Since 1988–Priceless
January 2015
Dining Out
MURPHY’S OLD TOWN
A Grand Irish Pub Points on Pets
BRINGING UP BABY Personality Profile
JIMMY PORTER & RONNIE SMITH The Piano Men Road Trip
2014 WAS A WONDERFUL YEAR High Notes
TOP 14 OF 2014 oldtowncrier.com
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
Landini’s
ZAGAT
Setting The Standard In 2006 Old Town For 35 Years AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
AND THE PAST 15 YEARS
Happy New Year from Our Family to Yours
115 King Street 115Town King Street • Old Town Alexandria Old Alexandria 703-836-8404 • landinibrothers.com 703-836-8404
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Fish Market has continued to rise above the tide with its winning recipe for success–good, fresh seafood, excellent service and a great location. Such dedication to high quality and customer service has helped launch Fish Market as an Old Town landmark since 1976!
105 & 107 King St. Old Town Alexandria
703.836.5676 fishmarketva.com
Eat Fish, Drink Beer, Live Longer!
january’15 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, Va. 22320
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phone: 703. 836. 0132 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert
8
Financial Focus
6
45
Open Space
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Laura Parker
A Bit of History After Hours
11
First Blush
43
Personality Profile
4
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, Va. 20175
Art & Antiques
15
Fitness
40
Pets of the Month
17
Auld Lang Syne
7
From the Bay…
22
28
16
From the Trainer
41
Points on Pets
Behind the Bar Business Profile
5
Gallery Beat
14
Chris Anderson Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker Frank Britt Bonnie Browning F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Ashley Denham Busse Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering
CONTRIBUTORS Frances Killpatrick Miriam Kramer Jeff McCord Laura Parker Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown Molly Winans
2
Publishers Notes Road Trip
20
Spiritual Renaissance
44
10
The Last Word
12
46
To the Blue Ridge
24
3
Urban Garden
13
1
Virginia Wine Trails
38
Caribbean Connection
18
Go Fish
39
Chefs Special
34
Grapevine
36
Civil Discourse
9
High Notes
Dining Guide
32
National Harbor
Dining Out
30
On the Media
Exploring Virginia Wines
35
On the Road
© 2015 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to selected Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas as well as St. John, USVI.
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About the cover Mikki and Reddi at Bokeh Ridge Farm Despite his short stature, Reddi is actually an Icelandic horse. Formerly a stallion with his own herd, Reddi came to Bokeh Ridge Farm when his owner was no longer able to ride him. Mikki is a former show pony known and loved by many children as "Cedar Spring Footlights.” Now retired, Reddi and Mikki (both in their mid-twenties) enjoy grazing, treats and visits from children. Mikki loves beer and rolling in the mud, while Reddi fancies himself a guard dog. They live with six rescue cats and two humans in the panhandle of West Virginia. Photo: Chris Usher
Old Town Crier
On the road with OTC Pete Shafer, former Alexandrian and super sound man, and his wife Dawn check out the Old Town Crier at the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass in Colorado. Pete and Dawn relocated to beautiful Breckenridge and are livin' the dream in the mountains. If you would like to see your picture here, take the OTC with you on your next trip, snap a high resolution photo and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com.
January 2015 | 1
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ho’d a thunk it! When we started this rag in January of 1988 no one gave us a snowball’s chance in hell. With this issue we start our 28th year, and it ain’t been easy! Sure there were high points, but they were often overshadowed by the low points. “Will you run my press release for free? It’s a real cool event and only costs $40 to attend!” “No ma’am—you make money, it needs to be an ad!” “Will you run this for free…we are a non-profit!” “Well, if we did that for everyone that asks, we would be a non-profit too!” Get my drift? Every word costs us money. In truth, if it were not for the advertisers you see here month in and
month out we would not be here. We owe them so much. We also owe our loyal readers who pick up Crier every month — not just here in Alexandria but throughout the region — you guys make it all worthwhile. We also owe all those who help contribute to the production of this publication and have patience with us when payment is due (See how it snowballs?). You can learn a little more about the beginnings of the Crier in this month’s Business Profile. (If we don’t blow our own horn, then who will?) And for all of you who are reading this …
Happy New Year! Got yer attention, didn’t I!
Local Farmers Markets
The Lamplighter Our staff has 3 generations of experience to assist you in your lamp and lamp shade needs!
1207 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.549.4040 www.lamplighterlamps.com Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)
A Very Good Price!
Good Haircut! Beautiful Perm!
Long Lasting Color!
Van’s Hairstylists 107 North Washington Street (near corner of King & Washington streets)
703-836-1916
Monday-Friday 9 am-7 pm • Saturday 9 am-6 pm We care and will give you only the best! Biolage • Vital Nutrient • Socolor • Matrix Perm • Paul Mitchell • Nexxus 2 | January 2015
Old Town Farmers Market
Market Square • 301 King Street Saturday 7 a.m. - Noon, year round Free parking in Market Square garage during market hours People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town Alexandrias Market Square is thought to be one of the nations oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians. George Washington sent his produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today, the market offers folks a way to reconnect to the past, while participating in an ongoing local and national tradition.
Del Ray Farmers Market Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon avenues Saturday 8 a.m. - Noon, year round
The Del Ray Market is producer grown, with fresh vegetables and fruits in season. All year round this market offers meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces, Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs, jams and jellies, fancy nuts and bakery goods.
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January 2014
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Road Trip
FROM THE BAY TO THE BLUE RIDGE
Personality Profile
BOB HARVEY
2013 in Review
A Legend in His Own Mind
Grapevine
ALBEMARLE CIDERWORKS
A Place with Pressing Concerns oldtowncrier.com
Old Town Crier
Business Profile
THE HOUR
Vintage Cocktailware in Old Town
Across the Bridge
NATIONAL HARBOR Year Ringing in the New
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January 2015 | 3
Personality profile BOB TAGERT
I
n April of 2008 National Harbor opened cross the Potomac River in Maryland. Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar was an immediate hit. The rotating piano players and entertainers brought an incredible show to the stage every night. A few years ago we wrote about Tattoo Slover…an amazing entertainer. This month I am writing about two of the main guys, who happen to be locals…James “Jimmy” Porter and Ronnie Smith. Jimmy is the musical director at McKey’s while Ronnie is the audio tech guy responsible for sound and lighting. Although they started on opposite sides of the Potomac River, today they head up one of most entertaining venues in the region. Jimmy grew up in Alexandria and attended T. C. Williams High School and graduated in 1982. When the movie Remember the Titans came out, he was in the 4th grade but does remember it. At the age of 4 Jimmy was playing the drums and the piano by age 6. After graduating he attended West Texas University to study music. Jimmy and a few of his friends got together and formed a band. They played the college venues and became quite popular. After graduation the band decided to stay together and moved their act to Columbus, Ohio so they could be centrally located near cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh. After a PERSONALITY PROFILE > PAGE 7
The Piano Men
Jimmy Porter & Ronnie Smith
Jimmy Porter, top, and Ronnie Smith
4 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
business profile LANI GERING
T
his month’s Business Profile is a bit different from those that we have printed over the last 27 years. I wanted to focus a bit on us, The Old Town Crier. While I am sure I will get a few comments about how “self-serving” this may be, I think it is something that our readers would like to know. Bob Tagert and David Underwood started brain storming about the Crier in June of 1987 while consuming a few adult beverages at the then popular Bullfeathers—now the ever popular O’Connell’s —on King Street. With the merging of the Gazette and the Port Packet at the time, the guys thought that Old Town needed its own publication and the brain storming began. David was a graphic artist and Bob was selling insurance at the time so they had the layout and the ad sales all squared away. They were missing someone with some writing talent and ran across a rugby acquaintance of Bob’s, George West, who was a technical writer with Pepco. The triangle was complete. Starting out with no business plan, no investment money and a donated printer they pulled together the first issue in David’s dining room and it was published in January 1988 and every month since. There have been several publications over the years that have tried to emulate what we do that haven’t been able to stay the course. It takes a unique skill set to pull off what we do every month! There are many, many funny stories that go along with the first few years at the Crier—some of them we actually couldn’t print in this space—but we will save them for another time. George was invited to leave early on (one of the stories we can’t print) and we lost David to heart failure in January of 2007. Bob continues as publisher (guess you had that figured out) and I celebrated 20 years of being part of the puzzle this last November and have been co-publisher for the last several years. There have been and are many talented writers that we have had the pleasure of printing their work each month. There are also many others that have helped out along the way in the areas of design, ad sales, distribution, etc. that we can’t thank enough. However, we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for our advertisers and our readers— for all of
Old Town Crier
whom we are forever grateful. I don’t think many of our readers and advertisers realize just how “regional” the Crier has become over the years. Not only are we a good print piece but we have an exceptional website/blog and are slowly but surely getting our Facebook “likes” built up every month. Much of the content that follows is taken from the background information piece I wrote when I first became part of the publication; it puts what we do into a few words. The quote at the end of this column also appears on the information piece. “The Old Town Crier was established in January of 1988 as “Alexandria ‘s Finest Newsmagazine.” Immediately embraced by the community, the Crier has continued to evolve and grow over Dave Underwood and Bob Tagert, crica 1998
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge January 1988 to Today the years and we are now known as the publication that literally reaches “From the Bay to the Blue Ridge.” The Crier began as the only community magazine in Alexandria, dedicated solely to promoting the lifestyles of Old Town. The format worked so well in Alexandria that we started expanding our coverage almost 21 years ago to include Ann Arundel, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland; and Middleburg, Fredericksburg, Warrenton, Culpeper in Virginia. Also, Georgetown, D.C. and points in between including National Harbor. The demographics of these areas exceed the national average in level of income—earned and disposable; discretionary income; mobility; education and cost of housing. Each one of these areas are a destination place in their own right, but moreover, the movement of individuals between these areas is quite active. The magazine fast became one of the most popular sources of information for people traveling to and from these areas. The Old Town Crier is distributed monthly to over 450 outlets including restaurants, retail establishments,
Lani Gering and Bob in 2014
hotels and visitor centers in all of the communities listed above; as well as several residential communities in Alexandria. Currently, our readership is well over 75,000 and growing!” “Early to bed adn early to rise, Work like hell and advertise.”
-Ted Turner’s secret to success January 2015 | 5
FINANCIAL FOCUS carl m.trevisan, cfp© & stephen m. bearce
Strong Dollar, Weak Dollar
Y
ou may have heard news reports about the decline or strength of the U.S. dollar. Your reaction? Likely a yawn. But the truth is that the value of the dollar has ripple effects throughout the economy, ultimately affecting your day-to-day finances as well as your investments.
Making Sense of the Exchange Rate
What does it mean when the value of the U.S. dollar has declined or increased? In plain English, it refers to the amount of money you get when you exchange a dollar for another country's currency. When the dollar rises, you get more bang for your buck. When it declines, the opposite occurs. If you have traveled abroad, you've experienced the effect firsthand. If the dollar is weak vis-à-vis other currencies, it costs you more when visiting another country because you
What it means for you
won't receive as much of the foreign currency when you exchange your dollars. Here at home, the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar affects you both in the interest rate you are charged for loans and in everyday purchases. Think about the car you drive, the clothes you wear, your cell phone, or computer. Chances are many of these items are produced and imported from abroad. So the price you pay for these goods is going to depend on the value of the dollar. When the dollar is strong, prices of consumer goods tend to be stable and/or increase more slowly. When the dollar is weak, prices may increase. Higher consumer prices also can lead to inflation and higher interest rates, which can affect the rate you'll be charged for a mortgage or car loan.
What About Your Investments?
As more individuals
Coleman Law Group Attorneys at Law Serving Virginia and DC for over 20 years (703) 739-4200 coleman-lawyers.com 602 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314
“
invest overseas as a way to stay adequately diversified and to potentially benefit from enhanced portfolio performance, currency risk is becoming a major factor to consider.1,2 For a U.S. investor, a currency gain or loss stems from a fall or rise in the value of the dollar against the currency in which the investment is made: a fall in the value of the dollar relative to the local currency will increase your return; a rise in the dollar will lower your return. Currency fluctuations arise from a number of factors, including the relative economic strength of each country and local political conditions. There are also indirect influences on exchange rates, such as trade balances, which can result in adverse movements of exchange rates and equity prices.
Managing Currency Risk
Portfolio managers use three basic approaches to manage currency risks. The first approach is not to hedge at all, assuming that currency fluctuations will wash out over a period of time; the second approach is to hedge fully, which may reduce the volatility of the portfolio. The third approach is to actively manage hedging, choosing when and how much to hedge. This approach is gaining popularity; most investment firms now offer some kind
For a U.S. investor, a currency gain or loss stems from a fall or rise in the value of the dollar in which the investment is made.
of currency service, and some firms with substantial international investments even appoint a separate manager to handle currency as a distinct asset class. Currency fluctuations are a fact of your financial life. This article offers only an outline; it is not a definitive guide to all possible consequences and implications of any specific investment strategy. For this reason, be sure to seek advice from knowledgeable financial professionals. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications or its sources, neither S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers or others use of the content. © 2014 S&P Capital IQ
Financial Communications. All rights reserved. This column is provided through the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community, and is brought to you by Carl M. Trevisan, a local member of FPA and Stephen M. Bearce. McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC and their employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any tax-related statements are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, by any such taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Taxbased statements, if any, may have been written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the transaction (s) or matter(s) addressed by these materials, to the extent allowed by applicable law. Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayers particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Securities offered by McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and investment advisory services offered by McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC.
1Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of currency investments. Foreign investments may entail greater risks than domestic investments due to currency exchange rates; political, diplomatic, or economic conditions; and regulatory requirements in other countries. Financial reporting standards in foreign countries typically are not as strict as in the United States, and there may be less public information available about foreign companies. These risks can increase the potential for losses. 2Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments, including political and economic risks and the risk of currency fluctuations, and may not be suitable for all investors.
6 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
Poet Robert Burns and ‘Auld Lang Syne’
“A
uld Lang Syne” has become a well-known and well-loved song in all English-speaking lands. Many people, if asked, would call it a Scottish folk song, and it is true that the melody may originally have been a folk tune. The words, however, were written by Scotland’s famous poet, Robert Burns, who lived from 1759 to 1796. He wrote this particular poem about 1788, using in its five stanzas a goodly measure of Scottish dialect. The title words mean, literally, “old long since” or, colloquially, “the good old days.” The phrase “auld lang syne” appears at the end of each verse and in three of the four lines of the chorus, as well as in the title. Other dialect words are sometimes altered in modern versions of the song to make them more easily understood. It is believed that the words and music first appeared together in published form in the Scots Musical Museum in 1796. The melody is also known as “The Miller’s Wedding” and it was possibly in this form that Robert Burns first heard it. But it is a melody that is sometimes credited to
composer William Shield, who used it, or something very similar to it, in his opera Rosina, presented at the London Covent Garden Opera House in 1783. It appeared in the overture to the opera and was played so that it imitated the sound of Scottish bagpipes. Regardless of origin, the tune with the Burns words quickly became a famous song and before long was popular as the last song to be sung when an evening party broke up. The ritual developed that the group stood up in a circle, each one crossing his arms in front of his chest and clasping his neighbors’ hands to left and right. While singing, all arms were swung forward and back in time with the music. Still often sung at parties, picnics, around campfires, “Auld Lang Syne” is most often sung at New Year’s parties when the old year dies at midnight and the new year is ushered in. England and Scotland both claim the song, and the U.S. has certainly adopted it as its own also.
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824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm
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PERSONALITY PROFILE FROM PAGE 4
few years some of the band members missed home so the band broke up and Jimmy moved to Myrtle Beach and embarked on a 10-year career at Crocodile Rocks. Liking the area, Jimmy bought a home in Myrtle Beach which he maintains today. Ronnie grew up across the river in Clinton, Maryland where he attended Surrattsville High School. His dad played the organ in a band called the Tin Suit Band. At age 8 Ronnie learned to play his dad’s organ. Tin Suit played at Chasons and later Joe Theismann’s in Camp Springs, Maryland. A few years later Ronnie would begin his stage career by sitting in with the band. In high school Ronnie had his own band called The Midnight Special from 1987 to 1990 and graduated in 1989. In 1994 he moved to Nashville “where all the action was”. “I made the rounds of all the clubs and recording studios. There seemed to be someone playing on every street corner and every bar. There were some crazy people back then, and I was finding gigs playing keyboards. I was with a band and we were on a flight to play somewhere and one of the band members produced a gun on the plane. This was a turning point for me…time to move on,” Ronnie tells me. Ronnie also moved to Myrtle Beach where he met Jimmy, Tattoo and Danny Old Town Crier
who are all still friends today. Crocodile Rocks was, and still is, the premier dueling pianos location and all four were playing nightly. This brings us back to Maryland. Bob Hanson, owner of Bobby McKey’s, went to Myrtle Beach and talked with Jimmy about moving his act north. With a chance to get in on the ground floor of a brand new club, Jimmy jumped at the chance. Grabbing some of his buddies, they brought their act to Maryland. That was a little over 7 years ago. Tattoo is now playing in Pennsylvania but the others are rocking McKey’s. When I interviewed Jimmy, he wasn’t able to sing because he had recently bruised his vocal chord from singing too much…he had to rest. Ronnie was still fighting a cold that was two months old. As they said, “This is not just piano playing, it is a workout. No matter what, the show must go on.” To me, Bobby McKeys is a place to go to have a great time and get away from the real world. These guys are very talented and can sing just about anything, and sing it well. These are two personalities that you don’t want to miss! Bobby McKey’s is located on Fleet Street in National Harbor, just 7 minutes from Old Town.
