Old Town Crier January 2024 - Full Issue by Old Town Crier

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

PRICELESS • SINCE 1988

CELEBRATING 36 YEARS!

oldtowncrier oldtowncrier.com

JANUARY 2024

otcregionalmag

PUBLISHER’S NOTES

Photo Credit: Chester Simpson

his issue marks the beginning of our 37th year and our 433rd issue. Much has changed over the years. Back then, Old Town pretty much ended in the 700 block of King Street, and only King Street, and the two hundred block of Cameron Street. Today, very loosely, Old Town encompasses (east to west) from the Potomac River to the metro station and (north to south) from Montgomery Street to Prince Street. How time flies. My former partner, David Underwood and I published the first issue of the Old Town Crier in January of 1988. I have to admit that we were not quite sure what we were doing but the opportunity seemed to present itself. The Port Packet and the Gazette merged and Old Town effectively lost its hometown classic rag. With literally no jaournalistic experience, no business plan and a credit card, we focused on filling that gap with only Alexandria articles about the folks that made Old Town what it was and what it has grown to be. After a few years, we expanded our coverage and distribution to Annapolis, the wineries in the Blue Ridge and destination communities in between. When I moved my sailboat to Solomons, Maryland, we began distribution to Southern Maryland as well. Our theory was that a distribution "From the Bay to the Blue Ridge" would place Alexandria in the middle and became the heart of the publication. Lani Gering took a buy out from her job at the USDA and joined us full time in the fall of 1994 just to “help out” until she decided if she was going to stay in the area or return to her western roots in Wyoming. She actually had legitimate

managerial expertise and, more importantly, common sense. She soon became the operations guru. She got sucked into the vortex and has pretty much been the guiding force since. After Dave passed away in 2007, she became my partner. Her contributions are “priceless”. We have had many very talented people cross our paths over these past 36 years. From contributing writers, photographers, ad reps and designers of whom we owe a debt of gratitude. Our content is the backbone of the publication and we have received many accolades over the years. We have been asked to submit the OTC in industry contests many times and I don’t know why we didn’t. Guess it just seemed a bit too self-serving. It is amazing that we have eight writers who have been penning a column for us every month for well over 25 years. A couple of them are really close to hitting the 30-year mark! This is a testament to us all. Much like our dedicated writers, we have advertisers who have been with us almost from the very beginning – Landini Brothers, Fish Market, Warehouse, King's Jewelry and Imagine Artwear (it was Fiber Design back in the beginning). We are forever grateful to these businesses. It is sort of like a restaurant who has had lifetime employees in such a ﬁckle business. We both must be doing something right. I would be remiss if I didn’t profusely thank all of those who have advertised with us over the years. Obviously, without you all, we wouldn’t be in business. I have to chime in about the mess that the pandemic caused pretty much all small

businesses. While the majority of monthly publications in our area stopped publishing for several months, we felt that we owed it to our readership to keep up the status quo. We lost about 70% of our paid advertisers since many were hospitality and tourism related. That was a major chunk of change. We dropped our print run since a majority of the distribution points were closed and sacriﬁced much personally in order to pay the bills. Those advertisers that continued with us each month all the way through and made that possible are Craftmark Homes, Landini Brothers Restaurant, Fish Market Restaurant, Kings Jewelry, Imagine Artwear, Ten Thousand Villages and The Warehouse. We owe them a special debt of gratitude. I want to extend a hearty “Thank You” to our readers. There are many of you out there that have been loyal from the beginning and have passed your enthusiasm for the OTC on for literally generations. I am always amazed at the diversity of people that we hear from each month via email, Google PMs, blog comments and even a few “handwritten” letters both at home and afar. We’ve had some pretty funny written communiques over the years. Wish we had kept them all. Without these amazing people and all who have been part of this journey – good and bad – I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this today. As we try to navigate 2024 amidst constitutional crisis in our country and wars in Gaza/Palestine and the continued invasion of Ukraine, we will keep our focus on the future of the Old Town Crier and our hometown of Alexandria, Virginia.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year,

4 January 2024

Old Town Crier

january‘24 A Division of OTC Media LLC

OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437

ofﬁce@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER

Bob Tagert

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

Stephen Bearce Sarah Becker Alexander Britel Sharmaine Bucknor Cheryl Burns F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Mark Edelman Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc

Erin Koons

A Bit of History........................................13 Fitness...................................................43 National Harbor......................................27

CONTRIBUTORS

About the Cover........................................7 From the Bay..........................................20 NYE Feature.............................................9

Timothy Long Cindy McGovern Glenn Morel Meg Mullery Melinda Murphy Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Ashley Stimpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Catherine Varchever Lori Welch Brown © 2023 OTC Media LLC. 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 select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed from the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains and USVI.

After Hours.............................................16 From the Trainer.....................................42 On Stage................................................17 Alexandria Events....................................6 Gallery Beat...........................................14 On the Road............................................5 Art & Antiques........................................14 Go Fish...................................................40 Open Space............................................46 Caribbean Connection.............................28 Grapevine..............................................36 Pets of the Month...................................45 Dining Guide..........................................31 High Notes.............................................16

Points on Pets........................................44

Dining Out.............................................32 Last Word...............................................18 Publishers notes......................................4 Exploring VA Wines ...............................35

Let's Eat.................................................34 Road Trip...............................................24

Financial Focus.......................................12 Let's Get Crafty......................................38 To the Blue Ridge....................................22 First Blush.............................................41

MLK Feature...........................................19 Urban Garden.........................................11

ON THE ROAD WITH OTC Old Town Alexandria residents and “Couple Around Town” Michele Cumberland and Martin (Marty to his pals) Yeager are faithful about taking the OTC with them when they travel and we love them for it. This photo was snapped in Key West shortly after the iconic Jimmy Buffet passed away and thought this location was perfect. I am betting they moved on to Captain Tony’s at some point as well. Both attorneys, Marty works with Land, Carroll & Blair while Michele is with Cumberland from Mid-Atlantic Commercial Law. Alexandria resident Maureen Moore headed to the hills on a family trip and found herself in the wilds of Garrett County in Western Maryland in Deep Creek. With her October Old Town Crier in hand, she was kind enough to take a break from this family adventure and, while sitting lakeside at Deep Creek Lake, this fabulous photo was taken by her sister Jennifer Moore Meadows. This was the first time the Moore gang experienced this gorgeous part of Maryland. If you would like to see your photo featured in this space, take a couple of shots with a copy of the OTC in hand and send it to office@oldtowncrier.com along with information for the caption. Be sure to include your mailing address if you want a hard copy sent to you.

Old Town Crier

January 2024 5

EVENTS AROUND TOWN

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

Ice Skating at Cameron Run 6th - February 25th Weekends & Holidays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Avenue Looking for a unique winter activity? Enjoy outdoor daytime ice skating in Alexandria, just minutes from Old Town. Warm up with a hot chocolate or make your own s’mores over the firepit. This fun winter experience is only available for a limited time and capacity is limited! Learn more about Ice Skating at Cameron Run and to reserve tickets check in at cameron@nvrpa.com.

Market Square 301 King Street Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.

DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round

Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round

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

FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round

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

NIGHT TO

S UR

URS IN T

For 10 days and two weekends, more than 70 restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, will offer a $30, $40 or $50 in-person dinner for one during Alexandria Restaurant Week 2024. Special menus are available in-person at participating restaurants throughout Alexandria’s neighborhoods, including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle, Eisenhower and the West End. The revised three-tiered pricing structure reflects feedback from Alexandria Restaurant Week participants following the 2023 summer promotion.

BES

Winter Alexandria Restaurant Week 2024 19th – 28th

DAY

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

OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

SEE DC TODAY SMALL GROUP AND PRIVATE TOURS

202.900.3015

SEEDCTODAY.COM Best Part of Our Trip!

“This tour was not only the highlight of our time here in DC but the best city tour/excursion we have been on in the 22 years we have been traveling.”

Alexandria Restaurant Week was launched in 2009 by Visit Alexandria and has become a favorite amongst patrons and restaurateurs, occurring biannually in the winter and summer. In addition to serving as an economic driver for Alexandria restaurants, Alexandria Restaurant Week bolsters the city’s reputation as a culinary destination. For detailed information and a digital flip-book of menus at participating restaurants log on to AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com

Connect with us!

Web: VisitAlexandriaVA.com Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com FB: Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA Instagram: Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA

6 January 2024

Old Town Crier

JUST FOR FUN WHERE IS IT?

O N THE COVER

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

PRICELESS • SINCE 1988

CELEBRATING 36 YEARS!

JANUARY 2024

Where Is This Mural? Turns out that the November image was a bit more challenging than the previous two months. Quite a few guesses but none even close so here is the image from the November issue and one of another section of the mural – maybe that will help. HINT: It is a bit oﬀ the beaten path.

oldtowncrier oldtowncrier.com

Be the ﬁrst person to respond with the correct location and receive a $50 gift certiﬁcate to a local dining establishment of our choice. In order to participate, you will have to Like and Follow us:

otcregionalmag

We have taken great pride in our covers over the last 36 years and we think we had a pretty good 2023! It is fun for us here at the OTC to look back and reﬂect on each image and why we chose what we did.

Facebook @oldtowncrier Instagram @otcregionalmag

We want to do something a little diﬀerent this year and get some input from our readers. We think it will be fun to have a "Favorite Cover" vote this year. Take a hard look at this cover and let us know what your favorite in 2023 was and why you picked it.

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

Email us at oﬃce@oldtowncrier.com, message us on Facebook at Old Town Crier Regional Magazine or Instagram otcregionalmag.

ADVERTISE WITH US

ELMWOOD

office@oldtowncrier.com

LIKE AND FOLLOW US ONLINE Old Town Crier

www.oldtowncrier.com Instagram: otcregionalmag Facebook: Old Town Crier Regional Magazine

January 2024 7

Jill Fraser-Smith

THIS BALLOON TRAVELED MANY MILES ENTANGLING THIS INNOCENT BIRD ALONG THE WAY.

RELEASED BALLOONS CAN HARM WILDLIFE.

8 January 2024

Old Town Crier

NEW YEARS FEATURE

From the origins of "Auld Lang Syne" to traditional foods, ﬁnd out more about the history of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

What does “Auld Lang Syne” mean, and why do we sing the song at midnight on New Year’s Eve? “Auld Lang Syne,” the title of a Scottish folk song that many English speakers sing at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, roughly translates to “days gone by.” The poet Robert Burns is credited with transcribing, adapting and partially rewriting it in the late 18th century. Its lyrics, which rhetorically ask whether “auld acquaintance” should “be forgot,” have been interpreted as a call to remember friends and experiences from the past. Though sung on New Year’s Eve since the mid-19th century, it became ﬁrmly cemented as a holiday standard when Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians played it during a radio broadcast from New York’s Roosevelt Hotel at midnight on December 31, 1929. The band went on to perform the hit every year until 1976, and loudspeakers continue to blast their rendition after the annual ball drop in Times Square. In ancient Rome, the original calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox; according to tradition, it was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C.

Who were the ﬁrst to make resolutions for the new year?

FESTIVE FACTS

NEW YEAR'S EVE People have been pledging to change their ways in the new year—whether by getting in shape, quitting a bad habit or learning a skill—for an estimated 4,000 years now. The tradition is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. (They would reportedly vow to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.)

The age-old custom of breaking one’s newly formed resolutions within several months—a fate that befalls the majority of would-be reformers, according to statistics—probably originated shortly thereafter.

When was the ﬁrst New Year’s Eve ball dropped in New York’s Times Square?

An estimated 1 billion people around the world watch each year as a brightly lit ball descends down a pole atop the One Times Square building at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The world-famous celebration dates back to 1904, when the New York Times newspaper relocated to what was then known as Longacre Square and convinced the city to rename the neighborhood in its honor. At the end of the year, the publication’s owner threw a raucous party with an elaborate fireworks display. When the city banned fireworks in 1907, an electrician devised a wood-and-iron ball that weighed 700 pounds, was illuminated with 100 light bulbs and was dropped from a flagpole at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Lowered almost every year since then, the iconic orb has undergone several upgrades over the decades and now weighs in at nearly 12,000 pounds. In more recent years, various towns and cities across America have developed their own versions of the Times Square ritual, organizing public drops of items ranging from pickles (Dillsburg, Pennsylvania) to possums (Tallapoosa, Georgia) at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Who made January 1 the first of the year? Throughout antiquity, civilizations around the world developed increasingly sophisticated calendars, typically pinning the first day of the year to an agricultural or astronomical event. In Egypt, for instance, the year began with the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius.

What are some traditional New Year’s foods? At New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations around the world, revelers enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes—symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead—right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune. Publishers Note: Many thanks to History.com and the members of their talented editorial staff.

Old Town Crier

January 2024 9

PERSONALITY PROFILE

LANI GERING

otta have a bit of true confession here. Our original “Personality Profile” subject got ambushed by an overwhelming amount of holiday activity and we just couldn’t carve out enough time to spend together last month to do her interview any justice. We look forward to introducing you all to one of Alexandria’s “Most Interesting Women” – obviously sans the beard and Dos Equis in hand – in the February issue. In the essence of time and a looming deadlines, we turned to the “experts” at the anomaly called Wikipedia to garner the scoop on one of January’s “Most Interesting Babies” – Baby New Year. The Publisher of the Old Town Crier has had some personal experience portraying said “baby” at a couple of New Year’s Eve parties over the years but it was so long ago I couldn’t find any of the photos to scan…he looked fine in his diaper, sash and top hat back in the day. From the files of Wikipedia:The Baby New Year is a personification of the start of the New Year commonly seen in editorial cartoons. He symbolizes the "birth" of the next year and the "passing" of the prior year; in other words, a "rebirth". Baby New Year's purpose varies by myth, but he generally performs some sort of ceremonial duty over the course of his year such as chronicling the year's events.

History

Early known instances of having babies as parts of new year’s traditions date back to ancient Greece. Modern use was popularized at the beginning of the 20th century.

Legend

The myth most associated with him is that he is a baby at the beginning of his year, but Baby New Year quickly ages until he is elderly (like Father Time, with whom he is often associated) at the end of his year. Very rarely is the Baby New Year depicted as any age other than a baby or as a very old man. Some stories, especially those with depictions of years past, will have him bear a strong likeness to key events in his time. At this point, he hands over his duties to the next Baby New Year, while he either dies or remains in this state and retires.

Representation

The stereotypical representation of Baby New Year is as a baby boy wearing nothing more than a diaper, a top hat and a sash across his torso that shows the year he is representing (e.g. 2024). He is sometimes depicted holding or associated with an hourglass, a noisemaker, or other item either pertaining to time or New Year's Day festivities. Often, he is not a complete newborn but instead more closely resembles a toddler, because he is frequently shown standing on his own, crawling or barely walking, or having a small amount of (usually blond) hair.

