Old Town Crier - April 2025 by Old Town Crier

PUBLISHER’S NOTES

As I write Publishers Notes today, March 29th, the afternoon temperature is to reach 84. Spring has defi nitely arrived. There is a slight chance of rain this morning but clearing later. Last week we had a beautiful clear day and decided to flip a coin to see which way to drive for our Road Trip adventure. The coin flip said to head south-west...so that is what we did. We ventured to Skyline Drive for a leisurely, uncrowded Sunday drive from Thornton Gap to Front Royal. Read why now is a good time to visit this beautiful park along the Shenandoah Valley on pages 24 & 25.

Lots of other great reads in this issue. The following is a hint as to what we have covered this month.

The Business Proﬁle is about Carol Supplee and her store Imagine Artwear. This was a bittersweet piece for me to pen since Carol will be closing her “brick and mortar” store soon. An upside for you shoppers is that everything is on sale now and there are some excellent buys on her high-end, one-of-akind clothing, accessories and merchandise. Stop by and give this classy woman a fond farewell.

In Personality Proﬁle, Lani gets to know one of Alexandria’s newer creative talents as she proﬁles writer and producer Tess Banion...quite a talented lady.

In A Bit of History, Sarah Becker asks, "Is the Character of Our Nation In Jeopardy?" This is a great read about what history tells us that may indicate what we are in for in the next few years.

In Last Word, Miriam Kramer changes mediums and reviews one of Netﬂix’ new popular and controversial series as she steps into a violent world as she discusses Adolescence. It is getting a lot of press from several sides of the story.

With the nice weather rolling in, it is a great time to visit one of Virginia's ﬁ ne wineries. In Exploring VA Wines, Doug Fabboli explains the teamwork involved with a successful winery. In Grapevine, Matt Fitzsimmons lets us know the winner of the Annual Governor's Cup and the winner didn’t come at a big surprise. You have read about the winner in these pages more than once. Matt also gives a rundown on the winners for this year’s Governor's Case.

In Let's Get Crafty, Tim Long takes us all out to the ballgame. Spring, baseball and beer! His whiskey and cigar pick’s this month are some really good ones as well.

We went back to an old favorite restaurant for Dining Out this month. Vaso’s Kitchen in North Old Town. Even though it has been a couple of years since we have visited, it felt like we had just been there yesterday. Some very sincere Greek hospitality and great food keep people coming back.

Chef Morel had a very busy month “personal cheﬃng” and couldn’t get his toque rounded up in time to meet the Let’s Eat deadline so he gave us permission to print a fantastic lamb shank recipe that Chef Charles Oppman wrote for us a few years back. I’m not a big fan of lamb but his version sounds pretty damn good.

In From the Bay, our own Lani Gering explains the year-round availability of oysters. In To the Blue Ridge, Julie Reardon lets you know about tailgating, spring Steeplechase and Point to Point races and antiquing as the grass turns bright green and ﬂowers are popping from the ground and on trees.

Alex Brittel and crew have put together a great piece in the Caribbean Connection. Remember the popular Beach Boys hit Kokomo? Well…we learn about whether or not that’s where you want to go and I bet you do. Rounding out the issue, Capt. Steve Chaconas gets back to the “Old

School” ways of ﬁshing in Go Fish. He talks about younger anglers and who are relying on technology and electronics and without them, most likely wouldn’t catch a thing.

Lori Welch Brown takes the gloves oﬀ and ventures into a confused and broken world, while remembering yesterday in Open Space and Lani Gering again writes about the new changes and the spectacular new technology that lights up the Capital Wheel in her National Harbor column. All of this and much more inside.

Want to also remind you that Earth Day 2025 is on the 22nd. I feel like we all need to treat every day like it’s Earth Day. In these last few months in particular, it is amazing how much litter we have seen along our roadsides as we travel the DMV doing our monthly distribution. There are several activities taking place in the metro area and you can check local happenings by going to the Earth Day website at www. earthday.org

The Old Town Annual House and Garden tour takes place this month as well. While I have never taken the tour myself, my ﬂower loving friends say this is a local event not to be missed. Check the calendar for details.

I am going to close out by wishing all who celebrate Easter a very “Happy One” on the 20th! It is one of Lani’s favorite holidays and, yes, she still likes to get an Easter basket so….I am on it.

Celebrating Spring in Virginia Wine Country!

ON THE ROAD WITH OTC

Elaine Macchio and Mike Ippolito, Alexandria residents currently located in Atherton, California while Elaine is on assignment until June, ventured to the Big Easy for a conference and took full advantage of some of the highlights in the French Quarter of New Orleans. A few of the places they hit up were Commander’s Palace, Jackson Square as well as procuring some Café Ole and beignets at Café du Monde. Elaine and Mike became fast friends of the Old Town Crier when they moved to Alexandria to be closer to their grandchildren a few years ago. Looking forward to having them back home this summer. If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to oﬃce@oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.

The image gracing this month’s cover was cropped to ﬁt the vertical space from one of the many amazing photographs of the Blue Ridge Mountains taken by Shadow Mountain Escape proprietor, Karen Riddle. She frequents Skyline Drive in every season to garner images of how the landscape changes season to season. While the colors in early spring aren’t as vibrant as they are during “leaf peepers” season in the fall, the beauty of the trees after they have leafed out and the bright blue sky with just a touch of spring color in the foreground is still pretty impressive. You can read about “Springtime on Skyline Drive” in this month’s Road Trip column.

ELWOOD

After two months and a couple of hints, Alexandria resident Gabriela Canamar Clark correctly identiﬁed the location of the mural of the poet Amanda Gorman located on the front of the Linder Academy building located at 607 South Washington Street in Old Town. We have used other parts of the many faceted murals on this building in this space in previous issues.

The segment of the mural featured this month is also located in a quite prominent area of Old Town on a highly traveled street. If you are the ﬁ rst person to respond with the correct location, you will receive a $50 gift certiﬁcate to one of the best French eateries in the DMV-Bastille Brasserie & Bar.

In order to participate, Like and Follow us on: Facebook @oldtowncrier and Instagram @otcregionalmag

Send a PM with your guess and we will contact the winner each month via PM to arrange for prize delivery.

Mural photos by Lee Moody.

Through April 12th

Cherry Blossom Events

Cherry Blossom Wharf Water Taxi

Daily departures beginning at 1:30 p.m. from the Alexandria Marina

1 Cameron Street

703-684-0580

citycruises.com

Cruise from Old Town Alexandria to Washington, D.C., to enjoy the famous cherry blossoms. City Cruises Potomac Water Taxi offers a 25-minute direct water taxi from Old Town to The Wharf in D.C. From the dock at The Wharf, it is a 10-minute walk to the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. The water taxi docks at the Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St. SW, near the Tidal Basin, the National Mall, Hains Point and a Capital Bikeshare station.

Through April 13th

Explore the Cherry Blossoms with Unlimited Biking

Unlimited Biking: Old Town Alexandria 421 King Street

202-842-2453

unlimitedbiking.com

Rentals available all season long; D.C. tours from March 15 to April 13th

Pedal from Unlimited Biking: Old Town Alexandria along the Potomac River to the famous cherry blossoms of Washington DC with Unlimited Biking's bike rental package that provides you with all that you need for your journey—maps, helmets, bike bags and locks. Hybrid bikes, road bikes, eBikes, kids bikes and kids attachments are available. Alternatively, join the famous “Washington DC.: Blossoms by Guided Bike Tour,” which integrates celebrating the natural beauty of our nation's capital during the Cherry Blossom Festival, while visiting some of the best monuments and memorials around Washington D.C. Cherry blossom tours are two hours long, run multiple times daily during the season and begin from Unlimited Biking: Washington DC at 998 Maine Avenue SW.

Through April 13th

Cherry Blossom Guided Tours with Pedego Electric Bikes Alexandria

Departures at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; special group times by appointment

Pedego Alexandria

210 North Lee Street

571-312-5168

pedegoalexandria.com

Join a three-hour guided tour from Old Town Alexandria to the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., including a ride through the blossoms around East Potomac Park.

The views of the blossoms from a Pedego are fantastic, and you don’t have to ght traf c or nd a place to park downtown. We anticipate tours running between through April 13, 2024, or whenever the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. Weekend tours ll up quickly, so make your reservations early through our online portal at pedegoalexandria. com or you can contact us at 571-312-5168 or info@pedegoalexandria.com. Special group times are also available with advance reservations. Group tour sizes will be limited. Must be at least 14 years old to ride alone. Dates subject to change depending on blossom blooming.

Through April 21st

Cherry Blossoms with City Cruises

Weekends beginning March 16th

Departures beginning at 11:30 a.m. from the Alexandria Marina 1 Cameron Street 703-684-0580

cityexperiences.com

Traverse the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria and cruise past the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. on the Monuments Sightseeing Cruise from City Cruises. View and listen to the history of the iconic monuments, memorials and bridges as the D.C. region awakens to spring. See beautiful cherry blossom trees as you glide past the Tidal Basin and head onward to Georgetown. The cruise is 45 minutes one-way and approximately 90 minutes roundtrip. Riders also have the option to explore Georgetown and return on a later boat. City Cruises is a proud sponsor of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Through April 27th

Fleeting: An Exhibition of Torpedo Factory Artists Celebrating Cherry Blossoms

Hilton Mark Center 5000 Seminary Road Torpedofactory.org

Admission: Free

Each spring Alexandria and the greater DC metro area are entranced by the cherry blossoms. Originally from Japan, the cherry blossoms are eeting, ephemeral, and impermanent. Delicate, pink, culturally and politically relevant, they are celebrated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Of ce of the Arts, Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, and Torpedo Factory Art Center. This exhibition is Juried/Curated by Laurel Lukaszewski, artist, awardee of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation by the Government of Japan in 2016, National Cherry Blossom Festival Emeritus Board Member, and designer of the 2025 National Cherry Blossom of cial lapel pin. This exhibition is organized by the City of Alexandria Of ce of the Arts in partnership with the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The exhibition is a part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The end date of this exhibition is subject to change.

Photo by Carol Jean Stalun for Visit Alexandria

April In Alexandria

5th & 6th

Pup-Centric Weekend

Oronoco Bay Park

Make it a paw-some weekend with a 2-mile riverside dog walk and sustainability festival during the ALX Dog Walk in Oronoco Bay Park on the 5th, followed by the 3rd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest for dogcentered activities, dog menu items, live music, food vendors and more. The 3rd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is a fun outdoor event that will include dog-centered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food on Sunday, April 6th from 11am- 3pm at the George Washington Middle School parking lot. This festival is dogfriendly and takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Hope Peele and The Peele Group. For details follow @delray_dogfest and @visitdelray for updates leading up to this paw-some event!

26th

92nd Historic Garden Week

Old Town Tour

10 am – 4 pm

Overlooking the Potomac River with views of our nation’s capital, Old Town Alexandria radiates charm while safeguarding its rich historic roots. Founded in 1749, Alexandria was a major seaport before the Revoluntionary War, was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, and was a torpedo production site during World War II. In 1946 Alexandria was the third city in the country to establish a historic district to preserve its architectural heritage. This easy walking tour of Old Town Alexandria includes private townhomes and secluded gardens located along the tree-lined streets of the historic district. In addition, the tour ticket includes admission to two Garden Club of Virginia restoration projects within a short driving distance of the tour area – the Gardens at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens as well as Green Spring Garden. For details log on to https://gcvirginia.org/historic-garden-week/tours/old-townalexandria/#tour

27th

PNC Alexandria Half Marathon

Old Town and GW Parkway

The inaugural PNC Alexandria Half is coming to Old Town Alexandria. The event includes a Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Dash! The half marathon event replaces the PNC Parkway Classic 10 Miler with an exciting new course that starts and nishes in Old Town while also exploring 5 miles each way on the George Washington Parkway. The Half and 5K start is set for 7:00 AM, with the Kidz Doc Dash at 10:30 AM. https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Alexandria/ AlexandriaHalf

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

Market Square

301 King Street

Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round

The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, sh, fruits, vegetables and owers for all those who visit.

DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET

Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues

Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round

This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, sh and salmon, fresh mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-pro t is featured each weekend.

OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street

Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round

Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European air and much more.

FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

4109 Mount Vernon Avenue

Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round

This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to re ect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well.

7th Temporary Public Art Installation on Display Through November Break Water By Nekisha Durrett

Break Water is the seventh annual temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park, was completed in late March and is on display through November as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series.

The sculpture draws inspiration from Alexandria’s waterfront being a place where natural forces and human activity intersect, often with profound consequences.

Break Water’s centerpiece, crafted from blackened wood, evokes the sidewheel of the steamboat River Queen, a vessel that symbolized Black ownership and opportunity until its mysterious destruction by re in 1911, shortly after its purchase by Lewis Jefferson, a Black entrepreneur. Encircled by black sandbags, the piece honors the resilience and strength of Black communities, referencing both protection and endurance during crises.

Beneath the sculpture, a ground mural of tangled taut ropes–called “Life Lines”–appears to tether the artwork to the park’s architectural elements, anchoring it against a symbolic undercurrent. Viewers are invited to walk the life lines that represent events, people, places, rituals, and traditions that have contributed to Alexandria’s unique identity. The painted lines symbolize the collective struggle to preserve these legacies, ensuring they are not swept away. Together the sculpture and the mural create a powerful tribute to the creativity and enduring spirit of Alexandria’s Black community.

Listen Up, Honey! Honey!

You'regoingtowanttomeet

Tess Banion – Author, Producer, Activist and avid NASCAR Fan

I had the pleasure of making a new friend last fall when we both had donned our “,la” - IYKYK - ball caps and were hopeful about the outcome of the election as we ran into each other at one of both of our favorite new watering holes – Frankie’s Kitchen & Bar. We exchanged compliments and went about our business in that ﬁ rst encounter but were later formally introduced by our mutual young friend and person responsible for the layout and design of this this publication, Erin. Erin knew that we would get along famously and even suggested that Tess would be excellent subject matter for this proﬁle. After doing my “googling” homework, I found out that this is one very impressive woman on and above just being a lot of fun and a joy to be around.

In the essence of time, I garnered the majority of the information below from her website tessbanion.com so we could just talk about what she does for fun when she isn’t writing during our interview:

“Tess Banion, is an author, a producer and activist. She received her Master’s degree in Film and Media Studies from the University of Kansas in Spring 2011. Before graduate school she worked for several decades in political campaigns in Kansas and Minnesota.

Tess’ inaugural novel, A Parting Glass, was described by James A. Cox, of the Midwest Book Review as "A deftly crafted and engaging story of hope and transformations, A Parting Glass showcases author Tess Banion’s genuine ﬂair for narrative driven storytelling. One of those rare novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book itself has been ﬁ nished and set back upon the shelf, A Parting Glass is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. Available in hard back at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and via Audible, Apple Books and at most libraries.

She also co-produced Garden City, Kansas – a documentary film about the pluralistic society that features foreign workers, asylum seekers and refugees working in the Kansas agriculture and meat packing industry in Southwest Kansas. A foiled bomb attack, planned by white supremacists in 2016, by the FBI, which targeted Somali refugees, show the strength, courage, and legacy of the people of Garden City - the descendants of the earliest inhabitants and new arrivals. This film provides a connection to the heated national discussion of immigration. The film is available on Apple TV and Prime Video.”

She is currently working on another novel based around the murder of an aunt of hers that takes place in the late 1800’s. When asked if she has a title for it, she just grinned and said, “I’m really bad with titles. You can tell from the name of my documentary – Garden City, Kansas. I am going to need some help with the title for this new one.” I volunteered to give her some ideas once it has come to fruition.

