-19 changes was manageable. The biggest challenge for the restaurant was creating a to-go dining program. “We really didn’t have a take-out program before and our typical take-out was whatever you didn’t finish, or maybe every once in a while, somebody would order a tuna sandwich to go. For the most part, people were not ordering our real menu off of a take-out or to-go perspective and so I would say we have seen a 100 percent increase in that, because we just weren’t geared for that,” Fontaine’s owner explained. Initially, it was hard to find to-go packaging, as all restaurants in the area were in the same situation. Purchasing take-out packaging, PPE for employees and sanitation supplies, plus setting up outdoor dining while having very limited indoor seating, caused expenses to skyrocket.

Fontaine Caffee & Creperie's outdoor heated seats | PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

Dishwashing was an example of the difficulty for Fontaine to follow health regulations while trying to remain sustainable. The restaurant is billed for every dishwasher rack that is run. Now that the restaurant is no longer allowed to refill drink cups and glasses but must replace them with a new cup or glass every time, what used to be 800-1,000 runs of the dishwasher a month has gone up to 4,000 even with the decrease in indoor diners. A COVID sanitation fee was added to help with the expenses. Fontaine’s owner is worried what the winter will bring with colder temperatures and customers beginning to feel the financial pinch that COVID-19 has caused for many due to income loss and little help from the government. She

wishes she had all the solutions to the sustainability challenges that COVID-19 has imposed on restaurants. “I don’t know how to. I’d love to see some sort of restaurant forum… it would be nice if there was a way that restaurant owners could share,” she said. While customers have expressed frustration over things like seating limitations, she has not heard from customers who are worried about the increase in disposable packaging. “We might have someone who says, 'Oh, we don’t need the silverware, I’m going home, but nobody is saying 'Don’t put it in a bag or serve it differently'…we have not experienced that.”

PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

Prior to COVID-19, environmental sustainability was important to Nicole Jones, owner of Stomping Ground, located at 2309 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Del Ray. “Prior to COVID, we didn’t always use compostables, but we would use a lot of craft paper, which is like the next best thing. We tried to do compostables, but the kind of food we’re doing, which is eggs and cheese and baked goods, have a way of eating through that material.” She pointed out that using these types of quality materials can cost twice as much as the alternatives, but when the restaurant's to-go business was 30 to 50 percent, depending on the day of the

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

week, it was something they could easily factor in to restaurant costs.

City of Alexandria does not make it easy for restaurants.

Once COVID-19 began, Jones was competing with every other restaurant owner for take-out containers. “If you want to have some intentionality with your disposables, you can’t…now we are 100 percent to-go, so our consumption for our restaurant is higher and then consumption in the marketplace across the board is a lot higher. The good stuff became more expensive or it wasn’t available and then you’re just kind of forced to use these crappy Styrofoam containers,” Jones explained.

Jones explained why COVID-19 has been so difficult for restaurant owners. “Restaurants operate and thrive on systems. Any change in that system breaks every other system…In the beginning, you saw that restaurant owners were kind of like the 'walking wounded,' because every single system that we had spent years perfecting got destroyed… it changed everything.”

Some Stomping Ground customers noticed the change in take-out containers and asked her to stop, but Jones said she didn’t have much of a choice. In an effort to reduce waste, her staff routinely asks if customers need disposable silverware, which she says many decline. Even so, only 10 percent of her customers have directly asked the restaurant not to use single-use plastic bags or packaging for their orders. Though Jones does not have much control over the large amount of disposable take-out containers and PPE they now go through, she said they have been able to maintain a zero-waste kitchen when it comes to food. They came up with creative specials and dinner options to use up any foods they had on hand. Early on, they also slashed menu items, cut back on deliveries and sold ingredients directly to customers. She has also tried recycling and composting, but lamented that the

Stomping Ground | Photo by Susannah Moore

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

As the pandemic lingers on, some environmental groups are fighting back, arguing that reusable food service items do not pose a greater risk than disposable ones, when handled properly. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration does not mention disposables at all on it’s Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic web page. Instead, it emphasizes using proper sanitation and good hygiene. The CDC said that COVID-19 is not commonly spread through touching surfaces, but is instead most commonly transmitted through respiratory droplets. According to the environmental organization Greenpeace, in June 2020, 125 health experts from around the world signed a statement advocating the safety of reusables during the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that it can be spread just as easily on disposables if appropriate sanitation measures are not followed. The non-profit UpStream has written extensively about the reusable vs. single-use product safety and offers suggestions for alternatives to single-use food service products like reusable product delivery services. While cutting back on disposable items may sound good in theory, it is much harder to implement on the front lines, where the optics of feeling safe are often more important than reality. As an uncertain winter sets in, many restaurants are doing what is necessary to survive. Jones summed up the situation by saying, “On behalf of most restaurant owners that I know, we are truly doing the very best that we can.”

