April 2015 Issue

Since 1988 – Priceless

April 2015

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

From the Bay

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM BOAT BUILDING To the Blue Ridge

HATS ON FOR SPRING! It’s Race Season Road Trip

THE MARITIME REPUBLIC OF EASTPORT Civil Discourse

THE WAR ENDS … OR DOES IT? Across the Bridge

NATIONAL HARBOR

The Harbor Is Waking Up!

oldtowncrier.com

Landini’s

ZAGAT

Setting The Standard In 2006 Old Town For 35 Years AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

AND THE PAST 15 YEARS

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

G -11 pm N I RK :30

PArday 5 T E AL atu

V y&S a

Frid

Valet Parking Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm

Noe and Franco welcome you!

COME FOR THE FUN, STAY FOR THE FOOD!

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

Fish Market has continued to rise above the tide with its winning recipe for success–good, fresh seafood, excellent service and a great location. Such dedication to high quality and customer service has helped launch Fish Market as an Old Town landmark since 1976!

105 & 107 King St. Old Town Alexandria

703.836.5676 fishmarketva.com

Eat Fish, Drink Beer, Live Longer!

april’15 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, Va. 22320

9

18 24

phone: 703. 836. 0132 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month.

Worth waiting for!

PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Laura Parker DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, Va. 20175 Chris Anderson Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Ashley Denham Busse Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering

CONTRIBUTORS Frances Killpatrick Miriam Kramer Jeff McCord Laura Parker Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown

8

First Blush

43

Personality Profile

4

After Hours

11

Fitness

40

15

17

From the Bay…

22

Pets of the Month

Art & Antiques Behind the Bar

28

From the Trainer

41

Points on Pets

16

Gallery Beat

14

Publishers Notes

A Bit of History

BizNotes

5

2

Caribbean Connection

18

Go Fish

39

Road Trip

20

Chefs Special

34

Grapevine

36

Spiritual Renaissance

44

Civil Discourse

9

High Notes

10

Dining Guide

32

National Harbor

46

The Last Word

12

Dining Out

30

On the Media

3

To the Blue Ridge

24

Exploring Virginia Wines

37

On the Road

1

Urban Garden

13

6

Open Space

45

Virginia Wine Trails

38

Financial Focus

© 2015 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to selected Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas as well as St. John, USVI.

About the cover The Confederate Statue that stands facing south at the intersection of North Washington and Prince streets in Old Town Alexandria. The inscription reads: ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE CONFEDERATE DEAD OF ALEXANDRIA, VA

BY THEIR SURVIVING COMRADES MAY 24th 1889 THIS MONUMENT MARKS THE SPOT FROM WHICH THE ALEXANDRIA TROOPS LEFT TO JOIN THE CONFEDERATE FORCES MAY 24, 1861 Photo: BobTagert

Old Town Crier

On the road with OTC Torrington, Wyoming resident Dick Glandt borrowed long time Old Town Crier reader and subscriber Donna Beth Downer’s November issue and took it with him to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Dick and his wife Marilyn were vacationing in France. The OTC really gets around!

If you would like to see your picture here, take the OTC with you on your next trip, snap a high resolution photo and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com.

April 2015 | 1

PUBLISHER’S NOTES BOB TAGERT

SPRING EVENTS March

Water Taxi to National Mall: Cherry Blossom Festival Service March 21 - April 12, 2015

April 16th Annual Easter Ea Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House April 3-5, 2015 Doggy Happy Hour Opening Day April 7, 2015 82nd Annual Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour April 18, 2015 2 Spring2ACTion: Alexandria’s Biggest Day of Giving April 22, 2015

May

S

pring is in the air and the buds are beginning to bloom. We have made it through another difficult winter, but the future looks great as the southern temperatures return.

Speaking of the south, one hundred and fifty years ago, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia and the Civil War came to an end…or has it? This month Doug Coleman writes about the last days of Petersburg leading up to Appomattox.

With no Facebook or social media, word of the surrender and end of the war took months to reach everyone. Doug explores this reality and will continue to follow the aftermath of the war. On our cover is a photograph of the Confederate Civil War soldier statue at the intersection of South Washington Street and Prince Street here in Old Town Alexandria.

We have all driven past it for years but have you ever looked at it? Here is a chance.

This month’s Road Trip took us back to one of our favorite places, the Maritime Republic of

Eastport, Maryland. We have many fond memories over the years of meeting the folks who live and play in Eastport.

Located across Spa Creek from Annapolis, Eastport is a world away. With the nice weather coming, we decided to write about two new eateries in Old Town where it is easy to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a park or a bench for lunch outside. Check out the Dining Out column. Open Space author Lori Welch Brown hit on a great relationship conundrum in her column titled “Shelfies”. Peggie Arvidson has given all of you a short course in reading palms in her Spiritual Renaissance column — you can learn a new way to entertain your friends. All this and more in this issue. In addition to looking at all of the pretty pictures, be sure to see what our advertisers have to offer this month!

A sure sign of spring is Easter, which is celebrated April 5. We at the Old Town Crier wish all of you a very Happy Easter.

Historic Alexandria Attics and Alleys Tours May 2-30, 2015

Local Farmers Markets

Canine Cruise May 9, 2015 Free Mother’s Day Museum Tours May 10, 2015

Old Town Farmers Market Go to: VisitAlexandriaVA.com/SPRING to find more events & things to do this season

2 | April 2015

Market Square • 301 King Street Saturday 7 a.m. - Noon, year round Free parking in Market Square garage during market hours People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town Alexandrias Market Square is thought to be one of the nations oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians. George Washington sent his

produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today, the market offers folks a way to reconnect to the past, while participating in an ongoing local and national tradition.

Del Ray Farmers Market

Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon avenues Saturday 8 a.m. - Noon, year round The Del Ray Market is producer grown, with fresh vegetables and fruits in season. All year round this market offers meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces, Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs, jams and jellies, fancy nuts and bakery goods.

Old Town Crier

ON THE MEDIA LAURA PARKER

The Customer Is Always Right (on Social Media)

T

he old customer-service adage, “the customer is always right” is especially true on any social media platform.

When a customer has a bad experience in a brick and mortar establishment, the incident can typically be resolved through the immediate intervention of a manager.

However, when a customer encounters a bad digital experience the entire world (i.e. your brand’s entire online customer following, as well as anyone with one-degree of separation) can easily know a one-sided view of the incident with the click of a “share icon.”

Of late, social media networks have become the soapbox platforms for many customers. They are the forum for immediately voicing opinions without any thought of the repercussions. These networks offer the perfect opportunity for customers to complain, provide criticism, or to actively support any business.

It is for these very reasons, that companies must tread carefully on social media. They must be ready to immediately respond to both positive and negative customer feedback. Their responses must not only be timely, they must be appropriate — let’s not forget the case of the ever-ready screen shot — I’m looking at you U.S. Airways, 1-800-Flowers, or any of the numerous viral instances when a social media post or apology went awry. And so, rather than an extensive list of hypotheticals that might not accurately apply to every social media instance of customer outcry, here are two “don’ts” and two “do’s” that will serve you well in your responses to disgruntled customers.

• Don’t waste time debating with a customer online. It is far too easy to manipulate comments via selective screen shots or

Since 1988–Priceless

From the Bay to the Blue

Ridge

April 2014

get your ! monthly fix

Grapevine

2014 GOVERNOR’S CUP HONORS

Photoshop.

• Don’t post tongue in cheek remarks that will immediately cause someone to post “that’s racist,” “that’s anti-feminism,” or any “wtf ” type comments that seem to have become the new social media currency.

• Do think of your comments as those pesky confidentiality agreements that will never expire. Unless you are a very savvy tech guru, once you post anything online it leaves a digital footprint that can always be tracked.

• Do tread carefully by remembering that a proper response can change your biggest critic into your loudest brand ambassador.

Until further notice, the customer is always right on social media. You might not agree with what they have to say, and they might be completely inaccurate in their understanding of company rules and regulations, but as long as they decide to engage your company in a dialogue via social media they are always right. They are right because they chose to contact you directly, which is what any good business asks of its customers. They might be wrong in their accusations or chosen means of communication, but once the dialogue has started you must put yourself in their shoes, which means thinking that they are right. Only through this pro-customer mentality can you hope to revert a disgruntled customer back into a positive brand ambassador.

Laura P. Parker is a freelance writer and content marketing consultant who specializes in improving the marketing efforts of small-businesses through well-written, engaging, and ROI enhancing content. laura@laurapparker.com www. laurapparker.com Subscribe today and enjoy every issue of the Old Town Crier at home. Fill out this form, enclose a check for $25 (12 issues) and drop it in the mail to: Old Town Crier, PO Box 320386, Alexandria, Va. 22320

Name ___________________________________________________

Personality Profile

MESHELLE ARMSTRONG Fantastic Fierce, Funny,

Dining Out

RIVER BEND BISTRO

Cool, Classy, Casual Cuisine Business Profile

GREENSTREET &GARDENS Marigolds More than Mulch

Address _________________________________________________

Across the Bridge

NATIONAL HARBOR Spring Gearing Up for

City/State/Zip ____________________________________________ oldtowncrier.com

Old Town Crier

private yacht charter Cruise the waters of the Potomac River with its postcard views of the DC skyline.

Business entertainment, private parties, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries are our specialties.

We take the art of entertaining to a whole new level, no matter what the occasion.

You and your guests will remember the cruise for years to come. Quality service begins with custom planning to suit your needs.

potomac belle Docked in Old Town Alexandria

For reservations and additional information

703-868-5566 • potomacbelle.com “What a perfect evening you provided for my guests from out of town and out of the country. Your crew was helpful and professional, from working with my caterer to keeping safety uppermost.”

The Lamplighter Our staff has 3 generations of experience to assist you in your lamp and lamp shade needs!

1207 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.549.4040 www.lamplighterlamps.com Haircuts $15

A Very Good Price!

Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)

Good Haircut!

Beautiful Perm!

Long Lasting Color!

Van’s Hairstylists 107 North Washington Street (near corner of King & Washington streets)

703-836-1916

Monday-Friday 9 am-7 pm • Saturday 9 am-6 pm We care and will give you only the best!

Biolage • Vital Nutrient • Socolor • Matrix Perm • Paul Mitchell • Nexxus April 2015 | 3

Personality profile BOB TAGERT

George Surgent & The Patuxent Small Craft Guild

Y

ou may wonder why a boatbuilding program is the subject of a personality profile.

There are two reasons: If you have ever sailed a boat you understand that it not only has a personality but also a spirit. The other reason is George Surgent, the museum’s boatwright in charge of the whole program.

The Patuxent Small Craft Guild is part of the ongoing education offered at Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Md. I met with George a few weeks ago in his small office above the work in progress at the Patuxent 4 | April 2015

Small Craft Center, which is adjacent to the Small Craft Building, which houses about 20 old and restored boats ranging in size from a dugout canoe to the forty-five-foot draketail Penquin.

The Guild was established and became members of the museum in 1981. In the early days George became a volunteer to help and guide young people in the fine art of boat building.

As the organization grew, George became a paid staff member and today is the director of the Guild. Sitting across from George at his paperPERSONALITY PROFILE > PAGE 7

Old Town Crier

BizNotes The New and the Renewed in Old Town’s Hospitality Scene

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and Carr Hospitality’s Oliver Carr in the lobby of the new Hilton Garden Inn

The New

The Hilton Garden Inn is Alexandria’s newest hotel and the brand’s first property in the city. The new hotel, owned by Carr Hospitality, is located at 1620 Prince Street, in the heart of Old Town.

“We look forward to introducing our guests to the vibrant history and modern flair of Alexandria,” said Mary Anne Russell, general manager.

“Guests can experience chic dining, boutique shopping and sophisticated art galleries. The unique attractions of Alexandria are all within walking distance of our new location, and our nation’s capital is only a short subway ride away.”

Situated two blocks from King Street Metro station and minutes from Reagan National Airport, Potomac River waterfront and Mount Vernon,

Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town provides travelers with inviting social spaces and high-end amenities ensuring a great stay at an even greater value. The rooftop terrace offers stunning views stretching above the Alexandria skyline as far as the Washington Monument. Comfortable seating and wooden arbors in the terrace gardens provide guests an impressive social venue. The hotel also features a meeting room offering more than 603 square feet of flexible meeting space. Additionally, the hotel will be LEED certified, demonstrating the property’s commitment to sustainability through water and energy efficiency, material selection, environmental health and innovation in design.

The Renewed

Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Alexandria just completed a multimillion-dollar renovation to all guestrooms, suites, hallways and the living room, including the addition of a ridiculously awesome bridal suite named the Eleanor Suite, after Martha Washington’s granddaughter Eleanor Custis — one of Virginia’s most wellknown brides and socialites.

Luxurious rooms are part of the Monaco’s multimillion dollar renovation. photo: Ron Blunt

In the heart of the Colonial seaport George Washington once called home, Monaco Alexandria, a Kimpton Hotel stands out as a landmark fourstar luxury destination. Following an extensive renovation by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the six-story red-brick property has emerged as a 241-room jewel known for its high style and whimsy, pet-friendliness, and abundant amenities. General Washington’s legacy and the Civil War era subtly inform the spirit and décor of this boutique hotel, but its pampering personality and bold style are very much in the now. Monaco Alexandria is located at 480 King Street.

Flavors in Bloom Celebrating our 5th anniversary with blooming specials and colorful tastes of spring!

The Spice & Tea Exchange®

320 King Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 571-312-8505 | alexandria@spiceandtea.com spiceandtea.com Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 5

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

It’s Tax Time Tips for getting organized

A

sk many Americans about their experience with tax time and they are likely to describe lots of paperwork, confusing rules, and late nights on their computer. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Getting organized now — instead of waiting until the days before April 15— may help streamline your tax preparation and help you identify deductions that you might otherwise overlook in the last-minute rush.

You’ll need the right paperwork to get started (see box below), but you may want to consult a tax advisor to determine whether you need to consider additional factors that are unique to your situation.

After you have accounted for the most common aspects of tax preparation, dig a little deeper to discover other areas of your life that may offer tax breaks.

Parenthood

Children are not just a blessing to your family. They also bring with them a host of potential tax breaks.

• Dependency exemption. For the 2014 tax year you can deduct $3,950 for each qualifying child you claim as a dependent on your tax form. If your adjusted gross income is above a certain level, you may not receive the full exemption amount.

• Child Tax Credit. This credit can be worth as much as $1,000 per child under the age of 17 that you claimed as a dependent on your tax return.

For 2014, the amount of the credit begins to phase out for joint filers with adjusted gross incomes that exceed $110,000 and for single filers and heads-of-household whose income exceeds $75,000.

• Child Care Credit. If you paid childcare for a dependent child under age 13 so you could work, you can earn a credit of between $600 and $1,050 in 2014. If you are paying for the care of two or more children, the potential credit you can earn increases to between $1,200 and $2,100. As with most other tax breaks, the size of the credit depends on your income and, in the case of this particular credit, how much you pay for care. (You can count up to $3,000 for the care of one child and up to $6,000 for the care of two or more).1 • Adoption credit. If you adopted a child in 2014, you can claim a credit of up to $13,190 help offset the cost. Income phase-outs apply for adjusted gross incomes that range from $197,880 to $237,880.1

Lesser-Known Deductions

You may be able to benefit from either a tax deduction or a tax credit if

Tax Preparation Documents Document: Form W-2 from your employer Why You Need It: The starting point for determining your taxable income.

Document: Form 1099 and other statements from investment firms Why You Need It: Helps you compute capital g ains, which are taxable, or capital losses, which you may be able to deduct. Dividends and interest are taxable at ordinary income tax rates. Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax deductible if you meet income thresholds established by the IRS. Document: Real estate records Why You Need It: You may be able to deduct mortgage interest and real estate taxes. Expenses associated with investment real estate may be deductible. If you s ell real estate at a profit, you may be required to pay taxes on a portion of the gain.

After you have accounted for the most common aspects of tax preparation, dig a little deeper to discover other areas of your life that may offer tax breaks. you had any of these types of expenses during 2014.

• Purchased an electric car or plug-in hybrid.

• Had student loan debt paid by parents.

• Had out-of-pocket expenses related to a job search.

• Had moving expenses associated with a first job.

• Were self-employed and paid Medicare premiums.

• Had jury duty pay that was surrendered to employer.

• Utilized the American Opportunity Credit and/or other governmentsponsored education programs to pay for education expenses.

• Made energy-saving home improvements.

These are just a few of the tax savings that may await you come April 15. Of course, your individual circumstances will determine if you are eligible for these and other tax breaks. Your tax professional should be able to provide more information on what you do and don’t qualify for.

This communication is not intended to be tax advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual’s situation is different. You should contact your tax professional to discuss your personal situation.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc. or its sources,

neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content. © 2015 Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved.

This column is provided through the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community, and is brought to you by Carl M. Trevisan, a local member of FPA and Stephen M. Bearce. McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC and their employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any tax-related statements are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, by any such taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Tax-based statements, if any, may have been written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the transaction (s) or matter(s) addressed by these materials, to the extent allowed by applicable law. Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Securities offered by McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and investment advisory services offered by McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC.

1 Source: TurboTax, "Birth of a Child," updated for tax year 2014.

6 | April 2015

Old Town Crier

Coleman Law Group Attorneys at Law

PERSONALITY PROFILE FROM PAGE 4

strewn desk, he obviously appeared to be a very busy man, and he is. His eyes would light up behind his glasses as he told me of his love of boats.

The Guild is made up of volunteers who are constantly involved with projects from building new boats or restoring old ones. Volunteers and members of the guild usually do the restoration work, while anyone can build a canoe or 12foot skiff under the guidance of the members.

For a fee of $600 for Calvert Marine Museum

can have a sailing version, including sail, spars, dagger board, and rudder. The classes require two Saturdays and the project is done.