After a lifetime of living on the plains of Kansas, Tess and her husband of 44+ years, George, moved to Old Town in 2021 in order to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. They also have a son who lives in Minnesota with his family and they visit them regularly. She said that she does miss some of her longtime friends but has cultivated a life here that she thoroughly enjoys.

Writing is her passion but she manages to have a bit of fun in tandem with her schedule. She and George can be found hopping the train to the Big Apple to grab a bite, catch a matinee on Broadway, have a cocktail or two and back on the train home at the end of the day. This is something I have always wanted to do myself. They are also big fans of AAU track and ﬁeld and venture to Virginia Beach to watch the kids run, jump and pass the baton in the championships each year. They have more recently become avid NASCAR fans. That sort of cracked me up. Her eyes lit up as she talked about her ﬁ rst race and listening to Danika Patrick and her pit crew on the ear phones and she is really excited about the trip to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina this fall that George is putting together for them. It is certainly a full life.

In the words of her 4 year-old granddaughter, “Listen up, Honey”, Tess Banion is someone you will most deﬁ nitely want to meet.

A Fond Farewell Imagine Artwear is Closing Soon

This month’s business profile is bitter sweet. Imagine Artwear, one of Old Town’s fi rst and best retailers is retiring and closing her brick-and-mortar location at 1124 King Street. I fi rst met Carol when we were in the now defunct Old Town Business Association. Her contributions have been many to this community.

Imagine Artwear is one of the great success stories in Old Town Alexandria and Carol Supplee has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with the city and business groups over the years. I started the Old Town Crier in January of 1988 and when Carol bought her store in 1992, she began advertising with us and has every month since. It love success stories in Old Town, but it took a lot of hard work.

Carol ﬁ rst discovered the American crafts world as she pursued a journalism and history degree at Northwestern University and that is where her interest in hand crafted art emerged. “My Mom loved to sew and she was very good at it. She made all of the clothes for her three daughters and she taught me to sew as well,” says Supplee. Carol’s Grandmother’s last name was Penland as in the name of the Penland School of Crafts established in the early 1920’s in North Carolina and is the largest and oldest professional craft schools in the United States.

Carol married and when her husband was transferred to Virginia she came along and transferred to George Washington University to continue her education and graduated with a degree in Art History and a Masters in Museology. In 1976 Carol worked for the American Freedom Train to commemorate the United States Bicentennial. The train itself consisted of 10 display cars each representing a segment of American history. Her job was to select all of the American Art for one of the cars. The train carried more than 500 treasures of Americana throughout the 48 states.

Later Carol moved into the corporate world and worked with many prestigious ad agencies including Williams Whittle of Alexandria in her 15-year career in bank marketing. When the savings and loan crisis hit, she was out of a job and began to look around. This is when she discovered Fiber Designs in Old Town and her interest in fiber arts was reborn. “The store was a starting point, and even had its own working loom,” she says. In 1992 she combined her skills in marketing and her love of fiber art and bought the store. “I wasn’t sure that I had made the right decision and I would cry all the way in on my drive to work,” she remembers. Then she got to work and began to carry designs from small studio designers and held her fi rst trunk show. “The Washington Post wrote a very positive article and customers began to show up. This is when I knew it would be all right,” she says.

Carol credits her retail intuition to her father, who was a retail pharmacist in

Minnesota and a very successful businessman. As her two sisters became old enough to work, they would work at the soda fountain at the pharmacy. When Carol was old enough to work, she asked the owner of the dress shop next door for a job. This was a beginning.

A few years after Carol bought Fiber Designs she changed the name to Imagine Artwear. In 1997 after a lease disagreement, she moved Imagine Artwear to its current location at 1124 King Street. Today she carries the best in contemporary clothing, jewelry and crafts by American Artists. The store is more of a gallery dedicated to displaying the talents of weavers, painters, surface designers, jewelers, potters, glass artists and furniture makers. Imagine Artwear has attracted an international audience to its doors and is an upscale craft fair that happens year-round!

Carol has established great personal friendships with several of the artisans that have contributed to her inventory. Each year their trunk shows have been a big hit.

Carol’s interest in her business is so profound that she has also amassed a collection of crafts and arts from around the globe that she proudly displays in her home here in Alexandria.

Visit Imagine for some unbeatable close-out deals on Art to Wear, Jewelry and actual Art. Look for the yellow building on the corner of King and Fayette and stop in and treat yourself to some sophisticated charm. While she will be maintaining Imagine’s online store presence, Imagine Artwear Online, Carol and the store will be missed in Old Town.

Pay Yourself First.

Taketimeforyourﬁnancialwell-beingcheckup

The beginning of a new year is often a time when we look at the progress we’ve made toward our goals and set or reset goals so we can continue to see improvement. Physical well-being tends to top the list of resolutions, but ﬁ nancial well-being is just as important.

As you’re considering your goals and developing new money habits, think about ways to pay yourself fi rst. This is about prioritizing your long-term fi nancial well-being. Here are four actions that can help you defi ne this strategy in a way that works best for you.

1. Determine your “money jobs” — what you want your money to do “Money jobs” are the things we want to accomplish with our money. They can be short-term, like buying a car or home, or long-term, like funding retirement.

Michael Liersch, head of Advice & Planning at Wells Fargo says, “When we align what we want to accomplish in life with our money, it can clarify whether money is truly working hard for us to get us to where we want to go. But that requires us to be intentional about what we want in our life [and] the jobs we want money to do for us.”

Once you assign a purpose to your money, you should have a better understanding of why you should pay yourself fi rst. You might even consider naming different accounts after specific money jobs: New Car Fund, New Home Fund, etc. With a clearer purpose, you may better prioritize your spending and giving to help ensure your overall investment plan is on track.

2. Keep down or pay oﬀ debt

A clear next step for how you pay yourself ﬁ rst is chipping away at any debt you may have. Over time, this should free up more funds to save or invest toward your money jobs.

There are two approaches to paying down or paying oﬀ debt: logically or emotionally.

Logically, it makes sense to apply the “avalanche method” by ﬁ rst tackling debts with the highest interest rates or heaviest tax implications, such as credit card debt or loans against a 401(k) plan. The amount you’ll stop spending on interest is extra money in your pocket.

Another logical approach is the “snowball method,” when you give yourself a quick win by paying oﬀ the smallest debt ﬁ rst and then adding that payment amount to the next debt in line to keep the momentum going.

Emotionally, you might consider starting with the debt that makes you the most uncomfortable, such as medical debt that reminds you of a past

health crisis. Paying oﬀ emotionally negative debt may help ease your concerns and put you in a more optimistic mindset overall, establishing a better frame of mind to reach other ﬁ nancial goals.

Regardless of the strategy you choose, it can help to discuss debt prioritization with a ﬁ nancial advisor, who will be able to help you strategize.

3. Take small actions

Simple changes to your spending habits could make a big diﬀerence as you work toward your goals. For example, it can help to review all of your subscriptions (streaming services, magazines, the gym, etc.) and cancel the ones you don’t use or don’t really love. Paying attention to your habits when it comes to small purchases can be like giving yourself a bonus every month after you cancel.

This isn’t to say you should eliminate spending money on things you like; this is suggesting that you be mindful of where your money is going. If a purchase isn’t oﬀering long-term beneﬁts and you decide it’s not that important to you, perhaps the money should instead go toward one of the goals that you know is more important.

A ﬁ nancial advisor can help you take an aggregate look at your savings accounts, spending, and investments. With that point of view, you might see some obvious places where additional savings can occur.

4. Invest for your future, even amid challenges

Unexpected ﬁ nancial events happen to everyone, whether it’s a change in your kids’ activities or education suddenly getting pricier or a parent having a big health-related expense they can’t handle.

At these times, remember the airplane rule: Put on your own mask before helping others. Try to stick to the investment plan you have established, and when things pop up, review the plan with an advisor to see how you might be able to make adjustments to help others without derailing your progress toward your goals.

This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice President- Investments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602.

Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank aﬃliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2022 – 2024 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC.

Is the Character of Our Nation In Jeopardy?

Character, as deﬁ ned by the Oxford American Dictionary: “the collective qualities or characteristics, especially mental or moral that distinguish a person [or country].”

A nation’s character, like that of an individual, is elusive,” World War II Navy and Marine Medal recipient John F. Kennedy professed in 1946. “It is produced partly by things we have done and partly by what has been done to us. It is the result of physical factors, intellectual factors, and spiritual factors. It is well for us to consider our American character, for in peace, as in war, we will survive or fail according to its measure.”

“Inspired by a deeply religious sense, this country, which has ever been devoted to the dignity of man, which has ever fostered the growth of the human spirit, has always met and hurled back the challenge of those deathly philosophies of hate and despair,” Kennedy continued. “We have defeated them in the past and we will always defeat them.”

Perhaps no one has investigated contemporary character more completely than Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Eﬀective People [2004]. Reviewing the early success literature Covey found that “almost all the literature focused on the Character Ethic—things like integrity, humility, ﬁdelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the Golden Rule.”

“In contrast,” Covey said, “the success literature of the past 50 years was ﬁlled with social image consciousness, techniques and quick ﬁ xes.”

Curious, I conducted a small survey, one that crossed the generations. Only one family declined my request to participate. None of the respondents referenced the Golden Rule. God, the Creator was mentioned once.

The Survey’s No. 1 character quality: honesty. The No. 2 character quality: honor. The next six character qualities in descending order: integrity, rectitude, respectful behavior, reliability, and goodness/human attention. An explanation of the latter I found in Chris Hayes book The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource [2025].

“We now stand an Independent People, and have yet to learn political Tactics,” George Washington wrote in April 1783. “We are placed among the Nations of the Earth, and have a character to establish; but how we shall acquit ourselves time must discover—the probability, at least I fear it is, that…we shall be guilty of many plunders in treading this boundless theatre.”

There is no greater theatre than America’s Civil War [1861-1865]. “Abraham Lincoln thought secession illegal, and was willing to use force to defend Federal law and the Union,” the National Archives agreed.

"Character is like a tree, and reputation like its shadow,” Lincoln [R-IL] explained. “The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

Lincoln became America’s 16th President in 1861: the Civil War his to manage.

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with ﬁ rmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on," Lincoln said in his Second Inaugural Address.

Shortly after World War I the basic view of success shifted from the Character Ethic to the Personality Ethic. “Success became more a function of personality, of public image, of attitudes and behaviors, skills and techniques,” Covey decided. “Only basic goodness gives life to technique. The Personality Ethic—personality growth, communication skill training, and education in the ﬁeld of inﬂuence strategies and positive thinking—is secondary.”

The moral leader strives for great results,” former Mount Vernon Executive Director James C. Rees wrote in George Washington’s Leadership Lessons [2007]. “The amoral leader works for personal gain, regardless of the results.”

“The heart of Washington’s leadership was pure character,” David Abshire Vice Chairman and Counselor of the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress [CSPC] concluded. “It sustained the troops at Valley Forge. It made ratiﬁcation of the Constitution possible.”

“Character is the foundation of WIN/WIN,” Covey said, “and everything else builds on that foundation.” The three character traits essential to Covey’s WIN/WIN paradigm: 1. Integrity. 2. Maturity, the balance between courage and consideration, and 3. Abundance Mentality. Abundance Mentality “ﬂows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security…[the] sharing of prestige, of recognition, of proﬁts, of decision making.”

“Liberty has never come from the government,” Woodrow Wilson [D-VA] explained in 1912. “Liberty has always come from the subjects of the government. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it.”

Wilson—the dyslexic son of a Presbyterian minister; scholar, statesman and idealist—was elected President in 1913. As President [19131921] he spoke in favor of lowering tariﬀ rates, extended diplomatic recognition to the ﬂedgling Republic of China, and opened the newlycompleted Panama Canal. He signed the Federal Reserve Act and vetoed a 1915 bill requiring literacy tests for immigrants.

“We want the spirit of America to be efficient,” President Wilson said in 1916. “We want American character to be efficient. We want American character to display itself in what I may perhaps be allowed to call spiritual efficiency—clear, disinterested thinking and fearless action along the right lines of thought.”

As President, Wilson reluctantly led the country into war [WWI, 1917]; victoriously presented his Fourteen Points to Congress [1918] and formed the international League of Nations. His reward: the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize.

“America is nothing if it consists merely of each of us; it is something only if it consists of all of us,” Wilson resolved. “And it cannot consist of all of us unless our spirits are banded together in a common enterprise. That common enterprise is the enterprise of liberty and justice and right.”

President [45 & 47] and convicted felon Donald Trump began his January 2025 term of oﬃce hell-bent on change. His book, The Art of the Deal [1987] explains his Personality Ethic, his collective qualities; business and political strategies. Trump augments his many marketing schemes by leveraging “his adept use of media attention.” His Truth Social’s parent company: Trump Media & Technology Group.

On March 3 the White House and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company announced “TSMC’s historic $100 billion investment in its Arizona-based semiconductor chips manufacturing operation.” Taiwan’s reported want for U.S. security assistance a quid pro quo remains unclear. If Ukraine is an example, it now pays for its U.S. security assistance in-kind, with unearthed tech-related minerals. I ask you the reader, is Trump a character-driven leader or a study in disorder and confusion?

“It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy,” former Alexandria resident, pilot, Naval oﬃcer and prisoner-of-war; U.S. Senator and 2008 presidential candidate John McCain [R-AZ, 1936-2018] wrote in Character is Destiny. “That is all that really passes for destiny. And you choose it.”

Columnist’s Note: It is my pleasure to inform you that we have successfully secured a historic marker for Alexandria’s 1312 Wythe Street. The free-standing residence is the last of White real estate entrepreneur Virginia Fitzhugh Wheat Thomas’ [1893-1987] minimum-model, Blackowned Colored Rosemont Jim Crow-era homes. Five Crier columns later the Virginia DHR approved the ﬁ nal text on December 12, 2024. My thanks to DHR Highway Marker Program Manager Jennifer Loux for DHR’s repeated expressions of interest: the city for payment of the home-owner’s application fee and manufactured sign.

About the Author: Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email abitofhistory53@gmail.com

Pollyanna by Green Day

In 2021, after multiple COVID-caused delays of their Hella Mega Tour with Weezer and Fall Out Boy, Green Day released “Pollyanna” in celebration of the tour ﬁ nally happening. The song is easily one of the most happy and positive singles Green Day have ever released and, although not a chart topper, it’s one of my all time favorites from the East Bay punk rockers. "Pollyanna” feels like the start of a four-day weekend—perfect weather, and a road trip with the windows rolled down. Its positive message and exuberant music shines with jubilant brilliants all while maintaining the signature edge of Green Day’s pop punk sound.

Billie Joe Armstrong and drummer Tré Cool get things started with a ruckus of guitar power and drum smashing. Although it’s only four beats long and lasting for about one second, the energy in the sound grabs the ears and launches the listener through a portal into punk rock heaven. After this the band zip away with a driving beat accompanied by a straight bass line, power guitar chords, and a lead line processed with tight distortion and octave eﬀects. As the verse begins we hear the uplifting and catchy sound of Armstrong’s voice singing the words: “Rainy days and razor blades / I think it's time to pull up the shades / It's wonderful / To be alive”. Additionally, the band adds a sleek sounding synthesizer reminiscent of The Cars that creates additional interest and freshness in the music.