Baby New Year Title

HAPPY

(BIG FAT BABY)

NEW YEAR 10 January 2024

In addition to being a mythical figure, the title of "Baby New Year" is sometimes given to living people. The first baby born in any village or city in a certain year may be honored by being labeled as the official Baby New Year for that year. The official Baby New Year can be male or female, even though the mythical Baby New Year is nearly always male. Attempts to name an official Baby New Year for an entire country have sometimes been made, but generally there are multiple contenders and no single Baby New Year can be confirmed. Numerous hospitals no longer make a Baby New Year public due to concerns that the infant will become a target for criminals.

Popular Culture

Baby New Year is featured in the TV special Rudolph's Shiny New Year. The featured Baby New Year, named Happy, goes missing before New Year's Eve, and Rudolph has to travel to the Archipelago of Last Years (a bunch of islands where the old years go to retire) to ﬁnd him before a vulture named Aeon the Terrible gets to him in order to keep the year from ending and stop time, thus preventing his predestined death. Happy ran away due to being laughed at because of his big ears, which he wears under his top hat. Rudolph shows Happy his nose and tells him his own story of being shunned because of his nonconformity before asking Happy to let him see his ears. After Happy's ears play a part in defeating Aeon the Terrible, Happy is returned to Father Time as the year "Nineteen-Wonderful" begins. A parody of Baby New Year, given the name "Big Fat Baby," appears in the animated series Histeria, while a version of Baby New Year named "Happy New Year" also appears alongside Father Time in the episode "The Halls of Time" of the animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. He also appears as a giant baby man and part of the holiday mascots in The Fairly Odd Parents. Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN

Colorful Berries Are For the Birds Just because the trees are bare and there is snow on the ground doesn't mean that your garden has to become a winter wasteland. A well-planned garden will provide year-round interest and visual treats. Many evergreens and hardy ornamental grasses can be quite stunning in the colder months. But perhaps nothing can compare to the vibrant color of berries during the winter. Berry palates range from bright red to yellow to pale blue and white, so there is something sure to please your eye. Many berries will also attract a variety of birds to your garden. Here are a few suggestions for hardy berry-bearing beauties that can provide a bit of pizzazz to the drab winter landscape. American Cranberrybush Berry: Red Height: 10 to 12 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub bears clusters of white flowers in the spring. Some cultivars produce yellow berries. The European Cranberrybush has similar properties. American Holly Berry: Red Height: 20 to 25 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 5 Partial Sun Notes: This evergreen tree bears small white flowers in the spring. It has many cultivars, such as “Xanthocarpa,” which bears goldenyellow berries. Arrowwood Berry: Bluish-Black Height: 6 to10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub bears clusters of dark berries that are very popular with birds and bears clusters of small white flowers in the spring.

Black Chokeberry Berry: Dark Purple Height: 4 to 6 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 4 Partial to Full Sun Notes: The berries of the “Autumn Magic” cultivar last an especially long time into the winter. Although the Red Chokeberry bears attractive red berries, it is considered invasive in many areas and should be avoided. Common Snowberry Berry: White Height: 3 to 5 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Full Shade to Full Sun Notes: This hardy shrub grows well in shade as well as sun and tolerates almost every soil type. Coralberry Berry: Reddish-Purple Height: 3 to 5 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Full Shade to Full Sun Notes: Like Snowberry, this shrub likes shade as well as sun and is very easy to grow. It is also known as Indian Currant.

Cranberry Cotoneaster Berry: Red Height: 1 to 3 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 4 Partial to Full Sun Notes: Great for ground cover, this shrub bears tiny pink ﬂowers in the spring. Other low-growing cotoneasters include Bearberry Cotoneaster and Rockspray Cotoneaster. Eastern Red Cedar Berry: Powdery Periwinkle Blue Height: 40 to 50 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Full Sun Notes: The female trees bear these lovely berries (they are actually cones that look like berries) which are very popular with the birds. Northern Bayberry Berry: Pale Blue-Gray Height: 4 to 10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub is extremely hardy and easy to grow in most conditions. It is also salt tolerant.

Tea Viburnum Berry: Bright Red Height: 8 to10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 5 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This shrub bears clusters of red berries in the fall and clusters of small white flowers in the spring. Winterberry Berry: Red or Yellow Height: 8 to 10 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 3 Partial to Full Sun Notes: Birds love these berries, so there is a risk that the berries will all be eaten before the winter is over. If you love having birds in your garden, however, this will do the trick. Winter King Hawthorne Berry: Bright Red Height: 20 to 30 ft. tall Hardy to Zone 4 Partial to Full Sun Notes: This tree bears clusters off white flowers in the spring. The Washington Hawthorn has similar properties to the Winter King.

The above list, of course, is just meant to get you started. There are many more varieties of berry and winter fruit bearing plants. Many roses, for example, will develop colorful rose hips if the faded blooms are not pruned back. Likewise, some ﬂowering plants, such as clematis, produce beautiful seed heads that can add interest to your garden through the winter months. The important thing is to keep in mind that winter does not have to mean dreary for your garden. With just a little bit of planning berries can bring color and vibrancy to the winter garden and give you (and the birds) something to enjoy during the cold weather months. For information on when to plant foliage and garden tips of all kinds, log on to www.helpfulgardner.com! The OTC highly recommends this site.

Old Town Crier

January 2024 11

FINANCIAL FOCUS

SHARMAINE BUCKNOR

5 Simple Changes To

JUMPSTART FINANCIAL FITNESS IN 2024

EARN 2X THE

AREA AVERAGE! While many Americans might consider themselves financially fit, the numbers paint a different story. According to the Federal Reserve, an astounding 40% of families don’t have enough in savings to cover a $400 emergency. Instead, they go deeper into debt when faced with a car repair, outrageous energy bill, or other unexpected expenses. Sometimes just the idea of trying to save can feel overwhelming. How can a person focus on their financial fitness and build money muscle? One change at a time. Here are some simple savings strategies to get you started.

Let Your Employer Boost Your Retirement Savings

If your employer has a matching retirement plan, maximize the opportunity as much as possible. To make saving for the future easy, enroll in automatic payroll deductions so you pay yourself ﬁrst with every paycheck.

Build Emergency Savings

If you can save $10 a week, in one year you’ll have over $500 in savings. That’s a solid start to being ﬁnancially ﬁt. Better yet, treat your personal savings like a monthly utility bill and set aside a percentage of every paycheck to automatically go into savings. Then, when you’re faced with an emergency expense, you can pull the money from that account.

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Find Better Rates

Shop around for lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings, and lower costs on your insurance policies (car, home, life). Insurance companies often oﬀer premium discounts when you bundle your insurance policies. Those savings can add up quickly.

Focus on Saving Money

Work on saving money every month by trimming your budget and tracking your spending. Schedule a date and time to spend one hour maximum to carefully monitor everything you buy with your money, including groceries, dinner out, movies, music, streaming services (Netﬂix®, Hulu®, and more). Don’t forget about gym memberships, club dues, subscriptions, and any groups or organizations that require a monthly or annual fee. Then, evaluate those expenses, eliminate services you don’t use and cancel subscriptions that don’t provide a return on the investment. For services you want to keep, it’s worth contacting the company and/or their competition to ﬁnd the best deal and packages available.

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Get Financially Fit in 2024

Whether you plan to build your savings, finance a new ride, or send someone off to college this year, write out your goals to help make them happen. No matter where you are in your financial journey it’s never too late to start. Even small steps toward financial wellness can boost your financial fitness. This article was written by Transportation Federal Credit Union. With over $280 million in assets, the organization welcomes all active, retired, military personnel or contractor of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Maritime Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Railroad Association, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as 100+ companies throughout the Washington DC, VA and MD area to open an account. Locations in Washington, DC; Cambridge, MA and soon in Alexandria, VA. For more information about the organization or to become a member, visit www.TransFCU.org or call 202.366.9400. 12 January 2024

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Old Town Crier

A BIT OF HISTORY

SARAH BECKER

Character: Moral and Ethical Strength

“We now stand an Independent People, and have yet to learn political Tactics,” General George Washington wrote in 1783. “We are placed among the Nations of the Earth, and have a character to establish; but how we shall acquit ourselves time must discover.” Character, as defined by the Oxford American Dictionary: “the collective qualities or characteristics, especially mental or moral that distinguish a person [or country].” A quality associated not only with moral and ethical strength, but also governance. Perhaps no one has investigated contemporary character more completely than Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People [2004]. Reviewing the early success literature Covey found that “almost all the literature focused on the Character Ethic—things like integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the Golden Rule.” “In contrast,” Covey said, “the success literature of the past 50 years was filled with social image consciousness, techniques and quick fixes.” Professed Nik Gowing and Chris Langdon authors of Thinking the Unthinkable, the New Imperative for Leadership in the Digital Age [2016]: “The challenge from [such] fits a new and threatening pattern for leaders at the highest levels.” Shortly after World War I Old Town Crier

the basic view of success shifted from the Character Ethic to the Personality Ethic. “Success became more a function of personality, of public image, of attitudes and behaviors, skills and techniques,” Covey continued. “Only basic goodness gives life to technique,” Covey concluded. “The Personality Ethic—personality growth, communication skill training, and education in the field of influence strategies and positive thinking—is secondary.” “[I]t may be proper to observe that a good moral character is the first essential in a man,” President George Washington wrote his nephew in 1790. “It is… highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.” “The moral leader strives for great results,” former Mount Vernon Executive Director James C. Rees wrote in George Washington’s Leadership Lessons [2007]. “The amoral leader works for personal gain, regardless of the results.” “The heart of Washington’s leadership was pure character,” David Abshire Vice Chairman and Counselor of the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress [CSPC] explained. “It sustained the troops at Valley Forge. It made ratification of the Constitution possible.” One of the best examples of early success literature is Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue. “Acquiring the qualities of virtue

requires consistent effort,” Franklin wrote. “Pleasure, position, popularity, wealth and appearance are among the whistles in life…for which many people pay too much.”Franklin considered character and integrity to be one. “It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy,” former Alexandria resident John S. McCain III wrote in Character is Destiny [2005]. “That is all that really passes for destiny. And you choose it.” McCain [1936-2018], a Navy flier and maltreated prisoner of war [1967-1973], spent 5 ½ years in North Vietnamese prison camps including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. “A North Vietnamese film, a grainy newsreel like silent movie of American prisoners of war…was shown to newsmen today,” The New York Times reported in 1970. “The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia was given a copy of the original film U.S. Representative Roger H. Zion [R-IN8] was handed in Paris…[Zion] presented a letter signed by 406 Representatives in which they protested treatment of American Prisoners of War.” It was the first time U.S. officials knew that McCain and others were still alive. “It’s not just that John McCain survived being hung by ropes from two broken arms and beaten senseless,” TIME reported in 1999, “it’s that when his captors learned of his famous father and offered to let him go home, he refused unless they let the rest of the prisoners go as well.” TIME’s story was written coincident with Senator McCain’s [AZ, 1987-2018] first Presidential run, his 2000 run for the Republican nomination. “Character is the foundation of WIN/WIN,” Covey said, “and everything else builds on that foundation.” The three character traits essential to Covey’s WIN/WIN paradigm: 1. Integrity. 2. Maturity, the balance between courage and consideration, and 3. Abundance Mentality. The Abundance Mentality “flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security…[the] sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making.” George Washington’s character was “defined by

maturity and a capacity for growth” Abshire concluded. For former Governor Chris Christie [R-NJ, 2010-2018] character is the single most important element of a Presidential candidate. “People understand that folks need to take responsibility for what they do,” Christie a 2024 Presidential candidate said on This Week. “What you need to know is: what is the character of that person.” “One of the most admirable aspects of George Washington’s character was his sense of humility, his selfeffacement, his respectful deference to others,” Rees said. “He was quick to decline credit and quicker to assign credit to others. He was often vocal about his personally perceived shortcomings and genuinely modest when receiving praise for efforts that even he had to acknowledge, often reluctantly were meritorious.” Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick literally stopped the clock when George Washington died. “This is not to say that Washington lacked confidence—nothing could be further from the truth,” Rees continued. “But he was seldom cocky or arrogant like so many leaders and high profile people today.” “One of Washington’s greatest legacies came during a critical moment of his military career Rees noted in 2006. “Unlike Julius Caesar, Oliver Cromwell, Napoleon and many other victorious military leaders, Washington willfully and unconditionally surrendered his power just when it reached its apex. When the world expected him to assume his rightful place as the ruler of a new nation, he laid down his sword and took up the plow.” Former Prisoner of War “John McCain was one of the bravest, most decent and honorable political leaders of our time,” Forbes Margie Warrell wrote. “As a Republican Senator for over four decades many disagreed with McCain’s politics, but few ever doubted his values or questioned his integrity.” On September 28, 2023, President and former U.S. Senator Joe Biden [D-DE] announced a major federal grant to help design and build a new McCain National Library at Arizona State University. “We argued like hell,” Biden recalled, “and then we’d go to lunch

together. America misses John right now: we need his foresight and courage…[H] istory has brought us to a new time of testing.” According to Covey, the most recent “success literature tends to compartmentalize [character] rather than recognize it as foundational and catalytic.” “We have lost our inner compass,” Gowing and Langdon acceded. “Today almost all agree that mindsets, behavior, and systems are rarely adequately configured to handle the ‘new normal.’” “In prison, I fell in love with my country,” McCain revealed in Faith of My Fathers [1999]. “I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges...It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her. ” McCain graduated from Alexandria’ Episcopal High School in 1954; the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. As we enter the New Year, the 2024 presidential election year remember: it was U.S. Senator John McCain who first championed campaign finance reform, the now shredded McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. That said 2024 will likely be a wild if not sordid election year. The good news: three Republican Presidential hopefuls have allegedly “reached consensus on one thing: the president of the country sets an example for the nation’s character.” About the Author: Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email: abitofhistory53@ gmail.com January 2024 13

GALLERY BEAT

F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

ood news for the DMV art scene! Artomatic will be back next year! In its 25 year history, Artomatic has become a DCMV institution. It has provided an alternative venue for local artists, oﬀering an art festival that’s part art fair, part madness, and part circus, but always the best open art show on planet Earth! Open means that there are no jurors or judges and that every artist who wants to do it, can do it! And because it doesn't use judges, curators or hierarchy, Artomatic is as democratic as an art show can get... which usually drives art critics crazy! Besides heaps of visual arts of all types, the fair showcases local Dance, Theater, Spoken Word,

14 January 2024

Music, Film, Story Telling, Workshops, and whatever else DMV creatives can incorporate into the month long event. I am told that there was some talk of adding “culinary arts” to this show- but not set yet.

old laundromat, accounts for the name. The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities acquired about $25,000 of artwork from this show for permanent display in the capital's public buildings through its Art in Public Places program.”

The 2024 Artomatic will be in the largest building ever at over 400,000 sq ft!

The process is simple: Find a large (read: enormous), empty commercial, get the landlord to give it up for a month or so, and open it to anyone who is or claims to be an artist, performer, or actor.