Another project the Guild is working on is a reproduction of the 1939 Ped-L-Craft. M.M. Davis in Solomons built these pedal boats for the 1939 New York World’s Fair and other locations including Washington, DC (think Tidal Basin) and Philadelphia. A good number of these boats were built in a six-month period and some remained in operation until the

Serving Virginia and DC for over 20 years (703) 739-4200 coleman-lawyers.com 602 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314

If you have ever sailed a boat you understand that it not only has a personality but also a spirit. members and $650 for non-members, you can build a 16-foot wooden canoe. With the “Build a Canoe Appointment” program, you give them two days and you can build a boat. The fee includes all materials necessary to complete one canoe and paddles. There is no experience necessary, as the members will guide you through the process.

The Guild also offers a similar class in building a 12-foot rowing skiff. The cost for the skiff is $950 for CMM members and $1,000 for non-members. For an additional $800 you

1960s.

On the day I was at the Center, there were about 10 members busily working on the boats that were either being built or restored. Some members were even repairing and putting fiberglass (bad word in that shop) on someone’s rowing dinghy that was paying to have the work done. This is another way the Guild can raise money for on-going programs.

The Center is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and folks are invited to take a look around, or better yet, build a boat.

JAZZ 4 Justice Tuesday, April 7, 2015 @ 7:30pm Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center 3001 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 Call or email the Alexandria Bar Association at (703) 548-1106 or alexbar@alexandriabarva.org for tickets and sponsorship information.

Old Town Crier

Old TOwn Shoe & luggage Repair • Serving Alexandria for over 17 years • Shoe & Luggage Repair • New Luggage

824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm

Follow us ON Facebook facebook.com/oldtowncrier April 2015 | 7

a bit of history sarah becker©

Alexandria & The Civil War

“L

Lewis McKenzie 1810-1895

ike so many individual participants in the national blood-letting, Alexandrians going to [civil] war were simply fulfilling their duty, upholding personal honor, not caught up in the political argument over a state’s right to secede or the moral argument of owning slaves,” George Kundahl wrote. Until President Lincoln responded to the Confederate firing on Ft. Sumter in April 1861.

“I have received your communication, mailed [April 15th] in which I am requested to detach from the Militia of the State of Virginia ’the quota designated in a table,’ which you append, ’to serve as infantry or riflemen for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged,’” Governor John Letcher

President Abraham Lincoln enters Richmond (April 4, 1865)

8 | April 2015

wrote the Secretary of War on April 16, 1861. The Secretary asked the states for 75,000 soldiers.

“In reply…I have only to say that the Militia of Virginia will not be furnished to the powers at Washington for any such use or purpose as they have in view,” Letcher continued. “Your object is to subjugate the Southern states, and a requisition made upon me for such an object—an object, in my judgment, not within the purview of the Constitution or the Act of 1795, will not be complied with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil war and, having done so, we will meet it in a spirit as determined by the Administration and exhibited towards the South.” Like South Carolina before, Virginia seceded from the Union.

During the Civil War, Alexandria, occupied as of May 24, 1861, functioned primarily as a military base. Railroads and the Potomac waterway combined to form a Federal transportation hub. In 1861 three railroads entered Alexandria.

Another operated river steamers between its rail terminus at Aquia Creek and the city.

“We landed at Alexandria and saw as melancholy and miserable a town as the mind of man can conceive,” Anthony Trollope wrote in the winter of 1861-1862. “The people were all Secessionists, but the town was held by the northern party. Through the lines, into Virginia, they could not go at all. Up to Washington they could not go without a military pass…Here trade was killed altogether—except that absolutely necessary trade of bread.”

Food and fuel were scarce. Owners of town lots were encouraged to cultivate gardens. Food prices were high and civilians traded little.

“We are sorry to learn that your

business is so much depressed that you cannot pay at maturity the small amt. you owe us,” New York’s Baxter & Co. wrote Alexandria’s Leadbeater & Co. in September 1861. “The evil effects of the [civil] war bear probably much more heavily on us than they do on you because we have large amounts due us at the south; we have not lost all confidence in our southern customers for many of them we think are men of integrity; and as for the War or its effects, we are not in any way responsible.”

Union occupiers required Leadbeater & Co., all of Alexandria’s businesses to purchase new licenses. The application included an oath of allegiance to the United States. Restored Virginia’s oath read: “Alexandria County—to wit: I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the laws made in pursuance thereof, as the supreme law of the land, anything in the Constitution and laws of the State of Virginia, or in the Ordinance of Convention which assembled at Richmond, on the 13th of February, 1861, to the contrary notwithstanding; and I will uphold and defend the Government of Virginia as vindicated and restored by the Convention which assembled at Wheeling, on the 11th day of June, 1861.” A signed loyalty oath was also needed to secure a travel pass, to fish in the Potomac River, or hold political office.

“I am induced to subscribe the oath affirmation as a condition on which I can transact my business…because there are many prescriptions…in the store of Leadbeater & Co. given by physicians which require renewal daily—for the sick,” Mary Leadbeater wrote May 27, 1862.

Not all southerners were seriously invested in slavery. In 1862 President Old Town Crier

civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

Appomattox:Almost the End

I

n late March of 1865, Grant threatens Lee’s supply line to Petersburg, meaning that Lee’s army is now in danger of being enveloped and starved into submission. Lee characteristically chooses to go on the offensive. At about four in the morning on March 25th, Confederates masquerading as deserters surged out of the darkness before Fort Stedman. Follow-on troops overrun the fort and punch a hole in the Union lines 1000 feet wide. Lee’s ultimate objective is very ambitious – to seize and destroy the Federal supply depot at City Point.

But then the attack slows and fizzles, the Yankee artillery pounding the captured fort until a counterattack pushes the Confederates back into their own lines. The breakout lasts just four hours. Grant loses about 1000 men, Lee about 4000 – this at a time when Lee was already outnumbered about 125,000 to 50,000.

On March 31 Grant goes on the offensive. He severs Lee’s supply line

on Boydton Plank Road. The attack cuts off about 10,000 Confederates at Five Forks under General Pickett.

Sheridan pounces with cavalry, but his unsupported troopers cannot overcome Pickett’s veterans and are driven back at Dinwiddie Courthouse.

But the next day Warren’s corps arrives with infantry and gets behind the Confederate line. It turns into a route. With the Petersburg line about to become enveloped, Lee reports to Jefferson Davis on April 2nd that he will abandon Petersburg and can no longer protect Richmond. The Confederate government evacuates; the final capital will be Danville, then wherever Jefferson Davis lays his head.

On April 3rd, Union troops occupy Petersburg and Richmond. Ironically, the mayor actually begs the Yankees to occupy the city to put out the fires set by the retreating army, gutting the downtown area. On April 4th, Lincoln visits the White House of the Confederacy and is cheered by crowds of newly freed slaves. His security

Confederate killed in April 2 breakout at Petersburg.

photo: Thomas C. Roche, Library of Congress

Old Town Crier

Richmond after the fire of April 1865

team consists of ten soldiers.

Lee’s last hope is to make it to Lynchburg, where forts and a supply depot await him. As his army marches towards Lynchburg, Sheridan’s cavalry gets in front of him, while he has the entire Army of the Potomac on his heels. On April 3rd, Custer’s cavalry clashes with Fitzhugh Lee’s rearguard at Namozine Church; Custer loses almost 100 men, but captures over 600 Confederates. On April 4th, there is fighting at Tabernacle Church and Amelia Courthouse. Yankee cavalry has occupied the train stations at Burkeville and Jetersville to deny Lee railway support. On April 5, there is a skirmish at Amelia Springs following a Yankee raid burning Confederate supply wagons. On April 6th, Longstreet arrives at Rice’s Station to find the tracks blocked by cavalry.

The pressure is continuous and relentless. The Yankee cavalry forged in the Gettysburg and Shenandoah campaigns is now being used with game-ending efficiency.

On April 6, nearly a quarter of Lee’s

photo: Mathew Brady, National Archives

army is cut off by Yankee cavalry and supporting infantry at Saylor’s Creek near Farmville; Lee loses 7,700 men in a day. As the survivors limp past Lee, he exclaims: “My God, has the army dissolved?” This will prove to be the last major engagement of the war.

On April 6 and 7, retreating Confederates attempted to block the pursuit by burning the High Bridge over the Appomattox River. The rearguard action costs the Yankees over 800 men, but they put out the fire and cross, leaving Lee’s men no time to consume the rations waiting for them in Farmville. Later that afternoon there is a skirmish at Cumberland Church near Farmville; Lee won, making this his final victory, small though it was.

On April 4, Lee had telegraphed the quartermaster at Lynchburg to send trains with supplies to Appomattox station. Wire-tapping Yankee cavalry intercept this message; they forward it to the Confederate quartermaster.

CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 42

April 2015 | 9

HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON

Cannot.

Stop.

Listening.

Steven Wilson: Cannot. Erase.

10 | April 2015

If

prog were to have a reigning king, that title would surely be bestowed upon Steven Wilson without any opposition, no doubt. Primarily known for over 20 years as the mastermind behind Porcupine Tree, Wilson completely changed the face of prog in ways that has made it more relevant, more original, and more successful than ever. In addition to his work with Porcupine Tree, Wilson has also spent almost thirty years as one half of noman (the influential synth-pop duo with Tim Bowness) as well as projects such as Bass Communion, IEM, Blackfield (a successful collaboration with Israeli superstar Aviv Geffen) and Storm Corrosion — his 2012 album with Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt.

If that wasn’t enough, Wilson has also become an in-demand producer, having been responsible for remixing the entire King Crimson catalog, as well as classic albums by Yes, Jethro Tull, and others, and is revered in the audiophile community for those projects.

And, yet he still has time for solo albums.

Following 2013’s mind-bogglinglyamazing The Raven That Refused To Sing (and other stories), Steve put his solo band to task on this new set which stands damn near, if not at, the very top of his entire output. Fans of every facet of Wilson’s style will find something to love on this album, from the ambient to the heavy. It’s like he looked at everything he’s done before and decided to better it.

Building from a sound sculpture, the opening “First Regret” sets the mood with sparse piano and a subtle beat before drifting right into the epic, “3 Years Older,” which comes in sounding not all that different from Permanent Waves-era Rush, with further detours through Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, and perhaps even a little Crosby Stills & Nash. But with all those influences, this still sounds like Steven Wilson. While never one to write particularly happy songs, there’s a certain mood in this, and the other songs on the album, that sounds

considerably less dystopian than a lot of his work. This is clever music that sounds like it was fun to write, and even more fun to play.

Oh yeah, and the playing. My, oh my, this band is tight. All the musicians are established in their own right — guitar wizard Guthrie Govan (Asia, Aristocrats), bassist Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo, Iona), jazz keyboard virtuoso Adam Holzman, and the great Marco Minneman on drums.

Originally assembled for dates to support 2011’s Grace For Drowning, this band has had time to morph into a formidable unit, sounding like they’ve always played together.

Fans of early PT albums like The Sky Moves Sideways will totally love the dark groove of “Perfect Life,” featuring a spoken-word appearance by classical powerhouse Katherine Jenkins, and an absolutely gorgeous vocal refrain that builds and builds into something akin to nirvana. The title track, on the other hand, is an almost perfect pop song that betters pretty much anything on Lightbulb Sun. One of my favorite tracks.

The multi-sectioned “Routine” begins with a long acoustic-driven movement with Mellotron and piano and a haunting vocal cameo by Israeli pop star Ninet Tayeb, that moves into some explosive instrumental passages that rival anything done by Genesis, Pink Floyd, or Rush. Tayeb wails amidst the musical grandeur in a way that bands like Touchstone can only dream of, before Wilson sings us back out on a quiet, reflective, and hopeful note.

Wilson, as always, is in perfect voice.

One of my favorite singers, the way he is able to carry such dramatic music without ever resorting to shouting or gut-wailing is a special talent.

He sounds cool and calculated, yet brutally honest in his crystal-clear delivery and I love him for it.

The razor-sharp math-rock of “Home Invasion” is jarring at first but it cooks. All that time spent deep in the King Crimson vault has surely paid off. This is some seriously intense playing. The vocals don’t come in til

about the four-minute mark and it gets kinda funky, with a punchy vocal

by Wilson and some good fuzz on the guitar, and a nice spaced-out ending that segues right into the chilled-out groove of “Regret #9.” Featuring a killer solo by Holzman and amazing guitar work from Wilson, this jam more than cements this album’s status as a masterpiece. The ambient banjo in the outro confirms it.

Short and sweet, “Transience” has a spooky, old-English folk feel to it.

Subtle, yet intricate, the fingerstyle guitar carries you like waves, and the bass pedal bombs send you soaring. “…this is only the start,” Wilson sings at the end. And once you hear what comes next, you’ll know exactly what that means.

Clocking in at 13:33, “Ancestral” starts out sounding like an ambient remix of some lost Sgt. Pepper outtake before the band kicks in about four minutes in, laying down a dark, slow, heavy vibe, setting Wilson up for one of his best guitar solos of the record. Ninet Tayeb makes another appearance before the band begins flying through an intricate musical maze, full of sinister twists and turns.

This is seriously some of the most impressive stuff I’ve ever heard.

A whirlwind of that magnitude commands a breath of fresh air and Wilson does not disappoint. “Happy Returns,” with its light piano and strummed acoustic, reminds me of 1999’s Stupid Dream, but with one of the most personal, reflective lyrics I’ve ever heard from Wilson — “the years they pass like trains / I wave and they don’t slow down.” I think we all can relate to that.

Closing out the album, “Ascendant Here On” … light piano and choir taking us out in a most tranquil fashion.

While Wilson has not ruled out an eventual return of Porcupine Tree, it seems he’s enjoying the freedom of solo work, and the success it’s been bringing him. It’s obviously working.

With this album, Steven Wilson has reached a new peak in his career. This is a true work of art.

Old Town Crier

AFTER AFTER HOURS HOURS

Birchmere 703.549.7500 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com

Las Tapas 703.836.4000 710-714 King St. lastapas.us

Carlyle Club 411 John Carlyle Dr. 703-549-8957 thecarlyleclub.com

The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. thelighthorserestaurant.com

Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442

Morrison House 703.838.8000 116 South Alfred St.

Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com

The Fish Market 703.836.5676 105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com Flying Fish 703.600.FISH 815 King St. flyingfishdc.com

OConnells 703.739.1124 112 King St. Rock It Grill 703.739.2274 1319 King St.

Austin Grill & Tequila Bar 703.836.8969 801 King St. Southside 815 703.836.6222 815 S. Washington St. St. Elmos 703.739.9268 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Taverna Cretekou 703.548.8688 818 King St. TJ Stones 703.548.1004 608 Montgomery St. tjstones.com Trattoria da Franco 703-548-9338 305 S. Washington St. Two Nineteen 703.549.1141 219 King St.

King Street Blues 703.836.8800 112 N. St. Asaph St.

Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com

La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St.

These establishments offer live entertainment. Call to confirm show times, dates and cover charges. Check our advertisers’ websites.

A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PG 8

Abraham Lincoln, relying on his war powers, responded to Virginia’s repeated intrastate disputes and approved West Virginia’s admission into the Union. Northwestern and eastern Virginia divided politically; over issues like voting rights, abolitionism and industrialization.

In August 1863 Wheeling became the capital of the State of West Virginia, and the capital of the Union-friendly restored government of Virginia moved from Wheeling to the federally-occupied city of Alexandria. Richmond remained the capital of seceded Virginia and the Confederate States of America. The military repeatedly criticized the Alexandria Gazette for its dual coverage of Alexandria and Richmond politics.

Restored Governor of Virginia Francis H. Pierpont—a lawyer, northwestern Virginia coal operator, and anti-slavery Whig— also moved to Alexandria in 1863. Mayor Lewis McKenzie, Unionist Congressman Lewis McKenzie and First Ward Alderman Lewis McKenzie welcomed him. Pierpont established his executive offices in the Farmer’s Bank Building.

McKenzie, born October 7, 1810, was a lifelong Alexandrian; a byproduct of Virginia’s antebellum south and an abolitionist repulsed by the city’s slave trade. In 1864 the restored government [seven Virginia counties] called a Convention. The attendees acknowledged the 35th State of West of Virginia, adopted an amended constitution, and abolished slavery.

“There have been few Alexandrians whose Old Town Crier

fortunes, political and otherwise, waxed and waned more than Mr. McKenzie’s,” the Alexandria Gazette and Advertiser reported upon his death in 1895. “Like many prominent men, he had his peculiarities, paradoxes, inconsistencies and freaks.” Lewis McKenzie was a Presbyterian, Prince Street homeowner, and “ardent Unionist.”

“Slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest,” President Lincoln said in his March 4, 1865 Inaugural Address. “All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the [Confederate] object….”

Lincoln, his April 15, 1865 assassination “brought the civil war substantially to a close.”

By 1865 war operations no longer included Alexandria and on July 7 the military departed the city. News of Richmond’s collapse, General Robert E. Lee’s April 9 surrender, and Old Glory’s return to Ft. Sumter confirmed the cessation. Restored Governor Francis H. Pierpont relocated to Richmond; politician Lewis McKenzie, also a railroad executive, returned to Congress, and Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby, 43rd Battalion of Partisan Rangers, willingly supported Republican President Ulysses S. Grant following passage of the General Amnesty Act of 1872.

Reconstruction ended with the Compromise of 1877.

Sarah Becker can be reached at: abitofhistory53@ gmail.com

April 2015 | 11

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

Somewhere in Time

I

n 1980, the movie Somewhere in Time became one of the classic romantic films of its era, with a timeless theme and gorgeous musical score.

Christopher Reeve plays a young Chicago playwright intrigued by an elegant older lady who comes up to him at a party, asking him to return in time to her. Upon finding pictures of her as a beautiful young woman at a hotel in Michigan, he finds a way to

go back in time to meet her, played by Jane Seymour, in 1912. Author Diana Gabaldon uses a different technique with her first historical novel, Outlander, and the many sequels she has written to continue the adventures of her main characters, Claire and Jamie. They also meet, as if by fate, somewhere in time.