For the chorus, heavy guitar layers introduce a new chord progression and the drums are pumped up with open hi hat and extra snare strikes. Armstrong's vocal melody also evolves–injecting the feeling of depth and power into his melody while maintaining the song’s happy tone. For the second half of the chorus Green Day switch gears yet again, this time centering around a more blatantly uplifting feel. In addition, the lead guitar line that we heard during the into music is reintroduced under the vocals melody further lifting the energy of the music.

After Green Day delivers two rounds of verse-to-chorus cycles, the band launches into an anthemic bridge section. Here Armstrong belts out the lines: “Screaming out for love / Rise above the shame Shouting out for love / Rise above, and don't give up yourself”. We also hear bassist Mike Dirnt following the ﬁ rst and second line of the bridge shouting, “hey” with his classic punk rock energy. This section seamlessly morphs into an outro section consisting of a musical arrangement akin to the intro music with Armstrong repeating the line, “Don’t let me down”. At the end of the song, we hear the heavy guitars cut out leaving mostly just drums and bass as the lead guitar melody is replaced by the charming sound of Billie Joe whistling.

Green Day will be on tour beginning in April of 2025 and will be playing shows throughout the summer in support of their latest album, Saviors. You can fi nd tickets for the concerts at greenday.com or through their Spotify profile. If you’d like to listen to “Pollyanna” or any of Green Day’s other fantastic catalog of songs, you can fi nd their music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you’d like to learn more about Green Day, you can fi nd information about them on Wikipedia, Instagram, TikTok, or X.

About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.

AFTER HOURS

Birchmere

703.549.7500

3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com

The Blackwall Hitch

571-982-3577

5 Cameron St. theblackwallhitch.com

Chadwicks

203 S. Strand St.

703.836.4442

Evening Star Cafe

703.549.5051

2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.

The Fish Market

703.836.5676

105 King St. shmarketoldtown.com

La Portas

703.683.6313 1600 Duke St.

The Light Horse

703.549.0533

715 King St. lighthorserestaurant.com

Murphys Irish Pub

703.548.1717

713 King St. murphyspub.com O’Connell’s

Southside 815

703.836.6222

219 King St.

Alexandria Bier Garden 710 King St. 703-888-1951

Augie's Mussel House

703.721.3970

1106 King St. eataugies.com

Mason Social

703.548.8800

728 N. Henry St.

Adolescence, a limited television series about a thirteen-year-old boy accused of stabbing a female classmate to death, has light-sped its way to the top of this year’s quality offerings on Netflix, electrifying global audiences. Created by actor Stephen Graham and screenwriter Jack Thorne, with direction by Philip Barantini, the series puts the crime in context with the boy’s family, school, and local community in an unidentified Yorkshire town, along with a hyperconnected globe. As a result, Adolescence has become a global cultural flashpoint for discussions about violence, family, and community that move far beyond what Graham calls its “colloquial” setting in Northern England.

Graham’s concept arrived as an epiphany after he read several separate accounts of teenage boys committing knife crimes against girls and women in the United Kingdom. In Adolescence, Jamie Miller, a boy on the cusp of adulthood, is hauled into a local police station after his dead classmate, Katie Leonard, is found with multiple knife wounds in a local parking lot. Dazed, his tight-knit working class family, headed by Graham playing his father, Eddie, follows him into the maw of the criminal justice system as police process him.

In part because of the one-take cinematography and direction, each episode in the series is raw, immediate, and powerful—a visual tour de force that never lets go. Episode One begins with a detective inspector and detective sergeant discussing mundane details about their days, with the DI talking about how his son wants to call in sick to school. Then the camera pans out as they jump into action and join a Police Support Unit, the equivalent of a SWAT team, ramming down a door at 6:15 am and arresting a skinny, cowering thirteen-year-old on suspicion of murder.

Director Barantini and his Director of Photography, Matthew Lewis, convey the dizzying frenetic energy of the ripples on the pond from the arrest with one continuous camera shot over each episode of the show. In Episode One, the camera follows fi rst one conversation and then another between sets of people walking in different directions as the suspected criminal is processed under fluorescent lights. Frail-looking and vulnerable next to his family and courtappointed lawyer, Jamie denies any responsibility. As he cries, he looks to his father, allowed to stay in examination rooms with him, for reassurance. The family is dazed by the speed and efficiency at which he is charged with the crime and presented with the evidence of his responsibility for it.

In Adolescence, it takes a globally connected village to raise Jamie to become the epicenter of this crisis. Co-creator Graham wanted to explore the world of cyber-bullying, in which social media

helps bring a child up as much as its parents. Kids have always bullied other kids in school, but the situation has become worse since they have been able to do it anonymously from their computers or phones while detaching themselves emotionally from even those living in the same household. Online everyone can become a perpetrator. Even the female victim and other classmates of both sexes have found it easy to bully Jamie from behind a screen, stoking his simmering rage and belief that he is ugly and worthless.

Jamie falls prey to cultural influencers in the manosphere, considering himself a part of incel culture, in which insecure, entitled young men with warped perceptions of themselves and society begin to believe that females are to blame for their involuntary celibacy. The manosphere, a collection of websites, blogs, and other forums where communities promote misogyny, believes that society is biased against men and that feminists promote hatred of men. Self-described incels in particular cite an easily digested figure that eighty percent of women want only twenty percent of all men. Seeing them as scarce resources, young men are persuaded to look at young women as prizes to be manipulated and popularity with women as the goal. Acceptance of these ideas is described as "taking the red pill,” a cultural reference to waking up to reality in the film The Matrix.

In Episode Two, the police visit Jamie’s school, which one likens to a holding pen. Adolescence has always been a hard road for most of us, and it has become even more brutal with the isolation and warped perceptions created in the hours kids spend on social media. The detective inspector only makes a breakthrough in ﬁ nding Jamie’s twisted motive when his own son, bullied and withdrawn, interprets the teen-speciﬁc emojis and phrases that Katie herself used to bully Jamie. This policeman himself is the father of a bullied son, and has as far to go in understanding him as Eddie Miller does his accused son.

Violence at school simmers in the wake of Katie’s murder, with even her best girlfriend, Jade, physically attacking Jamie’s friend and coconspirator as she grieves the friend she felt was the only one to understand her. Her loneliness is palpable. This episode ends beautifully with Jade, played by Fatima Bojang, walking away from school as the drone filming the episode flies across town to descend upon Jamie’s father, Eddie, joining others in laying a bouquet of flowers on the spot where Katie died.

Episodes Three and Four are equally as successful, with one focusing on Jamie’s intense, hostile interactions with a therapist and the last on his grieving, broken family. The members of Jamie’s family love each other and him dearly. His parents

try to understand how he broke into pieces and how they can keep themselves and their daughter from being torn apart as well.

One of my ﬁ rst reactions after ﬁ nishing Episode

One was to imagine that in this country, where laws are lax and more guns exist than people, Jamie would have used a fi rearm and shot more than one classmate before turning his weapon on himself. I also thought back to the time almost eleven years ago that I was transfi xed by the story of Elliot Rodger, a filmmaker’s son and self-described incel who wrote a manifesto and released it online before shooting six people and injuring fourteen others. It was the fi rst time I had heard of incel subculture.

When I read Rodgers’ true-crime writing in 2014 I was startled and dismayed to hear echoes to comments I had heard from a former friend— yet another ﬁlmmaker—who gradually came to support aspects of the men’s rights movement as he found women mostly unattainable and took criticism of misogyny personally. That man, a bright, talented, and sometimes kind individual, never espoused violence in my earshot. I have no idea how he has handled these thoughts and frustrations since then. Now I wonder what his unvarnished reactions would be to this series. As a Washington, DC–area resident, he could easily read this review as well.

There are so many ways to praise Adolescence I cannot begin to cover them. A second viewing showed me how carefully the filmmakers planned every moment, every echo, every irony. While the one-take filming using both traditional techniques and drone footage for each episode is electrifying, it never glamorizes violence. There is an elegiac, mournful tone to the content that blends beautifully with its compelling, fast-moving filming and acting. The writing is exquisite.

The superb Owen Cooper, playing the role of Jamie, was discovered from a pool of ﬁve hundred young actors. Intimate family scenes between him and Stephen Graham as Eddie are a masterclass, as are the ones in Episode Four between Graham, Christine Tremarco as his wife, Manda, and Amélie Pease as his daughter, Lisa. For that matter, all the actors in this production shine, including Ashley Walters as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe and Faye Marsay as Detective Sergeant Misha Frank.

Adolescence deserves any and every ﬁlmmaking award it wins in the future. It is already creating the conversations its creators desired. Its humanity, love, hope, and understanding burn bright, illuminating the backdrop of the warped sensibilities and terrible isolation that fuel such crimes in our communities.

ONSTAGE:

April showers may come your way—a great opportunity to get out that umbrella and traipse over to one of the many theaters in our metro where you’ll ﬁ nd great theater just pouring down.

THE SCENARIOS

Studio Theatre

Now thru April 6

Sarin Monae West dazzles as an actress hired to improvise high anxiety, close encounter scenes with active-duty cops. Is she there to help train them to respond to people in acute mental crisis or is there another agenda in play? Joey Collins as her scene partner, Joel Ashur and Keeley Miller as the police trainees and Alyssa Keegan as the facilitator wend their way adroitly under Tiﬀany Nichole Greene’s taut direction. Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org

A ROOM IN THE CASTLE

Folger Library Theatre

Now thru April 6

In this parallel retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia, her handmaid, Anna, and Queen Gertrude ﬁ nd themselves on the wrong end of the wild prince’s antics. Sabrina Lynne Sawyer is perfect as Hamlet’s oﬀ and on love interest, mixing spunk and attitude with the rectitude required of a monarch’s subjects. Oneika Phillips is appropriately regal as Queen Gertrude and Burgess Byrd makes a fun foil to them both. Playwright Lauren Gunderson’s take on the proceedings makes for an intriguing “what if” evening in the theater. Tickets at www.folger.edu

YOUR NAME MEANS DREAM

Theater J

Now thru April 6

Aislin relies on Stacy, an AI robot-caregiver designed to look and sound human. The unexpected relationship that blossoms between them sparks questions of what it means to be human and what happens when that deﬁ nition begins to shift. Written and directed by Academy award nominated screenwriter Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries). Tickets at www.edcjcc.org/ theater-j.

CHICKEN & BISCUITS

Next Stop Theatre

Now thru April 6

When a tight-knit family gathers to mourn the passing of their patriarch, old wounds are reopened and secrets spill out. Fueled by love, laughter and the eponymous good old comfort food, this is one show that may make you hungry for more. Tickets at www.nexstoptheatre.org

AMERICAN FAST

Theater Alliance

Now thru April 13

March Madness meets Ramadan when a basketball phenom ﬁ nds herself in the spotlight as a young Muslim balancing the pressures of faith, fame and family. In the process, she takes a few steps in the paint to examine what it means to be true to oneself. Theater Alliance continues its tradition of new, socially conscious theater in its new, temporary home around the corner from the Waterfront metro stop. Tickets at www.theateralliance.com.

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Keegan Theatre

Now thru April 13

Award-winning solo artist Priyanka Shetty’s tour-de-force performance about the power of witnessing, constructed from interviews with residents of Charlottesville impacted by events surrounding the infamous “Unite the Right” rally and counter-protests. Tickets at www.keegantheatre.com

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Little Theatre of Alexandria

Now thru April 19

The Bard’s favorite rom-com pits sharp-tongued Beatrice against her suitor Benedick, this time set in the Big Easy. Will their playful banter hide the growing aﬀection between them as their friends conspire to bring them together? Find out when LTA becomes Stratford-on-Potomac for this updated classic. Tickets at www.thelittletheatre.com

UNCLE VANYA

Shakespeare Theatre Co

Now thru April 20

Chekov’s classic, adapted by award-winning Irish playwright Conor McPherson, stars Hugh Bonneville of Dowtown Abbey fame as the elderly owner of a rural estate who returns home one day with a new young wife. Chaos erupts, marriages reach their limits, confessions—and vodka—ﬂow freely, and weapons are drawn in this heartbreaking comedy about the eternal battle between futility and change. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatre.org

IN THE HEIGHTS

Signature Theatre

Now thru May 4

Before Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda celebrated his Washington Heights heritage with this tuneful treasure, which earned him his ﬁ rst Tony ® Award. Settle back with this tale of his ‘hood, cause Hamilton ain’t comin to the Kennedy Center anytime soon. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org

OLD TOWN

SISTER ACT

Ford’s Theatre

Now thru May 17

Based on the hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg ﬁlm, a nightclub singer takes refuge with a group of nuns to escape retribution from a couple of goodfellas (i.e. mobsters). Cooped up in the convent, she helps her new Sisters discover their powerful voices while, inevitably ﬁ nding her own. Tickets at www.ford.org

BAD BOOKS

Round House Theatre

April 2-27

Kate Norris and Holly Twyford, so wonderful in Studio Theatre’s recent production of Summer 1976, return to a DMV stage for this new play about “appropriate” reading material in the public library. Reasonable discussion quickly turns into heated confrontation, sparking a dramatic chain reaction of unintended consequences. Can the characters see past political divisions to what it means to care for our children? Tickets at www.roundhousetheatre. org

FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

Arena Stage

April 3- May 4

Renowned playwright Larissa FastHorse's comedy about a collision of friends and foes, ensnaring colleagues and bystanders and unraveling secrets that highlight the absurdities of ambition and authenticity. Amidst the laughter, genuine connections form, emphasizing the value of unexpected paths to success. Tickets at w

BEOWULF: A RETELLING

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

April 5-19

DC’s favorite avante garde theater company Taﬀety Punk makes the old new again, unearthing the original English epic poem to examine the idea of the hero. A bar-like environment provides the intimate setting for this new ensemble, capturing the compelling voice of the bards of old in the process. Tickets at www.taﬀetypunk.com

ANNIE

National Theatre

April 11-20

Everybody’s favorite red-headed mop top returns to DC, where she was born oh so many years ago at the Kennedy Center (Ken Cen honcho Roger Stevens was a producer, lucky he). She’s right on time, with what’s going on in the District. I know I’d sleep better knowings “the sun will come out tomorrow”—you, too? Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com

CHARLOTTE’S WEBB

Adventure Theatre MTC

April 25- May 25

Take the kids and celebrate the power of friendship and the enduring impact of kindness—a virtue sorely missing in public life these days—as eightlegged Charlotte saves her friend Wilbur with her miraculous web. Tickets at adventuretheatre-mtc.org

About the Author: Mark Edleman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter. Catch his monthly podcast at www.onstagedmv.org

Photo credits: Sister Act photo by Scott Suchman. In The Heights photo by DJ Corey. The Scenarios photo by Margot Schulman. Annie photo by Matthew Murphy.

Exclusively representing the works of F. Lennox Campello

“A woman in love with abstraction”

Price and additional images upon request.

- 2021

“ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON, DC”

16x20 watercolor on paper with embedded electronic images that rotate every 5 seconds.

– Washington City Paper

Exclusively representing the works of F. Lennox Campello

Price and additional images upon request. Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC, Washington, DC www.alidaanderson.com / info@alidaanderson.com

April Art Gems

The Present Meets the Past

As I have previously mentioned in this column, I have been curating a major survey show as a snapshot in time of the women artists working in the Greater Washington, DC region. One of the great joys in an otherwise immense amount of work required to curate and organize such a major undertaking (I am told that this is the largest ever curated visual art show in the capital region) spread across 8 venues, is the “discovery” of new artists – at least “new” to me!

One such discovery is the work of DC-born artist Esperanza Alzona.

