Old Town Crier- January 2016 Full Issue

Since 1988 • Priceless

January 2016

Road Trip

2015 ADVENTURE RECAP Business Profile

OLD TOWN WINDOWS AND DOORS

Serving the DC Metro Area for Decades Dining Out

MAGNOLIA’S ON KING

Southern Immersion Cuisine Grapevine

2015 VISITORS’ CHOICE Favorite Virginia Winery Tasting Rooms

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

115115 KingKing Street Street • Old Town Alexandria Old Town Alexandria 703-836-8404 • landinibrothers.com 703-836-8404

G -11 pm N I RK :30

PArday 5 T E AL atu

V y&S a

Frid

Valet Parking Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm

Noe and Franco welcome you!

COME FOR THE FUN, STAY FOR THE FOOD!

Old Town’s Favorite Raw Bar Featuring the Freshest Shellfish in Virginia

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’16 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 SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Schultz DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 Chris Anderson Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker Frank Britt Bonnie Browning F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Jimmy Deaton Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan

CONTRIBUTORS Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Sarah Liu Jeff McCord Kim Putens Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown

14 A Bit of History After Hours Alexandria Events

8 11 3

Exploring Virginia Wines

38

New Year Traditions

4

6

On the Road

1

First Blush

43

Open Space

45

Financial Focus

Art & Antiques

15

Fitness

40

Pets of the Month

17

Behind the Bar

28

From the Bay…

22

Points on Pets

16

5

From the Trainer

41

Publishers Notes

Caribbean Connection

18

Gallery Beat

14

Road Trip

20

Chefs Special

34

Go Fish

39

Spiritual Renaissance

44

Civil Discourse

9

Grapevine

36

The Last Word

13

Dining Guide

32

High Notes

12

To the Blue Ridge

25

Dining Out

30

National Harbor

46

Urban Garden

Business Profile

2

7

© 2016 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.

About the cover Brighid is a Scottish Highland heifer at Heritage Hollow Farms in Sperryville, Va. Photographed last February by her farmer/owner, Molly M. Peterson, she's “got the best hair of them all” and is a fan favorite. You can meet Brighid – and photograph her, too – by taking one of Molly's “Capturing the Essence of Life on the Farm” photography workshops. photo: Molly M . Peterson, www.mollympeterson.com

Old Town Crier

On the road with OTC Alexandria resident Bob Steciuk is too interested in the October issue of the Old Town Crier to take a look around in Savannah, Georgia. He would have seen beautiful blue skies, an enormous canopy of interlocking trees laden with mysterious Spanish moss, and an elegant maze of Old South, perfectly preserved plazas.

Alexandria resident Maggie Steciuk takes a break from a stroll through beautiful Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, to read her October issue of the Old Town Crier.

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 2016 | 1

PUBLISHER’S NOTES BOB TAGERT

W

ell, we’ve made it another year. After 28 years in business, we begin year 29 with the issue that you hold in your hand. As many of you know, what started out as idle talk one afternoon at Bullfeathers Restaurant (where O’Connell’s is today), has become one of the region’s most widely read magazines. I think that I was a young man when we started this publication. It seems so long ago, and just yesterday at the same time.

Back in 1987 The Port Packet and The Gazette newspapers merged and Old Town lost its local little paper, The Packet. A group of us had gathered at Bully’s for afternoon cocktails and the conversation came around to starting our own publication.

I called my friend Dave Underwood two weeks later to tell him that I think the idea might work. After hemming and hawing for a few months we finally published our first issue in January of 1988, with a full color front cover. We paid for that first print job with a credit card and haven’t looked back since.

Dave passed away in 2007 and not only did I lose a good friend, but the rest of Alexandria did as well. I have been very fortunate to have a long list of people who have helped this magazine not just survive, but flourish, all these years. I may have been out front, but it was those behind me who did — and still do — the heavy pushing.

It is also because of our wonderful advertisers that we are still here and can bring our incredible writers to you each month. We are very fortunate to have most of these advertisers involved with us for many years and a few that have been with us since day one, every month.

Finally, thanks to our vendors who have stuck by us even when the invoice is paid a little late.

To all of you who read us … and I guess that means you, since you are reading this … Have an absolutely fantastic 2016—make it an adventure!

Dave Underwood and me in the early days of Old Town Crier

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

Local Farmers Markets 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 Alexandria’s Market Square is thought to be one of the nation’s oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians. George Washington sent his

2 | January 2016

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.

TOP 14 OF 2014

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

get your ! monthly fix

oldtowncrier.com

Subscribe today and enjoy every issue of the Old Town Crier at home. Fill out this form, enclose a check for $25 (12 issues) and drop it in the mail to: Old Town Crier, PO Box 320386, Alexandria, Va. 22320

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.

Name _______________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City/State/Zip ________________________________________

Old Town Crier

Alexandria tours, exhibits, events

Exhibit extended through March 902 Wythe Street 703-746-4356 www.alexandria.gov/BlackHistory During the Civil War, thousands of African Americans escaping slavery sought refuge behind Union lines in Alexandria, Virginia.

The fugitives found freedom in Alexandria, but also a city under siege. The influx overwhelmed the city. Rampant disease and deprivation took their toll on the freedmen. A cemetery was created for those who had survived slavery, but did not live long in freedom. “The Journey to be Free” shows the legacy of Alexandria’s Contraband community and the amazing story of their burial ground that was lost and rediscovered, now memorialized as the Contraband and Freedmen Cemetery.

Medical Care for the Civil War Soldier Exhibit Fort Ward Museum Ongoing exhibit 4301 West Braddock Road 703-746-4848 www.alexandria.gov/FortWard Fort Ward Museum has an ongoing exhibit which features original medical instruments and equipment from the Civil War period and information on Union Army hospital sites in Alexandria.

Bring PBS’ MERCY STREET to Life: Personal Stories of Union and Confederacy Converge in City Setting PBS’ first American drama in nearly a decade is inspired by true stories of Civil War Alexandria, Virginia. This historic city will celebrate the unprecedented national spotlight on its heritage by presenting new visitor experiences for fans of the upcoming PBS series, MERCY STREET. Premiering on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at 10 p.m., MERCY STREET will follow the final season of “Downton Abbey” on Masterpiece. The six-episode series takes viewers beyond the battlefield and into the lives of Americans on the Civil War home front. More than two dozen new tours, exhibits and events have been planned in Alexandria, kicking off this month when the show debuts.

Set in 1862, MERCY STREET follows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict; Mary Phinney (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a staunch New England abolitionist, and Emma Green (Hannah James), a naive young Confederate belle. The two collide at Mansion House, the Green family’s luxury hotel that has been taken over and transformed into a Union Army Hospital in Alexandria.

Just outside of Washington, D.C., Alexandria was a border town between North and South and the longest Unionoccupied city of the Civil War. Ruled under martial law, Alexandria was the melting pot of the region, filled with soldiers, civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded fighting men from both sides, speculators, spies, and African American refugees.

Today, visitors can get a close look at the story at Alexandria’s historic sites,

Old Town Crier

with new visitor experiences launching in 2016. Visitor experiences uncover the real people behind the characters on the show, the realities of Civil War medicine, changing roles for women, and the breakthrough experience of enslaved African Americans claiming their freedom.

HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW VISITOR EXPERIENCES COMING IN 2016 INCLUDE: MERCY STREET-inspired tours of Alexandria, featuring stories and sites that inspired the show “Explore the Real Mansion House” event, with an exclusive opportunity to step inside the former Mansion House hospital “Who These Wounded Are: The Extraordinary Stories of the Mansion House Hospital” exhibit at Carlyle House, once the Green family home, featuring a new interpretation of period hospital rooms and doctor/officer housing, plus stories of nurse Mary Phinney and spy Frank Stringfellow “Green Family Exhibit” at the StablerLeadbeater Apothecary Museum, featuring purchases and stories of the Green family and Union Quartermaster staff “The Journey to be Free: Selfemancipation and Alexandria’s Contraband Heritage” exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum, telling the story of thousands of African Americans who escaped slavery and sought refuge behind Union lines in Alexandria EXHIBITS Who These Wounded Are: The Extraordinary Stories of the Mansion House Hospital Carlyle House Historic Park January 11 to July 11 121 N. Fairfax Street 703-549-2997

www.carlylehouse.org From 1861-1865, the U.S. Army used Carlyle House, then the home of Emma Green and her family, and the adjacent Mansion House Hotel as a hospital and staff quarters. The people who lived and worked at this site in Alexandria and their real life stories have inspired the PBS television show, “Mercy Street”.

The owner of the house and hotel, James Green, was one of the richest men in town and made a deep historical footprint on Alexandria. Carlyle House’s exhibit will feature the factual story of the history of the site and its occupants. Upstairs, a new interpretation will explore the lives of these individuals through period hospital rooms and doctor/officer housing.

Green Family Exhibit Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum January to May 2016 107 S. Fairfax St 703-746-3852 The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary remained open and operational when Alexandria was occupied during the Civil War. The Green Family and Union Quartermaster staff shopped there to purchase everything from Laudanum to Cologne. Today, visitors can take a guided tour and experience the historic space where occupied Alexandria came to shop.

The exhibit will feature the purchases and stories of the Green Family and the Union Quartermaster.

The Journey to be Free: Self-emancipation and Alexandria’s Contraband Heritage Alexandria Black History Museum

Nurse Clarissa Jones Exhibit The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum Opening January 25th 201 S. Washington St. 703-746-4994 www.alexandria.gov/Lyceum The Lyceum mounts an exhibit on the life of Clarissa Jones, a nurse at The Lyceum hospital during the Civil War. It will bring home to visitors the true story of an actual nurse in Alexandria during the war, drawing parallels with characters portrayed in the PBS drama “Mercy Street.” It will include references to the experiences of other Alexandria nurses at that time, such as Anne Reading, who actually worked in the Mansion House hospital, and Jane Woolsey, who served at the Fairfax Seminary hospital.

TOURS Mercy in Alexandria: Walking Tour January 2-June 19 - Sat-Sun: 4:30 p.m.

Tour starts at Visitors Center 221 King Street DC Military Tours 703-407-6663 www.dcmilitarytour.com Experience an inside access tour of 19th century Alexandria. Accompany a trained military historian through Civil War era Alexandria and learn the actual history behind the TV show. Get behind the scenes of locations “Mercy Street” characters lived, worked, and played.

Occupied City: Civil War Alexandria Self-Guided Tour Starting January 16 The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum 201 S. Washington St. 703-746-4994 www.alexandria.gov/Lyceum

Learn about the real history behind the show on this self-guided walking tour, which features significant Civil War Alexandria sites all within walking distance of The Lyceum, which was seized and used as a hospital during the war.

EVENTS AND ONE-TIME TOURS Civil War Ball Gadsby’s Tavern Museum January 23rd - 8-11 p.m. $45 in advance, reservations required 134 N Royal St. 703-746-4242 www.alexandria.gov/GadsbysTavern Enjoy an evening from the 1860s in the historic ballroom at the Civil War Ball. The ball will include live music, dance instruction, and period desserts.

Period attire, either civilian or military, is encouraged. The ball runs 8 - 11 pm. $45 in advance, reservations are required.

Dance classes for the Ball will be held January 7, 14, and 21, 7:30 - 9:30 pm.

Cost: $12 per class or $30 for the series.

Performance: Staged Reading of a New Play, Virginia Luxuries by Pamela Leahigh The Athenaeum January 28 201 Prince Street 703-548-0035 $15 admission www.nvfaa.org One old home in Alexandria houses both the past and the present. Two families, one modern, one living during the Civil War, find that their stories are intertwined.

Can the modern family escape the weight of the slavery and the Confederacy?

Gray Ghost Wine Dinner Gadsby’s Tavern Museum January 29, 7 pm $100 per person inclusive 134 N Royal St. 703-746-4242 www.alexandria.gov/GadsbysTavern Enjoy 19thcentury-inspired food and wine for the modern palate and this Civil War Wine Dinner. This five-course wine dinner will feature Gray Ghost Vineyards, whose wines are created on lands “Gray Ghost” Confederate John S. Mosby and his men operated upon during the Civil War. Doors open at 7 p.m. Dress: Business Casual.

Explore the Real Mansion House January 30th - 10 a.m.

121 N. Fairfax Street $10 Alexandria Historical Society and Friends of Carlyle House Members; $20 all others For tickets: www. alexandriahistoricalsociety.wildapricot.org/ event-2044704 The program will begin in one of the original lobbies of the famous hospital, normally closed to the public, with coffee, bagels and a presentation led by Sarah Coster, former Director of Carlyle House, and Audrey Davis, historical consultant for “Mercy Street” and Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum. Then, go on a tour of the Carlyle House, the Green family’s stately Southern mansion, whose history goes back to the 1740s.

January 2016 | 3

Poet Robert Burns & ‘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.

Many New Year customs that we take for granted actually date from ancient times. This year, ring out the old and ring in the new with a New Year tradition — or two!

Make Some Noise

Put Your Best Foot Forward

• In China, firecrackers routed the forces of darkness.

This practice holds that the first foot to cross a threshold after midnight will predict the next year’s fortune. Although the tradition varies, those deemed especially fortunate as “first footers” are new brides, new mothers, those who are tall and dark (and handsome?) or anyone born on January 1.

• In ancient Thailand, guns were fired to frighten off demons.

• In the early American colonies, the sounds of pistol shots rang through the air.

• Today, Italians let their church bells peal, the Swiss beat drums, and the North Americans sound sirens and party horns to bid the old year farewell.

Eat Lucky Food

Many New Year’s traditions surround food.

Here are a few: • In the southern US, black-eyed peas and pork foretell good fortune.

• Eating any ring-shaped treat (such as a donut) symbolize “coming full circle” and leads to good fortune. In Dutch homes, fritters called olie bollen are served.

• The Irish enjoy pastries called bannocks.

• The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight comes from Spain.

• In India and Pakistan, rice promises prosperity.

• Apples dipped in honey are a Rosh Hashanah tradition.

• In Swiss homes, dollops of whipped cream, symbolizing the richness of the year to come, are dropped on the floors (and allowed to remain there!)

Drink a Beverage

Although the pop of a champagne cork signals the arrival of the New Year around the world, some countries have their own traditions.

• Wassail, the Gaelic term for “good health” is served in some parts of England.

• Spiced “hot pot” is the Scottish version of Wassail. It’s customary to drink a glass or two at home before sharing with neighbors.

• In Holland, toasts are made with hot, spiced wine.

Give a Gift

In Scotland, the custom of first-footing is an important part of the celebration of Hogmanay, or New Year’s Eve Day.

Turn Over a New Leaf

The dawn of a new year is an opportune time to take stock of your life: • Jews who observe Rosh Hashanah make time for personal introspection and prayer, as well as visiting graves.

• Christian churches hold “watch-night” services, a custom that began in 1770 at Old St. Georges Methodist Church in Philadelphia.

• The practice of making New Year’s resolutions, said to have begun with the Babylonians as early as 2600 B.C., is another way to reflect on the past and plan ahead.

New Year’s Folklore

Some customs and beliefs are simply passed down through the ages. Here are some favorite age-old sayings and proverbs: • On New Year’s Eve, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing.

• If New Year’s Eve night wind blow south, It betokeneth warmth and growth.

• For abundance in the new year, fill your pockets and cupboards today.

• If the old year goes out like a lion, the new year will come in like a lamb.

• Begin the new year square with every man. (i.e., pay your debts!) –Robert B. Thomas, founder of The Old Farmer’s Almanac So, whether we resolve to return borrowed farm equipment (as did the Babylonians) or drop a few pounds, we’re tapping into an ancient and powerful longing for a fresh start! source: almanac.com

New Year’s Day was once the time to swap presents: • Gifts of gilded nuts or coins marked the start of the new year in Rome.

• Eggs, the symbol of fertility, were exchanged by the Persians.

• Early Egyptians traded earthenware flasks.

• In Scotland, coal, shortbread and silverware are exchanged for good luck.

sourced from www.trivia-library.com

4 | January 2016

Old Town Crier

business profile BOB TAGERT

OLD TOWN WINDOWS AND DOORS

631 S. PATRICK STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703-838-2779 oldtownwindowsanddoors.com

Old Town Windows and Doors

T

his month’s Business Profile is about a relative newcomer to Old Town, but one who brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to our fair city. Gary Natovitz, already successful in business, decided to work with the best and begin to sell windows and doors. His plan was simple — base 50 percent of his business in an environment where they could dictate what products could be sold, and partner with a creative, visionary manufacturer that provided product, as well as ancillary products that could be sold in nonrestrictive adjacent markets.

They checked around for the most advantageous area and settled on Old Town Alexandria, and decided that Marvin Windows and Doors was the best product available. Marvin provided Old Town Windows and Doors the most versatile and highest quality products available — they covered all needs required. Marvin had traditional wood and clad products, new construction fiberglass/wood products and fiberglass replacements.

Why Marvin? Just south of the Canadian border, nestled next to Lake of the Woods, sits the small town of Warroad, Minnesota, home to Marvin Windows and Doors — the world’s largest manufacturer of made-to-order wood window and door products. Heralded throughout the world as an industry leader, Marvin is known for its craftsmanship and rich legacy of producing highquality and innovative products that are a result of the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of the people who work there.

Natovitz had established his primary market and had their sources lined up. Marvin had always shown a true sense of loyalty to its clients and the dealers that represented the products. Natovitz then set his resources towards working with the city of Alexandria to systemize and simplify the rule for replacing windows and doors in the historic district. As the only non-council member invited to participate in these meetings the “Old Town Guy’s” expertise was used to help streamline the selection

Old Town Crier

Gary Natovitz

process of manufacturers that could meet the strict guidelines imposed by the city. After considerable time and resistance, guidelines were enacted based on the ideas and recommendations that were presented by Natovitz. Simultaneous to these efforts a relationship was established with the local distributor of Marvin products. With his twenty years of knowledge, the company now boasted of almost 100 years of experience in the business.