She expands on this idea in multifaceted ways with these sequels, using it to create a series worth any reader’s time.

While Gabaldon’s

CaribBean Mystery and intrigue

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

AvAilAble from AmAzon in pAperbAck ($10.97) or As A kindle downloAd

12 | April 2015

atmosphere and methods are not the full-blown romance of the aforementioned film, she is successful in creating a historical romance that is down-to-earth, funny, lovely, and at times poetic. Some may call these books fantasy, but they are definitely not aimed at a hard-core fantasy market.

Thoroughly enjoyable, this historical fiction suspends disbelief and whisks readers away from mundane existence while helping them feel they know these people, or would even like them as friends.

Claire Beauchamp Randall is a practical former nurse back from France after World War II, having recently rejoined her husband, Frank, an historian who worked for the British spy agency MI6 during the war and has taken up an appointment at Oxford.

In Scotland on a working holiday, she collects botanical specimens while her husband researches his six-times greatgrandfather, a British officer in charge of keeping savage Scottish clans in line. While on a trip collecting herbs that heal near a Neolithic circle of stones reminiscent of Stonehenge, she accidentally leans upon a tall stone, only to find herself whirled two centuries into the past, from 1946 to a small battle in 1743 in the Scottish Highlands.

As if this turn of events is not sufficiently bizarre, she quickly encounters a man who looks like her husband, the English dragoon Jonathan Randall, his ancestor. Quickly kidnapped from him by a band of Scottish cattle rustlers, Claire’s intelligence, natural courage and presence of mind lead her to create a temporary story that will help her pass in this strange society as a type of healer. In the process, she helps heal Jamie Fraser, a tall young red-headed warrior who is loathe to reveal his true identity to her and even

others at the Scottish castle of the MacKenzie clan, since he is suspected of murder.

All the while she tries to defray suspicions that she is either an English or French spy while taking stock of her surroundings and trying to get back to the standing stones that brought her to the eighteenth century.

Gabaldon is a wonderful natural storyteller, who indulges in a richness of detail that seams together historical, anthropological, medicinal, botanical, socioeconomic, and other well-researched facts about the places and people who overflow her books.

In telling Claire and Jamie’s story, she makes them the consummate travelers, able to adapt to environments as diverse as the open Highlands, Edinburgh, a Scottish castle, seamy seaports, or a townhouse in aristocratic Paris where Bonnie Prince Charlie seeks to gather funds and an army to retake his throne from the English.

In addition, she gives them possession of an unexpected love that surpasses mundane realities and terrors while allowing the two to survive them. There is a touch of a ghostly quality to their bond and the way it manages to survive across centuries. Also, while a few they encounter are themselves eerie, evil, or mystic, they are never anything but full-blooded, adventurous, ardently loving or angry, and humorous towards one another.

Gabaldon shows her skill in the way Jamie and Claire’s conversation alters subtly when they meet again after real time has passed, their more mature romantic conversation conveying the fear, terrible loneliness, and hardship they have experienced away from one another, and their renewed appreciation for what they have. A bodice may rip here

or there in this romance, but not without an accompanying joke or believable passion.

Gabaldon’s books do not easily fit into any category such as historical fiction, romance, fantasy, or ghost story, since they are their own unique amalgam of those genres.

In Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager, the second and third in the Outlander series, Gabaldon expands on the promise of the first book, advancing in time while covering other geographies and peoples encountered by the pair, as well as involving others from Claire’s twentieth century. To avoid plot spoilers, I will cease my comments on all three books here. Gabaldon’s plotting skill keeps readers attentive to details in her books, as one character from one book may easily appear again like a jack-in-the-box in another.

Luckily finding a dull second in her writing is difficult, but truthful moments of beauty and humanity emerge at unexpected moments, along with the wistfulness that accompanies the passage of time.

I anticipate finishing this eight-book series myself, as I was only able to start and to read these three books this month. The cable network Starz features a televised series of Outlander, and I look forward to it now that I have drawn my own mental picture of the characters.

In short, readers with imagination will suspend disbelief for not only Gabaldon, but also her characters and their stories, however highly colored and prone toward constant adventure and misadventure.

These works are popular, blood-stirring fiction at its best, the way adventure novels like The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas were in their day.

Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN LANI GERING

April Showers (and Pruning & Prep) Bring May Flowers marigolds, zinnias in the garden.

When all frost danger has passed you can move your stored fuchsias and geraniums outdoors. Trim them back, feed and re-pot if necessary. Water them well.

When they have finished blooming, you should deadhead your spring flowering bulbs. Do not cut off the green foliage yet! These green leaves continue to grow for a few weeks, and provide the bulb with food for flowering next year.

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

Hybrid Tea Roses should be fertilized prior to buds beginning to bloom. Using a systemic fertilizer will help prevent insect infestation later in the summer, as it feeds your rose.

Plant new rosebushes before growth starts and buds swell.

If you have a pond or pool you should set aquatic plants any time after the middle of the month.

The Lawn

Shrubs & Trees

There still is time to plant trees and shrubs. However, by mid month it will be a little late to transplant large trees or shrubs, so do them now.

The months of March, April and May are ideal for pruning evergreens.

So if you have a Juniper, Cypress or conifer that need shearing or pruning this is a good time to accomplish this task. Remove all dead, diseased, and undesirable wood. However, do not prune back into the bare wood part of the plant.

Prune your Forsythia after it finishes

Old Town Crier

flowering.

Broadleaf and needle leaf evergreens benefit most from lightly spreading a high nitrogen fertilizer around their bases.

Perennials, Annuals & Bulbs

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

Plant annual seeds of asters, cosmos,

The application of a spring type of lawn fertilizer should perk up the lawn and improve its over-all color and appearance. If there is moss growing in the lawn, use spring lawn fertilizer that has the moss-killer included, so you can do both jobs in one easy application.

Spring is also a good time to thatch and over-seed the lawn. Thatch buildup can smother your lawn and provide an environment for diseases.

Remove thatch with a brisk raking, or with a de-thatching machine. Over seeding will help fill-in the lawn and deter the re-growth of moss and weeds. Use about one pound of quality grass seed for every 300 square feet of lawn area. Apply a light compost or soil over the seed to keep it moist and in place.

Aerating the lawn will allow water to penetrate deeper into the lawn soil and reduce the need to water during the dryer months ahead. Use a garden fork and punch holes over the surface of your lawn.

As mowing becomes necessary, be certain that the blade is sharp to prevent tearing the grass tips. Set the blade on your lawnmower to cut the grass at 2½ inches to avoid scalping (a mulching blade will eliminate the need to rake or bag the clippings, prevent thatch buildup, and the clippings will provide food for the lawn).

Houseplants

Rotate your houseplants so that each side receives its share of light, for even growth and a balanced shape.

As the sun’s rays strengthen, some plants, such as African Violets, may need to be moved away from a southfacing window to avoid leaf scorch.

Spring-cleaning your plants will keep them beautiful and help to avoid diseases. Remove any spent flowers, dead leaves or branches, or any yellowing leaves. Rinse the dust from the leaves with the kitchen sprayer.

Clean leaves allow the plant to breathe!

Pinching back the tips of foliage plants will stimulate new growth and make your plant fuller and bushier.

If you keep a Coleus as a houseplant you can still start cuttings for transplant to the garden. Use a sharp clean knife to cut the stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lowest leaves, dip the cut end into a rooting hormone and insert it into some fresh, sterile potting soil. These cuttings will be ready to use as a bright garden accent by early June.

This column provided courtesy of The Fairy Garden. For a full range of gardening tips and all other aspects of gardening check out the website: fairygarden.com.

April 2015 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO & amy marx

Phyllis Plattner Gods of War

Chronicles Saints and Martyr

Chronicles Heads and Hands

Last month I had rotator cuff surgery and my right arm is pretty much out of commission for 6-8 weeks, and thus I asked DC area artist Amy Marx (www. amymarx.com) to guest review a show.

What follows is her review of Phyllis Plattner’s recent show at American University’s Katzen Museum.

his feet. Goya’s emotionally charged depiction of this man’s last minutes of life was unprecedented. The painting graphically illustrates the Spanish resistance to Napoleon’s invasion and occupation in the Peninsular War. Art historian Kenneth Clark has said this is “the first great picture that can be called revolutionary in every sense of the word, in style, in subject, and in intention.”

In 2001 Phyllis Plattner began the creation of a series of artworks in which she made meticulously rendered copies of art historical paintings in the style of the original artist, and photographs culled from newspapers and magazines.

In “Chronicles of War, Saints and Martyrs” she utilized Goya’s historic

renders “Liberty” in feminine form leading the people over the dead bodies of the old order, in one hand holding aloft the tri-color flag of the French Revolution, the epic violent battle for freedom, and in the other hand she carries a bayoneted musket.

This iconic painting of the July 1830 Revolution depicts the overthrow of n 1770 Edmund Burke said, King Charles X of France. Delacroix “The only thing necessary wrote his brother: “If I haven’t fought for the triumph of evil is for for my country at least I’ll paint for good men to do nothing.” her.”

These words are as relevant In 1814 Francisco Goya painted today as they were then. There are, “The Shootings of the Third of May in the history of the visual arts, many 1808 in Madrid.” It is a gut-wrenching examples of artists “doing something,” portrayal of a man with arms upraised speaking in images rather than words. before a firing squad. He has an In 1830 Eugene Delacroix painted expression of horror on his face. His “Liberty Leading the People.” He comrades lie in a bloody heap at

I

14 | April 2015

painting, mentioned above, and amplified its effect. She placed Goya’s painting in the center of a sixteenpaneled piece. To the left of Goya’s work is the arrow-pierced Saint Sebastian, an early Christian martyr (288 AD) from “The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian” by Andrea Mantegna, (1480). On the right is Christ, blindfolded and bound, about to be scourged, painted by Van der Weyden, (1450). Further heightening the effect of “Chronicles of War, Saints and Martyrs” is a horizontal row of images along the bottom, a format known as predella panels. From left to right are painted the following: The Twin Towers ablaze on September 11, Christ’s feet nailed to the cross, the GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 42

Old Town Crier

20% OFF!

all plant & garden aprIl 17-27

It’sSpring!

OTC0415

Time to play in the dirt 915 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.684.1435 alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com Monday-Saturday 10-7 • Sunday 12-6

Art&Antiques ABACA IMPORTS 1120 North Fairfax St. 703-683-5800

ELDER CRAFTERS 405 Cameron St. 703-683-4338

JAMES WILHOIT ANTIQUES 227 S. Washington St. 703-683-6595

AMERICAN HERITAGE GALLERY 901 North Columbus St. 703-519-7869

FACTORY PHOTOWORKS 105 N. Union St. 703-683-1501

Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus St. (in the courtyard) 703-962-6266

THE ANTIQUE GUILD 113 N. Fairfax St. 703-836-1048 ARTCRAFT 132 King St. 703-299-6616 ARTS AFIRE GLASS GALLERY 1117 King St. 703-548-1197 THE ATHENAEM 201 Prince St. 703-548-0035 AUBURN ARTS GALLERY 110 South Columbus St. 703-548-1932 BANANA TREE 1223 King St. 703-836-4317 BELGRAVIA FINE ART 411 Cameron St. 703-549-2011 BIRD-IN-THE-CAGE ANTIQUES 110 King St. 703-549-5114

FINE OLD POSTERS 1015 King St. 703-684-3656 FIVE OAKS ANTIQUES 2413 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-7006 FOLIOGRAPH GALLERY 217 King St. 703-683-1501 FRASER GALLERY 7700 Wisconsin Blvd.

Suite E Bethesda 301-718-9651 FRENCH COUNTRY ANTIQUES 1000 King St. 703-548-8563 GALLERY G 215 King St. 703-836-5400 GALLERY INDIGO 1607 King St. 703-838-8098 GALLERY LAFAYETTE 320 King St. 703-548-5266

BROCKETTS ROW ANTIQUES 277 South Washington St. 703-684-0464

GALLERIE LA TAJ 1010 King St. (Gadsby Arcade) 703-549-0508

THE CLASSICAL GALLERY 110 S. Columbus St. 703-836-7736

GALLERY WEST 1213 King St. 703-549-7359

CURZON HILL ANTIQUES 108 S. Columbus St. 703-684-0667

GOSSYPIA 325 Cameron St. 703-836-6969

DIEHL ANTIQUES 614 N. Washington St. 703-706-8191

IMAGINE ARTWEAR 1124 King St. 703-548-1461

Old Town Crier

Kellys Art & Frame 510 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 703-549-3313

SPURGEON-LEWIS ANTIQUES 112 N. Columbus St. 703-548-4917 STUDIO ANTIQUES & ART 524 N. Washington St. 703-548-5188 STUDIO BIANCO 220 S. Henry St. 703-299-0662 TIME JUGGLER 411 Cameron St. 703-836-3594

MARIS ELAINE GALLERY 178 Waterfront St. National Harbor 301-686-0323

TORPEDO FACTORY ART CENTER 105 N. Union St. 703-838-4565

MINDFULL HANDS GALLERY 211 King St. 703-683-2074

TRASTEVERE 303 Cameron St. 703-683-9555

OLD COLONY SHOP 222-B S. Washington St. 703-548-8008

VAN BOMMEL ANTIEK HAUS 1007 King St. 703-683-4141 703-629-6521 by appt.

Steve Young, Proprietor

P & C ART 212 King St. 703-549-2525 PAUL McGEHEES GALLERY 109 North Fairfax St. 703-548-7729

THE VON BRAHLER LTD./GALLERY 1437 Powhatan St. 703-798-8686

POTOMAC WEST INTERIORS & ANTIQUES 1517 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-1911

WASHINGTON SQUARE ANTIQUES 689 S. Washington St. 703-836-3214

PRINCE ROYAL GALLERY 204 S. Royal St. 703-548-5151

Frida Kahlo

by F. Lennox Campello, circa 1981 limited edition of 10 signed and numbered etchings, 8 x 6.5” available from Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC Washington, DC e: info@alidaanderson.com p: 301.437.1054

feast your eyes. feed your soul.

THE PRINCIPLE GALLERY 208 King St. 703-739-9326 SCULPTURE GALLERY 115 S. Patrick St. Studio 303 703-683-5056 SILVERMAN GALLERIES ANTIQUES 110 N. Asaph St. 703-836-5363

visit a museum.

April 2015 | 15

POINTS ON PETS ASHLEY DENHAM BUSSE

King Street Cats Adoption Calendar APRIL 2015 For details & MORE INFO website: www.kingstreetcats.org email: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email for our Kitten Fostering FAQ at: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats 25 Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday & Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 pm Pro Feed Bradlee Shopping Center 3690 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 Every Saturday & Sunday 1- 4 pm PETCO UNLEASHED AT PENTAGON ROW 1101 S. Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 Saturday, April 4 Saturday, April 18 Sunday, April 19 1- 4 pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, April 4 1- 4 pm DOGMA 2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 Sunday, April 12 1- 4 pm barrett street library 717 Queen Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, April 11 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

16 | April 2015

Pet-Friendly Spring Cleaning

I

don’t know about you, but this time every year, when hints of spring are all around, when the temps are rising a bit and the sun is shining more, I get the urge to spring clean and refresh my home. If you’re reading this column, chances are you’re a pet-lover, so you may be interested to learn that there are lots of ways you can spring clean and refresh so that your pet is happier and more comfortable.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that pets are, in general, much more sensitive to toxins, fumes, and irritants than we humans are.

Consider the results of this study, by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), of products used in the home: “Dogs and cats were contaminated with 48 of 70 chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at higher levels than those typically found in people, according to our study of plastics and food packaging chemicals, heavy metals, fire retardants, and stain-proofing chemicals in pooled samples of blood and urine from 20 dogs and 37 cats collected at a Virginia veterinary clinic. In dogs, the average level of stain- and grease-proof coatings (perfluorochemicals) was 2.4 times higher.

In cats, fire retardants (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers or PBDEs) were 23 times higher, and Mercury was more than five times the amounts compared to average levels in people found in national studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and EWG. The study is the most comprehensive investigation of the chemical body burden of companion animals conducted to date, with 23 chemicals reported in pets for the first

time. The results reinforce findings from prior studies showing that pets’ unique behaviors may place them at risk for elevated exposures and health risks from chemicals pollutants in the home and outdoors, in air, water, food, soil and consumer products for people and pets.”

Scary, huh? But there are ways to keep your pets safe and healthy as you spring clean. Here are a few tips and precautions: • Remember that the cleaning supplies you use may have harsh chemicals or poisonous substances in them, so keep them out of reach of your pet, and don’t allow your pet around them until surfaces are dry. Ammonia, chlorine, laundry detergent, formaldehyde, phenols (like carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene and oxybenzene), and perchloroethylene are the worst; cats are sensitive to pine oil and birds to aerosols especially.

• Your pet may shed more now that the weather’s warming up, so stay on top of brushing and grooming. There’s no need to shave your pet down for warmer weather — in fact, his coat is designed to keep him cool and shaving him down may change his coat. If your pet’s shedding — and those tumbleweeds of dog fur — bother you, take him to a reputable groomer for a Furminator or similar de-shedding treatment.

• When you’re washing all your bedding, remember to wash your pet’s also.

• This is a good time of year to throw your pet’s toys in the dishwasher or washing machine for cleaning — get in the habit of doing this monthly (bowls and bedding should be washed more often, of course).

• Leave open containers of baking soda around the house — but out of reach of your pet — to eliminate stale odors.

These don’t emit harsh fumes like

chemical sprays or deodorizers.

• Don’t use the self-cleaning option on your oven — the fumes can be seriously harmful to your pets. If you must use the self-cleaning function, open the windows and remove your pet from the home.

• Open the windows and clean on a day where you can allow fresh air to breeze through and get rid of lung-burning fumes. But — especially if you live in a high-rise — ensure that your screens are in place and are functioning so that your pet doesn’t fall out. Even cats can be seriously injured by a fall from a window.