January 2015 | 7
a bit of history sarah becker
The Telegraph: What Hath God Wrought
Andrew Carnegie
Samuel Morse
amuel F.B. Morse, an artist turned inventor, invented the electromagnetic telegraph. When Congress denied his application to paint a historical mural in the Capitol rotunda, Morse completed the last of his paintings and devoted himself to the study of un-modulated electrical impulses. Morse’s interest in telegraphy began in 1832, ten years after he exhibited “his first great” painting The House of Representatives. Only the Panic of 1837 slowed Morse’s success. On May 24, 1844 Morse sent a telegraph, via above ground wire, from the US Capitol’s Supreme Court chamber to the B&O Railroad depot in Baltimore. Partner Alfred Vail was on site in Baltimore and replied. “It gives us much pleasure to be able to state that the construction of the experimental Telegraph between Washington and [Baltimore] has been…completed,” the Baltimore
American reported. “Several messages were conveyed backwards and forward in an incredibly short space of time… If…the work is to be judged by the results so far, the success of MORSE’s experiment…will, indeed, be almost a total annihilation of time and space.” In 1845 Morse’s Magnetic Telegraph Company formed and, soon after, his wire telegraph extended from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore to Philadelphia and New York. Alexandria’s Telegraph Road follows the extended 1847 line, the country’s second oldest line from Washington, D.C. to Petersburg, Virginia and beyond [Marker E62]. “The Common Council of Alexandria grant[s] the proprietors of Morse’s Telegraph Co. the right to extend the line through such streets of the city as may be approved by the city and that such posts may be placed at such points which will not cause obstructions to the free and convenient passage of the streets and that such posts shall be neatly kept,”
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8 | January 2015
The Alexandria Gazette wrote in 1846. “A proper telegraph station shall be established, kept and served….” Prior to the telegraph, relay communication was visual. Napoleon for example relied on optical signaling, semaphores or flags. Morse’s wire telegraph was new technology, revolutionary technology destined to cross the Atlantic. “Extras, containing the news, were published almost simultaneously in New York, Boston, Albany, Rochester, Utica, Philadelphia and Baltimore….,” The Alexandria Gazette reported in October 1846. The Associated Press, a pooled venture, took root in 1848. By 1850, 20 US companies had strung approximately 12,000 miles of telegraph line. Morse’s technology transformation was well underway as were legal proceedings against him. [Henry V. O’Reilly v. Samuel F.D. Morse] In 1854 the US Supreme Court sided with Morse. He had “Improved the Mode of Communicating Information by Signals by Application of Electromagnetism” [Patent #1647]. Royalty payments were due and the prosperity was his. Morse’s more monopolistic claims were not considered. Morse’s Magnetic Telegraph Company combined with the American Telegraph Company in 1859, the same year a solar eruption “made it…impossible to communicate” by telegraph. Known as the Carrington Event, white-light solar flares caused a major coronal mass ejection (CME)—a large eruption of magnetic plasma—to travel quickly to Earth. It was, and still is, the biggest solar storm ever recorded. “The late brilliant display of the Aurora…effected the telegraph wires,” The Alexandria Gazette reported. “For the best part of two hours the wires were watched and not only were the batteries temporarily neutralized, sometimes partially and sometimes
wholly, but powerful currents were developed where there were no batteries….” America’s electrical grid was, and still is, subject to attack. The telegraph was transcontinental by October 1861. Miles of wire were visible, but only 10% of it was located within the southern Confederacy. Shortly after the April 12th Confederate attack on Ft. Sumter President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to unite in military service. Troop transportation north to south, New England to the nation’s capital was difficult: especially given Virginia’ April 17 Secession Ordinance, the status of the Harper’s Ferry federal armory, and the outcome of the April 19 Baltimore riots. On April 18, 1861 Harper’s Ferry unwillingly went the way of the Confederacy; “Ashby’s calvary…cut the telegraph lines to Baltimore and Washington.” Baltimore itself was “a powder tub ready for a match.” The federal government moved fast to restore broken rail and telegraph lines. The Pennsylvania Railroad, at Secretary of War Simon Cameron’s request, sent Thomas A. Scott to Washington to assist. Scott, in turn, asked Andrew Carnegie, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Pittsburgh division, to join him as an “assistant in charge of the military railroads and telegraphs of the Government.” Carnegie, a 25 year-old Scottish immigrant, earned $1500 annually. Income from scraped together investments was extra. Carnegie’s assignment: the safe passage of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and other volunteer troops to the federal city. “Transporting soldiers and armaments along the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks the 170 miles to Harrisburg [Pennsylvania] was the easy part; moving them the next 70 miles to Baltimore [Maryland] and then the final 40 miles to Washington [D.C.] A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 42
Old Town Crier
civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN
Red, Gray and Blue: American Indians in the Civil War
A
lot of people think that the Civil War ended in April of 1865, when Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Not so — the last fight in the East was at Waynesville, North Carolina on May 6, 1865. West of the Mississippi, the battle of Palmito Ranch on May 12th is often considered to be the last engagement of the war. The very last Confederate command, that of Brigadier General Stand Watie, fought at Palmito Ranch, but did not lay down its arms until June 23rd, 1865, more than two months after Appomattox. The common thread among these last engagements: the Confederate troops were largely Native American. Even at Appomattox, the terms of surrender were drafted by Grant’s adjutant Ely Parker, a Seneca, who with Stand Watie was one of two Indians to attain the rank of general. At the McLean house, Lee shook his hand and said, “I am glad to see one real American here”, to which a conciliatory Parker replied, “We are all Americans.” The Indians at Waynesville were North Carolina Cherokees commanded by William Holland Thomas, who had been adopted by the Cherokees as a boy and went on to become a chief of the Eastern Cherokees. As an attorney, he negotiated with the Federal government to prevent their removal to Oklahoma. In September of 1862, he raised Thomas’ Legion of Cherokee Indians and Highlanders, a “legion” being an independent command with its own infantry, cavalry and artillery. For most of the war, the Legion defended southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee. In its first engagement, a popular Cherokee lieutenant was killed; enraged Cherokees retaliated by scalping dead or wounded Yankees. Thomas returned the scalps in a bag with his Old Town Crier
apologies. This was not the only time scalps were taken by the Confederacy – at the battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas; Cherokees scalped and killed Federal wounded; the Federals promised no quarter to Confederate Cherokees in the future. Shortly afterward, the Confederate commander complained that Germans of Sigel’s command had executed surrendering Confederates; Sigel did not deny it and reminded his counterpart of the scalping and mutilations by the Cherokees at Pea ridge. On their way to fight Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley in October of 1864, the approach of Thomas’ Legion interrupted Champ Ferguson’s systematic killings of Federal wounded after Saltville; Thomas and his next in command, James Love, were known to be honorable men who would not condone the partisan’s murders. The Legion joined Early’s command and participated in the battle of Cedar Creek on October 19th. The Legion returned to the mountains of North Carolina to carry on guerilla warfare once it became apparent that the Shenandoah Valley was lost. Mustering fewer than 100 in early 1865, Thomas managed to resurrect his command with 1200 recruits, of which about a third were Cherokees. The Legion’s final accomplishment was perhaps its finest - winning the last fight in the East, in their home town, and with style. Thomas and most of his legionnaires were from Waynesville, North Carolina, a town named after “Mad Anthony” Wayne and founded by Robert Love, Thomas’ father-in-law. Thus, when the area was raided by a detachment of Unionist North Carolina mounted infantry on May 6, 1865, the Legion responded with special fury. Outnumbered four to one, the Confederates hit their opponents with a sharp volley, then scattered them with one of
the war’s few documented bayonet charges. The routed Unionists took refuge inside the town. That night, the Confederates built hundreds of campfires on the surrounding ridges to hint that some horse thieves and arsonists were about to have an even worse tomorrow. The Cherokees performed blood-curdling war chants, making for a sleepless night for those trapped in the town. In the mountains of North Carolina, the partisan war was particularly ugly and atrocities were not uncommon. The troops who had been busy burning out their fellow Tar Heels the day before probably had heard about the Legion’s Cherokees scalping Yankees. The next morning, the Confederate commander rode into Waynesville to negotiate the surrender of the trapped Federals. Learning that Joe Johnson had surrendered to Sherman, he instead surrendered to the relieved Unionists, one imagines on pretty favorable terms. The Western Cherokees also backed the Confederacy, though not at first. Their principal chief John Ross counseled neutrality, but succumbed to pressure to sign a treaty with the Confederacy. He was sidelined when captured and interned by Federal troops. He was succeeded by Stand Watie, a Confederate loyalist, who raised levies of Cherokee troops, including two regiments of cavalry. These troops served with the 1st Choctaw and Chickasaw Mounted Rifles and 1st Creek Regiment. They were described by their white commander as “entirely undisciplined, mounted chiefly on ponies, and armed very indifferently with common rifles and shotguns”. But they showed up, and they fought, even though Indians would not become citizens until 1924, while former slaves were affirmed as citizens in 1868. Of course not all Indians fought for the Confederacy. Here in Virginia, the Pumunkeys and Powhatans
served as river pilots and spies for the invaders. In eastern North Carolina, the Lumbees were conscripted to build Fort Fisher near Wilmington. Many objected and hid out in the swamps to avoid service. Most famous of these were the Lowrie brothers, who formed the Lowrie gang of guerillas or outlaws, depending upon one’s point of view. They committed robberies and murders throughout the war and well into Reconstruction, the effort to capture the gang being called the “Lowry war.” Some Indians fought in the Union ranks under the category of United States Colored Troops. Early in the war sachem Ely Parker had attempted to raise a regiment of Iroquois, but his offer was rejected by the governor of New York; initially he could not himself enlist, even though he was an experienced engineer. But in some cases the Indians were integrated into white regiments, such as the famous Company K of the Michigan Sharpshooters. They performed well, capturing around 600 Confederates in CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 42
January 2015 | 9
HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON
top14 of 2014 W
slump altogether with this concept album about the pitfalls of the modern consumer world. “Are You What You Want To Be” channels Fela Kuti while “Ask Yourself ” features an easily-relatable lyric and a killer bass line.
Young The Giant: Mind Over Matter
If you ever wondered what U2 might sound like 30 years from now, the answer might lie in the grooves of this album, the fourth offering from Future Islands, easily the best synth-pop album to come since the early 80s. “Seasons” was the big single from this album but “Sun In The Morning” is the song that was a staple of my summer this year.
ell, well, well….here we are at the tail end of another fantastic year in music. I listened to over 500 albums while compiling this list and the vast majority of them are superb, so this list is far from complete. But these are the albums that, for one reason or another, totally blew me away this year. So, without further adieu…
On their second album, Young The Giant tightens the arrangements and slickens the production, delivering a record akin to Genesis’ Selling England By The Pound as performed by Biffy Clyro. Which is about as great a compliment as I can give. “Anagram” is totally where it’s at, but the rest of the album is pretty awesome too.
First Aid Kit: Stay Gold
The third album from this Swedish indie folk duo is a highly personal affair that find these sisters mining the sounds of 70s country and spaghetti western as much as the sound of the 60s folk troubadours, the writing just as sweet as their harmonies. The opener, “Silver Lining”, sets this album up perfectly while the title track could not be more addictive.
Ryan Adams: Ryan Adams
My generation’s most prolific songwriter produces himself and comes out with one of his best albums yet. There is a strong sense of homage on this record, from the Bryan Adams-inspired album cover to the Tom Petty vibe of songs like “Gimme Something Good” and “Am I Safe”, but it also feels like one of Ryan’s most honest offerings.
Foster The People: Supermodel
Mark Foster & company manages to transcend the debut-hit-single curse and avoid the sophomore 10 | January 2015
Future Islands: Singles
The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger: Midnight Sun
Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp lay down their full-length debut, a mesmerizing slice of psychedelia that blends everything from Krautrock to Brooklyn Hipster to chamber pop to Revolver-era Beatles, with a nice dose of freak-folk thrown in. One of the most clever and refreshing releases of the year.
Sam Roberts Band: Lo-Fantasy
For album number five, Sam Roberts Band delivers a set of groovin’ tunes that are just as tasty in the car as on the dance floor. As with all their albums, there are no bad songs here, but anthems like “Shapeshifters”, “Angola”, and the fist-pumping single, “We’re All In This Together” make this album unforgettable.
Pendragon: Men Who Climb Mountains
Something changed with Pendragon during the last decade, taking a darker and more serious turn, resulting in dystopian masterpieces such as Pure (2008) and Passion (2011). The guitars got heavier, the arrangements more dense, but the hooks also got stronger. Their latest offering continues that progression, featuring the exquisite “Beautiful Soul” HIGH NOTES > PAGE 11
Old Town Crier
AFTER AFTER HOURS HOURS
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Las Tapas 703.836.4000 710-714 King St. lastapas.us
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The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. thelighthorserestaurant.com
Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442
Morrison House 703.838.8000 116 South Alfred St.
Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com
The Fish Market 703.836.5676 105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com Flying Fish 703.600.FISH 815 King St. flyingfishdc.com
Joan As Police Woman: The Classic
On her fifth solo album, Joan Wasser evokes the sound and spirit of vintage Carole King and other blue-eyed-soul girls and does it with such style as to render Adele pretty much moot. The opening trinity of “Witness”, “Holy City”, and the doo-wop-inspired title track is just about as good as music ever gets.
Anathema: Distant Satellites
25 years on, Anathema continues to be more creative and vital as ever. Their eleventh album features all the majesty they’re known for, while pushing the envelope ever forward, especially on the electro-tinged title track. The three-part Old Town Crier
TJ Stones 703.548.1004 608 Montgomery St. tjstones.com Trattoria da Franco 703-548-9338 305 S. Washington St. Two Nineteen 703.549.1141 219 King St.
These establishments offer live entertainment. Call to confirm show times, dates and cover charges. Check our advertisers’ websites.
Red Wanting Blue: Little America
Vocalist/songwriter Jon Davison makes his debut, continuing to prove that everyone in this band (save for Chris Squire) is expendable. Mini-epics like “Believe Again”, “Light Of The Ages” and “Subway Walls” sit alongside concise numbers that push the band into wild new directions, such as the slippery “In A World Of Our Own”, the folk-tinged “To Ascend”, and “The Game”, one of my favorite singles of the year.
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La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St.
Sloan: Commonwealth
Yes: Heaven And Earth
St. Elmos 703.739.9268 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com
and the epic “Come Home Jack”. The ever-democratic Sloan takes the next logical step on their 11th album, giving each member of the band one side of the doublealbum to do as he would. The result is four near-flawless mini-albums, featuring some of the band’s strongest material yet.
Rock It Grill 703.739.2274 1319 King St.
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King Street Blues 703.836.8800 112 N. St. Asaph St.
“The Lost Song” is classic Anathema, as is the slow build of their namesake song, “Anathema”.
HIGH NOTES FROM PG 10
OConnells 703.739.1124 112 King St.
Austin Grill & Tequila Bar 703.836.8969 801 King St.
These heartland rockers deliver their tenth studio album, a brilliant slice of gritty, soulful country rock and bubbly Americana pop and continue to prove that they are a band worth seeking out. “Dumb Love” is one of my new favorite songs, and “The Rest Of Our Lives” is a brilliant anthem for keepin’ on.
U2: Songs Of Innocence
At the tail end of the summer, U2 surprised the world, and infuriated much of it as well, with the surprise release of their eleventh studio album. Revisiting their roots, while ever looking forward, songs like “Every Breaking Wave” and “Raised By Wolves” prove that U2 still have it. That is just the tip of the iceberg. 2014 also featured outstanding releases by Phish, Novastar, Motorpsycho, Ex Hex, Ani Difranco, Black Prairie, Augustines, moe., Beck, Leonard Cohen, Honeyblood, String Cheese Incident, Old 97’s, two fantastic albums by Prince, a late period Smashing Pumpkins masterpiece, and solid sets from Syd Arthur, Hamilton Leithauser, Black Sumbarine, Crippled Black Phoenix, Delta Spirit, Drive-By Truckers, Hey Rosetta, IQ, Robert Plant, The Church, The Strypes, The Wilderness Of Manitoba, Umphrey’s McGee, Pink Floyd and too many more to name. Hats off to a stellar 2014. Here’s to an even brighter 2015!
January 2015 | 11
THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER
All the Light We Cannot See “In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” − Francis Bacon
L
ight and shadow wage war, trade places, and occupy ambiguous spaces in Anthony Doerr’s admirable and fast-moving recent novel All the Light We Cannot See. Set in the period between Europe’s Great War and Hitler’s fulfillment of World War II, it gives ultimate homage to those who cherish knowledge and science in the face of blind hatred, warmongering, and looting in
the name of empire-building. They included a young blind girl whose beloved father is the locksmith at the French National Museum of Natural History in Paris, and a scientifically brilliant orphan growing up in a Weimarera Children’s Home in a depressed German coalmining region. Marie-Laure LeBlanc is six when she loses her eyesight,
CaribBean Mystery and intrigue
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12 | January 2015
but her father ensures her scientific education through familiarizing her with all parts of the museum. She learns through her heightened other senses about collections of fossilized fish, insects, bark, flamingo feathers, stones, and light bulbs. A mollusk expert tells her about visiting coral reefs and lets her hold seashells from all over the world. She is very bright, absorbing all the natural world has to offer her, with her papa’s loving guidance and help. He builds a miniature model of their neighborhood, which she fingers, learning her environment through touch and imagination. In pushing her to find her way through the neighborhood with her cane, he offers her the gift of confidence and independence. She dreams in color, assigning hues to the energies and objects she feels around her. Werner Pfennig and his artistic sister Jutta are each other’s best friends, living at the orphanage in Essen, Germany, a coal-mining city where their parents died. Brought up with others by a loving but frazzled matron, Frau Elena, the eight-yearold Werner explores the dirty trash heaps and industrial horizons of Zollverein Coal Complex on his own and with his six-year-old sister. Upon finding a primitive broken radio in the trash, Werner figures out a way to coax from it a stream of consonants and vowels, strings and pianos and woodwinds. Like a modern magician he quickly tunes in far-off exotic cities, and he and his sister find a fascinating science and broadcast by an older gentleman speaking French, as interesting to them as Carl Sagan’s Cosmos was in real life for children watching in the 1970s and 1980s. The increasing signs of German bellicosity that taint future
members of the Hitler Youth in the orphanage dampen Werner’s natural brilliance and desire to be a famous engineer. Also he knows that his fate, as an orphan, is to go down into the mines at age 15. Throughout the novel Doerr shows the brutality and senselessness of twentiethcentury war in warping modern scientific progress and the human capacity for knowledge. War has the force to explode not only routine but also spit shrapnel into the best-laid plans. When Werner successfully fixes the radio of an important member of the Third Reich, he is offered an escape from the drudgery of mining through the incipient war. He gladly takes the chance to go to a severe, elite school that will train him as a technical radio expert. In doing so, he does not know that his future is already sealed and tainted by his world’s brutal and single-minded interests in domination and destruction. A locksmith, Marie-Laure’s father makes her puzzle boxes, intricate hiding places for fanciful objects that he gives her on birthdays. His museum asks him to make such a hiding place for a mineral belonging to the museum, a gorgeous diamond called the Sea of Flames that has legends surrounding it. One states that anyone who possesses the diamond cannot be killed, but their friends and relatives will experience severe misfortune. As rumors spread that the Nazis are coming, Monsieur LeBlanc is given one of four copies of the stone, so that none of them can steal it or know who has the real object. Rumor also has it that if the stone is thrown into the sea, it will cease to have power over the possessor. The imaginative and sweetnatured Werner leaves his sister behind, ignoring her plain sighted disgust for the
Nazis’ smoke and mirrors. He goes to school to join the German military and fulfill his plans of being a famous engineer after the war. After the Germans invade Paris, Marie-Laure and her father flee Paris by foot, finding their way eventually to the medieval walled city of SaintMalo in Brittany, where the sea laps against the city walls. There they hide with Monsieur LeBlanc’s greatuncle Etienne, so scarred by the Great War that he has refused to leave his six-story house for years. Marie-Laure’s father builds yet another tiny neighborhood to scale, leaving one part a puzzle box containing what may be a priceless treasure. As the war explodes around Werner, the radio expert, and Marie-Laure, the naturalist who loves reading her Braille copies of Jules Verne adventure books, light still connects them both—the light of pure learning, and the web of connection between them based on MarieLaure’s grandfather’s science broadcasts, which Werner heard as a young boy. They are destined to cross paths in their separate stories of waging war and resisting it. In a modern world of ethical darkness, MarieLaure and Werner are the light, despite his unwanted commission to find and destroy those using radio broadcasts that unite partisans and resistance movements. Doerr’s story defies those who would use technology to destroy humanity, even as mid-century scientists created an atom bomb that created hell on earth for hundreds of thousands of people. He celebrates the ineffable beauty of nature, visible and invisible, and scientific achievement, along with the redemption that comes from loving those who educate you, inspire you, and bring you joy. Old Town Crier
URBAN GARDEN
Brighten Your Winter Garden with Colorful Berries
J
ust because the trees are bare and there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean that your garden has to become a winter wasteland. A well-planned garden will provide year-round interest and visual treats. Many evergreens and hardy ornamental grasses can be quite stunning in the colder months. But perhaps nothing can compare to the vibrant color of berries during the winter. Berry palates range from bright red to yellow to pale blue and white, so there is something sure to please your eye. Many berries will also attract a variety of birds to your garden. Here are a few suggestions for hardy berrybearing beauties that can provide a bit of pizzazz to the drab winter landscape. American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) Berry: Red Height: 10 to 12 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub bears clusters of white flowers in the spring. Some cultivars produce yellow berries. The European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus) has similar properties. American Holly (Ilex opaca) Berry: Red Height: 20 to 25 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 5 Partial Sun Notes: This evergreen tree bears small white flowers in the spring. It has many cultivars, such as “Xanthocarpa,” which bears golden-yellow berries. Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) Berry: Bluish-Black Height: 6 to10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub bears clusters of dark berries that are very popular with birds and bears clusters of small white flowers in the spring.