Their credibility was not questioned and a mutually beneficial partnership was formed.

Old Town Windows and Doors strives to be the best Marvin dealership in the DC Metro area. With the solidifying of their customer base in Old Town and the adjacent jurisdictions, they are poised for even more explosive expansion. They have overhauled their showroom — located at 631 South Patrick Street —and added a nice coat of green paint to the building which has increased their visibility.

They also have a new website and revamped their

marketing campaign.

In addition to expanding their market, Old Town Windows and Doors is already hard at work on improving their staff ’s knowledge and training, and boosting efficiency within the organization. Their service team recently made the trek to Warroad for a 3-day training session on proper installation and servicing of Marvin products and is now disseminating all of their knowledge to the rest of the company.

I had the opportunity to talk with Gary Natovitz.

Here is a no nonsense personality…straight to the point and clearly has the knowledge to back up the talk. This is a guy you want on your side.

Understanding the rigid standards for architecture in the historic district of Old Town, I asked Gary what percentage of windows need replacement now or in the near future. His guess was about 80%. The process must be intense realizing that a lot of the window casings are no where near square anymore in these old homes.

When asked what is the best product to use, i.e. wood, wood/fiberglass, fiberglass or vinyl: his response was “whatever is better for that particular house…they are all different.” “Wood doesn’t conduct heat and cold and keeps its shape better while fiberglass is ten times stronger than wood.”

Historic projects can be challenging from matching unusual grilles or ornate exterior trim to fitting those windows into openings that may have shifted over the years. When selecting a historically appropriate window or door, it is important to choose a product that will meet, and even exceed, the local Board of Architectural Review standards.

Choosing a product that is less than satisfactory can be costly and cause major delays in your project schedule and that means more money out of your pocket.

Visit their showroom and check them out. If you need windows or doors, they are there for you.

These are the kind of guys who work very hard so that they can play just as hard…I like that concept!

January 2016 | 5

FINANCIAL FOCUS carl m.trevisan, cfp© & stephen m. bearce

How Might Rising Interest Rates Affect Your Stock Invesments?

H

istory paints a picture of the effect that rising interest rates have had on the stock market in the past. Be prepared for what might lie ahead by using these lessons to your advantage.

The Federal Reserve’s actions can have a marked influence on the economy and financial markets. For instance, some market analysts believe that the Fed’s massive, multi-year bondbuying program coupled with a record-setting period of near-zero interest rates fueled the six-year bull market for stocks. Now investors are awaiting news of when — and by how much — the Fed will raise short-term rates, and what that action might mean for stocks.1 While many market watchers have speculated about the effect of rising rates, history provides a window into how stocks have reacted to such policy shifts in the past.

The Fed has raised interest rates.

What might this mean for stocks?

Research that looked at the past 35 years (and six rate-hiking cycles) found that stocks don’t necessarily follow a straight path up or down in reaction to a rate hike. Instead, they present a mixed bag of performance.

For instance, analysis reported on CNBC.com found that in two of the six cycles, stocks, as represented by the S&P 500, were lower a year after the initial rate hike. Even so, the average gain for all six periods was 2.6%. And on average, a year and a half after the first rate hike in a cycle, the market was up 14.4%.2

unique variables at play this time that may help to lessen the market’s reaction.

First, with the federal funds rate set at 0% to .25% for nearly seven years — far below its starting point for the previous several rate hiking cycles — it is believed that the Fed has a lot of leeway to move rates up before creating a significant drag on the economy. Second, many economists and Wall Street analysts expect that when the Fed does begin raising rates for the first time since the Great Recession, it will do so slowly in an attempt to minimize market disruption.3

What’s Different This Time?

Considerations for Investors

A Look Back

While heightened volatility is often a byproduct of the Federal Reserve initiating a rate hiking cycle, there are

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

Given the inevitability of an interest rate hike, you may be cautious in your outlook for your stock portfolio. But don’t let your emotions get in the way of potential investment opportunities. Consider discussing the following strategies with your financial advisor at your next meeting.

• Buy on the dips. If stocks do swoon when the Fed acts, many analysts feel the drop will be short-lived and may in fact prove to be a good time to selectively add to your portfolio. A systematic purchasing plan, also known as dollar cost averaging, can help in 1

6 | January 2016

volatile times, as it provides for regular purchases over a period of time, taking the guesswork out of specific timing of purchases.4 • Consider high-quality dividend stocks. Equity investors looking to limit volatility may want to consider an incomeproducing strategy via dividend-paying stocks.

Although a company can potentially eliminate or reduce dividends at any time, a dividend may provide something in the way of a return (i.e., income plus any potential price appreciation) even when stock prices are volatile.

• Review sector allocations.

History supports the notion that Fed actions affect equity sectors in different ways. For instance, in a rate-hiking cycle, defensive sectors, such as utilities, energy, and consumer staples have tended to perform better, as these sectors produce necessary goods and services that have less reliance on consumer discretionary spending. In a rate-cutting cycle, leading sectors tend to be those that are more dependent on consumer spending, such as retail, autos, and construction.5 These are just a few of the strategies you may want to consider heading into a rate-hiking cycle.

Work with your financial

Investing in stocks involves risks, including loss of principal.

2 CNBC.com and Nuveen Asset Management, “When the Fed raises rates, here’s what happens,” September 17, 2015.

3 CNBC.com, “Wall Street history says stocks can survive Fed rate hike,” September 15, 2015.

4 Dollar cost averaging involves regular, periodic investments in

advisor to review your unique circumstances and make changes, as deemed appropriate, for your situation.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. 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 Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content. © 2015 Wealth Management Systems Inc. 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. Tax-based 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 taxpayer’s 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. 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 taxpayer’s 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.

securities regardless of price levels. You should consider your financial ability to continue purchasing shares through periods of high and low prices. This plan does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in any markets.

5 Forbes, “How Rising Interest Rates Will Affect The Stock Market And Your Investments,” May 19, 2015.

Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN JIMMY DEATON

K

eeping your plant healthy goes a long way toward keeping pests and diseases at bay. A majority of the time those little buggers and diseases will attack a weak or stressed plant before a healthy one and a healthy plant that is attacked has a much better chance of surviving.

Plant Health Tips

Choose plants suited to your growing environment. The indoor plant environment can be fine-tuned with the help of grow lights, humidity trays and fans but it’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing to take on. You’ll soon learn that some plants can do well with your degree of attentiveness and some won’t. If a plant fails despite your best efforts, don’t take it personally, and don’t beat a dead horse. Learn from your mistake and move on.

Monitor the health of your plants: Daily care allows you to monitor closely and make timely adjustments.

Note any changes in your plant and its environment.

Provide the right amount of light: An ideal indoor location should offer consistent light whether that is natural, artificial or a combination of both. For example, the light that comes in through a bright southern or western window might be enough to keep your plant alive in the winter whereas a day lengthened to 12-14 hours with the help of artificial light might actually help it grow.

Provide Ventilation: Air circulation provided by a fan especially a ceiling fan can help tremendously with the exchanges of gases that a plant needs as well as keeping mold and mildew in check. It also helps the plant to take up more water and promotes the drying of the soil which will help avoid the dreaded root rot. When the weather is nice, open the windows and allow

Old Town Crier

them to get some fresh air or if it’s balmy - like the weather we had a few weeks ago - put them outside for a few hours. Just remember to put them in a shaded and protected spot if you do this to keep them from getting sun or wind burned after being in a sheltered environment.

Maintain good sanitation: Keep the plant pots free of debris like dead leaves and blooms, which could harbor insect eggs or larvae and promote diseases. Remove dead leaves or stems from the plant itself as well.

Deal with pests as soon as you notice them. The most common ones are fungus gnats that are smaller than fruit flies and harbor in overly moist soil.

Drenching the soil with Gnatrol is an effective way of dealing with the larvae has they hatch. The product lasts about 48 hours in the soil and usually takes 2 to 3 drenchings to get all the hatches in an infestation. Remember to treat any plants in the vicinity of the infected one as they don’t play favorites where they wish to breed.

Mealy bugs are often identified by the cottony white masses that accumulate on a plant. Both Neem and horticultural oil can take care of them. Just make sure to spray the plant completely and don’t overdo the application of horticultural oil. An accumulation of oil on the plant’s foliage can suffocate the plant.

Personally I would rinse the plant with plain water a few days after treatment to remove excess oil, dead bugs and knock the dust of them as well. Remember Neem and oils work by suffocation of the bugs so don’t spray the plants unless you actually see the bugs. Neem oil is good for fungal infections as well.

In the spirit of all of the Star Trek hoopla, Spider mites are the dreaded “Borg” of growers. They can

Plant Health be identified by the leaves looking stippled or dusty and bleached in color. The telltale sign of webbing on a plant is usually a sure sign. The mites usually feed and breed under the leaves. If you flick a leaf or branch over a white sheet of paper look for any dark specks that move. The spider mites have a tendency of breeding and being more active when the air is dry so misting your plants every so often not only provides the humidity levels inside winter plants need but helps slow down the mites from being overly frisky and mating. Neem oil is also great for getting them under control.

Insecticidal soaps contain potassium salts of fatty acids. A thorough spraying effectively kills most pests on contact.

Do not use in direct sun or heat, because it may burn the foliage. You can make your own but DO NOT use dish soap.

This is a pet peeve of mine big time.

Dish soaps such has Dawn, etc. even if they are biodegradable are made to cut through grease and are chemical based.

Repeated applications can strip the

protective layer off a plants leaves leaving it susceptible to attacks or just killing the plant. If you do wish to make your own, Murphy’s Oil Soap which is fatty acid based is safe to use. Just do 1.25 oz. per gallon of water. Basically 2 tbsp. to a gallon of water and you’re good, or do 1 tbsp. to half a gallon of water if you need a lesser amount.

In the coming months we are going to be starting the 2016 season outdoors so stay tuned for what is going to be the best year yet here on the Urban Garden. We will be shooting to beat some records this year. Our sunflower record is 16 feet 6 inches, tomato (Black Krim) at 12 feet, Del Ray Cajun chili at 6 feet tall and almost 8 feet wide and our cut and come again Zinnia’s which have peaked over 6 foot fences with ease.

What will this year bring?

Questions or comments about Urban Garden or a garden question for Jimmy: office@oldtowncrier.com. Write “Urban Garden” in the subject line.

January 2016 | 7

a bit of history sarah becker©

H

uman slavery did not end with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

Today human trafficking is a $32 billion-a-year industry. “Money should be able to buy a lot of things, but it should never, ever be able to buy another human being,” Secretary of State, former Boston-area Prosecutor John F. Kerry noted. By Presidential proclamation, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

bondage and forced labor.

Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, second only to the drug trade. Severe forms of trafficking in persons are defined as: (1) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such as act has not attained 18 years of age, or (2) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of

Human Trafficking

The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 mostly ended national slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment, as ratified in 1866, abolished it. Yet the number of people now enslaved exceeds the number of African-Americans held at the height of the 19th century trans-Atlantic slave trade. At least 20.9 million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide.

“Liberty is a slow fruit,” Ralph Waldo Emerson lamented. In 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act became the first federal law to address the problem of human trafficking. The Act, Public Law 106-386 as amended, and the Palermo Protocol, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children describe “this compelled service” as involuntary servitude, slavery or practices similar to slavery, debt

8 | January 2016

force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

Trafficking in women and children involves crimes greater than a misdemeanor. It includes sexual assault and rape, involuntary confinement, theft of wages, blackmail, intimidation and reckless exposure to disease. Remarkably, a pimp with three enslaved prostitutes can make $588,000 a year.

“The three elements of current servitude are force, fraud and coercion,” Polaris Project Executive Director & CEO Bradley Myles explained. “While the forms of labor and services differ, the slaveholder almost always enjoys wealth.” The Polaris Project, a nonprofit organization headquartered in the District of Columbia, advocates for stronger federal and state laws. It also operates the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll free, 24-hour Hotline: 1-888-373-7888. Of the fifty states, in 2014, Virginia and Maryland ranked 6th and 8th in Hotline calls.

“Trafficking in persons is an insult to human dignity and an assault on freedom,” Secretary Kerry said.

“Whether we are talking about the sale of women and children by terrorists in the Middle East; the sex trafficking of girls lured from their homes in Central Europe, the exploitation of farm workers in North America, or the enslavement of fishermen in Southeast Asia, the victims of this crime each have a name. And they each have been robbed of their most basic human rights.”

“Modern slavery doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” Secretary Kerry concluded.

“It’s connected to a host of 21st century challenges, including the persistence of extreme poverty, discrimination against women and minorities, corruption and other failures of governance, the abuse of social media, and the power and reach of transnational organized crime.” Rebecca L. Lollar, an emerging human trafficking expert, associates the problem with governance primarily public policy.

Human trafficking, sex trafficking “is a terrible crime,” Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8) said upon the 2015 passage of S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. “We cannot ignore the root causes that jeopardize the safety of our family members.” The top three countries of origin of federally identified victims in 2014 were the United States, Mexico and the Philippines.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center “responds to nearly 100 new cases of human trafficking weekly in the United States.” Sex crimes are usually associated with [h]motels, commercial brothels and online ads. The sex trade targets girls as young as 12 years old, boys 11 years old. Forced labor, especially peonage and slavery may include domestic work, traveling sales crews and farming.

In 2010 Virginia was listed among the Polaris Project’s “Dirty Dozen.” The Polaris Project “helped build a statewide, bipartisan movement comprised of legislators, service providers, students and community members to improve Virginia’s human trafficking laws.” The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star now describes State Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) as a “perennial patron of anti-trafficking legislation.”

Only 25 states require that the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll free, 24-hour Hotline number—1-888-373-7888—be posted or promoted. This year Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring has added a data-driven online component to the Commonwealth’s anti-human trafficking campaign. For at least the next six months multilingual online ads, geofenced ads will give victims access to support and restoration services as well as inform traffickers “Virginia is watching.”

“Traffickers will be held accountable,” A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 10

Old Town Crier

civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

J

anuary of 1870 was a bad time for my family. On a Saturday night late in that month, David Coleman, a 72 year-old planter who had fought with Old Hickory at New Orleans at age 16, was gunned down on his front porch. He had not sold any cotton from his five square mile farm since the war, but had continued to raise it; that winter he finally carried his cotton to Memphis and sold it. He received a fair sum of money for it too – “a water pail and nail keg” full of gold and silver, as my grandfather told me, however much that was.

People guessed that Colonel Coleman had just come into a great sum of money. So two carpetbaggers enlisted five ex-slaves to dress up as Klansmen and rob the old man. They rode up to the gate, called him to the door, and demanded his money. When he retreated, he was shot through the door, pierced by three balls. The front door still had bullet holes in it when the house was torn down in the early ‘60s.

A loyal servant ran off to fetch Coleman’s sons as he lay bleeding on the floor. When the sons arrived, the thieves were tearing apart the house looking for the money. They fled, but not before the sons seized two horses. The horses led to the arrest of the five murderers the next night and they quickly confessed, also implicating the two carpetbaggers. The white ringleaders fled the county, but the five assailants were taken to the county jail. On Monday the old man died. On Tuesday, his two sons, both Confederate veterans, showed up at the jail “at the head of a considerable party of their neighbors”, this “party of neighbors” being substantially identical to the survivors of the Fifth Tennessee Regiment of Infantry. The story is that the detachment of Yankee cavalry garrisoning the place decided this would be a good night to see what was going on at the other end of town.

You know the rest. The jailer made some vain protestations about a fair trial and then stepped aside when the sons would not be dissuaded. “Seeing that they were terribly in earnest, the jailor surrendered the keys. The negroes were led out to a convenient distance and riddled with bullets. The negroes, before dying, confessed that they had been acting as Klukluxes ever since the organization had come into existence [in 1866]. And this accounts for many mysterious outrages in Carroll and other counties heretofore laid to the charge of returned Confederates and other good citizens. No arrests have been made, nor is it likely any will be made.”

In my family, if you kill us, we will kill you

Old Town Crier

back. Alas, the water pail and nail keg full of gold and silver coins are still hidden on the property somewhere.

Reading between the lines, there is a lot of information in this messed-up little story.

There is a strong hint that there is not much law and order in the South following the Civil War. Carpetbaggers have gangs of ex-slaves riding around robbing and killing, pretending to be Klansmen - and getting away with it for years. Then there were the genuine Klansmen, not exactly known for operating within the law.

The Confederate veterans give us a feeling for the potential of the “unorganized militia” in enforcing justice in lawless times. There was no effort by my ancestor or his neighbors to conceal their identity - God help anyone who dared to make an arrest out of this vigilante affair. The Yankee cavalry, once past the introductory “we were sent by the government and we are here to help you”, proved useless.

Put aside any notion that the Civil War ended at Appomattox. That is simply the point where the country became exhausted by the mass casualties from organized armies and shifted into a long and bitter guerilla fight which was still very much a “civil war.”

Jim Webb, in Born Fighting, quotes historian Wilbur Cash on this subject: “Reconstruction was, for our purposes, simply an extension of the War … During those thirty years, the South was like nothing so much as a veteran army.”

Rights of citizenship were denied former Confederates, who could not vote, sit on juries, hold public office or even get married without

Black Militias vs.

Klansmen taking the oath of allegiance. Conversely, their former slaves suddenly had all of these rights.

Meanwhile, carpetbaggers came south to steal land, homes and businesses for “back taxes.”

All the vanquished had left was their pride and guns.

This helps account for the lynching of my ancestor’s murders: there could be no fair trial because only ex-slaves and Yankee sympathizers could sit on juries. While the occupiers ruled by day, Confederate veterans owned the night. The first Ku Klux Klan arose in the late 1860s as an insurgent movement pushing back against the newly freed blacks CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 10

January 2016 | 9

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A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PAGE 8

Herring stated.

In October 2015 the Alexandria Police Department participated in the FBI’s Operation Cross Country, a nationwide law enforcement effort that addressed commercial child sex trafficking. The week long sting resulted in the recovery of 149 underage victims and the arrests of more than 150 pimps. The Alexandria-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also joined in.