For the “Women Artists of the DMV” survey, I selected a powerful 2020 sculpture titled “Nevertheless She

Persisted,” which was created in cast aluminum. Alzona describes the work as “a pair of bare feet plunging through the wall, representing the naked strength and determination of the female spirit penetrating the barriers placed upon us by society.”

Alzona brings an exceptionally diverse and interesting set of life experiences to the table, and which clearly exert a crucial inﬂuence on her work.

At age 19 she already had a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and then she spent the next two decades as a professional dancer and choreographer, while also competing as a nationally-ranked

fencer. She then returned to school and earned a master’s degree in public communication, which was followed by working as the executive director of the Loudoun Symphony, and then as director of operations for the Shepherd University School of Music.

It was while at Sheperd that Alzona began to discover her passion and natural talent (my opinion) for sculpture.

In a newspaper story about her a few years ago, she noted that “As a dancer, you are a 3D artist, actually a 4D artist or 5D if you want to think about that,” she said. “Besides those regular physical dimensions, you have time and you have movement and music.”

Alzona’s work will be showcased for the survey show at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center next September.

One of the great resources for an artist’s development is learning about other artists, and in our region, we’re are lucky to have an excellent resource in Art Clinic Online (ACO) where J. Jordan Bruns (who is a very talented artist with a fantastic set of technical and observational skills) runs a bi-weekly program of artists discussing and presenting their work in an hour-long live online discussion.

I highly recommend visiting www. jjbruns.com to sign up for the alerts for upcoming interviews, but also to

Syreni Caledonii (Northern Atlantic Mermaid). Watercolor, charcoal and Conte. 2019, 12x36 inches.

Leon Berwokitz is his studio.

Photo courtesy of Paul Feinberg

see and listen to past ones, which include such well-known DMV area artists like Akemi Maegawa, Ellyn Weiss, Steve Wanna, Teresa Oaxaca, and many others

In the District, Hemphill Fine Arts has a must-see exhibition through April 26 which showcases the work of Leon Berkowitz, one of the legendary members of the Washington Color School in the halcyon days of Washington painting, and Wayson Jones, representing the contemporary DMV area painters keeping the painting reputation of our region on ﬁ re and moving forward. I’ve been following Jones’ work for over a decade now, since it was

brought to my attention by my good friend and legendary DMV printmaker Lou Stovall, and a few years ago I noted in a review of his work about the "reﬁ ned works of Wayson R. Jones, whose technique and presentation just keeps getting better and sharper! This is a key DMV artist deserving of more attention by the curatorial cabal of our area."

Clearly Jones has accomplished that, as exhibiting in a gallery of the caliber and standing of Hemphill’s, is proof that an artist has “arrived” in our art scene.

And when that artist is paired with a legendary name such as Leon

Berkowitz, it adds even more “oomph!” to that artistic presence. Enough has been written about the great artists of the Washington Color School, and none more informative than Walter Hopps’ “An Interview with Gene Davis,” where we learned that the Washington Color School "members" did not feel much camaraderie, with each other, and perhaps even a sense of jealousy of Berkowitz’s works and relative success.

This is an important show which deserves attention not only because of the historical and documented importance of Berkowitz, but also and equally of note, a new and just as

important footprint by Wayson Jones, a superbly talented contemporary artist whom I believe represents a 21st century continuation of the great days of Washington painting.

About the Author: F. Lennox Campello's art news, information, gallery openings, commentary, criticism, happenings, opportunities, and everything associated with the global visual arts scene with a special focus on the Greater Washington, DC area has been a premier source for the art community for over 20 years.

Since 2003, his blog has been the 11th highest ranked art blog on the planet with over SIX million visitors.

April Is An “R” Month!

In fact, according to the old adage “R Months Rule”, April is the last month we should consume our bivalve favorites until September rolls around. While this “rule” has some merit since oysters are at their best during the cooler months and warm weather has the potential to raise some food safety concerns with shell fish, modern day refrigeration and the advent of oyster farming/gardening assures us that they are available year-round. One of the reasons oysters are at their best during cooler months is they are spawning during the summer months and this can affect their taste and texture and make them less plump and flavorful. The key is to make sure you are purchasing oysters from outlets – including restaurants - that are known for adherence to maintaining quality specimens from known sources. Two local restaurants – Landini Brothers Fish Market (Rex Platinums from Hooper Island Oyster Company) and Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub (Back Creek Beauties from their Back Creek Oyster Company) carry oysters from their respective farms.

The Old Town Crier has been a big supporter of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) since 1988 and continues to support their Oyster Restoration effort. We have published information regarding this effort in the past but thought it would be a good idea to let you know what YOU can do to participate in the effort. I contacted Kenny Fletcher, the CBF Director of Communications and Media to garner some specifics. The following information is directly from the CBF site:

How Can You Help?

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recognizes that saving the Bay is uniquely tied to restoring the native oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Historically, Chesapeake oysters were the Bay's most valuable fishery. Ecologically, native oysters are equally important: they filter algae, sediment, and other pollutants. Oyster reefs also provide habitat for fish, crabs, and other Bay organisms.

Restoring the Bay's native oyster population is critical to help improve the Bay's water quality, economic viability, resilience, and biodiversity. Success depends on everyone, regardless of background or identity. Clean water and a safe environment are rights we all share.

Oyster Gardening

Help rebuild the Chesapeake Bay's oyster population by becoming an oyster gardener. Hundreds of community members in Maryland and Virginia grow oysters alongside their docks and then help CBF plant them on sanctuary reefs. How Is it Done?

1. To grow oysters, each participant builds a set of oyster cages from wire mesh, which will hang from the dock. The gardener also receives spat on shell, which are baby oysters on recycled oyster shell. This step usually takes place between August and October.

2. Gardeners grow their oysters in the cages for about a year until the oysters are about one to two inches long.

3. The gardener then returns the adult oysters to CBF, and our staﬀ plant the oysters onto sanctuary (non-harvest) reefs in Maryland waters. This step usually takes place between May and July.

4. The gardener starts over with a new batch in the fall. The hope is that each gardener will produce a new crop of healthy adult oysters year after year. Find out more about oyster gardening and how you can become a gardener in Maryland, Baltimore, and Virginia on the site at cbf.org.

Oyster Shell Recycling

Oyster shells are literally the foundation of our reef restoration eﬀorts, but they are becoming increasingly scarce. Through CBF's Save Oyster Shell recycling program, individuals and restaurants donate empty shells to be used in a variety of oyster restoration projects.

We turn 4,000 bushels of recycled oyster shells each year into habitat for millions of oysters planted in the Bay and its rivers. Once the recycled shells are cleaned and cured, CBF places them in huge water tanks containing millions of microscopic oyster larvae, which then attach to the shells. On average, each recycled shell can become home to around 10 of those baby oysters, called spat. CBF provides the spat-on-shell to its oyster gardeners and plants them in rivers and the Bay to grow and expand oyster reefs.

You can help by:

1. Contacting us if you are planning an oyster roast or seafood festival.

2. Sponsoring a shell recycling bin at your location.

3. Disposing of your shells at a local shell recycling location.

4. Eating at a participating restaurant.

For information on local shell recycling locations and participating restaurants, please visit our Save Oyster Shells web page.

Reef Ball Construction

Reef balls provide hard substrate for the settlement and growth of oysters. They emulate the structure of an undisturbed oyster reef that builds higher in the water column over time through generations of oyster spawning and growing. They also create instant habitat for ﬁsh, crabs, and other Bay organisms.

Sometimes CBF will set the reef balls with oyster larvae, just like we do with recycled oyster shells. CBF depends on volunteers to help us build and deploy reef balls all across the watershed. To volunteer visit: https://www.cbf.org/ about-cbf/our-mission/restore/oyster-restoration/

Founded in 1966, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solelyto saving the Bay. Their mission is to Save the Bay and its waterways by educating, uniting, and inspiring people to take action. Photo credits: Top left- Ann Mooney courtesy Back Creek Oyster Co; bottom row courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Photo by Lani Gering

Springtime In Hunt Country

Though at press time, warm spring weather isn’t here yet, by the time you read this it will be, and spring ﬂowers will be in blooming in the Blue Ridge. There’s nothing like the green, green new grass framed by dogwoods and redbuds as the backdrop for an enjoyable day in the country. April is the month of garden tours, antiques and crafts fairs, horse racing over fences, and other outdoor activities.

Pack a tailgate and take in a spring race meet at several locations in the hunt country in the coming weeks. April is when the upcoming stars of the steeplechase circuit really show their stuﬀ. In addition to the point to point circuit (cheaper admission, closer to the action), there are several bigger, fancier meets including the Middleburg Spring Races or the annual seeand-be-seen aﬀair where horses are secondary to the parade of people, the Virginia Gold Cup. You might enjoy a horse show or event at Morven Park north of Leesburg, which has something going on each weekend in April (www.morvenpark.org).

Antiquing is a favored pastime of visitors to the Blue Ridge. In addition to the many roadside

shops, the big antiques fairs and crafts shows make their spring debut this month too—check out two of the larger ones in Leesburg at the end of the month.

Garden tours allow you a peek at how the other half lives. Some of the fi nest houses and estates in Fauquier and Loudoun counties open their doors to the public during historic garden week in Virginia this year. A total of over 120 private homes and gardens across the state will be part of 29 distinct tours taking place April 27 through May 3, 2025. Every year, the properties that are opened and the tours offered are different, making each year a unique touring experience. “Not only is HGW an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Virginia’s homes and gardens, but it’s also a significant economic driver to the state’s economy,” explains Virginia Gillock, Historic Garden Week’s Chair. “After recently completing a third study with our consultants at Chmura, we are thrilled to announce the cumulative economic impact over the last 55 years of this fundraiser to be $679 million,” Gillock shares. “Since 1920, the Garden Club of Virginia’s mission has been focused on conservation,

restoration, and the love of gardening,” says Kris Carbone, the GCV’s President. “We hope to encourage future generations to build on this heritage,” Carbone continues.

From recreating an 18th-century garden at Stratford Hall to restoring a walk and statuary at Belmont, the home and studio of Impressionist painter Gari Melchers – a full diversity of gardens is represented. This year, Clarke County, Front Royal/ Warren County and the grand Morven estate in Albemarle County are open Saturday April 27th Other homes in Albemarle around Charlottesville open their doors April 28th along with homes in the Middeburg area that are open the 28th and 29th The daffodils and bulbs in bloom along with flowering shrubs and trees in the spring make even the plainest house come alive but the ones on the tours must be seen to be appreciated. Getting there in spring is half the fun as the fields are dotted with new foals and calves.

The full schedule including how to get tickets for some/all of the open houses can be found on gcvirginia.org/historic-gardenweek/

2025 Spring Racing Schedule

Admission prices vary for each race meet, most oﬀer discounted pricing for advance ticket purchase and general admission on race day. Races are generally run rain or shine but unusually wet or inclement weather has been known to force postponement or even cancellation; if any questions call the information number listed for each race.

Saturday, April 5 - 12:00 PM Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point Ben Venue Farm Ben Venue, Virginia (571) 276-0702 theolddominionhounds.com

Saturday, April 12 - 1:00 PM Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point Woodley Farm Berryville, Virginia (540) 636-0500 (540) 974-0500 blueridgehunt.org/wp/events

Saturday, April 19 - 1:30 PM

Middleburg Spring Races Glenwood Park Middleburg, Virginia (540)687-6545

Middleburgspringraces.com

Sunday, April 20 - 12:30 PM

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Morven Park

Leesburg, Virginia (443)690-4041

Loudounraces.com

Sunday, April 27 - 1:00 PM

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point Glenwood Park Middleburg, Virginia (540)338-4366

Middleburghunt.com/point-to-point-1

Photo by Karen Riddle

Springtime On Skyline Drive

For our spring road trip, we decided to sort of roll the dice. With no dice available, we decided to ﬂip a coin. The ﬁ rst spin of the nickel had heads north and tails south. It came up south. The next spin came up west, so we needed to pick a point south west. This would put us near one of our favorite destinations...Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. We decided to enter the park at the Thornton Gap entrance and take Skyline Drive north to Front Royal.

reasons to come see the show for yourself. There are also many hiking trails throughout the park so you can take a short hike or make it a full afternoon of hiking the beautiful mountains.

To fortify us for Skyline Drive, we ﬁ rst stopped at the Black Twig Restaurant in Sperryville for a cocktail and a snack. The Twig is a very nice and comfortable restaurant with great cocktails. The people are friendly and the food is always good and reasonably priced.

April is a good time to visit Shenandoah National Park, especially for those seeking to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beauty of spring, including wildﬂowers and the forest coming back to life. On our trip there were few vehicles and the temperature was only a few degrees cooler than at the base. Deciduous trees are not fully leafed out in April so wildlife viewing opportunities can be better, as it is easier to spot animals. Some facilities are open in April but most, like Big Meadow, don't open until May. The typical spring season is from the middle of March through the end of May, with average temperatures ranging from 35 degrees in March to 55 degrees in May. We were lucky, the sky was clear and the temperatures were in the low 50's.

Even though the fall and all of the leaf colors are the most popular time to visit, spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. Leaves begin to show up on trees that have been bare all winter and pops of color can be seen among the brown leaf litter as wildﬂowers spring forth with the warmer weather. Wildlife that have been tucked away during the colder months begin to reappear, and a wide array of migratory bird species take refuge in Shenandoah during their long trip north.

The emergence of wildﬂowers is a special time along Skyline Drive. With over 862 species found with the park boundaries, there are plenty of

We made one more stop in Sperryville before heading to Thornton Gap, and that was at The Corner Store, where we bought provisions. With two hearty sandwiches, a big bag of Route 11 chips, two Park Ranger cookies and a nice Pinot Grigio, we were ready to go.

With the sun out and the day warming, we grabbed a picnic table at the ﬁ rst turn out that had tables in the sunshine and enjoyed our lunch before we really got into the drive.

Although the countryside was still a bit brown, the views were amazing as the sky was clear with abundant sunshine. Looking east we saw the Piedmont Region of Virginia including a few towns. On the other side of the road and looking west was the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, a few small towns and the magniﬁcent Shenandoah River meandering its way throughout the valley. By the time mid-April arrives so will more color to the landscape.

It wouldn’t be a trip on Skyline if Lani didn’t have her photo taken at “her tree”. We have a few photos of her over the years in the archives. I think the locals actually have a name for it and I don’t recall which turn out it is on but its pretty prominent from the road so you can’t miss it. Be sure to get a picture of yourself as well.

Although we headed north at Thornton Gap, if you take a short ride south you will come to Mary’s Rock Tunnel. Located at mile marker 32.2 on Skyline Drive, it is a vehicular tunnel in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the only vehicular tunnel in the park. Constructed in 1932 by workers employed with the Civilian Conservation Corps. The tunnel workers took three months to drill and blast through the east slopes of Mary's Rock. The twolane tunnel is 670 feet long and only 12ft 8in high, so recreational vehicles and taller trucks need to check their height restrictions before traveling through it. I still remember that tunnel from when my dad took us back in 1957. It is a great treat for kids.

Soon we were at the northern end of Skyline Drive and the town of Front Royal. We made a stop for a beverage and the purchase of apple fritters and a pint of the absolute best baked beans we have ever had to go at the famous Apple House near Linden. The Apple House is a must stop for everyone. It is a very eclectic place with everything you need with a few that you don’t mixed in. The food at Apple House is old school and concentrates mostly on BBQ but the fritters and their also famous Apple Cider donuts are must haves.