Old Town Crier
Tea Viburnum (Viburnum setigerum) Berry: Bright Red Height: 8 to10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 5 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub bears clusters of red berries in the fall and clusters of small white flowers in the spring.
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Berry: Dark Purple Height: 4 to 6 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 4 Partial to Full Sun Notes: The berries of the “Autumn Magic” cultivar last an especially long time into the winter. Although the Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) bears attractive red berries, it is considered invasive in many areas and should be avoided.
Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus) Berry: Red Height: 1 to 3 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 4 Partial to Full Sun Notes: Great for ground cover, this shrub bears tiny pink flowers in the spring. Other low-growing cotoneasters include Bearberry Cotoneaster (C. dammeri) and Rockspray Cotoneaster (C. horizontalis).
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) Berry: White Height: 3 to 5 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Full Shade to Full Sun Notes: This hardy shrub grows well in shade as well as sun and tolerates almost every soil type.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Berry: Powdery Periwinkle Blue Height: 40 to 50 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Full Sun Notes: The female trees bear these lovely berries (they are actually cones that look like berries) which are very popular with the birds.
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) Berry: Reddish-Purple Height: 3 to 5 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Full Shade to Full Sun Notes: Like Snowberry, this shrub likes shade as well as sun and is very easy to grow. It is also know as Indian Currant.
Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) Berry: Pale Blue-Gray Height: 4 to 10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub is extremely hardy and easy to grow in most conditions. It is also salt tolerant.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) Berry: Red or Yellow Height: 8 to 10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: Birds love these berries, so there is a risk that the berries will all be eaten before the winter is over. If you love having birds in your garden, however, this will do the trick. Winter King Hawthorne (Crataegus viridis) Berry: Bright Red Height: 20 to 30 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 4 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This tree bears clusters off white flowers in the spring. The Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) has similar properties to the Winter King. This list, of course, is just meant to get you started. There are many more varieties of berry and winter fruit bearing plants. Many roses, for example, will develop colorful rose hips if the faded blooms are not pruned back. Likewise, some flowering plants, such as clematis, produce beautiful seed heads that can add interest to your garden through the winter months. The important thing to keep in mind is that winter does not have to mean dreary. With a little bit of planning berries can bring color and vibrancy to the winter garden and give you (and the birds) something to enjoy during the cold weather months. For garden tips of all kinds, log on to www.helpfulgardner.com January 2015 | 13
GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
Diary of An Art Fair
N
ow that the Miami Art fairs are done, I thought that it may be interesting to have you constant readers take an intimate look at my journal as I describe the events of our participation (via Alida Anderson Art Projects) at Context Art Miami — one of the top art fairs during that hectic first week of December!
Monday
Today it was the typical brutal day as we unloaded and started setting up at Context Art Miami in Wynwood. After trolling around for a while looking for a parking spot, we found a Doris Day parking spot nearby the loading docks for the fair (a Doris Day parking spot is like in the movies, where the main actor always finds a parking spot right in front of wherever he/she is going). The place was a beehive of workers delivering crates, European gallerists walking back and forth barking worried orders on their cell phones, cleaning crews on a constant battle to keep the place clean, Haitian day 14 | January 2015
workers hanging around hoping for a job, security checking badges and asking for wrist bands, and the savage art sounds of hammers banging and drills drilling and the random and heartbreaking sound of glass breaking somewhere. Hundreds of trips later we had taken most of the art out of the van with only one casualty — this is the brutal part of driving your work down instead of having it shipped and delivered to your booth. Ran into the DMV's Andrea Pollan and then Calder Brannock; both are working the fairs. After a ten hour day we are 90 percent finished … all the work for opening night is hung, and almost all labeled; all the electronics are working, and Simon Monk, Dulce Pinzon and me are on the walls and Audrey Wilson and Elissa Farrow-Savos are on the floor. The VIP Preview is tomorrow. The fair opens on Wednesday.
Tuesday
In typical Floridian puzzle-weather, it was very rainy up in Hollywood
Beach, which is where we are staying as we have for the last few years. A few blocks south, the sun was bright and fully ready to endorse the VIP opening at Context Art Miami. Once we got to Wynwood, we dropped off a piece for a special exhibit that the Art Miami folks had arranged with the local Marriott hotel. It was a delicate dance of driving in the serpentine challenges presented by Maimi drivers, but we installed the piece (a wonderful sculpture by Elissa Farrow-Savos) and headed back to Wynwood. We finished off labeling the work, which brings to mind the interesting tidbit that just a handful of years ago, one seldom saw any labels at art shows or art fairs. It was as if all curators and gallerists in the upper artsmosphere of the art world that made a decision to endorse David Parnas' information hiding principle. Today, it is the opposite, as delivering as much information about the work seems to be the trend. We've always used labels … just sayin'. I rushed through the fair to try to get a flavor for the quality of this year's Context … and my report is that new director Julian Navarro has done a spectacular job: this is by far the best art fair that we've ever been honored to be part of; Context has set new standards this year... more on that later. There were long lines waiting for the 5:30 opening at both Context Art Miami and Art Miami, as I was very impressed how the crowds increased as the evening progressed. The Wynwood district where several of the art fairs are staged is a pretty congested area without the art fairs and unless
you are savvy enough to dance the traffic dance, it can be challenging on the night when everyone wants to go to the art show. In addition to the two best-known Art Miami fairs, there are several satellite fairs in Wynwood which now use Art Miami as the magnet fair, just as all satellite fairs use Art Basel Miami Beach as the magnet fair. Almost immediately DMV artist Audrey Wilson broke the ice and at the same time proved my point about the importance of art fairs for artists. Wilson sold a major piece to a collector who has now bought one of her pieces at Context Art Miami 2013, Wynwood Art Fair 2014 and now Context Art Miami 2014. He also bought one of my drawings, which was nice. It is always good to break the ice on opening night... as the night ended I sold three more of my pieces. Overall I noticed that all the dealers around us seemed to be making sales, and this is a great indication of the hard work that it takes to get a critical number of collectors to an art event. Tomorrow the fair opens to the public.
Wednesday
We arrived a few minutes after the official opening time of 11AM, as did most other dealers (we saw the hardworking Leigh Conner hustling to Art Miami). This is the result of trying to get off the highway to North Miami Avenue... this simple operation seems to be a permanent parking lot at practically any time. Plan for about 15-20 minutes to get from the highway to the fair; traffic is that bad! GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 17
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AMERICAN HERITAGE GALLERY 901 North Columbus St. 703-519-7869
FACTORY PHOTOWORKS 105 N. Union St. 703-683-1501
Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus St. (in the courtyard) 703-962-6266
THE ANTIQUE GUILD 113 N. Fairfax St. 703-836-1048 ARTCRAFT 132 King St. 703-299-6616 ARTS AFIRE GLASS GALLERY 1117 King St. 703-548-1197 THE ATHENAEM 201 Prince St. 703-548-0035 AUBURN ARTS GALLERY 110 South Columbus St. 703-548-1932 BANANA TREE 1223 King St. 703-836-4317 BELGRAVIA FINE ART 411 Cameron St. 703-549-2011 BIRD-IN-THE-CAGE ANTIQUES 110 King St. 703-549-5114
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BROCKETTS ROW ANTIQUES 277 South Washington St. 703-684-0464
GALLERIE LA TAJ 1010 King St. (Gadsby Arcade) 703-549-0508
THE CLASSICAL GALLERY 110 S. Columbus St. 703-836-7736
GALLERY WEST 1213 King St. 703-549-7359
CURZON HILL ANTIQUES 108 S. Columbus St. 703-684-0667
GOSSYPIA 325 Cameron St. 703-836-6969
DIEHL ANTIQUES 614 N. Washington St. 703-706-8191
IMAGINE ARTWEAR 1124 King St. 703-548-1461
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Kellys Art & Frame 510 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 703-549-3313
SPURGEON-LEWIS ANTIQUES 112 N. Columbus St. 703-548-4917 STUDIO ANTIQUES & ART 524 N. Washington St. 703-548-5188 STUDIO BIANCO 220 S. Henry St. 703-299-0662 TIME JUGGLER 411 Cameron St. 703-836-3594
MARIS ELAINE GALLERY 178 Waterfront St. National Harbor 301-686-0323
TORPEDO FACTORY ART CENTER 105 N. Union St. 703-838-4565
MINDFULL HANDS GALLERY 211 King St. 703-683-2074
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visit a museum. January 2015 | 15
POINTS ON PETS ASHLEY DENHAM BUSSE
King Street Cats Adoption Calendar january 2015 For details & MORE INFO website: www.kingstreetcats.org email: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email for our Kitten Fostering FAQ at: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats 25 Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday & Sunday 1:30–4:30 pm Pro Feed Bradlee Shopping Center 3690 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 Every Saturday & Sunday 1–4 pm PETCO UNLEASHED AT PENTAGON ROW 1101 S. Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 Saturday, January 3 Saturday, January 17 Sunday, January 18 1–4 pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, January 3 1–4 pm DOGMA 2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 Sunday, January 11 1–4 pm
16 | January 2015
So…
let’s say you got a puppy or kitten over the holidays. Now what? Positive, consistent training from the get-go is the key to having a pet everyone will want to be around. And training’s not just for dogs, either – cats can learn a lot of good behaviors, too. The basic training rule for both cats and dogs is “Never take good behavior for granted.” What does this mean? It means focus on positive reinforcement. Know in your head the kinds of behaviors you want to see in your pet and then praise and reward him when you see those behaviors. He’ll do more of the good stuff that way! Being educated about proper training will make a world of difference, and are far more important than finding that perfect sparkly collar or toy. As far as when to start training, obviously, with the potty-training you’ll have to begin immediately. For dogs, it’s around 2 to 4 months that they really start to get the joke. But it’s from Day One that you need to be teaching and rewarding the behavior you want and correcting the behavior you don’t want. Never rub your pet’s face in it if your pet has an accident. He won’t understand what you mean and will only begin to have negative feelings about going potty. You want to catch him in the act if at all possible (which is why you need to keep an eye on your puppy at all times if he’s not in his crate), so you can use your correction word (for our dog, we used a loud “Unh-uh” when we caught her in the act) and then immediately move her to where you want her to be going potty. Kittens will start to get the joke about using a litter box at around 4 weeks old (it’s a myth that their mothers teach them from birth). Kittens start to dig in and use dry, loose material at about a month old, which is when you can begin training your kitty to use the litter box. If you catch her having an accident, don’t discipline her; instead, move her immediately to the box. Put her in the litter box often (after eating, after a nap, after playing, or whenever she seems like she needs to go). She’ll catch on fast! The Pets section of WebMD has a great guide to litterbox training; other good resources include Kitten Care and Training: an Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet by Amy Shojai and Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-adjusted Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett. In terms of play, kittens can begin learning early on, so don’t tease or play
Bringing Up Baby games that encourage play-biting unless you’re okay with your adult cat doing the same! Make sure to keep hazards out of her reach because kittens are curious. And if you want your kitty to be sociable, don’t keep her isolated while she’s a kitten; rather, allow her to meet and be handled by a variety of people (ages, appearances, personalities) and reward her with toys and treats. Generally, the more you gently and consistently handle every part of your kitten, the more comfortable she’ll be with it as she grows up. For puppies, a couple of great resources (that, ideally, you’d have and have read before you get your puppy) are two by the Monks of New Skete: The Art of Raising a Puppy and How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog Owners. Cesar Millan, the famous Dog Whisperer, also has a lot of great resources, both online and in print. Here are a few key points you’ll take away from these trainers: Your dog needs – and will look to you to be – a pack leader. While your puppy may be adorable, he needs you to be strong, stable, and consistent. Even when you want to go easy on your puppy because “she’s just an itty-bitty sweet wittle baby!”— you need to be the pack leader, or you’ll end up with a dog whose behavior you hate. As Cesar Millan puts it, “Puppies sense our confidence levels and will take control if they perceive us as weak. When this happens, bad behaviors, such as excessive barking, chewing,
leash-pulling, or anxiety, will develop.” You’ll need to establish yourself as the dominant pack leader from Day One. This simply means to remember that you are the one in control and that you’re in charge. Correct bad behaviors firmly but gently and reward positive behaviors with affection, treats, and praise. We also recommend getting into a Puppy Training Class so that you can practice doing all these things together with a training expert. And make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise, love, attention, and stays current on all his vaccinations and check-ups! Same goes for your kitty, too. Please do the responsible thing by getting your pet fixed when he or she is old enough (8 weeks for kittens; talk to your vet about what she recommends for your dog, as opinions vary on the best time to spay and neuter dogs). And have fun! Remember that you’ve committed to caring for this precious baby for life. Establish good habits now so your pet will always be a joy to have around! Ashley Denham Busse has worked parttime for Doggywalker.com since 2006. Doggywalker.com is a professional petsitting company located in Old Town Alexandria, celebrating more than 13 years of providing daily walks and customized in-home pet care. Visit www.doggywalker. com or email info@doggywalker.com.
Old Town Crier
GALLERY BEAT FROM PAGE 14
Today was a much calmer and slower day than yesterday, with noticeably less young women, slim as rifles (and just as dangerous) confidently walking the aisles of the fair on needle heels and unshaven young studs with shiny hair, otherwise clean as a new stiletto, taking phone pictures of the artwork. The day went fast, with the only novelty being the arrival of a couple of well-known DMV artists, Tim Tate and J.T. Kirkland, as well as a local guerrilla artist paddling his artwork ($20 a painting) while streaking through the fair.
Thursday
The sky fell yesterday, or at least it sounded that way when it started to rain hard, really hard and one is inside one of those gigantic tents where most ABMB art fairs are held. Tents, regardless of size, always leak, so today was an interesting day in the life of a gallerist, as we scrambled to prevent art from getting wet. The City Paper's Christina Cauterucci and Perry Stein were over in Miami Beach and delivered an outstanding report on DMV area galleries and artists at Aqua Art Miami, although somehow they missed the three DC artists being exhibited by Mayer Fine Art. All three of these artists, Judith Peck, Victoria Gaitan and Jeannette Herrera, have been showing in Miami for ABMB for the last few years.
Friday
Friday was packed with people at Context Art Miami, and today I really saw some dealers move art off the walls - most noticeably our neighbor across the hall, a gallery from Colombia who was doing well with some gorgeous work by Colombian artists. We also had our best day so far, selling a nice sculpture by Elissa Farrow-Savos and a very large drawing of mine. Around seven PM, the sounds of helicopters overhead were quite loud, and a little checking revealed that street protesters (some protesting the sad Eric Gardner issue, and others the death a year ago of a local graffitist who died after being tasered by the police) around Wynwood and eventually shut down I-95. Needless to say this caused the area's usual gridlock to become gridlockier. With the aid of some dexterous driving and Google maps we drove through Little Haiti and picked up I-95 north of the closed part and managed to get to our Hollywood hotel with little loss of time.
Saturday
Saturday was so far the best day at Context Art Miami. In fact, in the eight years that I have been doing art fairs, this was the best one day ever. The day started early, as we shifted home base from the beach hotel in Hollywood Beach to Little Havana, in order to be closer to Wynwood for the
crucial last two days of the fair. After dropping the luggage and getting two "colados" to kick start the sleepy systems, and on the way to the fair, a phone call resulted in the sale of six of Dulce Pinzon's amazing work; that's the way to start the day. The crowds at Context were huge; it was actually hard to navigate the halls! We sold work by Simon Monk, multiple pieces by Elissa Farrow-Savos, and several of my drawings, including a major video drawing. It was frenetic selling, with multiple trips to the gallery van to replenish the walls. We also noticed that the dealers around us seemed to be selling well. It is all a question of numbers: Art Miami succeeded in bringing large crowds to the fairs, and this is in direct proportion to the probability of a sale. There were also multiple "wake" events as I call them. They are the potential after-effects of doing an art fair... For example, there are at least two galleries interested in Elissa's work, and one in Audrey Wilson's work and a local Miami gallery in my work. Sunday is the last day; apparently there are more street protests scheduled, so it may get interesting.