“I wish from my soul that the legislature of this State could see the policy of a gradual Abolition of Slavery,” George Washington wrote Lawrence Lewis in 1797. State laws form the basis of the majority of criminal actions.

Yet no state, no nation can end modern slavery alone.

On average, a trafficker can buttonhole a runaway child in just 48 hours. “When kids are treated as a commodity, we must rescue them from their nightmare,” FBI Director James Comey said.

President Lincoln’s Cottage seeks to raise awareness of modern-day slavery. The #WhatIWouldMiss campaign, a teen-age contest, encourages youth to think about aspects of their daily lives; to post, using social media, what they would miss should they fall victim to predators’ advances. For more information, including contest rules and winning entry, visit www.lincolncottage.org.

“When we show people the realities of what victims of human trafficking face, it is nearly

impossible to walk away without joining the growing movement to fight these human rights abuses,” Myles concluded.

Columnist’s note: Readers continue to inquire regarding my October 2015 column, Immigration. Presidential campaign rhetoric; WJLA, News Channel 7’s November 19, 2015 story “Fierce debate over sanctuary cities surrounding the District,” has left many curious.

Is Alexandria a sanctuary city?

The WJLA story, available online, states: “Some local governments do not fully cooperate with immigration officials when they find an illegal immigrant has a federal warrant…

During this investigation we learned every D.C. Metro jurisdiction cooperates with criminal warrants issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But…Alexandria…do[es] not cooperate with civil or deportation warrants.”

Alexandria’s answer to News Channel 7: “You reported that Alexandria does not cooperate with civil or deportation warrants and that is incorrect. If we take custody of someone who is wanted by ICE, we do indeed notify ICE. Per our agreement with ICE, they then file a “Warrant for Arrest of Alien,” Form 200. This warrant is lodged as a detainer and is used as the legal document to hold an individual, whatever the charges are. This also allows ICE adequate time to make arrangements to pick up the prisoner.” abitofhistory53@gmail.com

CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PAGE 9

and their white Republican allies. The Klan employed the same tactics as the Viet Cong — terror and assassination of political opponents — and had some measure of success until about 1870, when the Federal government appreciated the scope of the threat and cracked down. If one wishes to step into a time machine for a glimpse of how white southerners viewed the first Klan, watch D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation, https://archive. org/details/dw_griffith_birth_of_a_nation.

Spoiler alert: the Klansmen are the good guys.

Progressive hero Woodrow Wilson praised the film: “It is like writing history with lightning, and my regret is that is all so terribly true” (which tells you something about the original Progressives).

The black population was not excited about being terrorized by the Klan and formed competing militias. And they did fight each other. The worst peacetime massacre of the 19th century occurred in Colfax Louisiana in 1873. William Ward, a freed slave from Virginia commanding the state militia, took over the county courthouse to secure a contested election that the Republicans may have lost. White leaders responded with terror directed against the black residents, driving them into town under protection of the state militia. The Klan descended on Colfax that night; Ward fled to recruit reinforcements. The Klansmen, many undoubtedly Confederate veterans, made short work of the state militia, killing about 100. An additional 40 blacks were captured and executed that night in a cotton field. Nine attackers were arrested; three were convicted. On appeal to the United States Supreme Court in U.S. v. Cruikshank, all convictions were reversed since the anti-Klan laws only applied to states and not individuals.

Cruikshank also held that the states have the right to decide who can keep and bear arms, which opened the door to gun control banning black ownership of firearms.

Black militiamen parading in South Carolina on the July 4th centennial irritated two white boys, one of whose daddy complained to the local judge that the parade obstructed a public avenue. The judge ordered a hearing. On the day of the hearing, over a thousand armed whites showed up to confront about 100 black militiamen holed up in the town armory. The whites riddled the building with bullets and then knocked it apart with cannon. It was a massacre.

In the 1876 election in South Carolina, Confederate cavalryman Wade Hampton had his Redshirts — some of whom were black — who were dedicated to ending Reconstruction and reestablishing home rule in South Carolina. Hampton had a major Red Shirt constituency among the gun clubs. They scattered Republican rallies with gunshots, threatened candidates and in some cases assassinated Republicans. The Democrat tradition of election fraud has old roots and Hampton won handily, with more votes than voters being cast in some districts. The Republicans were expelled and Reconstruction was effectively over in that state.

Did the war end at Appomattox? The James gang, who had been fighting a guerilla war under Quantrill, was still living that lifestyle when they were shot to pieces robbing Northfield Minnesota in 1876. For AfricanAmericans, Jim Crow did not end until the 1960s. By some accounting, it has not yet ended as minimum wage and Davis-Bacon are Jim Crow laws expressly created by white CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 11

Old Town Crier

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ALEXANDRIA HAS A LIVELY MUSIC SCENE. CHECK IT OUT! CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PAGE 10

union leaders to exclude blacks from labor markets. For Southerners and Americans in general, we are still struggling to return power to the people and the states. And our northern neighbors are still trying to tell us how to think. Maybe the war is not over at all?

Sources

• Marysville Daily Appeal, February 12, 1870, http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/ c?a=d&d=MDA18700212.2.3;

Old Town Crier

• James Webb, Born Fighting, quoting Wilbur Cash, The Mind of the South; • David Goldfield, America Aflame; • Cato Institute, The Davis Bacon Act: Let’s Bring Jim Crow to an End, http://object.cato. org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/bp017.pdf Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria. Comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@colemanlawyers.com.

January 2016 | 11

HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON

TOP

15 of 2015

work after a couple of brilliant distractions. One of the few concept pieces that does not get swallowed by itself, every song on this album is carefully crafted and instantly memorable. A phenomenal piece of work, this may go down as one of my favorite albums of all time.

Katzenjammer: Rockland

One of my favorite discoveries of this year, the four girls of Katzenjammer possess the musical knowledge of an entire record store, playing dozens of instruments and singing, writing songs in a most eclectic array of styles. Their third album loses some of their gypsy circus vibe but it’s perhaps stronger for it. Every song is a work of art, a breath of fresh air. I cannot overestimate my love for this band.

Steven Wilson: Hand. Cannot. Erase.

Steven Wilson continues his hiatus from Porcupine Tree with his fourth solo album, a solid mix of concise, catchy, cleverly-arranged songs and complex mini-epics. There is a bit more light on this album than in his recent work and that is a good thing. Wilson continues to earn his title as King of Prog.

Dave Ihmels: The Severe Angels

Del Ray’s own Dave Ihmels gives us this electrofolk masterpiece, a beautiful tug of war between dark and light, with some truly memorable songs.

“Sulamith” is hands down the best track I have heard from anyone all year.

The Sonics: This Is the Sonics

W

ell … here we are, another year gone.

No landmark year, that’s for sure, but there was no shortage of groundbreaking albums to get me going. As always, this list is far from complete but it’s a fair sample. Without further adieu …

Beauty Pill: Beauty Pill Describes Things as They Are

Every so often an album appears that must be heard to be believed. Kid A, Sgt. Pepper, Dark Side Of The Moon, you get the idea. Conceived as an art installation, at Artisphere in Arlington VA, Beauty Pill’s first album in over a decade is an exercise in sound that stands completely on its own, totally unlike anything else out there. One of the freshest and most original albums I have ever heard in my life. The moment I heard this I knew it would top my list. Thanks again to Rev for introducing me to this album.

The Dear Hunter: Act IV – Rebirth in Reprise

Battling for the top spot is the latest from The Dear Hunter, who return to their six-act concept 12 | January 2016

Seattle’s seminal garage rockers released their first album in 49 years without skipping a beat. This is one of the rawest, most brutal garage records to ever come out, one of the truest examples of rock & roll that has ever been. The fact that these dudes are in their 70s proves that rock & roll knows no age.

Alan Doyle: So Let’s Go

Thanks to his work with Great Big Sea, Alan Doyle put Newfoundland on the map. His second solo album finds him working through ten beautiful slices of his hometown of St. John’s. Marrying folk, pop, and traditional Newfoundland music, and armed with a set of perfectly written, uplifting, catchy songs, this is the next best thing to actually being on George Street.

Josh Ritter: Sermon on the Rocks

Josh Ritter continues to bring the joy on his ninth album, a set of folk and folk-rock tunes that stand at the top of his enormous heap of amazing works.

A classic and literate sort of songwriter, this album fines Ritter challenging Dylan & Springsteen more than ever.

Punch Brothers: Phosphorescent Blues

Fresh off last year’s successful Nickel Creek reunion, mandolin wizard Chris Thile reconvenes

with his prog-grass side project for their fourth album, one that finds them pushing the boundaries of bluegrass farther than it’s ever been.

The Grip Weeds: How I Won the War

On their sixth full-length release, The Grip Weeds get a bit louder and continue down their path of writing solid, distinct slices of 60’s influenced garagepsych and some of the best power-pop New Jersey has ever produced. This band deserves to be bigger.

The Charlatans: Modern Nature

The last survivor of Madchester keeps growing on their 12th album, the first after the death of drummer Jon Brookes. They rise above the loss by getting experimental on an album of mellow, electro-soul-pop songs that instantly soothe your soul and become familiar. Quite removed from their classic sound but they pull it off.

Sleater-Kinney: No Cities to Love

Riot grrrl legends reunite after a decade and pick up right where they left off, delivering the best album of their career. Corin has lost none of her wail, Carrie sounds better than ever, and Janet is still so damn cool. Welcome back!

Spock’s Beard: The Oblivion Particle

On their second album with third singer Ted Leonard, Spock’s Beard continues to up their game, releasing one of their best albums, and remaining one of the best prog bands our country has ever had to offer. “Bennett Built A Time Machine” is proof enough of that.

Murder By Death: Big Dark Love

On the seventh album by Bloomington, Indiana’s best export since Mellencamp, dark roots-folk is fed through the Beatles’ Revolver album and the result is a timeless, moody record, perfect listening for whenever you need to be surrounded by something awesome.

Blitzen Trapper: All Across This Land

The indie world’s answer to Foghat continues with this set of ten brand-new classic rock hits, sure to make you daydream of crusin’ down the strip in sometime, 1970-whenever. There’s an extra dash of Springsteen in some of these songs. I approve.

There’s more. There is always more, including fantastic albums by Alabama Shakes, A-ha, Tame Impala, The Charlatans, Ricked Wicky, Keith Richards, Jonny Grave, Father John Misty, and so on.

What’s in store for next year? Let’s wait and see …

Lastly, we must bid farewell to those who left us too soon: Chris Squire, Ornette Coleman, Ben E. King, Scott Weiland, and the great BB King. Play forever.

Old Town Crier

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

From the Vault

T

he president’s hair is much grayer and his problems and detractors have multiplied since I wrote the column below in January 2009. Much has changed.

For example, in 2009 I had not yet experienced the overwhelming opportunities for knowledge and distraction embodied in the iPhone and iPad: devices that continue to change the world. Yet I still believe in this last year of the Obama presidency that we should clarify our beliefs. The charming This I Believe book series has continued and is still available, often focusing now on specific subject areas.

We want to read these and other anthologies of personal experience to help realize our desires and hopes not just as we enter this New Year, but at any time we are able.

Books That Believe in Our Future

January can be dreary and anti-climactic after we make merry with friends and relatives throughout the holidays. This month will be electrifying, however, for those near Washington, DC and others worldwide.

President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration promises to be a singular event that will attract millions to the metropolitan area. People will arrive from all over the country and the globe to attend parties, balls, and the event itself. Together we are turning a page in the American history book, and the world is eager to watch us do it.

Our president-elect was chosen partially because he mobilized millions of volunteers and voters through updating them on his positions and various developments via text messaging, e-mail, and online social networks.

As an American of international heritage who spent time growing up overseas, his message consistently focused on the ways in which we are connected as Americans and as global citizens. It has been all too evident recently that we are profoundly dependent on each other’s wealth and environmental health.

The Internet provides news and connects us globally and socially for entertainment and political purposes. It allows us space for instant and often inflammatory reactions to the media and other members of our online community.

Therefore we proclaim our values to each other and our leaders in a sometimes bewildering cacophony of voices. Our president-elect believes that most Americans, and indeed most people, have certain values in common. In considering this concept, I wanted to focus on a few accessible books that concern the ideas Old Town Crier

we consider crucial to living our lives.

In 2008, Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch, with the help of journalist Jeffrey Zaslow, published The Last Lecture. After discovering that he had terminal cancer, the computer science professor delivered a speech he called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” to a large audience at the school.

He recorded it so that his three very young children could understand his beliefs, receive his guidance, and feel his love for them after he had passed away. As a result, he also created an energetic and joyful memoir describing the ways in which he had achieved many of his lifelong goals. In writing about marrying his wife, authoring a chapter in the World Book Encyclopedia, becoming a Disney Imagineer, and enabling other people’s dreams, Dr. Pausch emphasizes the importance of being earnest while maintaining a sense of humor and understanding of his own strengths and flaws. An unabashed nerd, he also describes his boyhood dream of being Captain Kirk from the TV series Star Trek, his admiration for a character who “didn’t believe in the no-win scenario,” and his meeting with actor William Shatner. This speedy read is contagiously enthusiastic and inevitably poignant.

Renowned journalist Edward R. Murrow began hosting a radio series called This I Believe in 1951. During the five years that it broadcast, famous and ordinary people recorded brief speeches on the philosophies that guided their actions. Fifty years later, National Public Radio (NPR) decided to bring back the program. In 2006, NPR helped create the book version of This I Believe, collecting some of the most classic recordings from the 1950s series along with recent essays. Editor Jay Allison notes in his introduction that despite “the most pervasive information delivery systems in history, there is little place for the encouragement of quiet listening to the beliefs of others without rebuttal or criticism….This I Believe is interested not in what can be learned in a moment but over a lifetime.”

This I Believe II has followed in its wake through recording and publishing more NPR essays by those ranging in age from teens to senior citizens. In starting off a New Year festooned with gloomy prognostications about the economy, overseas crises, and the environment, reading these short chapters may help you clarify your goals, stay focused,

MYSTERY READING AT ITS BEST

by Virginia author Jeffrey Roswell McCord

CARIBBEAN MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE A dead Marine washed ashore on a Caribbean island leads investigators to otherworldly perpetrators in historic pirate waters and high level abuses in Washington. An intrepid maritime historian working the case for U.S. Naval Intelligence discovers a 60-year record of extraterrestrial activity in the Caribbean basin. History and national security politics meet science fiction in this mystery based on exhaustive factual research and informed conjecture.

CARIBBEAN hISToRY AND ADvENTURE Where did the villain General Santa Anna of Alamo infamy retire? Is time travel possible?

What was it like on the ground in the worst hurricane of the 19th century? Can a band of rogue sailors from Coral Bay, St. John, defeat ruthless corporate mercenaries? These questions and more are answered in Jeffrey Roswell McCord’s new fact-based novel “Santa Anna’s Gold in a Pirate Sea.”

Available from Amazon or as a Kindle download

THE LAST WORD > PAGE 15

January 2016 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

below: Installation view of Fabien Castanier Gallery booth at CONTEXT Art Miami Mark Jenkins work pictured: “Kicked Painting” mixed media, tape, wood, metal, resin, fiberglass, aerosol foam, clothing 30 x 42 x 24. 2015 “House of the Lord” tape, wood, metal, resin, fiberglass, aerosol foam, cement, clothing, taxidermy birds 78 x 21 x 16. 2015 Image care of Fabien Castanier Gallery

By Michael Kalish, courtesy of FP Contemporary

near left: “The Bird Watcher” tape, wood, metal, resin, fiberglass, aerosol foam, cement, clothing, binoculars 73 x 26 x 16. 2015 Fabien Castanier Gallery, Image by Theonepointeight Photography

AB MB I

f you read this column regularly, then you should know this by now: About a decade ago, the European founders and organizers of a very famous European visual fine arts fair called Art Basel (which of course, takes place in Basel, Switzerland, and thus the Art Basel moniker — by the way, that’s Baaaaasel not Bay-sel), decided to try an American version of their money-making European “art fair” model and started one in the gargantuan Miami Beach Convention Center, and they called it Art Basel Miami Beach or ABMB for short.

The world of planetary visual arts was forever changed – the Bernie Sanders wanna-be voters think that this for the worst, and the people who realize that “some” of the parts of the complicated tapestry that makes

14 | January 2016

art “click” is a commodity, think it was for the best. Clinton supporters established their own servers so that they could control what goes in and (mostly) out, while Trump supporters just banned all Jihadic art from the big dance.

What’s the “big dance”?

Over the years, that one Miamibased ABMB art fair has spawned multiple satellite art fairs in the Greater Miami area, nearly all taking place at the same time during the first week of December each year, and by now there are over two dozen smaller, but almost equally important, satellite art fairs going on around the Greater Miami area. As a result of that, art collectors, artists, celebrities, gallerists, actors, dealers, party animals, politicians, curators, and all the symbiots of the art world head to

Miami during that week, and art rules the region (closely followed by dozens and dozens of private “art parties”).

I’ve heard quotes where I have been told that about 20% of all the visual art sold on the planet each year (less auctions I assume) sell in Miami during that first week in December.

And because there are so many art fairs, at some many levels of the economic food chain, and while most mega collectors, the Hollywood crowd (hypocritical members of the 1%), and the rest of the 1% all focus on the top two or three fairs (ABMB itself being the crown jewel), there is art somewhere in Miami for all tastes and budgets.

ABMB makes the art world rock for all 100% levels!

Because of that critical mass, the ABMB Week in Miami has become

the “big dance” of the art world; the art salon of the 21st century; the art place to be. Also as a direct result of that, it has become imperative that art galleries from all over the world come to Miami to showcase their art and artists.

“I sell more work, and see more curators, collectors, museum directors, and gallerists in five days here than I did in 10 years at my gallery,” once told me a Washington, DC gallerist, who has since closed her gallery space and now (as a virtual gallery) only does art fairs all over the world.