• Pets can have allergies too, so if you’re stirring up a lot of dust, consider having your pet visit a friend for the night in order to let the dust settle.

Short-nosed dog breeds like bulldogs and pugs can be particularly sensitive to respiratory irritants.

• And don’t forget about the outdoor threats: when spring hits and you start to spend more time in the yard, be aware of pesticides and other lawn treatments. Make sure your pet isn’t out in them when they’re freshly applied or — better yet — don’t use harsh chemical pesticides.

• DO keep up with flea, tick, and heartworm preventives, however, as the weather gets warmer and you spend more time outdoors.

• Many types of mulch and fertilizer can be harmful, too: make sure not to let your pet lick or eat fertilizers, mulch, and other interesting-smelling lawn items. It’s just a good idea to keep them from eating anything outdoors because you never know if it’s poisonous or toxic. Cocoa mulch can be especially enticing — and especially dangerous — so avoid using it.

Happy Spring, and happy cleaning!

Ashley Denham Busse has worked parttime for Doggywalker.com since 2006.

Doggywalker.com is a professional petsitting company located in Old Town Alexandria, celebrating more than 13 years of providing daily walks and customized inhome pet care. Visit www.doggywalker.com or email info@doggywalker.com.

Old Town Crier

DoggyWalker.Com is Hiring!

Pets of the Month

If you are available MondayFriday 11 a.m - 3:00 p.m, passionate and knowledgeable about dogs, and enjoy being outside - this could be the perfect job per for you!

For more informaaon email: sue@doggywalker.com

JEFF (A063499) Hi! My name is Jeff and I’m eager to find my forever family!

I’m a neutered male Dogue De Bordeaux mix, estimated to be about two years old. I love meeting new people and am always excited for playtime. Tug-of-war, fetch, tag - you name the game and I’m happy to play! If you’re looking for a goofy dog who will keep you active and on your toes, you can count on me!

BISCUIT (A063403) We would like to share our recipe for a terrific cat named Biscuit, who is sure to exceed your every expectation! He is a neutered male Domestic Shorthair, estimated to be about one year and 6 months old. Biscuit’s ingredients are: 4 cups of sugar (because he is so sweet!), 2 tbsp. of meows, 1 tsp. of catnip, ½ cup of tuna fish, plenty of water, and a pinch of magic. Follow these directions for a purrrrfect Biscuit: snuggle and pet him regularly between play sessions, let rest when needed, repeat. Whether or not you enjoy baking, Biscuit is sure to butter you up!

CHANGE A LIFE

Adopt

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

Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFFrey R. Mccord

DONKEYS

IN PARADISE

A

ssateague Island National Seashore, the 37 mile long pristine Atlantic barrier island straddling Virginia and Maryland, boasts world famous wild ponies. Fifteen hundred miles south, the Virgin Island archipelago, mostly thinly developed mountainous tropical islands has it’s not so famous, but well-loved feral donkeys.

Donkeys have been a key part of Virgin Island life for centuries. And, donkeys still have their day on the principle islands of St. Croix (US), St. Thomas (US), St. John (US), Tortola (UK), Virgin Gorda (UK) and Anegada (UK). About 300 of these “burros” roam the forests and yards of St. John, trimming roadside bushes, cutting grasses the old fashioned way and delighting tourists and residents alike. Anegada has also has a few

18 | April 2015

hundred donkeys among its 2,000 wild hoofed animals.

As transportation, they had (and still have) advantages over internal combustion engines that go beyond the price of fuel. An older gentlemen from St. Thomas laughingly told me their donkey would bring his father home on Saturday nights when he’d had too much rum to find his own way. When he was a boy, every family had a donkey. It was the only way, other than sailing, to get around the often steep, rugged island trails.

Sadly, donkeys are growing more scarce on some islands as jeeps and pick-up trucks replace their once dominant roles in personal and farm produce transport. Last August, a story in the British Virgin Islands Beacon, for instance, was headlined “Wanted: Donkeys.” The Beacon

quoted several native “belongers” who bemoaned the dearth of donkeys.

Tortola farmer Moviene Fahie explained how she tamed them: “I just talk with him, treat him good, feed him good, bathe him, shampoo him,” she said. “And he come tame.”

On nearby St. John, where twothirds of the island is the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park, the donkeys still thrive. But, they often need human friends. Ms. Dana Bartlett, owner of Carolina Corral in Coral Bay, is the islander most often called when a donkey is in trouble.

Last Saturday night (March 16) was a rough one for Coral Bay males (“Jacks”). “The dominant Jack in our neighborhood fell through plywood boards into a well not far from Skinny CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 19

Old Town Crier

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 18

Legs’ Bar and drowned,” Dana recalls.

“It was a bad way to go; but, what happened next was a fight between two males over who’d be the new top male. One Jack bit off a testicle of the other and he was bleeding badly.”

Dana was called by a local and she, in turn, called St. John veterinarian Laura Palminteri, owner of “Canines, Cats and Critters,” which has vet branch offices on St. Thomas and Tortola.

“Dana had the Jack lying along the road and quieted down by the time I arrived at about 8 pm,” Dr. Laura recalled. “I looked him over and tended to him in the headlights of my car. He’d lost too much blood to give him general anesthetic, so I gave him shots of Novocain and completed the castration.”

The now gelded Jack is recovering nicely in Carolina Coral, which has eight horses and nine donkeys, including two recent rescues. Aside from the Jack, a couple weeks ago someone called Dana about a female (“Jenny”) seen lying along Centerline road near St. John’s Carolina region, named after a large plantation during Danish days.

Dana arrived in the early evening and found the Jenny who’d struggled up a nearby dead-end lane. “She’d lost a hoof ­— probably caught in a drainage grate — and was bleeding. I tranquilized her with a syringe and

k

then wrapped the foot tightly and spent the night with her right there because she couldn’t be moved. Next morning, a friend and I moved her to Carolina Coral in a pick-up truck,” said Bartlett.

Dr. Laura, who stopped by to checkout the Jenny a day or two later, assures that “the hoof will grow back in three-to-six months.” She teamsup with Dana, as needed. “Generally, with feral donkeys, if Dana can touch them, I’ll do what needs to be done,” says the good doctor.

Last year, Dana called the doctor about a young donkey who’d been hit by a car, which resulted in a broken shin bone. “I called a friend, an equine specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, and decided to operate,” Dr. Laura recalled. “I put pins in the fracture secured by an external fixation device.”

The youngster took about three months to recover at Carolina Corral.

Dr. Laura, who has lived on St. John for 17 years, says Dana Bartlett deserves a lot of thanks and support for her rescue work.

Among other community services, each year Dana drives Santa Claus on a donkey cart to an island Christmas bazaar and festival. Dana, who grew up on an Ohio dairy farm and learned even more about animal husbandry during ten years in the local 4-H club, came to St. John in 1993.

“The Carolina Corral began with two native donkeys out of the wild

Ann Street Gardens

y

ey west getawa

that I tamed,” Dana says. “Donkeys have been running free here since plantation days. They were still used regularly until the 1970s for hauling water, wood and charcoal and for taking local children to school.”

For tourists and others, Dana provides horseback trail rides and donkey cart tours of St. John’s mostly wild and unspoiled Coral Bay region.

While no one knows for sure how the equally lovable, but wild, Assateague Island ponies came to live on that East Coast barrier island, we know how the donkeys arrived in the Caribbean. They came during Columbus’ second voyage to the New World (1493 to 1496) when he discovered and named the Virgin Islands and founded what would become the city of Santo Domingo on Hispaniola. Four Jacks and two Jennies were brought ashore in Hispaniola so they could mate and produce larger, stronger mules for work.

Through recent academic genetic research, we also know our Caribbean species is a direct descendant of the world’s first domesticated donkey herds in ancient Nubia (now southern Egypt, northern Sudan). Since they evolved in a hot desert climate, donkeys are well adapted for Central and South America where today about 20 percent (8 million) of the world’s donkeys live.

While the wild ponies of Assateague Island became famous

through the classic “Misty of Chincoteague” children’s novel, West Indian donkeys have a place in North American children’s hearts as well.

“Tingalayo” may be the most widely known Caribbean children’s song in the U.S. Here are a few of the lyrics: My donkey walk.

My donkey talk.

My donkey eat with a knife and fork.

Chorus: Tinagayo, Come little donkey come.

Tinagayo, Come little donkey come.

My donkey laugh.

My donkey sing.

My donkey wearin’ a diamond ring.

Repeat chorus.

Jeffrey R. McCord is a free-lance journalist and media relations consultant who has called Northern Virginia his home for more than 20 years. The author of “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” a quarterfinalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest, Mr. McCord’s articles on international economics and consumer protection have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Gannett newspapers and Truthout.org, among other publications. He now divides his time between Virginia and St. John, USVI

CLIFFHANGER

SEE OUR AY HOMEAW 5 AT 6 8 #2 29 LISTING AY.COM HOMEAW

As featured on HGTV and winner of “Bang For Your Buck” in St. Thomas. This recently renovated villa resides on the edge of a cliff 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the rocks below. The best location on the island—a private, secure, gated community of luxury villas—the villa offers spectacular views of the Atlantic and various islands including St. John, Jost Van Dyke and Tortola. The main house has 3 bedrooms with a detached cottage with its’ own queen size bed. Large deck, pool and spa.

Phone 703 628-9005 • Fax 703 765-5900

Key West Getaway One Block from Sloppy Joe’s Contact: historichideaways.com • 1-800-654-5131 Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 19

ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT & Lani Gering

THE MARITIME REPUBLIC OF EASTPORT MARYLAND MRE

20 | April 2015

W

e all know about Annapolis, Maryland. Great restaurants, unique shops, the Naval Academy, and sailboats everywhere…after all, Annapolis is considered America’s Sailing Capital. Spa Creek is one of the borders of Annapolis and on the other side is the community of Eastport. A bustling part of Annapolis today, but 20 years ago Eastport was more of an after thought. There were only a couple of watering holes with Davis Pub and Marmadukes being most poplar. Today Marmadukes has been replaced by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse while Davis Pub remains true to its’ roots.

Eastport is all about being on the water. The peninsula is surrounded on three sides by water. The farming community began to give way to streets and houses began to spring up in the 1800’s. The streets led to easier access for the watermen to the creeks. As the maritime industry began to grow, boat builders and sail makers moved to Eastport and sailors followed. Where the Charthouse Restaurant sits is the former site where the iconic Trumpy boats were built. In 1925, Trumpy built the Sequoia at the Camden, New Jersey yard, which would later serve as the Presidential yacht between 1933 and 1977. In 1947 the Trumpy yard was relocated to Eastport.

In 1998, the Maryland State Highway Administration temporarily shutdown the bridge from Annapolis to Eastport for needed repairs. Instead of whining about the loss of traffic and customers, a few of the locals got together over a few beers and formed the Maritime Republic of Eastport. The day the bridge was officially closed, the MRE had enlisted a few hundred reenactors complete with artillery and fired on Annapolis. The group then retreated to Leon’s barbershop where officials of MRE were elected and more beer was consumed. We are proud to be charter members of the MRE as “Ambassadors to the Commonwealth.”

The MRE flag features two retrievers, a heron and a crab.

They continue to sponsor many fundraisers, including the Old Town Crier

highly anticipated “Slaughter Across the Water,” an annual tug of war pitting Eastport groups against the folks across Spa Creek. The MRE also began the annual burning of the socks to celebrate the spring equinox and begins the sailing season.

“We like it this way” is our motto.

And we do. The goal was to foster a spirit of independence and merriment in a manner befitting the character of Eastport and at the same time, to celebrate Eastport’s proud heritage and quality of life. To learn more about the MRE, go to their website at www. themre.org. These creative folks took what might have been a huge disaster and turned it into an economic boom, and they are still active today.

We spent the night at a friends condo on Spa Creek but there are some very cute B&B’s in Eastport as well as the big chain hotels the likes Old Town Crier

of Marriot, etc. in Annapolis that are willing to provide you with shelter.

While Eastport is only 45 minutes away from Old Town Alexandria, staying overnight gave us the opportunity to experience some nightlife without having to consider a drive back to Alexandria after our adult beverage consumption. This is the way to do it! You don’t get the whole Eastport experience in just a day trip.

We started out at one of the oldest or maybe even “the” oldest bars in Eastport/Annapolis — the infamous Davis Pub. We usually order a crab cake sandwich here but opted for the steamed shrimp “Balmore” style along with an ice cold Natty Bo. (see photo) This was probably the best thing that has come down the pike in a long time.

This is a must stop during your trip since you get to rub elbows with the

locals — they are a very colorful bunch!

We then met up with old friends at the Eastport Yacht Club just to catch up.

One of those friends was Kevin Brooks of Eastport Oyster Boy fame and major MRE proponent and citizen. Was great to see him and get the latest news about Eastport’s premier band. We have featured them in our Bay section several times over the years. If you have a chance to see them perform while you are there, do it.

We rounded out our evening with appetizers and cocktails at the newest place in town, the Blackwall Hitch.

This is the forerunner to the Blackwall Hitch that will soon open in the old Torpedo Factory Food Pavilion space.

Two of the band members from a local favorite “The Cheaters” entertained the crowd with a great range of music.

The kind that makes you want to dance….and we did. Be sure to make this a stop.

The trip to the MRE wouldn’t be complete without a night cap at the Boatyard Bar & Grill. This is the place in town where you can meet up and “relax with local sailors, fisherman and all lovers of the Chesapeake”!

There are also other things to see and do besides eat and drink. They have a very fun market and café in the Leeward Market, the Annapolis Maritime Museum is located in Eastport as well as the Annapolis Maritime Antique store. There are small art galleries, and other fabulous restaurants to frequent but we only had so much time. You will note we didn’t provide street addresses since you can pretty much figure it all out once you are in Eastport. All it takes is a drive across the Spa Creek Bridge from Annapolis. That and the fact that everyone has that handy GPS or the MapQuest app on your iPhone.

Make a Road Trip to the MRE a priority this year!

April 2015 | 21

FROM THE BAY…

it’s spring boat show time on the bay!

Bay Bridge Boat Show April 17-19 Friday, April 17 10am - 6pm Saturday, April 18 10am - 6pm Sunday, April 19 10am - 5pm Adult One Day $12 Adult Two Day Combo $19 Children 12 & under FREE This show has secured commitments from more than 200 powerboats!

The boat list on the Annapolis Boat Shows website includes new and brokerage boats, almost all available for immediate sale. Demo boat rides, sponsored by PropTalk, will allow boat show goers to ‘try before they buy.’

“Each year as the show concludes, boat buyers complete their boat deals and are on the bay the next day,” said the show’s general manager Paul Jacobs.

“What could be better than a 22 | April 2015

summer on the Chesapeake in your new powerboat purchased and outfitted at the Bay Bridge Boat Show?”

Boats by leading powerboat manufacturers representing every imaginable size and style, including Center Consoles; Trawlers; Express Cruisers; Down East Cruisers; Pontoon Boats; Luxury Offshore Cruisers; Jet Skis & Jet Boats; Ski Boats; Bowriders; Bass Boats; Inflatables, Kayaks, SUPs and Canoes.

Lots of fun activities will provide something for everyone, including: Free Opening Day BBQ Bash Sponsored by Trident Funding Corporation and Black Dog Propellers featuring: Hemingway’s Carolina-style Barbecue Buffet; Live entertainment by the popular rock band, A Classic Case; Pool-side cash bar serving local craft beers including Dogfish Head Ale and Fin City Brewing; Gourmet chocolates courtesy of Parfections Chocolate; and Local craft brewers on-

hand to discuss their specialty brews.

The BBQ Bash begins at 5pm and is free to all ticket holders, exhibitors, and staff.

Lifetime Anglers Offer Fly Fishing & Casting Lessons and Demonstrate How to Build a Custom Rod: Joe Cap and Bill O’Brien of Shore Tackle and Custom Rods will illustrate fly fishing techniques, demonstrate how to cast a spinning rod, and explain the value of custom-built rods.

Eastern Shore Style Grilled Fish Cooking Demonstration: Brandon Gentry, Exec. Chef of Hemingway’s will prepare mouth-watering whole grilled fresh Chesapeake Bay rockfish fillets. Daily at 3:00 pm Focus on Fishermen: An impressive selection of new fishing boats, the latest center consoles, and affordable brokerage boats for immediate sale.

Tackle shop discounts include fishing gear and accessories.

Stand Up Paddleboard: Discover the newest fitness craze — SUP. Watch

Capital SUP perform daily dockside demos of the “gym on the water.”

Learn more about night paddling with LED lights illuminating the water from underneath — unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

Restored Historic Wooden Boats: See wooden classics, vintage race boats, and other antique boats displayed by Chesapeake Antique Classic Boat Society.

Visit the website to see more than $3000 in valuable door prizes donated by sponsors and exhibitors. There is on-site parking: $3 donation to Kent Island High School Athletic Boosters.

Food and drink will be available at the Pool Bar and an expanded food court and there will be a children’s area with face painting and a Moon Bounce. Free seminars provided

by Chesapeake Bay Magazine and Annapolis School of Seamanship.

The Bay Bridge Boat Show takes place in Stevensville, Md. FROM THE BAY > PAGE 26

Old Town Crier

CalvertCounty

DISCOVER

MARYLAND

ALEXANDRIA’S PLAYGROUND

Be Part of the Family!

Jerry’s Place is proudly family owned and operated

by Jerry, his children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Try our fresh, all-meat crab cake with absolutely zero filler, or any of our fresh fish featured daily.

