John Eric Home - June 2013

JOHNERICHOME

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Magazine

Real Estate and Lifestyle Magazine June 2013, Volume 13 DC | VA | MD

TOBII C OV E R

STORY

Technology Changes the World’s Vision

Feature Wearable Electronics: The Next Big Thing?

Foodie Executive Chef Michael Friedman of The Red Hen Dishes

Money & Finance Castles and Moats: Part 1 of Marc Schliefer’s Series on Protecting Your Assets and Wealth

Mens Stylist Grooming in the 21st Century

Vineyard In Defense of the Belittled Rosé

JE JOHN ERIC R E A L E S TAT E

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JE JOHN ERIC

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R E A L E S TAT E

WASHINGTON | VIRGINIA | MARYLAND

John Eric 1206 30th Street, NW | Washington, DC 20007 C: 703.798.0097 | O:202.333.1212 | E: john@johneric.com | www.johneric.com

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

DESTINATIONS

BEING DIPLOMATIC

TOBII: Technology Changes the World’s Vision

Cheers to Our Own Napa Valley

An Interview with Ambassador Cely of Ecuador

68 MEN’S STYLIST Grooming in the 21st Century

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74 MIXOLOGY Toasting the Moon and Stars

82 MONEY & FINANCE Castles and Moats: Part 1 of Marc Schliefer’s Series on Protecting Your Assets and Wealth

34 EXPRESSIONS

HOME TRENDS

FOODIE

OPTIONS in Art

Pop of Color: A Full Spectrum of Possibilities

Executive Chef Michael Friedman of The Red Hen Dishes

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86 PREMIUM LISTINGS John’s current inventory of spectacular properties in all price points.

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THE SCOOP News from around Washington, Arlington, Northern Virginia and Montgomery County

62 FEATURE Through the Looking Glass: Wearable Electronics, the Next Big Thing?

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106 VINEYARD In Defense of the Belittled Rosé

WOMEN’S STYLIST Making the Connection to Personal Style

NEXT MONTH Read about 2013: The Year of Italian Culture in the United States and celebrate in the streets of Rome Vancouver Calls and We Respond Learn About Easy and Fun Day Trips Around the DC Area

CONTRIB EXPRESSIONS

FOODIE

HOME TRENDS

MEN’S STYLIST

Kim Ward has worked in a variety of roles and for different organizations in the visual arts, from the Corcoran Museum of Art, as the Executive Director of the Washington Project for the Arts, to various advisory roles with the Arlington Commission for the Arts.

She chaired the Arlington County Public Art Committee for five years.

Kim serves as an arts consultant in the region.

Hailing from Westfield, New Jersey, Michael Friedman graduated from Boston University before tackling his first position in a professional kitchen. He landed a job as a prep cook with French bistro, Mon Ami Gabi and knew a cook’s life was for him. Friedman spent three years with Rich Melman’s Lettuce Entertain You group, rising to sous chef in just eight months before enrolling in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Friedman used his time, staging at notable restaurants in his off time, including Los Angeles’ Lucques and Morimoto in New York. At Danny Meyer’s The Modern in The Museum of Modern Art, he learned the true meaning of professionalism in the kitchen.

Graduating at the top of his CIA class, he began working for famed Spanish Chef Jose Andres at his powerhouse restaurant, Zaytinya. After two years as a chef with Chef Andres, Friedman left his mentor to travel.

Eating through Italy, Greece, Turkey and Northern Africa, he picked up the interesting and exciting nuances of each country. Returning to the US, he spent time staging in some influential kitchens, including San Francisco’s Incanto, Philadelphia’s Vetri and New York’s Scarpetta. Mike returned to DC as Chef de Cuisine of Proof, a wine-centric restaurant specializing in local, seasonal fare.

Under the tutelage of Executive Chef Haidar Karoum, Friedman learned to hone his craft and simplify his style to let the ingredients shine. Friedman offers his guests at The Red Hen a focused selection of Italian-influenced dishes, interpreted with Mid-Atlantic ingredients – his version of modern comfort food.

Joe Ireland and Julie Weber are the directors of the Dupont Circle design firm J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture and Design. Named House Beautiful’s “Next Wave” of top national design firms, they design residential and commercial spaces nationwide. They have transformed some of the area’s most desired homes, restaurant spaces and retail shops into timeless works of art and architecture.

Critics have described their work as “elegant and comfortable,” “soothing,” “fresh,” “hip,” “clean” and “a blend of contemporary with traditional.” The creative duo has been described as “innovative thinkers concerned with form and function” who “take care to weave the client’s taste in seamlessly with their own keen eye.”

Joe Ireland followed the traditional transition from apprentice to master.

He brings unique and desired elements to every design. Julie trained as an interior architect and emphasizes comfort, functionality, and classic beauty in her design style.

James Cornwell’s experience in fashion is vast. He boasts an impressive client portfolio, including Neiman Marcus, Mango, Bloomingdales, Sabring Soto (HGTV), Will Thomas (Fox 5), Angie Goff (News 9), Arch Campbell, Ted Koppel, Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals), Santino Quaranta (DC United) and Brian Orakpo (Washington Redskins). He has worked with Instyle Magazine, Washington Life Magazine, Today’s Health and Wellness, Jaci Reid, Ford Models, Elite, Next, T.H.E., Americas Next Top Model-Smart Water, Adeler Jewelers and JJ Singh Designs. James is, also, proprietor of Cornwell Styling, the Art Director for PR at Partners and Tim Coburn Photography, Co-Host of Fashion BS and Stylist and Art Director for Washington Life Magazine fashion shoots.

TECH Kristina is a writer and award-winning communications professional who works with clients in an array of technology markets, from emerging technology to consumer electronics, government IT, defense and homeland security. As senior vice president of public relations and social media for Focused Image, a leading branding firm based in Falls Church, VA., she supports top federal contractors, fast-growing private companies, associations and nonprofits. Each issue, Kristina will share insights on some of the latest and most fascinating technology products and trends that are changing our world.

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BUTORS MIXOLOGY

MONEY & FINANCE

VINEYARD

Luca Giovannini and Charles M. Tappan Jr., form the team that creates our mixology section. Luca discovered his passion for food and drink in his hometown in the north of Italy. After working in Europe, he landed in Washington and perfected his skill of combining European and American styles of drink. Charles is a founding member of Veneràte Group LLC. He launched the company, leaving a career in capital markets, to elevate cocktail culture through creativity, classical knowledge, craft dedication and teaching.

Marc Schliefer has been in the financial planning business since 1978, when he joined Equity Planning Institute, Inc. He became President of Equity Planning Institute, Inc. in 1996. With over 33 years of practicing financial planning, Marc has worked mainly on individual financial planning and counsels clients on all aspects of their financial life. Marc was a frequent guest on the WRC radio program, Your Money Show, and has written many articles for local associations.

He has conducted Financial Planning seminars for companies and government agencies and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

David-Michael Shott has resided in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for over a decade. A creative and energetic leader, he has always embraced innovation while seeking new business opportunities.

The Local Vine Cellar signifies a culmination of David’s extensive experience in myriad fields ranging from radiation oncology to real estate development and investment. He was a co-partner of a successful restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, which gave him the opportunity to develop and refine his palate and passion for wine. A lover of port and Italian reds, he believes wine should be enjoyable and accessible to all, regardless of knowledge or expertise.

With a background in Economics and GIS, John Gjika is a thoughtful entrepreneur who values a good bottle of Amarone and believes wine is as good for the mind and building communities. An Albanian native who grew up in Portland, Maine, John always offers an independentlyminded approach and has a soft spot for anything Mediterranean.

WOMEN’S STYLIST Robin Fisher has worked in the fashion industry for over 15 years.

Her experience has spanned from a Designer Bridge buyer for a major retail department store to an international production manager for private designer labels. Success in retail was all about projecting the style choices that retail shoppers would make. So, it should be no surprise that her greatest joy during those years was assisting others in developing the individual style and image they wished to project to the world. Her passion for fashion truly rests on seeing others look beautiful and confident while achieving their personal goals.

John Eric Home would like to introduce our readers to the contributors who provide both informative and interesting articles to the magazine on a monthly basis. These are the voices that bring to you the most current trends within their individual industries. We would like to thank our contributors for providing their insight to the magazine and its readers.

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JOHNERIC

Summer is almost here and Hollywood is beginning to release their big summer blockbusters. A few of the big summer movies are in the science fiction genre, and if you’re like me, you love seeing all the gismos, gadgets and special effects that Hollywood dreams up.

Most people do not realize how entwined Hollywood and the US tech communities have become and that relationship far exceeds the delivery systems for content. The big studios go out of their way to meet, question and work with the people on the cutting edge of technology to ensure they are delivering a more realistic view of the future in their movies.

June is “Tech Month” at John Eric Home and we bring you some amazing technology driven features about cutting edge science and technology and its applications in our daily lives. Forget the keys and credit cards; our reality in the near future is going to be retinal scans and biometrics.

If all this tech talk has you a little overwhelmed, you can settle down with an amazing cocktail or a great bottle of wine; we have you covered in our “Mixology” and “Vineyard” sections. I love to cook and in this issue we have some light and inspirational Italian summer dishes provided by The Red Hen. The Red Hen is new to the culinary scene in DC and its praises are well deserved.

Our Men’s and Women’s “Stylist” sections are must-reads again this month. Our experts take you through the ins and outs of your personal style and grooming 101.

As many of us are making our summer plans for vacation, there is truly no better place to go than California’s Napa Valley. In our “Travel” section, we profile this beautiful area, the number one wineproducing region in the US. So, if you’re looking for an exhilarating yet relaxing vacation with exceptional wine, cheese and food, this is your place.

If you’re like me, South America is certainly on your bucket list and there’s no place better to begin than Ecuador. We are honored to speak with Her Excellency Nathalie Cely, Ambassador of Ecuador, in our “Being Diplomatic” section. We also profile this beautiful county which is rich in culture and tradition.

We round out our offerings with a wonderful piece on options in art in our “Expressions” section. We also begin a series on protecting your assets in our “Money & Finance” section. The importance of color can’t be underestimated in our lives and in “Home Trends”, Joe and Julie talk with us about pops of color.

And finally, if you’re looking for a stunning new home, check out my premium listings section. I’ve got some great offerings and more on my website. If you are thinking of buying or selling, let me earn your business.

I hope you enjoy this edition of John Eric Home. It’s a great read. Find a comfortable place to sit, relax and enjoy all the fun inside this month of John Eric Home.

Cheers, John Eric Publisher, Principal & Realtor

JOHNERICHOME

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Magazine

Publisher JOHN ERIC Managing Editor ANGELA CASEY Senior Editor-at-Large LK Creative Director HILLARY BROADWATER Photography AM & SEAN SHANAHAN

CONTACT EDITORIAL e-mail | angela@johneric.com ADVERTISING phone | 703.798.0097 ONLINE www.johneric.com facebook | johnericwfp twitter | thejohneric

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TOBII

Technology Changes the World’s Vision

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As Steven Spielberg mapped out his 2002 hit film Minority Report, he invited fifteen experts in the field of technology to convene for a three-day think-tank session. He wanted to consult with the group in an effort to create a plausible “future reality” as opposed to a more traditional “science fiction” telling. What was devised after this meeting and featured in the film was innovative, futuristic and, most importantly, based on scientific realities. Many of these realities both featured and not featured in the film - are now upon us.