Due to time constraints, we didn’t get a chance to stop at any of the wineries or other shops and roadside stands that dot the hillsides on the way to the park. We suggest that if you stop at The Black Twig, you may want to head down the road toward The River District and the newly renovated Market Place in Sperryville. The newest addition to the dining scene in Rappahannock County, New Iberia Kitchen, is housed in the Market Place along with a bakery, coﬀee shop and a variety of art galleries and boutique stores.

Get out there and enjoy some springtime weather and the serenity of the park and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Leaving Linden and taking the back roads home we made our last stop in The Plains at the Bistro @ The Porch. This is a gem of a place that oﬀers a bit more sophisticated cuisine than the Apple House but still a casual place to eat and drink.

Photo by Karen Riddle

Photo by Shannon Foeller

Kokomo That’s Where You Want to Go…

Remember that the Beach Boys hit single “Kokomo”? I am betting this 1988 hit prompted more than one fan to search for an island by the same name to no avail – it doesn’t exist. It appears that kokomo is more of a state of mind (and a town in Indiana). Fortunately for all of us fans out here, this resort by this famous moniker is located in the Turks and Caicos. Alex and Guy tell us all about it in this month’s column. – Lani Gering

This Providenciales resort with a Balinese Spa and “Yacht Suites” might just be the best-kept secret in Turks and Caicos.

The story of tourism in Turks and Caicos begins with Grace Bay Beach. It’s the beach that started it all in Providenciales, the one where the ﬁ rst resorts opened their doors, the white sand where travelers still make a beeline — and deservedly so — it’s a world-class stretch of sand.

But as Turks and Caicos has surged in popularity in recent years, travelers are starting to discover that there are more and more layers to the destination — and the lodestone is starting to shift.

That includes a nearly 40-room boutique hotel in the Venetian Road area of Providenciales: the Kokomo Botanical Resort, a property that just might be the best-kept secret in all of Turks and Caicos.

The resort is set in one of the most lush locations on the island: it’s a leafy, serene garden resort, with a mix of luxury cottages in a low-density, laid-back layout.

You wake up to the sound of shaking leaves and birdsong. You walk through a tree-ﬁlled trail to the waterfall pool and yoga deck, before sitting down to an exquisite Asian fusion meal.

Then there’s the Lovina Spa, a single, stunning

stone treatment room. This is not your ordinary Caribbean spa. It’s an authentic, faithfully designed, authentic Balinese spa, with a roster of high-level masseuses straight out of Bali itself (the “ﬁ re and ice” is one of the most unique, transcendent spa treatments I’ve gotten in the Caribbean.

The cottages are charming and comfortable, from the classic cottages to the sleek, modern “yacht suites,” replete with high-tech appliances in the kitchens and beautifully tiled bathrooms.

Then there’s that restaurant: it’s called WE Market Cafe, which stands for “west meets east.” It’s an impressive menu, with a slate of international fare (including some outstanding panini). But it’s the Asian menu that really stands out. But this isn’t the textbook Asian fusion spot. It’s authentic. It’s real.

The sushi is marvelously sourced, the rice perfect. The steamed vegetable dumplings are right out of a street cart in Shanghai. The “Chinese longevity fried noodles” are, well, you’ll want to stay around longer. They even source herbs from the on-site garden at the hotel.

It’s easily one of the top places to eat in Turks and Caicos, particularly if you try the chef’s table experience. It also comes with Kokomo’s brand of room service, which the team calls “cottage service.”

The location is a short drive from Grace Bay — but as the team here will tell you, it’s close to everything but “miles away.”

“A lot of our guests tell us they think they’re the only ones here,” J. Kelly Sullivan, managing director of Alive and Well Resorts tells Caribbean Journal. “It’s the secret that’s not a secret.”

Even better? Kokomo has its own private beach club on Grace Bay, meaning you can take the quick

hotel shuttle and arrive to your beach chairs (the ones you’ll never have to ﬁght for), with a beach attendant ready for any request. It’s something that makes Kokomo the best of both worlds.

After an afternoon at the beach and the bustle of Grace Bay, it’s a delicious feeling to come back to Kokomo, hear nothing but the leaves and the birds, feel like you have the whole place to yourself and take a dip in the hot tub or the pool.

Things are just diﬀerent here; the emphasis is on the vibe. It’s a resort where the wellness isn’t just on the massage table — it’s about the way the resort makes you feel.

Sullivan has cultivated a resort where everything is placed just so, where the detail goes into everything, where even the design of the resort’s wall is meant, as he says, to “keep the energy in.”

“People come here, they unwind,” he says. “It’s like everybody knows do not disturb.”

True to its name, it really is a place to get away from it all.

Prices start around $315 right now. What about ﬂying to Turks and Caicos? Airlift is strong, with numerous routes on carriers like American Airlines, JetBlue and United. That includes fares like $357 from Newark right now, according to Google Flights.

For more, visit Kokomobotanicalresort.com.

Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staﬀ contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal. com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.

Right on the beach in the nicest part of Naples, next to a park. You cannot get any closer or find a better view at any price than this 2BR 2BA condo. Naples was rated the No. 1 US city to live in by U.S. News and is always on the list of the top 10 best beaches in the U.S. Extremely well built, low density post WWII building that has withstood the past two Cat 4 and 5 hurricanes with no structural damage. Step out to beach or walk to town center, fabulous golfing biking and boating nearby. You cannot buy a better view anywhere on the Gulf for five times the price. For downsizing or a winter getaway don't let this one slip away. Listed for $975,000 with Naples Vibe Realty at 239-300-7006 naplesviberealty.com or call the owner Julie at 540-364-9480 for more information.

DINING GUIDE

AMERICAN

1799 PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD

110 S. Pitt Street

571-404-6001

ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400

AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970

BLACKWALL HITCH

5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090

BOB & EDITHS DINER 1743 King Street

703-664-0043 bobandedithsdiner.com

CHADWICKS

203 Strand St. 703-836-4442

CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080

CITY KITCHEN

330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com

EDDIE'S LITTLE SHOP & DELI 1406 King Street 571-312-8615

EVENING STAR CAFÉ

2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051

EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street

703-299-0894

FRANKIE'S KITCHEN & COCKTAIL BAR 823 S. Washington St. 703-512-2118

GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288

HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050

HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969

HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509

HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355

JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372

JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777

JULA'S ON THE POTOMAC 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644

JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-436-0025 junctionbakery.com

KILN - HOTEL HERON 699 Prince St. 703-662-1900

KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794

LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313

THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533

LOST DOG CAFE

808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511

MACMILLAN'S SPIRIT HOUSE 500 Montgomery St. 703-665-6690

MAJESTIC CAFÉ

911 King St. 703-837-9117

MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com

MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com

MYSTIC BAR & GRILL 220 N. Lee St. 703-565-9808 mysticbbqandgrill.com

NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032

OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395

OCONNELLS

RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 DanielOconnells.com

PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699

THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851

RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com

RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com

ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274

ROYAL RESTAURANT 730 N. St. Asaph St. 703-548-1616

RT'S RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com

SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266

SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807

SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649

SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550

SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423

SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222

SWEET FIRE DONNA'S

510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960

THE COOPER MILL 10 Duke St. 703-566-1278

THE STUDY 116 South Alfred Street 703-838-8000

T.J. STONES

GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com

TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909

UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com

VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669

VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890

THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com

ASIAN

ASIAN BISTRO

809 King St. 703-836-1515

INDOCHEN

1625 King Street (571) 404-6050

KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513

MALAYA

1019 King St. 703-519-3710

MAI THAI

9 King St. 703-548-0600

NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848

SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458

TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878

CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800

SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154

RAILBIRD KITCHEN 804 North Henry St. 703-577-9023

CONTINENTAL

CEDAR KNOLL

GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665

OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361

ALEXANDRIA BIER GARDEN 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com

FRENCH

BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776

bastillerestaurant.com

BEN' YAYS 1028 King Street 703-495-3888

BRABO 1600 King St. 703-894-3440

LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661

FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151

LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854

JOSEPHINE 109 South St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776

TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141

ITALIAN

ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue (behind the building) 703-888-2243

ANDY’S PIZZA 107 N Fayette St 571-319-0497

BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313

FRANK PEPE NAPOLETANA PIZZERIA 3231 Duke Street Alexandria Commons 703-719-2035

HANDOVER BY THE SLICE 728 King Street 571-319-0794

IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833

LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com

LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086

MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300

EPICURE ON KING 703 King Street 703-838-9090

PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287

RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873

THOMPSON'S ITALIAN 1026 King Street alexandria@thompsonitalian.com

MEDITERRANEAN

BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100

ELAINE'S 208 Queen Street 571-970-0517

TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com

PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194

DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006

VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720

VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747

SEAFOOD

HANKS OYSTER BAR 818 N St. Asaph 703-739-HANK

FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 ﬁshmarketoldva.com

THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834

WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533

INDIAN

DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338

KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507

NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615

MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN

CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312

CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438

DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144

LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918

LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290

LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167

TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226)

TEQUILA & TACO

540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203

URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148

Vaso's Kitchen A Little Piece of Greece in Alexandria

If you haven’t had the pleasure of dining at this Alexandria icon, you are missing out. Located at 1225 Powhatan Street in the north end of Alexandria in the former Dixie Pig location (the neon sign still remains), Vaso Volioti opened Vaso’s Kitchen in this space in 2006. She opened another location at 1118 King Street (former Bistro Lafayette) in 2013 called Vaso’s Mediterranean Bistro. While both restaurants serve excellent Greek and Italian fare, the Kitchen is the more casual of the two and everyone really makes you feel like you are dining in a Greek family’s home. Vaso’s has been a favorite of ours since they opened and we were amazed at how long it had been since we’ve dined there. It was during the pandemic when we all had to be six feet apart! In any case, it felt good to be back there on a fairly quiet week night.

Unfortunately, Vaso had left the restaurant before we arrived but we were entertained by her son-in-law Stratos and we exchanged some fun stories about our girl. Vaso comes from a traditional Greek family and both her sister and niece are in the restaurant business in Alexandria as well. Denise and her husband Chris are the proprietors of the popular Taverna Cretekou at 818 King Street and her

niece Maria and husband George own and operate another Alexandria icon – RT’s Restaurant located at 3804 Mount Vernon Avenue. When you listen to their stories, you can imagine their family being much like the crazy family in the “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” movies. I can imagine how fun it would be to be invited to a family party. Vaso is a force of nature unto herself and brings her cooking style and fashion ﬂair to the restaurant every day except Sunday and that’s just because they are closed. In any case, when you frequent one of their establishments they make you feel like you are being welcomed into their homes.

Vaso's Kitchen has always had a reputation of quality food with fresh ingredients. I can add that her prices are very reasonable as well. Although the restaurant specializes in Greek and Italian cuisine, they also oﬀer other items as well. Daily special appetizers feature Mushrooms Stuﬀed with Crabmeat, Oysters Rockefeller, Artichoke Fiorentina and a Halloumi Sandwich all for only $18.

Other specials feature Branzini, an interesting sounding Chicken Tropical Special and a Soft Shell Crab Special that we are guessing is available when they are in season. Prices range from $28 to $42. They oﬀer seven diﬀerent appetizers all for $15. Their most popular soup is Avgolemono, a traditional Greek soup with chicken, egg, lemon

and rice. There are seven salads including a Gyro Salad. They also oﬀer subs and pita sandwiches along with her very popular pizzas.

Their main courses feature some Vaso Classic dishes like Charbroiled Bifteki, Baked Moussaka, Chicken Classic Greek Platter, Two-Meat Classic Greek Platter and Eggplant Parmigiana. There are four Chicken entrees ranging from Chicken Margarita, Parmigiana, ala Francese to Grilled Chicken Kebab. There are two Lamb choices and seven seafood dishes. There is also a children’s menu for the little ones in the family.

We were greeted with some good bread slices and olive oil for dipping that we ate while deciding what kind of wine we were going to order. After picking a bottle of white wine from Greece with the help of our server – the name of it escapes us but it was very good and complimented both of our entrees -we placed our order. We started out with a cup of the traditional Avgolemono soup and an order of Spanakopita to split. Both were excellent.

On to the entrée’s…I ordered one of the Vaso Specialties - the Charbroiled Bifteki mentioned above and my dining companion opted for one of

the seafood specialties – Filet of Flounder stuffed with Crabmeat. The Bifteki consists of two ground sirloin patties seasoned with special Greek herb mix, cooked over a charcoal flame and served on a bed of tomatoes and sprinkled with feta cheese. This was a very good meal as the patties were charred just right and the meat was light and very tasty. The tomatoes were plump and very fresh and the wine topped it all off. The flounder filet is stuffed with crabmeat, baked in the oven then flashbaked in a lemon butter white wine sauce with capers. This entrée comes with a side of vegetables or pasta. She chose the pasta and in retrospect, while the pasta was very good, the vegetables would have complimented the flounder much better. The portion was very generous and fit the bill. We rounded out our meal with an order of baklava and a shot of Ouzo to share while we visited some more with Stratos.

Vaso’s Kitchen is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, has a full bar with a nice selection of wines and beers and also features indoor and outdoor patio dining as well as oﬀering full catering service.

Treat yourself to some local Greek hospitality in this “Little piece of Greece”.

Vaso’s Kitchen 1225 Powhatan Street Alexandria, VA 703-548-2747

Vasos-kitchen.com

Vaso Circa 2008. Photo credit Chester Simpson Rock and Roll Photography.

Time for Easter Dinner

Let’sSkiptheHamandMakeSomeLambShanks!

Ingredients

3-4 pounds of lamb shanks

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon table salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup onion, diced

1 cup celery, diced

2 tablespoon fresh garlic, chopped

4 bay leaves

1 teaspoon thyme leaves

2 cups beef broth, canned is fine

1 tablespoon Worstershire sauce

3 sprigs rosemary

Fresh mint to taste for sauce

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time to break out the lamb recipes. When we think spring lamb, most of think of that boneless roast or a bone-in leg, but let’s try something different. Of course, French cut lamb chops are wonderful, but expensive and lack flavor. Why not do lamb shanks? This is a great cut of lamb for several reasons―fairly inexpensive, bursting with flavor, soft texture and high collagen (when heated, collagen dissolves to provide flavor and gelatinous texture). A meat shank or shin is the portion of meat around the tibia of the animal, the leg bone beneath the knee. Since the leg muscles are well developed, they tend to be tough and must be braised or slow-baked in the oven. This recipe calls for the braising in the oven. As with any cut of lamb, the shanks are delicious with rosemary or a mint sauce. Please don’t resort to mint jelly. Fresh mint sauce is a snap to make. You just add mint leaves and a pinch of sugar to the natural juices. This is an easy recipe that you’ll love. One caveat, the bone in lamb shanks can be large (this is a good thing because this means more flavor) so compensate for this when judging how many shanks to cook.

Method

1. In a heavy skillet or Dutch oven heat the oil over a high ﬂame. Salt and pepper the shanks and sear in hot oil on all sides to form a brown crust.

2. Remove and set aside browned shanks. Add the garlic, onion, celery, thyme leaves, rosemary and bay leaves to the hot skillet. Cook over medium to high ﬂame for 3 minutes.

3. Add shanks back to the skillet. Add beef broth and Worstershire sauce. Either place covered skillet in a preheated 300ºF oven or simmer over low ﬁ re. Cook until shanks are fork tender, about 1 ½ to 2 hours.

4. Remove shanks from skillet and set aside. Strain sauce into a separate container. Skim any oil from surface and discard.

5. Return sauce to skillet and reheat. Add mint, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce sauce until desired consistency is achieved. If too thick add a small amount of canned beef broth. Adjust seasoning to taste.