Best Art Gallery

13480 Dowell Rd., Solomons, MD Open Daily: 10am-5pm annmariegarden.org

410.535.3242 1541 Solomons Island Road Route 4 Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Sculpture Garden & Arts Center Where Art & Nature Meet

VOTED BEST CRAB CAKES IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND 2012 Maryland Life

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS

LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC • CRAB CAKE SHIPPING DOG FRIENDLY OUTDOOR PATIO • SUNDAY BRUNCH • HALF PRICE WINE WEDNESDAY OUTDOOR DECK SEATING • TAKE OUT & CATERING • TRANSIENT SLIPS

STONEY’S KINGFISHERS SEAFOOD BAR & GRILL 14442 Solomons Island Road Solomons, Maryland 20688 SolomonsKingfisher@gmail.com

410.394.0236 EVERY WEDNESDAY JAZZ AND HALF PRICE WINE

Simply Extraordinary!

See our new Otter, Octopus, Aquariums, Museum Store and More

Calvert Marine Museum • 14200 Solomons Island Rd • Solomons, MD • www.calvertmarinemuseum.com • 10 am–5 pm daily Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 23

…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

Vicky Van Mater’s tailgate of a few years ago.

The Middleburg Hunt scarf is featured.

Hats On for Spring!

Virginia Race Schedule Saturday, April 4 12:00 noon Old Dominion Hounds Point to Point Ben Venue Farm, Ben Venue 540-364-4573 540-636-1507 Sunday, April 12 12:30 pm Loudoun Hunt Point to Point Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg 540-338-4031 Saturday, April 18 1:30 pm Middleburg Spring Races Glenwood Park, Middleburg 540-687-6545 504-687-6595 Saturday, April 25 1:00 pm Foxfield Spring Races, Charlottesville 434-293-9501 foxfieldraces.com Sunday, April 26 1:00 pm Middleburg Hunt Point to Point Glenwood Park, Middleburg 540-687-6069 540-454-2991 Saturday, May 2 1:00 pm Virginia Gold Cup Races Great Meadow,The Plains 540-347-2612 vagoldcup.com

24 | April 2015

Anne Sittmann, Nick Greenwell and Brandy Greenwell. Brandy is wearing the hat that won the 2014 competition.

T

ime for hats! In the words of the classic Irving Berlin song, “In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, you’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.” But Easter bonnets and fancy hats aren’t just for Easter Sunday. There’ll be plenty of chances all month long to show off at the many spring race meets in the Hunt Country, from Old Dominion Hounds’ point to point on April 4 to the Middleburg Hunt point to point on Sunday, April 26. And then, of course, the First Saturday in May falls on the 2nd this year. For most horse fans this means Derby Day unless, of course, you live in Virginia, where it’s Gold Cup day. For the gentlemen, hats are also appropriate as are bow ties, even for those who rarely or

never wear them.

Winter sank its talons deep into March, so several of the early point to points had to be postponed and/or rescheduled so April is a busy month with a race every weekend on the point to point circuit. Typically the dress is very casual at the early race meets, and hats tend to be those for warmth or rain protection, but with the spring weather, the dresses and hats come out. Dress should be appropriate to the weather conditions, especially footwear since the races, parking and tailgating areas are mostly farm fields.

Some of our favorite meets are Old Dominion’s on April 4th this year in Rappahannock County, Loudoun Hunt meet at Oatlands on April 12,

and Middleburg Hunt on April 26th at Glenwood Park in Middleburg. Old Dominion’s races usually coincide with the peak of blooming redbuds and dogwoods in early April and the course at Ben Venue offers spectacular views of both the races and the Blue Ridge mountains. The meet at Oatlands will have a ladies sidesaddle race this year. Middleburg’s meet is held at Glenwood the week after the big sanctioned Middleburg Spring Races.

Glenwood, a mile outside the town of Middleburg, is a grand old race course with stone grandstands under tall oaks and Middleburg’s races also offer prizes for the best hats, as well as a tailgate BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 25

Old Town Crier

FOR RENT: TWO FABULOUS CABINS IN THE SHENANDOAH MOUNTAINS OF LURAY, VIRGINIA! A BUCK’S VIEW

Sleeps 6 • Hot Tub • DirecTV Military and Wounded Warrior Discount

www.homeaway.com/3499538

A BUCK’S PEAK

Sleeps 10 • Hot Tub • DirecTV • Fully ADA Compliant Game Room • Military and Wounded Warrior Discount

www.vrbo.com/438245

PLEASE USE COUPON CODE

Visit the cabin websites to book online or email eyman15@gmail.com. Both cabins are approximately 90 minutes from Washington, DC and ready for your Shenandoah getaway!

CRIER1 WHEN INQUIRING ONLINE

BLUE RIDGE FROM PAGE 24

competition. The competition is intense, according to one member, because everyone wants the hunt-theme embroidered linen tablecloth that’s offered as the prize for the winner. More information on upcoming meets is listed below.

In case your Easter hat is dusty, outdated or you want something new this year for the races, a trip to the hunt country might be in order to score the perfect lid.

Most of the tack shops carry them; this is horse country after all so some of the feed shops even carry them. Tri County Feeds in Marshall (tricountyfeeds.com) and Horse Country Saddlery in Warrenton(horsecountrylife. com) might have what you need. Both have a nice selection of hats for the races, both equestrian-themed and otherwise, and men might even find the perfect tie or hacking jacket amongst their selections. In Middleburg, Patty Milligan designs custom and vintage hats, even those to match your race day or party outfits at her business Forget Me Nots; call or text her at 571-218-5901.

Old Town Crier

“Like our best friends’ home if our best friends were amazing chefs and knew exactly what we wanted before we asked.”

Trip Advisor

www.hopkinsordinary.com Sperryville, Virginia 540.987.3383 April 2015 | 25

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

Mountain trails, wineries and the Thornton River Grille.

Perfect day.

photos: G. Busick Photography

Located in historic downtown Little Washington, Tula’s offers a southern inspired menu, a full bar, and … Ping Pong!

tulasoffmain.com 540.675.2223 311 Gay Street Washington, VA 22747

3710 Sperryville Pike | Sperryville, Va. thorntonrivergrille.com | 540.987.8185

FROM THE BAY FROM PG 22

The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show April 24-26 Friday, April 24 Saturday, April 25 Sunday, April 26

10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 5pm

Adult One Day $12 Adult Two Day Combo $19 Children12 & under FREE This in water show will feature nearly 80 sailboats available for immediate sale — new and brokerage — including catamarans, mono-hulls, racing boats, family cruisers, day sailors, yachts, and many more boat displays on land.

Always a picturesque spring weekend in the charming historic seaport, this is the first opportunity of the year for experienced and novice sailors to shop for the latest in equipment, electronics, clothing, inflatables, boating accessories and gear of all kinds at the 100+ on-land nautical exhibits.

26 | February 2015

“This isn’t just any boat show,” said Paul Jacobs, president and general manager. “The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show is a multifaceted maritime experience. There are boat tours, sailboat rides, sailing lessons, historic tours, Naval Academy tours, Maryland crab cakes, blue crabs, raw bars, craft beers, painkillers, and breathtaking views.”

Lots of fun activities on land and on sailboats will provide something for everyone, including: Fun free sailing crewed by Annapolis Community Boating. No experience necessary and all ages welcome. Register at the show.

On-Board Sailing Workshop sponsored by American Sailing Association and Beneteau. Instructors provided by Sailtime. Designed for the beginning sailor, this workshop takes place on a Beneteau First 22 sailboat and includes 30 minutes of dock-side sailing basics and 90-minutes of onwater sailing instruction. Pre-register at our website.

Cruisers University, a comprehensive cruising educational program, offers one- to four-day tuition packages covering cruising destinations, boat systems, navigation, procedures, and all things related to the cruising lifestyle. Pre-register at our website.

The first-ever high school regatta, Annapolis Junior Keelboat Regatta, will race in the Annapolis Harbor and conclude at the docks of the sailboat show. Sailing teams will use the J-World Annapolis fleet of J/80’s and represent six regional high schools.

They will compete for a traveling cup, designed by Weems and Plath.

Preliminaries and finals take place on April 25th and 26th.

Annapolis Sailing Cruises will take visitors aboard the 74-foot Schooner Woodwind. Additional fee.

Free opening day networking celebration includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres catered by Paladar Latin Kitchen, live entertainment, cash bar, and Foulest Foulies Contest sponsored

by SpinSheet. Come for the boats and stay for the party. All are welcome.

The event begins at 6pm and is open to all sailboat show ticket holders, exhibitors, and staff.

Throughout the sailboat show Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar will provide free food and rum drink tastings in Susan Campbell Park.

Discover the newest fitness craze — Stand Up Paddleboard or SUP. Watch Capital SUP perform daily dockside demos of the “gym on the water.”

Learn more about night paddling with LED lights illuminating the water from underneath.

The show takes at City Dock in Annapolis, Md. There will be valuable door prizes donated by sponsors and exhibits given out throughout the show.

For full details on both shows, check out the website at AnnapolisBoatShows.com.

Old Town Crier

discover the charm

CULPEPER VIRGINIA

Wine Craft Beer Cheese Cigars Unique Pantry Items Complimentary Tastings and Educational Classes for Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

PROUD S P BARLEY HO !

OR SPONS

Gift & Fashion Destination

102 East Davis St. Culpeper, Virginia 540-829-2290

Designer’s Choice

Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 11am-5pm pepperberriesva.com

• Gifts • 18th Century Accessories • Floral Arranging Components • Spectacular Furniture Line Culpeper’s Finest Steak & Seafood Restaurant 110 E. Cameron Street • Historic Culpeper, Va. 540.825.4444 • piedmontsteakhouse.com

Old Town Crier

EST YF

201 E. Davis Street Old Town Culpeper 540.825.9178 clarkehardware.com

302 East Davis Street Culpeper, Virginia 22701 540.317.5702

S & BARL P O E H

*

*

all sales final no refunds or exchanges

GNAR LY

Clarke Hardware

liquidation sale! everything must go if you need it, we have it!

174 E. Davis Street, Culpeper, VA 22701 540.829.WINE • culpeperwines.com • facebook.com/VINOSITY Tue-Thu 10a-6p • Friday 10a-8p • Saturday 10a-6p • Sunday Noon-5p

Serving FreSh SeaFood daily live entertainment every Weekend

HOURS 10a - 5p Tue-Sat

149 East Davis Street • 540-825-7694 designerschoice4you.com

Indulge your curiosity

CU

L P E P E R, V A

GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT: April 2015 | 27

540.825.4416 | facebook.com/gnarlyhops

BEHIND THE BAR lani gering

photo: Bob Tagert

ALEX TAYLOR IS BEHIND THE BAR AT HANK’S OYSTER BAR 1026 KING STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703-739-HANK (4265) HANKSOYSTERBAR.COM

Alex is serving "I'm on a Boat," with house-made Falernum style rum, pineapple, lime and Captain Morgan Black Float He is behind the barSunday 2 pm – close, Monday Lunch/Dinner, and Tuesday-Thursday Lunch.

Alex Taylor How did you get started in the bartending business?

I had a pretty amazing childhood being an embassy brat and living overseas for a good portion of my youth. I recall being 16, living in Geneva, Switzerland, working the embassy holiday party with the other high school riff-raff. I think we teenagers drank more Bacardi and Cokes than we served, by far.

Let’s just say that none of our parents reacted very well to our dispositions.

Fast forward: I had just graduated the University of Virginia with a history degree and had already spent some time in the restaurant industry during college. As I attempted to plot my life’s path, I had the opportunity to tend bar at Farmington Country Club. Learning on the job, I was provided my first glimpse of how dynamic flavor combinations could be generated through cocktail creation.

Of course, what we now refer to as “classic cocktails” were just cocktails at the country club. All in all, I believe the consistent learning process and creative outlet (not just in making drinks, but also guest interaction) were my main motivating factors that kept me grounded in the restaurant

industry. I’ve been fortunate to continue learning something new every day and have learned from many talented individuals throughout my 17 year tenure in the industry; I can only hope to impart a fraction of all that I’ve experienced to the next crop of industry people.

Biggest bartender pet peeve?

It seems like an easy task to rattle off pet peeves: Rude guests, unreasonable requests, providing cell phone charging services, being a coat check, providing extra strong cocktails, dealing with overly intoxicated guests, etc. The fact of the matter is that these are all integral aspects of being a booze slinger, regardless of the style of bar.

You take the good with the bad. I try to roll with the punches because focusing on one pet peeve is likely to slow me down and affect service overall. Shrug it off and move on to the next guest and I’ll be smiling and laughing again.

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

Clever lines? Doing anything for a free drink? These things have become BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 29

This is where your new favorite whiskey comes from.

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

28 | April 2015

Old Town Crier

Liberty Join us in the beginning of APRIL for the re-opening of our outside patio Good Food dining area! & Drink for All!

Cheer

112 King St., Old Town Alexandria

703.739.1124

www.danieloconnells.com

BEHIND THE BAR FROM PAGE 28

like background music for me: I acknowledge their presence and keep moving. Guests should come in often, be friendly, tip fairly, establish a rapport with us and certainly not ask for a free drink.

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

I remember working in a large, sports-bar environment and the bar was completely packed. A guy took the last chicken wing off of a girl’s plate sitting at the bar. He then asked for her number so he could buy her dinner to make up for eating her last wing. Needless to say, she didn’t think it was cute; her response certainly wasn’t printable material.

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

I believe each guest interaction has the potential to be an interesting encounter. The random, esoteric conversations that border on the ludicrous are one of the many reasons why I’m in this amazing profession. While I’ve had the opportunity to serve famous athletes, actors, and comedians, that doesn’t mean those experiences were interesting. However, there was an instance where I was advising a fellow bartender to watch a particular guest as he was downing double shots of Jägermeister; the other bartender recognized the guest as a former cast member of Saturday Night Live. Turned out, he was a really funny guy, down-to-earth, and handled his Jäger shots like a pro.

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

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

Off the top, I’d say the comedian Dave Attell. He had a great show on Comedy Central named “Insomniac” where he would visit different cities and frequent local bars. By the end of the show, after the consumption of many, many drinks, there was always a sense of satisfaction of having a great time, meeting new people, and seeing new places. So I’d love the opportunity to bring back the show one-more time as Dave Attell’s co-host. I’ll even pick up the first round.

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

Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 29

DINING OUT LANI GERING

District Taco

Lost Dog Café

District Taco burrito

Lost Café Grownup Cheese

Tacos to the South, Pizza to the North!

T

his month we took a little To the South different approach to Dining Out. District Taco (DT) — of the popular Instead of taking on a “white food truck fame — opened in the table cloth” approach we decided south end of Old Town on Washington to introduce a couple of new Street (former Chicken Out space) and places that have good are serving some of the eats and good prices in best Mexican food in a casual atmosphere.

District Taco the area. While several Both restaurants have 701 South Washington Street other restaurants boast migrated to Old Town 571-386-1400 serving “Mexican” from across the 14th Mon – Sun: 7 am – 10 pm food, I have found that Street Bridge in DC. Districttaco.com it usually is a mix of Lost Dog Café and all sorts of south of the District Taco both border cuisines. This opened their doors in isn’t true of District the last few months and are off on a Taco, they serve traditional Yucatan good run. style food. I have dined “in” and DINING OUT > PAGE 33

30 | April 2015

Old Town Crier

G GERANIO RISTORANTE Redefining Italian Cuisine in Old Town Alexandria Dinner Entrees from $14 722 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.548.0088 www.geranio.net

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

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

dine out!

®

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

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

713 King Street Old Town Alexandria

703.548.1717 murphyspub.com

April 2015 | 31

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

CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com USA City inspired menu choices that bring together traditional American and global cuisine with their own personal touch. Casual dress. $30 and under. Lots of free parking. Open 7 days a week with brunch on Sat & Sun 11-3.

AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 DUTCHS GRILL (Holiday Inn) 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 703-960-3400 THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FINN & PORTER AT MARK CENTER 5000 Seminary Rd. 703-379-2346 FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200 FLAT IRON STEAK & SALOON 808 King St. 703-299-0777 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050

32 | April 2015

HUNTING CREEK STATION 1106 King St. 703-836-5126

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

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001

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

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

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

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

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

JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790

REYNOLDS STREET CAFÉ 34 S. Reynolds St. 703-751-0830

JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777

RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545

KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MANCINIS 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-838-FOOD Mason Social 728 Henry Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MONROES AMERICAN TRATTORIA 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 703-548-5792 MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011 MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Old-world Irish pub featuring a roaring fireplace, serving a variety of imported, domestic and non-alcoholic beers in a friendly atmosphere. Serving robust American-Irish meals at fair prices.

Favorites include fish and chips and Irish stew. Irish-style entertainment nightly.

NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922 NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

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

SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com American cuisine with libations from around the world. Bar specials Mon-Fri, 4-7 PM. Brunch served Sat & Sun. TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640 TRADITIONS (Holiday Inn) 625 First St. 703-548-6300 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap and grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour.

VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669

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

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212

BRABO

by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 BRABO Tasting Room 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Northern Italian, French provincial and American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, meats and pasta served in a contemporary, romantic atmosphere.

CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 FRENCH BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141

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

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

Sang Jun Thai 300 King Street 571-312-3377

CONTINENTAL

SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122

ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

Caphe Banh Mi Vietnamese 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800

BISTRO ROYALE 1201 N. Royal St. 703-519-9110 bistroroyal.com YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. In the Hoffman Center 703-329-1010 CHEZ ANDREE 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-836-1404 LA BERGERIE 218 N. Lee St. 703-683-1007 labergerie.com

ITALIAN BERTUCCIS 725 King St. 703-548-8500 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant.

With entrees from $14, there is no reason not to enjoy a selection from their Wine Spectator award-winning list, while being attended by the friendly staff of seasoned professionals. Reservations recommended and casual attire welcomed.

PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 thepitahouse.com Family owned and operated; carry out available and free delivery.

DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. Alexandria, VA 703-329-0006 BISTRO DU SOLEIL 1116 King St. 571-312-2754 SEAFOOD Hanks Oyster Bar 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK RTS RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010

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

FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com Internationally known and locally owned! We serve shrimps, a few crabs, tall people and lots of nice people, too!

Live music and lively food!