Sunday
The street protests yesterday had minimal impact on the fair, and once again good crowds were present. We had another decent day, and sold eight of my drawings, as well as an acquisition of two of my vintage Art
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school stone lithographs by the Museo de Arte Afroamericano in Caracas, Venezuela. All throughout the fair, people have been admiring and taking hundreds of photographs of DMV artist Elissa Farrow-Savos' gorgeous sculptures, and myriads of cards with her name were handed out to the "we'll be back" crowd. Seldom does that happen... The fairs are big and overwhelming... You either get the work when you see it, or forget it... As we were beginning to pack a few minutes after 6pm, a couple did actually come back and purchased the work. As we began to wrap it, a very pretty collector from San Francisco also returned and was a little... Well, actually a lot, saddened to see that the sculpture had been sold. It had clearly made a powerful connection with her. I actually think that she was almost ready to make the new owners an offer for the piece and thus create a new record for the fastest secondary market art turnover in history! She appeared truly bummed out, so I gave her one of my Art School vintage stone lithos as a present and promised to see if the artist would entertain re-creating another version of the work. We were packed and out of there by 8pm, and after a heinous 4am wake up call, I now sit in the plane at oh-dark thirty as I head back to the DMV after a very successful art fair! Back next year!
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January 2015 | 17
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION
photo: Gerald Ragland
JEFFrey R. Mccord
US Virgin Island’s Coral Bay Faces Uncertain Future
V
Home to fisherman, authors, artists, circumnavigators and endangered species
irginia and the Virgin Islands’ close relationship began at the beginning — of Virginia, that is. A bronze plaque in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ capital Charlotte Amalie records that the Jamestown settlers’ first “New World” stop was in St. Thomas where the trade winds and prevailing currents took people sailing from the “Old World.” One hundred and fourteen Englishmen landed there in April, 1607 to recuperate for three days before following the Gulf Stream north to Virginia to found their settlement on the James River on May 14, 1607. Today, many Virginians own homes and vacation in those islands, once known as the Danish West Indies. I divide my time between Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John. Virgin Islands National Park is spread over two-thirds of that relatively undeveloped, mountainous island. In recent years, however, real estate development has posed a recurring threat to environmentally sensitive lands on St. John bordering the Park. Now, pristine Coral Bay and its unique sailing community are threatened by a proposed mega-yacht marina and associated luxury commercial and residential development on-shore. In a Caribbean Sea increasingly dominated by cruise ships, megayachts and boats and facilities catering to them, the residents of one unspoiled US Virgin Island harbor stand tall as a main mast for traditional sea and conservation values generation after 18 | January 2015
generation. Since the early 1970s, live aboard sailors in St. John’s Coral Harbor have helped preserve the unique character of the sleepy historic village surrounding the 18th century Moravian Mission founded during Danish colonial days. Although small restaurants and bars serve sailors and tourists alike, Coral Harbor businesses continue to share the land with wandering sheep and playful semiwild donkeys loved by residents and visitors. Right off-shore, a handful of live aboard sailboat families continue to help shape St. John’s economy, while raising and sending young professionals off to the U.S. mainland and beyond. Some, of course, come back, forming a new generation of St. Johnians making their lives on the sea. Located in the southeastern corner of the vast Coral Bay, Coral Harbor is home to scores of locally owned sailboats and a handful of power boats snugly secured on private moorings. Like a silent ballet, boats swing in unison with all bows safely facing the prevailing winds and sea swells. Virtually all boats are less than 50 feet in length with the one exception of the tall ship Silver Cloud, the 114 year-old pride of the Coral Bay Yacht Club. Elliot Hooper, captain of that 100 foot steel schooner arrived in Coral Harbor on September 16, 1989 – just one day before Hurricane Hugo hit the USVI hard. He and a small crew had sailed her down from the Florida Keys without benefit of radar. As they
passed Puerto Rico, they noticed all the sport fishing boats and small craft heading back to ports. When he arrived in Coral Harbor, Captain Hooper learned why. Although the Silver Cloud held firm to her anchors as Hugo passed over the next day, many boats weren’t so lucky. The day after Hugo, Cap Hooper began a continuing career salvaging wrecks and helping rescue boats washed aground in storms. The most dangerous and developed side of Coral Harbor is the western shoreline. It is home to the Island Blues bar, Coccoloba market place and a few other small businesses including an outdoor fish market located at waters edge under the branches and within the buttress-like roots of a giant sea grape tree. Generations of local fishermen have left the harbor daily in small open boats – often shaded and protected from sun, rain and winds by beach umbrellas. Each day, they venture out beyond Coral Bay and empty Le Duc island (a bird sanctuary) to catch tuna, mahi mahi, red snapper and other fish using ancient long-line methods, rather than destructive nets. They return to their moorings near the Sea Grape tree. When Captain Hooper arrived in 1989, Coral Harbor was already home to a handful of notable sailors. Some would become authors, musicians, artists and entrepreneurs. Artist, singer, songwriter and sailor David Wegman arrived in the early 1970s. His double-ended 32 foot wooden
“cow horn” schooner was built on the shores of Coral Bay. With a design derived from 19th century Scandinavian life boats, cow horns are known for safety and durability. Wegman has sailed his African Queen cow horn around the world. And, for most of the year it is moored in Coral Harbor near the taller ship Silver Cloud. With his unique maritime art hanging in homes and galleries from Maine to the French island of St. Barts, Mr. Wegman still calls Coral Bay home. And, some Saturday nights Wegman can be heard singing his own sea chanteys like “Out Where the Busses Don’t Run” sitting on a barrel outside Tall Ship Trading Company – a gathering place for local seamen and visitors. Also in the 1970s, the soon-tobecome famous Jimmy Buffet is rumored to have frequented Coral Harbor. Today, Buffet is refurbishing an old St. Thomas resort near Smith Bay. It was in 1979 that Captain Gary “Fatty” Goodlander, now author of several books and well-known columnist for sailing magazines, arrived in Coral Harbor. At that time, out in the East End of Coral Bay near the home/studio of artist Sloop Jones, Peter Muilenburg was building his sailboat Breath — a gaff rigged, 42-foot “small tall ship” weighing in at 24-tons. The largest boat known to have been built on St. John, the CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 26
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Photography: Rolando Garces
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January 2015 | 19
ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT
2014 a look back
A
s I do every January, my road trip will be a summary of the monthly road trips I took in 2014. The term “road trip” may be a little misleading as the July issue took us to St. John, USVI, one of my favorite places. All of the rest are by car. Last February I wrote about visiting Virginia Wineries during the winter. The reasons that I like to visit the wineries this time of year is because there are far less people in the tasting room which allows for a lot of one-on-one conversations with the owners and wine makers. Most of the wineries are open from Thursday to Monday with some open 7 days a week, while others are by appointment only. The most notable and appreciated aspect of a winter visit to wine country are the many fireplaces, outdoor fire pits and heated patios. Although last winter was incredibly cold, we are still prone to have 50-degree days, which are perfect for a friend, a coat and a Virginia Cab Franc. Also this time of the year you will find that most of the wineries are serving up hot soups, mulled wine, chili and specialty item to ward off the cold as well as live music to keep you entertained. There are also a lot of fine restaurants scattered throughout Virginia wine country as well as cozy Bed and Breakfasts. In March I took a trip to St. Mary’s County and St. George’s Island and the newly renovated Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum. When I first discovered Piney Point Lighthouse the property had only been deeded to St. Mary’s County by the Federal Government in 1980 and the first preservation work began in 1990. Back then there was just the lighthouse, a keeper’s quarters, and a small building which, in the day, was a petty officers quarter. Since that time the small house has been torn down and an extensive renovation project has been ongoing for years, with the latest facelift ending last fall. The lighthouse was built in 1836 along the Potomac River about 14 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and the light had a range of 10 nautical miles, or about 11½ half statute miles. At the end of St. George’s Island is the Ruddy Duck Seafood and Ale House, a great place for a Maryland crab cake and the views are terrific. My April road trip took me across the Thornton Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia separating the Shenandoah Valley from the Piedmont region of our state. A short drive into the valley will bring you to the sprawling town of Luray, home to the famous Luray Caverns. The actual reason for the trip was to attend the Wasmunds Whiskey Dinner and poetry reading at the beautiful Mimslyn Inn. What a spectacular setting for an event such as the dinner! The Inn rises on a knoll with a massive front lawn and an over-sized patio that beckons you to come closer. Driving up the circular driveway you are drawn to the large portico with huge Doric columns that highlight the front of the Inn. Entering the lobby through the double doors, you are greeted by comfortable couches, hardwood floors and a winding staircase that will take you back to the days of the old south. For all of its elegance and finery, this 45-room hotel is very affordable and serves as a great base of operation while exploring the Shenandoah Valley and all of its’ wonders. The formal dining room is located a few steps up from the lobby with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, beautiful crown molding, tasteful linens, and a vintage flair. The Mimslyn is famous for its pan-fried chicken, country ham and apples, club sandwiches and pies. In May I went to the twin beaches of Delaware…Rehoboth and Bethany. These two beach towns are only separated by 10 miles of unspoiled sand beaches and dunes, but are oh, so different. Rehoboth is more of a year round community with permanent residences and businesses and restaurants that are open year round. According to the 2010 census, the permanent population is 1,327, but during the summer months can swell to over 25,000 within the
top to bottom: The huge fireplace at Barrel Oak Winery; Piney Point lighthouse and the keeper’s quarters; Mimslyn Inn
20 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
city limits and thousands more in the surrounding areas and shopping centers where there is no sales tax. The wooden boardwalk in Rehoboth is a mile long and extends along the beachfront. There are numerous shops and restaurants located along the boardwalk as well as in the main part of town. There are hotels and motels scattered throughout the town and along the boardwalk. Two of my favorites are the Boardwalk Plaza and the Atlantic sands. While Rehoboth has more restaurants and night- life, ten miles down the coast Bethany Beach has earned the title…The Quiet Beach. Bethany is much smaller than Rehoboth but still has a half-mile boardwalk and some nightlife. The beaches tend to be less crowded and offer all of the amenities. Bethany was named as one of the “Best Secret Beaches on Earth” by Travel & Lieisure magazine. Back in the 1960’s and 70’s Bethany Beach became a destination for second homes. Today the town is built in the center of clusters of beach homes and the huge Bethany Beach condos on the outskirts of town. Although there are a handful of motels, most of the houses are also available for rent during the summer season. In June, instead of taking a road trip, I chose to print an article by Reed Hellman, a freelance writer. Reed took a drive to St. Mary’s County to meet with Captain Phil Langley and talk about his Waterman Heritage Tours. Today’s Chesapeake watermen are heirs to more than three centuries of tradition, innovation, and adaptation for a changing world. For more than 100 watermen, “heritage tourism” and Watermen Heritage Tours could be the latest adaptation that keeps them on the water, working the skills of their craft. The Watermen Heritage Tours is a partnership between the Chesapeake Conservancy, Coastal Heritage Alliance, Maryland Watermen’s Association and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and has created a program to teach the insights and skills to conduct heritage tours. The training keeps watermen in their jobs and supplements their incomes in a related business. Captain Phil Langley is a paradox, a walking contradiction. He is totally committed to preserving the Chesapeake waterman’s traditional way of life, yet he projects such a clear vision for the Bay’s future. A working waterman, Captain Phil fishes, crabs, and runs charter trips out of St. Jeromes Creek in Maryland’s Saint Mary’s County. He is also one of the dozen watermen, trained in heritage tourism, conducting tours that bring the public into the Chesapeake’s seafood industry. Check out Watermen Heritage Tours of St. Mary’s County and join Captain Phil aboard his classic Bay-built workboat, Lisa. In July I wrote about our trip to St. John, USVI. Not your typical road rip, but a beautiful place to visit. Round trip airfare was around $400 and when you split the cost of a villa with friends, the cost per person is reasonable. The roads in St. John are a trip unto themselves. Winding from beaches up the volcanic hillside on twisting turns and curves amid spectacular views and no guard- rails, all while driving on the left side of the road. The island is 19.61 square miles with two-thirds of the island owned by the National Park Service, so most of the island is undeveloped. Some of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean are located along the island’s north shore. The most spectacular and well known of these is Trunk Bay, which has been consistently voted one of the ten best beaches in the world. Since the beaches are on park land, they are all open to the public with the exception of Caneel Bay, which is privately owned. Since the U.S. Virgin Islands are a part of the United States, you do not need a passport to visit, just a picture ID. Check out the villas in our Caribbean Section in this issue for places to stay and more current history. In August I wrote about Rocky Gap Casino and Resort in western Maryland. With the summer heating up, it was time to take a drive to the mountains. The Rocky Gap Resort and Golf Course was developed in 1998. A casino license was awarded in April 2012 to a subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment of Minnetonka, Minnesota, who completed purchase of the existing resort, including the 200room lakeside lodge and the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course. The renamed Rocky Gap Casino Resort opened on May 22, 2013 with 558 slot ROAD TRIP > PAGE 37
Old Town Crier
top to bottom: Rehoboth Beach's Boardwalk Plaza Hotel; the boys at Trunk Bay; Rocky Gap in the Fall; Sotterly Plantation; a couple with their dog enjoying the outdoors at Three Fox Vineyards; 37 Gallery in Milton, Delaware.
January 2015 | 21
FROM THE BAY… RON WEXLER
Chloe Carr, student intern from St. Mary’s college, holding a juvenile Bald Eagle that was rescued from the Chesapeake Bay on December 12, 2014.
T
he Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center (O.W.R.C.) opened its doors in Lusby, Maryland in 1990 and has been serving the community statewide. When they began, they did so to meet the demand for wildlife rescue in Southern Maryland and the Tricounty Area and now serve all of Maryland. O.W.R.C. rescues about 3,000 animals each year, and to date have returned more than 35,000 animals back to the wild. They are licensed in all species and do not turn any wild animal away.
of the most successful wildlife facilities in the country. Licensed in all wildlife species, they rescue and treat a large array of animals. Common patients are Bald Eagles, Red Tailed hawks, owls, fawns, raccoons, opossums and songbirds. In winter months they rescue and treat mostly reptiles, migratory water birds, and animals hit by cars. Some of their accomplishments include: Bald Eagle rescue, construction of a full emergency medical facility for injured wildlife, construction of numerous exercise and
state and veterinary-board certified educational programs about wildlife and our shared environment. All of these programs will be held in the new Chesapeake Wildlife Education Center located in Lusby, MD. They continue to support “Scouting with our Eagle Scouts” projects as well as other community groups. At present, they are fortunate enough to have seven veterinarians who volunteer their services at the facility. Fortunately, they have a volunteer staff of 25 dedicated people that they couldn’t survive without.
diligently working to prepare for even further expansion, which has resulted in the group having to take out several loans in the last three years just to keep up with the demand. O.W.R.C. has an annual working budget of $47,000.00 but we are scraping pennies together to stay afloat. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, we may accept tax deductible donations from the public - our main supporters - as there has been no funding available from the county, state, or federal government to date. They were recently added to
The Wildlife of the Chesapeake Need Your Help Since 1991, O.W.R.C. has progressively built a wildlife center on three acres of heavily-wooded property that includes the state-ofthe-art Wildlife Clinic of Maryland, the Chesapeake Wildlife Education Center, a rescue vessel serving the Chesapeake Bay, and a housing facility for our veterinary interns. In 2014, with the help of their volunteers, they were been able to achieve a 94% success rate for returning animals back to the wild, making the O.W.R.C. one 22 | November 2014
flight pens, as well as being the first wildlife rescue in the state of Maryland and the only on-water rescue serving the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. In 2014 alone, they completed their “Eagle One” project which allows them to rescue and rehabilitate Bald Eagles, hawks, owls and other large birds of prey. Construction of a new incubator room for infant mammals and birds and the raptor rescue facilities were completed as well. Beginning April 2015, they will be offering Maryland
They have experienced a profound growth rate of 1500% in the last five years, partially due to the closing of so many other wildlife organizations, but also as well as because of the notoriety they have received. In fact, they are now the largest wildlife rescue center in the state of Maryland. The subsequent expansion of their service area, however, requires more volunteers and significantly more funding. The board of directors have been
the Combined Federal Campaign and their number is #75009. If any of you have an interest in learning more about the O.W.R.C. and want to donate to their cause, log on to www.orphaned-wildlife-rescue-center. com or call Ron Wexler at 410-3260937. Any and all support is greatly appreciated by the O.W.R.C. and the animals that they save.
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Old Town Crier
January 2015 | 23
…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON
The author's two rescued/repurposed racehorses Pa Pa Baron (right) raced 24 times in cheap races, earning the princely sum of $7,200. Tenbrooks sold as a yearling for $125,000 but was also a dud in only five starts, earning $16,000 with no wins. Both are now old enough to vote although they enjoyed second careers as foxhunters and trail horses with occasional forays into the show ring before retirement.