It’s not an easy goal to accomplish, as the financial commitments are enormous, and for many a gallery, if they make a mistake, it is a one-time mistake: a bad art fair choice will break most galleries’ finances in one GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

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THE LAST WORD FROM PG 13

and remember how profoundly you are connected to others.

Featuring works by Isabel Allende, Sister Helen Prejean, Leonard Bernstein, Colin Powell, Helen Keller, Newt Gingrich, Bill Gates, Yo-Yo Ma, Elie Wiesel, and William F. Buckley Jr., the series also intersperses accounts from everyday people telling stories that illustrate secular and religious values and ideals. Speaking from experience, I can say that these profound and well-written selections are an excellent length for people who fall asleep quickly when reading in bed! For the most part they are written simply and concisely, so even teenagers can appreciate the lessons they convey.

Famed physicist Albert Einstein shares one of my favorite beliefs from these books in saying “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious—the knowledge of the existence of something unfathomable to us, the manifestation of the most profound reason coupled with the most brilliant beauty.” He also professes “Alongside the development of individual abilities, the education of the individual aspires to revive an ideal that is geared toward the service of our fellow man, and that needs to take the place of the glorification of power and outer success.” When we celebrate this groundbreaking inauguration the day after we commemorate the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, let us hope that we can join our new president in focusing on the former, not the latter.

January 2016 | 15

POINTS ON PETS Sarah liu & CINDY McGOVERN

King Street Cats Adoption Calendar january 2016 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 1:00 - 4:00 pm PETCO UNLEASHED AT PENTAGON ROW 1101 S. Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 Saturday, January 2 1:00 - 4:00 pm Saturday, January 16 Sunday, January 17 1:00 - 4:00 pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, January 9 1:00 - 4:00 pm INDY & ALLY 321 S. Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, January 23 Sunday, January 24

16 | January 2016

Why Adopting an Older Animal Makes Sense

W

hile the quote refers to dogs, the same can be said of cats and, for that matter, any animal. Who can resist an adorable kitten or puppy? The ball of fur sprinting across the house one minute and curled up asleep, totally spent, the next?

But what about the muzzles speckled with gray, the senior citizens who find themselves in shelters across the country?

Senior animals comprise the largest population at many shelters and are often at the head of the line for euthanasia as they languish in shelters.

Puppies and kittens are cute and adoptable while seniors are stressed, fearful, and overwhelmed by the situation in which they find themselves.

Veterinarians say that dogs start to fall into the category of ‘seniors’ around the age of seven. However, it depends on size. The smaller the dog, the later in life the dog becomes a senior. But a dog in a shelter can be as young as five and still have trouble finding a new home. A ‘senior’ cat is normally considered over the age of seven.

Many assume a shelter animal has a behavioral issue or was a problem pet. Older animals lose their homes for many different reasons and most of them have nothing to do with problems the animals have, but rather with those of the person or family surrendering the animal. The death of a guardian, with no family able or willing to take in the pet, is a common case.

Imagine an older pet that just lost their human and home, maybe the only one they’ve known, finding themselves in a shelter. While being in

“Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.”

Sydney Jeanne Seward a shelter is stressful for any animal, seniors often become ill after losing their home, a physical side effect caused by depression or the change in their situation. Some even lose their will to live and stop eating. As a result, they are withdrawn and fearful making them even less attractive to potential adopters.

Why adopt an older ‘senior’ pet instead of that cute, younger bundle of fur? The ASPCA (aspca. org) created a list of the top 10 reasons to adopt an older dog. Generally speaking, senior dogs are often easier to train than puppies due to their calm demeanor and prior interactions with human companions.

Another reason? What you see is what you get. Once a dog is fully grown, you know their size, personality, and

grooming requirements. No surprises when that little bundle of fur grows to 100 pounds!

Older dogs tend to be calmer and more patient, which means they will likely tolerate a rambunctious toddler or child in the house more than a puppy might.

They are also likely to already be housetrained—and even if they’re not, they have the physical and mental abilities to pick it up quickly (unlike puppies). With their teething years behind them, seniors also are much less likely to be destructive chewers.

Petfinder (petfinder.com) offers a similar top 10 reasons senior cats rule. Older cats, when adopted, seem to understand that they’ve been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it. Like dogs, a senior cat’s personality has

already developed, so you’ll know if he or she is a good fit for your family. Senior cats are often already litter trained and are less likely to “forget” where the box is and will generally already be neutered.

Like older dogs, older cats are less rambunctious than kittens and may be a better choice for small children and seniors. They are generally more mellow and often more patient with young children.

Older pets, cats or dogs, can be great matches for seniors, or those who enjoy a less active lifestyle. For some older citizens, senior pets provide just the right pace to keep them active.

Some organizations, such as Best Friends (bestfriends. org/), offer a “senior for seniors” program that offers a discounted adoption fee for POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

POINTS ON PETS FROM PAGE 16

GALLERY BEAT FROM PAGE 14

pets over the age of 6.

Senior pets can come with their own set of challenges. Some will have health problems or will be on the cusp of developing arthritis or other long-term senior health concerns. There are medical treatments and alternative methods available to help manage long-term health issues for seniors. Before adopting any animal, learn as much as you can about the animal’s history and what you can expect in terms of medical care.

But the best reason to adopt an older pet is that you will be saving a life and making way for another to win a home. Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together.

strike.

Most of the art fairs are gallery-focused; that means that it is art galleries, as opposed to individual artists, which exhibit artwork at the blue chip art fairs such as ABMB itself, or the other top fairs such as Art Miami (and its sister fair Context Art Miami), considered by most to be the second most important art fair in the big dance, and other satellite fairs such as Pulse, Scope, Miami Project, NADA, etc.

The prices for the booths are spectacularly expensive, in some fairs reaching the tens of thousands of dollars for a small booth. And this is before a gallery adds other associated costs such as shipping costs of the artwork, transportation to/from Miami, customs, food (the world’s best Cuban food – waaaay better than Cuba itself!), car rental, hotel, commissions, and salaries. For most galleries around the world it is a daunting economic investment, which can turn into a financial disaster if sales fail to materialize.

I think that DC area galleries and DC area non-profits and artists’ collectives need to go to the big dance or become irrelative.

Because of this, I decided to highlight a city on the other side of this great land to show how that city’s galleries make an impact on ABMB. The City of Angels.

It was refreshing to see a lot of Los Angeles area art galleries in the various fairs during this last December, and of the many LA area galleries at the big dance, several stood out, not only to me, but also to Texas-based super, uber, monster collector Ardis Bartle, an experienced art fair aficionado, and an ass-kicking lady who hasn’t missed a single ABMB week in the last decade.

Once the VIP pre-opening parties were finished and the elegant crowds, booze and small food ceased to circulate, and tightlydressed women in lethal-looking six inch heels

Local Resources

• The Alexandria Animal Welfare League (alexandriaanimals. org) offers reduced adoption fees for animal over 8 years of age. For dogs, the normal fee is $150; ages over 8, the fee is $75. For cats, the normal fee is $120 and those over 8, are $60. The adopt it forward program allows individuals to pay the adoption fee on any animal, and can be used to waive the adoption fee of an older pet. The shelter also conducts an expanded health assessment of older animals to ensure they are in good health before being considered for adoption.

The League created Rosemary’s Seniors Fund which finances diagnostic screening for older dogs or cats which may need additional care.

• King Street Cats, a no-kill cat shelter (kingstreetcats.org), sponsors the “What about Me”® campaign, which shines a light on older, shy and special, needs cats. While the shelter doesn’t offer a similar discount for all senior cats, it does offer a discounted adoption fee for senior citizens adopting senior cats. The standard adoption fee is $125, $65 for seniors.

• Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue highlights senior and special needs pets on their website at: http://www. cockerspanielrescue.com/ Sarah Webber Liu resides in Alexandria and is a long-time volunteer at King Street Cats. She is devoted to her cat, Mrs. Huggins, and loves animals of all kinds.

finished their improbable art fair strolls with plastic wine glasses in their manicured hands, and handsome young men in slim suits and nerdy black glasses used their cell-phones to photograph the artwork, while third generation blue-eyed Cuban-American girls, four or five inches taller and 25 pounds lighter than their political refugee grandmothers, and slim as rifles, finished shooting selfies in front of the artwork, it was time to check out some LA galleries.

Context Art Miami is sometimes seen as the “incubator” art fair for its big sister, the enormous, multi-tent, Art Miami -- easily the best “American” art fair on the planet — and it was at Context where Fabien Castanier Gallery stood out because of the singularly unique work of Washington, DC-based artist Mark Jenkins.

Mark “The Tape Dude” Jenkins started as a street artist with a unique ability to take clear plastic tape and make a hyper realistic three dimensional object of practically anything.

Jenkins is a genius; he invented this process.

Over a decade ago, in his first gallery show in Washington’s iconic Fraser Gallery (ahhhh… which I used to co-own), he made a life-sized car which was subsequently towed away by Georgetown’s money-making parking police!

Together with fellow DMV artists such as multimedia glass/video sculptor Tim Tate, and PostSecret’s Frank Warren, around the world Jenkins is one of the capital region’s bestknown artists and yet he remains mysteriously anonymous in his own city – while exhibiting and discussing his unique approach to art worldwide.

DMV area museum curators (less American University’s): you suck!

At Context, Fabien Castanier Gallery GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 24

Pets of the Month

FRENCH FRY (A066025)

Meet French Fry! This adorable 11 year old spayed Calico short hair has been here at the AWLA since October, and we can’t believe she hasn’t found a home of her own yet! French Fry is an incredibly affectionate cat who gets along with everyone she meets and has only gotten sweeter with age. If you are in the market for a laid back older kitty, French Fry would be a perfect addition to your family!

SABI (A041062)

Sabi is a handsome 6 year old neutered Plott Hound mix with a nose for exploration. Sabi was raised on a big plot of land with a developed taste for the outdoors. He definitely enjoys long walks, so an outdoorsy family would be ideal.

Sabi can also get hard headed when he doesn’t get what he wants, so a family with no young children would be best for his needs. If you are looking to leap in to the New Year with an amazing, adventurous dog, Sabi is the hound for you!

The DC stands for Dog and Cat For more info: www.dcPawsRescue.org

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January 2016 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFFrey R. Mccord

President Lincoln’s Secretary of State Met Alamo’s Santa Anna on a Caribbean Cruise

O

Antonio López de Santa Anna

18 | January 2016

ne hundred and fifty years ago William H. Seward, Secretary of State under presidents Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, met with Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the Mexican dictator of Alamo infamy.

Among his crimes, Santa Anna actually ordered the execution of frontiersman and ex-Congressman Davy Crockett and a handful of other Alamo survivors who had been taken prisoner after the battle, Mexican eye-witnesses reported.

The meeting between the murderous, exiled dictator and a U.S. cabinet member took place on St. Thomas, then part of the Danish West Indies and now the U.S. Virgin Islands. Santa Anna was there living the life of a wealthy grandee in stately Charlotte Amalie, the Danish West Indies’ capital. Then one of the busiest steam ship ports in the world, St. Thomas was a cosmopolitan world cross roads where thousands of Europeans first saw the Americas.

January 1, 1866 was foggy and frosty along the Potomac River. The United States Steamer DeSoto, carrying Secretary Seward, his son Frederick and daughter Fanny departed Washington City heading for the West Indies at dawn. Running at eleven knots, it only took moments to pass Alexandria. Frederick noticed the town’s “wharves looked deserted and desolate after the bustle of Civil War.” Further down river, the DeSoto lowered its ensign and fired a gun in tribute as it steamed by Mount Vernon.

“Meeting only a dozen schooners loaded with hay and oysters where recently rode whole fleets of warlike ships and transports, we soon left behind Point Lookout and emerged amid drizzling rain and sleet into Chesapeake Bay,” Frederick continued, writing in his biography of his father.

Secretary Seward and Frederick were still recovering from serious wounds inflicted the night of President Lincoln’s

assassination. Confederate veteran Lewis Powell, a tall, powerful former Mosby Ranger who’d been hiding out on a farm near Warrenton, Va., had burst into the Secretary’s Lafayette Square home at 10pm on April 14, 1865. He quickly, savagely assaulted Frederick and his father with a revolver ­— that fortunately misfired — and a bowie knife.

Nine months later, a cruise in the “genial airs of the tropics” would help Sewards health and enable a visit with the Danish West Indies’ governor. Seward was keen to purchase the islands to establish a U.S. naval base to protect Caribbean interests.

Frederick described first seeing the Danish archipelago. “Out of the blue and tranquil sea were islands rising on every hand of varying size and form.”

The Sewards arrived at St. Thomas on January 9, 1866. They were charmed by the harbor’s “high steep hills covered with verdure, and rows of square yellow houses and red roofs resembling a toy German village.”

Upon disembarking at Charlotte Amalie’s King’s Wharf, Frederick was pleasantly surprised by the mostly AfroEuropean population happily going about their business “laughing, talking and gesticulating.” No doubt, he noted the contrast with the down-trodden, impoverished African Americans then living in Washington, DC as refugees from the South.

They also noticed a lack of carriages and wagons in the harbor town’s narrow streets and alleys. Instead, a variety of tropical fruits, vegetables and manufactured goods were carried by men riding donkeys, women balancing loads on their heads and simple carts pulled by donkeys or oxen. Like modern tourists, the Sewards loved the flowers and “luxuriant vines and creepers” in residential walled gardens. Inside homes, they enjoyed “cool rooms filled with easy

chairs, fans, shades and screens.”

Lavish state dinners were held in Secretary Sewards honor and meetings with leading citizens arranged. He and the family also toured local attractions, including Blackbeard’s and Bluebeard’s Castles that capped two of the three hills commanding the harbor. Both “castles” had been Danish military observation towers built in the late 1600s. Tourists were told they had been used by pirates.

Among the nabobs inviting the Sewards to visit was Santa Anna.

Secretary Seward accepted.

Santa Anna had arrived in St. Thomas in 1858, bringing along a treasure valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars by today’s standards. During his years in power, Santa Anna missed no opportunity to profit from his position.

He personally pocketed generous portions of the proceeds from Mexican territorial sales to the U.S., for instance.

Santa Anna had also hunted and captured Mayan Indians in the Yucatan, selling them as slaves to eager Cuban sugar planters.

“I stopped here to continue my tranquil life,” Santa Anna said upon arrival, according to the newspaper St. Thomas Didende. “The door to discord [in my life] has been closed forever.”

He purchased a villa and several adjacent properties, forming a fortress-like compound near the top of fashionable Denmark Hill. Villa Santa Anna is just below the mansion Catherineberg, then home of the Danish vice governor and now official residence of the United States Virgin Islands’ governor.

A devout womanizer, the retired dictator had several mistresses on-island.

He also enjoyed the sporting life of gambling on horse races and cock-fights.

In Sewards’ day, visitors to Villa Santa Anna would ascend stately stone stairs CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 19

Old Town Crier

Why are you sitting in traffic when you could be sitting here on St. John?

Villa Santana CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 18

from the street up the embankment to the mansion. Frederick described their meeting in the dictator’s library: “The General rose from a table covered with papers to bid the American Secretary welcome with Castilian courtesy, and then sat down to chat awhile on the past, present, and future of Mexico. He was a large, fine-looking man of Spanish features and complexion, dark, keen eyes, and dark hair, and showed no signs of bodily infirmity save a slight limp. One would have pronounced him between fifty and sixty instead of being, as he really was, nearly seventy.”

This would be the last meeting with an American statesman in Santa Anna’s long career.

Today, several outbuildings and gardens in Santa Anna’s compound survive, although the main house burned in 1985. Santa Anna’s compound has been restored, modernized and turned into “Villa Santana,” a small hotel providing guests a choice of several quaint suites with magnificent views of Charlotte Amalie’s harbor and islands. Near Santa

Anna’s former servant quarters, a pool, bar and surrounding patio overlook the town, which is still identifiably Danish in architecture and European in style.

In my second fact-based mystery novel (Santa Anna’s Gold in a Pirate Sea), I address the question, “What became of Santa Anna’s vast St. Thomas fortune?” The book, available on Amazon, also covers Civil War-era skullduggery in the Caribbean and provides readers with healthy doses of real and fictional piracy.

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 quarter-finalist 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. He now divides his time between Virginia and St. John, USVI.

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Old Town Crier

January 2016 | 19

ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT

F

or those of you who read us on a regular basis know that each month I write a Road Trip article as I venture away from Alexandria and explore what this region has to offer. As is my custom, each January I recap the places visited last year, so climb on board and see where went.

Tucker County, West Virginia

In February of 2015 I wrote about a three-hour trip to the highlands of West Virginia…Tucker County. Located in Tucker County is Canaan Valley, one of the premier winter destinations where recreation and relaxation options are plentiful.

Downhill skiers and snowboarders of all levels will love the 43 slopes and trails of Canaan and Timberline mountains. Canaan Valley has a vertical drop of 850 feet and more than 180 inches of average annual snowfall. The resort also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating and snow tubing at the new tubing park. Although this time of year it is all about the winter activities, Canaan Valley is a four-season destination and a showpiece for the State of West Virginia and the West Virginia State Park system. Last year the state had just finished remodeling and adding on to their 32 million dollar, 160-room lodge complex.

For those hearty souls who like to cross-country ski, there is White Grass. Originally built as the Weiss Knob Ski Area in 1959, today former Alexandrian Chip Chase and his staff maintain over 60 km of trails.

Twelve miles from Canaan you can find Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, WV. Blackwater Falls is named for the Blackwater River

20 | January 2016

20

15

what a ride! whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile long gorge.

The black water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and spruce needles. The falls are one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia.

Rappahannock County, Virginia

In March I wrote about Little Washington and Sperryville in Rappahannock County, Virginia.