I’ve been a fan of Artomatic since the very ﬁrst one, and have written and reviewed it over and over as the show (once called Art-O-Matic) evolved and grew into the planet’s largest open art show. Wikipedia tells us that “the ﬁrst Art-O-Matic, as it was spelled then, ran from May 21 to June 19, 1999. It started as a fairly spontaneous event in the Manhattan Laundry buildings on Florida Avenue in Northwest Washington. The location, in an

The process itself is democratic and doesn’t involve any jurying. At Artomatic anyone and everyone can exhibit their work. As a result, the exhibition delivers a huge diversity of skills, subjects, media, presentations, goals, and ideas. Curiously enough, even the most amateur of artists, with the muddiest of watercolors and kitschiest of subjects is a

Old Town Crier

refreshing change in an art world dominated by reproductions and mass-produced art. And I love Artomatic not just because of the miles of artwork on display. The main reason that I like Artomatic is the palpable amount of artistic energy that it delivers to the DMV whenever it is held. It is as if some invisible visual art battery in this ignored art scene comes to the forefront and gets recharged with brilliant white light (made as we all know, of all colors in the spectrum), and 50,000 people who generally would not set foot in a gallery or museum come and see art and artists, and absorb the positive energy that only creative minds can generously give away.

Have a handcrafted Stay toasty this winter in sustainable alpaca!

holiday

In the past I’ve noted that critics generally hate Artomatic because they are not equipped in any intellectual way to write about a show with 1,000+ artists. That would require them to visit the show six to seven times, while still getting paid for just one review, when they are used to visiting a gallery or a museum with brains tuned to evaluating a single artist or group show rather than 1,000+ artists ranging from disturbingly awful to spectacularly good.

Not all critics lack the mental capacity and visionary depth, but most do - including the guy who once gave AOM a horrible review on air in a radio show and later it was discovered that he had actually never seen the show... remember that? Often, as the locations have hundreds of rooms of all shapes and sizes, the rooms themselves lend themselves to interesting presentations. For example, 20 years ago, at the 2004 Artomatic, my favorite among many strong installations was the collaboration by Jordan Tierney and Marcia Hart titled “Aqueduct.” Tierney and Hart offered us a pristine white room where clear, empty glass vessels, shaped like small virginal amphorae, are lined up in severe rows forming a block in front of a large glass bottle filled with water. This is a powerful installation, which made me somewhat uneasy by its severity and Teutonic geometry – like a row of acolytes in front of some cult leader, waiting to be filled with religion, or Nazi storm troopers, waiting to be filled with hate. Artomatic is a nonprofit organization, and there is no admission fee for the public to attend the show. They note that they “rely on volunteers to serve as staff who promote and advertise events, welcome the public, manage security, and perform a variety of other duties to ensure a successful experience for both artists and audiences.” Go online to www. artomatic.org. About the Author: F. Lennox Campello's art news, information, gallery openings, commentary, criticism, happenings, opportunities, and everything associated with the global visual arts scene with a special focus on the Greater Washington, DC area has been a premier source for the art community for over 20 years. Since 2003, his blog has been the 11th highest ranked art blog on the planet with over SIX million visitors.

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I think that the real reason that most "regular" critics don't like AOM is because they lack the formation and depth to see beyond what is hanging on the walls. Because their experience is often limited to reviewing or visiting a gallery or a speciﬁc show in a museum, their sensory capacity is quickly overloaded when they pass the 100th or 200th artist with less than noticeable work in a postmodern world where everything and anything is art. Thus, once those senses are overloaded, it all looks in the same puerile category to them and they fail to see what most of us see. After a rookie critic is exposed to 20-25 photographers doing close-ups of ﬂowers, all in one show, it is actually quite hard for those same tired critical eyes not to be poisoned into giving all photographers a failing grade.

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January 2024 15

HIGH NOTES

RON POWERS progression and melody line further engaging the listener. As the music and melody wind toward a culmination point, more thought-provoking lyrics are added which raise more questions than answers. To finish the chorus, we hear Iggy belt out the lines, “Been on a lust for life / 'Cause of a lust for life”. Backing vocals sung with an almost cartoon-like falsetto support these final lines of the chorus further adding to the fun and spirited feeling of the song. After the final lines of the chorus we hear the music cut out while solo drums pound away prepping the ears for another round of verse and chorus. Iggy is known as the Godfather of Punk and songs like “Lust For Life” are a big reason why. He’s been at it for over 60 years, played countless live shows, and released 19 solo albums. In fact, just last year he released Every Loser: one of his best LPs to date. If you find yourself with the irresistible urge to listen to “Lust For Life” or any of Iggy’s other fine work, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you’d like more information on Iggy Pop, you can find it on Wikipedia, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Here’s to a new year! May it be full of good music. About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.

thought it would be fun to kick off the new year by telling you about a punk rock classic called “Lust For Life”. Iggy Pop and co-writer David Bowie harness all the fun and attitude of rock-n-roll on this 1977 foot stomper. Upon its release, the song reached No. 3 on the Dutch Top 40 and in 2004 Rolling Stone ranked it at No. 149 on their list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. Its booming percussion, bouncing bass lines, and charming guitars feel like a party in your ears and a shot of caffeine for your soul. So, if you need a song to kickstart the year, look no further than “Lust For Life”. The song starts with a drum beat that gets the blood pumping before the end of the first measure. Taking inspiration from the rhythm of "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes, Iggy Pop adds his own twist with a raw and booming room sound. This adds a bite and snarl to the drum mix and plays a central role in the signature sound of this timeless hit. After a bit of solo drums we hear the growl 16 January 2024

of the bass and some playful lead guitar deliver additional musical color. This is quickly followed by a touch of mellow Rhodes keyboard and a second guitar that follows the infectious drum and bass rhythm. After a full one minute and eleven seconds of intro music, we hear Iggy’s commanding and conﬁdent vocals cut through the mix. He sings the strange and much speculated about lyrics, “Hey man, where'd you get that lotion? / I've been hurting since I bought the gimmick / About something called love / Yeah, something called love / Well, that's like hypnotizing chickens”. Under the attitude packed vocal melody of the verse the music smacks with drums, guitars, piano, organ, keyboard, and tambourine. The rhythm of this song doesn't let up once and by the end of the ﬁrst verse it’s almost impossible not to move at least a little.

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Shifting to the chorus, Iggy oﬀers a new chord Old Town Crier

ON STAGE

MARK EDELMAN

ON STAGE Old Town – January AS YOU LIKE IT Shakespeare Theatre Co Now thru January 14

Mash up one of the Bard’s rom-coms with the Beatle’s catalogue and you have two more reasons to appreciate the British contribution to our culture. In this light-hearted romp, Orlando (a dashing Jeff Irving) and Rosalind (Chelsea Rose, no wallflower she) meet cute after the former bests his evil brother and is banished to the forests of Arden. It’s Shakespeare, so Rosalind, in hot pursuit, dresses up like a man and offers to help Orlando woo her/him. Canadian director Daryl Cloran, who developed the piece, deftly weaves lovers, servants, bumpkins, wrestlers and a nifty five piece combo into a sparkling, witty two and a half hours of fun. All this plus “all the world’s a stage” and Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man and you’ve got another good reason to head for Chinatown by Jan 14. Tickets at www. shakespearetheatre.org. FROZEN Kennedy Center Now thru January 21 If you’ve got a six year old daughter or granddaughter

Old Town Crier

careening around the house, you probably know the story of Anna and Elsa, the snow princesses who save their town in this Broadway musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic The Snow Queen. Got a few hundred bucks for your family of four?--- well, “let it go” on tickets to this lovely production. Tickets at www. kennedy-center.org

LOVE LOVE LOVE Studio Theatre Jan 10- Feb 18 Brit playwright Mike Bartlett (King Charles III and The 47th) has a way with dramatizing headline-making characters like British royalty, Trump and Biden. Here he turns his sharp eye and biting humor on a pair of carefree Londoners as they wend their way from the swinging 60s thru middle age and retirement, squandering the world they inherited (or so their daughter keeps reminding them). Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org

latest musical comedy finds five Little Sisters of Hoboken putting on a benefit show to pay for the burial of the other nuns, who died in a catastrophic cooking fire. Don’t get out the hankies-it’s all in good fun (and drag). Tickets at www. nextstoptheatre.org A CHORUS LINE Toby’s Dinner Theatre Jan 12- March 10

Seventeen talented hopefuls line up for an audition unlike any they’ve ever experienced. By the end of the show, you’re rooting for them to get the job in a Broadway chorus. Tony® and Pulitzer Award- winning Best Musicals don’t come along that often. This one changed musical theater for a generation. Tickets at www. tobysdinnertheatre.com MINDPLAY Arena Stage Jan 19- March 3

NUNSENSE A-MEN! NextStop Theatre Jan 12- Feb 11 The latest edition of Dan Goggin’s long-running Nunsense franchise, this

Mentalist Vinny DePonto

guides us on an entirely new theatrical event in which our thoughts play a leading role. A love letter to the imperfect mind, this DMV premier explores the fragmented and ﬂawed nature of memory and asks us to question whether we can trust the voice inside our heads. Tickets at www. arenastage.org ANNIE National Theatre January 23-28 In the midst of our national malaise, it’s time to trot our government leaders over to the National for two and a half hours of unbridled optimism. “The sun will come out tomorrow,” a curlyheaded little ball of energy sings for us in this Tony® Award winning Broadway classic, now on a national tour. Take the kids and leave Tik Tok at home. Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational. com NEXT TO NORMAL Roundhouse Theatre Jan 24- Feb 25 Diana is a suburban mom struggling with bipolar disorder. Daughter Natalie is a stressed-out overachiever about to snap. Her husband Dan is determined to keep everything “normal.” This brilliant Tony® and Pulitzer Prize winning musical tracks a family sharing grief and struggling to connect with one another. Despite the gloomy premise, I love this musical. Tickets at www. roundhouse.org

TICK TICK BOOM Kennedy Center Jan 26- Feb 4 Before his life was cut short in a Manhattan hospital, Jonathan Larson gave us the groundbreaking musical Rent. Prior to that masterpiece, Larson worked on a show about his own experience as a composer struggling to break into New York City’s theater scene. Now that musical comes to DC in a new production directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Neil Patrick Harris. Tickets at www,kennedy-center.org THIS MUCH I KNOW Theatre J Jan 31- Feb 25 In the midst of a lecture, a psychology professor’s marriage fractures, sparking a moving study of three characters as they become entangled in their search for self-discovery. Part mystery, part love story, part philosophical quest, this DMV premier spins our axis of belief and understanding. Tickets at www.theatrej.org About the Author: Mark Edelman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is also a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony voter. Photo credit: Caroline Bowman as Elsa and the company of Frozen North American tour photo by Deanvan Meer.

January 2024 17

LAST WORD

MIRIAM R. KRAMER

A Tale of Two Lives Beirut Station is my first Paul Vidich book, but it will not be my last. His latest espionage thriller stars a female CIA field officer operating in Beirut during the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel. The half-Lebanese, half-American heroine, known by her pseudonym Analise Assad, works under non-official cover as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) staffer in 2006 Beirut. Analise has an assignment: to assassinate a Hezbollah leader. She serves on a joint CIAMossad team in planning this operation. While having a casual affair with an American war correspondent, she collaborates with a South African war correspondent whom she knows to be a Mossad agent. Her colleagues are not necessarily as they seem. As Analise progresses in cultivating sources, she plots a car bomb assassination with the CIA station chief and their Mossad colleagues. She mistrusts most, as do those around her, with the reporters, terrorists, and local intellectuals showing the same skepticism and noses for information as intelligence officers. Those she knows are only versions of themselves, and as a person who lies for a living, she rarely trusts what she sees and hears. Vidich also portrays her as a woman half in and half out of the culture around her, fluent in Arabic with a Lebanese appearance and an American upbringing that fosters her sense of displacement. Outwardly messy, Analise has an internal sense of organization and flashes of inspiration that enhance her skill at living her different, compartmentalized lives. Somehow Vidich manages to birth her as both a complex and anonymous character. We never learn her real name, and it does not matter. Vidich colorfully depicts 2006 Beirut, which also helps one appreciate the novel. He does not paint atmosphere with the dark and lovely brushstrokes of Alan Furst, who has always struck me as a period espionage writer who relies heavily on ambience. Instead, his sense of mood evolves through stories told by Analise and

18 January 2024

other characters about the ethnic complexity of Lebanon and people pinned between cultures and identities. When Analise realizes that she is caught in a trap, she ﬁnds a way to wiggle her way out and exact a price of her own for those who have put her there. She re-establishes her personal self, the one at least somewhat separate from her various covers—one that has been evolving under shadow. She comes to self-respect through thinking on her feet, being cautious, but actively taking any chances possible when luck turns her way. It may be too reductive to say that I enjoyed Vidich’s portrayal of shady, war-torn Beirut. We are currently watching an Israel-Palestinian war that is also creating humanitarian disaster

and elevated levels of instability in the Middle East. This situation was never far from my mind. I simply appreciated that there were no unadulterated heroes or heroines in his book; just a few characters whose motives and actions were clearer, less violent, or less treacherous. He simply serves up Annalise, along with American, Lebanese, Hezbollah, and Israeli characters, leaving you to judge them on your own terms. Vidich sees nuance and complexity in a similar way to John Le Carre. If you are seeking out a Daniel Silva thriller, this is not it. Well-written and deliberate, Beirut Station will help you while away your winter with its intricate plot and characters. If you want a thoughtful novel that provides excitement and unanswered questions along with its resolution, Beirut Station will serve your needs. Old Town Crier

MLK DAY JAN 15

SPECIAL FEATURE

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. The fight to make the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday a holiday took 32 years, a lot of campaigning, and guest appearances including Stevie Wonder, Ted Kennedy, and the National Football League. King’s birthday was finally approved as a federal holiday in 1983, and all 50 states made it a state government holiday by 2000. Officially, King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta. But the King holiday is marked every year on the third Monday in January. The King Center in Atlanta has a detailed chronology of how the efforts, starting shortly after King’s death in 1968, paid off in the long run. It wasn’t an easy task for holiday supporters, who had to push hard in Congress to get the federal holiday created. A second battle took place to get individual states to also recognize the holiday, with often emotional disagreements in two states. Today, the King holiday serves multiple purposes: It honors the total legacy of King; focuses on the issue of civil rights; highlights the use of nonviolence to promote change; and calls people into public service. The struggle to get the holiday recognized reflects all these topics, along with some interesting twists and turns along the way. Old Town Crier

Representative John Conyers introduced the first motion to make King’s birthday a federal holiday in 1968, just four days after King’s assassination in Memphis. It took another 11 years to the federal holiday to come up for a vote on the House of Representative’s floor in 1979. The bill needed a two-thirds majority to pass, but it fell five votes short with a 252-133 count, despite a strong organizational effort from the King Center, and support from Congress members and President Jimmy Carter. The holiday’s supporters regrouped and intensified their efforts. Musician Stevie Wonder helped in 1981 by releasing the song “Happy Birthday” to promote the holiday. (He would later sing it at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication in 2011).) The King Center kept up its efforts. It organized a march on Washington that included an estimated 500,000 people. Coretta Scott King, along with Wonder, presented a petition signed by 6 million people to House leader Tip O’Neill. The House took up the bill in 1983 and it passed by 53 votes. Democrats O’Neill and Jim Wright, along with Republicans Jack Kemp and Newt Gingrich, gave speeches supporting the King holiday.