6. Serve with oven-roasted potatoes or couscous and asparagus. Serve sauce in a separate container as desired. Garnish plates with sprigs of rosemary or mint.

GRAPEVINE

Governor’s Cup 2025 Is In the Books

On March 13th, Governor Glenn Younkin announced Barboursville Vineyards’ 2023 Vermentino as the winner of the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup. Ever the advocate for his home state, Barboursville winemaker Luca Paschina told the audience, “When you go to your favorite restaurant, you must demand they carry Virginia wine!”

Barboursville is one of Virginia’s oldest and most prestigious wineries, and Luca has been its Estate Director and winemaker since 1990. He is also the record holder for most Governor’s Cup wins, taking the trophy home three times since the event was revamped in 2011.

Vermentino is a variety that’s rarely found outside Italy, mostly planted in the maritime regions of Liguria and Sardinia. While not as nearly recognizable as Barboursville’s other Italian grapes, Luca’s team has been successfully growing vermentino since 2009.

“It’s the favorite of a lot of people who visit, even if they don’t know what it is,” Luca said of the event’s top wine.

“The acidity isn’t very high, but it has great minerality and phenolics. It does well in Virginia because it likes heat, but it doesn’t mind Virginia’s rainy periods either. I’ve made 14 vintages so far, and it’s always been very consistent, even in a wet year like 2018.”

The underappreciated nature of this variety means it’s a great value for your money, selling for $23 a bottle at the winery. A zesty, light-bodied white, Barboursville’s 2023 Vermentino hits a sweet spot between pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc, with notes of Asian pear, white ﬂowers, and an underlying salinity.

red wines. This year’s Case included six whites and a sparkling.

The strong showing by white wines and lighterbodied reds is likely a tribute to the quality of the 2023 vintage, often regarded as one of the best in recent Virginia history. Not only do 2023 vintage wines make up over half the Case, they’ve also brought home many “Best in Class” awards in national-level competitions that California typically dominates.

Daring Wine & Cider Company’s Crab Apple blend was awarded Cider of the Year. A new “Best in Show” category was also unveiled, recognizing the best examples of major varieties or styles that didn’t make it into the Case.

Behind

The Scenes

Changes Help To Even The Playing Field

A total of 622 medals were awarded in 2025, including 155 golds. While popular varieties and styles such as red blends, cabernet franc, and petit verdot dominated the medal count, several hybrid wines such as an organically-made cayuga from Loving Cup Vineyard also earned gold.

While the public’s attention is focused on the medal winners, the event was elevated by less-obvious changes in the submission and judging process.

For the ﬁ rst time, wineries were limited to a maximum of six entries. This increased the quality of the ﬁeld by forcing wineries to be more selective in what they submitted.

Barboursville’s Vermentino has long been a contender for the Cup, having entered the Governor’s Case (composed of the event’s top 12 wines) seven times but missing the top prize until now. Their 2017 Octagon red blend also made it into the Case.

Ten other wineries entered the Case, representing a cross-section of the local wine industry.

DuCard Vineyards and The Winery at La Grange became fi rst-time entrants into the Case. Valley Road winemaker Corry Craighill also took her place on the Cup fi nalist stage for the fi rst time. The remaining Case members were veterans of previous competitions. Michael Shaps Wineworks now boasts 15 Case wines, with King Family not far behind. 50 West, Paradise Springs, Potomac Point, Trump Winery, and Veritas also added notches to their tallies.

This year’s Governor’s Case also set a record for its high number of white wines. The event guidelines require the Case to include a minimum of four non-

1. Barboursville Vineyards, 2023 Vermentino (Cup Winner)

2. 50 West Vineyards, 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée

3. Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon

4. DuCard Vineyards, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve

5. King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red

6. Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2023 Chardonnay

7. Paradise Springs Winery, 2023 Cabernet Franc, Brown Bear Vineyards

8. Potomac Point Winery, 2023 Albariño

9. Trump Winery, 2018 Sparkling Rosé

10. Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 Petit Manseng

11. Veritas Winery, 2023 Monticello White

12. Winery at La Grange, 2023 Petit Manseng

This change wasn’t popular in all quarters. One owner conﬁded he worried this limitation would undermine the event by encouraging wineries to only send wines with proven track records, rather than take risks with lesser-known varieties. Fewer entries also meant wineries could miss potential marketing opportunities.

The format under which wines are judged was also revamped. Director of Judging Frank Morgan wrote an article outlining changes he instituted when he took over the role two years ago. The most notable change was having more judges in the preliminary round, mitigating the risk of palate fatigue impacting scoring.

As the stature of the event grows, Frank has correspondingly expanded its network of judges. “This year, we had four judges who hold the Master of Wine designation (the most ever), one Master Sommelier, and renowned wine writers. I now have a list of over 100 wine professionals from around the U.S. who have contacted me to express interest in serving as a judge,” Frank explained.

The ﬁ nal medal count demonstrates this combination of fewer entries and additional judges meant more nuanced wines showed better. In 2024, the event had 752 entries, 138 of which earned gold (18.4%). In 2025, the competition had 626 entries, 155 of which earned gold (24.8%).

Additional changes may be in the pipeline. The current Governor’s Cup format is somewhat inaccessible for micro-producers, or winemakers who make experimental styles that don’t show well with traditional judges. Frank hopes to eventually showcase these wines as well.

About the Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https://winetrailsandwanderlust.com/. Pictured above L to R: Daniel Tessaro, Luca Paschina and Fernando Franco. Photo: Barboursville Vineyards.

The 2025 Virginia’s Governor’s Case

Winemaking: It's A Team Sport

I have talked about this in the past, but the most important attribute of my business is the many hands needed to operate a business like mine. Each set of hands plays an important part in my success and each set have unique skill sets. But what makes it all work is teamwork.

Let’s start with the core of my business, the vineyard. Planting the grapes is a whole process unto itself, but maintaining it is fundamental to get quality growth, ﬂavor development, and balancing those to maintain the health of the vine. Most of the cost to operate a vineyard goes into labor, and generally a team of 4 can manage about 25 acres. Extra hands are often needed at harvest and for shoot thinning. Team work is crucial to ensure the safety of the team and growing the best grapes possible.

In the fall, when the grapes are processed into wine, the cellar is buzzing with activity. Receiving fruit, crushing, sorting, punch downs, pumping juice, making additions, pumping into barrels and many other procedures. Cleaning is a mandatory part of each of these processes. Making sure things are clean at the end of the day as well as during the day keeps the wines safe from spoilage and ensures the safety of the team. Everyone cleans together as a team.

The cellar gets a little quieter once fermentation has ﬁ nished. But, with a variety of wines, ciders and various clients who we make wines for, we seem to always be getting wines ready to bottle. Whether we are bottling with our smaller hand set up, or the larger bottling line, we need skilled hands to make this process happen as well.

As we shift from production to selling the wine, I want to emphasize how critical this part is to the overall operation. Many of our tasting room sales team are part time. The commitment they make is essential to sell the wines that we grow and make. We oﬀer gourmet styled food pairings

with our tastings which our kitchen team works diligently to assemble the plates that our tasting room manger magically comes up with every month. The entire tasting room needs to work as a team to ensure a good product along with hospitality is enjoyed by every customer.

Landscaping, building maintenance, construction, equipment maintenance, wholesale sales, inventory, materials ordering are all skills we need to ensure we run smoothly and oﬀer the best customer experience. More labor, more skill sets and yes, more cleaning. Most important to all this is the leadership. I am very grateful to have a manager that can lead the retail side of the operation with style and strength in order to keep the team on task and the customers coming back. Each of our managers have the understanding of the vision and freedom to make their team function successfully.

I bring this all up because I was recently awarded the Grower of the Year by the Virginia Vineyards Association. I do not receive this award without the great team around me. Winemaking is a team sport and each of us continues to embrace the idea of training and encouraging others to do better for the operation and the industry. This is only possible with your continued patronage of our local products. Thanks for your support!

About the Author: Farmer, winemaker, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Doug Fabbioli has been accelerating the growth and quality of Virginia’s wine industry since 1997. With his wife Colleen, Doug is the owner/ operator of Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VA. He is the founder and director of The New Ag School, which focuses on teaching the next generation of farmers and agriculture-related leaders. No wonder they call Doug Fabbioli the Godfather of DC's Wine Country.

OPEN THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY 11-5 PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS FOR GROUPS OF SIX OR MORE

15669 Limestone School Rd Leesburg, VA 20176 703.771.1197 • fabbioliwines.com info@fabbioliwines.com

I was pondering over a subject for this article. So, I went back to visit some of my previous April articles. Spring was the theme. A good theme for a beer article, but I’m not feeling it. And a writer has to “feel” it.

Our editor, Lani, always sends out an email out around the tenth of the month. It’s always a nice and complimentary email. In reality, it’s a kind reminder to ensure that the writers are doing their homework. I always smile when I get it. I think of my mother at the table during dinner.

“Timmy, if you don’t ﬁ nish your dinner, you can’t have your evening bourbon and cigar.”

That’s obviously a joke. Mom always let me have my bourbon and cigar.

Lani always suggests possible subjects for the next month’s articles. I look at April’s list: Springtime, Taxes, and Easter.

Beer, bourbon, and cigars do not go with Easter. Can I put a fun spin on taxes? The thought dissipated as quickly as it appeared. This column is meant to be entertaining and informative. I’m no tax expert. And there is nothing fun about doing taxes. I might as well write about having a root canal.

I visit the list again. Wait! Where is baseball? The season traditionally opens on the ﬁ rst Monday in April, and most of the ﬁ rst games are still played then. The game of baseball and beer are as American as mom and apple pie. The search is over.

I grew up a huge Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Our whole family was and still is. I remember when my dad called me oﬀ from school because he had gotten opening day tickets. He always had connections for tickets. My mom walked into the kitchen just in time to hear him ending the call with the school.

“I’m sure Timmy will feel better by tomorrow. Thank you”

She looked at him confused. “Is Timmy sick?”

“No. I got tickets to Opening Day!” The joy was radiating from his face.

“Francis Long! You’re taking him to the baseball game on a school day?”

“It’s one day, Wanda. He’ll be ﬁ ne.” He then looked at me. “Go get dressed.”

I still remember going to Three Rivers Stadium to watch Pirate’s games with my family. Mom would put together a tailgate party for us. It usually featured a deli-bought giant Italian hoagie made out of a full loaf of homemade Italian bread and sliced into smaller portions.

There are certain experiences that I will always associate with baseball. The taste of that hoagie is one. The smell of hot dogs, popcorn, and beer is another. Everyone around us in the stands were downing hot dogs and drinking beer, it was mainly Iron City beer in my younger days.

Baseball stadiums always carried the local beer back then, many of them still do. These were usually American bitter lagers. I have choked down

DC Brau Brewing

an Old Style Lager at Wrigley Field in Chicago during a Cubs game, mostly out of tradition. When I became old enough to drink beer at Pirate’s games, we chose Iron City Light. It was a bit sweeter and a little more palatable than its older bitter brother.

Today, that local beer tradition lives on, in the craft beer trend. Baseball stadiums have become havens for craft beer. The local beers of the old days were never called craft beers, but in essence that’s what they were. They were locally brewed and locally enjoyed. Dad wasn’t a big beer drinker. But when he did drink it, he drank Rolling Rock. It was brewed in Latrobe, PA, not far outside of Pittsburgh. It was a Pittsburgh local beer.

When you head to Nationals Park this year, you can enjoy a variety of craft beers from local breweries like Atlas, DC Brau, Denizens, Port City, and more, available at multiple District Drafts locations, as well as the Devil's Backbone Left Field Lodge. Here's a breakdown of some of the craft beer options at Nationals Park:

DC Brau will have a rotating selection of draft beers at District Drafts carts throughout the summer. These carts are located in sections 110, 223, and 129. DC Brau will be rotating The Corruption, Dueling Grounds, Joint Resolution, and their German Pils for your enjoyment. You can’t go wrong with DC Brau. This is a great selection of beers.

Denizens Brewing Company

Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

One of my favorites, Denizen’s Born Bohemian Pilsner, will be on tap in sections 119, 129, and 141. It will also be available in 16-ounce cans in the marketplaces in sections 110, 129, and 306.

Atlas Brewing Company

Atlas always partners with the Nationals to offer their popular and great tasting Bullpen Pilsner. It’ll be offered throughout the ballpark. You’ll also be able to fi nd their Dance of the Days Pale Ale.

Devil's Backbone Brewing Company

They have the Left Field Lounge, a rustic bar and picnic area in Section 301 that features the popular Virginia brewery's staple beers and sometimes oﬀers exclusive specials in partnership with the Nationals.

Other Craft Beer Options

Port City's Integral IPA, Port City’s Optimal Wit, Three Stars Brewing's Above the Clouds Farmhouse Ale, Flying Dog's Snake Dog IPA are also available at select stands and from roving beer vendors.

Budweiser Zero will be available if you just want to smell like you’re drunk. With all the great new non-alcoholic craft beers out there, why did they go with this one. Oh well, to each his own.

Blue Run Reﬂection II Bourbon

Blue Run has some fantastic bourbons. This one is perfect for Springtime. It’s noticeably light in color and has a gentle flavor profile. It’s gentle on the nose too with honey, allspice, and honeydew melon coming through. On the palate, the allspice continues. You also get cinnamon and floral notes. It fi nishes with honeycomb, honeydew, and some lingering spice flavors. You don’t really get any of the traditional bourbon notes of caramel and vanilla. But it’s still a very good bourbon. At 100 Proof and around $95 a bottle, it’s well worth it.

Oliva Connecticut Toro

This is a light cigar to go with a light bourbon. It’s a great Springtime cigar. It opens with cream and wood notes. As you get into the smoke, cinnamon comes along with more cream flavor. The cigar fi nishes smoothly and cleanly with cedar, cinnamon, and cream. It’s a wonderful tailgate before the baseball game smoke and will pair perfectly with the Blue Run Reflection II Bourbon.

This cigar, and many other ﬁne cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% oﬀ the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.

So, get into a great American tradition. Go enjoy a Nat’s baseball game. Eat a hot dog and some popcorn. Drink a good craft beer. It’s not like you don’t have a great selection to explore. And make sure you sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the Seventh Inning Stretch at the top of your lungs. It’s a huge part of the experience. And after drinking beer all afternoon, you’ll have wonderful singing voice. Or at least you’ll think so. Cheers!!

About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator.

Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com . Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that ﬂ y doing in my soup? http:// whatﬂ yinmysoup.com

POINTS ON PETS STEPH SELICE

Animal rescues often have needs for space and resources far beyond current capacities. Animal lovers can help potential pets ﬁ nd loving homes through fostering.

Foster humans have big responsibilities. Above all, a successful foster home will be safe, loving, and reliable. Foster families vary as widely as people do, but all understand that every creature needs to feel secure and loved.

Some fosterers nurture shy creatures to become more socialized. Others care for sick animals. Fosterers care for companion animals of people who are homeless, in hospitals, in prison, or who have left unsafe domestic situations. Others foster animals rescued from testing labs or animal hoards. And some oﬀer hospice fostering. Fostering can be as ﬂexible as pets need it to be, with the support of caring people.

Before You Foster: Getting Ready

Before becoming foster families, people often ask similar questions: What do we need to know and do? And how will we be able to let animals go when it’s time?

Most foster programs oﬀer training/education to make sure you’re ready to foster. They’ll ﬁ nd out who lives with you, humans and pets, and ask about your home, work, and family demands. They’ll help you care for your foster, including veterinary visits and medications, and food/supplies (as needed and available). Fosterers prepare adoptable pets for new homes, sometimes nurturing animals harder to adopt but still needing loving care. Where do you start? Make sure your own pets have upto-date vaccinations and other vet treatment. Fosters may require space separate from other animals. Your foster’s privacy needs could last from a few days to months.