“IN A FEW YEARS, EYE TRACKING WILL BE IN COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS, TABLETS … IT MAKES THE PROCESS OF INTERACTING WITH COMPUTERS FAR MORE EFFICIENT.” One aspect of Spielberg’s blockbuster film featured the lead character, Chief John Anderton (played by Tom Cruise), undergoing a dangerous, underground eye replacement operation in order to avoid detection by an omnipresent optical recognition system. Although, these recognition systems don’t exist, retinal scan security systems are now in place in highsecurity areas in both the public and private sectors. Also, now in place, are eye tracking systems. And, these systems are changing the vision of the world in terms of how we protect ourselves, market to consumers, assist those with disabilities and understand the functions of the human brain.

Eye tracking makes it possible for computers to know exactly where users are looking on the screen. An eye tracker is a device that uses projection patterns and optical sensors to gather data about gaze direction or eye movements with very high accuracy. Most trackers are based on the principle of corneal-reflection tracking.

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Tobii Technology is the leader of the eye tracking business. It is a Swedish company, which was founded in 2001. Its North American operations are based in Falls Church, Virginia with Barbara Barclay at its helm.

Speaking with Barclay via telephone during her recent visit to Stockholm headquarters, it is difficult not to feel excited by the technological advancements this company has made.

Human-computer interaction, developmental psychology, neuroscience, marketing and advertising functions, security and law enforcement is explored.

“The vision from early on,” says Barclay, “was to have an eye tracker in every computer and every automobile. The technology had been around for a long time but it was difficult to use. We developed natural experiences for the user.”

With its myriad uses in research, perhaps one of the most interesting is its role in developmental psychology. Eye tracking is being used to explore infants’ ability to categorize visual and auditory events and scan human faces. It works by providing scanning patterns that contain valuable information about how infants distribute their attention and interest as they scan different images or dynamic events. Data such as the timing an infant takes to shift their gaze between two locations, allows researchers to study predictive and reactive gaze shifts. This allows researchers to study learning functions and how infants’ attention changes over a stimulus set.

Much research has been carried out to understand how infants remember temporarily non-visible objects. Eye tracking can provide a detailed description of how infants’ actions are directed to ongoing non-visible events by determining when their gaze shifts from one location to another.

“You can track down to a three-month old,” says Barclay, “when does a baby anticipate that an object moving behind something comes out on the other side?”

But, it is not just child diagnostics where research is being focused using Tobii’s eye tracking technology.

Areas such as traumatic brain injuries and Alzheimer’s Disease, are rapidly surfacing as key arenas in eye tracking technology. With the first being especially important to the United States Government.

“On the traumatic brain injury side,” says Barclay, “the government is interested in diagnosing and monitoring recovering veterans. Understanding that they are recovering and the rate at which they are recovering.”

Also, on the consumer research side is Tobii’s work with corporate marketing and packaging where Tobii actively conducts research on behalf of clients. Eye tracking captures shoppers’ habitual and subconscious behavior. Through analysis of eye fixations on images, it shows how scanning patterns change with new packaging designs. It also reveals in an objective way, what really attracts consumers’ attention and eliminates social desirability bias or errors that may occur when relying on human recall.

“In the market research area,” says Barclay, “companies like Proctor and Gamble use the technology to answer important design questions. How do I draw attention to my product on the shelf? How do I make my products more visible, more usable?”

Other companies, such as Google and Oracle, use eye tracking technology to improve their sites.

Of course, the function of the brain is equally important to the technology. And, Tobii’s education of clients on the topic of vision is pioneering. How does one interpret and develop what is seen and processed? Significant studies are being run in which eye tracking is used to evaluate visual processing,

interaction between eye movements, vision and performance tasks. In addition, research into the conditions under which external visual-stimuli capture spatial attention is occurring and advancements in which neurological functions are involved in perceptual decision making are being made.

Now Tobii is headed for the mass consumer market. In 2006, one of the earliest eye tracking products from Tobii for individual use was for people with disabilities. Because the eye’s gaze provides a very efficient way of pointing, the technology enables the use of gaze in interaction with computers and machines. People with disabilities, particularly those with Cerebral Palsy and ALS/MND, benefit from gaze interaction. So do stroke patients and those who have suffered serious injuries.

They dictate via optical rather than vocal or hand control. Today, around 10,000 patients actively use Tobii devices to manage their world and, according to Barclay, “it is life changing for them.”

One of the newest developments in consumer electronics is gaze interaction, a term Tobii coined and a movement it is pioneering, beginning with its presence at the 2012 and 2013 CES in Las Vegas, where Tobii garnered numerous “Best in Show” awards. Tobii is entering this market along with most of the world’s leading electronics manufacturers and the international software development community.

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And, not just consumers will be utilizing Tobii’s technology for gaze interaction, active military personnel are as well. “If an operator’s hands are already occupied,” says Barclay, “how can I make it more efficient for someone who is driving or flying?

Tobii Gaze™ can be used in any cockpit, from airplanes to submarines.”

Some very exciting developments are occurring in the research and implementation of Tobii eye tracking in the field of automotive technology. “Eventually,” says Barclay, “consumers will be able to use their eyes to control the entertainment console, and the car will detect drowsiness and distraction. The car will recognize you and adjust to your driving preferences. It is very efficient.”

“There are so many exciting paths that eye tracking is taking,” says Barclay. “In a few years, eye tracking will be in computers, laptops, tablets, automobiles and other vehicles… it makes the process of interacting with computers and displays far more efficient.”

Indeed, eye tracking is changing our global vision and how we will interact with the world around us.

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DIPLOMATIC BEING

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A Conversation with Her Excellency Nathalie Cely of Ecuador

Since January 18, 2012, Nathalie Cely has served as the Ambassador of Ecuador to the United States. From May 2009 until November 2011, she was Coordinating Minister of Production, Employment and Competitiveness. Ambassador Cely served as Ecuador’s Coordinating Minister of Social Development from March 2007 to April 2009, during which time, she articulated the politics of socio-economic inclusion to integrate training, technical assistance and building opportunities for men and women, improving their quality of life.

An economist, Ambassador Cely served in the private sector from 2002 to 2007. She was president of EdĂşcate, a foundation that works to better the quality of education through the measuring and personalization of learning by using information and communication technology. She also was president of and directed the strategies and operations of Stratega, a foundation dedicated to promoting the development of sustainable business with the partnership and the innovation of small Ecuadorian businesses in a search for an equal and competitive Ecuador.

QA &

NATHALIE CELY

Ambassador of Ecuador to the United States of America

JEH: How have you been enjoying Washington thus far?

Ambassador Cely: I have really enjoyed my Washington experience –professionally and personally! I have felt warmly welcomed and each day I see a new, different reason why so many love calling Washington, DC home. Washington is a great, exciting place to live, work and raise a family. I really appreciate the architecture of the city; one of my favorite activities is walking around town and enjoying the thousands of antique dealers, art galleries and shops everywhere. I also really enjoy the culinary offerings and general curiosities of the city. A Sunday family activity is to take the train and pick a different station to get off and walk, get to know and have lunch there.

each country celebrates its history. Walking around Quito is like traveling through time and reliving the history of Ecuador. I see that in DC as tourists from across the US come to DC to relive their history and celebrate their past.

JEH: What do you think is unique to Washington as a city?

Ambassador Cely: To me, the most unique thing about Washington, DC is the diversity you find in the city. It’s where so many different cultures meet. DC is small but has so much personality. This is why DC is so special because it is a city that embraces its diversity and this diversity is what makes it work. Ideas come from different backgrounds and influences.

And, it is the place where these ideas can make a difference— because they come together to influence policies that affect hundreds of millions of people.

JEH: Can you tell us what Ecuador means to you?

Ambassador Cely: To me Ecuador means home and family and…paradise. It’s paradise because of its people. The people of Ecuador are so passionate, happy and proud of their country and their traditions and values. That is why my job is so important to me; Ecuador is my pride and joy and I work hard make sure that I can portray that here to the people in the US.

JEH: What is your favorite thing to do in Washington when you have a break from your hectic schedule?

Ambassador Cely: As you can imagine, being Ambassador, as well as a mother, keeps me very busy, so I rarely have “breaks.” But, when I do, I like to take advantage of cultural activities like music concerts and dance events – which are great opportunities for me to meet people from all walks of life and introduce them to my country. I also like to stay active—I recently participated in the Cherry Blossom 5k, which was a beautiful experience. I also make sure to support the Ecuadorian-American community in the area during events like the recent march to promote immigration reform – a topic that I am very passionate about.

JEH: What surprised you of Washington? Something you didn’t anticipate before arriving to the city?

Ambassador Cely: I didn’t expect for the people to be so warm and welcoming! As one of the most powerful cities in the world where everyone is always on the move doing so many important things, one would think that people in DC would not be personal and warm. But, during my time here, I’ve seen that so many – from members of Congress to people I meet on the street – still take the time to say hello and make me feel at home away from home.

JEH: Are there any similarities between Washington and Quito?

Ambassador Cely: As the capital of Ecuador, Quito is a cultural and political center for the country; it’s representative of its history and its people. Quito is full of museums, universities and monuments and is a center for ideas and the home of our president, much like Washington, DC. I also see a very similar concept behind the design of both cities. It’s the place where

JEH: What are the differences between the two?

Ambassador Cely: Well, one big difference is the weather!

Quito has spectacular weather year-round. It’s a nice, cool springtime feel all year. The weather in DC varies a lot and sometimes you never know what to expect or how to dress!

One week, there’s a heat wave and the next a chance of snow— which has required some getting used to.

JEH: What is unique to Ecuador?

Ambassador Cely: Ecuador is magical and diverse. Ecuador has everything: mountains, beaches, the Amazon, the Galápagos… When you are in Ecuador you can basically do anything you can imagine – you can hike, surf, go rappelling, it is truly a great place for adventure-seekers and nature-lovers.

Ecuador is also full of natural wonders and is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world –known for its distinct fauna and flora. Our constitution is the first in the world to recognize the rights of nature. Our country is very precious and unique and we work very hard to protect it.

JEH: If a reader is planning to travel to Ecuador for a holiday, what one feature of the country must they see?

Ambassador Cely: What a difficult question—there is so much to do in Ecuador! It all depends in what you are interested. I assure you there is something for everybody. If you want to discover nature there is the Amazon or the Galápagos. If you want to learn about our history and governments and see beautiful monuments and churches, you should go to Quito.

If you want an adrenaline rush, there is white water rafting, paragliding, mountain biking and so much more in Baños. It really all depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for.

Ecuador is a wildly diverse country and with a little time, you can probably do it all!

JEH: Does the embassy display exhibits or host special events that the public can enjoy? If so, where should they go to learn more?

Ambassador Cely: We host events all the time. Most recently, we hosted Ecuador Day at Georgetown University, which was a great success. Anybody who is interested should sign up for our newsletter “Latitude Zero” and announcements at www. ecuador.org. Also, follow us on Twitter (@EmbajadaEcuUSA) or check us out on Facebook!

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ECUADOR A NATURALIST’S PARADISE

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The Republic of Ecuador, which translates to The Republic of the Equator, is a diverse nation. Endowed with a multi-layered history, extraordinary topography and rich culture, this country of South America is one to celebrate.