But getting the bill passed in the Senate would be contentious. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina openly opposed it. At first, Helms introduced a filibuster, and then he presented a 400-page file that accused King of being a communist. Senator Ted Kennedy criticized Helms and Senator Daniel Moynihan called the document “filth” and threw it on the Senate floor. Despite Helms, the bill passed the Senate by 12 votes—even South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond voted in favor of the King holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill in November 1983. The first federal King holiday was celebrated in 1986.

holiday was put up for an Arizona voter referendum in November 1990. At that point, entertainers had started boycotting the state in protest, and the National Football League threatened to move the 1993 Super Bowl from Tempe if the holiday was defeated at the polls. The King holiday lost in a twopart voter referendum and the NFL made good on its threat, taking the Super Bowl to Southern California and costing the state an estimated $500 million in revenue. Arizona voters approved the King holiday two years later. There was also a fight in South Carolina over the holiday. It was one of the last states to approve a paid King holiday for state employees in 2000. The state’s governor had tried to link the holiday to a commitment to allow the state house to fly the Confederate battle flag. Instead, he signed a bill that approved the King holiday along with a Confederate Memorial Day celebrated in May.

It took longer for the 50 states to adopt the holiday. By 1986, 17 states had already adopted it. But there was strong resistance in Arizona to passing a state holiday. The ﬁght between state legislators came to a head when the King

Publishers Note: Our thanks to Annie Stone at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA for granting us permission to publish this piece and photo of President Regan's signing ceremony from their blog – constitutioncenter.org - in print. January 2024 19

FROM THE BAY

Why Frostbite Racing Is Cool. It’s 34 degrees outside. The water temperature measures in the upper 30s. It might get gusty out. It might snow. What would you rather do: lounge on the couch or go sailing? Hundreds of sailors on the Chesapeake Bay choose the latter. Every winter, we like to reach out to a few of them to learn their reasoning, their expert winter gear tips, and suggestions for curious would-be winter sailors.

What’s the appeal? Warren Richter races his J/22 Committed with his partner in racing and wife, Tracey Golde. Richter says, “I enjoy frostbite to keep our skills sharp during the so called ‘offseason.’ It's great to get out, get some sunshine, and have fun racing. Makes dusting off the rust in the springtime much easier and also allows for racing that is less boat-handlingintensive. It is a great time to train new crew and practice.” Golde adds, “We’re not sure what we’d do with our time if we didn't have a reason to be on the water. Also racing with just a main and jib as required by frostbites gives us an opportunity to work on our fleet management without having to worry so much about boat handling. Also, there is usually significantly more wind than during the rest of the year, so we get to practice in different conditions.’ The Committed frostbite team includes Mary Howser, Koralina and James McKenna, Amanda Gates, and Bryan Stout. Richter notes, “They are all fantastic sailors. We appreciate everything they do to come racing with us.” Gavin O’Hare, who races ILCA class dinghies (formerly Laser) out of Severn Sailing Association on Sundays, says, “Because the winter is cold, it puts a damper on doing most things outside. Dinghy frostbiting is different. What better way to break up the week of cold with two hours of bliss (challenging yourself with cold 20 January 2024

MOLLY WINANS

! o D le p o e P L O O C t a h Do W

and conditions, alone on your boat— no crew to rally or lunch to be made for), plus the opportunity to reward yourself with a cold beverage around an open ﬁre immediately afterward!”

Go-to winter gear. What to wear while winter sailing? These racing sailors are experts. Richter wears, “Carhartt wool socks for warmth, Rocky GoreTex socks to keep the feet dry, Musto gloves to keep hands dry, Patagonia and Gill fleece thermal and mid layers, and Under Armour base layers. Our rechargeable waterproof handwarmers make a great present and are much more eco-friendly than the disposable ones.” (Golde calls these handwarmers a “game changer on the super cold days.”) As a singlehander on a dinghy, wearing a dry suit and a lifejacket, O’Hare notes how crucial it is to keep the hands and feet dry and warm. “I find wool or wetsuit socks inside dinghy boots help a lot. I have yet to find a winter glove that stays dry and warm. I tried surfing wetsuit gloves one year and found that it took too much energy to close my fingers on tiller or mainsheet. I have concluded that the cold weatherwinter gardening gloves sold at your local hardware store are pretty good and certainly cost effective. When it is really cold and the wind chill is severe, I use my gardening gloves during racing and change to dry mittens or lobster gloves in between races!”

One cold day… When asked to recite a cold-day memory, most frostbiters note that they ski outside in snow, so why not sail? Or they tell you about the warmer days that don’t feel like frostbite racing at all, yet if you prod them to admit that sometimes it gets uncomfortable out there, they will tell you about the really cold days. Richter notes that there were “too many to count—plenty of time spent sweeping and shoveling snow oﬀ the decks to go sailing!”

O’Hare says, “When the wind is blowing and the chill is severe, you need to use more vang to keep the boat ﬂat. The problem is the boat likes to stay head-to-wind in these conditions if you don’t tack properly or know how to handle on the starting line. And of course, when ice forms on your control lines, they don’t control or worse cannot be adjusted. Add to this that your hands are on the fringe of frozen and you are tired… but it is only two hours!”

Amazing sailing and cool on-water vibe. “The amazing winter sailing day is when the wind is not to light and not too windy, and we get lucky with an unusually warm day,” says O’Hare. Richter adds, “Several weeks ago (November 13) was one of the windiest frostbite races we have sailed in a long time. Great conditions and racing!” When asked if he thinks the on-water vibe in winter is any diﬀerent than in summer, he says, “I think it's a bit cooler vibe! (Ha) But seriously, it is a bit more relaxed than summer racing.”

boat-wise.’ Golde says, “Just show up. Even if the weather is awful.” Why not give it a try? O’Hare says, “My advice to a would-be-frostbite racer is to come down one Sunday afternoon and check it out from the seawall or on a safety boat (wearing cold weather gear). Also know your abilities—going out in bigger breeze is only more challenging in the winter. Safety comes ﬁrst!” About the author: Molly Winans is the managing editor of SpinSheet, the Chesapeake Bay’s only sailing magazine, as well as PropTalk and FishTalk in Annapolis. Find her at editor@spinsheet.com. This ﬁrst appeared in the January 2023 issue of SpinSheet.Photos for this article are also courtesy of SpinSheet.

Ben Connolly

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in Solomons

Golde says, “Warren is always in race mode starting ﬁrst thing in the morning on a race day. The vibe is the same whether it’s summer, winter, or just going out for a ‘cruise.’ If we are on a sailboat the expectation is we are 100-percent focused on making the boat go fast.” “Many with day jobs who cannot make the summer evening shortcourse racing do come out for frostbite Sundays,” says O’Hare. “So, the competition is strong, yet there is also a camaraderie among us all because we respect each other more for coming out when it can be extreme. We do oﬀer three-minute justice protest resolution should grievances not be worked out on the water.”

Advice for would-be frostbite racers. “Just get out there, even if the weather is tough,” says Richter. “It will make you better. Be sure to be prepared for the conditions both clothing- and

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TO THE BLUE RIDGE

Behind the Gates of Winter Winter is a beautiful season on the parkway. With frequent road closures due to winter weather, the experience, for those who choose to venture beyond closed road gates, is one of quiet contemplation. The parkway provides a variety of opportunities this time of year—for those prepared to face the elements. Know Before You Go Although sections of the 469-mile parkway are often closed to motor vehicles in winter due to snow and ice on the roadway, there are frequently days when the Parkway may be open from end to end due to unseasonably warm temperatures. Whether your goal is to drive or cross country ski the parkway, it is important to know the road status before you make a trip. The most up to date road information can be found on the parkway’s Road and Facilities Closure Page, which details gate to gate closures. Additional information regarding road closures and winter weather events can often be found on the Blue Ridge Parkway Facebook page at www.facebook. com/blueridgenps Winter Recreational Opportunities In all seasons of year, the parkway is more than just a beautiful drive. There are numerous recreational opportunities available. In the winter, the parkway oﬀers opportunities to enjoy traditional winter activities, and even some that are not so traditional. Behind the closed gates of a winter road closure, parkway visitors can enjoy popular winter pastimes such as sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow play. For the more adventurous, the parkway is a premier destination for ice climbing in the southern United States, where the parkway’s lofty heights provide for the extended cold temperatures needed to make the activity safe when the surrounding areas are often too warm to provide such an opportunity. Hiking During most winter weather closures, park hiking trails are generally open to the public. While access to trailheads that lead to high peaks like Craggy Pinnacle and Devils Courthouse are often a long and diﬃcult trek due to their distance from the closest road crossing, many lower elevation trails are great options in winter. Often trailheads, especially to long trails such as the Mountains to

22 January 2024

Sea Trail or the Appalachian Trail, are accessible from the parkway "on ramps", which are accessible even during road closures. Be sure not to block the gates in case of emergency! More information about hiking. A parkway closed to cars oﬀers the unique opportunity for hikers to enjoy a hike on the roadway itself. This gives a chance to enjoy the solitude and quiet of the roadway without vehicle traﬃc—including walking through and photographing tunnels and enjoying roadside vistas in peace. Winter Wildlife Viewing Winter on the parkway can be a wonderful time to view all types of wildlife and their tracks, especially when parkway gates are closed. Many of the parkway's animal residents are active year-round and are more likely to be seen along the roadside when the gates are closed. Freshly fallen snow provides a fresh “canvas” for animal tracks, and a search for these treasures can be a wonderful activity with children as you discover a hidden world.

•

Remain aware, parkway road crews may be working in your area.

•

Don’t block the gates when accessing the parkway during winter closures.

Publishers Note: Many thanks to our friends at the National Park Service for providing the above information. Due to an unfortunate continued lack of internet service in the Orlean, VA area, To the Blue Ridge columnist, Julie Reardon, was unable to transmit her column this month.

European Romance in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Birders will also ﬁnd winter superior in many ways as the leaﬂess trees and shrubs of the forest allow for excellent line of sight, making birds and other wildlife easier to see. Don’t forget your binoculars! Winter Safety Weather on the parkway can be unpredictable so it is important to plan accordingly for all trips on the parkway. Dress in layers and brings rain/wind protection to ensure that you stay comfortable. Remember these safety tips: •

Be prepared and plan for changing weather.

•

Stay oﬀ frozen bodies of water.

•

Expect delayed response times, especially on closed road sections.

•

Cell phones do not work from many areas in the park. Leave an itinerary with someone at home.

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ROAD TRIP

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2023: A Whirlwind of a Year! February- Pirates Cove

As most of our regular readers know, we take a Road Trip each month to reveal the wonderful towns and sights in the DelMarVa area. As is our custom, in January we recap our trips from the previous year.

February – Western Shore Last February we hit the western shore and started in Deale, Maryland with our destination being Annapolis. Our ﬁrst stop was a waterman’s kind of place from way back... back...Happy Harbor. Happy Harbor is located on Tracy's Creek and has been there as long as I can remember. This place is alive with locals, nicely priced drinks and entertainment. Our next stop was Skipper's Pier on the other side of the creek and farther down the road. Skipper's Pier is another local destination but also draws folks from far away, like us. The new owners had upticked the place and closed in the outdoor bar on the dock. This is the place for crabs of any type. Our ﬁnal stop before Annapolis was Pirates Cove on the West River. Pirates Cove is a classic waterside restaurant. The outdoor deck is the dock that juts out into the West River with plenty of boats of all kinds but mostly sail. This place is packed with locals, watermen and recreational boaters. This is a great place to spend an entire afternoon Island style. March- Inn Library

Once in Annapolis we checked into the Calvert House, one of the trio of Historic Inns of Annapolis. Our first stop was Dick Franyo's Boatyard Bar and Grill. Technically we are in Eastport across Spa Creek from Annapolis but still a major part of the whole. The Boatyard Bar and Grill is a staple of the sailing racing of Annapolis. Our final stop in Eastport was Davis Pub. Davis is an original to the area. The first or last stop for locals, you can always find someone you know here and a lot of Alexandrians know of this watering hole. As their saying goes, "Where there are no strangers, just friends you haven't met". Try the Baltimore style steamed shrimp!

March – Inn at Tabbs Creek

April- The Cottage

Note from the author: If you would like to read the full story on each of these destinations, log on to oldtowncrier.com and pull up the archived issue. The entire print version is available on the site as it the column on its own.

24 January 2024

We made the drive to Mathews, Virginia and The Inn at Tabbs Creek. After years of sailing in the waters of the DMV, I had heard all of the stories of the rich maritime history of Mathews. This theme is transferred to the Inn. The main house is a circa late 1600's wooden structure which was built by one of the local boat builders. It is known that one of the former owners was a boat captain. The main house makes a strong statement from the outside, but once inside you will notice the hardwood floors and sturdy staircase leading to the upstairs bedrooms. The first floor houses the kitchen and dining room as well as an intimate study with two over stuffed brown leather sofas, a TV, a wall case of books and a gas fireplace for those chilly nights. The back yard has a nice firepit that sits along Tabbs creek. Firewood is stacked every night so all one needs to do is light the prepared kindling for a nice fire. Our hosts, Greg and Lori Dusenberry were wonderful and made the best breakfasts we have ever had. We ventured to the Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill while in town. It was just what you would expect...good drink, great food and friendly folks. The following day we drove to Deltaville, home of Norton Yachts and the Deltaville Marine Museum. On our second night we went to the White Dog Bistro in the town of Mathews. This was an unexpected pleasure...I would think it was in the city rather than a short drive to the Chesapeake Bay. Mathews and the Inn at Tabbs Creek has it all.

April – Two Days in the Country We decided that it was a good time to return to the Blue Ridge Mountains and what lies between. Those of you who read our publication regularly know that we love the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah Valley. This trip we decided to spend two days discovering and revisiting the many attractions, so we made our reservations at The Cottage at 29 Main in Sperryville.

Old Town Crier

Our first stop on the way out was Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane. On these cold January days Barrel Oak has the absolute best stone fireplace. Their wines are always a hit as well as their brewery. Something for everyone. Our next stop was Linden Vineyards in Linden, Viginia. Always considered one of Virginia's best wineries, founder Jim Law has certainly put the effort into this property. Their wines are very good and although the tasting room is not huge, it is much to my liking and very comfortable. From Linden we headed to Flint Hill and the new Dark Horse Irish Pub.. Formerly Griffin Tavern, The Dark Horse is a great destination and perfect for lunch, dinner or brunch. From Dark Horse we headed to The Corner Store in Sperryvillle to pick up something for dinner and made our way to 29 Main. The next day we stopped in to see our pals at Copper Fox Distillery.. We enjoyed a few cocktails and chatted with the onsite partner, Sean McCaskey. Copper Fox alone is reason enough to visit Sperryville. We made our way to Washington and had lunch at Patty O's Cafe, the little sister to the Inn at Little Washington. Our last stop was Pearmund Cellars outside of Warrenton. We were just by there last month and they have it all set up for some outdoor wintertime fun!