Reduce Waste While Supporting Local Restaurants Reduce: The best solution for the waste problem is to reduce the creation of it in the first place. If you have the option, ask restaurants ahead of time not to put your take-out order in a plastic bag and pass on the extra sauce, napkins and silverware if you will be eating at home. Start composting food scraps by creating your own station in your backyard or through a city or county program, if available. On nights you are making dinner at home, try to buy whole foods like fruits and vegetables or bulk foods that are not packaged. Reuse: If you have plastic bags from takeout or groceries, find a way to reuse them as dog waste bags or trash can liners instead of buying them. When you go out in public, wear washable face masks that can be used multiple times instead of disposable ones. Recycle: When it comes to food containers that are recyclable, make sure all food residue is rinsed away before throwing it in the bin. Plastic bags and Styrofoam cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in a secure trash receptacle. Find out more about recycling at alexandriava.gov/Recycling or fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/ recycling-and-trash.

Waterfront Restaurant Set to Open in Alexandria BY MARY ANN BARTON

In a hopeful sign for the future of Alexandria’s business climate, plans are underway for the opening early this year of Ada’s on the River, a new waterfront restaurant, according to Alexandria Restaurant Partners.

The upscale-casual concept restaurant on the waterfront, at the new residential development Robinson Landing, is centered on the concept of the wood-burning fire as a gathering place for friends and family, according to ARP.

Ada’s menu will offer grilled seafood and steaks and a full bar. Matthews said he’s hoping that they are on schedule for a January “soft opening” so the restaurant can gear up and prepare for larger crowds in the spring.

The kitchen will be helmed by Chef Randall J. Matthews, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

“I think that this restaurant is really going to change the game for not only Old Town but also just the metropolitan area,” he said. “There’s nothing

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

really like it right now. You can literally take your boat up and stop in for some shellfish or a steak, and then get back in your boat.”

Matthews said the name of the restaurant reminds him of the strong women in his own life, namely his mother and his grandmother.

Matthews’ background includes stints at The Greenbrier, St. Anselm, Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons Hotel D.C., and as corporate chef for the Mina Group.

“My mom was the oldest of her siblings, she had five younger brothers,” said Matthews, one of four boys growing up in District Heights, Md. He went on to play NCAA Division III football at Wesley College in Delaware before deciding to turn in his helmet for a chef’s toque.

Named for Ada Lovelace, the mathematician and innovator, Ada’s On the River will feature custom-painted portraits of Ada, as well as the poet Lord Byron (Ada’s father), and Ada’s contemporaries — Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, and Emily and Charlotte Bronte.

The restaurant will feature seating for 105 outside and 162 seats inside, including a 32-seat private dining room. The interior, designed by design firm Hapstak Demetrios, will feature a

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

“warm, clean and modern look” in keeping with the overall feel of the building. Fifteen-foot floor-to-ceiling windows will provide a view of the Potomac River “unlike any other.” A companion restaurant, Barca Wine Bar + Pier, is slated to open in late spring 2021. The menu at the main restaurant is expected to be somewhat similar to ARP’s Majestic restaurant, at 901 King St. The eatery will offer an extensive appetizer list and wine selections. The restaurant will feature background music and there may occasionally be un-amplified live music.

TRAVEL

Tips for Traveling During the Pandemic

Culinary Adventures in Aruba

STORY & PHOTOS BY CHRIS MILITZER

Travel is a touchy word these days and for good reason. Times have changed and we need to be careful and take care of ourselves and all of our neighbors, so if you go, please follow all proper safety measures or just keep these travel ideas in your head until we are all ready to come together again! Located in the Southern Caribbean Sea, outside of the hurricane belt and just miles from the coast of Venezuela, is the beautiful, happy little island of Aruba. Trade winds keep the temperatures in the low 80s year round, and the dry air means you’ll see a lot more cactus than you’d expect in this tropical oasis. Warm sun, beautiful skies, clean and beautiful sandy beaches, sure... Aruba has all of this, but don’t miss out on some of the culinary adventures to be had as well.