Although the town of Sperryville is small in size it certainly makes up for it with the energy and creative nature of the locals. Sherri Fickel and Kevin Kraditor, owners of Hopkins Ordinary B & B, took Kevin’s hobby of making beer to a commercial level last year when they opened the Ale Works at the B & B. The beers are made with local barley that is malted by their neighbors at Copper Fox Distillery and feature local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, such as hops, honey, fruit and herbs.

Running through the middle of town is the Thornton River, which passes near Hopkins Ordinary and then flows under the bridge and passes behind Copper Fox Distillery. Owned and operated by master distiller Rick Wasmund, Copper Fox opened in 2005. Housed in an old apple warehouse, Wasmund has combined old world charm with modern distilling techniques.

Copper Fox uses Virginia barley grown specifically for the distillery. Copper Fox is only one of two distilleries in the U.S. that hand malts their barley.

Today Copper Fox is malting barley for a handful of breweries and hopes to add more to the list.

If you are an antiques type of person, across the lot from the distillery you will find Copper Fox Antiques.”30,000 square feet of antiques, gently used furniture, architectural salvage and collectibles all under one roof.

About five miles from Sperryville, down route 211, is the town of Little Washington. It is actually named Washington, Virginia and was the first of 28 towns with that name in the United States. It is nicknamed Little Washington to avoid any confusion because of the proximity to Washington, D.C. Recently Alexandrian Jackie Bogle Meuse has

opened the Little Washington Spa and Wellness center in Little Washington. Also Alexandrians Mark Allen and John McCaslin have recently purchased Tula’s off Main restaurant in town. Take a drive in the country for some good food and a facial or massage.

The Maritime Republic of Eastport, Maryland

We all know about Annapolis, Maryland. Great restaurants, unique shops, the Naval Academy, and sailboats everywhere…after all, Annapolis is considered America’s sailing capital. Spa Creek is one of the borders of Annapolis ad on the other side is the community of Eastport. A bustling part of Annapolis today, 20 years ago the Eastport area was more of an after thought. There were only a couple of watering holes with Davis Pub and Marmadukes being the most popular. Today Marmadukes

Old Town Crier

has been replaced by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse while Davis Pub remains true to its’ roots. Also in Eastport you will find the Chart House and Blackwall Hitch. There is also a Chart House here in old Town and the second Blackwall Hitch opened its doors here this past summer.

Eastport is famous for its “Slaughter Across the Water”, an annual tug of war pitting Eastport groups against the folks across Spa Creek. The MRE (Maritime Republic of Eastport) began the annual burning of the socks to celebrate the spring equinox in March that signals the beginning of sailing season in earnest.

Sussex County, Delaware

In May we wrote about Sussex County, Delaware, but more specifically the beaches of Southern Delaware. The beautiful beaches of Southern Delaware were separated from the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia area by the Chesapeake Bay for a long time…but that all changed in 1952.

The first span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was completed in 1952, opening up the Atlantic beaches to D.C. and Northern Virginia. At the time, the bridge was the world’s longest continuous over water steel structure. The parallel bridge was opened in 1973. What was once nearly impossible to reach is now just a little over three hours away by car.

converted in to shops and restaurants. Since the 90’s the town has continued to grow, but has kept its’ salty charm.

Some of my favorite pubs are The Cats Eye and The Horse You Came In On. The HYCIO pub is rumored to have been on of Edgar Allen Poe’s favorite watering holes. Story has it that his ghost resides at the pub. When I first visited the Horse in the 90’s they still had the wooden bars in place that separated the servers from the rowdy customers.

The bars were removed years ago, but the place still has that rugged charm. Other great places include Bertha’s Mussels, The Admiral Fell Inn, Woody’s Rum Bar and The Waterfront Hotel.

With the success of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in the 1970’s and 80’s, Baltimore became a worldwide tourist destination and model of urban planning and development. Today there are museums at the Inner harbor as well as the National Aquarium, which receives over 1.5 million visitors a year. Within walking distance is Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore Convention Center, Babe Ruth’s birthplace and museum. Baltimore’s own tall ship, the Pride of Baltimore II, a top sail schooner, calls the Inner Harbor home port and can be seen there when she is not on goodwill tours.

town and after a 40 minute drive to the top of Grand Mesa we were in 72-degree temps. The snow still lay on the ground. This made for some very pleasant kayaking.

We then drove to Wyoming crossing through Rocky Mountain National Park and the Continental Divide. Climbing 10,000 feet we went from 100 degrees to 58 degrees and a foot of snow. As we approached Lingle we stopped at a bar along the highway to use the restroom. Of course the facilities were reserved for customers so we were forced to have a cocktail. Each drink cost $3.00. Sure wished we had more time to stay, but it was getting dark.

After spending close to a week with some relatives we then headed to Denver for one night and then drove back to Virginia. It was always a dream to drive across the country and I am thrilled as to how easy it was. I would highly recommend that you take the adventure. Now I have my sights on the Big Horn Mountains in northern Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Broomes Island, Maryland

After driving those 5,420 miles last month, I decided to stay close to home for August The middle of summer is a great time to head to the upper Patuxent River and enjoy food, drink, company and the scenery at Broomes Island. The drive down Broomes Island Road will take you by vegetable stands and a very upscale kayak and canoe launch. Before you run out of road you will come to Oyster House Road where you will find Stoney’s at Broomes Island. This is the Flagship restaurant of the Stoney’s restaurant group.

Westward Ho! In the late 60’s and early 70’s the building boom along the shore began in earnest. Washingtonians, looking for that summer retreat, were buying up beach homes as soon as they were built. You can see these beach communities today as you drive north along Highway One from Fenwick Island to Lewes and Cape Henlopen State park. With the proliferation of the housing market, the population began to swell in the summer months and towns such as Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island became more and more year-round settlements.

While Lewes and Bethany (the Quiet Resort) are more laid back, Rehoboth and Dewey can rock the night away. There are numerous eateries and a pizza parlor on just about every street corner. Some of these places have been here since the early 70’s like the Summer House Restaurant in Rehoboth. There is also the Frog Pond, Henlopen Oyster House, Dogfish Head Pub, and the popular Blue Moon for dining and entertainment.

Charm City: Baltimore, Maryland

In June we visited the three waterfront communities of the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Canton. Like Old Town Alexandria, these are water front communities, but unlike Old Town the community’s main street runs parallel to the Patapsco River instead of perpendicular to the water.

My first encounter with Fell’s Point was in the early 90’s when I crewed on the sailing vessel Patricia Divine, a two-masted steel schooner. We were in Baltimore to participate in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. Like Old Town, Fell’s Point is a seaport town where old warehouses have been

In July I wrote about our long road trip out west…5,420 miles in 15 days. I had never seen the Grand Canyon so that became our road trip by way of Lexington, Kentucky; Utah; Grand Junction, Colorado; Lingle, Wyoming; and Denver, Colorado.

Our first stop was Lexington, Kentucky – a little less than 600 miles away. We had the good fortune to stay with our friends Clayton and Ashely Embly and their 8-year-old daughter Savannah. We got a great look at Keenland and the stallions of Claibourne farms. We next headed for the Grand Canyon via Amarillo, Texas. We drove through parts of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. We even drove a few miles on Old Route 66 in Arizona.

The Grand Canyon was spectacular although a bit hazy because of forest fires in California. The dry heat was very pleasant as I perspire a lot. The quick evaporation kept me cool until I realized that I was dehydrated. From Arizona we drove through monument canyon in Utah to Colorado. We stayed with friends in Grand Junction and had a great time for a few days. There were 102 degree temps in

The restaurant can be reached by car or boat on Island Creek. During the warm weather months, I sail there and tie up along the seawall. The restaurant sits along side the creek with 180-degree water views of the creek and the Patuxent River.

There is outdoor dining as well as a floating dining dock and their famous Tiki Bar. Although the Broomes Island store is closed for the winter, the fabulous crab cakes and their great food can be had year round at Stoney’s Kingfisher in Solomons and Stoney’s at Clarkes Landing in St. Mary’s County.

Leonardtown, Maryland and McIntosh Run

September found me paddling McIntoh Run in Leonardtown, Maryland in St. Mary’s County. The McIntosh Run watershed is currently one of the most ecologically intact watersheds remaining in Maryland. Containing large blocks of contiguous forest, it provides habitat for many different species of wildlife. The cool water, which flows freely from upstream, offers a good habitat for restocking and seining yellow perch.

The paddle itself is fairly easy, beginning at the launch ramp and gradually increasing in width as we neared Breton Bay. The run is affected by the tide running up Breton Bay from the Potomac River. If you begin your journey at low tide there are a few ROAD TRIP > PAGE 26

Old Town Crier

January 2016 | 21

FROM THE BAY… MOLLY WINANS

Old Boat, New Friends

A

mong the reality television concepts I think would work, if only for a small and quirky viewer population, “Name This Vessel” has potential. The host would lead seasoned sailors, all blindfolded, on 10 unique sailboats, and once below, take off their blindfolds and let them guess the specific vessel type based on the layout of the main saloon.

If I had been a contestant on that show last weekend, I would have failed miserably. The show host would have blindfolded me before we faced the water and then turned and led me down the docks and onboard the sailing vessel Mandy — which would have been tricky with the low tide due to a cold westerly and clumsy step down from the dock. Then, he would have led me to the cockpit and down below, trickier still due to my need to turn around and go backward, blindfolded, down steep steps through a narrow companionway.

Once below, the first thing I would have sensed was ample headroom. Only taking a few steps before sitting on a settee, I felt warmer than I had in the cockpit but not warm enough to take off my coat. Then, the host would have removed my blindfold, given me a few minutes to adjust my eyes to the pleasantly dim light, maybe to sample the red wine or rum, and to consider the pretty wooden paneling, oldfashioned portholes, kerosene lamps, library shelf with rope netting, and tiny galley. Then the moment, drum roll please, when he would say, “Name this vessel.”

I would have looked bewildered. I have been onboard the Pride of Baltimore II, the Schooner Woodwind, the HMS Bounty (twinge of sadness), several tall ships, a skipjack, a bugeye, and plenty of lovely custom woodies; this boat possesses qualities of each and a classic pirateFROM THE BAY > PAGE 24

Erin and Bob playing music onboard Mandy at City Dock Annapolis.

22 | January 2016

Old Town Crier

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GALLERY BEAT FROM PG 17

exhibited mostly Jenkins’ figurative work, where his life-sized dressed humanoids, sometimes in slightly threatening poses, confound and confuse and question the public.

Jenkins also showcased his art critical side in a piece where a black-shoed 3D leg punches out the canvas from a saccharine fruit oil painting.

Also at Context I liked the colorful and graphic work by Mike Kalish, a mixed-media artist based in LA and represented by Culver City’s FP Contemporary. His best well work is probably the large scale Muhammad Ali monument in downtown Los Angeles, but at the fair FP Contemporary featured a series of elegant 3D roses that were quite eyecatching.

Still at Context I saw Mugello Contemporary, a new LA gallery founded in 2014 and already in one of the best art fairs of ABMB week. The frenetic works by Miami’s MR Herget were not only superbly streetwise, but also showcased the self-taught artist’s mastery of a savage palette knife and natural color sense.

At Context, art collector Ardis Bartle liked Kerry Miller’s work, being showcased by Venice’s Lawrence Cantor Gallery. The artist uses old, discarded books, experimenting with dissecting and rebuilding them to produce the unique assemblages in

her “reimagining the book” series.

She was also present to talk about her work. Ardis also noted Michael Mapes, who created “specimen boxes” for the fair, some focused on Renaissance figures, and some on 1950s pin up art.

Next tent over, at the huge Art Miami, she also liked Italian artist Alberto Burri’s work (being showcased

by LA’s Mixographia — originally from Mexico City); an amazing edition of dark prints from Burri’s series before his death.

At the Untitled art fair, Ardis Bartle really liked Alejandro Diaz’s neon work (represented by LA’s Royale Projects). His “Glitter Pollock” was getting a lot of attention, but Ardis liked the neon sign that flashed “Cheese” and then “Jesus.” Also at Untitled, she liked three painters from the Southern hemisphere showing with Santa Monica’s Steve Turner Gallery — Joaquin Boz (Buenos Aires), Ivan Comas (Buenos Aires), and Michael Staniak (Melbourne) all with different styles. Also at Steve Turner, the Michael Staniak paintings fool the eye with a 21st century twist: they appear to be digitally printed but they are actually created entirely by hand.

Also at Untitled, Santa Monica’s Richard Heller Gallery featured Devin Troy Strother (a Los Angeles-based

artist whose work was recently in a group exhibition at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles).

The Scope art fair has had its ups and downs over the years, but for the last couple of ABMB iterations it has consistently received good comments from many of the art collectors who talked to me during ABMB Week, and this year Ardis liked David Cooley’s multi-layered paintings, and multidimensional mixed media paintings crafted using mostly acrylic, resin, spray paint, pen, and fabric to achieve an unique effect. Cooley was being exhibited by LA’s Thinkspace. The gallery also provided an affordable approach in their booth, where a piece from their artists could be purchased for $1,000 or under, and with their representation of over 30+ artists, it was a refreshing approach to gangexhibit a lot of work.

Similarly to Scope, the Pulse Art Fair has had its ups and downs in recent times, sometimes associated with the fair’s seemingly heavy handed obsession to “over curate” the galleries’ artists that it selects; however, in the last two iterations of ABMB Week, Pulse has somewhat relaxed its choking approach to who and what gets exhibited, and subsequently regained its blue chip status among collectors as it inches towards a 2015

FROM THE BAY FROM PG 22

ship attitude, yet without being able to see beyond the curtain into the V-berth or deeper into the aft cabin — or up at the rigging — I would have proved incapable of guessing the boat type. I may have guessed, “Thirty-fivefoot schooner-like vessel?” My host, who might resemble Alex Trebek dressed as a ship captain, might say, “Sorry. You’re wrong. It’s a 28-foot Bristol Channel Cutter.” As has been the case with every Bristol I have ever met, I loved Mandy.

I had met Mandy’s owners, Bob and Erin, at the Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade awards party, where they were playing music (in the fog) on the deck of the new clubhouse.

After purchasing the boat and fixing her up in Deltaville, Va., they departed in early December to sail to Annapolis to live for a couple of years, pay off the boat by playing music as Rib Bone (rib-bone.com), teaching guitar lessons, and working at other jobs to fill the cruising kitty. Like others I have met who step beyond dreaming and cross over into realizing their adventure dreams, they seem extraordinarily lighthearted. When they say, “Come by for a drink,” they mean it. So we stopped by for one… or three.

Bob is six feet tall, seemingly absurdly tall for a man who lives aboard a 28-foot boat; yet Mandy boasts six feet and four inches of head room. A funny, bespectacled, wooly-bearded percussionist, Bob also does computer-aided design work. Erin, whose height and tweed hat fit living on a small bluewater cruiser quite well, is a musician and composer with a master’s in ethnomusicology and a specialty

24 | January 2016

sense of “art fair” reality. At Pulse, LA’s Charles James Gallery had very interesting work by Ramiro Gomez.

Like Mexican photographer Dulce Pinzon’s iconic “The Real Superheroes” series of photographs documented a few years ago, Gomez’s paintings captured the often anonymous figures of domestic and manual laborers that make sterile scenes of homes and gardens possible. As Ardis noted, these are often the “invisible” people of our culture.

The art fair known as Miami Project has very quickly become one of the better fairs at the top part of the art fair food chain, and within Miami Project, an inside-the-fair art fair titled “art on paper Miami” has also received good marks from the collectors that I talked to. In fact, since I work on paper myself, some of my collectors noted that I should have my dealers try the fair for my own work in the future. A recommendation doesn’t get higher than that! At Miami Project, LA was represented by Dunden & Ray.

By Sunday evening, when most of the fairs ended, the glamorous aura of ABMB weekends as gallerists begin the sweaty dance of re-packaging the art for the long and expensive trip back home.

Art Basel Week returns the first week of December 2016.

in Eastern Canadian sea shanties. (You can’t make this stuff up.) They bonded one summer after a sail on an E-Scow on Keuka Lake, “the jewel of the Finger Lakes,” in Hammondsport, NY, where Erin’s mom owns an Irish pub.

Somehow, through a distance of 3000 miles (she studied in Seattle, WA, at the time), these two bright, adventurous souls launched a friendship that became a romance one summer back in New York on an O’Day 22 sailboat.

Among the many stories Bob and Erin shared that January evening on Ego Alley, one memorable tale about a windless summer day on Keuka stands out. The cockpit winches on their O’Day 22 doubled up nicely as oarlocks, so the crew rowed along peacefully. A cigarette boat driver vroomed around them and said, “I have a problem with your boat’s speed.”

Without skipping a beat, Bob replied, “I’ll race you to England!”

And so, by the light of the lanterns and the warmth of one tiny space heater in the roomiest little sailboat in the harbor, we enjoyed a hearty laugh, a nod to Aesop’s tortoise, and a toast to sailing slowly and enjoying the ride.

This article first appeared in the February 2013 edition of SpinSheet and again in the January 2014 issue of the OTC. We feel that this is a good story to start the new year out with and way worth repeating!

Winans is the Editor of SpinSheet and PropTalk based in Eastport, Maryland. This article first appeared in the February 2011 issue of SpinSheet.

Old Town Crier

…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

Loudoun and Fauquier counties have more horses than any other place in the state and Virginia’s equine population ranks 12th in the nation.

BY THE

NUMBERS

Old Town Crier

W

hy yes—at the moment there are more farm animals than people in Fauquier County, and that used to be the case in Loudoun County as well.

However, our neighbor to the north has been steadily losing farmland and farm animals as it’s had the dubious distinction of ranking at or near the top of the three fastestgrowing counties in the nation for the past dozen years. Once thought of as “out in the boondocks”, Dulles is surrounded by a wall of suburbs marching inexorably west toward the Blue Ridge, halted briefly by the recession but again gathering steam as people continue to move to the area from all parts of the state, the country and in fact, the world.