May- Boardwalk Plaza Beach

May – Ocean Front Bound The Atlantic Ocean was calling to us so we headed east to Rehoboth and Dewey Beach in southern Delaware. We like to visit here before the season really starts hopping. We once again stayed at the beautiful Boardwalk Plaza Hotel on the waterfront. As we were a little early for check-in we decided to stop at a favorite, the Starboard Restaurant in Dewey Beach. Unfortunately, we were a day early before they opened for the season, so we went across the street to Woody's Dewey Beach.. Woody's was a good find as it was casual, nice big bar an a lot of friendly folks. After a bite to eat and a nice rum drink we headed to the Plaza. The Plaza is located on the boardwalk and a few blocks from the heart of town. The Plaza is a Victorian style hotel with a lot of class. Th lobby is beautiful and you will be greeted by the three resident parrots. We scored a room on the fourth floor which is reserved for adults and has access to the rooftop which also has a hot tub. During the summer this is a nice escape from kids. The hotel has an indoor pool that flows into an outdoor soaking pool. The hotel also has a beautiful full- service restaurant, Victorias and a fun little pub next to it. After resting and changing clothes we ventured out. Our first stop was the Purple Parrot,, another of our favorites. After a cocktail there we went to a new place...the Nalu Surf Bar which in Hawaiian means wave surge or wave. This place was great...you would think you were in Hawaii. The whole restaurant has a Tiki feel and the walls are adorned with paintings of huge waves, the bar top looks like a wave under glass and the happy hour Mai Thai is only $6 with a dollop of dark rum on the top. Their specialty is grilled bacon wrapped pineapple...fantastic.

June- Shadow Mountain Escape

When we left the next day we stopped into the Starboard to pay our respects and have a Bloody Mary before heading home.

June – Page County and Shadow Mountain Escape The June trek into the Blue Ridge found us, over the mountains at Thornton Gap and on to Luray. Our ﬁrst stop and our overnight accommodation was Shadow Mountain Escape. Shadow Mountain is on the Shenandoah side of the mountain and was built and is owned by Ralph and Karen Riddle. Ralph and Karen had a dream of building a couples retreat and building timber frame cabins and both dreams came true. On their 25-acre property they have built their home as well as four beautiful cabins. Inspired by their European heritage and many years of living in Europe they have brought a touch of traditional Europe to the Blue Ridge Mountains. While the cabins are fantastic, the best part of staying here is Karen and Ralph. They are two of the coolest people you will meet anywhere. The four of us took a drive into Luray to visit the revitalized downtown. Our ﬁrst stop was the Blue Shepherd Distillery on Main Street. Alex and Sara Coby bought an old school speed shop and garage and converted it into a fun and eclectic space. Our next stop was the Watch & Warrant Restaurant and Bar in the heart of town. This new addition is inspired by the exuberance of the Roaring 20's.

July- Bowie Baysox

The main attraction of Luray is, of course, the Caverns. It is worth a day to explore the Luray Caverns.

July – Batter Up! In July we were feeling really nostalgic for a good old fashioned summertime day trip that pretty much anybody can aﬀord. These adventures are few and far between in this area. We opted to go to a minor league baseball game in Bowie, Maryland...Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie! The Bowie Baysox are the Double A farm team of the Baltimore Orioles. The guys are not "major league" yet but they all pass through this stage. At a minor league game, you can see good baseball and future stars for a few dollars. It was certainly entertaining. I now understand where team mascots got their training. In the coming years the ﬁrst-round draft choices by both the Nationals and Orioles will be playing in the major leagues. Go see them before they become the next perennial All Stars.

Old Town Crier

August- Beach

time!

January 2024 25

ROAD TRIP August – Who Says You Can’t Go Back? With the record heat last year, we decided to make the August Road Trip to my old stomping grounds...Ocean City, Maryland. Growing up in Maryland during the 60's and 70's, Ocean City was THE place to go. Whether it be high school trips or later, family gatherings at the shore. A lot of memories were made and going back, standing on the beach, the memories come rushing back like the surf coming in. On this trip we were lucky enough to stay with a longtime friend at her condo. Upon our arrival we met her at the Jungle Bar, an expansive outdoor bar on a huge concrete patio featuring a plethora of adult beverages and food choices. A local band, Hot Sauce, was playing island music. We had arrived. We tried to make it a point to hit up some locals kind of spots on this trip under the advice of our pal, we went to Ponzetti's, a small pizza place located in a small strip mall since 1962 and Matteo’s Salsa Loco and Jimmy’s Kitchen on Coastal Highway.

September- Sheperd's Old

Field Market

The next day I returned to an old favorite, Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick, Delaware. I remember when this destination restaurant was ﬁrst built on the canal. Today it is huge and a popular gathering spot. We ﬁnally made our way to the beach later that day. It was as if time stood still. The only thing that changed was me.

September – Destination Shepherd’s Old Field Market! Southern Maryland is always a go-to for Road Trip subject matter and most times we don’t get a chance to really “experience” the places we mention in the column. We remedied that in September when we headed south to Leonardtown, Maryland and Shepherd's Old Field Market. We distribute the OTC at this location but have never spent a significant amount of time there. Lani had the pleasure of sitting down with Gerri LHeureux, the owner, and her right-hand woman and Director of SOF, Dawn Campbell on this visit. These two ladies love what they are doing and take great pride in the vendors that they welcome into the mix. They also have a fantastic sense of humor. I encourage you to look for the creative signage as you stroll around the space. This market is ever evolving and every vendor fills a niche of their own. Gerri told us that they make every effort to be sure that each vendor has a particular ware that is unique only to them in order to avoid duplication. There truly is something for everybody in every price range. It doesn’t matter if you prefer the very eclectic or are on the very contemporary end of the scale, you will find something that you just can’t live without here.

October- Shenandoah National Park

October – Getting A Jump on the Leaf Peepers We took our annual pre-leaf peeping Road Trip this year a little early in mid-September so the colors hadn’t really popped but Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park never disappoint no matter the time of year. We are very familiar with the drive and its surroundings since we deliver the Old Town Crier to this area each month and sometimes take a side trip on portions of it. The day we picked to focus on just the drive was a beautiful 72 degrees where there were a number of vehicles in both lines being admitted to the park. There is a fee (depends on the vehicle for price) to enter the park. I am lucky as I purchased a senior citizen pass many years ago for a mere $25 that allows any vehicle I am in and all occupants in free. This applies to ALL National Parks. As we began our ascent on the mountains, after taking in the ﬁrst few views at the overlooks we were soon farther up the mountain and in 68 degree temps. This is something to remember if you come in the cooler months...expect a temperature drop from 4 to 8 degrees. The shortest elevation is at the entrance at 561 feet at the entrance and the highest is Hawksbill at 4,050 feet. The area is resplendent with verdant forest and species such as white-tailed deer, black bear and red fox, not to mention the many smaller animals that scurry through and across the road. Because of the wildlife it is always wise to maintain the posted 35 MPH speed limit...after all, didn't you come to see the scenery?

November- National Museum of the Army

Shortly after entering the Park, you will come to a visitor’s center. This is a good stop to catch the view and learn more about the Drive and the overlooks. It is a good orientation point to begin your trip.

November – A Salute to the United States Army Since we do the R&D for this column a month out and October is a very busy month, we decided that we wanted to do something that would honor our Veterans in the spirit of Veterans Day on the 11th and also keep us close to home. The DMV is ripe with places to visit to do just that. We ventured down Richmond Highway to the complex that is home to the National Museum of the Army. The complex sits on 84 acres across the highway from the Tulley Gate into Fort Belvoir. It isn’t a part of the base so don’t make that assumption like we did. Keep driving past that exit and follow the directions on your GPS app of choice and you will be good to go. Since this fascinating museum is in our backyard I will not write much, but do yourself a favor and make the short drive to the Museum. Plan to spend the day. They have a great cafeteria for dining and tons of seats where you stop and rest and still enjoy the exhibits...as they say..."Every Soldier Has A Story". In December we did what we do every December...we stayed home in our beautiful Old Town Alexandria. wn Alexan December- Old To

26 January 2024

dria

Old Town Crier

NATIONAL HARBOR

LANI GERING

Top 5 Locations to Get Engaged at National Harbor I have a bit of a true confession my peeps. I totally couldn’t get my ducks in a row during the holidays in time to get my column ready for publishing in this issue so…I turned to my friend Victoria Zarbo at Bendure Communications for some help. Not that I plan on getting engaged but if I was, I would deﬁnitely think any one of these suggestions would be great. Given that National Harbor is a popular spot for couples, it’s no surprise that the property sees a spike in engagements from December through February. With a beautiful waterfront setting, there are many options for proposal locations. “We often see couples wanting to get engaged in a memorable location and National Harbor’s gorgeous waterfront setting in all of its holiday splendor, is ideal,” said Jackie Saunders, AVP of Marketing. Top engagement locations at National Harbor that will ensure lifetime memories include: The Capital Wheel (141 American Way) hosts many engagements and provides multiple packages that include everything from a “Wheel Memories” package at $44 for two that includes a photo in addition to two tickets, or “Holiday Joy” for two that includes two tickets, two drinks, two souvenir cups and four hours free parking for $60. It’s the perfect location to propose with views of Old Town Alexandria and distant Washington monuments—soaring 180-feet above it all in a private (heated) gondola. The Flight Deck (below the Wheel) is also available for private parties with up to 145 celebrants. The Belvedere Lobby Bar is located on Waterfront Street and American Way, the elevated Belvedere plaza provides beautiful views of the enclosed atrium as well as the Potomac River waterfront. It is a perfect location to capture the Harbor’s famous sunset views, The Capital Wheel and the marina. Pop the question on the 1,600 sq ft terrazzo highlighting the Potomac River and its

Old Town Crier

history and it also holds National Harbor’s famous military statues. Rent the jumbo screen just below, to complement the perfect engagement. Pop the question in MGM National Harbor’s Conservatory (101 MGM National Ave.) MGM National Harbor’s extraordinarily talented horticulture and engineering teams transform the multi-storied conservatory into a seasonal showcase of inspiring art, colorful ﬂora and decorative elements. The result is always a unique, magical creation. With MGM National Harbor’s awardwinning restaurants, its suites with breathtaking views and its intimate concert venue, it is not surprising that it’s a top location for engagements. Hold a patriotic holiday proposal at Spirit Park. Spirit Park (115 Waterfront St.) is a fairly new park at National Harbor (just opened on Veterans Day 2022,) and is the perfect patriotic location with its large U.S. ﬂag, small amphitheater and tribute to American history. The park sits at the entrance to National Harbor and overlooks the waterfront. It’s a great place for military or quiet out-of-the-way proposals. Hold a memorable engagement at Sunset Pointe. While the location can be a little breezy on cold winter days, given its location between Gaylord National Resort and the Westin National Harbor, it features unobstructed views of National Harbor’s award-winning sunsets, The Capital Wheel and marina. The intimate setting, includes a beautifully landscaped overlook that will make it a day to remember. With National Harbor’s eight hotels, more than 40 restaurants, a wide variety of entertainment options and a top riverfront vista, the property is the perfect destination for an engagement and romantic dinner or getaway—an overnight stay, long-weekend or weeklong visit. For more information, visit https://www. nationalharbor.com

January 2024 27

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve 2024? From the Publisher: While we know that some of you are still recovering from NYE 2023, we feel like it’s never too early to plan for a fantastic New Year’s Eve 2024. We talked about spending the Christmas holiday in the islands in the December issue so why not consider welcoming in the New Year on an island as well. We consulted with our friends at the Caribbean Journal and YachtCharterFleet.com to get a bit of insight on what you can look forward to if you choose the island of St. Barth. Book your villa now and we realize that not everyone owns a “yacht” but that’s the beauty of chartering one with friends and family so you can split the bill. There are several villa and charter companies to choose from.

The Ultimate Caribbean New Year’s Eve Is On St. Barth

When it comes to New Year’s Eve, there’s no place in the Caribbean quite like St. Barth. The tiny French Caribbean jewel is buzzing, with hotels and restaurants full and a roster full of boldfaced names in town for the celebration. The island is ﬁlled with special New Year’s celebrations, anchored by a colorful ﬁreworks celebration above Fort Oscar in Gustavia — a rather stunning sight to behold with the super yachts bobbing around below in the harbor.

28 January 2024

The yachts themselves get in on the action, sounding their foghorns in unison to mark the occasion. For years, it’s an event that has attracted celebrities from around the globe: Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey, to name a few. And you can join them, with some rooms still available including a selection of top villas at the island’s premier villa company, WIMCO St. Barth Properties. If you stay around past the ﬁrst, the island also hosts an annual music festival from January 15th – 21st, with past acts including everything from the New York City Ballet right on the Quay to a Hawaiian night with the legendary guitarist Makana.

Why the A-Listers Pick St. Barth

Once a year, on the 31st December an abundance of the world’s most magnificent yachts and their owners and charterers descend on the tiny Caribbean island of St. Barth for one of the world’s most glamorous New Year’s Eve celebrations. With the last firework and musical beat resounding across the island, party-goers are already in anticipation for what next year has to offer.