Time spent with your foster is essential. Foster programs encourage being with your animal at least an hour daily. The bond you nurture will help your foster feel loved, at ease, and more adoptable. And you may need to bring your fosters in to reintroduce them to the program’s facilities/potential adopters.

Fosterers on Fostering

Several experienced fosterers from King Street Cats in Alexandria oﬀer insights on fostering, including how to say goodbye.

Fostering Multiple Litters Annually: Meridith Sebring

It helps to think of it as a “kitten trade-in program.” I couldn’t save more if I kept them all.

Space: You don't need a lot, especially at ﬁ rst. Little ones just need a spare bathroom or bedroom. Winning over the shy ones is my favorite. Seeing kittens go from spitty, hissy little furballs to purr machines is so rewarding. You give them food and love and get them ready for a forever home. And while it’s always bittersweet saying goodbye, it opens your home to help more animals. That’s my kitten trade-in program.

Running a Foster Pet Program:

Andrea Cerino

I foster and also train and support new fosterers. As a fosterer, your job is to get animals ready to be adopted. If you adopt your fosters, you likely won’t have room to foster more. But sometimes a foster “fail” is the only option. Not a bad thing!

Watching kittens grow and develop their personalities is so much fun. Having a shy animal ﬁ nally come to you for attention and snuggles is the best feeling. It’s a lot of work, especially with kittens. But it’s worth it.

Fostering can be heartbreaking. Terminally sick animals need a home. They deserve to be safe, loved, and warm to the end, so hospice fostering, while heartbreaking, can also be rewarding.

Fostering Pets with Special Needs:

Patti Gross

Special needs fostering is rarely easy, but it’s always worth it.

Every time a fragile, ill kitten gains an ounce, you celebrate but don’t stop worrying. When an adult cat shut down from fear and depression eats on their own for the ﬁ rst time, you want to throw a party. When an injured kitty ﬁ nds a way to live their very best life despite the challenges, you

Fostering Animals: What Humans Need to Know

sigh with relief. When they get adopted into a loving home, you’d lead a parade!

All those victories make the exquisitely painful moments of loss bearable. Whether they leave you for a forever family or to wait for you at the Rainbow Bridge, they take a piece of your heart. The missing pieces are ﬁlled, though, by the next and the next and the next.

Fostering Multiple Species, Including Laboratory Rescues:

Julie Germany

The best advice I received about fostering—because all kinds of worries push into

your mind (Will the fosters and my pets get along? Will they destroy my house? What if they get sick and die?)—is to just do it. Many worries evaporate once you bring your ﬁ rst foster home. Over time, you learn how to better connect with animals and how to be a better fosterer. The learning process is reciprocal. We build strong emotional bonds with our fosters. We’ve fostered cats and dogs, including dogs rescued from labs. When those animals “graduate” from foster care, it feels like a kind of death or loss—an emotional goodbye, knowing they’ll continue

their journey without you. We do grieve. People often say, “I don’t see how you can give them up.” I tell them, “If I experience that loss when they move on, then I know I’ve done my job. I’ve opened myself—and the animals I’m fostering—to love, connection, bonding, and family.” That’s exactly what you want animals to learn so they’re better prepared for their forever families.

About the Author: Steph Selice volunteered as an adoption counselor at King Street Cats in Alexandria for seven years and is a frequent contributor to this column.

PETS OF THE MONTH

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304

703-838-4774

www.alexandriaanimals.org

Animal Welfare League of Arlington 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 703-931-9241 www.awla.org

Fairfax County Animal Shelter 4500 West Ox Road Fairfax, VA 22030

703-830-1100 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter

King Street Cats 25 S. Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-231-7199

www.kingstreetcats.org

Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. (Dog rescue for VA, MD, DC, and south central PA) P.O. Box 90813 Alexandria, VA 22309 703-344-7320 ophrescue.org

Friends of Rabbits www.friendsofrabbits.org

Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary (1300 animals and 22 species on 450 acres) P.O. Box 1357 Orange, VA 22960 540-854-0870 By appointment: tours@rikkisrefuge.org events@rikkisrefuge.org www.rikkisrefuge.org

Astro

Bob

alexandriaanimals.org

Mon-Tu-Th-Fri, 12-7 pm

Astro is a 7-year-old, 96-pound big ol' boy who is as gentle as they come. Astro is an A+ cuddler and is exceptionally sweet and affectionate. We know from his previous guardian that he is house trained, knows cues for sit, shake and fetch, and has done wonderfully around kids. Astro loves to play fetch and chase tennis balls. Not only does he go chase them, he promptly brings them back and drops them at your feet. Astro is working very hard on his leash manners and clicker training. He does excellent in the car. He's a staff favorite and for good reason!

Bob is a 13-year-old female cat who is looking for a relaxing retirement home to live out her golden years. (I don't know why she's named Bob. LOL). She is sweet, social, and loves to entertain visitors. There's nothing she loves more than a “sunshiny” window ledge and some bird watching. Despite being a mature lady, she still enjoys batting around feather toys and balls. She has a distinguished palette which prefers chicken avored Churus. Bob is a happy, easygoing kitty who'd love to spend these warm spring and summer days lounging around the house with you!

There's just too much hilarity and goodness to possibly t in one pro le on Benny, an 8-year-old, 61 pound male dog who is just a good time. His vibes are immaculate and you really can't help getting caught up in his joy. Benny loves pretty much everything ... hiking, walks, chasing balls, playing with other dogs, but what he loves most of all is WATER. He adores swimming! Whether it's a river, creek, stream or kiddie pool, Benny doesn't care. He's going to have the literal time of his life. If you're looking for more "go with the ow" and boundless optimism in your life, Benny is your boy.

Benny

Fragrance: What to Wear and How to Wear It.

The smell of spring is in the air. With the smell of spring brings about the desire to try a new fragrance. Switching to a new fragrance in the warmer months is like shedding our heavy winter clothes. I’ve even heard of fragrance referred to as woman’s clothing. And, the type of fragrance notes chosen are referred to anything from a spring dress to a fur coat. Since we are all ready to put our fur coats away after this historic winter, allow me to guide you toward your “spring dress” and teach you how best to wear it.

What to Wear – Warmer months call for lighter fragrance notes – ﬂoral, citrus, and clean are most common. Floral is by far the most popular fragrance category. It becomes even more popular when the temperatures rise. Consider ﬂoral notes such as gardenia, orange blossom, lily, rose and peony. These are most often found in fragrances. In fact, Casablanca lily is the most popular fragrance note sought out by customers.

Citrus Notes – Orange is too fruity, grapefruit too ordinary. But, bergamot, bitter orange, and mandarin are just right. For a greener smell, look for fragrances that pair citrus notes with green leafy notes. Some examples of common combinations are verbena, lemon and cedar or lemon, basil and oak. Because citrus notes tend to evaporate quickly, pairing them with woody notes will make them last longer.

Ozonic (or clean) Notes – When sniffed, these fragrances are reminiscent of the seashore or fresh water. Most often people will refer to them as clean and fresh. The scent will remind them of a breeze coming off the ocean or the way we expect a summer breeze to smell. When mixed with floral notes, these ozonic fragrances gain more depth, last longer and are unique.

How

to Wear It - Believe it or not, there are many ways to apply a fragrance to ensure maximum impact for the occasion or event in which you are wearing it. For day, the objective is to smell good and leave behind in your path a waif of your scent. It’s not meant to overpower those around you, but make you feel elegant and sophisticated. The movement of our body throughout the day makes a fragrance rise which makes it important to apply it low on the body. Behind the knees, on the wrists and even applied to your skirt or pants will ensure the fragrance rises and lingers as you move throughout the day.

Night brings out a diﬀerent objective for fragrance. Sensuality is usually associated with applying a fragrance at night. To create the allure of fragrance at night, proper placement is of utmost importance. Target areas of sensuality such as behind the ears, around the neck, and on the hair. There is also the decadent way of applying fragrance. We all need a little decadence every once in a while. Keep in mind, unless you want to replace your perfume bottles often, apply your fragrance with decadence on rare occasions. The decadent approach is to spritz an area in front of your body and walk through it. This approach allows the fragrance to settle lightly on the skin and clothing. In order to be eﬀective, you must spritz a fair amount of fragrance before you walk through it.

Finally, some general rules about applying fragrance. Hold the fragrance bottle a minimum of 5-7 inches away from the body and mist it over you. Spray each area only once. If the body or clothing is “wet” after spraying, then you’ve held it too close. Enjoy the art of choosing a new spring fragrance and applying it with decadence!

Thinking About Joining the Seasoned Runners Out There?

Spring is in the air and so is the pitter pat of beginning runners hitting the roads and trails across the country. Similar to the masses of new gym goers in January excited by New Year’s resolutions to become fitter, beginning runners often hit the road at the fi rst sign of warmer weather with similar aspirations. Many new runners head out with good intentions and admirable goals, but often fi nd themselves overwhelmed or unenthused with the progress of their new activity. Why is that? Running is often the fi rst choice of new fitness enthusiasts because of the low start-up costs, the fact that you can do it just about anywhere, and there are no long-term dues or fees associated with running. Because of the low cost and ease of access, many new runners aren’t prepared mentally or physically for the new demands they’re about to put on their bodies and well as the time investment needed. All good things come in time and running is defi nitely one of those “good things.” Here are 10 tips to help ensure success with your new adventure into running.

1. Get Fitted: Pay a visit to your local independent running store. Often these smaller stores have more knowledgeable staﬀ than the big box retails stores. Many provide a gait analysis that reveals your foot strike pattern. Knowing this will help in selecting the best shoe for your foot type. Don’t skimp on your shoes. Be prepared to pay $80 to $150 for a good pair of running shoes.

2. Get Technical: Invest a little in some technical fabric running shorts, tops, and socks. Technical fabric can be made of a variety of ﬁbers including natural and synthetic materials. Avoid 100 percent cotton. It tends to retain sweat causing chaﬃng, irritation, and even blisters. Technical fabrics allow the moisture to rise to the surface where it can evaporate. They still get damp, but not nearly as much as 100 percent cotton.

3. Get a Group: Motivation, inspiration, accountability, and commitment increase dramatically when you’re a part of a running group or at least have a running buddy. Everyone experiences times when they don’t want to run, but if you know you have buddies counting on you, it can make all the diﬀerence in the world when it comes to rolling over and getting out of bed. Check with your local running store. Many provide beginning running groups or know of running coaches in the area that work with beginning runners.

4. Get a Plan: Just getting out the door and running often does not work for many people, especially if you’ve been sedentary or away from exercise for any period of time. Find a beginning running plan to follow. There are beginning running programs online or you can contact your local running store, running club, or running coaches in the area to inquire about beginning running plans. One of the most eﬀective ways to begin is with a run/walk method

5. Get Acclimated: Whenever you begin new exercise your body’s ﬁtness level will actually dip a little while you acclimate to the new demands you’re putting on your body. Understand before you take up running that it takes your body about four to six weeks to acclimate to the new demands. Anticipating that “wiped out feeling” can actually make it less of a shock. Just know that you’re going to feel the eﬀects of your new activity. Hang in there and before you know it, you’ll pull out of that dip and begin to feel stronger than before you started. Also, start slowly. Many new runners experience shin splints, pulled calf muscles, cramping quads, or sore hips from going out too fast or from doing too much too soon. Take it slow and ease into your new activity.

6. Get Fueled: Fueling your new activity is very important. Timing is key. It’s a good rule of thumb to eat about 1.5 hours prior to your run. This will give your body time to digest the food and provide your body with the needed energy for your activity. Not eating or not eating enough before your run can make your run feel labored or cause your muscles to feel fatigued. Eating too soon can sometimes cause stomach issues.

7. Get Hydrated: Being well-hydrated is just as important as being well fueled. Be sure to drink about 20 oz. of water about two hours prior to running. This will give it time to pass through your system and be voided before your run. During your run, drinking water is ﬁ ne. Once you’re running more than 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll need to switch to a sports drink to help replace vital electrolytes which are minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus) that play a major role in helping to maintain proper water balance in your body. Electrolytes can be lost though your perspiration. Sports drinks such as Gatorade contain these important minerals.

8. Get Warmed-Up: Before you head out on your run, be sure to warm-up your muscles with a dynamic stretch. A ﬁve-minute walk is a great way to do this. This will help decrease the chance of your muscles feeling tight during your run. Save the traditional stretch-and-hold stretches for after your run.

9. Get In Tune With Your Body: Listen to your body. If you’re feeling something other than regular workout-related muscle soreness, don’t run. Running through the pain is never a good idea. If you’re experiencing pain along your shin, hip, IT Band or any area of the body that’s beyond normal muscle soreness, ice it, elevate it, and use your normal choice of antiinﬂammatory medication and rest. When you no longer feel any pain, ease back into your running. If the pain persists, don’t let it linger. Go see your doctor.

10. Get Rest: Rest is just as important as your workout. Rest allows your body time to rebuild and recover. When you run or do any type of exercise, you actually create little micro tears in the muscle tissue. Your body then rushes in to rebuild and repair the tears. This is the normal muscle-building process that makes you stronger. However, if you don’t take the proper rest, your body may not have time to fully repair before your next run causing you to feel sore, tired, and sluggish. When you ﬁ rst start your beginning running program, it’s a good idea to have at least one day of rest in between runs.

Let’s Talk Rest and Recovery

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With that said, April is an exciting time of year because the weather is getting nicer and the grass is getting greener. I hold faith that most of you have been diligent in working on your wellness lifestyle. However, there comes a time when you should pull back on the reigns, take your foot oﬀ the accelerator, or just stop to “smell the roses,” (or cherry blossoms in DC.)

I'm mainly speaking to all those hard-core ﬁtness enthusiasts who constantly workout to the point of no return. Don’t get me wrong, I promote physical activity on most, if not all days of the week. These activities can include leisurely walks, bike rides, roller-blading, or taking the family to a water park. However, structured exercise (in which there are speciﬁc, measurable parameters such as intensity, duration, sets and reps) should be performed in moderation to prevent over-training. There are very few personal trainers who will admit that more exercise is not always better.

Rest and recovery are probably the most overlooked aspects of any ﬁtness program, even above ﬂexibility. A little bit of R & R is important because you want to prevent needless injuries,

burnout or staleness, and avoid the over-training syndrome. Here is a list of symptoms associated with over-training:

• Performance plateau, followed by decreased strength & endurance

• Decrease in lean body mass

• Decreased appetite

• Less energy & desire to exercise

• Irritability

• Interrupted sleep patterns

• Excessive muscle soreness

• Increased heart rate at rest and during exercise

Without adequate rest, there will not be positive adaptations to exercise. Exercise is a stressor to the body, so what you do between workouts is just as vital as what you do during your workout. During that time between exercising, your body is trying to regenerate, recover, and ultimately adapt to handle the physiological stress placed upon it. Just because you had an awesome workout doesn’t mean you should sabotage it by not taking care of yourself until the next workout.

Over-training is a serious issue for the extreme exerciser. Here are a few suggestions for meaningful rest and recovery:

Nutrition: This is the ﬁ rst thing you need to address. It’s true that you are what you eat and the

best time to eat for recovery is within one hour after ﬁ nishing a workout. You should include a mixture of protein and carbohydrates. Try a turkey and cheese sandwich, or cottage cheese with fruit or sliced tomatoes, or just a glass of skim milk does the trick.