But Loudoun and Fauquier still have more horses than any place else than the state, even if the once-numerous dairy farms have all but disappeared and the number of beef cattle have declined, particularly in Loudoun. Beef cattle have in some instances replaced milk cows in Fauquier County, particularly the southern half of the county, once home to many productive dairy farms. But across the state, and particularly in Northern Virginia, horses have

steadily increased in number since 2001. The 2006 Equine Survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture counted 215,000 horses, ponies, and mules in Virginia, an increase of over 25% since 2001. The two counties with the largest horse populations were Loudoun and Fauquier.

The most common breeds were Quarter Horses (49,000), followed by Thoroughbreds (30,900). In contrast, the 2012 Census of Agriculture identified only 86,840 horses on 12,058 separate farms, a number in-between the 2007 survey total (90,363 horses) and the 2002 survey (81,344 horses). Sixteen other states had more horses than Virginia in 2012.

However, the 2012 survey counted only horses on farms selling $1,000 or more annually in agricultural products. Many horses in Virginia are maintained in suburban or rural pastures by individuals on properties not classified as “official” farms, so the 2001/2007/2012 agriculture censuses were not designed to identify the majority of horses in Virginia. But their economic impact to the state is no less important than more traditional agriculture, particularly as farm size decreases and farm BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 26

January 2016 | 25

BLUE RIDGE FROM PG 25

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income becomes secondary to other income for Virginians.

The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service did a study funded by the Virginia Horse Industry Board in 2011 that revealed the economic impact of Virginia’s horses was a staggering $2.8 billion. University of Virginia economist Terance Rephann, who headed the study, said even the tax impact was important. “The horse industry in Virginia generates $65.3 million in state and local taxes,” Rephann said. “The value-added income is $670 million”, he noted, explaining that this economic measure is similar to gross domestic product.

“Though the $1.2 billion annual economic impact to the state is sizable, the equine-related state tax revenue of $37 million was a small part of overall general fund tax revenue of about $15 billion for fiscal year 2011 ¬ about two-tenths of 1 percent”, Rephann said. “It provides about the same proportion of local government revenue”, he said.

Key Findings from the University of Virginia Equine Survey • The horse industry’s largest areas of economic impact continue to be in Northern Virginia, with more than 1,600 horse-related jobs in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. The largest employment impact in the state is in Rockbridge County, the location of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. More than 1,330 jobs are industry-related in Lexington and Buena Vista.

• The industry generated more than 16,000 jobs in 2010 in Virginia, with the greatest effects in the agricultural and agricultural services sectors, and a lesser effect in the areas of trade and construction.

• Horse owners spend $873 million annually on horse-related expenses, including feed and bedding, boarding, training, tack, capital improvements and labor. These expenses

ROAD TRIP FROM PAGE 21

shallow spots where you have to get out of the kayak and drag it to deeper water. Soon the water deepens and you can concentrate on the wildlife and flora.

As you quietly drift around the bend in the water it is not uncommon to see a Great Blue Heron perched on a fallen tree or standing in the shallows searching for a small fish. In addition to the many Blue Heron you can see Bald Eagles, White Egrets, muskrat dens, turtles and maybe even a water snake sunning itself.

average $4,060 per horse.

• Nearly 1,200 horse shows and events were held in Virginia in 2010, generating $25 million in revenue.

• Some 939,000 people attended Virginia horse shows and competitions last year. Out-ofstate participants spent an average of $3,100 per event.

• Virginia’s equine population ranks 12th in the nation.

• According to the Census of Agriculture Statistics, while the number of farms in Virginia decreased between 1997 and 2007, the number of farms with horses actually increased from 10,972 to 13,520 during that same period, offsetting a more significant decline in farms in general.

The biggest blow to Virginia’s horse industry in recent times is not loss of land, however; it was the closing of the state’s only parimutuel race track in 2014. Virginia has a storied history of horse racing and breeding of champions dating back to colonial times. In the 1730s, a Samuel Gist of Hanover imported an Arabian stallion, Bulle Rock, to breed to local stock; and in 1798, Caroline County farm owner John Hoomes imported the thoroughbred stallion Diomed from England, who was an ancestor of the prominent sire Lexington. Many champions were born and raised in Virginia, including, of course, Triple Crown legend Secretariat, foaled down the road in Doswell almost two centuries after his ancestor Diomed arrived by boat. While flat racers had to travel out of state to earn their laurels, steeplechasing remained the only form of live racing available for Virginians until 1996, when off track betting and parimutuel wagering were approved in certain locations.

In 1997, Colonial Downs, Virginia’s first flat racing track, opened with a brand new facility in New Kent County, offering race meets for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. Sadly, it lost money almost from the start and closed in 2014; its future remains uncertain. beautiful cabin three miles down the mountain toward the town of Luray. A Buck’s Peak is a beautiful four bedroom frame house with massive vaulted ceilings that is halfway up the mountainside. Sitting in a clearing at the end of a winding mountain road, the wrap around porch has views up the mountainside as it climbs skyward and back to the northeast towards the valley.

The best thing about the retreat is that it is big enough that there was really no need to get away…we already had. But then again, we are all 60 somethings and the 90 minute drive from Alexandria was enough to make you want to stay put. However, if you are looking for some more adventure, you can find it on either side of the mountain. The town of

Buck’s Peak: Luray, Virginia

In October we took a trip with a few friends across Thornton Gap on Skyline drive to a ROAD TRIP > PAGE 26

26 | January 2016

Old Town Crier

ROAD TRIP FROM PAGE 26

Luray is only about 6 miles west. Here you can find inexpensive gasoline, shops and a number of nice restaurants and bars.

The spectacular Luray Caverns are open year round and if you have never been, you must go. On the other side of the mountain is Sperryville and Little Washington, which is also in this article.

destination dining When you find yourself in wine & hunt country, one of these fine restaurants is near

Nanticoke Heritage Byway

You have already read about Sussex County in Delaware in this article. In November we went to the towns of Bridgeville, Laurel and Seaford along the Nanticoke Heritage Byway. The Nanticoke Heritage Byway moves through scenic farmlands, wooded areas and historic towns. From the Nanticoke Wildlife area to Trap Pond State Park, there are many recreational opportunities for hiking, biking and boating.

The Byway extends from Bridgeville to the exit for Route 20 on US 13, passing through Seaford, Bethel and Laurel. The Byway also crosses its’ namesake, the beautiful Nanticoke River, at the historic Woodland Ferry. The three towns are all located on what was once a major inland shipping

route and were all important centers for trade and for shipbuilding into the mid-19th century. That lasted through the Colonial Period and up until the railroad arrived in 1856.

Old Town, Alexandria

As is my tradition, my December road trip is always about my hometown of Old Town, Alexandria. In the past year a lot has taken place along our waterfront. Some of the Old warehouses have been torn down and a five-story hotel is now under construction. The hotel will have retail as well as a restaurant. Soon construction will start on the new Old Dominion Boat Club facility and the city will assume control of the existing boat club. There will also be more development along the waterfront.

Just this last summer the Blackwall Hitch Restaurant opened in the old food court building.

TulA’S & Copper Fox DiSTillery WhiSky pAirinG

For those who don’t know, Old Town extends 18 blocks from the Potomac River to the King Street Metro stop. There is a free trolley that stops about every two blocks if needed. It is a great and inexpensive way to see all of the many restaurants and shops in Old Town. Old Town has a lot of history, parks and the iconic Torpedo Factory Art Center. Come visit us!

Old Town Crier

Join hosts Rick Wasmund of Virginia’s Copper Fox Distillery and Tula’s Executive Chef Zach Allman for a delicious whisky pairing dinner, Tuesday, January 26,7 pm, in historic Little Washington.

Tula’s special four-course menu will pair seared scallops, marinated duck breast, braised beef short ribs, and chocolate pecan pie with Copper Fox’s unique handcrafted whiskies, including ryes and single malts. $100 per person, excluding tax and gratuity hurry! Make reservations for this special evening at Tula’s: 540.675.2223 or opentable.com

311 Gay Street • Washington, VA 22747 • tulasoffmain.com • 540.675.2223

January 2016 | 27

BEHIND THE BAR

Joseph Estep How did you get started in the bartending business?

I first started bartending at Applebee’s in 1998 because there was a girl that I liked who worked there. I stayed in the business because it has a lively atmosphere, you can make a lot of money and you meet a lot of nice people.

I began working at Gaylord National Resort when it opened in 2008 and it’s been a match made in heaven ever since!

BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 29 Joseph concocts his famous Passion Punch. He is behind the bar Tuesdays through Saturdays, 4 -11 pm.

This is where your new favorite whiskey comes from.

Visit us in Sperryville. Tours daily. www.copperfox.biz

28 | January 2016

Old Town Crier

G

®

GERANIO RISTORANTE Redefining Italian Cuisine in Old Town Alexandria

SUNDAY BRUNCH 10 AM-3 PM • ONLY $9.95 So many delicious choices

Dinner Entrees from $14

Pancakes with Sausage Irish Country Breakfast Three Egg Omelette Eggs Benedict Homemade Quiche French Toast Hamburger Platter STEak & Egg SPECIal only $10.95

722 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.548.0088 www.geranio.net

Home of Patriots Football!

713 King Street Old Town Alexandria

703.548.1717 murphyspub.com

BEHIND THE BAR FROM PG 28

What is your biggest bartender pet peeve?

When people who are sitting at the bar try to help the people behind them get a drink. There is a process as to how we provide service to our customers. They think they are helping, but they are not.

JOSEPH ESTEP IS BEHIND THE BAR AT oLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE GAYLORD RESORT NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND 301-965-4000 GAYLORDNATIONAL.COM

What is the most clever line anyone has ever used to get a free drink?

There was an attractive girl who told me she would give me her phone number for a drink.

I told her that she could buy the first drink and depending on how things went, I would buy the second.

What is the best/worst pickup line you have overheard at the bar?

It is hard to think of a good pickup line, but the worst one was when a guy asked a girl, “Can I have your number? I lost mine.”

Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a customer.

When I was working at the Belvedere Lobby Bar, a young man came in and was acting

really nervous. I saw that he had a box in his hand and he told me he was going to propose to his girlfriend. I wanted to help him out, so I got my manager and asked him to get some cake and champagne so we could put the ring in the bottom of the glass. I then recorded the proposal on the guy’s phone. It was one of those experiences I’ll always remember.

If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world, past or present, who would that be?

I would say Jesus, but I feel like we talk all the time! So, I would then say Muhammad Ali because he had a great presence in both boxing and the world. He was someone who stood up for what he believed in and that is a person after my own heart.

If you would like to see your favorite bartender featured in this space, send contact information to office@oldtowncrier.com.

CELEBRATE THOSE MILESTONE EVENTS AT a local fine dining RESTAURANT Old Town Crier

January 2016 | 29

DINING OUT BOBTAGERT

Magnolia’s on King Southern Immersion Cuisine

T

he recently opened Magnolia’s on King restaurant is fast becoming one of Old Town’s most popular restaurants, and it all starts on the second floor.

Mixologist Zach Faden has brought his many talents to help create signature cocktails for those visiting Magnolia’s. After studying history and philosophy at American University and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland Zach, took a position with the Defense Intelligence Agency. In time he applied his research skills

and methodologies to his passion of the history and culture of drinking. The rest they say is history as Zach turned his hobby into his current profession. In keeping with the craft cocktail and beer craze, Magnolia’s is keeping pace with all of the trendy whiskeys and beers. If you are a fan, you won’t be disappointed at their offerings. In fact, they have thirteen in-house “signature” cocktails – there has to be something to your liking on that list.

DINING OUT > PAGE 35

MAGNOLIA’S ON KING

703 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703-838-9090 magnoliasonking.com

30 | January 2016

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GRAB A BITE! Old Town Crier

January 2016 | 31

Dining Guide american BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BITTERSWEET 823 King St. 703-549-2708 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 571-982-3577 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com An Old Town tradition since 1979 and an original Georgetown pub and restaurant since 1967.

CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 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

HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HUNTING CREEK STATION 1106 King St. 703-836-5126 INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001 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 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117

COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776

MANCINIS 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-838-FOOD

DUTCHS GRILL (Holiday Inn) 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 703-960-3400

Mason Social 728 Henry Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-8800 mason-social.com

THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000

MONROES AMERICAN TRATTORIA 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 703-548-5792

EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051

MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011

FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444

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.

FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 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 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342

NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922 NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com

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

32 | January 2016

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

ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

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

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

RAILSTOP GASTROPUB 901 N. Fairfax St. 703-683-8793

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

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

THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622

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 SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122 SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 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. TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640 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 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868

asian

TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 Caphe Banh Mi Vietnamese 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 Sang Jun Thai 300 King Street 571-312-3377 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 CONTINENTAL BRABO

by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 BRABO Tasting Room 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450 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.

CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 FRENCH BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151

CHEZ ANDREE 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-836-1404 LA BERGERIE 218 N. Lee St. 703-683-1007 labergerie.com ITALIAN 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

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.

Hanks Oyster Bar 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK

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

RTS RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010

LA STRADA 1905 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-2592 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

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

VILLA DESTE 600 Montgomery St. 703-549-9477

YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. (in Hoffman Ctr.) 703-329-1010

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 am - 4:30 pm for $20.07; dinner 4:30 pm - close for $30.07. Eat a little, drink a little, have a lot of fun!

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.

LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854

BISTRO ROYALE 1201 N. Royal St. 703-519-9110 bistroroyal.com

MEDITERRANEAN

DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. Alexandria, VA 703-329-0006 BISTRO DU SOLEIL 1116 King St. 571-312-2754 SEAFOOD

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!

ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 wharfrestaurant.com "Its All About the Seafood," traditional and creative coastal cuisine.

FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900 INDIAN DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd.

703-660-6085 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

Old Town Crier

“The Finest Lebanese Cuisine” –Washington Post, 2001 Family Owned & Operated Come and Enjoy a Cozy Candlelit Dinner Carry-Out Available • Free Delivery Open 7 Days for Lunch & Dinner

719 King St. Old Town Alexandria 703.684.9194 • thepitahouse.com

Join Us for restaUrant Week January 29 - february 7 Lunch and Dinner specials

Great Steaks

USDA Prime Cuts

Late Night Menu Available Every Night

907 king street s k a e t S t a e Great SteaksoldG r town alexandria 703.684.3288 A Prime Cuts

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dine Late Night MenLuate Night Menut igh N y r e v E le b a Available Eout! il a very NighA tv Old Town Crier

January 2016 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

Douglas MAURICIO

photo: ©2016 Chester Simpson

DOUGLAS MAURICIO IS THE CHEF at KAiZEN tavern 1909 mount vernon ave alexandria, Va 703-836-1212 kaizentavern.com

When did you first become interested in cooking and why did you decide to pursue a culinary career?

I became interested in cooking growing up watching my grandmother make amazing meals over an open fire or baking in the wood-fired oven. I worked with my hands most of my life, when I wasn’t playing soccer. I worked in a restaurant for a while doing almost every job they had. My aim was to learn, help the customers have a good time and keep the boss happy.

My chef offered me the chance to start making rolls and I became fascinated with the art of making sushi. I’ve been doing it many years now and I really enjoy building on what I have learned by incorporating new inspiration to awaken the customers’ senses, with structure, color, texture and taste.

Who has been the biggest inspiration for your career?

My grandmother comes to mind.

She really enjoyed making her customers happy. I would give her feedback on the tamales we sold and she would be delighted. When she baked, she was a magician. No one had more enjoyment making food.

I channel her joy every time I come to work. I try to bring creativity into every meal.

What dish on your menu are you most curious to see how it’s received by your clientele?

Special requests for sushi make me the most curious about how the plate will be received. It could be a first time customer, I may not know where they CHEF’S SPECIAL > PAGE 35

Caption for film strip: (L to R) Lucky Roll, KAiZEN Roll, Jo Hamachi Roll and KAiZEN Sashimi Platter.

34 | January 2016

Old Town Crier

DINING OUT FROM PG 30

Although the bar has only about six seats there are two high-tops each seating as many as four customers.

The Palm Lounge, which is adjacent to the bar, is a very casual gathering place with comfortable seating that includes a couch and upholstered arm chairs in addition to tradition tables and chairs. It’s like sitting in someone’s front room. This makes this area a great place for visiting with friends. There is a fireplace that will be a welcome friend once the winter winds begin to blow. While we were there they had a violinist playing Christmas carols.

While we like violin music, a little goes a long way – sort of like bagpipes. I am thinking that a nice acoustic guitar would be the ticket for this space and I bet that’s what we will see in the future.

The dining room, located on the first floor, is well lit and decorated in a modern fashion with about 45 seats, which also includes booths for a more intimate experience. Executive chef Brian Rowe has brought his twelve years of experience working in restaurants from California to Lyon, France to spearheading the opening of Magnolia’s. Rowe believes in supporting and showcasing the finest local products, promoting healthy choices and welcoming guests to Old Town with southern hospitality at the forefront.

The dinner menu is very manageable with enough choices and

variety to satisfy just about anyone.

The appetizers cover a pleasant range from Hot Pimento Cheddar Dip, a Charcuterie Plate and Stuffed Dates to Poached Pears with Dark Cherry Balsamic. We tried the Pimento dip, which was spectacular and served with fresh biscuits. The dip is as close to perfect as you are going to get and the biscuits are very good and very fresh making them hard to actually “dip”.

The combination of flavors was great but I have never been a big biscuit fan and would have rather seen the dip accompanied by some sort of cracker or sliced baguette.

Dinner entrees consist of Smoked Chicken Pot Pie, Magnolia’s Shrimp

and Grits, Wagyu NY Strip, Pumpkin and Squash Risotto, Pan Seared Duck Breast, Redfish and Grits and Roasted Lamb. Proud of my early days on my Grandfather’s farm in Georgia, I have a passion for grits, but it is for those creamy white grits that go so well with fried fish or breakfast.