There must be a reason why a plethora of A-listers make St. Barth their exclusive haunt for the holiday season and why you should too - and we think we have the answer. Discovered by the Rockefeller and Rothschild families centuries ago when the land was once inexpensive, the island became the ideal spot to build multi-million dollar estates, after which it soon acquired the title as the ‘St. Moritz of the Caribbean.' Being a small island free of security worries with extremely friendly locals who respect the anonymity of the island's inhabitants, this Caribbean gem has rightfully become the chosen New Year’s Eve party destination. Lacking bustling nosey tourists and paparazzi, the A-list can truly relax and unwind to the chilled St. Barth vibe. The place to be moored on your charter yacht is Port de Plaisance in Port of Gustavia. The harbor becomes packed at New Year, and with only 60 berths available, with the rest at anchor, you need to be quick in order to obtain yourself such a prestigious spot. Gustavia’s promenade is packed with designer boutiques and dazzling jewelry shops making her ideal for any last-minute, or additional, New Year’s Eve shopping. For more, visit the St. Barth Tourism website at saintbarth-tourisme.com. Old Town Crier

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January 2024 29

“A Washington Post Capitol Cuisine Favorite” The Very Best Alexandria has to offer in the Heart of Historic Old Town Famous for our She Crab Soup, Steaks and Crab Cakes

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30 January 2024

Old Town Crier

DINING GUIDE AMERICAN

1799 PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD 110 S. Pitt Street 571-404-6001 ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400 AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 BOB & EDITHS DINER 1743 King Street 703-664-0043 JULA'S ON THE POTOMAC 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com EDDIE'S LITTLE SHOP & DELI 1406 King Street 571-312-8615 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-436-0025 KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533 Old Town Crier

LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 DanielOconnells.com PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT'S RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 THE STUDY 116 South Alfred Street 703-838-8000 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com

TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com ASIAN

ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 INDOCHEN 1625 King Street (571) 404-6050 KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458 SUNDAY IN SAIGON 682 N. St. Asaph St. 703 549-7777 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154 RAILBIRD KITCHEN 804 North Henry St. 703-577-9023 CONTINENTAL

CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 ALEXANDRIA BIER GARDEN 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com FRENCH

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

BRABO 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 JOSEPHINE 109 South St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141 ITALIAN

ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue (behind the building) 703-888-2243 ANDY’S PIZZA 107 N Fayette St 571-319-0497 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 FRANK PEPE NAPOLETANA PIZZERIA 3231 Duke Street Alexandria Commons 703-719-2035 HANDOVER BY THE SLICE 728 King Street 571-319-0794 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 MICHAEL’S ON KING 703 King Street 703-838-9090 Michaelsonking.com PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 THOMPSON'S ITALIAN 1026 King Street alexandria@thompsonitalian.com MEDITERRANEAN

BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100 ELAINE'S 208 Queen Street 571-970-0517 elaines-restaurant.com

2462 Mandeville Lane 571-473-5500 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD

HANKS OYSTER BAR 818 N St. Asaph 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 ﬁshmarketoldva.com THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533 INDIAN

DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN

CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148

NANDO'S PERI PERI January 2024 31

DINING OUT

THE GASTRONOME

Solo Dining -In Style

fter my dining partner decided to go out of town, I found myself left with the option of dining alone. What choice would I make... go the fast-food route and get it over with, hit up a new place or seek out an old standby. My decision was easy...I took the old standby option and went to Landini Brothers Restaurant here in Old Town and sat at the bar to eat. I have been a customer of Landini's for over 41 years. They opened in 1979 so I was one of their first regulars. While many of the regulars are no longer with us, a good many are still around. Lani, my partner, has been a regular of Landini’s since she arrived in town in 1992 and it remains one of her favorite places for many reasons. Landini's has been the go-to place for special occasions, business lunches and dinners, birthdays, and just getting together with friends which is exactly what I had in mind on this trip. Over the past years, the bar at Landini's has been akin to any boardroom in Alexandria. Businessman and women chose Landini's as the place to meet as well as be seen. What makes the bar so special and popular is the caliber of bartenders over the years. They are the conductors to our orchestra and still make some of the best Martini’s and Manhattan’s in the DMV. In addition to the bartenders, a good portion of the wait staff have been there as long as I have been going there. I also have to mention that the food is so good because of chefs Rigoberto and Santos and their staff. For every strong ship there has to be a strong captain. Franco Landini and his brother Piero launched the excursion after they moved from 100 King. Piero retired from the business several years ago and now Franco's eldest son Noe has assumed command of the next voyage while Franco enjoys a well-earned retirement. The building that houses the restaurant is a brick and stone building that originally was a warehouse that housed the cargo for the ships sailing into and out of Alexandria. It is one of the restaurants that, while being elegant, has retained that old world charm. 32 January 2024

I was right on my guess that I might see someone that I knew. I ran into an old sailor friend as we both approached the door. This started the evening as we got caught up with each other over a few drinks. When Gerry left, I ordered my alltime favorite for dinner... Scaloppine di Vitello Landini or simply Veal Landini. The veal is perfectly prepared and paired with a rich brown sauce with mushrooms and topped with melted mozzarella cheese and asparagus spears. The sides of broccolini and roasted red potatoes rounded out the meal. Pairing my meal with a nice red wine from the vast selection here at LB’s was excellent. This is one of those meals when you think about it, you begin to taste it. Landini's has a variety of specials every day and the kitchen has always been very good about adapting any dish to your specific wants. My partner has always ordered something off of the special menu and has her favorite combinations. One of them is spirulina-based linguini sauteed in olive oil with crumbled sausage, toasted pine nuts, garlic, onion and asparagus. On the other side of the dining curve is the veal chop or the pork chop – both excellent choices. Landini's has an extensive menu and rather than going into it, I recommend you consult their website for particulars while remembering that the offerings are much more with the specials tacked on. My recommendation is to stop in for a drink and check it out. Dining by yourself can be lonely, but at Landini's you will usually find someone you know or you are certain to meet someone new.

Landini Brothers Restaurant 115 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703-836-8404 LandiniBrothers.com Old Town Crier

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Old Town Crier

January 2024 33

LET’S EAT

JUDY EICHNER

Homemade Chicken Soup

Matzo Balls Whether or not the claim that homemade chicken soup is a cure-all, also known as Jewish penicillin, its use is widespread in many cultures around the world. Doctors have diﬀering opinions, but most of the parents I know swear it’s so. Try making the soup using the following recipe and see if it makes you feel better the next time you have a cold or an upper respiratory infection.

The Soup

The Matzo Balls

1 whole chicken, or 3 chicken breasts (6 pieces) 4 large celery ribs 4-6 large carrots 2 large onions salt and pepper to taste

4 tablespoons of vegetable oil 4 large eggs, slightly beaten 2 teaspoons of salt, if desired 4 tablespoons of chicken soup or water 1 cup of matzo meal

Put all the ingredients in a large soup pot. Use enough water to just about cover the ingredients. Bring to a rolling boil and then lower the ﬂame to medium and cook for about 45 minutes to an hour. Remove the vegetables and put in a food processor or blender. Process until the mixture is thick and the vegetable pieces are not distinguishable from one another. Remove the chicken from the pot and cut into bite sized pieces. Add the veggies and the chicken to the pot and slowly cook covered for about 1 to 1 ½ hours. If it looks like a good part of the liquid has evaporated, add a container of clear chicken broth, preferably organic. Serve with either matzo balls (recipe to follow) or very ﬁne egg noodles.

Blend the vegetable oil, eggs, matzo meal and salt together. Add soup stock or water and mix until mixture is uniform. Cover and place the mixture in the refrigerator for 15* minutes. Bring 3 quarts of water to a brisk boil. Reduce ﬂame and drop balls approximately 1 inch in diameter formed from refrigerator mixture. Cover the pot and cook 40 – 50 minutes. Add to soup and enjoy! *Be sure and refrigerate the matzo mixture for just 15 minutes. Leaving it in the refrigerator longer, makes the matzo balls tough. Taking the mixture out before 15 minutes sometimes makes the balls fall apart.

Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year! 34 January 2024

Old Town Crier

EXPLORING VA WINES

DOUG FABBIOLI

New Year, New Efforts!

was at an event the other evening, when the topic of land in Loudoun County came up. When I moved here in 1997 from Northern California, the saying that kept coming up was, “Don’t Fairfax Loudoun!” Twenty-six years later, the saying still applies. We all need a place to live, roads, schools, places to work and places to shop. More than anything, we need a place to call home. Our local leaders see economic development as a great thing for jobs, tax revenue, prestige and attracting new business. As a farmer, it is tough to do the job of farming on land in the middle of a neighborhood — especially if that neighborhood has agriculture restricting HOA’s. Folks love farm land until they need a place to build and live. Folks sometimes move next door to farmland with a bucolic notion of what that means, only to learn it can sometimes be loud, and sometimes emit animal or plant smells not necessarily appreciated or understood. How do we find the balance between the growth, the culture, the land and the lifestyle we choose to live? These choices will affect us long into the future. Our 25 acres in Lucketts is now surrounded by houses. Fortunately, our neighbors appreciate our farming efforts and patronize our business. We have broken the mold a bit with our relationships. For the past few years, we have also been leasing plots of our land to other folks to farm. The plots are in an area too low for grape growing, but have proven beneficial to gardeners who have overgrown their current spaces and need bigger spaces than a 20’x20’ plot at a park will give. With irrigation already installed, and deer fence protecting the land, our plots fit into a business plan for some folks to actually farm and sell their products. The question has come up a few times about creating a formal agreement for these leased spaces — a written lease about the land, permitted uses, expectations and such. Well, I am pretty old school. A hand shake and a few conversations have tended to fill in the holes and build a relationship and understanding. The goal for me is not to get rich, but to share the land and keep it productive. We

Old Town Crier

like having the land used, looking productive and well maintained for our customers to see and enjoy too. We have the tractor and implements and can also help the farmers when needed with different preparations or projects. We also have seasoned farm labor they can hire on the side when they fall behind in the growing season or just need an extra hand. With these pieces in place, is it possible to come up with a repeatable model, a business plan or an agreement to encourage more land owners to share their land with others? Virginia Cooperative Extension here in Loudoun has a list serve for land and services at www.loudounfarm.exchange, with the goal to help connect folks. But, having more models and agreements and ideas of how this can work can be helpful. I am NOT a lawyer and I know it is too easy to get myself into situations that I could not imagine or foresee. A local nonprofit recently lost their space to farm and grow because the land they were leasing was sold to a new owner. In the absence of long-term leases, and legal agreements, it can be difficult for some to keep farming and keep working land working for all of us.

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

How do we keep the spirit and the goals up front to ensure the success of this concept? Will conservation easements play a role in this landscape of working agriculture, business needs, and a place to call home? Can our litigious culture handle these concepts in a way that allows us to keep the green space, balance our land development needs and continue to keep agriculture as a presence here in Western Loudoun County? These are great questions to contemplate and discuss over a bottle of quality crafted, locally grown, Virginia wine. Enjoy the lands, enjoy each other, and give a bit more than you take.

real people. earth friendly. fabulous wines.

My New Years Resolution is to take more steps towards a sustainable lifestyle. Land, body, mind, relationships. I know I can’t keep doing what I have been doing in the same way. Time to set the next stage for the next evolution.

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

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

January 2024 35

GRAPEVINE

MATTHEW FITZSIMMONS

Virginia Wineries Experimenting With Low and Non-Alcoholic Options I

f you’re thinking of starting the New Year alcohol-free, you’re far from alone. Wired Magazine reported that one in five adults claimed to have participated in 2022’s Dry January, up 13% from the previous year The concept behind Dry January goes back to World War II, when Finland initiated a noalcohol campaign to conserve resources during its conflict with the Soviet Union. But it wasn’t until 2013 this slogan became an international phenomenon, when Alcohol Change UK promoted it as a means for people to live an alcohol-free lifestyle (if only for a month). There are good reasons to cut back on alcohol, whether it be resetting one’s body, saving money, or breaking an alcohol dependency. Many participate in Dry January just to prove to themselves it can be done. Yet those who don’t want a full-fledged alcoholic beverage need not avoid socializing. Several local wineries are leaning-in to this movement by producing seltzers, mocktails, and no or low-alcoholic wines for those who wish to mingle but do so in a healthier way. Younger Drinkers “Wine-Curious” But Looking at Their Options Wine sales have steadily declined for the past several years, and the industry is struggling for an answer. Low or no-alcohol wines may be a method for wineries to stay relevant as consumer tastes change. You might say it all starts with demographics. According to the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank “State of the Wine Industry” report, there is a huge gap between older and younger drinkers regarding how wine is viewed. Older consumers grew up in an era where wine, as part of the ‘Mediterranean diet’, was advertised as a way to increase longevity. Boomers are also at the height of their buying power, which leads them to buy more expensive wine. While ‘premium’ wine sellers appreciate this uptick in sales, they know it can’t last. Boomers are poised to age-out of the market, leaving it to younger consumers to take up the slack.

However, the more health-conscious Millennial and Generation Z age cohorts aren’t as interested in wine, especially for entry level (under $15) bottles. When they do imbibe, they’re likely to do so in greater moderation. A significant portion are abstaining from alcohol entirely. Not only are they drinking less, younger drinkers are skipping wine in favor of spirits and cocktails. Wine’s share of the beverage market is already decreasing. If enough potential drinkers skip these entry-level ‘gateway’ bottles, who knows what will become of the wine industry? Wines With Little or No Alcohol? What’s The Point?!? As Virginia’s wine industry is relatively young, its winemakers have focused on innovation rather than tradition to guide their path forward. This has led several local wineries, including Hark Vineyards, to take advantage of growing consumer interest in low or no-ABV options. Hark winemaker AJ Greely shared her own observation on this trend. “Post-COVID I think people realized they needed to cut back. That's when we saw greater interest in low/no-alcohol wines. Regardless of the reason, Hark decided to craft a non-alcoholic wine that appeals to those folks. It allows us to offer a glass that looks like wine, tastes like wine, but contains no alcohol. We’re proud to be the first, and thus far only, non-alcoholic wine in the state. There are a couple of options to remove alcohol; vacuum distillation, centrifugal, and reverse osmosis. In Virginia, the only one available to us is reverse osmosis. Our “Ené” is a neutral oak barrel fermented vidal blanc that went all the way through fermentation (but no ML) then aged in neutral oak for 6 months. At that point the tech worked with us for 2 days, using a membrane in the machine to remove the alcohol.” This trend isn’t limited to wine, as mocktails are also finding their way to local wineries. Owner Stephanie Pence of Brix and Columns

Vineyards started serving a pair of mocktails this past May and soon found they were a hit. “Customers love them! They are great for guests that are under 21, designated drivers, those with health issues and just non-alcohol drinking visitors. We serve two mocktails. One is a StrawberryGuava Mojito, made with Simple Mixology strawberry guava cocktail juice and Fever Tree sparkling grapefruit garnished with mint. The other is a Moscow Mule made with lime simple syrup and Fever Tree Ginger beer. Those under 21 can drink with the grown-ups and not feel left out.” For those who aren’t quite ready to completely give-up alcohol, winemaker Scott Spelbring of Bluemont Vineyard has an option for you. “Piquette is an easy drinking, lower alcohol wine fermented using grape skins or pomace that has already been pressed. In the case of our Piquette Blanc we added water to our whole cluster pressed Albariño pomace, fermented the remaining sugars and bottled them with just a splash of Albariño and Viognier wine for additional flavor. It’s unfiltered with a touch of sweetness and a light effervescence to round out the finished wine, making it a fun springtime sipper. I get tropical notes; banana, lychee, and pear with a slight creamy or custard finish. A year of aging this natural-style wine has made the sweetness taper off into an off-dry white wine with a touch of fruit on the finish. Fun, simple and non-serious.” So far only a handful of Virginia wineries have experimented with low or no-alcoholic wine. As the market changes, more of these beverages will (hopefully) become available. For additional options, try Revalation Vineyards’s “Verjus”, or Castle Glen Winery’s mocktails. About the Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https://winetrailsandwanderlust. com/

Photo Credits: MIDDLE LEFT: Hark Vineyards Ene, MIDDLE RIGHT: Hark Wine Maker AJ Greely, BOTTOM LEFT: Bluemont Vineyards Piquette Blanc, BOTTOM RIGHT: Brix and Columns Vineyards Mocktails.