Sleep: Get as much of this as you can because your body recovers best with rest! Try for at least 8 hours a night. If your schedule allows, take a 20-minute nap during the day too. (Just not at work!)

Add in a few light workouts: Yes. It’s ok to lighten up the intensity a bit. This way you get a chance to recover while still staying active. Even professional and Olympic athletes take advantage of this strategy to help them prepare for an important game or event.

Listen to your body: Don’t ignore the symptoms listed above because you could end up ultimately giving up on exercise, which is by far the worse consequence of all!

About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certiﬁed Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

April Showers… Bring May Flowers!

At long last, spring has arrived! (or has it?) As you look out upon your garden, does the nagging question of "where do I even begin" sound familiar? There is so much to do in every corner of the yard this month that it is diﬃcult to know where to start.

In our opinion, the ﬁ rst and foremost thing to do is to stand back for a moment, and simply enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature has given us.... listen to the birds as they sing you a spring melody... dream a little, and then put on the gardening gloves and head out to make your dream garden a reality!

Here are a few April garden projects that you can do to help keep your garden looking its best the rest of this season.

Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs

April is the month for planting summer ﬂowering bulbs like dahlias, gladiolas and lilies. Mix bulb fertilizer, processed manure and peat moss into the planting soil. Tuberous Begonias and Canna should not be set outdoors until all danger of frost has passed, so wait until next month.

*Plant annual seeds of asters, cosmos, marigolds, and zinnias in the garden.

*When all frost danger has passed you can move

your stored fuchsias and geraniums outdoors. Trim them back, feed and repot if necessary. Water them well. When they have fi nished blooming, you should deadhead your spring flowering bulbs. Do not cut off the green foliage yet! These green leaves continue to grow for a few weeks, and provide the bulb with food for flowering next year.

*Divide perennials like Daylilies, Delphiniums,Iris, Chrysanthemums, Daisies,and Phlox. The additional plants you create can be traded or given to friends, or moved to a new area of the garden.

*Hybrid Tea Roses should be fertilized prior to buds beginning to bloom. Using a systemic fertilizer will help prevent insect infestation later in the summer, as it feeds your rose. Plant new rosebushes before growth starts and buds swell.

Odds and Ends

It seems that diﬀerent states can't agree to a universal Arbor Day, but more than likely the day exists in your individual state or country, at some point in this month.... Plant a tree!

Although we think of this as a rainy month, it can fool us. Keep transplanted ﬂowers wellwatered during dry spells. Be sure to take a

little time to check the plants in containers and those under the eaves of the house and under tall evergreens to see that they are getting enough water.

If you receive mail-order plants or can't resist the urge to pick up a few perennials before you are ready, make a trench and heel them into the ground in a protected area.

Driving around the neighborhood, or visiting a local nursery may give you some great ideas of what you'd like to have blooming in your yard at this time next year.

Take a stroll in the woods or the park at least once each season to enjoy a little bit of Mother Nature’s gardening handiwork!

Remember that whatever you accomplish in the garden now will deﬁ nitely cut down on yard maintenance later this season!

Pro Tip: As you begin your quest for the perfect garden, don't overdo it! It's probably been a few months since you gave those muscles and bones a good workout, so start out slowly and avoid that Monday morning backache.

Publisher's Note: Urban Garden provided courtesy of GardenHelpers.com. Please sign on for more springtime tips.

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

Going Old School

Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) continues to divide the ﬁshing community. Proponents label nonusers as OGs, old guys. Younger anglers staring at screens are donned Scopers.

As top level professional organizations seek FFS compromises, local and smaller tournament groups are taking direct actions. Discussions with anglers on both sides of the digital divide are drawing the line in the water when it comes to computer aided ﬁshing.

Cumberland Bass Anglers in Western Maryland decided late last year there would be no FFS in their events. Their primary reason was economic. Many anglers can’t afford or were unwilling to make the $4-6,000 investment. This season is starting off well, losing only one participant who was unwilling to fish without electronic help. However, 4 new anglers stepped up to join them. Other clubs are reporting their numbers are as high as before FFS bans, especially true when co-anglers are involved.

In early January, Larry Martin, a well-known local tournament angler and organizer, floated the idea of going old school, with the fi rst ever no electronic fish fi nding units tournament in the DMV on Lake Anna. This of course excluded FFS, but also navigation, side imaging, and even temperature readings. Online discussions were mostly supportive, including reminiscing to days, not long ago, where sonar flashers were the extent of bass boat electronic gear. Martin wasn’t looking for debate, “Either fish it or don’t”.

Martin insists this isn’t about the “Great FFS Debate”, personal beliefs, or objections to using new technology or non-use of it. “This is my attempt to unite those on both sides of the fence, even the playing ﬁeld, and get back to the love of the sport.” In support, some anglers agree FFS has created a divide and it would be interesting to see how many show up to ﬁsh such an event. Martin says no one else locally seems to be willing to at least try it. “Guess I'll be the bad guy.” While supporting the concept, some OGs expressed concern with driving without sonar or mapping for depth. Anglers signed waivers, boating at their own risk.

One OG commenter claimed the ﬁeld is even for everyone whether all electronics or none,

acknowledging a no-electronics event allows anglers to expand and develop. He challenged Scopers to show up to demonstrate their ﬁshing skills. Competing during certain times and places, FFS is advantageous. Scopers believe this style of tournament isn’t going to help much and is somewhat of a waste of time.

Scopers discounted the value of time on the water, whereas many OGs learned a lot over time, one cast at a time. Being younger, this was the opportunity for Scopers to pick up on a few things from the OGs, but they weren’t having it. They don’t need their help or advice. Scopers think OGs are stuck in an old school rut and can’t ﬁgure out new technology. OGs realize technology is here to stay.

Without electronics, local knowledge and ﬁshing decisions were at play. Supporters of the Old School Open believed without FFS there would be more participation across the board, especially this time of year when ﬁsh are scattered in deeper water where FFS provides a massive advantage. This might explain why none of the Scopers competed when their electronic assistance was taken away.

Scopers stayed home. Some saying they would participate in electronics-free events that were held when fish are moving shallower, where FFS isn’t as much of an advantage. Finding fish cover without electronics forced OG anglers to rely on paper maps, memory, and the ability to line up stationary objects to triangulate their key spots. Avoiding discussing the merits of a non-electric event specifically regarding the FFS use, a Scoper simply said, “I think it was dumb”, unable to elaborate. One accused the organizer of creating an event to prevent Scopers from competing. Many OGs were disappointed not seeing any Scopers take the no-electronic challenge and Scopers commenting were antagonistic

Potomac River Bassing in APRIL

that anyone would even try to take their FFS away from them. On social media, Scopers call out OGs and contend they would outperform anywhere, anytime…but not for this event.

Martin says usually 12-15 boats enter his tournaments. For the February Old School Open, 12 boats, including 3 new teams showed up for the 16-degree start. This fi rst ever old school tournament format, "Making Waves Using Old Ways", was well received by OGs and spectators. Martin may try another sometime this year. As one OG said, “A tournament that relies on fi nding fish with your own skills? Sounds like fishing to me!” Martin thinks Scopers took this event the wrong way as was indicated in social media with many derogatory remarks coming from the youngsters. Scopers have dominated Lake Anna and just missed an opportunity to show they could do it without computerized confidence. With the trend in pro and local tournaments working to minimize the impact of FFS, Lake Anna Scopers declining to fish the Old School Open missed the boat.

About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass ﬁ shing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.

Time to go lipless. Water warming into the 45-55 degree range encourages ﬁsh to move to shallow banks. Covering them with ½ ounce red lipless crankbaits tied to 12-pound test GAMMA Edge ﬂuorocarbon line works by dragging along hard bottoms. As grass emerges, concentrate on these areas.

Also try red crankbaits like squarebills also on 12-pound test Edge.

Spinnerbaits with gold blades and white skirts are great around wood cover and in stained water.

Use green pumpkin Mizmo tubes once ﬁsh are found. Tie to 10-pound test GAMMA Torque braid with a 10 pound Edge leader on spinning gear, slowly drag, and stop.

If water is clearer, up to 3 feet visibility, tie suspending jerkbaits, clown pattern, to 10-pound test GAMMA Edge. Vary length of pauses interrupted with slight taps. Note how long baits need to sit.

It’s the Laughter We'll Remember

Welcome to April, friends. Remember—April showers bring May ﬂowers, and we have made it through the winter, not to mention the time change, mostly unscathed. Although—don’t mark my words here as NoVA weather is so unpredictable and who knows what to expect what with climate change, Mother Nature’s wrath, and the 24/7 weather channel that has us all running to Walmart for TP and milk every chance they get. Snow could be in our future. H-E-double toothpicks. Secure the compound—a blizzard tsunami earthquake tornado could be headed our way.

Not to be all Debbie Downer—it’s just hard to know what—or whom— to believe any more. ‘Real’ news? Fake news? Facebook news? You can’t believe everything you read or really ANYTHING you read. Anyone with access to a phone is a bona fide expert. Education/ certification/publication be damned. Followers + influence = Facts.

So…who’s the fool? All of us it seems.

That’s just one middle-aged woman’s cynical view these days. My previously rose-colored glasses have been tainted by a bright orange smear that prevents me from seeing anything clearly. I don’t want to get political here because it would

only cause more division—and it’s the division that’s hard to stomach. All the whining and complaining and pointing ﬁ ngers and promoting fake news—without any fact checking and/or veriﬁcation of sources.

I can’t ﬁgure out how to create an IG thread (or why I should for that matter), but apparently nursery schools are now teaching three-year olds how to create a meme with a photoshopped image and a boatload of inaccuracies. Toss in an outof-context quote—and BOOM— they’ve got a viral hit before they’ve learned to tie their own shoes.

Can’t we go back to a simpler, easier time? Like when our grandparents didn’t have running water and only had to walk eight miles barefoot to go to school? How about when the only thing you had to worry about was what to kill for dinner and then you sat around the ﬁ re as a family, literally chewing the fat? Golly gee. That sounds nice. No one was calling each other a snowﬂake or a racist or wearing trucker hats with acronyms.

Or what about when we liked our neighbors because we actually socialized with them vs. staying in and streaming ﬁve seasons of The West Wing. We didn’t know their political views because—guess

what? Prior to the invention of social media, not everyone exposed every single thing about themselves to the masses. No one cared if you were a Republican or a Democrat or a Catholic or a Warlock as long as you kept your grass mowed and your cars washed.

“Can it be that it was all so simple then? Or has time rewritten every line?”

And remember that fun pandemic time when we all stayed in and played guitar and sang in harmony from our balconies and taught each other the proper way to wash our hands? And then we supported our local businesses by buying margaritas to go? Wasn’t that nice?

“Memories light the corners of my mind; misty water-colored memories of the way we were.”

‘Now’ feels diﬀerent. Divisive and mean-spirited. The double standards are mind boggling. The same people who argued against electric cars are now cheering on Elon Musk as he rips decades-long careers from our friends and family in the most inhumane of ways. The same people who spread ‘Sleepy Joe’ memes and chanted ‘Let’s go, Brandon,’ now decry anything that is less than respectful to the man who holds our highest oﬃce. The same people who were ready to hang Hunter

Biden want us ‘fools’ to pretend that January 6th was nothing but a pep rally gone awry—like the kegger where you invited a few cool friends, and before you could say ‘keg stand’ another 832 kids showed up and no one is owning up to hurling in the urn on top of nana’s ashes.

“What’s too painful to remember, we simply chose to forget.”

I don’t know about anyone else, but this fool wishes she could teleport herself back to 1982 when April not only meant that April showers brought May ﬂowers (hooray!), but when the only fake news being delivered was when she came home from school and told her parents she was pregnant and then yelled, “April Fools!” Everyone let out a big, nervous laugh. Then we pulled the foil back on our TV dinners, washed our hands (improperly as it turns out), and sat down to eat.

“So, it’s the laughter we will remember. Whenever we remember, the way we were.”

About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 20 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.

Spectacular New Technology Lights Up the Wheel

For anyone who has been reading this column for very long, you all know how much I love the Capital Wheel and the Spirit Park Carousel! It’s hard to believe that they have been around for over ten years now. Also, sort of amazing to think that the Harbor is celebrating 17 years this month. Even though I don’t live in the Harbor anymore, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss it. Over the years, I have taken many a visitor for a spin on both the wheel and the carousel. I even treated my entire 70th birthday party guests to a spin on the wheel in the summer of 2023. Many of them have become “regulars” and make a visit to the Harbor and the wheel a part of their out of town visitor’s trips to the DMV.

The Carousel isn’t just for kids in my opinion. There is something special about this one in that it was a dream come true for National Harbor’s founder, Milt Peterson. It is a 36-foot American themed carousel with 28 hand-painted wooden fantastical creatures and animals (my favorite is the hummingbird) plus two chariots to ride in. It is now open for the season.

“For a decade, The Capital Wheel has been a must-see attraction, oﬀering stunning views and unforgettable moments,” said Derek Lovato, Vice President and General Manager of The Capital Wheel. “Now, with our upgraded lighting technology, we bring a whole new level of excitement to National Harbor. From personalized

April is a great month for a visit since the cherry blossoms along the water front are in full bloom and there are lots of “cherry” themed promotions taking place in many of the shops and restaurants there – including the Wheel. The Wheel shines brighter than ever as it unveiled its new state-of-the-art lighting package last month. After signiﬁcant technological upgrades, the observation wheel relaunched with a dynamic new light show, featuring high-speed animations, custom messages, and vibrant displays that elevate the guest experience.

messages and gender reveals to corporate logos and sporting celebrations, the possibilities are endless.”

The advanced lighting system now operates at 40+ frames per second, allowing for animations, sharper graphics, and a more immersive visual experience. Guests will enjoy dazzling themed light shows, interactive displays, and even the chance to see their own messages and designs illuminated high above the Potomac River.

“The Capital Wheel is not only a National Harbor landmark it has become a part of the greater

D.C. skyline. This new lighting technology takes the illumination to another level and is the only observation wheel in the world with this technology,” said Kent Digby, EVP, Asset Management, Operations & Marketing for National Harbor. “With brighter, faster, and more dynamic displays, we are enhancing the visual experience for our guests and creating new opportunities for celebrations, events, and special moments.”

To mark the relaunch, they are hosting special lighting ceremonies, introducing a brand-new gender reveal experience for expectant parents, customized patriotic shows, and a spectacular Cherry Blossom season celebration that was released on March 27th during peak blossoming and will run through the mid-month with their “Pretty In Pink” promo. I tried my best to get a great photo of the cherry blossom image on the wheel but to no avail since a still photo just doesn’t capture all of the tricks it does. You really need to see it in person to get the full experience.

For detailed information on this and other amazing promotions, log on to their website at thecapitalwheel.com.

About The Capital Wheel

Perched at the end of a pier overlooking the Potomac River at National Harbor, The Capital Wheel is a large-scale observation wheel standing 180 feet high, featuring 42 climatecontrolled gondolas that oﬀer unparalleled views of Washington, D.C., and beyond. Celebrating 10 years of #wheelfun in 2024, The Capital Wheel continues to be a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

n Taste award winning wines at the Port of Leonardtown Winery

n Paddle the McIntosh Run water trail

n Enjoy a sunset along Breton Bay

n Dine at an outdoor cafe´

n Shop the Unique shops and Shepherd’s Old Field Market

Explore the galleries showcasing local artists in Southern Maryland’s only Arts & Entertainment District. Located in the heart of St. Mary’s County. VisitLeonardtownMD.com