Alexandria residents Nan Ryant and Ches Hatstat decided not to cancel their plans for a two-week vacation to Aruba in November during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a more than 50 percent decline in tourists visiting the island during the pandemic, they reported that the "Happy Island" restaurants, beaches and roadways were less crowded. COVID tests must be taken within 72 hours before leaving, as required by Aruba tourism authorities. They printed out the results of their negative tests (making sure their names on the tests matched their driver's licenses and passports). Anyone without paperwork showing a negative test must take a COVID test at the airport followed by a mandatory quarantine. Aruba health insurance for COVID is mandatory. If you're on Medicare, you'll need extra coverage since it does not cover healthcare outside the United States and its territories. They reported that there is strict mask-wearing in Aruba, with plenty of hand sanitizer available at entrances to public buildings. They steered clear of any activities that involved crowds. Non-stop flights to Aruba are available from BWI on Southwest Airlines. When Nan and Ches flew to Aruba, they had an entire row of three seats to themselves during the four-hour, 20-minute flight. As of Dec. 1, Southwest is booking middle seats. For all the details on travel requirements to Aruba, visit aruba.com.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

TRAVEL

ARUBA MARRIOTT RESORT AND STELLARIS CASINO With almost 400 rooms, a 24-hour casino, swim-up bar in a huge meandering pool with waterfalls, an adults-only pool for when you need some quiet, and delicious dining options on property, you might be inclined to plant your flag here and never leave during your visit. This is a fantastic place to stay, with some of the largest rooms and suites available on the island, and calm waters and soft sands for relaxing. Grab a palapa (shaded hut) on the beach for waterfront beverage service and enjoy the blue-green waters while you forget about the rest of the world at home looking like that cartoon dog meme, flames surrounding him saying “This is fine!” at least for a little while. There are several oceanfront dining options on the property, including Waves Beach Bar & Grill, and the unbelievable experience of fine dining on the beach at Atardi. Also, be sure to try the Smoky Old Fashioned in the lobby bar. The show itself is worth the price!

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

ATARDI This pop-up restaurant on the sand is a mix of fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a perfect date night spot, with a water view complete with sunsets to share, and an excellent seafoodforward menu. This really is a dining moment you should experience, with the beach, warm ocean air and exquisite menu (with many gluten-free options) with someone special.

GOSHEN While many throw around the terms “sustainable” and “farm-to-table” these days, this is an experience that leaves little doubt about where your food came from. Goshen Farm is a beautiful country estate, filled with cacti, great views, villas and a working farm where you can actually learn to cook your own meal with the items harvested there. This was a highlight of the trip for me, talking with the always-friendly people around the farm and then preparing my own meal after learning about the unique island vegetation. All of the ingredients are laid out and instructions given for the preparation, with fireside cooking done by the table while you enjoy yet another unreal sunset view. Even I was able to make something that was not only photo-worthy, but I would actually eat again!

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

TRAVEL

SCREAMING EAGLE OK, we are looking for adventure here, so keep your minds open. Screaming Eagle is a unique dining environment where you actually eat dinner in bed. Yes, in bed. Imagine a fine-dining experience while in a secluded bed, surrounded by sheer curtains and a TV tray. An outstanding menu is filled with seafood and other seasonal options including pork belly, rack of lamb and even a bone-in pork shank. In fact, consuming that pork shank while dining in bed might be all the adventure some folks require! Choose your dining companion carefully, and be moderately careful.

SNORKEL CRUISE After all the eating, you have to get out and swim some of it off. We have to keep that core in shape, and what better way than to head out into that crystal clear water for a snorkeling adventure? With Red Sail Aruba, a large luxurious catamaran takes you on a cruise across that beautiful turquoise water for several snorkeling stops along the way, including over a WWII wreckage, something that is not an everyday sight. All equipment is provided, including the full open bar for when your core has had enough exercise for the day. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like snorkeling? Stay onboard in one of the sunning nets to relax or have a few cocktails and use the slide out back to exit the boat in a most enjoyable fashion. Rinse and repeat as necessary, and yes, I did repeat.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com â&#x20AC;˘ January / February 2021

If you feel like you haven’t left the house since March, and need to stretch your legs a bit to find some adventure, these are definitely safer options when all precautions are followed. The Aruba Marriott Resort is even offering a “workation” package, including wifi, ocean-view room, couples massages on the beach and a yoga class for when the stress from your daily meetings is too much and you need a release. Sounds like paradise to me.