The Inca Empire resided in this land. Spanish conquistadors ruled this territory with an iron fist. In 1822, Ecuador shook off its mantle of occupation and became an independent state, becoming part of the Republic of Gran Bolivia, conjoined with Venezuela and Columbia. This lasted until 1830 when it became its own republic. And, in recent history, the country endured a series of junta-controlled governments. On April 29, 1979, under a new constitution, Jaime Roldós Aguilera was elected president and took office. Ecuador has remained democratic ever since. Yes, this country has a layered history.

Ecuador is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world according to Conservation International. It has the most biodiversity per square mile of any nation. In fact, the country adopted the first constitution to recognize the rights of nature.

As stated in the National Plan of Buen Vivir (2008), the national goal is to “Sustainably conserve and manage the natural heritage including its land and marine biodiversity which is considered a strategic sector.” Current protected areas include 11 national parks, 10 wildlife refuges and 9 ecological reserves.

These protected areas are found throughout the country, in the Galapagos Islands, the Coastal, Highland and Amazon Regions.

These four areas of Ecuador provide its citizens with a front-row seat to the astounding feats of the natural world.

The archipelago known as the Galapagos Islands is, perhaps, one of the most famous on the planet. Islands dot the horizon and warm beaches welcome visitors. San Cristobal, on the easternmost island of the group, is the oldest. It is known for its sand and sea lions. But, on the Western side of Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz island, sits the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center which houses researchers performing an amazing task. Their work centers on raising giant sea tortoises, which are in danger of extinction in their natural habitat.

Of course, the Coastal Region of Ecuador holds its own treasures. The Manglares Cayapas Mataje Ecological Reserve is

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one. This protected area consists of a rainforest and mangrove swamps. Also, found in this region is the perfect climate for a commodity loved the world over. Cocoa beans. At Valle Hermoso, northeast of Santo Domingo, agro-ecological plantations, which produce these beans, thrive.

For some sizzle, the Highland Region of Ecuador delivers.

Notably, its Tungurahua Volcano. This volcano has erupted continually since 1999 and puts on a show of incandescent rocks and natural sprays every night for its viewers. Equally sizzling is the country’s Amazon region to which visitors flock to observe natural effects. Located in the eastern part of the provinces of Orellana and Pastaza, Yasuní National Park is the largest protected area of mainland Ecuador. It is the most biodiverse region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Home to 600 species of bird, 170 species of mammal and 120 species of reptile, as well as more than 1000 species of tree and hundreds of thousands of forms of insects, scientists are constantly reporting new species that are discovered in the Yasuní ecosystems.

As the geographic regions of Ecuador are diverse, so is its cuisine. In the Highland region, pork, chicken, beef, and cuy (guinea pig) are popular and served with a variety of grains or potatoes. Whereas, in the Coastal region, seafood is very popular, with fish, shrimp and ceviche being key parts of the diet. This region is a leading producer of bananas, cacao beans, shrimp, tilapia, mangos and passion fruit. In the Amazon region, a dietary staple is the yuca. Many fruits are available in this region, including bananas, tree grapes, and peach palms.

Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, was founded on the ruins

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of an Incan city. At an elevation of 9,350 feet, it is the highest capital in the world.

The city bustles with energy. The Historic Center of Quito has one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas. This city, along with Kraków, were the first World Cultural Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO in 1978.

Churches and parks and museums all seek to be explored.

The San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries are two sites that are interesting to explore, as is the Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. This museum shines a light on the time before the Spaniards and Incas called Ecuador home.

Many objects in its collection stretch back 3,000 years and they are not to be missed.

Ecuador provides many points of interest. And, one of its best attributes is that the Ecuadorian people are as friendly and welcoming as are its world-renowned sites.

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DESTINATIONS 24

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NAPA VALLEY America’s Wine Country

Visions of rolling hills, large estates, and row-upon-row of vineyards are evoked when thinking of Napa Valley, California. A sun-drenched sky, ochre-colored grounds and bright green leaves are conjured. It is home to America’s wine-country and the smallest growing region of the world. To Napa Valley we head in this month’s “Destinations.”

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In order to cultivate fine grapes, one must first seek outstanding geologic conditions. Unique to Napa Valley, given its size, is its diversity of soils. Nearly 50% of known world soil types are found here. They have been created by events that have occurred over a 60-million-year history.

California has one of the most dramatic geological developments in the world. The ocean pushed up while volcanoes sprung up and valleys were formed. It is new geology compared to the rest and Napa Valley was formed by tectonic plate movement and volcanic activity, by alluvial waters and the flooding of San Pablo Bay. This is evident through the rocky knolls and alluvial fans that dot the level expanses of the Valley floor. Each illustrate a different layer of geologic occurrences from the past.

In general, the soils found on the Valley floor are deeper than the rocky soils covering the slopes and hills. Part of Napa’s uniqueness is its ability to offer such variance in soil types to its vines. In the San Pablo Bay area, on the southern edge of the Valley, Pinot Noir grapes flourish. This is due to the calcium-rich ground that fosters the vines’ growth. Near Stag’s Leap, soil is volcanic, which makes it infertile but deep. Roots grow healthily which is important to the stability and longevity of the vine.

Throughout Napa Valley, these soils yield the precious grapes that then become the vintages of the “new” American wines. Like its unique grounds, Napa has its own unique history.

And, like the youth of its vintages, this history is young and vibrant.

When the first white settlers arrived in the early 1830s, six tribes inhabited the Valley. They spoke different dialects and

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were often at war with each other. The Mayacomos tribe lived in the area where Calistoga was founded and the Callajomans inhabited the area near where St. Helena now stands. Further south, the Kymus lived in the middle part of the Valley. The Napa and Ulcus tribes occupied part of the area where the City of Napa now exists while the Soscol tribe occupied the portion that now makes up the southern end of the Valley. Many of the native peoples died during a smallpox epidemic in 1838.

Others were killed by settlers over theft. Slowly, their populations diminished.

Wild grapes grew in abundance in the Valley and early pioneers took advantage. This included John Patchett, who planted the first commercial vineyard; Dr. George Crane, who promoted the planting of grapevines through a series of newspaper articles; and Hamilton Walker Crabb, who experimented with more than 400 grape varieties. George Calvert Yount, an early settler, obtained the Mexican grant, Rancho Caymus in 1836, and constructed both a sawmill and grain mill. He was the first to plant a vineyard in the county.

Following the Mexican–American War, Bear Flag Revolt in 1846 and the Mexican Cession, Napa County was formed. It became one of the original California counties when the state became part of the United States in 1850. Settlers were granted deeds off of the original Mexican ranchos from the 1850s through 1870s. A good number of streets and landmarks around the Valley reflect the names of these ranchos and original grantees.

John Patchett opened the first commercial winery in the county in 1859. The vineyard and wine cellar were located in an area that is now within the city limits of Napa. After working as a winemaker for Patchett, Charles Krug founded his own winery in St. Helena 1861. By, 1889, more than 140 wineries were in operation, including Schramsberg (founded in 1862), Beringer (1876) and Inglenook (1879). However, the rapid expansion of the new wine industry saw prices plummet amidst a sea of surplus grapes. The arrival of phylloxera, dealt vintners a blow, as much of the vineyard acreage was destroyed by the destructive root louse.

The county’s population swelled as pioneers, prospectors and entrepreneurs moved into the Valley. During this period, settlers primarily raised cattle, farmed grain and fruit crops.

Mineral mining also played a role in the economics of the county. While gold was being prospected in other areas of the state in the 1850s, Napa County became a center for silver and quicksilver mining. In 1858, the great silver rush began in Napa Valley, and miners flocked to the eastern hills. In the 1860s, mining carried on, on a large scale, with quicksilver mines operating in many areas of Napa County.

The Silverado Squatters, by Robert Louis Stevenson provides a snapshot of life and insight into some of the characters that lived in Napa during the later part of the 19th century. Stevenson, with his new bride and her 12 year old son, spent the late spring and early summer of 1880 honeymooning in an abandoned bunk house at a played out mine near the summit of Mount Saint Helena. In the book, Stevenson’s descriptive writing style documented his adventures in the area and profiled several of the early pioneers who played a role in shaping the region’s commerce and society.

By 1910, farmers had planted over 500,000 fruit and nut trees in the county. These plantings helped to soften the blow of another phylloxera infestation in the vineyards. However, the greatest threat to Napa Valley’s wineries arrived in 1920, with the enactment of Prohibition. Vineyards were abandoned.

Winemakers were forced to find other trades. Only a handful of

wineries continued to operate by producing sacramental wines.

With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Napa Valley’s wine industry witnessed a period of recovery and then tremendous expansion.

A group of vintners met together in 1944, which changed the face of Napa’s wine industry and history. They shared their ideas on grape growing and winemaking and laid the foundation for the Napa Valley Vintners. This organization would become the region’s standard bearer and dedicate itself to the advancement of Napa Valley wines both domestically and abroad. And, that is what they did. Over the ensuing decades, Napa’s prominence has only soared as its wines became more sought-out the world over. The rest is history.

Of course, as Napa Valley is America’s Wine Country, most activities and events are manifested in the grape: wine tastings, vineyard tours, and dining al fresco with a glass of regional wine in hand. However, Napa Valley also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year.

In June, the annual Napa Valley Wine Auction takes place.

Wineries throughout the Valley donate bottles of wine and other prizes to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This annual event, generally, raises several million dollars each year and benefits charities throughout Napa County.

In 2006, Napa Valley became home to the Festival del Sole.

Held every July, this annual food, wine, art, and music festival is experienced at various venues throughout the Valley. For ten days, 100 Wineries participate in the celebration. Over 60 events are held that feature stars of music, dance and theater. It is a “celebration of the art of life.” And, additional music festivals, including Music in the Vineyards, Live in the Vineyard, and the Robert Mondavi Summer Concert Series, all take place in locations throughout the Valley on an annual basis.

Napa Valley is a gem in the American landscape. Its beauty is one that is rarely surpassed. Its culture is as layered as its geology. Its history, as part of Mexico and, then, the state of California, is as unique as its soil. It produces wines that are easily found from London to Shanghai and everywhere in between.

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WINERIES Acacia Vineyard t - 707.226.9991 | t - 877.226.1700 2750 Las Amigas Road Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Cost: $15 Appt. Only Two miles from San Francisco’s San Pablo Bay, Acacia Vineyard is in the heart of Napa’s Carneros wine region, specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Black Stallion Winery t - 707.227.3250 | t - 888.279.6272 4089 Silverado Trail Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Cost: $15 - $30 Large circular tasting bar, expansive terrace and private tasting rooms create an inviting space to relax and enjoy exquisite wines.

Chimney Rock Winery t - 707.257.2641 5350 Silverado Trail Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Cost: $20 - $30 Situated on the fabled Silverado Trail, this Cape Dutch-inspired estate winery is recognized as one of the world’s premier fine wine producers.

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Domaine Carneros by Taittinger t - 707.257.0101 1240 Duhig Road Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 5:45 pm Cost: $16 - $30 Features award-winning Sparkling and Pinot Noir, including Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs and is consistently named America’s Best Sparkling Wine.

The Hess Collection Winery t - 707.255.1144 | t - 877.707.4377 4411 Redwood Road Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Cost: $10 Nestled among tall pines, redwoods and a courtyard garden, The Hess Collection offers an opportunity to experience its founder’s shared passions -- art and wine.

Silverado Vineyards t - 707.257.1770 | t - 800.997.1770 6121 Silverado Trail Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Cost: Varies Family-owned hillside winery, located in the heart of the Stags Leap District, handcrafts Estate and Single Vineyard wines. Daily tasting, tours, culinary programs, events.