The Thoroughbred Racing Industry: TRYING TO TAKE O CARE OF ITS OWN
nce upon a time, horse racing was the Number One spectator sport in the U.S., and the top race horses were in the news as much as today’s top NFL or NBA stars. Now, although some of the major classics such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont along with the Breeders Cup races, attract large numbers of spectators and even some network TV coverage, the number of horses that actually race has been in decline for the past decade. Fewer mares are bred, the foal crop each year has declined, and those horses that do race, run in fewer races annually. Unheard of even a decade ago, many races, especially at the smaller tracks, have only five or six starters compared to the usual size of 10 or 12 starters. And even with fewer horses racing, a large number of these will never even earn their keep or will sustain career-ending injuries that can be rehabilitated to allow it to continue being ridden in a less demanding discipline. A few may go on to be breeding animals, but even that market has shrunk, and there’s not much market for the offspring of an animal that was a dud on the track. Here in Virginia’s horse country, there has always been a market for a sound, healthy Thoroughbred that couldn’t earn its keep at the track. Many trainers and riders happily bought them BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 25
24 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
BLUE RIDGE FROM PAGE 24
or $1,000 or less and retrained them to be show horses, steeplechasers, fox hunters or just regular trail horses. Like the pinhookers that buy Thoroughbred weanlings and yearlings bred for the track and break them, train them and get them ready to race to be sold at a tidy profit at auction, pinhookers existed in the pleasure horse world, too. Trainers and riders would buy up inexpensive track duds that were either slow or had minor injuries, and rehabilitate and reschool them for new careers. These Thoroughbreds, who were usually well saddle-broke and used to being handled, just needed to learn about the world outside of the manicured track and their 12 x 12-foot stalls, to live outside in pastures with other horses, to navigate trails and obstacles, to be exposed to things they’d never seen, and most important, be taught not to lean into the bit and take off at a gallop. Most showed an aptitude for the job and were easily converted to become show, dressage and event horses, or foxhunters, trail or pleasure horses. They were then easily worth three or four times the initial purchase price, sometimes many times more. Even the influx of them after tax laws on depreciation changed for race horse owners in the early 2000s were absorbed. What finally created a surplus the cottage industry of retraining ex-race horses could not absorb, was the tanking of the economy along with the ban on horse slaughter in the U.S. eight years ago. As the economy slumped, the bottom fell out of the show, pleasure and riding horse market as people who could no longer afford them were desperate to unload their horses. By 2007, the last three slaughterhouses that processed horses in the U.S. closed their doors. Without that outlet, an already depressed horse market plummeted even more. Coinciding with the recession and massive job loss was a steep increase in cases of abandoned, starving and neglected horses. Many who otherwise would’ve sold horses they couldn’t afford, found no market for them and could no longer feed, care for or even dispose of them. Adding more woes, feed costs skyrocketed, taxing both owners and rescue organizations that historically cared for unwanted horses. Many rescue groups became overwhelmed; and there simply aren’t enough of them to keep pace with the burgeoning surplus of unwanted horses. Horses generally live twice as long as dogs or cats; most live to 25 or 30 years, some as long as 40 years. And euthanizing a horse is not cheap—it can cost upwards of $1,000. Someone who cannot afford to feed a horse or pay the vet bills on a gravely ill one, likely cannot even afford to have it humanely put down. A vet visit for lethal injection costs several hundred dollars and rendering plants, if you can find them, charge similar fees to pick them up. Landfills won’t take them. Hiring a backhoe to dig a large enough hole costs $400-600. And that’s if you own the land and are even allowed to bury a horse on it. Carcasses that contain drugs and chemicals for treatment of illness and/or lethal injection can contaminate groundwater, and many locales forbid their burial at all. Although horsemeat was never considered table fare in this country, horses, including race horses, were routinely slaughtered for export abroad and for the pet food industry. Old Town Crier
Congress never banned slaughter outright, but mandated USDA inspections of facilities that slaughtered them for food in 1996. Ten years later, funding for the inspections was withdrawn. Without inspections, the meat couldn’t be sold, so the industry died, to the cheers of the animal rights lobby that thought they were helping horses by ending what they viewed as a barbaric practice. In truth, over 100,000 U.S. horses annually were still slaughtered for food, but they now had to be trucked out of the country, enduring grueling trips and a final end out of the reach of U.S. laws for humane death. Even radical animal rights lobbies such as the Humane Society of the U.S. that were in favor of the ban, agreed that its consequences created a monster. Enter the Thoroughbred Charities of America, an arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. TOBA is the racing industry’s voice for improving the integrity, economics and pleasure of the Thoroughbred racing industry, including taking care of retired and unwanted racers. TCA is the charitable arm of TOBA. TCA's mission is to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds both during and after their racing careers by supporting rescue, retirement and research and by helping the people who work with them. TCA grants funds to organizations in four categories including: Thoroughbred rescue, retirement, retraining and rehoming; research; backstretch and farm employee programs; and therapeutic riding programs. With the support of the Thoroughbred industry, TCA has distributed over $20 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related non-profit organizations. TCA is a 501(c) (3) organization, governed by a Board of Directors. One such non-profit that many locals in the Blue Ridge have adopted from is CANTER, formally known as the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racers. Founded in 1997 to help retiring racehorses find new homes, CANTER’s services have become a welcome resource on the track for retiring or injured horses that can no longer race. CANTER operates 13 affiliates throughout the country; each organized as its own entity. Each affiliate operates as what is referred to as Phase I or Phase II. Phase I CANTER affiliates operate exclusively as a listing service offering free online postings of Thoroughbreds available for adoption directly from the racetrack(s) within the affiliate’s coverage area. Phase I CANTER does not take possession of the listed horses but instead acts as a conduit to connect buyers and sellers. Phase II CANTER affiliates actually take possession and keep or board horses that need rehabilitation or retraining with the help of grants from TCA. Over the last 17 years, approximately 2,800 Thoroughbreds have been rehomed directly from CANTER affiliates. Phase II affiliates are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, the Mid-Atlantic area, Minnesota, New England and Ohio. TCA’s grants directly assist with the rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming efforts of the Thoroughbreds in the care of CANTER. Most affiliates have waiting lists and with more funding can take in more Thoroughbreds. For more information on TCA please visit www. TCA.org. Donations are tax deductible.
“Like our best friends’ home if our best friends were amazing chefs and knew exactly what we wanted before we asked.” Trip Advisor
www.hopkinsordinary.com Sperryville, Virginia 540.987.3383
January 2015 | 25
caribBean connection FROM PAGE 18
Breath became both a home and charter business for Peter and Dorothy Muilenburg. Their sons would attend Ivy League universities and today one is a doctor, the other an attorney. Dorothy Muilenburg helped found and was a teacher at the Pine Peace School (now Gifft Hill School), where her sons and Captain Fatty’s daughter Roma Orion Goodlander went to elementary school. Today, Roma has earned an MBA. Captain Fatty and his wife circumnavigated the globe twice in their 38 foot sloop Wild Card, still moored in Coral Harbor. Cap Fatty is now in the South Pacific in the midst of another circumnavigation. He still refers to those who live on land as “dirt dwellers.” The Coral Bay live aboard tradition continues. Hailing from Boston, Paul Tsakeres has lived aboard his sailboat, secured to a legal mooring, for eight years. He owns Island Cork, located on the island’s West End in Cruz Bay. The only store on St. John focusing exclusively on wine, Paul is gaining a measure of fame for his hand-selected international fruits of the vine. And, then there are the four charter businesses operated out of Coral Harbor by licensed captains. The newest is “Pirate Girl,” run by liveaboard sailor Roberta Marquis who arrived in the Harbor a few years ago. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all these seamen and women (except elusive
celebrity Mr. Buffet) when my family purchased a thirty-year old Down East 32 cutter-rigged sailboat and a mooring in Coral Harbor. Although we don’t live aboard, we’ve been privileged to witness the unique way of life of those who do. Coral Bay characters and our beautiful sailing waters inspired my own novel, “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea.” Like many, I own a dinghy powered by human-pulled oars and go to and from the old Danish stone pier, recently improved with a floating dock extension and solar powered lights courtesy of the Coral Bay Yacht Club. The dock and the view from it have changed little from the scene in a 1900 photograph of a West Indian school teacher and children dressed in Sunday best awaiting the arrival of the Danish Crown Prince. To the left a few hundred yards off the pier on a ridge above the mangroves, the now rusting tin roof of the old stone Danish custom house rises above the sea grape trees. A few yards off the pier, from my dinghy I’ve seen dolphins playing, a variety of fish and rays, endangered sea turtles coming up for air after dining on bottom growing sea grass and many other wonders one doesn’t often see unless traveling at the speed of oars and sails. Last winter a pod of humpback whales followed a sailboat into Coral Bay. When the sun goes down below the ridges of the still mostly virgin, forested Bordeaux Mountain overlooking the
e m o H g n i Br ! T A E H E TH
Harbor and Moravian Mission — still the largest building on Coral Bay — sailors are treated to the spectacle of an avian feast of plenty. Circling and plunging pelicans, watchful egrets and herons standing in shallows between mangrove tree roots and pterodactyllooking frigate birds floating a few hundred feet above the water all feed on several species of fish. The curious flopping splashes of pelicans divebombing prey and the sudden stabbing of otherwise statuesque egrets and herons provide delightful sound effects for those rowing to the stone pier for the evening. Over the years, schemers and dreamers have tried to improve upon the natural balance that is Coral Harbor. Currently, one plan calls for construction of an ultra-luxury gated community and a mega-yacht marina accommodating motor yachts up to 210 feet. The now public waters of the Harbor would be turned over to a private, for-profit company, which would allegedly uproot the ancient Sea Grape tree fish market, displace Coral Harbor’s moored sailing fleet and pose a “significant threat to National Park Service protected lands and waters,” to quote a warning issued by Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park. Fortunately, the proposed 145 slip mega-yacht marina and associated land development are likely to sink under the weight of predicted environmental destruction and opposition by Coral Bay’s year-round
community. It is hoped active federal intervention will halt the project before irreversible damage is done to the unique eco-system. It’s not surprising that the campaign to “Save Coral Bay” has gained support from the national ocean conservation group Mission Blue, the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park and many members of the Coral Bay Community Council. Many have united to ensure the Coral Harbor paradise is not lost. Concerned Virginians and Washingtonians may wish to join them by visiting SaveCoralBay.Com. Jeffrey R. McCord is a free-lance journalist and media relations consultant who has called Northern Virginia his home for more than 20 years. The author of “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” a quarterfinalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest, Mr. McCord’s articles on international economics and consumer protection have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Gannett newspapers and Truthout.org, among other publications. “Copyright, Truthout.org. Reprinted with permission.” Original story may be found at: http://truth-out.org/speakout/ item/27905-us-virgin-island-s-coralbay-home-to-fishermen-authors-artistscircumnavigators-and-endangeredspecies-faces-uncertain-future
Discover regionally inspired spice and tea selections, and experience many tastes of the world. Hand-Mixed Spice Blends Gourmet Sea Salts Naturally-Flavored Sugars Exotic Teas Gifts & Accessories
The Spice & Tea Exchange® 320 King Street | Alexandria, VA 571-312-8505 alexandria@spiceandtea.com
om spiceandtea.c 26 | January 2015
Join our 2015 Spice Club. Spices, blends and recipes delivered to your door! Contact the store for details.
Old Town Crier
Visit one of 60 participating restaurants, January 23-February 1, 2015 and for $35 choose from a dinner for two or a three course prix-fixe menu, depending upon each restaurant’s special offer. At a range of locales, from fine dining establishments to casual neighborhood favorites, guests savor the flavors of Alexandria’s distinctive collection of eateries. Check out the restaurants featured here and to see why everyone, including Bon Appétit and Food & Wine, are raving about Alexandria’s dining scene.
$35 DINNER FOR TWO
chadwicks 203 The Strand 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com
DISHES OF INDIA 1510 Belle View Blvd. 703-660-6058 dishesofindia.com
king street blues 112 N. St. Asaph Street 703-836-8800 kingstreetblues.com
sOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington Street 703-836-6222 southside815.com
G geranio r i st or a nt e
$35 PRIX FIXE THREE-COURSE DINNER
chart house One Cameron Street 703-684-5080 chart-house.com SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington Street 703-683-3247 societyfair.net
GERANIO 722 King Street 703-548-0088 geranio.net
mackie’s 907 King Street 703-684-3288 mackiesbarandgrill.com VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN 106 S. Union Street 571-970-3669 virtuefeedgrain.com
For actual menus and a complete listing of participating restaurants, go to oldtowncrier.com and click on the link on the opening page or go to visitalexandriava.com Old Town Crier
January 2015 | 27
BEHIND THE BAR LANI GERING
LaVenia ‘LV’ Cofield LV Cofield IS BEHIND THE BAR AT redstone american grill 155 national plaza national harbor, md 301.839.3330
LV offers up the Redstone Doli—pineapple infused vodka martini. She is behind the bar Saturday through Wednesday nights.
How did you get started in the bartending business? I was a cocktail server at McCormick and Schmick’s for three years. While I was a “cocktailer” I started learning drinks and became interested in bartending. So I went on vacation and came back and my boss pulled me outside before I clocked in, lit his cigarette and slowly said “ Soooooo we wanna promote you to bartender.” I was so nervous and freaking out because he pulled me outside just to tell me the great news. I was so excited and super anxious to learn all the drinks and bartend. And now here we are—I’m a great “StarTender.”
What is your biggest bartender pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is when the bar is crowded and I finally get to you, and you have no idea what you want to drink. I’m like, what were you doing that whole time besides annoyingly tapping the bar with your credit card? What is the most clever line anyone has ever used to get you to give them a free drink? Oh I have heard so many crazy lines but the most often heard is: Customer: “LV, can I get a drink on the house?” BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 29
This is where your new favorite whiskey comes from. Visit us in Sperryville. Tours daily. www.copperfox.biz
28 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
BEHIND THE BAR FROM PAGE 28
Me: “Sorry but I can’t do that.” Customer: “But it’s my birthday” Me: “Well, happy birthday!” No free drink since it’s the thought that counts. What is the best/worst pickup line you have overheard at the bar? Everyone should know that bartenders hear everything. We’re just trying to anticipate your needs. We’re not trying to eavesdrop but we do hear some pretty hilarious stuff. For example: This guy is sitting at the bar and this woman sits down next to him. He tells her she reminds him of his second wife. She asks him “Well how many times have you been married?” and he says, “Once.” Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a customer. Wow I’ve had so many interesting encounters bartending. But there is this regular that comes to my bar all the time—very pleasant, very social, very nice. So my birthday comes around and I decide to go to the xyz Lounge at the Aloft Hotel to have some drinks with friends. I get to Aloft and there are balloons, a cake, gifts and all of my friends. My regular threw me a surprise birthday party! I was so happy! That was the best thing someone has ever done for me. It was such a memorable experience that I will never forget. If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world, past or present, who would that be? If I could have a drink with anyone in the world it would be Oprah. She is such an inspiration. She came from nothing and built an empire, all while people doubted whether she was good enough. It would be awesome to sit and have a drink with her and get some advice, laugh, and turn up. If you would like to see your favorite bartender featured here, send contact information to office@oldtowncrier.com. Old Town Crier
January 2015 | 29
DINING OUT bobtagert
Sheila pours the Champagne! Below: Irish breakfast and Eggs Benedict
W
e made it through December in relative comfort this year compared to the freeze of last December. In December of 2013 the last 17 days of the month saw the night temperatures at or below freezing with some stretches that got a low as 6 degrees. This last December we had 14 nights of below freezing but none lower than 30 degrees. Now in January, we thought it a good month for comfort and hearty food by a roaring fire…Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub…here we come! In 1978, Tom and Melinda Mooney opened Murphy’s Pub. Friends and family opened the pub with a passion for their Irish heritage and the desire to bring traditional Irish food and entertainment to their community at affordable prices. This they did, and it continues today. We went for their great Sunday brunch at the end of December. It was a very pleasant day…about 50 degrees, but the fire was blazing and the place was about 85 percent filled, which meant we didn’t have to wait long for a table. Seating at the bar was, however, at capacity. Murphy’s is a rustic old place, as are most of the old buildings in Old Town, but this is what gives Murphy’s its charm. On Sundays they bring out the white linen to add a bit of chic to the dark wood, and it does make it a bit classier. Realizing that there is not much you can say about a brunch, there is a reason that Murphy’s is packed on Sundays…it is where the locals go! The offerings are substantial and at a very reasonable price. For $9.95 you can get your choice of Irish Country Breakfast, Three Egg Omelette with home fries, Eggs Benedict with home fries, Pancakes with Sausage, French Toast with bacon and home fries, Hamburger Platter, and for $10.95-Steak and Eggs. These choices also come with a complimentary glass of champagne - and all refills are only one dollar. This is a way better use of your dollar than a trip through the McDonald’s drive through for their special!
MURPHY’S A grand Irish pub
DINING OUT > PAGE 33
30 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
G GERANIO RISTORANTE Redefining Italian Cuisine in Old Town Alexandria “The Finest Lebanese Cuisine” –Washington Post, 2001
Dinner Entrees from $14 722 King Street Old Town Alexandria
Family Owned & Operated Come and Enjoy a Cozy Candlelit Dinner Carry-Out Available • Free Delivery
703.548.0088
Open 7 Days for Lunch & Dinner
www.geranio.net
719 King St. Old Town Alexandria 703.684.9194 • thepitahouse.com
®
THE BEST BRUNCH IN OLD TOWN Fresh local ingredients and “Bottomless” Mimosas and Bloodies! Sundays, 11 am - 4 pm.
TIME TO GET HAPPY! Our HAPPY HOUR is happening every Monday - Friday from 4 - 7 pm. Now with even more choices added to the menu. All for $4 - $7!
106 S. UNION STREET • OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA • 571.970.3669 www.virtuefeedgrain.com
Old Town Crier
SUNDAY BRUNCH 10 AM-3 PM • ONLY $9.95 So many delicious choices
Pancakes with Sausage Irish Country Breakfast Three Egg Omelette Eggs Benedict Homemade Quiche French Toast Hamburger Platter STEak & Egg SPECIal only $10.95
Home of Patriots Football!
713 King Street Old Town Alexandria
703.548.1717 murphyspub.com January 2015 | 31
American BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BITTERSWEET 823 King Street 703-549-2708 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957
COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776
GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288
MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117
OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340
SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222
DUTCHS GRILL (Holiday Inn) 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 703-960-3400
HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050
MANCINIS 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-838-FOOD
PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699
INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001
MONROES AMERICAN TRATTORIA 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 703-548-5792
RAILSTOP GASTROPUB 901 N. Fairfax St. 703-683-8793
T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com American cuisine with libations from around the world. Bar specials Mon-Fri, 4-7 PM. Brunch served Sat & Sun.
MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011
RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com
THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000
CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com An Old Town tradition since 1979 and an original Georgetown pub and restaurant since 1967.
EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444
CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080
FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700
CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com USA City inspired menu choices that bring together traditional American and global cuisine with their own personal touch. Casual dress. $30 and under. Lots of free parking. Open 7 days a week with brunch on Sat & Sun 11-3. AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
FINN & PORTER AT MARK CENTER 5000 Seminary Rd. 703-379-2346 FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200 FLAT IRON STEAK & SALOON 808 King St. 703-299-0777
Dining Guide
FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342
JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800
RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094
MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710
THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622
MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878
LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288
Caphe Banh Mi Vietnamese 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 Sang Jun Thai 300 King Street 571-312-3377
RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450
CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 FRENCH
BASTILLE 1201 N. Royal St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant. com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661
703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141
FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St.
32 | January 2015
BERTUCCIS 725 King St. 703-548-8500 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998
TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Northern Italian, French provincial and American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, meats and pasta served in a contemporary, romantic atmosphere.
BRABO Tasting Room 1600 King St. 703-894-5252
REYNOLDS STREET CAFÉ 34 S. Reynolds St. 703-751-0830 RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274
NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com
YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. In the Hoffman Center 703-329-1010
GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant. With entrees from $14, there is no reason not to enjoy a selection from their Wine Spectator award-winning list, while being attended by the friendly staff of seasoned professionals. Reservations recommended and casual attire welcomed. IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833
CHEZ ANDREE 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-836-1404
LA STRADA 1905 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-2592
LA BERGERIE 218 N. Lee St. 703-683-1007 labergerie.com
SAPORE DITALIA RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA 1310 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-683-9680
LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com Elegant, classical Italian cuisine served in a lovely historical setting. Fresh veal, homemade pastas, and fresh fish are some of the daily choices. An extensive list of wines and champagnes served in a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere. OLD CHICAGO PIZZERIA 2245 Huntington Ave. 703-960-1086 PARADISO 124 King St. 703-837-1245 PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 TRATTORIA DA FRANCO 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 VILLA DESTE 600 Montgomery St. 703-549-9477
TRADITIONS (Holiday Inn) 625 First St. 703-548-6300 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap and grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour. VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669
SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122
VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669
SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266
THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868
SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247
italian • pizzErias
CONTINENTAL BRABO by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440
NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922
LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313
asian ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515
MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Old-world Irish pub featuring a roaring fireplace, serving a variety of imported, domestic and non-alcoholic beers in a friendly atmosphere. Serving robust American-Irish meals at fair prices. Favorites include fish and chips and Irish stew. Irish-style entertainment nightly.
TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640
MEDITERRANEAN LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 “Spring into Spain and Feast Like a King.” Offering unlimited tapas at lunch and dinner. Choice of dessert included. Lunch 11:30-4:30 for $20.07; dinner 4:30-close for $30.07. Eat a little, drink a little, have a lot of fun!
TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 thepitahouse.com Family owned and operated; carry out available and free delivery.
seafood Hanks Oyster Bar 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK RTS RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 FLYING FISH 815 King St. 703-600-FISH flyingfishdc.com Traditional American and fancy seafood specializing in sushi. FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900 ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046
FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com Internationally known and locally owned! We serve shrimps, a few crabs, tall people and lots of nice people, too! Live music and lively food! THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 wharfrestaurant.com "Its All About the Seafood," traditional and creative coastal cuisine.
DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. Alexandria, VA 703-329-0006
MEXICAN • LATIN SOUTHWESTERN AUSTIN GRILL 801 King St. 703-684-8969 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) CASA FELIPE 835 N. Royal St. 703-535-7868 INDIAN DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085
Old Town Crier
DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30
My southern upbringing always makes me go for the country breakfast, which comes with sausage, bacon and home fries. I noticed that this particular morning they also offered shrimp and grits, so I asked if I could switch the home fries with the grits, which they were glad to do. The breakfast was what I expected…hearty and good. Adding salt and pepper, some fresh brewed coffee and I had what I came for. One thing I liked about this breakfast was that the sausage was American and not Irish (I know, I know, I was in an Irish restaurant) and the bacon had a great flavor. My companion had the Eggs Benedict, which were done just right. Even with the English muffin there was also a biscuit with the dish, which was a bit of overkill with the starches. However, if you have the appetite, a little honey or jelly on the biscuit is a treat and goes great with another glass of champagne. In addition to the $9.95 deals, for $10.95 you can get Belgian Waffles, Blueberry Belgian Waffles or Blueberry pancakes; Crabmeat or Steak Benedict with home fries, Shrimp & Grits with eggs and biscuit or Sausage gravy over biscuits with eggs and home fries; American breakfast with ham and eggs and home fries- Shrimp, cheese, mushroom quiche with a salad or fried Tilapia in a lemon-butter caper sauce. The last part of this list may change from week to week, especially the fish special since they serve what it fresh. Bunch is served every Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Ask for our waitress Sheila…she was great and attentive…as are all of the wait staff. Old Town Crier
Murphy’s also has a hearty lunch menu with snacks from $6.50 to $8.50, salads from $3.50 to $9.95, sandwiches from $5.95 to $11.00, and entrees from $7.95 to $10.00. This is the only Irish restaurant in Old Town that serves traditional Irish Stew and it is always worth a try. In fact, it was the only thing that my brunch companion ordered for lunch or dinner here for the first 15 years she lived in Old Town. Nothing wrong with sticking with something you know I guess. The dinner menu has more items than lunch with Irish Meat and Potato Pie at $10.00 to Jameson’s Strip Steak at $17.00 topping the Irish Specialties. My brunch companion also said I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Lester (the chef) makes some of the absolute best egg salad she has ever tasted. The only down side of this is that you have to make sure you are there when it is on the lunch special menu since it isn’t available every day! Murphy’s also prides themselves on being the Old Town Home of the New England Patriots so if you are a fan, you will want to head up to the bar on the second level and join your peers for some Patriot football and a few pints! You may even find a special or two on the menu for you up there during games. With a 40 seat bar and Irish music every night, Murphy’s is a local gathering spot with the best of good food, good times and great prices. The four-sided fireplace has seating on all sides and is a wonderful place to spend a cold afternoon this winter. Murphy’s is located at 713 King Street. See their ad in this section for contact information and details. January 2015 | 33
CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON
jeffrey edwards When did you first become interested in cooking and why did you decide to pursue a culinary career? I have always loved eating and trying new foods and different cuisines. Growing up, my parents generally took the family out to eat at least once a week to the better establishments in town, as well as on vacations. By nature being curious and analytical, I wanted to explore the “who, what and why” of the dishes that were served to us. This led me to want to emulate these dishes at home, as well as pursue other dishes so I became a voracious reader of cook books. I was fortunate that my parents and maternal grandmother were supportive and encouraged me to “experiment” on the family. I started by baking cookies, cakes and pies, then candies. Then I moved on to cooking meats and vegetables etc. I decided that I wanted to become a chef around the age of 15 so I enrolled in a local vocational technical high school in addition to my regular studies. This is when I found out about The Culinary Institute of America. That is when I decided upon the path I wanted to pursue and immersed myself in all things food related.
jeffrey t. edwards IS THE CHEF AT mackie’s bar and grill 907 king street old town ALEXANDRIA riverbendbistro.COM 703.684.3288
photos: ©2015 Chester Simpson
Who have been the biggest inspirations during your career? Ron Greenberg, Dennis Gomes, and Linda Jesperson. The three instructors at Warren Tech Vocational High School and directors of the restaurant arts program. They all deeply loved the hospitality industry and instilled in all their students the same passion they possessed. One must also remember at CHEF’S SPECIAL > PAGE 35 Chef Edwards with his 16 oz. USDA prime rib steak and house cured pork belly
Edwards prepares the ribeye with roasted shallot red wine sauce and the pork belly with soy scallion sauce, plum vinaigrette frisee and red delicious apple.
34 | January 2015
Old Town Crier
CHEF’S SPECIAL FROM PG 34
EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI
the time in America when I was attending the school, the hospitality industry was looked down upon. There were no celebrity chefs. I also owe a debt to the many chefs, cooks, owners, maitre d’s, waiters, bartenders and managers over the years who shared their knowledge. What dish on your menu are you most curious to see how it is received by your clients? Keeping in mind that we have only been open several weeks, most items are well received by our guests. I have many things that I want to try and will rely on the feedback both positive and negative in this regard. I believe you will always miss the ball you don’t swing at. What do you do to insure the quality of the food going out to customers? First of all, a clean organized kitchen is paramount. Proper storage and rotation also play a key role. We only buy top quality products from top purveyors and inspect everything that comes in the back door until it goes out the door to the guest. I am constantly inspecting and tweaking until it meets our goal of serving fresh, local, innovatively prepared food.
Trending in 2015
I
have spent a lot of my time over the years working with organizations involved in the wine industry and Northern Virginia’s rural economy and continue to do so. It seems like I am on more boards now than ever before. This allows me a broader view of how each of the groups relates to and feeds each other; there are some trends and developments in the industry that we should look for this year. Among them:
1. The new winery movement in Virginia is cresting. The 2015 Virginia wine guide has added eight new wineries to the map while five wineries dropped off the guide. My take on this is that the grape shortage and price increases have affected the business plans of wineries. We must now focus on growing the wineries we have, and growing the grapes to do that.
2. More wineries offer “dark horse” varieties.
Increasingly, customers are interested in new releases at wineries. As grape growers, we regularly look for varietals that will grow well in our climate and at the same time make a good wine. Tannat and Petit Verdot are good examples. They may not be dark horses now, but they certainly were in the past. Vermentino, Petit Manseng, Touriga and Rousanne are good examples of the next dark horse wave. Old Town Crier
3. The Wine Tourism Conference will be in Loudoun County this November.
This annual conference travels to different wine regions. 2015 will be the first time the East Coast is hosting, affirming that we in the MidAtlantic region continue to gain in reputation for quality and experience. It is important that we are authentic in our products and our presentation. This event will show off all we have to offer.
4. Epicurience Virginia Food and Wine Festival is three years old.
This event continues to redefine the area wine festivals. The price for attending is higher than for other festivals, but the experience and education offered are also at a higher level. The best wines from the participating wineries will be enjoyed along with celebrity chefs, food samples, wine demos, cooking demos and epicurean education.
5. More cideries, distilleries and breweries are opening.
I have heard from some winery owners about the concern that the craft breweries will take away business from the wineries. However, the model that we have been thriving under shows that more
businesses and consumer activity in the rural lands will increase business in each operation. As long as these new operations fit with the rural zoning and learn local culture, there should be no problem. I am inspired by the cider industry and how many new trees are being planted with varieties specific for hard cider. Growing new farmers continues to be a critical effort. The Beginning Farmers program continues to gain participants, mentors and recognition. This educational movement will play an important role in the success of using agriculture as the base of local business in the 21st century. So the year 2015 has a lot in store for the VA wine industry and the rest of the rural economy. I will continue to serve on these boards and committees in order to be a part of this evolving culture. We all benefit with good products, experiences, and career opportunities.
If any chef in the world could prepare you a meal, who would it, be? Any 80 year old grandmother who has lots of siblings and grandchildren. There are a multitude of chefs that I would love to “cook a meal with” over a bottle of good red wine or three! What is your guilty food pleasure? I do not feel any food or spirit in moderation is bad nor should one feel guilty about enjoying them. That being said, in no particular order are the things I love to indulge in: triple cream ice cream and butter, pizza, schnitzels, crispy duck or goose (particularly confits, foie gras), potatoes, any kind of crispy salty pork product, ten year and older French, Italian, and Spanish red wines, Armagnac, as well as any good aged whiskey neat —no water or ice. If you would like to see your favorite chef featured in this space, send contact information to chester@chestersimpson.com. January 2015 | 35
GRAPEVINE frank britt
Chateau Morrisette WINE, FOOD & FESTIvalS
C
hateau Morrisette is located along the crest of the Blue Ridge at 3,500 feet above sea level in beautiful Floyd County. Just a short distance from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chateau Morrisette features 38 acres of estate vineyards, a 33,000 square foot cellar and tasting room, as well as a four-star restaurant named one of the top 100 restaurant views in America by Open Table. William and Nancy Morrisette, along with their son David, planted the first vines in 1976 and opened their first winery in Woolwine, Virginia in 1978. In 1983, the winery moved to its current location and construction of the cellar, one of the
largest reclaimed timber structures in America, got underway in 1997. Chateau Morrisette produces about 70,000 cases annually of 34 distinct wines, some of which are the very popular sweet wines such as Red Mountain Laurel, White Muscadine and Sweet Mountain Apple. However, Chateau Morrisette also produces a diverse selection of Virginia varietal wines as well as several sophisticated blends, including the brand new Archival 1, a delicious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The winery recently hired Brian Cheeseborough as the new oenologist and winemaker. Having produced wine in California, France and
CHATEAU MORRISETTE 287 Winery Road Floyd, VA 24091 540-593-2865 www.thedogs.com
Argentina, Cheeseborough brings a touch of the old-world to his very new-world style of winemaking at Chateau Morrisette.Visitors to the winery enjoy a tasting of ten wines for $8, and they can opt to keep the distinctive dog-themed souvenir glass for $2. The tasting sheet changes daily and during the slower periods, a guest may request to taste a specific wine. For a more intimate experience, guests can make advanced reservations for an elite wine tasting that pairs wines with cheese and chocolate and
shrimp & grits from Chef Steffens of Chateau
The Grit Cakes ¼ cup butter 2 cups stone ground grits, dry 8 cup whole milk Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese 2 T chopped scallions 4 eggs Melt butter in large stock pot and add dry grits, mixing well. Cooke grits in butter about five minutes to “toast” then add milk and bring to a boil, stirring often. Bring heat down to a simmer and add salt and pepper. Stir often until all liquid is absorbed and grits are tender, then add cheese and mix well. Let cool. Mix in eggs and scallions and spread grit mixture in shallow, 7x11” baking dish and bake at 325 for 15-20 minutes until slightly browned. Cool completely and cut our rounds. The Shrimp 1 T olive oil ½ cup Andouille sausage (diced) 1/2cup Tasso ham (diced) 1 medium onion (diced) 1 green pepper (diced) 1 tomato (diced
36 | January 2015
includes a more in-depth description and personal wine tasting experience. Tours of the cellar are complimentary and offered every day at published times. Once the tasting is complete, guests often browse the tasting room gift shop in search of unique pet-related items, clothing, gourmet packaged foods, or a variety of wine and entertaining accessories. The Restaurant at Chateau Morrisette offers a special dining experience. Chef Sterling Steffans prepares rustic southern fare presented in a casually elegant atmosphere. With an estate garden providing many of the
Morrisette
24 (31-40 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 cup heavy whipping cream Heat sauté pan and add one T of olive oil. Sauté ham and sausage about a minute. Add onion, pepper, tomato pieces and toss over heat for another minute. Add shrimp and sauté about two minutes. Add whipping cream. Reduce to desired consistency and shrimp are done. Pour over grits and enjoy.
Old Town Crier
Virginia Winery Visitors Pick Favorite Tasting Rooms
vegetables served in the restaurant, Chateau Morrisette provides a farmto-table dining experience with a menu that changes seasonally. Signature entrées like shrimp and grits and pork tenderloin are almost always available along with seasonal specials such as spare ribs, duck dumplings and quinoa stuffed peppers. In warmer months, guests enjoy the view from the outdoor terrace, and in colder months, fireside dining is the perfect complement to any dining experience. Chateau Morrisette is also known for its special events like the summer Black Dog Music Festivals in the summer and fall that attract thousands to hear nationally acclaimed bands and to enjoy wineries from around the region. There are free concerts every Sunday afternoon from June through October. Winemaker Dinners, Open Air Shakespeare, Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, Outdoor
Adventure Activities and a host of other options can be enjoyed throughout the year. The winery is also an ideal location for weddings, corporate events and private parties. The winery ships to 39 states, with free shipping on orders over $150 (handling fees apply).
ROAD TRIP FROM PG 21
of grants and private funding sources, Sotterley’s history is now presented through the lens of the Colonial Revival period in American history, a time when renewed patriotism was at the forefront. Throughout the year, Historic Sotterley offers many special events, including speaker programs, children’s programs, a weekly farmers market and social events. With a fascinating story to tell and breathtaking beauty to behold, a visit to Sotterley Plantation is a must road trip. October is Virginia wine month, so every October I visit Virginia wineries and write about how they got where they are today. In the beginning Thomas Jefferson had great hopes for Virginia wines. His expectations were never met and his Monticello vineyards never produced a single bottle of wine from his years of vineyard trials. Years later prohibition came along and the Virginia wine industry went into decline. After the repeal of prohibition the wine industry was slow to recover. In the late 1950s experimental plantings of vinifera showed promise. With the establishment of six new wineries in the 1970s the recovery was officially underway. A renewed effort to grow a European Chardonnay succeeded at the Waverly estate in Middleburg in 1973. In 1976, Italian pioneer vintner Gianni Zonin convinced Gabriele
machines and 10 live table games. The parks man-made lake covers 24 acres and sports white sand beaches. The lake sits below Evitts Mountain and is fed by Rocky Gap Run. There is something here for everyone, golf, tennis, a pool and lake boating, or just enjoying the sights. Getting there is easy. Take the beltway to I-270 through Frederick, Maryland, Hagerstown and Hancock until you reach I-68. After another 40 miles you will come to Rocky Gap State Park and here is where you will find the resort nestled on the shores of Lake Habeeb. Last September saw us back in St. Mary’s county at the historic Sotterley Plantation. St. Mary’s County is bordered by the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, and Sotterley Plantation stands majestically overlooking the Patuxent River. Known for her genteel charm and southern hospitality, this National Historic Landmark is the only Tidewater Plantation in Maryland open to the public that offers a full range of visitor activities, special events, and educational programs. Sotterley is one of the oldest museums of its kind in the United States as its history dates back to the turn of the 18th century. Sotterley underwent a significant re-interpretation in 2009 to be able to better tell the fact-based story of the plantation during the best and worst of times. With the support Old Town Crier
Frank Britt is the former co-publisher and co-founder of Virginia Wine Lover magazine and current publisher of the Official Virginia Wine Lover e-newsletter, “THE Source for Virginia’s Wine news.” (www.vawinelover.com— complimentary to Old Town Crier readers). He also consults with several wine festivals and can be reached at frank@brittmarketing.com; www. vawinelover.com
The results are in! Subscribers to the Official Virginia Winer Lover™ voted for their favorite winery tasting room based on criteria including friendliness of tasting room staff, attractive-ness of location, staff knowledge of wine, proximity of winery and price of tasting. The Official Virginia Wine Lover™ is an online publication that reaches some 50,000 subscribers monthly, including wine festival attendees, visitors to wineries and tasting rooms and a targeted list of Virginia wine enthusiasts. Over 5,000 votes were cast in the Tasting Room competition, and to assure accuracy and fairness, all duplicate entries were removed before the final count. Chateau Morrisette Winery took top prize among Virginia’s 250+ wineries. Located along the crest of the Blue Ridge at 3,500 feet above sea level in beautiful Floyd County, the winery is just a short distance from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chateau Morrisette features 38 acres of estate vineyards, a 33,000 square foot cellar and inviting tasting room, as well as a four-star restaurant. Following closely behind Chateau Morrisette were the following winery tasting rooms (listed in alphabetical order): Barboursville Vineyard, Barboursville
Doukenie Winery, Purcellville
Hill Top Barry Farm & Winery, Nellysford
Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery, Stafford
Cooper Vineyards, Louisa
Early Mountain Vineyards, Madison
Pearmund Cellars, Broad Run
Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Afton First Colony Winery, Charlottesville
The Official Virginia Wine Lover™ is designed to support and promote Virginia wines, the people who make them and those who enjoy them. Each month the electronic newsletter directs readers to festivals and events, featured wineries and travel destinations across the Commonwealth. For additional information or to subscribe, visit www.vawinelover.com or call Frank Britt: 434-385-0600. Rausse to forgo his desire to go the Australia and New Zealand and its new wine industry, and come, instead, to Virginia in search of property. They established Barboursville Vineyards and then helped other vineyards do the same. By 1995 Virginia had 46 wineries. By 2005, 170 and today stands at 250 strong. The winery owners are a strong and resilient breed and they love visitors. Check out Virginias guide to wineries and pick out one that fits your fancy. The wineries are spread throughout Virginia…some are close and some are hours away. Where ever you go the drive will be beautiful and most of the views spectacular. Last October I was too busy so Lani, my associate here, took on the responsibility of the road trip for the November issue. Lani went to southern Delaware in the fall (I prefer summer) to write about the art scene. Here is her story…”Most of us immediately think about the beaches in Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany when someone mentions southern Delaware; however, I am here to tell you that this area of the 1st state in the union has “state of the art” galleries, theaters and music venues spread out all over Sussex County. I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend a whirlwind tour of more than 16 locations scattered among Rehoboth, Lewes, Milton, Milford,
Ocean View, Millville and Seaford. The venues are comprised of painters, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, boat builders and live performance venues as well as Delaware’s only single screen theater located in Dagsboro. While we didn’t spend much more than 15-20 minutes at each location, I tried to give each of the venues that hosted us a brief highlight”. For more information on each of these venues go to www.oldtowncrier.com and click on the archives for November 2014. For each December I write about Old Town Alexandria. It is that time of the year that I hope all of you take a road trip to our town. Over the years the town has grown from a small little hamlet made up of warehouses and colonial homes to a thriving small city today. From first class restaurants to quaint eateries tucked in a corner, to elegant shops and fine furnishings to that one of a kind gift shop, or just to stroll the streets where George Washington walked. Old Town pretty much has it all. There is a free trolley that will take you from the waterfront to the metro train 20 blocks away and back. You can purchase a ticket on the water taxi and take the 30-minute excursion to National Harbor across the river. (The water taxi does not run in January and February) For the complete article of any of these road trips visit our archives at www.oldtowncrier.com January 2015 | 37
VIRGINIA WINE Trail Profiles Bedford County Wine Trail bedfordwinetrail.com The Bedford Wine Trail in the Central Virginia region includes five vineyards and wineries surrounding Bedford. Blue Ridge Wine Way www.blueridgewineway.com The Blue Ridge Wine Way features eight wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains of the Northern Virginia region. Botetourt County Wine Trail botetourtwinetrail.com The Wine Trail of Botetourt Country features 3 wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Eastern Shore Wine Trail esvatourism.org The Eastern Shore of Virginia Wine Trail hosts three wineries along the Land Between Two Waters. This area is a unique rural coastal environment. Hundreds of miles of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for beach-lovers, fishermen, and boaters in addition to wine lovers.