36 January 2024

Old Town Crier

January 2024 37

LET’S GET CRAFTY

TIMOTHY LONG

Dry January?... What?!?! I almost wrote this article about Dry January, i.e., the healthy trend of not drinking for the entire month of January. It goes along with the new diet you just started and the gym membership you just bought. All three of which will end well before January does. Except the gym membership, you’ll keep paying for that for a while. I was going to tie Dry January in with the non-alcoholic craft beer trend that has grown over the last few years. Non-alcoholic craft beer sales have trended upwards and Dry January has increased in popularity. Therefore, it could be a legitimate subject for an article. Then I asked myself, “Would my readers like an article about nonalcoholic beer and not drinking for a month?” I immediately knew the answer and couldn’t stop laughing at myself for two days. I thought my wife was going to have me committed. What the hell was I thinking? Dry January? I don’t want to write about it, and no one wants to read about it. Anyone who reads this column knows my opinion of non-alcoholic beer. It’s for people who just want to smell like they’re drunk. I prefer Wet January. Let’s face it, January in our area sucks. It is a month that truly is in the doldrums. The actual doldrums are bands of hot, windless, humid weather near the equator that could stall sailing ships for weeks. Sailors dreaded hitting them. The term describes January in the DC area perfectly. Except for playoff football, it is dull, boring, dank, and sad. So, the solution is to not drink? Are you kidding me? I also feel that Dry January is un-American. Think about it. As a culture, we, those of us who do drink, drink for every reason we can. We drink when we get married. We drink when we get divorced. We drink when we get a new job. We drink when we get fired. We drink when the new baby is born. And we drink when grandpa dies. We drink to celebrate or mourn every event in our lives. So, are we going to abstain during the worst month of the year? I think not. Wet January is a good thing. Now, I do admit that it’s not as physically healthy as Dry January. There are positive effects that come from taking a one-month break from drinking. But during this putrid month, we need 38 January 2024

mental benefits as well. We need some joy. We need some fun. We need the social benefits of comradery. And these benefits come from Wet January. Let me make something perfectly clear, I’m not talking about getting drunk every day. That is never a good plan. Drink is meant to be enjoyed, not abused. I’m talking about planning some fun activities that include drinking to get you through the doldrums. Not drinking to a point that you can’t function the next day. Hangovers are not fun and can easily ruin an entire day. The great author, Kingsley Amis, once wrote the best description of a hangover I ever read. This is from his novel Lucky Jim. “Dixon was alive again. Consciousness was upon him before he could get out of the way; not for him the slow, gracious wandering from the halls of sleep, but a summary, forcible ejection. He lay sprawled, too wicked to move, spewed up like a broken spider-crab on the tarry shingle of the morning. The light did him harm, but not as much as looking at things did; he resolved, having done it once, never to move his eyeballs again. A dusty thudding in his head made the scene before him beat like a pulse. His mouth has been used as a latrine by some small creature of the night, and then as its mausoleum. During the night, too, he’d somehow been on a cross-country run and then been expertly beaten up by the secret police. He felt bad.” You do not want to go through that. You just want to kill the doldrums as best you can. So, what do you do for Wet January? Last January I wrote about a brewery my wife and I had visited during a trip to Cabo. January is a great time to visit breweries. Most of them are probably releasing full-bodied beers, porters, stouts, and darker ales. Here are a few recommendations: Port City Brewing has already released its Long Black Veil, a black IPA. This fun and creative beer is pitch black with a tan head. It has notes of coffee and dark chocolate, with a piney, citrusy hops. If you’re a fan of oatmeal stout, Fairwinds Brewery has their Home Port Old Town Crier

Tim’s

Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

GET CRAFTY | FROM PAGE 38

Stout. You get coffee and cocoa on the nose, then a big hit of oats for the first taste. It has a wonderful creamy mouthfeel. This is a very good beer. Denizens Brewing Company in Riverdale Park, MD in collaboration with Manor Hill Brewery in Ellicot City, MD is releasing Frosty the Cold IPA. They used lager yeast instead of ale yeast to be able to brew this IPA at a cooler temperature. It has a tangerine and candied fruit hop character with a piney finish. Denizens has also released Hike the Alps Dunkel, a ruby colored lager with a bready malt character and subtle nutty flavors. I have been a fan of their beers for a longtime. A trip to Aslin Brewing in Alexandria is always fun. They have a great variety of beers. If you’re looking for a darker beer, the Full Basic Dark Czech Lager is a fantastic beer, as is their Virginia Beach Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout. If you’re in the district, DC Brau is a personal favorite of mine. The Penn Quarter Porter is fantastic with its notes of chocolate and dry roasted finish. Also try their Wake Up In The Future 2019 or their Wake Up In The Future 2023 if you love a good Imperial Stout. The fun thing about visiting breweries is that the list is endless nowadays. You have a huge variety to choose from when planning a visit. So, get out there and support our local heroes who are helping us to fight the doldrums. The brewers and staff members of these breweries are true heroes. They enrich our lives the old-fashioned way, through good drink. You don’t have to wear a cape to be a hero, you know. Some heroes wear t-shirts and baseball caps. And they make the world a better place by pouring great beer. They can get you through the doldrums. These heroes need to be thanked, or at least tipped. Cheers. About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com

Catoctin Creek Roundstone 92 Proof Rye Whiskey First, I love Nubs. They are made by Oliva; they don’t make a bad cigar. I always suggest going with a 460, 4-inch, 60 gauge. These Nubs just seem to smoke better than the thinner or thicker ones. The Cameroon opens with black pepper and cedar. As you get further in, it becomes creamy with hints of leather, but the pepper and cedar linger. It ﬁnishes a little sweeter, with the same ﬂavors being present throughout the smoke. At around $8 to $10 a stick, it is more than worth the value. The Nub 460 is a great doldrums cigar to go with you Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey. Enjoy.

Ask about our amazing Pipe and Cigar Humidor Sale and Our Military and First Responders Plus Discount Program

Nub Cameroon 460 First, I love Nubs. They are made by Oliva; they don’t make a bad cigar. I always suggest going with a 460, 4-inch, 60 gauge. These Nubs just seem to smoke better than the thinner or thicker ones. The Cameroon opens with black pepper and cedar. As you get further in, it becomes creamy with hints of leather, but the pepper and cedar linger. It ﬁnishes a little sweeter, with the same ﬂavors being present throughout the smoke. At around $8 to $10 a stick, it is more than worth the value. The Nub 460 is a great doldrums cigar to go with you Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey. Enjoy.

Old Town Crier

215 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 sales@johncrouch.comcastbiz.net (703) 548-2900 | (703) 739-2302 January 2024 39

GO FISH

STEVE CHACONAS

New Year, New Season. Bass fishing professional Ish Monroe has been through over 20 off-seasons. Time to recharge, renegotiate, and restock. After a tough season, spending weeks at a time away, Ish’s drive home in late October ended his season. The off-season began with Ish and his wife taking a tuna fishing trip. No phones, no internet, no problem. Ish says this is necessary down time to avoid burnout and a chance to stock their freezer with tuna. Break’s over and back to work. The first few days are hectic, but smooth out for the veteran angler. Stopping by the dog sitter and then it’s things around the house needing attention as the fishing season doesn’t afford time for home upkeep. The honey-do list is long, but Ish gets on it. Ish calls his most important sponsors, those paying the most. These are quick and easy with one phone call as he’s in touch with sponsors all season, cultivating a great working relationship. “They know what I’m capable of doing.” Working smart, it’s easier to keep sponsors than to introduce himself to new ones. Keeping his sponsors happy and growing with them is a win-win. When Lowrance electronics added a lithium battery, Ish recognized the opportunity to broaden his sponsor base promoting Relion lithium batteries. Lowrance already knew what Ish had done for them, and the deal with Relion was done. Frequently courted by potential sponsors, Ish maintains contact with these prospects, building a mutually beneficial relationship establishing his value according to budgets and what’s expected. Ish is fair with existing sponsors, committed to putting forth 100% effort. Adding new ones would compromise the time commitment he’s made to his core sponsors. Younger anglers tout their ability to garner social media numbers. Ish says social media alone doesn’t sell product. Companies want sales. Getting product in stores, and moving it, is his specialty. Easily measured results set him apart from others. It doesn’t go unnoticed as he has top line sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, Simms Fishing, Diawa, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and others. Prior to his tuna trip, Ish ordered rods, reels, and line from Diawa, as he works with his sponsors across their product lines. Sorting through every box of lures, Ish replaces, replenishes, and reorders everything he’s going to use. This includes baits he’s had a role in developing from Missile Baits. Every lure has a 3 year lifespan. If not used in 3 years, they’re set aside. Hooks are replaced on River2Sea lures. Anything else, he picks up at Fisherman’s Warehouse. Previous season’s gear is donated to high schools and bass clubs. “I would love to have those kids use that gear and get excited about going fishing.” Ordering his new Skeeter in July, Ish took delivery in November, giving him time to collect accessories, leaving about 2 weeks to rig his Skeeter. He prefers the performance and durability of BOB’s hydraulic jack plate. Then he installs the Lowrance Ghost trolling motor, Lowrance electronics, and Power Poles. Installing his accessories minimizes troubleshooting. Doing this for a living he has to do it this way. “You don’t know who is working on your boat. Rather blame me than try to figure out what someone else did.” Making travel plans as each event comes, in 2024 he’ll be fishing B.A.S.S. Opens, BAM Series, and tournaments to fill in the gaps. As for planning tackle 40 January 2024

for each trip, Ish takes a disciplined approach. “I have a style I think that I can win events. So, I can go to any fishery and fish my style, making a fishery small to fit my style.” Arizona Liquid Wraps make his boat a rolling sponsor billboard. Higher paying companies receive the greatest visibility. He negotiated a Ford truck deal with a local dealer, working with them on special promotions. Ish Monroe’s work with media enables him to excel in the fishing industry. Media calls are returned within 24 hours, no exceptions. At tournaments and shows, Ish seeks out familiar media faces, shakes hands, and chats about life. He makes the media person’s job easier, emailing story ideas for upcoming publishing dates to pitch editors. But the best way to develop and enhance relationships is to take them fishing. Ish adds outdoors shows are a great place to catch up with writers, and visits with show promoters can lead to paid appearances. Many say Ish is the hardest working guy in the fishing business. “I hope I’m not.” Lamenting that younger guys don’t share his work ethic Ish says, “That’s what makes the industry better.” According to Ish, the future of the sport requires anglers working with companies to maximize the working relationship to promote the sport. Pro bass fishing athletes perform on the water but conducting business off the water is how they make a living. Ish proves trust with sponsors, media, and fans is the key to success. There’s no off season, it’s all a part of the season. About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac River bass fishing guide. Potomac fishing reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@ NationalBass.com. Potomac River Bassing in NOVEMBER Fish are on steep drops out of the current. Use spinning gear with Gamma 6 pound test Copoly line, or combo of 10 pound test Gamma Torque Braid with either a 6 pound test Edge Fluorocarbon or Copoly leader. Three inch Stingray grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jigs in chartreuse, smoke with black flake, and green pumpkin. Hair jigs with matching chunks and Mizmo tubes work too. Use slow horizontal presentations. Drop shot, shaky head, and split shot with 1/0 hooks along with 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weights for drop shots and split shots. Tie on Silver Buddys, ½ ounce silver on sunny days and gold when cloudy. Use 10-pound test GAMMA EDGE on casting reels on rods with enough tip flex for casting and hook-setting backbone. Slowly snap to barely bring Silver Buddys off the bottom. Controlled drops encourage cold water bass to bite.

Old Town Crier

FIRST BLUSH

GENEVIEVE LEFRANC

Getting Down to the Basics

It’s January and more than a few of us are feeling completely spent from the holidays. Literally. The winter season is tough on our skin, hair and our wallets. After weeks of shopping and stacks of bills piling up, January is a time for thrifty resourcefulness. Smart beauty means never paying too much. Knowing a few do it yourself beauty remedies can really help you save money. This month it’s about taking a break from all the holiday madness—the overindulging with rich food and alcohol, and the staying up and out way too late—things that wreak havoc with our skin and hair. With dry, flaky skin and flat, staticstricken locks, it’s time for a little DIY at-home, self-pampering using inexpensive, common items you have around the house. After a season filled with honey-glazed ham, Christmas cookies, and approximately two thousand peppermint lattes, the fridge is probably the last place you want to turn to. However, there are more than a few excellent beauty ingredients hiding in your kitchen. Avocado acts as a great moisturizer and skin softener due to its high, unsaturated fat content. Mash the pulp into a paste for a quick and easy hydrating facial treatment. You can also combine plain yogurt and oatmeal to make a hydrating mask. Yogurt is especially good for dry, sensitive skin. Leave this concoction on for about 10 minutes for a wonderful skin softener. Legs can be a ghastly sight after suffocating under jeans and tights all winter long, so show your gams a little TLC by sloughing off the dry, excess skin. Add oatmeal or sea salt to your favorite body wash or gel for a really effective exfoliator. Or for an invigorating citrus scrub, dip half of a lemon, pulp side, into common table salt and rub over rough spots like elbows, feet, and knees. The lemon contains acid that rejuvenates and revives skin while the salt detoxifies by helping draw waste out of the skin. Tip: Don’t use sugar, it dissolves much faster in water than salt!

Try olive oil as a hair conditioner, or heat it up for an at-home hot oil treatment. It also works great as a makeup remover, and you can even rub it on your cuticles to keep them from peeling and hang nails at bay. Add a quart of full-fat milk to your bathwater for velvety skin. Relax and soak away in the tub while the lactic acid smooths skin and acts as an antiinﬂammatory agent. Cleopatra used to do this! You can also add baking soda to a warm bath. Old Town Crier

Add one teaspoon with two teaspoons of salt and 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender or sandalwood. Baking soda creates an alkaline solution in the bath, which tends to make the body release dead skin cells. If your cupboard is bare of all but a can of Who Hash, there are other common household or inexpensive drugstore items you can work into into your beauty regimen.

head over a bowl of hot, steaming water and cover with a towel. Allow the steam to work its magic on your face for several minutes, taking care not to burn your face. Follow with a mild face wash and ﬁnish with a splash of cool water to close pores temporarily. This can also help clear a stuﬀy nose!

Vaseline. It’s one of the cheapest, most versatile, and all time greatest beauty products that actresses and models swear by. The oils in Vaseline help to Over the counter products from your favorite keep it slick and spreadable so that it flows into drugstore rival many upscale department store the many surface cracks and crevices of the skin, versions; continue to improve with better quality forming a protective barrier that seals in moisture. ingredients; and won’t turn your budget upside Rub it all over your feet at night and wear cotton down. For the ultimate in fun and savings, host socks while you sleep to smooth out rough spots, an at-home day spa with a friend or two using or slather your hands with it before wearing your these techniques and recipes. After a season of gloves to help retain hands’ natural moisture. You overindulging, an in-home treatment with your can even use it as brow gel to keep thick brows best gal pals will leave you feeling refreshed and in place and as a cure for ultra-chapped lips. My relaxed. personal favorite Vaseline trick is to mix a small amount with any powder makeup to make a cream formula of Haircuts $15 A Very Good the original. Creamy products are ideal Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 Good (extra charge for long hair) for dry, winter months, so combine Haircut! Price! Vaseline with your favorite eyeshadow Scissors Cut $17+up Beautiful Long or blush to create a dewey, youthful, Color $43+up glowing complexion. Essentially, Perm! Lasting Permanent $45+up Vaseline will do the trick effectively Color! (including haircut & conditioner) and cheaply, no matter which way you choose to implement it into your beauty regime. Witch Hazel. Use it as a toner. It is the perfect astringent because it doesn’t strip the skin, but does remove traces of oil while making the skin smoother. It will also reduce the inflammation that comes with the occasional pimple, often a result of holiday overindulgence. Try this at-home facial that will help gently clean out blackheads: Put your

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FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

Happy New Year!