Vine Cliff Winery t - 707.944.1364 7400 Silverado Trail Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Cost: $25 Appt. only Fine wines and rare views are offered at this beautiful 100-acre estate nestled high in the Oakville hills above the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley.

Restaurants

William Hill Estate Winery t - 707 265 3024 1761 Atlas Peak Road Napa, CA Tasting Room - Yes Hrs: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Cost: $12 - $25 For three decades, William Hill Estate has crafted elegant, classically styled Napa Valley wines. The Tasting Room overlooks 140 vineyard acres in the Silverado Bench.

Fish Story t - 707.251.5600 790 Main Street Napa, CA Fish Story, offers sustainable, seasonal, ocean-fresh seafood located on the Napa Riverfront, with ample riverfront patio seating. Fish Story is open seven days a week, serving Lunch, Brunch, a limited Happy Hour menu and Dinner.

Hotels Napa River Inn t - 707.251.8500 t - 877.251.8500 www.napariverinn.com 500 Main Street Napa, CA 94559 Minimum Rate: $ 249 Urban hotel featuring high style, warmth and an unexpected blend of history, art, entertainment, world class food and wine.

Celadon t - 707.254.9690 500 Main Street, Suite G Napa, CA Menu features Mediterranean, Asian and the American cuisine.

Received a 2013 Michelin Guide Recommendation.

Royal Oak at the Silverado Resort and Spa t - 707.257.0200 1600 Atlas Peak Road Napa, CA Scenic views & sophisticated décor backdrop this classic restaurant featuring prime steaks, fresh grilled fish, great martinis and extensive wine list. Chef Jeffery Jake creates finest in regional specialties where old world steakhouse and new world ambiance come together for unforgettable dining experiences.

The Beazley House t - 707.257.1649 t - 800.559.1649 1910 1st. Street Napa, CA 94559 www.beazleyhouse.com/ Minimum Rate: $ 195 Napa’s first bed and breakfast is walking distance to dining and quaint downtown Napa. Experience delicious breakfasts, exquisite gardens, and upscale amenities, dogs welcomed.

Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa t - 707.253.8600 t - 800.228.9290 www.marriott.com 3425 Solano Ave. Napa, CA 94558 Minimum Rate: $ 239 Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa combines modern convenience with Marriott’s unmatched standards-of-excellence, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Westin Verasa Napa t - 707.257.1800 t - 800.937.8461 www.westinnapa.com 1141 First Street Napa, CA 94559 Minimum Rate: $ 199 Features 180 guestrooms with modern amenities, award-winning cuisine and near several Napa attractions.

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EXPRESSIONS 34

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OPTIONS 2013

June is usually a perfect month to spend every free moment outside soaking up the sun and enjoying the increasingly longer spring evenings. For all those reasons, I would normally be highlighting a work of public art that is sited outdoors, yet OPTIONS 2013 is still open at the Arlington Arts Center (AAC)---hurry down, to the AAC on Wilson Boulevard, and see this exhibition before it closes on June 9. If you cannot make it by June 9, then follow the artists online and seek out their studios and upcoming exhibitions.

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Begun in 1981, OPTIONS is a highly anticipated biannual contemporary art exhibition sponsored by the Washington Project for the Arts, showcasing emerging contemporary artists in the greater DC area. It is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see the next wave of artists to watch. While always a survey of diverse talent, the show is sharply curated this year by Gerald Ross, Exhibitions Director and Faculty, MFA Curatorial Practice, Maryland Institute College of Art. He writes about his selections, “...the work here is absolutely informed by global contemporary art practice but is by no means a survey of current trends in the art world. If anything, it represents just a small glimpse of the artistic talent in the Mid-Atlantic region, a solid part of a large, ever growing, and vibrant arts community.

I hope that this exhibition conjures up relevant questions and generates a sense of wonder for that which is both worldly and unworldly. There is darkness here; there is serenity as well as confrontation; abstraction, the surreal, the lofty, and the corporeal.”

After viewing the show, I completely agree with Mr. Ross’ statement and selected three artists whose work illustrates the strength of the exhibition. I have excerpted Mr. Ross’ comments about each artist’s work.

Christina Billotte’s studio practice aims to “address social interaction and culture through her painstakingly crafted physically and psychologically engaging sculptures. Here, hundreds of individually fired ceramic cherries hang from a meticulously crafted steel armature, its entirety resembling something enigmatically alien, other- worldly. The viewer is

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invited to walk through and amongst the cherries into a vortex, surrounded. There is a very real, bodily experience to be recognized and grappled with when interacting with this work.”

The work of Lisa Marie Jakab “…investigates and interprets layers of consciousness, the states between dreaming and awareness, and the space between an idea and its origin in thought. Experimental and direct, her video work and her paintings inform each other, employing an automatic and instinctive language.”

Once Upon a Time in Almeria, Mark Parascandola’s photographic series “is ‘a conundrum...certainly at first, anyway.

What appear to be still scenes from the American old West is really straightforward documentation of abandoned movie sets from the era of the spaghetti Western, when Sergio Leone and other filmmakers used the bleak landscape of southern Spain as a backdrop for American Westerns.”

After viewing OPTIONS 2013, walk upstairs to the Wyatt Gallery for Social Construction, selections of work from the resident artists who have studios at the AAC. To make it a triple, three art exhibitions in one outing, walk downstairs to the community gallery and view the drawings of the gourd palace that will be constructed and planted on the grounds of the center this summer.

Be sure to take a walk through and around the historic Maury school which was built in 1910 and renovated in 2005 to house the Arlington Arts Center. The rear gallery boasts Tiffany windows.

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Retraction: In the May, 2013 issue, the Expressions feature meant to read: “Some of the most famous historic examples are the 80’s art and street culture of Keith Haring; The Gates, brilliantly colored saffron nylon panels attached to vinyl gates installed in Central Park, New York City by Christo and Jeanne Claude; and this year, Leo Villareals, The Bay Lights, which will light up 1.8 miles along the San Francisco Bay Bridge with 25,000 led lights.”

PHOTO BY TIM COBURN

Follow me on Twitter @cornwellstyling jamescornwell.com 540-905.1515 John Eric Home 39

FOODIE 40

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Partners, Mike O’Malley, Sebastian Zutant, and Michael Friedman

The Red Hen Parmesan Vinaigrette Gnocchi alla Romana Almond & Semolina Cake After a tour through Northern Italy in the fall of 2012, three partners returned to Washington to recreate the experiences and flavors from their travels while celebrating the products from this region. Chef Mike Friedman’s seasonal menu showcases local products in longstanding recipes, such as the clams casino and gnocchi alla Romana with hazelnut pesto. A Grillworks custom wood-fired grill is the focal point of the kitchen, with many dishes passing through the hearth, including the grilled hen and smoked ricotta.

Michael Friedman, Executive Chef, Red Hen www.theredhendc.com

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Parmesan Vinaigrette 4 ea garlic cloves 1 c parmesan, grated 2 T Dijon mustard ½ c lemon juice 4 T water 1/5 c canola oil Black pepper

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Recipe provided by The Red Hen

Preparation 1. Add garlic, parmesan, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and water to the blender.

Incorporate.

2. Slowly add in the oil until emulsified to a thick consistency. Add freshly cracked black pepper and refrigerate

Add the dressing to some fresh spring lettuces with crunchy, rosemary croutons and smoky olives for a great salad on a warm afternoon.

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THE

RED 44

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HEN John Eric Home 45

Gnocchi alla Romana 2 quarts whole milk 3 cups semolina flour 2 cups parmesan, finely grated (plus more for sprinkling) ½ pound butter, unsalted, cut into small cubes 4 ea egg yolks salt, to taste

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Recipe provided by The Red Hen

Preparation 1. In a saucepan, bring milk to a boil over medium heat. While the milk is heating, butter a sheet tray and keep to the side. Preheat your oven to 350 F. 2. When the milk is just at a boil, slowly pour the semolina flour in while whisking.

The mixture will thicken almost immediately. Continue whisking for 2 minutes, then trade the whisk for a rubber spatula.

3. Add the parmesan and butter to the saucepan and mix well.

4. Remove the pot from the heat and fold in the egg yolks until they are fully incorporated.

5. Pour the mixture into the buttered sheet tray and flatten evenly. Scatter more parmesan on top.

6. Bake the gnocchi for 25-30 minutes at 350 F, or until the parmesan has browned nicely on top. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes.

7. When the gnocchi is cool enough to handle, either cut them on the baking tray or invert the pan onto a cutting board. The gnocchi should slide off the tray easily. Cut into large squares and serve them warm with more parmesan sprinkled on top.

NOTE: The gnocchi has a shelf-life of 3 days in the refrigerator.

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Almond & Semolina Cake Yield: 1 sheet pan 250 g almond flour 100 g semolina flour 6 ea lemons, zested 300 g ricotta cheese Juice of 3 ea lemons 6 ea eggs, whites and yolks separated carefully 225 g butter, softened 250 g sugar

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Recipe provided by The Red Hen

Preparation 1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Butter a baking sheet pan and set aside.

2. Combine the almond flour, semolina and lemon zest. With a spatula, mix until well incorporated.

3. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta and lemon juice with a fork and set aside.

4. In a standing mixture, whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks, about 3-5 minutes. Place the whipped egg whites in a separate bowl and refrigerate.

5. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one by one, then add in the almond flour mixture until fully incorporated.

6. Fold the whipped egg whites into the almond mixture. Once incorporated, add the ricotta cheese mixture.

7. Spoon the batter onto the baking sheet pan and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before removing. The cake will keep well in the refrigerator for 5 days.

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HOMETRENDS 52

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C

olor is quite possibly the most dividing detail among people when it comes to design.

Some people absolutely love it and must live within it. Some people absolutely hate it and can’t possibly have it in their home. We fall somewhere in the middle. There is a way to incorporate color – whether it’s a small pop or a bold statement – that is seamless with the design and feel of a space and can meld with your own ideal.

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When people hear color, they immediately think of paint. Paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to evoke an emotion or reaction in a space and is also a fairly easy thing to change. Though painting a wall a strong color, particularly if it’s in a main room of your home, may dictate too much of the design and create too obvious an impact. You’ve heard the idea - and possibly had the idea yourself - “I love color so I think I’ll paint an accent wall.” Painting a single wall in a room certainly is a bold application of color, but it’s not the only option for bringing this element into your interior. We use color in a lot of different ways in a lot of different materials, far beyond painting a single wall. If you love paint, and we do, one of our favorite ways to incorporate a painted color beyond a neutral, and bring that powerful impact through in a less obvious way, is to apply the color to the ceiling.

In our projects, we’ve added red and orange to the insets of a coffered ceiling in a family room, a deep navy to the ceiling of a foyer, and a soft seafoam green to the entire ceiling of a bright, modern, 12th Street condominium. Applying color to the ceiling of a space lets the walls stand as a neutral backdrop to furnishings, artwork, and lighting, yet still brings in that appealing pop of color in a most surprising way.

If paint is too bold, or seemingly too permanent, there are some other fantastic and simple ways to add a pop of color. For one, bright artwork! Your artwork should speak to you and if what you’re looking to hear is “orange rocks!” then look for a piece that incorporates that color. While colorful artwork helps bring life to any space, adding it as a specific pop of color in a more neutral or monochromatic room adds a brilliant shot of pizzazz. Artwork can contain absolutely any color or combination of colors because it’s a design piece unto itself and is often contained within a frame. Your artwork need not “match” your space. It’s most important that it speaks to you and brings to the room what you’re looking for. Using artwork to add color is a rule-free way to utilize that element.