Tasting Room Hours - Open Year Round Thursday-Saturday, & Monday 11-5 pm • Sunday 12 pm (noon)- 5 pm Taste Our Award-Winning Piemontese Nebbiolo 2010 Virginia Governor’s Cup Silver Medal Winner
Mention or bring this ad for a complimentary tasting for two through 12/23/2010
10100 Three Fox Ln. • Delaplane, VA • 540-364-6073
Fauquier County Wine Trail fauquiertourism.com/wineries.html Fauquier County is home to 16 wineries and vineyards —each with its own unique flavors. Enjoy awardwinning Virginia wines, wine tastings and tours. Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail svwga.org The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail is an association of six vineyards and wineries. Loudoun Wine Trail visitloudoun.org Loudouns Wine Trail in Northern Virginia takes you through Virginias hunt country to 23 participating wineries.
A small, family winery focused on quality, sustainable farming and our community Visit us and other quality wineries on the Loudoun Wine Trail–www.loudounfarms.org Serving your local red wine needs since 2006 Open Daily 11am - 5pm Educational wine events
Fabbioli Cellars Douglas Fabbioli Colleen M. Berg 15669 Limestone School Rd Leesburg 703-771-1197 www.fabbioliwines.com
Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail chesapeakebaywinetrail.com The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, in the Chesapeake Bay region, highlights six different wineries. Heart of Virginia Wine Trail www.hovawinetrail.com The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail in Central Virginia presents several events throughout the year at four wineries located in the central region of the state. Blue Ridge Wine Trail blueridgewinetrail.com The Blue Ridge Wine Trail features five wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains all within minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Generals Wine & History Trail thegeneralswinetrail.com In 2009, 10 wineries banded together to form a new type wine trail experience. The new wine trail experience was to tie our rich wine heritage with our rich historical heritage and thus the Generals Wine & History Trail was born. Monticello Wine Trail monticellowinetrail.com The Monticello Wine Trail leads to 24 wineries from its hub in Charlottesville. Source: Virginia Wine Marketing Office
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For More Information: virginiawine.org Visiting Virginia’s Wine Country Its always a good idea to call before visiting. Many Virginia wineries are small, family-owned operations and may be closed during the time you are planning to visit. If you are a group of eight or more, call ahead to help the winery prepare for your visit and to make sure they can accept groups. Most of our wineries have grape cluster highway signs within a ten-mile radius pointing the way to the winery. Many of these signs also tell you how many miles to go before reaching the winery. Old Town Crier
GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS
New Year, New Stuff
W
hile most make resolutions, I look for revolutionary gadgets and gizmos to start my year. There are a lot of new and even improved products for boating and fishing! They can make life easier or protect your investment. Here are a few to take a longer look at! You’ll probably say, “Why didn’t I think of that!” Trailering a boat is risky enough without having the guy behind you bumping into your expensive propeller causing possible damage elsewhere too. A parked boat with a propeller exposed might lead to an injury. The Back Off Bag wraps up the propeller in a quick drying, UV resistant mesh bag that is highlighted with 3 large reflective bands to alert drivers and pedestrians alike to the back end of your boat. The mold and mildew resistant bag tightens with a para cord and toggle for a custom fit! It also prevents the prop blades from tearing expensive covers! When not on the prop, it can be used for a storage bag. backoffbag.bigcartel.com
Bassing IN JANUARY Potomac River
Consistent water temperatures from 38-45 during the month. Find fish on steep drops in out-of-thecurrent areas. Silver Buddy Blade baits, jigged down drops on 10-2 pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line will locate fishing depth. Keep hooks sharp, replacing with Mustad
Old Town Crier
The trolling motor is one of the most important bass boat tools, getting anglers close to fish. But vibration created by flexing plastic blades produces propeller harmonic noise that could spook fish. Propeller Dynamics, known across the country as a premier prop repair shop, also boasts several common sense accessories. Their latest is sure to make a lot of noise on the trolling motor scene, keeping trolling motors quiet! The Eliminator custom prop nut replaces the stock nut with a larger contact surface and special durometer rubber O-ring to absorb and stabilize the vibration created by a flexing trolling motor prop. In addition, it can be installed and removed by hand! The rubber O-ring secures the Eliminator, making it easy to make onthe-fly changes if needed. In addition, the larger surface area of the aluminum prop nut provides more cooling, conducting heat through the prop shaft. Aided by holes drilled GO FISH > PAGE 42
KVD short shank trebles if needed! Once found, follow up with Punisher Hair jigs on 6-pound test Copoly line on spinning gear. Slowly drag short distances and stop. Shake a bit too! Also use Mann’s 3 inch avocado Stingray grubs in ¼ ounce ball head jig heads. Mizmo Tubes on 1/8-ounce tube heads on the same line also will work. With al of these baits, allow them to glide and stop, a gentle shake will help. Be patient! Soak them in garlic flavor Jack’s Juice Bait Spray. On the warmer days or in warmer water, Use Lucky Craft suspending Pointer 78 jerkbaits. Gold patterns on cloudy days, baitfish patterns with sun. Toss these on spinning gear, again on 6-pound test.
January 2015 | 39
FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN
Starting Off the New Year Right
I
love a new year. It almost seems like we can start all over, finally become that wonderful, productive, healthy, happy person we’ve always wanted to be. The trouble is, the enthusiasm to make changes, especially with exercise and diet, tends to fade once we realize we can’t change everything overnight. If you want to make lasting changes, there are three things you can do to make your resolutions work all year long: Adjust your attitude, change your lifestyle and come up with a plan for success. If you have the wrong attitude about fitness, you’re already setting yourself up for failure. Most people look at exercise as: • Punishment for bad eating • An obligation • Painful • Time consuming • Impossible to sustain over a long period of time • Boring If any of these sound familiar, how long do you think you’ll stick with your program? Nobody wants to do something painful, boring or obligatory. Before you throw yourself into weight loss, get yourself a more positive attitude about exercise and figure out a new way to look at fitness. Try a different perspective and look at exercise as: • A break from a stressful workday • A way to boost energy and mood • The only time you’ll have to yourself all day • A chance to get totally physical and let your mind rest • A chance to reward your body for working so hard • A way to improve your quality of life immediately One of the resolutions on every one’s list is weight loss. Remember that losing weight and maintaining that weight loss is a lifetime prospect. You will never stop working to maintain your fitness and weight. So, before you start that same old diet or exercise program, ask yourself 40 | January 2015
this question: Can I sustain this diet for the long term? Is this exercise program something I can do every day? Once you recognize the gravity of permanently losing weight, you’ll need to change your lifestyle to accommodate this goal. Figure out your bad habits. Keep a food/ activity journal for an entire week. Do it without judgment or shame-you’re simply trying to figure out what you’re doing every day that may be hurting your weight loss goals. Then work towards replacing those bad habits, one at a time, with different habits. Experts know that you can’t break bad habits without forming new ones. If you take away your daily Egg McMuffin and don’t replace it with something else you’ll drift right back into the old McDonald’s habit. This may sound simplistic, and it is. Giving up something yummy for something healthy isn’t easy. You have to change your environment to make it impossible to have or even want that Egg McMuffin. Get started with these ideas. Decide what you’ll eat instead of fast food. Stock up on breakfast foods you like, keep meal replacement bars in the car or try healthy fruit shakes or smoothies. Eat before you get in the car so you won’t be starving and, therefore, tempted to hit the drive thru. Change your driving route to work so you don’t even pass by McDonald’s. Don’t carry cash in the car (even if you DO have the urge to indulge, you won’t be able to), write
down your weight loss goal and tape it to your steering wheel or your glove compartment so, when you’re reaching for your wallet, you’re immediately reminded your goals. Your best chance at making your resolutions last is to make a plan for success. A few simple steps taken ahead of time can save you time and energy. Once you have figured out how to change your bad eating habits by replacing them with good ones, you’ve learned to create an environment that doesn’t allow those bad habits to exist. Now, you need to make a plan for what you really want. Write down specific goals you have (not just ‘I want to lose weight.’). List everything, for example: How much weight you want to lose. Make sure the amount of weight you want to lose is reasonable for your height and frame. Next, set a target date to reach your goals. Make sure you’ve given yourself a reasonable amount of time to reach that goal (a safe bet would be to lose a pound a week). Also write down the reasons why you want to lose weight (you are getting married or want to look good in a bathing suit for summer). Think about how you will feel once you reach your goals. Trying to set small goals throughout your program is a good way to keep yourself motivated. Plan ahead to figure out how you’ll maintain your weight loss once you reach your goal (remember, it’s a lifetime thing-even when you reach your goal-you can’t quit!).
Now that you have your goals set, it is time to set up a fitness program! To set up a good routine, you’ll need to know the basics of a complete program. Your program need to involve cardio, strength training and stretching. Easing your way into a new workout will ensure that you do not get overwhelmed and that you can stay committed. If you are already a member of a gym, try signing up for a single personal training session and have a trainer show you how to use some of the cardio and weight machines. If hiring a personal trainer is not in your budget, grab your best friend and get them to commit to two days a week with you. When you have someone else who is depending on you to be there it gives you a bit more motivation to get up and get to the gym. If you feel that working out on your own is not going to work, try signing up for a class. Group classes are a great way to stay motivated and, believe it or not, they can be fun! The important thing to remember is that losing weight and staying fit requires that you change your lifestyle. You have to change the way you think about exercise and eating; change the way you schedule your day and how you prioritize your tasks. It’s easy to lose a few pounds, but it’s hard to keep them off for good. Being prepared for what’s ahead is your first step in the right direction. Good luck in the New Year!
Old Town Crier
FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT
The Cable Woodchopper
❶
H
appy New Year! 2015 is here whether we’re ready for it or not. I hope all of you enjoyed a great holiday season with family and friends. If you followed any of my advice the past two months (controlling portion sizes and receiving that fitness gift), you should already be ahead of the game. As always, January is the perfect time to evaluate your lifestyle and set realistic “New Year’s Resolutions.” The best approach is to write down reasons WHY you want to make a change. Here’s an example: Reasons WHY I want to lose 20 pounds: “I can feel better about myself; I want to keep my diabetes in check; I want to sleep better; I hate being out of breath walking up the stairs; I want more energy so I can play with my kids or grandchildren; I’m sick of my joints always hurting.” Post these in a place where you will see them every day (maybe as your cell phone wallpaper) to remind you exactly why you want to put forth the effort for a healthier life. With that said, I bring Old Town Crier
❷ you another exercise of the month to try. I call it the Cable Woodchopper. This exercise has been featured in a previous issue of the Old Town Crier. However, the last time I explained this exercise, it was the “Low-to-High” version. This “woodchopper” is the opposite being “Highto-Low” which means that the cable pulley is set in the high position. This exercise is a great way to get your heart rate up and challenge the core. To start, select a lighter resistance and attach a single cable rotating handle to the clip. Grab the handle with your right hand over top of the left as shown in Figure 1. This shows the starting position for “chopping” down and to the left. Be sure to stand far enough away from the weight stack so that when your arms are straight the selected weight is not touching the remaining stack. Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders. Your hips should be facing away from the weight stack with the torso and arms slightly rotated towards the right. Begin the chop by using your abdominal muscles to
initiate the movement. Pull the handle diagonally across your body and down towards the floor. Keep the arms straight with the handle away from you. This will make your abdominals work harder during the exercise. Finish the chop towards the left at
about knee height (Figure 2). Reverse the movement and control the resistance back to the start position by utilizing those amazing abs! Try at least two sets of 10-12 repetitions for each side to get a balanced workout.
Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is an active member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).
January 2015 | 41
A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PG 8
CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PG 9
was more difficult,” David Nasaw wrote. “Only one railroad—the Washington Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O)—linked Baltimore and Washington, and by a single track,” Nasaw continued. The single track was trashed during the Baltimore riots. The railroad bridges that connected Baltimore to the north were set on fire and the telegraph lines cut. Washington was militarily isolated. The federal solution: bypass Baltimore altogether, transport the troops “south from Philadelphia to Perryville at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and then ferry— on Pennsylvania Railroad owned or leased steamers—through Chesapeake Bay to Annapolis, Maryland, where there were railway connections to Washington.” “I gloried in being useful to the land that had done so much for me,” Andrew Carnegie exclaimed. Carnegie himself arrived later in Washington and headquartered “with the army” in federally occupied Alexandria. “[Carnegie] was put in charge of rebuilding, reinforcing, and extending the telegraph and rail lines from Washington to Alexandria and from Alexandria southwest along the route the northern troops would travel,” Nasaw concluded. Extended rail track included the Potomac River’s Long Bridge, now known as the 14th Street Bridge. Carnegie’s task was not only “to establish a ferry to Alexandria,” but also “to extend the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad track from the old depot in Washington, along Maryland Avenue to and across the Potomac, so that locomotives and cars might be crossed for use in Virginia.” The Long Bridge, a timber pile bridge which opened in 1809 was originally built for feet and hooves. “I was stationed in Alexandria, Virginia [in July 1861] when the
unfortunate Battle of Bull Run was fought,” Carnegie explained. “We [had to] rush every engine and car to the front to bring back our defeated forces…In Alexandria the effect of panic was evident upon every side… Of our telegraphers not one was missing the next morning.” “Soon after this I returned to Washington and made my headquarters in the War Building,” Carnegie recalled. “As I had charge of the telegraph department, as well as the railways, this gave me an opportunity of seeing President Lincoln, Secretary Cameron and others. Mr. Lincoln would… occasionally sit at the desk awaiting replies to telegrams.” Lincoln sent nearly 1,000 telegrams during his presidency, the Union Army 6.5 million telegrams. Carnegie returned to Pittsburgh prior to the War’s end. He succumbed to illness; then recovered brilliantly. By the end of 1863 his assets included 15 investments “with a bottom-line total of $47,860.67; nearly $8.5 million today.” Carnegie, a Civil War Industrialist, formed the Freedom Iron Works in 1861, also invested in oil; created the Keystone [iron] Bridge Company in 1865, the Keystone Telegraph Company in 1867, the Edgar Thomson Works [a steel plant] in 1875, and published The Gospel of Wealth in 1889. Morse and Carnegie: visionaries, technologists and self-made entrepreneurs. Samuel F.B. Morse died in 1872, Andrew Carnegie in 1919. The federal government foolishly declined Morse’s offer to buy his telegraph. Carnegie, The Washington Post agreed, was “one of the first telegraph operators to read the writing wire by sound.”
GO FISH FROM PG 39
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without counsel, convicted of rape or murder, and sentenced to death. Lincoln, appalled at the prospect of 303 executions, reviewed the records and culled the kill list down to 38. These 38 were hanged in a single day; their bodies were exhumed for dissection as medical cadavers. Those whose sentences were commuted went to prison; the remainder of the tribe was exiled to Nebraska and South Dakota. Of course the U.S. government’s war on the Indian tribes continued long after the Civil War was over, culminating at Wounded Knee in 1890. All in all, it is not hard to see why many Indians favored the Confederacy over the Federal government.
Contact Sarah Becker at: abitofhistory53@gmail.com
one skirmish near Petersburg. Soon after, they were slaughtered in the Crater, singing their death songs. Out West, while the Confederacy courted the Indians as allies, it was business as usual for the Federal government. Following the battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico, Colorado home guards under John Chivington occupied themselves with an undeclared war against the Cheyenne. As part of the peace treaty “ending” this war, the Indians were to camp near Fort Lyon in Colorado. A group under Black Kettle camped at Sand Creek, flying an American flag to demonstrate they were not hostile. There, Chivington’s troops cut down over 150 Cheyenne, mostly women and children. Chivington justified his murder of children with the infamous maxim: “Nits grow into lice.” Many Cheyenne were scalped. Women were mutilated in especially horrible ways – one soldier displayed a fetus impaled on a stick. Women’s privates were scalped or cut out to stretch over saddle horns. Chief White Antelope’s scrotum became a tobacco pouch. Not all of the troops participated in the attack and a subsequent investigation censured Chivington. The massacre in James Michener’s Centennial is based on Sand Creek. In 1862 in Minnesota, the Dakota Sioux rose to drive white settlers out of their territory, killing about 800 men, women and children. Harper’s History of the Great Rebellion gives some credence to the theory that Confederate agents incited the uprising, but also acknowledges that Federal Indian agents had defrauded the Sioux, and that the Sioux saw an opportunity to take back their land while the whites were preoccupied with killing each other. The Federals eventually sent in the army to reinforce local militia and after several months the Dakotas surrendered. Over 1,000 of their men were jailed; 303 were tried
wear! hanzusa.com For any outdoors activity, don’t reflect upon the suns glare! World famous Maui Jim Polarized Plus sunglasses are now lighter than ever! The Haleakala style, the latest offering from Maui Jim in the PureAirTM series, takes the weight out of the clearest sunglasses! New, translucent Grilamid TR90LX frames, a thermoplastic known for durability, retains its shape even when the material is thin or flexed. Available in several frame and lens colors for any activity! mauijim.com Anglers looking for simple ways to modify soft plastic presentations while having versatility for other techniques have found the new Infinity Weights from Lure Craft. A bullet style weigh has a removable wire insert allowing changing weight sizes. The wire clip enables hooks to be secured to the weight, also allowing the hook to
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Sources
Harper’s History of the Great Rebellion; Cherokees at Pea Ridge, Earl J. Hess, http://www.civilwar. org/battlefields/pearidge/pea-ridgehistory-articles/cherokeespearidge. html; William Trotter, Bushwhackers: The Civil War in North Carolina; 1862 Dakota War, http:// exploringoffthebeatenpath.com/ Battlefields/DakotaWar/index.html; Jefferson Curie, American Indians and the Civil War, http://www.ncdcr.gov/ Portals/7/Collateral/database/F00. american.indians.pdf; Tony Horowitz, The Horrific Sand Creek Massacre Will Be Forgotten No More, http://www. smithsonianmag.com/history/horrificsand-creek-massacre-will-be-forgottenno-more-180953403/?no-ist; We are all Americans – Native Americans in the Civil War, http://alexandriava. gov/historic/fortward/default. aspx?id=40164 Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria; comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@coleman-lawyers.com.