The smoked cheddar grits that came with the Redfish were very good and tasty, but clearly my taste runs in a different direction. The Redfish that sat atop the grits was absolutely fantastic. A firm white fish with a sort of blackened outer texture with perfect seasoning. This was a real taste treat that begged to be savored. My partner opted for Magnolia’s version of one

of her favorites – Smoked Chicken Pot Pie. Keeping in line with the “southern” theme, the pie was topped with the biscuit dough rather than a baked in traditional pie crust. This made for an interesting texture but a very nice flavor. The smoked chicken adds a nice twist as well. The dessert menu has four fabulous sounding offerings: Apple, Rhubarb and Fennel Oat Crisp – Coconut Rum Cake – Bananas Foster Bread Pudding – Mom’s Hot Fudge Sundae. As always, we get carried away with the main part of the meal and are stuffed before we get to dessert. The next time we are there, I am ordering the Bananas Foster Pudding right out of the gate!

Who says you can’t start with dessert.

The wine list is not huge with eleven whites and twelve reds, however, the prices are quite reasonable for this type of establishment ranging from $35 for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to $107 for a White Blend from South Africa. I particularly like and applaude – Magnolia’s efforts to carry some very good Virginia wines including an Ox Eye Riesling, a Barboursville Reserve Viognier and a Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc.

Located at 703 King Street, this is a place that you should try if you haven’t already. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for brunch. They are closed on Monday.

CHEF’S SPECIAL FROM PG 34

came from or their experiences and expectations with sushi. I take what the customer requests and try to create something special.

What do you do to ensure the quality of the food going out to customers is of high quality?

I begin with a clean workstation to ensure everything is ready.

I like to cut my own fish to ensure the quality and freshness from the whole fish we receive all the way to the individual roll that is prepared. I like preparing my own sauces and garnishes too. When I have help I try to keep an eye on my partner to ensure quality and presentation will remain at a high level.

If any chef in the world could prepare a meal for you, who would it be?

I would love to have a meal prepared by Chef Masaharu Morimoto. He was an athlete that had his career shortened by injury, just like me. He established his own restaurant in Japan, but then sold it to come to New York. He rose through the ranks and is widely regarded as a premier chef. In the U.S., he worked for several restaurants, including Sony Corporation’s executive dining rooms, rising to executive chef at the prestigious Sony Club and the Nobu Japanese restaurant serving the elite of social, political and corporate Japan and New York. Having passed this huge test of his skills with a highly discriminating clientele, he also cooked weekly on the Iron Chef TV series.

He then decided to open his own Morimoto restaurant, first in Philadelphia, then New York, Boca Raton, Napa, Waikiki, Mumbai, New Delhi and Tokyo. Finally, you can see his skills regularly on Iron Chef.

What is your guilty food pleasure?

My guiltiest food pleasure is a Big Mac with fries at McDonalds. I love it.

If you would like to see your favorite chef featured here, send contact info to chester@chestersimpson.com.

Old Town Crier

Now open for BRUNCH Saturdays & Sundays at 10AM 121 South Union Street, Old Town Alexandria 703.548.1785  unionstreetpublichouse.com

January 2016 | 35

GRAPEVINE FRANK BRITT

Virginia’s 2015 Favorite Winery Tasting Rooms

top to bottom, left to right: Rosemont, Bull Run, Narmada, Doukenie, Barboursville, Cooper, First Colony, Chateau Morrisette, Casanel

W

hat makes a tasting room special to winery visitors?

According to subscribers of the Official Virginia Wine Lover on-line publication who voted for Virginia’s Favorite Tasting Room, the answers are: • Friendliness of the tasting room staff; • Attractiveness of the tasting room location; • Staff ’s knowledge of wine; • Proximity of the winery; and • Price of a tasting.

The Awards are particularly significant as many wineries sell up to 90 percent of their wine to visitors in their tasting rooms.

November readers of the online publication selected the following winery tasting rooms (listed alphabetically) as their top 10 36 | January 2016

favorites. To assure accuracy and fairness, all duplicate votes were removed before the final count.

BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDS Barboursville/Orange County CASANEL VINEYARDS Leesburg/Loudoun County CHATEAU MORRISETTE Floyd/Floyd County COOPER VINEYARDS Louisa/Louisa County DOUKENIE VINEYARDS Purcellville/Loudoun County FIRST COLONY WINERY Charlottesville/Albemarle County NARMADA WINERY Amissville/Rappahannock County ROSEMONT VINEYARDS La Crosse/Mecklenburg County

SAUDE CREEK Publisher’s note: The Old Town Crier is Lenexa/New Kent County happy to partner with Frank and June Britt at Virginia Wine Lover in promoting WINERY AT BULL RUN Virginia’s wineries and vineyards. We here Centreville/Fairfax County at the Crier have been promoting them for more than 26 years and have seen The Official Virginia Wine Lover many, many changes over those years. reaches some 50,000 subscribers, Treat yourself to exploring the wineries including wine festival attendees, and enjoying the Commonwealth’s visitors to wineries, tasting rooms countryside in 2016! and a targeted list of Virginia wine enthusiasts. The online publication Frank Britt is the former co-publisher is celebrating 10 years of supporting and co-founder of Virginia Wine and promoting Virginia wines, the Lover magazine and current publisher people who make them and those of the Official Virginia Wine Lover who enjoy them. Each month the electronic newsletter directs readers to E-newsletter, the source for Virginia’s wine news, and complimentary to Old festivals and events, featured wineries Town Crier readers. He also consults and travel destinations across the with several wine festivals. Britt can be Commonwealth. reached at frank@brittmarketing.com; For a complimentary subscription and additional information, visit www. vawinelover.com vawinelover.com.

Old Town Crier

How to Serve Wine 101: Tips on Choosing the Right Glass

S

eems like serving a wine should be easy enough: Just open and pour. But anyone who has ever struggled with a crumbling cork, or listened to a debate over whether the Cabernet they’re drinking needs to “breathe” more, knows that sometimes it’s not quite so simple.

Ever been handed a fine wine in a chunky water tumbler, a tiny glass or a plastic cup? You may have noticed that you’re just not picking up any nuances; it’s not you or the wine, it’s the vessel. Not everything that holds liquid is well-suited for wine.

Glassware is extremely important to wine appreciation — it influences how you perceive the color, aromas and taste — so the quality is absolutely key.

Fortunately, there are many wine-friendly options on the market so you can find a glass that’s right for you — one that balances aesthetic appeal with what you can afford and how much space you have in your cupboards.

Size and Shape Do Matter

In general, look for clear crystal with thin-rimmed, large bowls that hold 10 to 18 ounces, taper slightly at the top and balance well in the hand.

The clearer the glass, the richer the wine’s color

Old Town Crier

appears. The thinner the rim, the less the glass distracts from the wine as you sip.

A large bowl and a narrow opening (but not too small to drink easily from) help magnify the wine’s aromas, providing plenty of space for the aromas to expand, but little room for them to escape.

Many glasses are too small; few are too large.

Hand-blown glass is generally thinner, especially at the rim, and balances better than machine-made glass.

These days you’ll find quite a few “combination” wineglasses with hand-blown bowls and machine-made stems and bases. They can be a good compromise between beauty and cost.

Wineglasses traditionally have stems so that your hand doesn’t touch the bowl, obscuring the glass with fingerprints or warming the wine above proper serving temperature. However, these days, stemless glasses have become popular because they are easier to store if you have limited space, are dishwasherfriendly and less prone to breakage without the fragile stems.

All-in-One, or One for Each

Many wine lovers find an all-purpose, everyday wineglass that does the trick for them. The next step up would be to get an all-purpose red wine glass, an all-purpose

white wine glass, and some Champagne flutes.

Generally, red-wine glasses have larger bowls and wider openings than those for white. Sparklingwine glasses should hold 6.5 ounces or more and be either narrow and tall to channel the bubbles in a continuous stream or tulip-shaped with a narrowing at the rim to better trap the aromas and bubbles. If you drink dessert wines, glasses for Sherry and Port traditionally are small, because those fortified wines are usually consumed in small quantities.

A single quality glass can be used for reds, whites or rosés; just be sure not to overfill when serving.

If it’s within your budget and space to expand from there, there are also wineglasses that are designed

to showcase specific types of wines—say, one for Pinot Noir that’s different from one for Cabernet-based wines. The sizes and shapes of the bowls influence the intensity and complexity of the aromas, while the shapes of the rims determine where the wine initially lands on the tongue, affecting the perception of its taste. They’re certainly an indulgence, but if you try a side-by-side taste test with these differently shaped glasses, you can see how much they influence the way a wine tastes.

It’s Half Full, Not Half Empty

Whatever you choose, it’s best not to fill a wineglass more than half full. (Flutes for sparkling wines—which you don’t have to swirl, because that dissipates the bubbles— are the exception.) You need

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

to leave enough air space to swirl and release the aromas.

Don’t worry about looking stingy with your pours in front of guests; now that you’re serving your wines in perfect condition, they should be getting twice the enjoyment out of every glass!

Publisher’s note: This feature compliments of Wine Specator.

Please check them out online and become a member so you can offer your comments!

To protect the quality of the conversations, only members may submit comments.

Member benefits include access to more than 315,000 reviews in our Wine Ratings Search; a first look at ratings in our Insider, Advance and Tasting Highlights; Value Wines; the Personal Wine List/My Cellar tool, hundreds of wine-friendly recipes and more.

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January 2016 | 37

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e just finished a bottling run the other day. We bottled four different wines totaling about 900 cases. Every once in a while, I talk about the bottling process because I feel it is one of the most impactful parts on the quality of our industry, just behind the farmer.

The wine is very vulnerable during the bottling process due to pumping, oxygen exposure, delays on the bottling line and no chance to fix it once it’s in the bottle. So, it’s very important that procedures are followed, equipment is well cleaned and we think on our feet when a problem arises to minimize the risk.

Most larger wineries have their own bottling equipment. They would have a person dedicated to that line for maintenance, repair, change over operations so that a different bottle could be used on the same run. Wineries in the 3,000-15,000 case range tend to use a mobile bottling system. It is a truck or trailer with the assembly line built inside. This model has been a key part of the growth in quality and volume for our industry. The winery does not need to invest in the expensive equipment or train to operate it. But the winemaker must put their wine in the hands of the bottler and trust that the job will be done properly. Most of the time things go rather smoothly.

The bottler needs to be a mechanic, a skilled driver, understand winemaking, understand production processes, be an on the fly engineer and have some serious people skills to deal with all of us crazy and moody winemakers. When a problem arises, is when the true character of the owners of the bottling line comes out. I have had times years ago where figuring out the source of a problem with a bottled wine is like a game of “Not It!” There would be no logical discussion or evaluation of the problem, just a simple answer from the bottling line operator of “It’s not my fault.” Most of the bottling operations in the area have grown past this stage and have matured into sound businesses with high quality operations.

Maturity may be the key point of this writing. As we grow as people and business operators, we learn that we make mistakes sometimes. The character shows in how we handle those mistakes. As a business grows out of the start-up phase, good owners and operators tend to look for the mistakes they may be making so they eliminate them and can continue to improve.

The operation is running but having the constant effort towards improvement is what will make that business more sound for years to come.

As a business owner, I have learned a lot over the years, especially this past year. Growth of a business is great, but controlling the growth for the customer experience, the quality of product and for the sustainability of the industry creates the “always striving, never achieving” goal. Hopefully we all keep striving forward in 2016. Have humility and confidence, long term vision and attention to details, Yin and Yang to balance the success for generations to come. Peace out.

Old Town Crier

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

Sea to Shore Activism

C

overing fishing’s conservation issues for 30 years, Robert U. Montgomery has told the stories, others can’t or won’t, to preserve and protect the outdoors for future generations.

High school English/ journalism teacher dabbling as a freelancer, Montgomery cranked out articles and sent them to every editor.

In 1982, Southern Outdoors Magazine’s Dave Precht was the first major editor to take interest. Montgomery’s inaugural article about noodling for catfish, which today is a reality show fascination, which was illegal in many areas. Montgomery’s flair for taking a story and introducing the characters involved came through as he recounted noodler encounters

Bassing IN JANUARY Potomac River

True winter fishing. Fish are relating to drops close to shallow water in out of the current areas. Use Silver Buddy lures on 10-pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon and burp down drops. Make short movements to work increments of the drop. Also use Mann’s Stingray grubs and Mizmo 4-inch grubs on ¼ ounce jig heads on the same line. Quantum EXO

Old Town Crier

with snakes and snapping turtles.

In 1985 Precht asked Montgomery to be Senior/ Writer Conservation for B.A.S.S. Publications and he became the first and only conservation writer in the company’s history. Bassmaster Magazine articles covered the stuff outdoor writers refer as “hooks and bullets”, the technical side of fishing involving techniques and tackle. While writing hotdogs reported on pro bass fishing events to come up with 10 new ways to do this or that, Montgomery was on the cutting edge of the sport’s growth, covering women’s pro bass tournaments and kid’s events.

Taking a non-traditional outdoors view, Montgomery utilizes his journalism degree to pursue his personal love of nature and the resource.

It’s all about conservation and protection. B.A.S.S. Times, Bassmaster.com, and Montgomery’s own site activistangler.com feature articles contemplating fishing’s future. A special talent is required to approach

the outdoors through the eyes of the government rather than the angler. “It takes more work because you have to talk to the experts, biologists and put into terms the average person can understand. It’s more work and not as much fun and you have to be dedicated to it.”

Cataloging his travels across the country, Montgomery

endeavors to see it all so he can tell it all. Today his concerns are based on fishing access. Invasive species like Asian carp, Zebra Mussels and aquatic vegetation are giving legislators and lake associations ammo to slow down if not ban boaters from entering their fisheries, pointing to the transportation GO FISH > PAGE 42

spinning reels are perfect for light line presentations.

Dropshot with 1/0 Mustad Mega bite hooks with 5 inch Mizmo Doodle worms on Edge 10 pound test. A 3/16 or ¼ ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weight will keep this presentation in the same spot a while. Leaders about 6 inches.

Soak soft plastics in garlic Jack’s Juice Bait Spray.

Crank Lucky Craft Bevy shad suspending crankbaits with frequent pauses when contacting cover or working down drops. Twitch and pause. Make long casts and target warmed water near hard surfaces like rock and docks near drops.

On warmer days when water reaches 45 degrees, slow roll Mann’s Classic spinnerbaits, gold willow/Colorado blades and shite skirts.

January 2016 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

J

anuary marks the beginning of a new year, and for most of us that means some type of resolution to do something different for the next twelve months. So far this winter has been rather kind to us and for the most part we have been able to keep our outdoor workouts alive. However, if your old workout routine is starting to seem uninspiring, try something new to start the year off on a good note.

body. Yoga can improve circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body.

Inversions such as a headstand reverse the flow of gravity, improving the blood supply to the lungs and brain and give the legs and heart a rest. The heart is exercised by the different postures with many similar benefits of aerobic exercise- with one exception. Through yoga postures, the heart is not stressed as it is in aerobic activities such as

Something New for the New Year People have been practicing yoga for thousands of years. There is a reason this ancient practice has been around for so long. There are many benefits of practicing yoga that go far beyond the physical aspect. Yoga can help you balance your mind and spirit as well as your body. When the mind is clear and the body feels balanced, it is easier to face the challenges of each day regardless of what they may be. Many people work out because it makes them feel better. Yoga is certainly a workout, but in a different way than going to a gym and lifting or cycling. It is physically challenging, yet relaxing at the same time.

Yoga is a great way to stay in shape. The postures tone organs and develop long, lean muscles. The practice of forward bends, back bends, lateral poses, twists, and inversions, balances and works every muscle, bone, joint, and organ in the 40 | January 2016

running or spinning. In yoga the heart receives the actions of various poses much like the rest of the body, through toning, stimulating and massaging actions. Weight bearing yoga poses can help improve bone density and slow the progression of osteoporosis. Flexibility and strength of the muscles and range of motion in the joints is greatly increased as well as overall stamina and endurance.

Yoga gives you energy. Yoga postures bend the spine in many different ways.

Moving the spine this way keeps the spine flexible and healthy and nourishes the entire nervous system. These poses release tension and blocked energy, lengthen and strengthen muscles, and tone, stimulate and massage internal organs. As a result, every cell in the body has improved function giving a person the sense of renewed energy and a reduction in overall stress. A reduction

in stress helps to keep the body and the mind in a healthy state. When the body is in a constant state of stress, it takes a toll on overall health. Yoga can help you relax through specific breathing techniques called pranayama. Pranayama invigorates the entire body-mind system.

The respiratory and nervous systems are calmed and strengthened. When pranayama is done correctly the body’s vital energy is balanced and replenished and fatigue is lessened. Conscious relaxation techniques systematically guide you into a state of deep relaxation.

As the noisy chatter of your mind recedes, your body is able to let go and release muscle tension. As your muscles relax, the breath rate slows and deepens so the respiratory system is allowed to rest. As the breathing rate slows, the heart rate responds and slows down as well. This positively affects the entire circulatory system and rests the heart.

When the heart is relaxed this sends the message to the nervous system to initiate a relaxation response. It is this deep relaxation that goes right to the core of decreasing fatigue. After experiencing a deep relaxation yoga class you will feel full of energy as if you have just taken a mini-vacation from your stressful day.

This year, make a new addition to your workout regime and try a yoga class. It will balance your mind and body and give you a feeling of renewed energy. It will help to reduce stress and fatigue and improve overall strength. Not to mention it can be done in a nice warm studio if winter does show its true colors before spring.

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

Is It January 1st Already?

I

t’s time to start putting those New Year’s fitness resolutions to work again.

If you were lucky enough to receive a “fitness gift” as I recommended in my last article, now is the perfect time to put it to good use. Did you know fifty percent of people who decide to start exercising will drop out within the first six months? Why does this happen? Because it does take a little effort and worth-while time to develop a habit. I have a few ideas that can set you up for success this year.