And as a bonus, because artwork often has texture, you get two great design elements in one.

Beyond artwork, color can be brought in using some of our favorite vehicles; vibrant-colored vases and other accent pieces. Think oversized jars and urns if you’d like to place just one piece - like the bright red piece we’ve placed on a rustic wood dining table - or a collection of smaller jars or vessels either in the same color or a mix of colors like the small collection we’ve put together on a white marble kitchen counter. There is freedom and opportunity when using pieces like these because any material and finish works. Whether the piece is wood, ceramic, or glass; whether it’s painted, glazed, or stained and finished to be shiny or flat, smooth or textured - so long as the color makes you feel good and brings to your space the look you’re trying to attain, you can’t go wrong. By using a single large piece or a few smaller pieces in a variety of sizes grouped together, you will absolutely make a statement and bring an interesting pop of color to any horizontal surface be it a table, counter, or shelf. One of the greatest benefits to using this element as your pop of color is that it’s easy to change. Since the pieces are typically easily moved, you have the ability to switch them out, allowing you to change the color and location whenever the whim hits, as many times as you’d like.

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Another brilliant way to bring color into your design, and if you’d like to invest a little bit more in your pop of color, is by selecting a throw rug. Placing a rug with incredible color, either in a single color with complete saturation, or a variety of complimentary colors, brings a subtle yet fantastic finish to a room. So many of our project designs start with a rug. They provide an excellent springboard to developing the rest of the room and are quite often the main color inspiration.

There are so many varieties that we believe there is most certainly a rug for every space. They also help to ground the space and define the areas where we exist by providing walkways or delineating the areas for sitting. And, when they’re used, also, as the pop of color, they can be even more impressive. We’ve implemented this look in our projects time and again in rooms of all different styles and uses.

Rugs provide the perfect resting spot for furnishings, bringing depth to the space while evoking suggestions of colors that can be used as complimentary accents in other mediums or artwork. We especially love the placement of the worn, deep-red runner in the same kitchen where we’ve placed a handful of countertop accent pieces in a similar red. The rug and accent pieces work together to provide the pop of color and leave the rest of the kitchen to be bright, visually clean, and ready for the food prepared to be the next focus.

No matter how you use them, throw rugs are a solid way to bring color to your spaces.

Lastly, one of our most favorite ways to include a pop of color is in books.

Books on coffee tables, books on bookshelves; the bindings and covers of books are often so colorful and so much fun that putting them together in a collection easily fills the room with energy and interest, both in color and texture. What a joy to wander into a room and be taken away by the surprising depth of color displayed by rows or stacks of books neatly and thoughtfully placed together. In a kitchen, we’ve grouped a large collection of cookbooks in a bookshelf among upper cabinets; in a small reading room off a formal living room, we’ve gathered hundreds of books arranged carefully on floating shelves which flank a bright window. Since the reading room is finished in deeper tones, the bright colors of the book’s bindings are engaging and playful. They also draw you into the space to peruse the literary and artistic gems. And if you don’t have shelves for books, we also love a pile of books on a table or ottoman. Making certain that the collection of books is the right scale for the piece on which they’re placed is the only concern after selecting books that have both the color and content that appeal to you.

With such a variety of avenues to bring pops of color into your spaces, the possibilities are endless and can continually change and evolve as your tastes and interests change. Always keep in mind that when you’re adding color, less can absolutely be enough and more, especially when using books in a large bookcase and, it can be a lot of fun, too. In our studio, we’re forever reinventing our vignettes as our vision and desire of how and where and what colors to use evolve. And although our walls always stay white, we continually feel like we’re in a brand new space.

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| June 2013

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Through the

LOOKING GLASS Wearable Electronics: the Next Big Thing?

By Kristina Messner

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Alice was no stranger to stepping into alternative worlds. But are we ready for it?

The simple act of walking in the new era of “wearables” – or wearable electronics – will be a whole new kind of exercise. These are gadgets worn on your person, either as accessories like glasses, watches, rings and armbands, or embedded in clothing such as in shoes, jackets and headbands.

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Touted as one of the hottest emerging markets in electronics, industry experts are forecasting that wearables will change nearly everything about how we interact with each other and the world around us. And, for those who make the forward and purposeful leap into the wonderland of augmented reality, they surely won’t be alone.

If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, you may remember some of the earliest wearables, which were in the form of simple LED watches. In the early tech revolution, when Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were still just shiny faced young entrepreneurs, big brands like Sony and Texas Instruments were creating handheld and portable calculators that were – at the time – some of the hottest electronics available to mainstream consumers.

Digital watches quickly evolved to allow everyone to solve complex calculus while in line at the grocery store. Because everyone needs calculus for shopping, right? My, wearables, how far we’ve come.

The more advanced wearables have many options, allowing you to interact with your environment by capturing video and still images about your experiences in real-time through tiny sensors and cameras and sharing them online. So, your friends can all see that beautiful cupcake you just bought at Baked & Wired.

Last month, Credit Suisse released a report acquired by Baron’s that stated wearable electronics are “the next big thing,” having the potential to grow to $50 billion in the next three to five years.

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A number of factors are contributing to the timing being right for the rapid evolution of this emerging market.

The development of microtechnology together with the establishment of cloud-based data storage, are two of the most critical factors. Also, the popularity and proliferation of smartphones, which most wearables require to function in terms of power and data processing capabilities, created a broad base of potential and eager users. And with consumers eager to buy, investors will be more ready to spend.

One of the key points within the Credit Suisse report speaks directly to investors, stating the market may be much broader and opportunities much larger than many have to date forecasted. Product options and varieties are forecasted to dramatically expand further in the next three years with the anticipated introduction of e-textiles, which are created when digital components are embedded into fabrics. Beyond wearables, e-textile applications will include broader categories such as interior design, artwork, outdoor signage and other applications of woven materials.

ABI Research, a leading market intelligence firm, segments the wearable computing devices market into seven sections: wearable cameras, smart clothing, smart glasses, healthcare, sports and activity trackers, wearable 3D motion trackers, and smartphone compatible watches.

“The furor about wearable technologies, particularly smart watches and smart glasses is unsurprising,” says Josh Flood, senior analyst at ABI Research. “Both technologies are very

stimulating and some of the applications for the device are rather inspiring.”

Nike entered the game early with Nike+ Technology products that went into sneakers or strapped onto arms to track personal training progress by syncing data with portable microcomputers such as iPods. However, now the biggest competitors leading the pace of development in wearables are - not surprisingly - Apple and Google. Wearable watches compatible with smart phones are beginning to be introduced, and there is building anticipation around the much awaited release of Apple’s iWatch, which is expected later this year.

BEST IN GLASS

Perhaps the most visible new product catching headlines in this growing category of wearable gadgets is Google Glass, a computer device you wear like glasses that lets you capture and process information about the world around you in real-time. It’s like multi-tasking on steroids. A small device attaches to a type of eyewear band that sits on your face and creates a virtual computer screen in front of your eyes layered over, of course, a view of your natural environment.

The small, futuristic looking gadget allows you to quickly and easily grab still photos and audio/video or acquire other critical information to help you do whatever you want to do, all while adding to the enjoyment of your experiences. By looking off to the side, you can control access to and use of a wide variety of information tools – from internet access to email, GPS and more.

While Google Glass has been openly cheered and jeered, receiving reviews from “awesome” to “creepy,” overall there is huge enthusiasm for the product as it gets closer to actual mass market availability.

“Glass is the first wearable piece of technology to be tied into a real platform,” says Pete Pachal, Tech Editor of Mashable, a leading technology news site. “While a head-mounted display is a curious novelty, when you tie it into things like social networks, messaging and connected maps, you start to understand the potential of the idea. You just have to get over that you look like a bit of a cyborg.”

For a cool $1,500 a pair, you can try them out for yourself.

The excitement and interest around Glass surely will continue to help fuel the

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already crescendoing interest and investments across the entire category of wearables. And this is good news for everyone, as a fresh new category of technology opens up opportunities for markets and incredible new innovations in applications, accessories and gadgets that are virtually endless.

Privacy and security – both for individuals and organizations – are two of the biggest concerns about wearable technologies. Of course, video and still photography will be much easier to capture without being necessarily noticed.

Some Casinos and restaurants are already posting restrictions about use of glasses or wearables on their premises. According to Reuters, Caesar’s Entertainment reported it has not allowing Glass use by guests in showrooms or while gambling, though it’s permissible in other areas of their facilities. A bar in Seattle, Five Point Café, became the first bar to ban Glass this past March.

According to Juniper Research, a market intelligence firm that specializes in the mobile telecoms industry, some security risks of wearable electronics were recently illuminated by a Google Glass developer who purposefully hacked their way into getting beyond security provisions established for that prototype by Google.

“The result of this,” Juniper states in a report, “is the realization by many that any attacker could easily gain access to the smart glass device and other vital information associated with it. Therefore, a single security breach could provide hackers with access to live information including photos and videos;

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even leading to identity theft issues and so on.”

However, how much does the public really know or care about their personal privacy? Simply scan across public social media sites and you’ll see thousands of users who themselves and their children set up personal profiles, share huge amounts of sensitive family and personal data, and allow computers and networks to track their every move as they “check-in” at every stop along their way. Millions of images are open and online about individuals, their friends and family – all neatly tagged, identified, and often whimsically detailed.

So, I wonder what Alice might have found on the other side of a Google Glass? Would she have missed all that land of wonder for a better view of her own backyard?

Wearable technologies promise to open up a huge array of opportunities for devices that offer to increase our productivity, improve our health and create more seamless interaction between us and the information we may want, that could help us shop, learn or get to where we want to be.

What is not yet clear, however, is how these technologies that will travel so closely with us may also transform us, as individuals relating to our world, and as a society at large. Once our reality is augmented, or enhanced, can we choose to simply shift it back again? And, what may be the implications for how this new adventure in technology will affect us on a much more far reaching level that may ripple out into our homes, workplaces, schools, communities and even government.

Perhaps only time, and technology sales, will tell.

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STYLIST MENS Let’s face it. The fashion and beauty world for the everyday man is still very far behind the women’s world, at least on the consumer side. Men, as a whole, still have this melodramatic thought process when it comes to being fashionable, and it pains me to say it, but “Metro Sexual” for the lack of a better definition. For the most part, skinny pants, plunging V-necks, trimmed body hair, and manicured nails are a missing link to the Neanderthal thinking man. Of course, not everyone will like this article, especially the guys who think they are such manly men. But guys, all of us can benefit from the regular manicure and pedicure, skin care regimen, and clothing up-grade!

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SHED John Eric Home 71

Here’s what I am addressing first:

Do you think Jay-Z minds going to get his nails done? The answer is no. So, if Jay-Z can handle the manicure and pedicure, why not you? Just think, when you decide it’s ok to get a pedi, maybe your favorite celebrity will be right next to you then you can exchange the “reasons” you’re getting groomed.

As for your skin care: One of the first visible things to someone is good or bad skin. You are sadly mistaken if you don’t believe your buddy is talking about the shape your skin is in. You’ve done it, right?

You only have one skin in your lifetime, shouldn’t you take care of it?