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

ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046

SAPORE DITALIA RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA 1310 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-683-9680

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

LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com Elegant, classical Italian cuisine served in a lovely historical setting. Fresh veal, homemade pastas, and fresh fish are some of the daily choices. An extensive list of wines and champagnes served in a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere.

OLD CHICAGO PIZZERIA 2245 Huntington Ave. 703-960-1086 PARADISO 124 King St. 703-837-1245 PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 TRATTORIA DA FRANCO 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 VILLA DESTE 600 Montgomery St. 703-549-9477 MEDITERRANEAN LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 “Spring into Spain and Feast Like a King.” Offering unlimited tapas at lunch and dinner. Choice of dessert included.

Lunch 11:30-4:30 for $20.07; dinner 4:30-close for $30.07. Eat a little, drink a little, have a lot of fun!

FLYING FISH 815 King St. 703-600-FISH flyingfishdc.com FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900 INDIAN DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd.

703-660-6085 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN AUSTIN GRILL 801 King St. 703-684-8969 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) CASA FELIPE 835 N. Royal St. 703-535-7868 TRES HERMANAS 4580 Duke St. 703-370-3800

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

Old Town Crier

DINING OUT FROM PG 30

carried “out” and everything has exceeded my expectations.

They say that “a picture is worth a thousand words” and I am sure you will agree from the photos accompanying this write up. The condiments alone are impressive. The food screams FRESH and the flavors are amazing. You can tell that the fare is made fresh every day. The price is right as well – not anything over $8 in this place. My favorite is the 3 taco combinations but my friend is partial to the Burrito Mojado (black beans, rice, cheese, Salsa de Chile, sour cream and your choice of protein and toppings). I haven’t tried the breakfast fare yet but I can only imagine that consuming a taco, burrito or the huevos rancheros will definitely be a great start to your day. They don’t serve beer, wine or cocktails but they have a fabulous choice of specialty sodas in over 10 flavors as well as the normal colas, etc. My favorite is black cherry! If you haven’t had the chance to dine here, put it on your bucket list. As they say at DT, “Orale!” which roughly translates to “Right On!”

April Brings EASTER and a

New Spring Menu Make your reservations now for Lunch, Brunch or Dinner

Fine Wines, Fine Dining, Casual Style

Wine Tastings every Saturday 2 - 4 pm 7966 Fort Hunt Road (In the Hollin Hall Shopping Center)

Reservations: 703-347-7545

RiverBendBistro.com Plenty of FREE parking

To the North

The Lost Dog Café — of Gourmet Pizza Deli fame in Arlington — opened in the north end of town on Henry Street a month or so ago. They are located on the street level of the new Belle Pre apartment building right on the corner Henry and Belle Pre Way. This store is the fifth location to open in the metro area. I never knew what the Lost Dog was all about until they opened here in Old Town but several of my foodie friends who are Lost Dog Café 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 Lostdogcafe.com

pizza and sandwich experts had been waxing poetic about it when we heard they were coming to town. The menu boasts 53 (ask why the number 49 is left off the menu when you stop in) sandwiches alone.

All of which run in the $8.50$9.50 price range. The menu is pretty extensive. I ordered the “Grownup Grilled Cheese” and Bob had the “El Bandito.” Both are tagged as favorites on the menu and both were very tasty

Great Steaks

USDA Prime Cuts

Late Night Menu Available Every Night

DINING OUT > PAGE 35

Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

Joseph Lennon JOSEPH LENNON IS THE CHEF AT MASON SOCIAL 728 NORTH HENRY street old town ALEXANDRIA 703-548-8800 mason-social.com

Chef Lennon moved to Virginia in 2008, and has worked at, in chronological order: Vermilion, Columbia Firehouse, The Grille at Morrison House, Urbana and Bourbon Steak and now Mason.

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

I started cooking after a car accident during my freshman year of college left me without transportation to get to my job at a farm in southeast Penn. I was on the grill station when the bus pulled up, about three months into my tenure.

It was busy, it was scary, it was fast, and then four hours later, it was over. I was hooked. I started reading cookbooks in history class, cooking in my free time and spent all summer in a tiny kitchen working on my knife and saute skills.

photo: ©2015 Chester Simpson

Who have been the biggest inspirations of your career?

Chef Dan Profita was one of the first chefs I worked for that really taught me the value of a work ethic, cleanliness, and mise en place. He was a great inspiration to me very early in my career. Since moving to the DC metro area, John Critchley has been a guiding light as I transitioned from line cook to running a kitchen.

He taught me how to manage numbers and how to manage people individually. Dennis Marron and Tony Chittum also inspired me to help my kitchen staff excel to the height of their capabilities because it truly elevates the guest experience when every member

of the kitchen and service staff are well-trained and knowledgeable.

What dish on your menu are you curious to see how it is received by your guests?

I want to get more raw seafood preparations, raw beef, and some housemade charcuterie on the menu. I’m confident that diners in the Parker-Gray neighborhood will enjoy those items, but I’m curious to see how popular they will be compared to our bar menu.

What do you do to insure the quality of the food going out of the kitchen?

We use tasting spoons in the kitchen to taste all of the food we serve. I am able to taste about half of all the food that goes out of the kitchen, and we demo new dishes to the service staff on a regular basis to get their feedback and a different perspective.

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

I would love to eat at one of Thomas Keller’s restaurants. I think I have a trip to Chicago planned for the summer to eat at Alinea, and that should be great.

DC has such an awesome dining scene that I would be comfortable eating at a few dozen spots in the city, but time off is a bit of a factor right now.

What is your guilty food pleasure?

IHOP! If you would like to see your favorite chef featured in this space, send contact information to chester@chestersimpson. com.

(L to R) Roast Celery Root Hummus, Lamb Shank, Mac & Cheese, and Marrow Burger.

34 | April 2015

Old Town Crier

HOB-CrierAd-150325.pdf

DINING OUT FROM PG 33

and very filling. There are 31 (if I counted correctly) pizzas to choose from and you have the option to “build your own.”

Prices range from $10.95 to $21.95 depending on size and ingredients. They also have a nice selection of appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, milk shakes, floats and desserts.

Check the menu out online!

On our first foray into the café we shared an appetizer and had a few glasses of wine on our way to another restaurant opening. We had a bit more time when we had our sandwiches and beer so got to know a little more about their mission. Lost Dog is well known as a place to get great food at a great price, and according to their mission statement, the café also serves up a hefty slice of compassion with each pizza. Since 2001, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation has saved the lives of over 18,000 dogs and cats, helping them connect with loving families and forever homes. Each location donates portions of sales proceeds to the rescue effort. The Old Town location donates the proceeds from several of their colorful t-shirts. Being animal lovers, this was a nice thing to know.

In addition to being good guys and serving good food, they also do a booming carry out business. The carry out section of the store has a vast selection of craft beer and 41 varieties of wine. Both beer and wine are available to purchase cold. This would be a great way to enjoy one of their gourmet pizzas without having to get dolled up to dine in, something I am anxiously waiting to do. I love good pizza at a good price and eating it while lounging in my sweats at home sounds like the thing to do.

As with District Taco, add Lost Dog to your bucket list if you haven’t already been.

1

3/25/15

4:49 PM

Spectacular Waterfront Dining C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Fresh Fish Specialties • Prime Rib & Steaks Hot Chocolate Lava Cake

3-Courses for $39

Monday & Tuesday Nights Two Course Dinner with Bottle of Wine for Two $39.95

Sunday - Thursday $4 - $7 Bar Bites Monday - Friday • 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Brunch • Lunch • Dinner One Cameron St. • Alexandria (703) 684-5080 chart-house.com

GRAB a bite!

Chez Andrée Restaurant Français & Bar 10 East Glebe Road Alexandria, Virginia 703.836.1404 chezandree.com

Old Town Crier

April 2015 | 35

GRAPEVINE

Virginia Wine 101 The Land of Virginia

The landscape and climate of Virginia offers countless choice sites for vineyards. Each of the state’s five main land regions — the Appalachian Plateau, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, the Blue Ridge, the Piedmont, and the Atlantic Coastal Plain — boasts vineyards and wineries.

Granite-based soils in western areas of the state and sandy loam soil in the eastern both offer prime grape-growing ground. And good drainage can be found on all landscapes at all elevations.

Virginia’s five distinct climate regions — the Tidewater, Piedmont, Northern Virginia, Western Mountain and Southwestern Mountain — provide a temperate climate that’s not too hot or cold for extended periods.

Virginia’s varying weather patterns see the mountainous southwest and Shenandoah Valley average a 160-day growing season; and east of the Blue Ridge, an average of 200 days.

Six of the United States’ 187 American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs — grape-growing regions defined by geographic features that influence the wines they produce — are in Virginia: Eastern Shore, Monticello Northern Neck, North Fork of Roanoke, Rocky Knob, and Shenandoah Valley. Given Virginia’s preponderance of wellsituated grape-growing sites with ideal soil conditions, fine wines now come from all over the state.

White Wines

Chardonnay grapes are so malleable, they can be used to make a variety of wines from dry to sparkling. No one style defines this grape, which produces medium- to full-bodied wines with flavors that range from tart green apple to buttery pear.

Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted winemaking grapes in the Commonwealth; and Chardonnay wines pair well with everything from chicken and turkey to smoked fish, crab and selected cheeses.

Petit Manseng, a white wine variation of the black Manseng grape, gets its name from its small berries.

It makes distinctive dry white wines and can be harvested late to make fine white and dessert wines. Petit mansengs have rich aromas of candied fruit, spice and honey. Petit Manseng

36 | April 2015

goes well with a variety of foods and includes Asian and Thai dishes that are not overly spicy.

Riesling grapes produce wines that epitomize the harmony between sugar and acid, at the same time keeping their distinct differences. A Riesling wine can be tart and bone-dry on the one hand or extremely sweet on the other. Riesling grapes take on the character of the land they are grown.

Virginia Rieslings have the wine’s typical floral and fruit characteristics, often with a citrus and peachy aroma.

Try a Virginia Riesling with Virginia sugar-cured ham or roast turkey.

Sauvignon Blanc grapes are at home in a variety of growing conditions and grown by many Virginia vineyards.

The grape makes dry white wines known for their sharp acidity and aroma of fresh herbs and hay. When Sauvignon Blanc vines grow in limestone-rich soil, the resulting wine can have the smoky aroma of flint.

Sauvignon Blancs go well with shrimp, salmon and other seafood as well as poultry dishes, notably roast chicken.

Seyval Blanc, sometimes shortened to Seyval, is a popular, reliably productive French-American hybrid that ripens early in the fall harvest season. It makes a crisp, distinct dinner wine, or conversely, sweet dessert wine. Known for its smell of green apples, Seyval is a component of some white wine blends. Seyval Blancs pair well with chicken, game birds, swordfish and a variety of other foods.

Viognier gives off a strong and appealing perfume of fresh fruit and flowers. While this suggests a sweet wine, Viognier is typically a dry, or slightly off dry wine. A popular choice of vineyards and vintners alike, Virginia Viogniers are garnering attention beyond the state’s borders.

Viogniers accompany lobster, veal, cheeses and pork well, including nearly any food with a rich sauce.

Vidal Blanc, often shortened to just Vidal, is a hardy, thick-skinned grape that thrives in even the coldest winegrowing regions. Vidal Blancs vary in style from dry, crisp wines to late-harvest sweet wines to expensive ice wines.

Vidal Blancs have fruity, floral traits that complement scallops, crab, grilled salmon and tuna. Chicken and turkey as well as sweeter foods such as fruit platters go well with Vidal Blancs, too.

Red Wines

Cabernet Franc is a thin-skinned grape that ripens early. It’s fruitier, more herbal and lower in acidity than its genetic offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Similar to Merlot in body, Cabernet Francs tend to have spicy aromas with hints of mint, plum, blackberry and violets. National and state wine experts consider Cabernet Franc to be among Virginia’s best red wines. Sometimes similar to Merlot in food pairings, Cabernet Francs go well with pastas with red sauces, beef stew and even hamburgers.

Merlot vines like rocky, arid ground but also adapt well to soils with more clay content. The thin-skinned Merlot grape produces wines softer in tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon yet with similar leather, mint and blackberry qualities. Approachable and easy-todrink Virginia Merlots are favorites among wine drinkers. Their elegant and concentrated flavor makes them pair well with pastas in red sauce, beef stew and lamb, among other dishes.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely planted red varietals and a longstanding favorite among Virginia vineyards and vintners.

Cabernet Sauvignon yields a dry wine that can be light and approachable or, should the vintner desire, heavier and age-worthy. Complex flavors of black currant, green olive, mint and herbs characterize most Cabernet Sauvignons. And the winemaking process can endow it with hints of vanilla, smoke and leather. Cabernet Sauvignons go well with steak, hamburger, leg of lamb and pungent cheeses.

Norton is the oldest native North American varietal and was being cultivated and made into wine in Virginia prior to the Civil War. A Virginia native Norton was named the “best red wine of all nations” at the Vienna World’s Fair of 1873. Nortons are deeply colored, ageworthy wines with rich, fruity aromas and flavors. They complement red meat, smoked meat, wild game, rock fish and many cheeses.

Petit Verdot creates a dark, purplish, medium-bodied red wine

characterized by perfumes from fruity and spicy to herbal, with bouquets of leather, coconut, smoke, toast and dark chocolate. Petit Verdot’s flavors and tannins go together well with Cabernets and Merlots and make it a small but influential addition to many blended Bordeaux-style red wines. This red wine can pair well with steaks, rich sauces, Italian foods, barbecue, strong cheeses.

Chambourcin is a vigorous, disease-resistant French-American hybrid developed in the Loire Valley of France. Noted for evocative herbal aromas and crisp acidity, Chambourcins are typically dry, fullflavored wines with hints of berries.

They pair well with a variety of foods, from hamburgers and veal to tuna, swordfish, Mahi-mahi and flounder.

Other Wines

Rosé is a wine that can range from light to dark pink. The color typically results from red-skinned grape skins remaining in the wine for only a short period before removal. Originally a dry, subtle wine, Rosés are now similar to white wines in how they range from dry to semi-sweet. Rosés go well with all sorts of seafood and make a fine apéritif wine to pair with cheeses.

Sparkling Wines get their bubbly, nose-tickling characteristic by carbonation caused by natural fermentation in the bottle or by having carbon dioxide added during the winemaking process. Sparkling wines are usually white or rosé in color and range from dry to semi-sweet in taste.

Many Virginia wineries offer excellent examples of sparkling wines. Sparkling wines go well with mild and strong cheeses, with shellfish, seafood with light sauces, Asian dishes, poultry, fruits and dessert.

Fruit Wines & Meads Each fruit wine takes its names from its primary ingredient. Various Virginia winemakers offer such fruit wines as blackberry, raspberry, apple, pear, peach, blueberry and strawberry. A few wineries are also producing meads (honey wines).

Publisher’s note: This article brought to you by the wine experts at virginiawine.org Old Town Crier

EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI

Take Advantage, Don’t Exploit

S

pring is finally here and I find myself thinking about some bigger issues. As we’ve built our business over the last ten years, I have worked hard to identify and take advantage of good opportunities. Closely managing vineyards and orchards, hiring people who demonstrate a great work ethic, and producing authentic, marketable and high quality products are all crucial in helping turn a good opportunity into a success.

We want to grow good crops sustainably, we want our staff to feel appreciated and we want our products to consistently demonstrate high quality. I have also worked hard to avoid exploiting any situation or opportunity. I recognize that the words “take advantage of ” and “exploit” can sometimes be interchangeable, but the difference in nuances can mean the difference between good business and bad ethics.

This is the difference between, say, recognizing a great entrepreneurial opportunity in knowing that outdoor concert goers will get thirsty,

Old Town Crier

and charging $10 for a bottle of water at the event.

Businesses are not the only ones to exploit opportunities; consumers can as well. For example, in the past we have had winery visitors bring large groups of people, who bring their coolers, dogs, kids and even tents and other camping gear in tow. They would camp out for hours in our picnic area and purchase one or two bottles of wine. That would be taking advantage of the opportunity but it would also be exploiting it for all it is worth. (For the record, we and many other wineries no longer allow our facilities to be treated like public parks.)

We need businesses to identify and take advantage of an unfulfilled need and find the way to fill it. The business deserves a profit for providing solutions and filling those needs. As the business matures, the cost to produce that product should stabilize in a way that it is sustainable to the land, the labor, the profit and the customer as well. As an example, the local wine and libations industry has been able to take advantage of a

local customer base that has a little more money in their pocket than other parts of the country. We can charge a little more per bottle than other parts of the country. However, we will use this advantage to build our customer base, business infrastructure and quality control processes. This makes this industry viable

and sustainable for years to come. But it is not good practice to charge high prices just because people want the product now. The market will shift, the exploitation will be recognized and the product will fall out of favor.

So we have learned to take advantage of good market, good weather, good

collaboration and great land.

Our lesson is to not exploit the advantage to where others are hurt, the practices are unsustainable or the customer may lose faith in the business.

Recognizing how to take advantage but not exploit is key to good business, politics, family and the rest of life.

three bottom bench, cherry

custom furniture maker washington, virginia

|

540.675.3625

|

www.peterkramer.com April 2015 | 37

VIRGINIA WINE Trail Profiles Bedford County Wine Trail bedfordwinetrail.com The Bedford Wine Trail in the Central Virginia region includes five vineyards and wineries surrounding Bedford.

n three fox vineyards aPriL & May events n

aPriL 4th: three fox easter egg roLL – see website for detaiLs n May 2nd: 11th estate CeLebration n May 3rd: bLessing of the vines n 14th bUd breaK CeLebration – date to be annoUnCed

Blue Ridge Wine Way www.blueridgewineway.com The Blue Ridge Wine Way features eight wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains of the Northern Virginia region.