Capt. Steve Chaconas, Potomac bass fishing guide, BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (http://my.boatus.com/askexperts/ bassfishing/) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.
Old Town Crier
be blown away
FIRST BLUSH KIM PUTENS
Winter Skincare
T
he holidays are over and the winter blues have set in. You looked fabulous getting through the holiday parties, the trips to see Santa, and the late-night shopping adventures, but the hectic schedule and craziness have left you feeling blah. So, here’s how to survive the winter blues and look good doing it.
Take care of your skin
When your skin looks great, your makeup looks even better. During these cold, drab winter months, it’s easy for our skin to start looking dull and lifeless. A couple of ideas to jumpstart the appearance of your skin – apply a mask, experience a deep exfoliation, and apply a richer moisturizer. Try a mask that has rejuvenating properties. Masks that rejuvenate the skin work to exfoliate off dead skin and bring back its natural glow. These masks specifically get the blood flowing to the surface so that the skin looks youthful and glowing. A deep exfoliation will get rid of the layers of dull dry skin that have accumulated as a natural winter blanket on the skin. Most over the counter physical exfoliants – the granular ones – will do the trick. Chemical exfoliants with glycolic acid are also very effective. Finally, make sure to apply a richer moisturizer than usual. These winter months are incredibly dry and impact the skin’s natural moisture levels. Using a proper moisturizer is important in providing relief and in diminishing the look of dry, aging skin.
Take care of your hair
For many of us, our mood and how we approach the day is dependent upon the way our hair looks. Frizzy hair, split ends, and lifeless locks are consequences of the dry winter months. Frizzy locks are very common. There are many ways to help the hairs lay flat. Try a deep conditioning mask once a week or once a month, depending upon how frizzy the hair. Apply to the hair, wrap in a towel, and allow the hair to marinate in the conditioner. Rinse and let air dry to give your hair a break Old Town Crier
from the heat of a blow dryer. On a daily basis, use leave in conditioners and defrizzing styling products on the hair before heat styling. To combat split ends, get your coif trimmed frequently. Lifeless locks can be revived with a change in routine. Try a clarifying shampoo once a week to combat build up caused by using lots of hair products such as hair sprays, styling aids, and heavy conditioners.
Take care of your nails
With all the worries over flu season and winter colds, we tend to wash our hands more often in the winter months. This causes our hands to become dry and our nails brittle. Give your hands a treatment to keep them looking youthful and your nails healthy. Once a week, apply an extra deep moisturizer to your hands and wrap them in socks overnight. The next morning, your hands will feel smooth and be less dry and cracked. It will also help to improve the look of your nails as the moisturizer penetrates to make them less brittle and prone to breakage. For added protection and help, apply a cuticle moisturizer over the entire nail bed and cuticle area. Finally, keep nails trim and deal with breakage immediately by filing with an emery board to prevent further breakage.
Take care of your feet
Feet constrained in high heels and fancy shoes during the holiday season are in need of a respite. Nurture your tootsies with foot soaks, foot scrubs and foot moisturizers. Once a week, give your feet the soak they deserve. Look for foot soaks with moisturizing ingredients and soak them often. After the soak and while your feet are softer, use a foot file to scrub off the dead skin. Finally, apply a deep moisturizer to keep the feet feeling soft and smooth. As with your hands, try applying a deeply moisturizing foot cream and stuff your feet into socks overnight. The heat of the socks reacts with the moisturizer to make them softer and more hydrated the next day. Trying doing this once a week or as needed.
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SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON
8 Tips for Dealing with Holiday Hangovers
A
fter the buzz of being a kid at Christmas wore off, somewhere in my late 20s, I started to bristle at the idea of all the frivolity in the heart of winter. Probably at that age I tied it into my disdain for the over-commercialization of America but now I see it as a deeper malaise. Now that another decade (or so) has passed and I have the great pleasure of sharing my life with someone who loves the moniker “Captain Christmas” I’m looking deeper into my supposed distaste with all things holiday. I’ve come up with 8 ideas that can help you not only recover from a holiday hangover, but help you set your sails for a more
The
rejuvenating season next year. Allow yourself to be okay with whatever you feel. Most feelings come and go with ease. Unless we try to ignore them or force them. As you start a new year make a practice to be okay with whatever it is that you’re feeling right now. Feelings are neutral, it’s simply our judgments about feelings that can get our knickers in a twist. Ask for what you need. It’s not selfish to ask for a few minutes (or hours or days) of downtime if you need it. Wouldn’t you encourage your best friend or child to take care of themselves if they were fighting a cold or flu? Why not treat yourself like someone you love? Seek counsel if you need
it. There’s nothing weak about asking for help. Whether it’s asking another parent to share the car-pooling responsibilities or asking a counselor, pastor or other trusted confidante to listen. When you take time to ask for what you need, you become stronger and a more capable role model. Stop ‘faking it.’ No one believes you’re Martha Stewart anyway. If you hate homemade crafts and cookie baking that’s perfectly fine. If you love dressing up in your holiday attire that’s awesome too. The bottom line is there is no need to pretend to be anyone else but you. Your friends and family love you. I promise the world will not come to an end if you don’t
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44 | January 2015
make a single batch of cookies or mail out 800 cards to everyone you know. Create traditions that work for you and yours. When the kids are tiny it’s pretty easy to mold them into tiny versions of you. When they get older they may have some strong opinions on traditions and recipes they’d like to bring into your clan. January is the perfect time to sit down as a family team and talk about what you loved and what you didn’t love about the recent season. Create lists and plans for what you all wish the next holiday season looks like. This gives every member of the team a role and a responsibility, and with 11 months to plan, there’s no rushing around at the last minute to make things perfect. Sleep more. The winter season is a time of rest and rejuvenation. While the holiday season represents the bringing of light into the new year, there is still a call to the hush and stillness as we each expand our roots and energy underground. Take a hint from Mother Nature and rest as much as possible. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy, it means that you’re keeping with a sacred tradition. Honor yourself as you go within and be prepared to start dazzling in the Spring as the new buds begin to blossom. Nourish yourself. If this is the time of year you usually banish yourself from having sweets, and swear you’re finally going to drop 10 pounds, take a different approach. This is the time of
year nourish, not condemn yourself. Your body needs love and attention in the best possible way. Ask yourself what choices are most nourishing as you approach your new year. When you choose to consciously support your body, rather than challenge it, you’ll feel better all around. Resist the temptation to go with the crowd. If everyone you know makes resolutions or eschews goal-setting it’s okay to do the opposite. If goals spur you forward, work with it. If you hate the idea of making a big vision board full of pretty pictures, don’t do it. Create a new process for setting your intentions (or not) for the new year based on your strengths, not your perceived weaknesses. Pick one or more of these points to lean into 2015 in a way that speaks to you, and you might just be amazed at how relaxed you feel by next year! Peggie Arvidson, the Pragmatic Palmist is a healer, teacher and soul coach as well as the founder of The Profitable Alchemist Academy. She’s helped thousands of people connect with their life purpose and put it to work for them through private readings, small group classes and individual coaching programs. You can learn more & sign up to receive your free mini-reading at PeggieArvidson.com. She’s also available for private sessions at Rising Phoenix Holistic Center in downtown Manassas, Va.
Old Town Crier
SINGLE SPACE BONNIE BROWNING
A New Year’s Revolution [Publisher’s note: Lori Welch Brown decided to take the month of December off to celebrate the holidays unencumbered of deadlines. We welcome, once again, Bonnie Browning to our writers fold. Lori will be back in February.]
A
fter more than 40 trips around the sun, I’m thinking back over the decades of New Year’s Resolutions I’ve made for myself. For the very first time in the history of Bonnie I want you to know that I DID IT! VAROOM VAROOM! This year I didn’t resolve to lose those nagging 10 lbs, workout every day, eat healthier or save more money. What I decided to do, was something different and focus on being more “ME”. I’m a risk taker, I love competition and I love my Daddy. And my Daddy loved Harley’s… In motorcycle vernacular you don’t “drive” a motorcycle, you “ride.” My interest in riding was sparked at 11 when I first learned to kick start my Daddy’s first Harley. To his delight, I sat on it all by myself - with the help of the kickstand. I spent summers in Memphis, where he worked as an airplane mechanic for Federal Express, and we rode everywhere. My babysitters were airport bar waitresses and Hell’s Angels “old ladies”. As his only child, my daddy taught me a lot of “useful” skills during those formative years - like how to shoot pool well enough to beat most of his buddies. I was the son he never had. Still, he never taught me to “ride” on my own or encouraged me to get my own motorcycle. Some things, I figured, were just meant for boys. More than a few “riders” have come in and out of my life. They come and they go and they mostly just go… VAROOM VAROOM! My last crazy boyfriend was an avid lifestyle motorcyclist— expert level from
Old Town Crier
decades of using a bike as his primary mode of transportation. My first real lessons were on the back of his Vulcan 800 listening to him pontificate about his way to stay alive out there on two wheels. I jest, and would never admit to him, but I absorbed every word. Respecting his skills while hoping I’d someday put his prowess into action on my own bike. Enter his 1981 Honda 200 — a light, small and very forgiving machine with which he taught many friends the basics. I started hands on lessons. Rule #1 he said was “don’t screw up” but I dropped the thing early and often anyway. When I did, I learned as he sternly reminded me there is no time for crying in motorcycle riding. Get out of the road or end up road kill. It was the school of hard knocks but I learned quickly and took it seriously. Riding was a big part of our dating life
and included lots of motorcycle day trips, camping trips, and long country rides. I never got the ring, but he did end up painting that Honda pink and gifting it to me for Christmas. If you know me, you’d know I’d take a motorcycle over a ring any day. That relationship and my riding routine ended. Newly single, my desire to control my own motorcycle destiny mounted every time I heard a “VAROOM VAROOM” roll by and my heart sank because I knew it wasn’t coming for me. With 2013 ending and resolutions looming, I considered… why wait for someone to come into my life with a motorcycle to be able to ride? My 2014 resolutions included obtaining a Class M License and purchasing my own motorcycle. I reflected on my typical resolutions and pondered — are these appropriate
New Year’s goals? In my family, traditional New Year’s Resolutions are about deprivation, limiting our bad habits or controlling our gluttonous ways. But let’s be honest – they are rarely seen to fruition. Instead, why not ADD something that makes us happy and expands upon our strengths thereby leaving less room for weaknesses? To me the more space joy and happiness occupy in our lives the less room will remain for all the negative habits that New Year’s resolutions are designed to rehabilitate. After a Harley “New Rider’s”course, a Class M license, a Triumph T100 Bonneville and 4,214 miles… I can honestly say I love this addition to my life and it has dramatically increased my happiness quotient. I did something I’ve never had the guts to do before. In the process, most of those traditional “health and wellness” New Year’s objectives resolved themselves magically. Yep, I lost some weight, shopped a lot less and am tremendously more active thanks to my “Bonnie”. My advice for your New Year is to do more of what you love. “Be more YOU!” Happiness will follow and the rest of it may just happen naturally. I’m still “alive” after riding all year and I feel more alive than ever. I’ve embraced a “Live to Ride and Ride to Live” lifestyle. What will your “ride” be this year? Good luck and I hope to see you out there! VAROOM VAROOM! Bonnie Browning is co-founder of AVID Productions with founder Glenn Morel. Bonnie is an "AVID" motorcycle enthusiast and entrepreneur. She is a Texan who splits her time between Austin and Washington, DC where AVID is based. For more information about AVID visit avidproductions.com
January 2015 | 45
B Welcome
2015! 46 | January 2015
y the time most of you are Road a little difficult. I have been reading this issue, New Years lost twice trying to get home from Eve will have passed and you treks to Southern Maryland!! The are probably in the middle of Publisher of this fine publication taking down the last of the grew up in that area and he even got season’s decorations! I was the only lost! Hopefully this will improve as resident on the north side of our One the foundation for the casino gets National Harbor condo building that pulled together. By Lani Gering even put lights on my balcony so I The Capitol Wheel made its debut guess my neighbors weren’t as in the on Memorial Day weekend. There spirit as I was! The Harbor looks very has been a bit of controversy among festive, however, and there are a few days to the masses about the wheel — it’s too gawdy, come take a last minute look at the decorations the lights are too bright, etc. All of which is and experience ICE, which runs through personal taste but I am here to tell you that January 4. more people are huge fans than not, including This is a bittersweet time of the year for yours truly. While I think the price for a ride is many of us. We are sad that the holidays are on the high side, I believe we will see a decrease over but happy that the hullabaloo that comes in that going into 2015. They offered all sorts with them has died down. It’s a good time to of special rates during the holidays. National take a break and get settled in for the winter Harbor is a resort after all and we want lots of for some of us and for others it’s the time to people to come to the resort! embark on new adventures. Either way, there is Retail at the Harbor is still trying to find a something in the Harbor to satisfy both. happy medium. My favorite store, Stonewall For those looking to take a break, it may be Kitchen, has probably been open for the longest a good time to check out the Harbor’s premier period of time. They have good products and spa, Relache! (see add on accompanying page) know how to market themselves. Several new Relache is located in the Gaylord Hotel and retail stores have opened in the Harbor in the Resort and was named one of “America’s Top past year and they out-number the stores that 100 Spas” by Spas of America. Their focus is closed. Being a retailer in a resort area is tough your health, wellness and relaxation. There are when winter sets in. There aren’t any major 12 very luxurious treatment rooms including events and the convention business slows down one for couples overlooking the river. They considerably. I think that once the number of offer massages, facials, and body, hand and “locals” visiting the harbor picks up (you would foot therapies along with a host of the latest be amazed at how many people who live 10 treatments. Also available is a co-ed river view minutes from the place haven’t taken the trek) relaxation room, saunas and steam rooms. All regular business will settle in. changing areas have private lockers, showers Last January I talked about looking forward and personal amenities. This is a place to be no to a new neighborhood restaurant that would matter your gender. fill the space that Ashton Kutcher & partners The Harbor is still growing in leaps and Ketchup vacated. The Walrus Oyster and Ale bounds. The Tanger Outlet’s have been open a House opened last fall. The concept is based little over a year and adding new stores every on the poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter.” month. I am not a big “shopper” and have to The menu is a fun one and the drinks are an admit I have been to the outlets only twice adventure as well. Redstone American Grill but I discovered the Tommy Bahama store last opened up in the huge space on the waterfront spring and it is my favorite! — where the Classic Movie Mural was - last The MGM Grand Casino began construction summer. This is probably the prime location this summer and it appears to be on schedule. to watch the Capitol Wheel spin around. They have a beautiful plan in place that will Both of these places are a great addition to be nothing like the other casinos in our the restaurant scene. It is worth your while commuting area. We will actually have a Las to give them a try. In the meantime, I would Vegas style, high-end venue with big name also recommend that you treat yourself to a entertainment, restaurants and retail! It will waterfront experience at McLoone’s Pier House do wonders for the convention and visitor on the water, some lively Irish music and business in the area as well as provide another accompanying fare at Harrington’s Pub and entertainment option for us locals. Right now, Kitchen or watch your favorite sports team and however, the traffic pattern and road detours grab some great American fare at the Public make getting around that area of Oxon Hill House on Fleet Street. We can’t forget one of Old Town Crier
my favorite spots, Bond 45, between Bond and their sister restaurant, Fiorella’s, you won’t be disappointed by either the food or drink. We hope that getting you all familiar with what is available at the Harbor will entice you to come visit — if you haven’t already — or to make your first trip to this very happening
place. Wishing you and yours a very happy and prosperous New Year! Questions and comments may be made via email (office@oldtowncrier.com), via blog on our website, oldtowncrier.com, or on our Facebook page, Facebook/Old Town Crier Regional Magazine.
NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE
10th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at National Harbor
AROMA DITALI 156 National Plaza 301-839-3492
January 24 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445
The annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge is the Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s (CCAN) priority fundraising event, powering victories to us off of fossil fuels and to clean energy. Each year, activists, friends and families show their commitment to fight climate change by jumping in the icy Potomac River. For the plunge’s10th anniversary they are aiming to raise $100,000 to support CCAN’s work and make it the biggest plunge yet.
CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com All-American cuisine
To join the plunge it takes three simple steps:
❄ Create your own personal fundraising page at keepwintercold.org ❄ Invite friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your plunge. ❄ Come to the event and bask in the bragging rights that come with your icy dip. If you don’t particularly want to take part in the plunge, join the party and cheer on the dippers! Information and details available on the site at keepwintercold.org!
BAJA FRESH MEXICAN 186 Waterfront Street 301-839-1377
ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014 FIORELLA PIZZERIA E CAFFE 152 National Plaza 301-839-1811 GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788 Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspub andkitchen.com Enjoy traditional Irish fare and more! McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224
photo: James B. Dougherty
Old Town Crier
McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com
NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com PIENZA ITALIAN MARKET Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS 146 National Plaza 301-686-1160 PUBLIC HOUSE 199 Fleet Street 240-493-6120 publichouse nationalharbor.com Whether its lunch, happy hour, dinner or a late night party, we can meet your needs. REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330 ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 Walrus Oyster & Ale House 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100
January 2015 | 47
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48 | January 2015
12/23/14 5:35 PM
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