We are in 2013, the age of technology and stem cells in skin care for men and women. I bet there is not one professional sports player or celebrity personality that does not have a skin care regimen, or one that does not get regular facials! Sure, they may have a huge endorsement for a product, but you know what that means? They USE it!

Now, let’s talk fashion. Real men do wear pink and not just in October! The days of sissy colors, my mom wears purple, and flowers are for girls is gone! If you still have this mindset, you need to go into your closet, throw out half your tragic wardrobe, and call me!

LOL, but seriously, you need to revamp your thought process and your closet. Women are attracted to guys with good style. It does not mean that you dress like a mannequin you saw at H&M, but, maybe, use an article of clothing from that mannequin to enhance your wardrobe.

Here are some tips, like them or hate them, but try to relate and translate:

If you wear khaki shorts all the time, make sure you do not always wear a plain color shirt. Khaki is BORING, so wear stripes, neon, plaid, or even layer’s on top to make a statement.

Are you the one that can’t put shoes on without socks when you’re wearing shorts? *deep breath* If you must do this, please put on something fun. Wear argyle, stripes, plaid, or even socks with quotes on them. At least people will ask where you got your socks and not what was he thinking!

I know it’s really hard news to break, and you probably didn’t see it on CNN (even though TV personalities are the BEST groomed in the world), but the “un-kempt” man is out, just like a “kept woman” is a thing of the past! There is no FEM in grooming, so do not be afraid of it. And if your friends start to ask why you’re looking so good these days, tell them James did it!

This summer keep your fashion right, your skin tight, and your friends envious of a glowing, fashionable you.

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The Moon-Light’s Shine Castor’s Conquest

MIXOLOGY Pollux’s Presence

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THE MOONLIGHT’S SHINE Inspired by the birthstone of June, the Moonstone, and a classic southern beverage, Moonshine, the MoonLight’s Shine is designed to be enjoyed beneath the stars, tempering a hot summer evening. The first note picked up from the drink is the spiciness of the rye grain that is used in the white whiskey. The spice is hot, just like the summer nights of June. To help balance it, violette liqueur and lemon bitters are added. The alternating flavors of sweet, sour and bitter bring depth and smoothness to the edges of the cocktail, however, still leave it very powerful and bold. The crisp flavors of prosecco tie everything together and fully develop the drink into a playful summer delight mimicking the color of moon beams keeping the night lit. The brash red of the fresh raspberries stands out against the background of the night, while the mint nose elevates a refreshing sense that eases the night along. All in all, the Moon-Light’s Shine sparkles like the stars and the moon, making sure to create a memorable June.

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GLASSWARE Stemmed White Wine Glass

INGREDIENTS 1 oz. Jack Daniels Un-Aged Rye Whiskey ½ oz Crème Violette 4 Dashes Lemon Bitters 2 oz Prosecco Crushed Ice Garnish: Crushed Ice Bowl Filled with Raspberries and Mint Sprig

DIRECTIONS Fill a White Wine glass (11oz.) with crushed ice and set aside to chill. Next, in a mixing glass, combine the Jack Daniels unaged rye whiskey, crème violette, lemon bitters, and ice. Stir 30-40 times to chill and then add the 2 ounces of prosecco. Use a Hawthorne strainer to pour the drink over crushed ice. To create garnish, fill a hand juicer with crushed ice and press (this will form a small ice bowl). Place ice bowl on top of the crushed ice, and fill with fresh raspberries. Finally, place a small sprig of mint next to raspberries, serve with a straw and enjoy!

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CASTOR’S CONQUEST When enjoying a June night, let’s remember the constellations, particularly, one of the oldest named by science, the Gemini. Associated with sailing history, the brightness of the star Castor is best toasted with a drink inspired by a true naval classic, the Gimlet. Allegedly invented in the late 1800’s, on British Navy vessels as a safe guard against scurvy, the gimlet utilizes lime juice and base spirits to deliver one refreshing taste after another. Representing Castor’s Greco-Roman heritage, a light and bitter sweet Italian wine aperitif is used (Cocchi Americano). To pair with the Cocchi Americano, while staying with tradition, the French Gin, G-Vine brings floral and citrus notes. A small amount of fresh lime juice gives a delectable tartness, which is further supported by the semi-sweet semi-sour notes from an even smaller splash of classic Rose’s Lime Juice.

One dash of New Orleans Bitters adds an essential layer of seasoning that translates into consistency as each flavor transitions from one to anther across the palette. Served with the brightness of the Lemon Peel and shining just as bright as Alpha Geminorum (star Castor) itself does in the night sky, Castor’s Conquest will always finish with a sense of triumph.

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GLASSWARE Marie Antoinette Coupe

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz. G-Vine Gin ¾ oz. Cocchi Americano ¼ oz. Fresh Lime Juice 1/8 oz. Roses Lime Juice 1 Dash Peychaud’s Bitters Garnish: Fresh Lemon Peel

DIRECTIONS In a shaker, combine the ingredients, add ice and shake vigorously to a slow count of 10. Use a Hawthorne strainer to pour the drink into a Coupe glass (5-7 oz.). If desired, the small ice chips that normally accompany a shaken drink can be removed with the use of a fine mesh strainer in addition to the Hawthorne (this technique is commonly referred to as a double strain and can be used to alter drinks to preference). Hold a fresh lemon over the drink and cut a peel of the skin equal to the circumference of the fruit. Twist the peel around the rim of the glass, ensuring the essential oils contact with the rim of the glass. For the finale, place the twist gently on the rim of

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glass, serve and enjoy!

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POLLUX’S PRESENCE In legend, as Castor lay dying, his twin brother, Pollux, split his own immortality in half to save his mortal sibling. The two ascended to the sky to shine forever as the two brightest stars in the Gemini Constellation, Alpha and Beta Geminorum. In celebration of these stars, Pollux’s Presence begins with a powerful, yet enticing spirit, Rhum Barbancourt 8year. The richness in the rhum is then paired with an Italian rosé wine aperitif, Cocchi Rossa. Like its counterpart, Cocchi Americano, the Rossa is semi-sweet and semi-bitter, however, it brings deeper fruit flavors of grape and berry that will stand up to the earth notes from the rhum. Balance is achieved by utilizing tart and crisp flavors that come through the combination of fresh and Rose’s lime juice.

The bold tones of Angostura bitters stand to heighten the citrus flavors of the lime and to bridge the transition between the rhum and the rossa. Lastly, the lime peel garnish matches the color of the cocktail as well.

Just as Beta Geminorum’s hangs in the sky above, its presence providing an enriching light, Pollux’s Presence will be the perfect fit to savor an amazing June night.

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GLASSWARE Marie Antoinette Coupe

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz. Rhum Barbancourt 8yr ¾ oz. Cocchi Rossa ¼ oz. Fresh Lime Juice 1/8 oz. Roses Lime Juice 1 Dash Angostura Bitters Garnish: Fresh Lime Peel

DIRECTIONS In a shaker, combine the ingredients, add ice and shake vigorously to a slow count of 10. Use a Hawthorne strainer to pour the drink into a Coupe glass (5-7 oz.). If desired, the small ice chips that normally accompany a shaken drink can be removed with the use of a fine mesh strainer in addition to the Hawthorne (this technique is commonly referred to as a double strain and can be used to alter drinks to preference). Hold a fresh Lime over the drink, and cut a peel of the skin equal to the circumference of the fruit. Twist the peel around the rim of the glass, ensuring the essential oils contact with the rim of the glass. For the finale, place the twist gently on the rim of glass, serve and enjoy!

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MOATS

and

MONEY AND FINANCE 82

CASTLES

Protecting Your Assets and Wealth

There are 9 mechanisms to protect your assets and wealth: 1. Car Insurance 2. Home Insurance 3. Liability Insurance 4. Disability and Long-term Care Insurance 5. Medical insurance 6. Life Insurance 7. Social Security 8. Wills and Trusts 9. Ownership Structure

The foundation of your moat should be insurance – life insurance, disability insurance, homeowners insurance, car insurance, liability insurance, medical insurance, and long-term care insurance. By obtaining coverage, you are in effect shifting a majority of the risk to someone else – an insurance company, and helping to better ensure that your financial security isn’t jeopardized by undesirable or unplanned events. Closely reviewing each type of insurance coverage is in place, and if there is a need of obtaining coverage, can help facilitate that need.

In addition to insurance, it is important to have proper documentation in place for when you pass away. An estate plan provides the legal mechanism for disposing of property upon death in a way that recognizes your wishes and the needs of your survivors, all while minimizing taxes. For many, it involves planning for the handling of affairs in case of disability, and the deeply personal medical choices to be made as life nears its end. Trusts can play an important role in providing order to your financial affairs, assisting with your tax planning, simplifying your estate settlement, and providing guidance for your family and heirs. Reviewing the titling of your financial accounts, discussing your ultimate goals for the disposition of your assets, and then matching you with invaluable resources and estate planners will guide you through the estate planning process.

As a financial advisor I am often asked, “What kind of investment returns can you get me?” I usually respond that the return will be irrelevant if you don’t have adequate protection strategies in place. It wouldn’t matter if you could earn an average annual return of 20% per year if you didn’t have proper liability

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coverage and you had an accident that was your fault; all of your assets could vanish quickly. If you didn’t have adequate disability or medical coverage and you were sick or became disabled, your savings and investments would likely be depleted quite fast as you liquidated assets to pay your living expenses and medical bills. I argue that strategies for asset protection are at least as important as those for investment returns.

In the months that follow, we will go into depth on the 9 protection strategies. We will discuss deductibles, liability limits, liability umbrellas, disability and long-term care options.

We will talk about pre-tax and post-tax payments of disability premiums and how that choice affects your potential benefits if you become disabled. We will also look at some unique social security strategies and illustrate how you can maximize your family’s benefits under the current law. With regard to estate planning, there is an ongoing debate on trusts vs. wills; we will explore the differences and highlight the benefits of both. Additionally, we will examine powers of attorney, living wills, and advanced medical directives, and how securing these important documents can help your loved ones make decisions without being impeded by medical red tape. If you’re a business owner, you’ll want to pay particular attention to our feature on business entities as we discuss and clarify which business formation is best served for asset protection, taxes, day-to-day business operations, and other factors. Lastly, we will discuss the internet and what happens to your online accounts if you were to die or become disabled.

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This series is to be used as an overall guide to make sure that you and your family have the maximum amount of protection that you can qualify for and afford. I would strongly recommend discussing the strategies with your advisors. Your attorney can assist you with estate planning and your insurance agents can help you with your insurance decisions and needs.

Once you have maximized your protection and built a large moat around your assets, the discussion of asset allocation and investment strategies comes to life. Please be reminded that no strategy assures success or protects against loss.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/ SIPC. Investment advice offered through U.S. Financial Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor. U.S. Financial Advisors and U.S. Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial

This article was written by Marc Schliefer. The opinions stated in here are Marc’s and are not necessarily that of the broker/ dealer. The opinions do not represent those of John Eric Home.

The article is not intended to serve as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell a specific security.

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Georgetown Prep, an independent, Jesuit college-preparatory school for young men in grades 9-12, is part of a rich tradition of Catholic education in America since 1634 and is the oldest Jesuit secondary school in the

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country. Prep’s 90-acre campus features stateof-the-art academic, athletic and student centers, small classes and a rigorous curriculum that has helped graduates earn admission to the

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PREMIUM LISTINGS

Imagine the very best of everything presented in one setting.