Botetourt County Wine Trail botetourtwinetrail.com The Wine Trail of Botetourt Country features 3 wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Eastern Shore Wine Trail esvatourism.org The Eastern Shore of Virginia Wine Trail hosts three wineries along the Land Between Two Waters. This area is a unique rural coastal environment. Hundreds of miles of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for beach-lovers, fishermen, and boaters in addition to wine lovers.

Tasting Room Hours - Open Year Round Thursday-Saturday, & Monday 11-5 pm • Sunday 12 pm (noon)- 5 pm

Mention or bring this ad for a complimentary tasting for two through 12/23/2010 10100 Three Fox Ln. • Delaplane, VA • 540-364-6073

Fauquier County Wine Trail fauquiertourism.com/wineries.html Fauquier County is home to 16 wineries and vineyards —each with its own unique flavors. Enjoy awardwinning Virginia wines, wine tastings and tours.

Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail svwga.org The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail is an association of six vineyards and wineries.

Loudoun Wine Trail visitloudoun.org Loudouns Wine Trail in Northern Virginia takes you through Virginias hunt country to 23 participating wineries.

A small, family winery focused on quality, sustainable farming and our community Visit us and other quality wineries on the Loudoun Wine Trail–www.loudounfarms.org Serving your local red wine needs since 2006 Open Daily 11am - 5pm Educational wine events

Fabbioli Cellars Douglas Fabbioli Colleen M. Berg 15669 Limestone School Rd Leesburg 703-771-1197 www.fabbioliwines.com

Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail chesapeakebaywinetrail.com The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, in the Chesapeake Bay region, highlights six different wineries.

Heart of Virginia Wine Trail www.hovawinetrail.com The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail in Central Virginia presents several events throughout the year at four wineries located in the central region of the state.

Blue Ridge Wine Trail blueridgewinetrail.com The Blue Ridge Wine Trail features five wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains all within minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Generals Wine & History Trail thegeneralswinetrail.com In 2009, 10 wineries banded together to form a new type wine trail experience. The new wine trail experience was to tie our rich wine heritage with our rich historical heritage and thus the Generals Wine & History Trail was born.

Monticello Wine Trail monticellowinetrail.com The Monticello Wine Trail leads to 24 wineries from its hub in Charlottesville.

Source: Virginia Wine Marketing Office

38 | April 2015

For More Information: virginiawine.org Visiting Virginia’s Wine Country Its always a good idea to call before visiting. Many Virginia wineries are small, family-owned operations and may be closed during the time you are planning to visit.

If you are a group of eight or more, call ahead to help the winery prepare for your visit and to make sure they can accept groups.

Most of our wineries have grape cluster highway signs within a ten-mile radius pointing the way to the winery. Many of these signs also tell you how many miles to go before reaching the winery.

Old Town Crier

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

No-Show Time?

W

hat’s wrong with bass fishing shows?

In their heyday, mid-winter fishing shows attracted tens of thousands of anglers shopping for boats, tackle and seminars. BASSARAMA was huge for over 25 years! Not any more. Shows don’t have “it” anymore! There’s something about shows in this region. A bit further south and shows boom! Further north and the same is true! The regions’ fast pace, reliance on the Internet for tackle and seminars, and the dominance of big retailers is making it harder for shows to compete. And now, boat dealers are going at it alone.

Boats brought them in! Whether someone was in the market for a new boat or just wanted to see what was new, boats were the star of the show. Recently, boat dealers have been conspicuously absent. Instead some have opted to throw their own shows, many in direct

Bassing IN APRIL Potomac River

Fish are shallow! A variety of moving lures will work!

In clear water, try Lucky Craft suspending Pointer 78 jerkbaits on Quantum EXO spinning reels with 8-pound test GAMMA Copoly! They cast a mile and can pick off aggressive fish. Using Mann’s Classic 3/8-ounce willow/ Colorado spinnerbaits with white skirts on 12-pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line will work on areas close to deep drops.

Use craw pattern Lucky Craft lipless LV-500 in areas with emerging grass. Use GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon 12-pound test to crawl these lures on the bottom or snap

Old Town Crier

competition with the “big” show! It was a matter of time! It’s a lot of work to haul boats to a show, set up and break it down. Housing and feeding staff is pretty pricy too! Why would a boat dealer want to spend the time and money to go to a show, when they could have an Open House and heavily promote it for less money and have their entire inventory available! In fact many sell booths at their dealerships to tackle related companies!

Shows brought in big name talent and it didn’t matter which headliner showed up to bore the crowds with inane tank demos or thoughtless half hour seminars. Seminars used to be part of the excitement too! Nowadays, show promoters, trying to save a few bucks will get bargain pros to appear. To fill out the schedule, shows allow exhibitors to place their local pros on stage to do infomercials for their GO FISH > PAGE 42

and drop out of grass. In taller grass, go to the Lucky Craft LVR D-7.

For creek mouth points and flats with deep water close by, use a Lucky Craft LC 1.5 RT with rattles to cover shallow areas with riprap and wood cover. Use casting gear with 10-pound test Copoly line It’s also time to unleash Mizmo tubes with an insert head on spinning gear with 8-pound test GAMMA Copoly line. Start targeting docks near deeper water, as fish will use them as current breaks. These can be fished anywhere along with Punisher ¼ ounce hair jigs.

Fish baits slowly and spray with garlic Jack’s Juice fish attractant. For the hair jigs, try 15-pound GAMMA Torque braid with 8-pound Copoly leader.

Carolina rigs also cover long flats. Use a 12-24 inch leader. A ¾ or 1 ounce Round Valley Tungsten weight will keep the rig in contact with the bottom. Use soft plastics soaked in garlic Jack’s Juice Bait Spray.

April 2015 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

Beat Cardio Boredom Cycling Hills

C

ardio is the key to a successful workout program and essential to heart health. The recommendation for cardiovascular exercise is at least 45 minutes most days of the week. There is no way to make the time go by any faster, however changing up the program and adding a little variety to the workout can make the task seem less

daunting. Here are just a few ways to change up your workout.

Find a hill that takes about 1 to 1½ minutes to climb.

Warm up for 15 minutes, moderate effort. You can also use a stationary bike and adjust the resistance in time intervals.

Hill climb 1: Stay seated, use moderate resistance. Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear.

Hill climb 2: Stay seated, increase resistance. Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear.

Hill climb 3: Sit halfway up the hill, then stand, using moderate resistance. Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear.

Hill climb 4: Sit halfway up the hill, then stand using

hard resistance. Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear.

Hill climb 5: Stand the entire way using moderate resistance. Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear.

Hill climb 6: Stand the entire way using hard resistance.

Recover by pedaling downhill in easy gear.

Ride at a moderate effort for about a half hour, then cool down for 5 minutes at easy effort.

Cycling Intervals

• Warm up for 15 minutes at a moderate effort.

• Pedal hard for 10 seconds recover for a minute of easy pedaling.

• Pedal hard for 20 seconds recover for a minute of moderate pedaling.

• Continue to increase hard pedaling in ten second increases until you have reached one minute of hard pedaling followed by a recovery of one minute.

• Repeat the intervals twice for a 30minute workout or three times for 45 minutes.

Treadmill Intervals

0:00-10:00 Warm-up jog; 5.0 MPH 10:00-10:20 Sprint at 7.5 MPH 40 | April 2015

10:20-11:20 Jog at 5.0 MPH 11:20-14:00 Repeat minutes 10:00-11:20 twice 14:00-17:00 Jog at 5.0 MPH 17:00-27:00 Run at 6.5 MPH 27:00-31:00 Jog at 5.0 MPH 31:00-35:00 Run at 6.5 MPH 35:00-39:00 Jog at 5.0 MPH 39:00-55:00 Repeat minutes 31:00-39:00 twice.

55:00-60:00 Gradually slow pace to cool down at jog/walk.

If the interval speed is too much, adjust the pace to your fitness level. You can use a combination of walking and jogging instead of running and jogging. These timed interval workouts can be used on any piece of cardio equipment, an elliptical or stair climber as well as the treadmill or bike. Don’t think that you have to limit yourself to a machine. Take your watch on your next run and do timed intervals of increased and decreased speed throughout your normal running routine.

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

Less Is More: Rest & Recovery

T

hanks for being a loyal reader of the Old Town Crier. Don’t forget to support the fine businesses that advertise on these very pages. Without them, none of this quality material would be possible, and the contributing writers would not be able to share their expertise.

That said, April is an exciting time of year because the weather is getting nicer and the grass is getting greener. I hold faith that most of you have been diligently working on your wellness lifestyle. However, there comes a time when you should pull back on the reigns, take your foot off the accelerator, or just stop to “smell the roses.” (or cherry blossoms in DC) I’m mainly speaking to all those hard-core fitness enthusiasts who constantly workout to the point of no return. Don’t get me wrong, I promote physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. These activities can include leisurely walks, bike rides, roller-blading, or taking the family to a water park.

However, structured exercise (in which there are specific, measurable parameters such as intensity, duration, sets and reps) should be performed in moderation to prevent overtraining. There are very few personal trainers who will admit that more exercise is not always better.

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

Old Town Crier

staleness, and avoid the overtraining syndrome.

Here is a list of symptoms associated with over-training: • Performance plateau, followed by decreased strength & endurance • Decrease in lean body mass • Decreased appetite • Less energy and desire to exercise • Irritability • Interrupted sleep patterns •Excessive muscle soreness • Increased heart rate at rest and during exercise Without adequate rest, there will not be positive adaptations to exercise.

Exercise is a stressor to the body, so what you do between workouts is just as vital as what you do during your workout. During that time between exercising, your body is trying to regenerate, recover, and ultimately adapt to handle the physiological stress placed upon it. Just because you had an awesome workout doesn’t mean you should sabotage it by not taking care of yourself until the next workout.

Over-training is a serious issue for the extreme exerciser.

Here are a few suggestions for meaningful rest and recovery:

does the trick.

Sleep

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

Light Exercise

Add in a few light workouts.

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

Listen to Your Body

Don’t ignore the symptoms listed above because you

could end up ultimately giving up on exercise, which is by far the worse consequence of all.

Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is an active member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Old TOwn denTisTry FrinetKasper,DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Crowns & Bridges Invisalign • Sealants Fillings • Whitening

Nutrition

This is the first thing you need to address. It’s true that you are what you eat and the best time to eat for recovery is within one hour after finishing a workout. You should include a mixture of protein and carbohydrates.

Try a turkey and cheese sandwich, or cottage cheese with fruit or sliced tomatoes, or just a glass of skim milk

1203 Prince Street Alexandria, Va. 22314

703.683.0800

www.oldtowndentistry.com Hablamos Español • Same Day Appointments

April 2015 | 41

CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PG 9

Custer’s troopers are waiting at the station when four supply trains pull in on April 8th. Then Custer tears up the tracks so the trains cannot flee.

At the same time, Lee’s advance units arrive at the station; they are forced to retreat after four hours, losing 25 precious artillery pieces. Then Custer burns three of the trains and shoots the Confederate wagon mules.

Skirmishing continues around the village until dusk. But the Yankees now hold the high ground and are blocking Lee’s way to Lynchburg.

That night Lee meets with his remaining generals and determines to attempt a breakthrough the following morning, supposing that he is facing only a cavalry screen which can be brushed aside. What Lee does not know is the Federal line has been reinforced with infantry the same night. The next morning, Lee launches the attack. As expected, the first and second lines of cavalry are easily dispersed. But behind the cavalry at the crest of the ridge is a line of blue coated infantry. The road to Lynchburg is blocked. Checkmate — it is over for Lee. A mere week has passed since the breakout.

GALLERY BEAT FROM PG 14

well-known image of an inmate in Abu Ghraib, a World War Two survivor with a prosthetic leg, and finally the tangled heap of stainless steel, a ghostlike cathedral, the remains of the World Trade Center. A cherub from Raphael’s Sistine Madonna glances heavenward atop all of this with additional angels on either side. And there’s more, even in this one piece.

This is one of twelve complex pieces that make up “Chronicles of War,” the epic two-part show at The Katzen Center at American University. The other half is entitled “Legends.” The two together form “Gods of War!” “Legends” details the Zapatista uprising in San Cristobal, Mexico, which Plattner witnessed. She and her archaeologist husband later lived in Italy. She tells the story of the Zapatista uprising utilizing Italian Renaissance GO FISH! FROM PG 39

products. This is in contrast to quality on-line seminars that are outpacing shows, offering at-home viewing without having to park or invest a lot of non-productive time. Shows are as low tech as can be. Not much buzz on the Internet either. In fact, some shows have come and gone almost unnoticed.

Speaking of products, there aren’t a lot at the shows. Manufacturers used to appear with their entire lineup for fishermen to see and touch!

This included the new gear for the upcoming season. Major brands also brought their top pros along to sign autographs or just chat about the products. This stimulated interest and 42 | April 2015

In the preceding week Grant had been in touch with Lee trying to convince him to lay down his arms.

Now Lee sends a note to Grant as muskets are still popping that he would like a meeting to discuss terms.

Grant lets Lee choose the place — the McLean house — and a ceasefire goes into effect. Lee shows up dressed in his best uniform; Grant’s is spattered with mud. The two men had known each other in the Mexican War and they make awkward small talk for a while. Then Lee comes to the point and the papers are signed.

Federal generals bargain with McLean to purchase the furniture in the surrender room as souvenirs. As Lee leaves the house, the Yankees begin to cheer. Grant shuts them down right away, explaining: “The Confederates were now our countrymen, and we did not want to exult over their downfall.”

Grant’s terms are generous. The Confederate officers are allowed to retain their side-arms and horses; the men are allowed to carry off horses and mules for the spring planting. Lee and his generals are not arrested. Grant issues rations to the Confederates he has been starving for the last week. The dead are buried and the wounded cared for. Many

units burn, bury or smuggle their colors rather than surrender them as trophies.

On April 10 Lee gives his farewell address; many Confederates are dumbfounded, unaware they are beaten. On April 12th, Lee’s army endures a formal surrender ceremony presided over by Union General Joshua Chamberlain. There are no cheers or jeers and each Confederate unit receives the salute of arms as they pass the Union ranks; they reciprocate, “honor answering honor.” By the end of the day 28,000 Confederates have stacked their arms. Grant’s grace and dignity are brilliant. Not only has he begun to reunite the nation as the vanquished are treated as “countrymen” versus POWs, but he makes surrender palatable for the remaining armies at a time when an endless guerilla war is a real possibility. The way Grant handles the armistice matters.

Even so, almost 200,000 Confederates remain under arms across the South and entire armies have yet to surrender — notably Joe Johnson’s in North Carolina. But the writing is on the wall and Johnson’s army of close to 100,000 lay down their arms on April 26th.

Armies in Alabama and Louisiana

surrender in May. The last army, that of Cherokee chief Stand Watie, holds out until June after winning the last engagement of the war at Palmito Ranch in May. The Shenandoah is at sea when the war ends and continues to raid Northern shipping until her captain turns her over to the British in November. Nathan Bedford Forrest pursues a guerrilla war of sorts with the Ku Klux Klan. The James and Younger boys, trained under Quantrill, string it out as a lifestyle until the gang is shot to pieces in Northfield, Minnesota in 1877. There is a group that meets down at the American Legion which has still not surrendered.

This month’s cover portrays the Confederate memorial at the intersection of Prince and Washington Streets. The statue’s name is “Appomattox.” The soldier’s back is forever turned on Washington. His arms are crossed in a posture conveying he is unlikely to change views anytime soon: Sic semper tyrannis.

paintings, substituting Zapatistas for the saints and apostles. For example, “Legends, Deposition” is after a painting by Caravaggio, (1585), and “Legends, Mary Magdalene in Glory,” is after a painting by Domenichino, (1600). The succession of places in which they lived is reflected in the subject matter, style, and technique of the work. Italian Renaissance meets Liberation Theology.

The soft-spoken, long time professor at The Maryland Institute College of Art is profoundly antiwar. In order to speak against war and violence she employs images of violence. Though the images are deplorable, the overall effect is beautiful. “Chronicles of War” is a pastiche of images of human violence borrowed from art historical paintings and photo-journalism across cultures and across time. She juxtaposes violent

images with the bucolic and the divine, skies at sunrise and at sunset, cherubs and angels, Jesus and Mary. Eight or more panels are assembled into one artwork. She also adds borders of gorgeous motifs from a multitude of cultures and intricately carved and gold-leafed frames and borders.

The overall shapes of each work are based on Renaissance altarpieces, copied directly from the Italian in the “Legends” half of the show, and more loosely based on Asian, German and Italian altarpieces in “Chronicles of War.” Plattner has done all of this work herself. It is a fourteen year project, to which she plans yet to add.

It represents an immense labor of love.

Plattner enumerates the vast array of violence throughout human history.

From the guillotine to napalm, to a pyramid of human skulls, from child soldiers to suicide bombers,

from Napoleon to the Samari, from Guernica to the Mayan Bonampak murals in Chiapas, Mexico. Could there possibly be something she has left out? Plattner’s work has a continuing relevance to our present condition as the world is menaced by ISIS. One might say that the destructive history of all humankind is represented here. The forms of destruction are assembled by the type of destruction so that each artwork has a theme. In “Chronicles of War, Heads and Hands,” 2008, the subject is beheadings. In “Chronicles of War, Swords and Lances,” 2008, a pastiche of death by blade, the central image is the “Battle of San Romano” by Paolo Uccello, (1432). Above fourteen panels of death and destruction, cherubs alight in the vault of heaven. With fist-fulls of flowers they rain rose petals over the bloody folly of humankind.

the local retailers were able to cash in on the extra manufacturer push. It’s a changing marketplace. Nearly all Mom and Pop tackle stores are gone, replaced with big box stores. Like boat dealers, the big retailers don’t “need” a show! They are their own show!

They produce month long events instore to bring in national and local pros to demonstrate products with instore experts to provide an informed shopping experience. In addition, the Internet keeps most bass anglers at home. They know what they want and shows don’t satisfy their tackle appetite. Ticket prices are affordable, but the “deals” end there! Nothing really special about show pricing, nothing special at all about the show experience.