Use the SMART Principle to Set Goals

(Specific-MeasurableAttainable-Realistic-Time oriented) When setting your goals, be sure to consider all five of these principles, especially the time oriented one. If you don’t nail down a time frame, you are not holding yourself accountable and that’s when your exercise routine begins to fade away.

Keep an Exercise Journal

Writing down every workout may seem like a lot of work, but it will pay off in the long run. This provides a visual so you can actually look back at all the hard work you put in and bring you a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Your journal should include specific things such as your goals, the time and date of the Old Town Crier

workout, list of exercises or lifts, amount of weight used, sets, repetitions, duration and intensity of your workouts, as well as how you felt that day.

Another great asset of keeping an exercise journal is that you can track your progress (or lack of progress) to help you stay on track of your goals. You may discover that a change is warranted if you are not progressing toward your goal and that’s ok.

Expect Bumps in the Road

Nobody is perfect. Don’t get down on yourself just because you missed a few workouts.

Whether it’s due to sickness, injury, or laziness, there will be bumps in the road. I can guarantee that these things will plague you once in awhile. There will be days that you will not want to workout, but my next suggestion can alleviate this problem.

before so you don’t forget to take them with you to work in the morning. The most common excuse I hear is, “I’m too busy to workout.”

Everyone has 24 hours in a day, so it’s a matter of organizing and prioritizing your schedule.

Exercise in the Morning

I prefer morning workouts because it eliminates the, “I’m too tired after work” excuse.

Exercising early can help wake you up, sharpen your mind, and prepare you for the day.

You will also have peace of

mind knowing that you won’t need to workout after work.

Another common excuse is, “I’m not a morning person.”

The solution to this barrier is simple. Go to bed earlier!

Try Personal Training

Personal trainers can help you set realistic goals, hold you accountable, provide safe and effective workouts, and keep you motivated through those bumps in the road.

They can help you identify barriers and provide solutions to transform you into that regular exerciser you always

dreamed you would be!

Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University.

He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). Ryan is also a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Exercise with a Friend

This is the easiest way to stay on track. If you know that your buddy is waiting for you at the gym, the more likely it is that you will actually show up. You can hold each other accountable by motivating and inspiring one another through every workout.

No Excuses

Identify any possible barriers and find solutions to break through them. Pack workout clothes the night January 2016 | 41

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GO FISH FROM PG 39

of these invaders on trailers and in bilge water.

Boat washing requirements, inspections and restrictions are surfacing at many fisheries.

Invasives are also harming US waterways!

Food supplies are compromised and food chains are disrupted as competition grows from fish without predators. “Government has a primary responsibility to protect people and its resources and government has been lax with invasive species in that regard.”

Making waves a few years ago he got under ESPN’s skin, then owner of BASSMASTER publications. Montgomery revealed government overreach into saltwater and inshore fishing opportunities. When exposing President Obama’s willingness, and worse ableness to restrict fishing opportunities, the controversy reached epic proportions.

Montgomery fired up his politically blind keyboard. “I’ve been accused of working for the DNC and being an apologist for Bush. When it comes to the resource there is no left and right, just protecting the resource and our water.”

Conservative blogger Matt Drudge posted the big brother game warden revelations. Former Watergate burglar Gordon Liddy invited Montgomery on his syndicated radio program to discuss the Government’s fishing heritage erosion, closing ocean waters, zoning the use of waters and ultimately privatizing public waters.

Seeing the writing or lack thereof on the walls of ESPN as they divested from bass fishing, which they errantly thought to be the next NASCAR, Montgomery established a clearinghouse for the Activist Angler, activistangler.com. Montgomery unfiltered!

To this day, Montgomery reveals government overreach including National Park Service fishing and hunting restrictions on public lands. “It has restricted access to historic surf fishing beaches at Cape Hatteras, and intends to restrict access in Florida’s Biscayne Bay.” Winning many awards, even from the Department of the Interior, Montgomery commends his current B.A.S.S. colleagues and management for being committed to fishing issues. While mostly writing about fish, fishing or heritage preservation, Montgomery’s most recent effort reaches a broader audience.

A softer non-fishy side of Montgomery is revealed in his latest collaborative book, Under the Bed: Tales from an Innocent Childhood on Amazon. Baby Boomers growing up, relying on humor, taking family vacations in a woody station wagon, fishing in leaky wooden rowboats, and watching black and white TV tell their tales of life during simpler times.

Those in the fishing business, anglers and everyone who enjoys the outdoors, owe a big thanks to Montgomery. “What could be more American than fishing? A kid on the bank of a river with a cane pole in his hand. A lot of people want to keep that kid away from the water and catching that fish…some think I am a conspiracy theorist.” It’s only a conspiracy if you have to investigate. Here’s looking to 30 more years from Montgomery.

Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & contributing writer for BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.

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Old Town Crier

FIRST BLUSH kim putens

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 Old Town Crier

Winter Beauty Care 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 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.

January 2016 | 43

SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

Palmistry in Daily Life

P

almistry is so often seen as the realm of fortune-tellers and charlatans that most people don’t think there would be any purpose in having a reading. That’s a rather short-sighted vision.

Here are seven of the most common ways you can use palmistry in your daily life.

To set your daily intention

When I wake up in the morning I spend a few minutes looking at my hands before I settle into my meditation. I note anything that stands out to me and I focus on that. With even the most basic understanding of hands you can find something in your own hand to meditate on. If you notice your first finger is throbbing when you wake up you’ll have information to use to set your intention for the day (perhaps to help you see where you can release tension in your

The

leadership roles!) When you understand the basic geography of the hand you can use that information each morning and evening to review your day in a new perspective. In the example I just gave a throbbing first finger is about power and leadership, because the first finger, also known as Jupiter, is in the zone of power.

the depth and connectedness of the line can give you insight about how well you’re caring for your body at this very moment. Breaks or hash marks can indicate areas where you’re in need of more self-care. Remember, caring for yourself increases the quality of your life and makes it infinitely easier to care for others too.

To check in on your body awareness

To make hiring decisions

Looking at your life line can help you determine how grounded you are in your daily life. If you’re feeling less than present and your life line is mimicking that you have the tools to re-center and balance your physical and spiritual sides throughout your day. Your life line begins between your thumb and your index (Jupiter) finger and runs around the base of the thumb.

Long or short is not indicative of the length of your life, but

Obviously you have to be up front with candidates about taking a look at their hands, but you can use a basic review of a job candidate’s hands to highlight their strengths and challenges (regardless of how they answer your questions in the interview). By reading their hands you’ll see where they are likely to drive you crazy and where they are likely to help you look good. As their boss or hiring manager you’ll have the insight to

Pragmatic Palmist PEGGIE ARVIDSON

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44 | January 2016

To establish positive communication with your kids.

When you read your child’s hands you’re looking beyond the scripts you have set up together as parent and child and seeing them as a complete being with needs, goals and expectations separate from yours. You’ll be able to help them address challenges in ways that speak to their hard-wiring and use this information to avoid inadvertently hurting their feelings.

To identify your perfect clients

Are you ready to use the wisdom in your hands to manifest the business of your dreams? Would you like to find out once and for all how to get out of your own way and attract love and money, using the gifts of your own DNA? Private readings, group sessions, classes and workshops are NOW available by appointment at:

help them excel on the job by paying attention to areas where they may need some extra help. Hiring by hand is also a great way to build your team into a cohesive working unit, instead of other personality assessments that are often subject to the candidate’s personal opinion of themselves, you can have an objective look at what their hands show as their strengths and weaknesses. From there you have the information you need to build your team and enhance communication.

Your clients will have similar struggles to yours and they want help with those challenges now! That’s a given when it comes to creating programs and services in your business. But did you know that simply having the same challenges doesn’t mean that they are all going to respond to your offer or solution?

It’s about their hard-wiring and you can hone in on that by reading and understanding your own hard-wiring — through the message in your hands. In other words, instead of crafting your marketing

based on some marketing guru’s script, you can create marketing hand-picked for you and your perfect clients.

To break the pattern of heartbreak and heartache

When you understand your challenge markers and your wisdom and gift markers combined with the message in your hands you have the tools to address the repetitive challenges you’ve had in love.

Using the tools helps you step into your best self and with consistency, can help you attract your desired, loving relationship.

To heal your relationship with money.

Whether you’ve been consistently underpaid or underemployed or unhappy in your job or with your financial savvy, your hands hold a map to clearing up the mess, and stepping forward into work that is fulfilling and financially satisfying.

These are just 7 ways that palmistry can help you in the real world — imagine what you could do with this knowledge!

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

OPEN SPACE LORI WELCH BROWN

I

Happy New Year, More or Less

haven’t been a fun person to be around lately. I’ve been whiny, moody, impatient, scattered, exhausted, manic, indecisive, FEEL FREE TO STOP ME ANY TIME. Okay, so I’m a horrible, evil person and I should probably be hanged in Market Square. Or, maybe instead I should work out, cut back on the sugar and wine and get a good night’s sleep.

In a nutshell, I’m fried. My brain is tapioca, I’m tapped out. My gas tank is on empty. It’s not a great way to start the New Year by any stretch, but I have no one to blame but myself.

I’m a people pleasing, ‘never say no’, multi-tasker of the worst kind. If I ever set a professional boundary, it’s been long forgotten. My ego rarely lets me say no — “Sure I’ll take that on. I can do it. I’m super woman.” It’s all an elaborate guise to get you to like me.

How do you like me now? I’m going to guess the answer is no — at least in this moment because I’m not really liking much of anyone or anything.

Those happy Christmas family video people are irritating. My cheerful workmate (size 2, perfectly straight blonde hair) is beyond annoying (eat a cookie for God’s sake), and that baby’s nose is too big — not all babies are cute. And, while we are at it, puppies are useless, needy little fur balls.

Okay, I haven’t crossed the line over to baby and puppy evildom yet, but it could happen at any minute. And you thought ‘bah humbug’ was reserved for senile ghosts during the month of December? ‘Fraid not. It’s also reserved for over-holiday stimulated middle-aged women apparently.

Somebody pass me some fudge, stat.

If you can’t relate at all — well, aren’t you little Miss Sunshine. If you can relate, I’ll meet you at Walmart where we can stand at the entry and make fun of shoppers. We can talk about how that last dozen sugar cookies did us in and how 5 hours sleep a night is Old Town Crier

just right — especially when you have all that espresso to help. But alas, you and I know it has nothing to do with the holidays — it was a slow roll to get to the sugar-induced zombie state we are currently in. If we’re truthful, it probably started back in 1998, but if you don’t want to travel in the way, way back machine, we can trace it back to Thanksgiving when we started obsessing over Black Friday deals and cyber Monday steals. We worked ourselves into a frenzy over festive fall décor — no more just running over to Pier One for some gold tone napkins and placemats when everyone else you know is making placemats out of

magnolia leaves and carving dinner plates out of fallen trees. DIY, people.

Lenox is out; roof slate is in. Then we flew right into holiday decorating (live trees only and this year, let’s do two), holiday shopping (gift cards are out; hand-milled soap is in). What time are you putting that organic bird (of course you hunted yourself — thank you, Duck Dynasty) in the oven? While you were busy walking around the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, I was busy tilling my backyard garden. Did you miss my harvest pictures on Instagram? No worries — you can still buy my corn husk dolls on Etsy. If you want to make

them yourself, check out my Garden Craft board on Pinterest. Mashed potatoes, anyone? Message me later and I’ll give you the recipe.

For 2016, I’m going to do a better job of balancing, more or less. I’m committing to more naps and less commitments. More use of the word ‘no’ and less ‘yes’. More quality time and less running around doing stuff.

More gym time and less couch time.

More letting go and less obsessing.

More positive praises and less negative gossip. More conversations and less Facebook. More water and less alcohol. More gratitude and less coveting (sorry, Tory Burch). More being present and less worrying.

More pursuing passions and less fearing failure. More volunteering and less shopping. More crayons and less keypads. More kale chips and less potato chips. More fresh air and less desk sitting. More walking and less driving. More cooking and less ordering. More flexibility and less controlling. More Super Soul Sunday and less Dateline.

Of course, in some areas, I’ll need to tighten up the belt. Less stuff and more closet space. Less TV and more reading. Less spending and more saving. Less debt and more financial security. Less stress and more wellness.

Less sugar and more energy. Less complaining and more appreciation.

Less venting and more yoga. Less whirling dervish and more stillness.

Less nagging and more loving. Less talking and more breathing. Less me and more others. Less crying and more celebrating. Less ordinary plates and more good china. Less cheap wine and more good champagne. Less sweat pants and more cocktail dresses. Less sitting and more dancing. Less account balancing and more star gazing. Less chaos and more peace.

Happy New Year to you and yours, more or less.

January 2016 | 45

Get Ready to Place Your Bets!

46 | January 2016

I

have to admit right out of the Maryland”. I find it interesting that gate that I had one heck of a in the press information they don’t time getting inspiration for mention the fabulous view of Old this months’ National Harbor Town and the monuments that those column. At first I was going to guests staying on the west side of the wax poetic about one year ending hotel will enjoy as well. The resort is and another beginning but I went a 1.3 billion ­— yes, billion — dollar down that path in the January project that includes a 24-story,

By Lani Gering 2015 column! Then I was going 308-room hotel featuring “premier to write a little bit about the new amenities and experiences for locals businesses that have popped up over the last as well as visitors from around the world. The few months and then decided that would be casino will cover over 125,000 square feet something better suited for the Harbor to that includes slots, table games and poker; a advertise so … after fielding 20 questions world class salon; an entertainment theater about the MGM Grand that is being erected on with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end the Plateau, I decided to start the year off with branded retail; 27,000 square feet of meeting an update. Thanks to my friends in the MGM space and restaurants from renowned local, Public Relations office, I have some decent national and international chefs.” information.

I wanted to highlight the hotel portion of The photos accompanying this piece are the resorts accommodations in this column. renderings of what is to come. I considered We will talk about the casino and restaurant taking a picture of the construction but that portion in future columns. To be honest, that is really is pretty boring since it is still in the what I am looking most forward to since I live framing stage. almost next door to the place!

For those who don’t already know, in a nut The following was provided by the resort. I shell the MGM National Harbor is the newest figure they know best about what we are going addition to MGM Resorts International’s to expect since I can’t actually comment on portfolio. It is touted as having an “unrivaled something I haven’t seen: setting offering stunning panoramic views Taking inspiration from the nation’s capital, of the eastern shore of the Potomac River in MGM National Harbor embraces a thoughtful Old Town Crier

design approach while catering to the modern expectations of today’s discerning travelers.

“The room designs are just the first peek into the incredible collection of amenities we’ve curated to create an unparalleled experience for locals and visitors from around the world,” said MGM National Harbor General Manager Bill Boasberg. “In an area steeped in tradition, MGM National Harbor will honor the region’s legacy through its design elements while creating a sophisticated resort experience.”

The architectural vision of MGM National Harbor embodies a contemporary, bold and progressive design achieved by seamlessly integrating natural materials to create simple, yet elegant, spaces.

Guest Rooms: A Luxurious Retreat As they enter their 400-squarefoot retreat, guests will be greeted by a serene setting that blends the

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resort’s surrounding geography with comfortable, functional design.

Featuring light-colored woods and monochromatic earth tones, the rooms, designed by Studio GAIA, will invite the outside in to create a streamlined and refreshing environment.

Floor-to-ceiling windows will immediately seduce guests with natural light and breathtaking views of the city’s landscape. The spacious guest rooms will be stylish and refined with meticulous attention to detail throughout every corner of the space, from the stunning floor-to-ceiling millwork throughout the room to the functional desk space and comfortable seating area along the window wall.

In keeping with the resort’s conservation-minded approach, motion sensors in each room will automatically adjust temperature and lighting to save energy when guests are not present. Advanced technology in all rooms will remember guests’

temperature and lighting settings when exiting the room and resume those settings upon their return. WiFi and Bluetooth technology will be standard throughout all rooms, enabling guests to conveniently stay connected to family, friends and business colleagues while on the road.

Each elegantly appointed guest bath will feature floor-to-ceiling millwork similar to that of a yacht’s interior, while dual vanity sinks will be set within a dramatic polished black countertop.

Creating a sensual shadow play between the bathroom and bedroom, the shower will become a focal feature as it radiates a subtle opaque white light. Guest bathrooms will integrate sustainable features including LED lighting in the oversized mirrors as well as custom polished chrome lowflow, water-saving fixtures.

Thoughtful artistic touches will be featured throughout the resort and in the guest rooms. Just outside

each bathroom, a distinctive piece of artwork inspired by the historic Washington, D.C. region will add to the overall ambiance of the room.

In addition to 234 standard guest rooms, MGM National Harbor will offer a premier selection of 74 suites ranging in size from 600 – 2,000 square feet, up to the luxurious 3,600-square-foot Presidential Suite.

I was actually hoping to get a more concrete answer as to when they are looking to be up and running but the best I could get is “the second half of 2016” so I guess it could be July 1 or December 31! I am hoping it is closer to the July date. Construction has been clipping right along especially since there hasn’t been any real inclement weather so far this year and if it keeps up like it is now (70 degrees on Christmas) they should be way ahead of the game.

Here’s wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

January 2016 | 47

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NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE AC LOUNGE 156 Waterfront St. 301-749-2299 AROMA DITALI 156 National Plaza 301-839-3492 BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445

48 | January 2016

CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com 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 GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY 200 American Way 240-493-3900

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Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspubandkitchen.com McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com

OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com PIENZA ITALIAN MARKET Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS 146 National Plaza 301-686-1160 PUBLIC HOUSE 199 Fleet Street 240-493-6120 publichousenationalharbor.com

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

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COUNTDOWN TO GRAYTNESS

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New Kid on the Block in Chinatown

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Celebrating 25 Years in Old Town

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Fine Wine in the Heart of Virginia

Drink in the Scenery, Taste the Wine

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A Pet Lover’s Paradise Dining Out

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A Bite to Eat

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DRINK NAKED! NAKED MOUNTAIN WINERY

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