These exclusive listing pages bring you a sample of John Eric’s luxury properties that are currently on the market, under contract or have been recently sold. They illustrate the range of exceptional listings that John represents. No one understands luxury real estate like John Eric.

Whether you are a buyer, a seller or someone who is interested in the current market, we invite you to peruse these pages and contact John Eric with any luxury property questions.

To browse through our luxury listings or to request additional information regarding these properties, visit www.johneric.com

EXQUISITE COLONIAL This lovely townhome has a wonderful presence and welcomes you with exquisite brickwork, large proportioned windows and provides a warm welcome to everyone who enters. ‘Stylish, contemporary and elegant’ are but several of the words used to describe this exquisite property.

The first level of this home features the living room and separate dining room with hardwood floors, recessed lighting and crown molding. The living room is bathed in natural light from large framed windows. Moving into the kitchen, the open floor plan allows your guests to be part of the action as your prepare an exceptional meal in the updated gourmet kitchen.

This gourmet kitchen features lovely cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops . Attached to the kitchen is a spacious family room with gas fireplace. This space is able to do double duty as an extension of the kitchen by providing extra space for a large table in addition to the center island, which can accommodate three bar stools. Either way, a perfect place to live, work or entertain.

$949,000

6581 Washington Blvd Arlington,Virginia 22205

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6581 Washington Blvd.

Arlington, VA

Moving upstairs to the second floor, we enter the master suite with its separate bedroom and sitting areas, tray ceiling, hardwood floors, large windows providing an abundance of natural light, recessed lighting, and spacious walk-in closet. This master suite is both spacious and intimate. Also featured is an expansive, renovated master bath.

This master bathroom has been completely revamped and features granite countertops on new cabinets, dual sinks, a large soaking tub, a newly tiled walk-in shower with frameless shower door, water closet and an abundance of storage.

OFFERED AT $949,000 NOTABLE FEATURES • Sq. Footage: 3,200 Estimated • Bedroom: 4 • Baths: 3 Full Baths/1 Half Baths • 2 Fireplaces • Year Built: 2004 • Age: 9 • County: Arlington • Hoa Fee: $ 158.00 A Month • Parking Space: Yes/ 2 Space • Exterior: Brick And Siding • Heating System: Forced Air • Cool System: Central A/C

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LOFT LIVING This contemporary, two level loft condo is located in sought-after rosslyn in north arlington. Positioned on the hill overlooking The banks of the potomac river and across from georgetown, this lovely home offers peaceful, luxurious living within a heartbeat of the dc attractions. This community is conveniently located within walking distance to the rosslyn metro and Georgetown shopping and provides easy access to the restaurants of rosslyn, courthouse, clarendon, major highways, and reagan national airport.

Your senses are stimulated from the minute you enter this impressive space. Immediately, your eyes are drawn to the tall ceilings and windows which bathe the home in natural light. The high ceilings, earth tone colors and the gorgeous hardwood floors on the main level create a comfortable feeling that is both warm and inviting.

This home’s gourmet kitchen was created with the chef in mind with stainless steel appliances, a large island with space for three bar stools and an abundance of cabinet space and custom backsplash. Its view encompasses both the living and dining spaces and is able to accommodate both small, intimate dinners and large parties.

$545,000

1633 Colonial Terrace, #404 Arlington, Virginia

John Eric Eric Home Home 91 91 John

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1633 Colonial Terrace, #404 Arlington, VA

The master suite, located on the upper level, is framed by lovely windows which provide great natural light. The floor plan for this area provides a spacious environment for both sleeping and relaxing. The en-suite master bath features dual sinks, tiled shower with a stainless steel shower door and one of the suite’s two closets.

This property also features a second bedroom and bath. This bedroom is ample in size and also has amazing natural light and an attached full bath with a shower/tub combination. And the amenities and features that convey with this property continue. There is a lovely balcony which provides great outdoor living space, one parking space, gas fireplace, upgraded light fixtures and a custom built-in cabinet.

OFFERED AT $545,000 NOTABLE FEATURES • Sq. footage: 1212 square feet •Two levels • 1 fireplace • Bedroom: 2 • Baths: 2.5 • Year built: 2004 • Age: 9 • County: Arlington • Condo fee: $442.98 a month • Parking space: yes/ 1 Space – potential to rent a second space for $150.00 monthly • Washer & dryer full size stackable in unit • Exterior: brick • Heating system: forced Air • Cool system: central a/c

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WATERFRONT Welcome to the Seanile Estate! This stunning custom built, Cape style home with gorgeous stone accents is set in the sought-after community of Kinsale, Virginia. The Seanile Estate was specifically designed to take full advantage of its prime location with direct water access and views of the peninsula while keeping with the tradition, casual elegance and exceptional charm of this small, friendly, beach town located on Virginia’s scenic, celebrated and picturesque Northern Neck.

Virginia’s Northern Neck is ideally located between Washington and Richmond and provides an exceptional location and setting for a weekend home. One can enjoy the great outdoors and water activities with direct access to the Potomac River, its tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay. This home rejuvenates and relaxes your soul from the moment you arrive and truly allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Arriving at the property, you are greeted by the welcoming Seanile Estate sign. Driving down the private road toward this exquisite home, you are treated immediately to spectacular water views and a home that sits perfectly in tune with its surroundings. Also included on this expansive, 9.8 acre property are the Boat House and Dock, the Crab House Entertainment Pavilion and an auxiliary boat/car garage and guest house that all combined, make this home a very unique offering.

The private road is in a natural state, which is by design.

As the road ends you are greeted by a circular driveway which leads perfectly to the front of the estate. Walking down the landscaped front entry path, you climb a few steps and arrive at a spacious, deep front porch. The front porch provides a subtle and immediate reminder you have arrived at a place of rest and relaxation. Entering the front door, you are greeted by stunning water views, a two story foyer with a lovely chandelier and a graceful staircase.

It’s natural for one to immediately walk into the living room and onto the rear deck to absorb the beautiful, sweeping views of the water. This home was built to take full advantage of the water views. The main level of this home is open and inviting.

This home was not built with the formality of a traditional home with dedicated and defined rooms. Instead, many of the rooms could do double duty, depending upon the owner’s whim and the size of the party.

$1,395,000

824 Skipjack Road Kinsale, Virginia

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824 Skipjack Road Kinsale, Virginia

The 2,000 square foot guesthouse is truly a home away from home. With water views, a full kitchen stocked with brand new appliances, one and a half baths and a washer and dryer, your guests will enjoy all of the comforts of being in their own space, while sharing the delightful experience of Seanile with you and yours. This guest home boasts one bedroom with a large walk-in closet and a den, which can also serve as a sleeping room.

Only when you turn back toward the main home and gaze across this property with 960 feet of water front views can you truly appreciate the uniqueness of the Seanile Estate. With every amenity you can imagine throughout the main house and those thoughtful details carried throughout every outbuilding on the property, this is sure to be a place you’ll want to call home. Imagine a life in this picturesque town of Kinsale, Virginia – and make it yours.

OFFERED AT $1,395,000 NOTABLE FEATURES • Style: Colonial with Craftsman

• Wheel Chair Accessible First Floor

Influence

• Capella Wood Floors: Random

• Sq. Footage: 6,000 (Estimated)

Plank

• Bedrooms: 5 – Main House

• Caesar Stone Kitchen Counters

• Baths: 5 ½ - Main House

• Granite Countertop Island

• Water Frontage: 900 linear feet

• Stainless Steel Commercial Grade

• 180 Degree Water Views

• Drawer Dishwasher with two units

Throughout Home

Hood & Range

• Entire Property Secured with Alarm

• Walk-In Pantry

• Climate Controlled 150 Bottle Wine

and Camera System

• Circle Driveway

Closet

• 1000 sq. ft. Three Car Garage

• Mudroom

• Full Attic

• First Floor Laundry Room with

• Fruit trees: Apple, Pear, Persimmon

• Four Season Sun Room

and Pomegranate

Italian Tile

• Grape Vines

• 2000 sq. ft Guest House

• Japanese Maple & Dogwood Trees

• 960 sq. feet Drive Through Garage

• 8 foot Deep Front Porch

• 2000 sq foot workshop

• 16 x 40 Deck on the Rear\

• 12 x 34 foot Green House

• Vaulted Ceilings Throughout

• 100 ft. Dock

• Doors: Pella & Anderson

• Outdoor Pavilion 60 x 30 feet

• Windows: Anderson B- Grade

• 33 x 100 ft. Dog Kennel

• Lighting: Hinkley

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A MONUMENT VIEW Location of a lifetime best describes the quiet and intimate setting of the Residences of Memorial Overlook. Nestled behind the Iwo Jima Memorial Park in Rosslyn and overlooking everything but the details, this premier penthouse condo has picturesque vistas of the Potomac River, the Washington Monuments, the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Capitol.

Memorial Overlook is an exclusive condominium that offers the convenience of urban living plus a sophisticated life style. From the balcony/terrace, enjoy the bells of the Carillion Tower, watch planes soar at Reagan National Airport or the helicopters hover over the White House while still maintaining close proximity to the nation’s foremost cultural and educational centers, the downtown business district and Metro.

$1,695,000

1201 N NASH STREET, #PH 2 Arlington, Virginia

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1201 N NASH STREET, #PH 2 Arlington, Virginia

This pristine condo combines classical finishes with modern conveniences in an open floor plan with many custom upgrades. The spacious, top floor unit faces east and is filled with light in the day and has mesmerizing, sparkling city views at night. The two bedrooms with den/library, two-anda-half baths floor plan with its state-of the art lighting and chef’s kitchen is perfect for entertaining. The generous room sizes, high ceilings, wide crown molding, marble and hardwood floors throughout, built-in sound system, spacious closets as well as the many building amenities grant comfortable living.

The luxurious Residences at Memorial Overlook feature the finest materials and superior attention to detail. There is an immediate feeling of entering someone’s home when guests are greeted by friendly and accommodating staff. A well equipped Fitness Center with two televisions is open 24 hours, and the large, attractive Club Room with kitchen adds convenience for owners and their guests. This penthouse unit also comes with two garage spaces and two good sized storage spaces. The feeling of privacy while having close access to downtown Washington, the splendid views and the elegantly appointed penthouse unit with balcony/terrace make this a stunning offering.

OFFERED AT $1,695,000 NOTABLE FEATURES • Penthouse Unit • Expansive Living Room • Breathtaking Views • Gourmet Kitchen • Fitness Center • Club Room • Two Garage Spaces • Balcony/Terrace

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THE SCOOP

DC METRO NEWS YOU CAN USE!

News is sourced from John Eric’s website, www.johneric.com

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Giant Food has officially arrived to H Street, NE. The 41,000 square-foot, LEED-certified store opened on May 2nd. It will be open 24-hours a day. (THIH) In 2011, Metro held a contest soliciting advice on a new Metro map that was in the works. People responded with solutions, like much thinner lines (like most transit systems), striped lines, pairs or triples of dots or just bigger dots and much more. Metro’s first draft used little “whiskers” on each side of the circle. A few people liked them, but most hated them and pushed for “pill” or “capsule”-shaped station symbols instead, or thinner lines. Metro now has a new version that incorporates those suggestions. It shrinks the line width by 24 percent, which still leaves fatter lines than in other transit systems, but much slimmer than the current map. In this option, the stations with three lines now use the “capsule” shapes. They also created a new version that keeps the “whiskers” but cleans up the map in other ways. (WaPo) The story of Adams Morgan’s oldest bar, which celebrated its 50th birthday in May, is a love story. It started in 1963, when a Bronx-born 43-year-old salesman named Al Shapiro bought Balance’s Columbian Restaurant on 18th Street NW and renamed it Millie & Al’s, after the woman he was smitten with.