January / February 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

THE LAST WORD

Hossein Pishdad Restaurateur

Hossein Pishdad is in the right business: Hospitality. During a recent visit to The Warehouse Bar & Grill, he sent us on our way with a cup of the restaurant’s famous she-crab soup (“it’s addictive!” he pointed out — and he was right) after a tour of the restaurant and the iconic portraits on the walls (there are about 150 of them, including local celebrities and regular customers). The casual yet elegant white-tablecloth restaurant at 214 King St. near Alexandria’s waterfront serves up steaks, seafood and Creole cuisine in a building that dates to 1868. “There’s Katie Couric,” Pishdad pointed out. The newswoman was an Old Town resident, living just behind the restaurant, in the early part of her career. Squares on the wall, about the size of a portrait, inspired the idea to add the portraits. Artist Brian McCall created portraits for the restaurant for 20 years before he moved to Pittsburgh. After that, artist Carol Dupré created many portraits and

The Warehouse restaurant's Hossein Pishdad pauses for a photo in front of some of the portraits of local celebrities and customers that dot the walls of the historic Old Town eatery near Alexandria's waterfront. | PHOTO BY MARY ANN BARTON

for the past three years, the restaurant has worked with a variety of artists. Pishdad was partners with Ralph Davis for 30 years; the two bought the restaurant in 1987 (then called Hamilton’s) and changed the name back to The Warehouse. Davis had opened RT’s two years earlier on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Pishdad has seen a lot during his years in the business. Last year was “terrible” for the restaurant industry, due to the pandemic, he said. But he has worked to keep The Warehouse going by adding 11 tables outside with canopies and electric heaters. Customers old and new also stop in to dine indoors (at socially distanced tables and plenty of hand sanitizer to go around) and pick up lunch and dinner. Longtime Chef Sert Ruamthong, with the restaurant for 30 years, handles the kitchen, offering daily specials off the menu based on the season. Another “must” on the menu is the restaurant's pecan pie. It’s become a customer favorite ever since the kitchen accidentally doubled the amount of pecans in each pie from a friend’s recipe.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • January / February 2021

WHO WOULD YOU INVITE TO DINNER? My parents. I came to this country from Iran by myself when I was very young and I didn’t see much of my parents. The revolution started there in 1978; that’s when I graduated. W H AT A D V I C E W O U L D YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG PERSON OPENING A R E S TA U R A N T ? Stick with it, it’s a long process. Don’t give up and hire the right people. W H AT D O Y O U LIKE MOST ABOUT ALEXANDRIA? The tight-knit business community and the residents — they’re very supportive.

A NEW YEAR DESERVES A FRESH START If you’ve resolved to become debt-free, we know the road to get there.

CommonWealth One offers many services to guide you on your journey to reach your financial goals. Start by consolidating your debts using any one of our money-saving loans:

•

Home Equity Loans – Up to 100% Loan-To-Value

•

Visa Balance Transfer – No Transfer Fees

•

Consolidation Loan – One, Low Monthly Payment

We also offer wealth-building investments, free financial counseling and year-round webinars on matters of finance. Partner with us and make 2021 the year you achieve your financial goals! Visit cofcu.org/fresh-start to learn more about all we have to offer. Or, visit us at our Main Branch located at 4875 Eisenhower Avenue.

4875 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304 (800) 424-3334 • cofcu.org

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Membership eligibility required. Membership is free and open to all residents of Virginia and their immediate family members. All loans and terms subject to credit approval. Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit are available on primary residences located in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia. Property insurance required. Flood insurance may be required. v01.21 Other terms and conditions may apply. Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Lender.

201 N. Union St., Suite 110 Alexandria, VA 22314

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

$69M

Coldwell Banker (Old Town)

$71M

RE/MAX (Alexandria)

$72M

Weichert (Old Town)

$120M

Keller Williams (Old Town)

$137M

TTR Sotheby’s (Old Town)

$151M

Compass (Old Town)

$182M

Long & Foster (Old Town)

$435M

McEnearney Associates (Old Town)

Representing Alexandria Residents for Forty Years.

Data obtained from Bright™ MLS for all residential sales settled in Alexandria City for January 1-November 20, 2020. Sales data is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

208 South Saint Asaph Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Exclusively Represented by Babs Beckwith | $3,750,000

Old Town Office | 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 tel. +1 703 549 9292 | www.McEnearney.com Equal Housing Opportunity