Let’s Get Chopping!

2024 is here whether we’re ready for it or not. I hope all of you enjoyed a great holiday season with family and friends. If you followed any of my advice the past two months (controlling portion sizes & receiving that fitness gift), you should already be ahead of the game. As always, January is the perfect time to evaluate your lifestyle and set realistic “New Year’s Resolutions.” The best approach is to write down reasons WHY you want to make a change. Here’s an example: Reasons WHY I want to lose 20 pounds: “I can feel better about myself; I want to keep my diabetes in check; I want to sleep better; I hate being out of breath walking up the stairs; I want more energy so I can play with my kids or grandchildren; I’m sick of my joints always hurting.” Post these in a place where you will see them every day (maybe as your cell phone wallpaper) to remind you exactly why you want to put forth the effort for a healthier life. With that said, I bring you another exercise of the month to try. I call it the Cable Woodchopper. This exercise has been featured in a previous issue of the Old Town Crier. However, the last time I explained this exercise, it was the “Low-to-High” version. This “woodchopper” is the opposite being “Highto-Low” which means that the cable pulley is set in the high position. This exercise is a great way to get your heart rate up and challenge the core. To start, select a lighter resistance and attach a single cable rotating handle to the clip. Grab the handle with your right hand over top of the left as shown in Figure 1. This shows the starting position for “chopping” down and to the left. Be sure to stand far enough away from the weight stack so that when your arms are straight the selected weight is not touching the remaining stack. Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders. Your hips should be facing away from the weight stack with the torso and arms slightly rotated towards the right. Begin the chop by using your abdominal muscles to initiate the movement. Pull the handle diagonally across your body and down towards the floor. Keep the arms straight with the handle away from you. This will make your abdominals work harder during the exercise. Finish the chop towards the left at about knee height (Figure 2). Reverse the movement and control the resistance back to the start position by utilizing those amazing abs! Try at least two sets of 10-12 repetitions for each side to get a balanced workout. About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

42 January 2024

Old Town Crier

FITNESS

NICOLE FLANAGAN

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. If your old gym workout is starting to seem uninspiring, try something new to start off the year on a good note. 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 which 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 body. Yoga can improve circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body. Inversions such as a headstand reverse the

Old Town Crier

Ohmmm...ing Your Way to a Better Winter Workout 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 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 which gives 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 you 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 while the cold wind blows through the streets of Old Town.

January 2024 43

POINTS ON PETS

JAIME STEPHENS

I Resolve To…........

(The Pet Edition) New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for us. Why not make some on behalf of your furry feline(s) and/or your canine kid(s)? Here are a few suggestions to consider: SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET

ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!

There are many, many reasons to neuter your cat(s) and/or dog(s). The choice to spay or neuter your pet is one of the most important decisions you can make aﬀecting their long-term health. The reduced lifespan of unaltered pets can be attributed to an increased urge to roam, which can expose them to ﬁghts with other animals, resulting in injuries and infections, trauma or death from being hit by vehicles, and other accidents.

This buzz phrase has gotten a bad rap lately, as there are many reputable breeders that treat their animals very well and guarantee the health and, to a certain extent, temperament of the puppy or kitten you are purchasing. The problem largely lies with the fact that most of the puppies sold in pet stores come directly from puppy mills. Purchasing animals from a pet store means not only supporting the puppy mill industry but also taking a home away from one of the 4 to 5 million shelter animals killed each year. Because of the inbreeding and filthy conditions found in puppy mills, they often produce animals with serious health problems which end up causing their owners significant vet bills. Additionally, pet stores generally do not socialize their animals. The puppies may consequently develop behavioral problems which do not make them ideal pets. So, if you heart is set on a pure-breed dog, consider adopting from a breed specific rescue organization before visiting a breeder. There are rescue organizations for so many breeds. And, while we’re on the subject…

Contributing to the longer lifespan of altered pets is their reduced risk of certain types of cancers. Unspayed female cats and dogs have a greater chance of developing pyometra (a potentially fatal uterine infection) and uterine, mammary gland, and other cancers of the reproductive system. Neutering male pets eliminates their risk of testicular cancer and eliminates the possibility of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia, which can aﬀect the ability to defecate. MAKE THE OUTSIDE A BETTER PLACE FOR COMMUNITY CATS If you care for community cats (formerly known as “feral cats”), make the outdoors a better place for them by practicing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Community cats should be altered through TNR at any age after the age of 6 weeks, although some states may require waiting until the kittens are at least 8 weeks old. TNR is the only eﬀective and humane approach to community cats. It involves humanely trapping the cats, taking them to a veterinarian to be vaccinated, neutered, and ear tipped (while under anesthesia, the tip of the cat’s left ear is removed to easily indicate that they have been neutered or spayed and/or they are tattooed on their abdomen), and then returning them to their outdoor home. Ending the cats’ breeding cycles allows them to live out their natural lives without having to worry about the constant stress of pregnancies and mating. A bonus - TNR doesn’t cause colonies to disappear overnight; instead, cats live out their natural lifespans and the colonies slowly decline in population over a period of time.

44 January 2024

VOLUNTEER AT A SHELTER OR WITH A RESCUE ORGANIZATION Shelters and rescue organizations always need volunteers! If you are compassionate, an animal lover, and have some time on your hands, please do consider it. It’s a win-win for all concerned. If you don’t have time but still want to help, consider a cash donation or a donation of items. Most shelters are happy to tell you what they could use and there is always, always a need. Most organizations operate on a shoestring budget and can only exist through the generosity of their donors. MAKE WELLNESS A PRIORITY Just like humans with their necessary yearly physicals, it’s important that pets visit their veterinarians annually – at least for a wellness check. Don’t wait until your pet needs to go to the vet; make wellness a priority. A wellness examination is a routine medical examination of a cat or dog who

Old Town Crier

POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 44

appears healthy, as opposed to an examination of a cat or dog who is ill. A wellness examination may also be called a “check-up” or a “physical examination.” The focus of the examination is to make sure your pet is as healthy as possible, and that they stay that way. And don’t forget about your pet’s basic needs – nail clipping, bathing (optional for cats!), grooming, ear cleaning, and dental hygiene. HAVE FUN! Lastly, don’t forget to exercise with your dog and, yes, with your cat! While it’s easier to walk, hike, run, play fetch with, toss a frisbee to and generally exercise your dog, cats need exercise, too. Pet parents are often stumped when it comes to ways to exercise their cat(s). Playing with a laser pointer is a great way to give your cat exercise. Be sure to end the play session with a toy that your cat can actually catch, as too much laser play could end in frustration. Feather toys are another great exercise tool, as most cats, even older ones, get excited by hunting. An added bonus with regard to cat toys – most cats seem satisﬁed with items that can easily be found around the house and cost nothing: paper towel and toilet paper rolls, paper bags (be sure to snip or cut the handles oﬀ, and, the alltime favorite, the box. Wishing you and your furry friends all good things in this new year! About the Author: Jaime Stephens lives with her husband, John, and feline family in the west end of Alexandria.

Selected Metro DC Animal Shelters/Rescues Animal Welfare League of Alexandria alexandriaanimals.org/

Fairfax County Animal Shelter www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter

Animal Welfare League of Arlington www.awla.org

Friends of Rabbits and House Rabbit Sanctuary

www.friendsofrabbits.org/ King Street Cats www.kingstreetcats.org/

Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. ophrescue.org/ Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary www.rikkisrefuge.org

PETS

OF THE

MONTH 4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm

Nelson Nelson is a male, 9-year-old buff tabby cat with an expressive face and green eyes. He can initially come across as a little standoffish with a bit of a "catitude." But Nelson has made outstanding progress with his Grinch-like behavior. In December, Nelson was voted as our cat "EmPAWlee of the Month" for "officially stealing Christmas, but then returning it" like his doppelgänger the Grinch. We're convinced his Grinchy heart has grown at least three sizes! Now, Nelson will welcome visitors with some enthusiastic yowls for attention and chin scratches. Nelson is a very smart kitty who loves to play with puzzle toys and watch "cat TV." Nelson will thrive in a home as the only pet - one where he doesn't have to share any roast beast feasts! Photo courtesy of DeSilva Studios.

Selene Selene is an 8-month old female cat in search of a loving, understanding home. She's had a bit of a tough start to life. Her cloudy eyes tell us that she was previously affected by feline herpes virus and didn't receive medical intervention in time. However, she is in no pain and can still see. She's extremely calm, sweet and affectionate. Selene loves visitors and likes when people stop by for head rubs. Selene has been with us a bit longer than is normal for adoptable kitties due to her eyes and is FIV+. However, that shouldn't scare off any possible adopters. FIV+ kitties can live long, happy and healthy lives. We are looking for a special adopter who is willing to see Selene's beauty both in appearance and purrsonality! Photo courtesy of Lucia Smith Art.

Bella Bella is a 9-year-old female dog who is looking for a home. She has some of the best "rabbit ears" we've ever seen and loves to pose for pictures with her signature head tilt. Bella is also known for stopping, dropping, and rolling at a moment's notice. Seize the day right?! Bella radiates sunshine and a happy curiosity for the world around her. Bella absolutely adores people and will probably bond strongly with her family. Almost as much as she adores people, Bella loves her food and snacks! She is a quick learner of new tricks. She is a sweet, social and snuggly senior who only wants love in her golden years! Thanks to a generous donor, her adoption fee has been sponsored. Photo courtesy of Artful Paws Photography.

Schedule time to meet with any of these amazing adoptables by emailing Adopt@AlexandriaAnimals.org or calling 703.746.4774 opt. 2.

Old Town Crier

January 2024 45

OPEN SPACE

LORI WELCH BROWN

Making Every Moment Count vs. Counting Every Moment

espite the fact that I’m not a fan of math, and I actively hate algebra, I spent an extraordinary amount of time counting in 2023. Counting calories, steps, workouts, minutes between meals, numbers of adult bevs, etc.

Around November, I decided I was done with counting. I mean, how much of one’s life is one supposed to spend quantifying, recording, and tracking? How is one supposed to live one’s life when one is busy accounting for one’s missteps or no steps or less than 10,000? And let’s not forget the admonishing. All hail Almighty Queen of Berating Oneself. Too many helpings? Glutton! Not enough steps? Laggard! Jeans too tight? Loser, but not in a good way! While counting and tracking might not sound like a fun time, it was helping to keep me on [insert drum roll here] track! Once I decided to forego all that pencil sharpening and tic marking, the wheels fell oﬀ the wagon and landed directly around my midsection.

Lucky for us that good ol’ Father (or Mother? Or Them?) Time has given us a blank slate with which to start anew. And, that is a beautiful thing, my friends. A brand new calendar, a fresh start, and a shiny outlook are game changers. But, really we don’t need January 1 in order to leap into a new beginning. We get a new beginning every 24 hours. Every 24 hours we are granted a clean slate to start all over again. If we messed up and/or didn’t show up for ourselves. If we fell oﬀ the self-care wagon and ate an entire Costco-sized bag of kettle cooked potato chips and chased it with a bag of Chips Ahoy! cookies. We get a do over. We get to start fresh. We get to move forward and put our failures and omissions behind us and try again to do better, to be better. And, God willing, to be lighter. Every day we have options and choices that can lead us to better (not best) versions of ourselves. •

We can set a new intention and reinforce our goal.

•

We can start the clock again and reset our mental attitude.

•

We can change our mindset from a negative one to a positive one.

Beﬁttingly, the Queen of Berating Oneself landed a new gig as Queen of Let’s Eat, Drink, and Be Merry. Let’s eat the cookies—all the cookies. Let’s skip the workout and binge watch The Crown. Let’s polish oﬀ the bottle—it’s open, right?

•

We can stop counting and start living.

•

We can be present in our life more than being engrossed in our phone.

•

If you’re going to do something, I say do it 100 percent. Go big or go home.

We can stop taking pictures of our plates and start talking to people sitting across from us.

•

We can participate in activities that make us happy and healthy vs. logging steps and tracking workouts that hold us accountable to our inner ﬂog master.

Sigh.

While that may sound like a lot more fun, it does present its own share of problems especially when one has a closet full of clothes, but only one pair of pants one can button and not without the aid of a handmaid of which, the last time I counted, there were none.

This is my yin and my yang, and let’s just say it doesn’t bring me joy.

I get it though. Sometimes the problem is that we have too many choices, too many goals. All the decisions feel overwhelming. Heck—sometimes I get stuck on the OJ aisle—pulp? No pulp? Vitamin D? Calcium? Cold pressed? Organic? It makes me want to run over to the bakery and start binge eating muﬃns which deﬁnitely isn’t very self-caring of me.

Given the state of the world, these bypass ﬁrst world problems and go straight to “You’re in Your Own Head Too Much” problems and need to be forwarded immediately to “The Department of No One Cares But You So Stop Whining”. Good luck waiting on that response.

Frankly, I think self-care has gone oﬀ the rails. Self-care has gone from letting women know it’s okay to carve out time for themselves into a billion dollar business with inﬂuencers trying to hawk me $350/oz moisturizer for my brown spots.

If you’re still reading, my point here (I do have one) is that maybe—if you’re like me—you spent a little too much time this past year judging yourself too harshly and/or not being kind enough to the person who is you. Oh—and way too much time in math class.

So, how about instead of practicing self-care (which you should totally carve out time for yourself after moisturizing), you practice kindness. Kindness to yourself and others.

Another heavier sigh. (No pun intended).

Maybe—just maybe—you tried really hard at some things and didn’t succeed. Maybe you decided to throw in the towel and say, “It doesn’t matter. Who cares?” Well—you for one. You care. And, you matter. So, maybe—if you’re like me—you could hatch a plan this year this finds some middle ground that lands somewhere between obsessive compulsive freak and not giving a rat’s patootie whilst tossing all your hard work into a dumpster fire. Maybe you could find ways to be healthy and active that excite and engage you vs. having you fill out forms every day to track your every move, caloric intake, and bodily outtake. One may have tracked a bowel movement or two. No judging. One has one’s reasons.

And mindfulness. Stop tracking and counting and start being mindful about how you’re spending your time and energy. Mindful about what you’re putting into your body (and perhaps what comes out. No judging—when it comes to your poo, you do you). In other words, stop counting every moment and motion, and start making every moment count for yourself and with your loved ones. Life is short; make this moment a memory. And those world problems? Perhaps if everyone practices just a little more kindness at home, we’ll create a new global variant and ignite a kindness pandemic. A girl’s gotta have goals. Cheers to a year of peace, happiness, love, kindness, wellness, joy, mindfulness, and freedom—even if it’s from your ﬁtness tracker.

About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 20 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this. 46 January 2024

Old Town Crier

Wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous 2024 full of Love and Peace! - Bob & Lani About the Photo

This aerial shot of the Human Heart of Peace was taken at the holiday gathering held at Revel Farm in Rappahannok County, Virginia. Revel Farm is owned by Alexandria native and owner of Revel Farm, Jackie Bogle. Photo by Joseph O'Kane.

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