Millie died of cancer in the early 1970s, but Al kept the name; it’s still their place. The 50th birthday was celebrated with a big bash, during which drinks were priced by decade. (WCP) Cassidy Turley secured a $73.6 million construction loan for Fort Totten Square, the Wal-Mart-anchored mixed-use project co-developed by The JBG Cos. and Lowe Enterprises. In addition to Wal-Mart, other street-level retail space and nearly 350 residential units will be included in part of the development.

(WBJ) Washington’s long-running debate over what uniform color scheme D.C. cabs should adopt has finished. The D.C. Taxicab Commission announced the design, which will be mostly red with a gray stripe. (WCP) The first cars in D.C.’s forthcoming streetcar fleet are on the tracks at an Anacostia testing site and only months away from finally being put into service. (dcist) Marymount University held its annual fashion show, “Portfolio in Motion 2013″, on May 4th in the Rose Bente Lee Center. It showcased the work of Marymount fashion design students.

(AN) Black Whiskey tweeted, posted on its Facebook page and sent invitations to its grand opening on May 4th. Chef and owner, Darren Norris of Kushi Izakaya & Sushi, claimed his spot on the corridor at 1410 14th Street NW, the former site of La Plata restaurant. Renovations and remodeling for Black Whiskey have been going strong for the last couple of weeks. (Borderstan) Chevy Chase sculptor Barton Rubenstein’s latest large-scale sculpture, Vortex, recently was installed in the courtyard of Gaithersburg’s Hidden Creek apartment home complex (559 Girard Avenue.) Vortex was inspired by the many wind farms that Rubenstein and his family saw during a road trip across the country. (Patch)

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Washington Sports Club brought back its movie-themed classes. During the month of May, members and nonmembers danced their way through Great Gatsby-inspired Zumba classes called Speakeasy Sweat. (Washingtonian) The Roosevelt Bridge between D.C. and Rosslyn was closed on May 5th to accommodate the filming of a movie trying to mask its footprint under the name Freezer Burn. Freezer Burn is the fake working title for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the sequel to the 2011 film starring Chris Evans as the patriotic super-soldier. (dcist) Speed and red light cameras captured more than 300,000 traffic law violations in Montgomery Cameras through May 1st. That figure is lower than previous years, including the all-time high of 562,399 citations in fiscal year 2009, according to data from Montgomery County police. From July 2012 to February 2013, about 291,000 speed camera tickets and 25,000 red light camera tickets were issued in the county. From last year, speed camera tickets decreased by nearly 40,000 while red light camera tickets increased by about 3,000. Fiscal year 2013 ends June 30. County police have said that 75 new locations for speed and red light cameras are being considered. (Examiner)

contributed a group piece that was auctioned off during the month. The exhibition, called “Seven Variations and a Conversation,” featured seven artists from Dupont Circle’s Foundry Gallery: Fran Abrams, Nancy Donnelly, Naomi Taitz Duffy, Judy Gilbert Levey, Donna K. McGee, Robert Wiener and Patricia Zannie. (Patch) Single-family home prices increased faster than the national average in the first quarter. The median home price in the Greater Washington area rose to $353,000, an increase of nearly 13 percent compared with a year ago. Nationwide, the median price was $176,600, up 11.3 percent from the first quarter of 2012.

(WBJ) Niko and Oana Adamopoulos are bringing specialty products from around the Mediterranean – including Greece, Italy, Spain and Tunisia — to Dupont Circle. The Greek couple recently signed a lease for 1717 Connecticut Avenue NW and plans to open The Mediterranean Way, a gourmet market, late this summer. (Borderstan) The Arlington County Civic Federation voted to oppose a plan to remove 800 trees at Arlington National Cemetery in order to make way for about 30,000 in-ground burial spots and niche spaces. The resolution asks Arlington’s congressional delegation to sponsor legislation to stop the plan and asks the County Board to officially support the legislation. (Sun Gazette)

Last year, New York-based chef Michael White announced plans to bring a near-replica of his popular Soho Italian restaurant, Osteria Morini, to the developing Lumber Shed pavilion at Yards Park. Now the real estate development has shared news on its Facebook page that a second concept from White’s Altamarea Group, Nicoletta Pizzeria, will debut in the park’s seasonal stalls. (Washingtonian)

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is holding a series of public meetings on pedestrian safety for the Pennsylvania Avenue and Potomac Avenue intersection. It’s an opportunity for the public to learn more about the proposed designs to improve safe crossings. (THIH) Two ice cream shops celebrated Free Ice Cream Cone Day on February 14th. To mark the day select Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s locations handed free cones to customers. (Patch)

Nooshi Capitol Hill opened on May 7th. The opening featured a 50% discount on food, wine & beer. (PoPville) A manufacturer of Arlington’s multi-space parking meters is replacing 16 meters that don’t meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements because they’re too tall.

The replacements are being done at no cost to the county.

(Arlington Mercury) The District saw a record number of visitors last year with 18.9 million visiting the city for either work or pleasure and spending about $6.2 billion on the local economy in the process. (dcist) DC’s next cycle track is slated to open this August along M Street in downtown DC. The M Street lane will serve people riding westbound, complementing the eastbound-only cycle track a block away on L Street. (Greater Greater Washington) Bethesda’s Gallery B’s May exhibition included pieces from seven local artists who, in addition to their individual works,

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A Defense of the Belittled Rosé More than any other type of wine, rosé is a mood – rarely complicated and never contemplated. On a warm, June afternoon, there is truly nothing better than a glass of crisp, chilled rosé to quench the heatdriven thirst. Rosé has a reputation of going well with just about every food, and that’s accurate. However, in most restaurant wine menus, it remains absent. Upon further inspection, we got to thinking: why is it that most folks like rosé so much while others are not only neutral, but antagonistic towards it? The usual explanation is that there is nothing there; that rosé is vacuous, tasteless, and as a wine category, weak.

Although many rosés are indeed insipid, genuinely distinctive rosés are all around us.

This month, we highlight three characterful rosés from Hungary and Italy. These are rosés so pure in intent, so unexpected, so oddly produced and from such exotic places, that they are impossible to resist. Italy isn’t known for its rosé, but from same area of Tuscany known for Brunellos comes the Fattoria di Magliano Sangiovese Rosé – an elegant, and extremely drinkable summer wine. There certainly isn’t much Abruzzo rosé in the market, but we found a rosé made from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. This one comes from the Talamonti Winery, whose goal is to promote the legendary Montepulciano grape of the Abruzzo region in central Italy. The Talamonti Rosé shows deep red color, firmly packed flavors, with a fresh, fruity aftertaste. Our Hungarian rosé comes from Hungarian-born winemaker Christian Sauska, who has maintained strong ties to his homeland while achieving great success across North America.

A mouthwatering blend of Blaufrankisch, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Pinot Noir, the Sauska Rosé represents the unique terroir of Hungary and the harmonious marriage between innovative technology and meticulous manual labor.

That said, let’s get back to our original question: why is it that so many are passionately opposed to rosés? The answer, we believe, is that rosés are not serious. Many consciously “serious” wine drinkers seek wines that are engaging and demand involvement. Wines that do not require a certain level of seriousness and engagement are, by association, unworthy of merit. By the same token, many – perhaps even most – wine drinkers don’t want to be engaged with their wine. They appreciate wines that are marked by subtlety and ones that are pleasant with a meal or during a social occasion. Many simply don’t want demanding wines. They don’t want to get involved. And even if they choose to be, they want it to be an intimate experience, free of intimidation and insistence. Ultimately, despite the ridicule and the belittling, our beloved rosé is a summertime wine like no other.

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FATTORIA DI MAGLIANO SANGIOVESE ROSÉ Sweet fruit is balanced by minerals in this fresh, crisp wine. Dry on the palate with a clean finish. Bolder in style than many of its counterparts, Illario is incredibly drinkable.

SAUSKA VILLÁNYI ROSÉ A vibrant and fresh wine that harmoniously combines gentle acidity and lush fruit flavors of sweet strawberry at the core. Sauska is the perfect warm weather wine that pairs excellently with seafood and barbecued meats.

TALAMONTI CERASUOLO ROSÉ The Talamonti rosé opens up with a bright nose of strawberries and raspberries. It is a full-bodied, somewhat spicy rosé that will pair perfectly with lightly fried calamari or any of your favorite summer dishes.

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STYLIST WOMEN In our teens and twenties, many of us experimented with different genres of style, and have tons of pictures (some of which will never see the light of day or some of which make us cringe) to prove it. Many of our style choices then were dictated largely by pop culture trends, a desire to fit in, and of course attracting a mate. However, over the years we’ve matured, committed to a career and begun to refine our taste based on our chosen lifestyles.

As much as some people try to deny it, having great personal style immediately sends a

message to the world about who you are. So, I highly recommend that you take it seriously.

Within 20 seconds of meeting you, a person sizes you up. As they look you up and down from head to toe, they are making judgments about your economic and social status, education level and more. I know this sounds shallow, but just be honest with yourself and think about what you personally do when you first meet someone. It’s a natural response!

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So, if personal style is so important, how does a person that’s not overly obsessed with the latest fashion trends or the hottest retail store put their personal stamp on style? I say don’t overthink it, and simply be you. All wardrobes regardless of taste levels should be anchored in the best quality tailored basics you can afford such as suits, slacks, button down shirts, jeans and solid colored tops just to name a few. For some people the basics are all they need. However, others crave more, and that’s when it’s important to honor who you are. If you love the arts and often feel artistic, add some color to your wardrobe. For you, the neutrals just aren’t going to cut it! If you love being the belle of the ball, look for apparel items with unique and eyecatching details. Or, if you love the essence of being a woman, try slightly plunging necklines and feminine dresses that skim your womanly curves.

Honestly, style is personal. Have you ever wondered why you have so many clothes with tags hanging in your closet? 8 out of 10 times it’s an item you purchased inspired by someone you saw, or a trend that was hot but just not right for you. To rock confident style we must truly be connected to it and that only comes with honoring who we are as individuals.

So, while planning your wardrobe this season, clear your mind of all your past thoughts of what you wished you were (or what people said you should be) and ask yourself these 3 questions: 1. Who am I? 2. How do I want others to view me?

3. What is my current lifestyle?

Our daily lifestyles dictate our wardrobe needs. If you work in a traditional work environment, then your wardrobe should be heavier in formal suits and suiting separates (slacks and blazers). On the other hand, if you work in a business casual environment, your wardrobe should consist more of fashion tops, cardigans, and tailored dark denim trousers. Investing in power suits will be a waste of money, because you might rarely need them.

Remember, when you’re getting dressed in the morning you’re sending a message. Your clothes have the power to communicate without you saying a single word. Use that to your advantage in your work environments. I know for some making the connection will not be easy, but trust me, it’s totally worth the journey. You will love the confidence that emerges when you know you are projecting a polished and updated image that is uniquely you!

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The all new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Available at BMW of Fairfax.

BMWofFairfax.com

703-560-2300

European model shown.