Big shows have been in a recovery cycle for the last 10 years. One year there are huge crowds, but the lack of show attractions keep these people from coming back the following year.

Too many non-fishing related booths; cooking, knife sharpeners, siding and window sales pitches and other detractions disappoint. But after a good attendance year, more fishing companies climb aboard anticipating a great show, but the prior year’s disappointed attendees stay home.

Then the following year, word gets out that there are more fishing related booths, but last year’s disappointed exhibitors stay home. Bass shows were moving sideways. To grow the show, promoters add other fishing related themes. Saltwater, fly-fishing and

destination outfitters provide floor traffic, not necessarily resulting in sales for bass booths. Show identity is now blurred!

Parking, flu season, and lackluster exhibitors are jeopardizing big bass shows. But don’t overlook shows, just lower expectations. As larger onestop shows are fading, smaller more localized shows still offer a lot! It may not be the big show, but it’s still show time!

Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria; comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@coleman-lawyers.com.

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

Old Town Crier

Experience the Difference

FIRST BLUSH KIM PUTENS

Fragrance: What to Wear and How to Wear It

T

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

What to Wear

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

Citrus Notes

Orange is too fruity, grapefruit too ordinary.

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

Ozonic (or Clean) Notes

When sniffed, these fragrances are reminiscent of the seashore or fresh water.

Most often people will refer to them as clean and fresh. The scent will remind them of a breeze coming off the ocean or the way we expect a summer breeze to smell. When mixed Old Town Crier

with floral notes, these ozonic fragrances gain more depth, last longer and are unique.

How to Wear It

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

Night brings out a different objective for fragrance. Sensuality is usually associated with applying a fragrance at night. To create the allure of fragrance at night, proper placement is of utmost importance. Target areas of sensuality such as behind the ears, around the neck, and on the hair.

There is also the decadent way of applying fragrance. We all need a little decadence every once in a while. Keep in mind, unless you want to replace your perfume bottles often, apply your fragrance with decadence on rare occasions. The decadent approach is to spritz an area in front of your body and walk through it. This approach allows the fragrance to settle lightly on the skin and clothing. In order to be effective, you must spritz a fair amount of fragrance before you walk through it.

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

Enjoy the art of choosing a new spring fragrance and applying it with decadence!

Get Ready for Warm Weather Start your Spring off with this unique facial for brightening, reducing signs of aging, rejuvenating the skin and infusing moisture.

Take Advantage of Our April Specials and Unveil Smooth, Silky Skin Cucumber Parsley Oxygen Facial & LED Light Therapy $310 All Kerastase Travel Size 15% Off

610 Madison Street,Suite100 Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.894.0709 • LuluSageSalonAndSpa.com

be blown away haircuts for men & women color highlights, full & partial conditioning treatments ask about our happy hour blowout special appointments suggested– walk-ins welcome

1002 king street old town alexandria 703.683.5555 blownsalon.com April 2015 | 43

SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

Can My Life Line Tell Me How Long I’ll Live?

H

and Analysis, or as I like to call it, Pragmatic Palmistry is an interesting topic for so many people.

Whenever people find out that I not only read hands, but that I spent a year getting my first certification and another year gaining my Master level certification they think I’m either bonkers or really interesting.

It’s up to you to decide for yourself, of course.

Here are few Myths and Facts about Hand Reading for your next trivia night.

1. You cannot tell how long you’re going to live by the length, depth or shape of a life line on the hand. A life line begins between the index (Jupiter) finger and the Thumb and it curves around that fleshy pad below the thumb. It may be long or short, it may swing wide or curve close to the base of the thumb. It can

The

tell you how grounded you are in the life you’re living right now – how much you enjoy being here on the planet, and how good you are to your body, but it cannot show you how long you’re going to live. If you’re interested in your life expectancy - - your family history, your eating habits, your drinking habits and your tendency to walk in traffic or down dark alleys in the worst part of town are more indicative of your life expectancy than a line on your hand.

2. You may or may not have a “marriage” line. It doesn’t mean you will or will not be married. It seems that the internet is full of pictures of “marriage” lines and people who have been happily single for decades suddenly wig out thinking they are supposed to have TWO marriages! Or worse, there are people who are happily

married and then find out (according to the internet, so it MUST be true) that they have 3 marriage lines – they call me in a panic wondering if I can tell them what’s wrong with their marriage or what’s going to happen to their spouse. Of course there are those who don’t have any “marriage” lines and they feel hopeless in pursuing their own highest and best good in a relationship, believing that they are ’fated’ to be alone forever. None of this is true. There may (or may not) be one (or more) short, horizontal lines very close to the base of your pinky (Mercury) finger. This line (or lines) will be ¼ inch or shorter if you have it (we’ll talk about that other, longer line below the pinky in a minute). If you have one it can indicate a meaningful relationship. This meaningful relationship can

Pragmatic Palmist PEGGIE ARVIDSON

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

Phone and Skype appointments are also available!

9028 D Prince William Street, Manassas, VA • 703-392-9200 • RisingPhoenixHC.com

44 | April 2015

be with a friend, a parent, a child, a co-worker or your bookie. It does not mean that you will have a romantic relationship with anyone, unless you and they agree to it.

3. It follows then that there are NO CHILDREN LINES that cut through or below the “marriage” lines. There are no “boy/son” lines nor “girl/daughter” lines. In Pragmatic Palmistry, you have complete free will, and to my understanding there is a great deal of luck, prayer and timing involved in whether or not you give birth to children. There are many mothers and fathers who have no “children” lines and there are many adults who are child-free by choice that have the socalled “children” lines. Your hands cannot predict your future, nor the future of any other being.

4. Your heart line doesn’t tell the full story when it comes to your love life. Your heart line begins below the pinky (Mercury) finger and travels horizontally across your hand toward the thumb side. It may end in one of four areas which is a telltale sign of how you love and how you wish to be loved. It’s also an indicator of your communication style, and interestingly enough one of the best tools for team building and sales training I’ve ever found in the workplace. Once you know and understand your heart line type you can communicate more effectively with everyone you meet, especially those you care most about.

5. Everything in your hands, with the exception of your fingerprints, can change.

This means that everything

you see in your hands today may shift and change and even disappear in a few months or years or decades. This is because you are constantly growing, changing and expanding and it’s reflected in the lines, markings and even the shape of your hand.

6. Your fingerprints never change. They are formed when you’re in the womb and they remain with you until you leave Earth.

This is why hand analysts look to them as the key to your soul’s language. In our parlance we use your fingerprints to unlock the mystery of your life’s purpose while you’re on Earth. There are many ways to unlock your purpose of course, and these are your fingerprints, so you’ll find that your purpose, as translated from your fingerprints will feel familiar to you. Using your hands can help you find ways to allow that purpose to blossom into your everyday life.

Now, go forth and amuse your friends at your next Friday night bar-b-que with your newfound palmistry facts!

Peggie Arvidson, the Pragmatic Palmist is a healer, teacher and soul coach as well as the founder of The Profitable Alchemist Academy. She’s helped thousands of people connect with their life purpose and put it to work for them through private readings, small group classes and individual coaching programs. You can learn more & sign up to receive your free mini-reading at PeggieArvidson.com. She’s also available for private sessions at Rising Phoenix Holistic Center in downtown Manassas, Va. Old Town Crier

OPEN SPACE LORI WELCH BROWN

XL and I recently passed the six month anniversary of our wedding—halfway through the first year, which, I’m told, is the toughest. Funny, I thought all those years on match.com were the toughest. Assuming for most couples it’s because you’re faced with working through the grownup stuff like taxes, budgets and whose coffee mugs make it into the cabinet vs. the toss pile.

The coffee mug challenge has likely rattled many a union. About three months into shacking up, XXL and I had a rather lively discussion over storage containers that was about two decibels away from becoming a domestic situation. I never realized how passionate a man could be about Tupperware. Being a grownup is highly overrated on so many levels.

XXL scores more grownup points than yours truly, however, as he has a prior marriage under his belt. He’s experienced, whereas I, on the other hand, am a total rookie. I’m not going to sugar coat it for you. Marriage is a wonderful, beautiful thing, but if you’re like me—a woman who spent a few decades perfecting her solo act—it can be challenging.

Typically when I’m confronted with a challenge or embarking on some endeavor where my frame of reference is limited, I head to see my friends at Barnes & Noble. On my path to personal exploration, as well as finding a suitable partner, I was a B&N frequent flyer, often consulting with trusted advisors such as Elizabeth Lesser, Eckhart Tolle, Martha Beck, Ram Dass, Julia Cameron, Pema Chodron, Anne Lamott, Thich Nhat Hanh and a few others on a wealth of subjects. I literally grew up with them. I spent so much time with them I should have probably invited them Old Town Crier

to the wedding. Over the years I’ve welcomed them into my home where they’ve landed on my nightstand or found coveted space on my bookshelf. My ‘shelfies’ cheered me up, made me laugh, counseled me after relationship blunders, picked me up after break ups, and assured me that I wasn’t the freak that I sometimes thought I was after some perceived shortcoming or failure. What I learned from my shelfies was that no matter what I was going through, I wasn’t alone. Sometimes a single quote or passage would lift me up out of the darkness or radiate a divine light bulb of clarity.

When we descend all the way down to the bottom of a loss, and dwell patiently, with an open heart, in the darkness and pain, we can bring back up with us the sweetness of life and the exhilaration of inner growth.

When there is nothing left to lose, we find the true self — the self that is whole, the self that is enough, the self that no longer looks to others for definition, or completion or anything but companionship on the journey. This is the way to live a meaningful and hopeful life — a life of real happiness and inner peace. This is the Phoenix Process.

—Elizabeth Lesser from Broken Open

For me, there is nothing more comforting than cuddling up with a shelfie, coffee cup in hand, soaking in the experiences of someone who has blazed the trail. Thank you B&N for some of the best $24.95 I ever spent.

Sharing your journey with a companion is a blessing and a treasure, as long as you’re not fighting over which suitcase to bring and who forgot the sunblock. When you’ve been single, independent, in control (aka controlling), and maybe a wee bit self-centered, you have to learn how to make room in the suitcase for someone else. Change was needed and change never comes without some kicking and screaming. For awhile, I pointed the finger of change at XXL. After all, while he had been married—that marriage didn’t work.

Clearly, he needed to change. After a few rounds of pointing the finger at XXL, however, it began to occur to me that there were probably a few areas I could tweak. The logical woman to ask for advice would have been my own Mom who was married to my dad for 52 years. Unfortunately, she passed back in 2006 so I had to seek advice elsewhere. I circled the shelves of B&N, and of course, there was

definitely no shortage of authors willing to weigh in on the subject of marital bliss. I had already read and reread the Venus/ Mars book—which, in my opinion, should be required reading for every man and woman hoping to communicate outside of their own gender. The one that caught my eye was “The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands,” by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Now, I know Dr. Laura is a bit controversial — people either love her or hate her, but she actually offers some good, practical advice — advice even this strong, independent feminist woman could relate to, i.e., “We all think we’d like to be able to control everything and everyone around us.

We imagine we’d be safe and secure, always on familiar turf. Frankly, the texture of life does not come from the familiar (which is comfortable), but from challenging ourselves with the unfamiliar.” Hmmm. Maybe she’s on to something.

Men are simple. They have basic needs: they want to love us; make us happy; fix our problems; and slay our dragons. In return, they basically want us to be happy. They’d also like us to be nice to them, smile a lot, not treat them like one of our girlfriends (describe our daily vents in 1200 word rants with colorful adjectives and finely tuned details about our feelings) and occasionally give them some sex and affection … preferably both, and probably more than occasionally.

Sounds good to me. Oh — and when faced with the coffee mug challenge ask yourself “is this the hill I want to die on?” Thanks, shelfie.

April 2015 | 45

The Harbor Is Waking Up …

Sorta!

W

hile it is still going to be a little quiet here in April on the waterfront until we start gearing up for Memorial Day in May, the foliage along American Way is finally starting to green up and the sun is spending more time shining than it did during the long last month of winter!

“March Madness” continues with the final rounds of college basketball being aired on the Harbor’s Jumbo Plaza Screen down on the waterfront. This is a fun way to watch some hoops, people watch and get some fresh air at the same time. Will be a great place to watch the championship game if weather

Harbor, we have retailers coming and permits! going on a regular basis (more on that in You can see by the cool ad in this section the May column) but the restaurant scene that the Harbor is the proud host of the is booming. Granite City Food Brewery is Annual Peep Diorama contest sponsored set to open in late April on the first floor of

by The Washington Post. This has been a the Esplanade Apartment complex and we very creative contest over the years and it are getting our very own Chipotle soon. will be fun to see the actual creations in The MGM is going up really fast. I person. There are some very imaginative

By Lani Gering people in our area as well as just “Peep am looking forward to having a world Geeks” in general. Be sure to check them class Casino in my neighborhood. The out and pick your favorite. You may be inspired to entertainment that will be coming to the MGM is enter next year! going to be some of the best around.

As has been the case since the inception of the The Wine & Food Festival returns the first

Close Shave Yields Big Bucks for St Baldrick’s!

T

he month of March brought a whole lot of fundraising to the harbor with the St. Baldrick’s event held at Harrington’s Pub and Kitchen.

For those of you unfamiliar with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, it is a volunteer-driven charity that has a commitment to raising money for research to find cures for childhood cancers. The particular fundraiser hosted at HPK was a “head shaving”

46 | April 2015

event where guys and gals offer to have their heads shaved after garnering monetary support from friends and co-workers. The top fundraiser at the event at HPK was Kenny Irwin aka “Uncle Kenny” as he is known here in PG County as well as St. Mary’s and Calvert. Kenny gets around — he is the On Premise Sales Manager for locally owned Bozick Distributors. This means that he gets to visit

bars and restaurants that carry the adult beverages he represents. His top dog is one of my favorites —Coors Light! Kenny raised $2710 for the charity.

The cool thing about him taking the challenge is that he really, really likes his hair! Congratulations to Uncle Kenny! If you want to know more about St. Baldrick’s check them out at stbaldricks.org.

Watch for an event in your area.

Old Town Crier

NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE AROMA DITALI 156 National Plaza 301-839-3492 weekend in May (2 & 3) in the Carousel lot. This has proven to be a fun event for all of you foodies and winos out there in our readership. For complete information check out wineandfoodnh.com.

Potomac

Looking forward to the warm weather and those April showers that are going to bring on the May flowers! Have a Happy Easter everyone!

RiveRboat

comPany

SightSeeing – Private CharterS – Water taxiS

BAJA FRESH MEXICAN 186 Waterfront Street 301-839-1377 BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445 CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014

alexandria – national harbor Water taxi

National Harbor is a waterfront destination across from Alexandria. Round-trip and One-way service provided.

george WaShington’S mount veRnon by wateR cRuise Arrive by boat and spend the afternoon exploring the 45-acre estate, grounds, Museum and Education Center.

washington by wateR monuments cRuise

Enjoy our nation’s monuments and historic landmarks on a narrated cruise between Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown Washington D.C.

Water taxi to the national Mall

Arrive in style at the National Mall to view the Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and more!

For additional information, visit our ticket booth located in the Alexandria City Marina, behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

703.684.0580 Old Town Crier

|

ww ww w . PP o ot to om ma ac cR R ii v v ee R R bb o oa at tc co o. c co om m w

NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-400 OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com PIENZA ITALIAN MARKET Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS 146 National Plaza 301-686-1160

FIORELLA PIZZERIA E CAFFE 152 National Plaza 301-839-1811

PUBLIC HOUSE 199 Fleet Street 240-493-6120 publichouse nationalharbor.com

GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788

REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330

Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspub andkitchen.com

ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005

McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com

SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 Walrus Oyster & Ale House 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100

April 2015 | 47

2015 PEEPS CONTEST INVADES NATIONAL HARBOR VISIT NATIONAL HARBOR FROM APRIL 4-30 TO SEE THE AMAZING PEEPS DIORAMAS! Visit the classic Washington Post Peeps Dioramas on display at National Harbor at 131 American Way. Come check out the top eight finalists, choose your favorite, and stay for the day to enjoy great shopping and dining.

Sponsored by

165 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745 1 (877) NATLHBR | nationalharbor.com JUST 15 MINUTES FROM THE HEART OF THE NATION’S CAPITAL

48 | April 2015

Old Town Crier

DISCOVER THE FUN JUST ACROSS THE POTOMAC RIVER

Celebrate at Gaylord National Resort with great dining, relaxation, and more.

EXCLUSIVE WINE DINNERS

LOVE HER WITH LAVENDER – MAY 2015

Offered in conjunction with the National Harbor Food & Wine Festival

Indulge in Relâche Spa’s seasonal lavender spa experience, offering aroma-theraputic benefits

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Friday, May 1, 2015 Barboursville Vineyards, Saturday, May 2, 2015 For more information and menus, visit www.GaylordNationalTickets.com

Massage • Facial • Pedicure For more information, visit www.RelacheSpa.com

MOTHER’S DAY EVENT – MAY 10, 10AM - 4PM

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH – MAY 10, 10AM - 4PM

Celebrate Mom with dining experiences fit for a Queen from our 18th floor rooftop lounge

Enjoy a bountiful brunch in our al fresco atrium restaurant Mother’s Day Brunch Al Fresco – Pienza Marketplace

For more information and menus, visit www.GaylordNationalTickets.com

For information and reservations call 301-965-4000

GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT l NATIONAL HARBOR, MD l Call 301.965.4000 l Visit www.GaylordNational.com

a m m u g s s We

i d ri a h t g x an

i n Al e m C o NEW

ou y in

r s! e m n

r

Pub Burger

Taste the freshest from our Market!

The Pub, our first-ever full-service restaurant in VA, your neighborhood spot for great, affordable food and drink.

Join Our Team AND BUILD A CAR EER YOU’LL LOVE

Now hiring

all restaurant positions!

Apply today at wegmans.com/careers