Since 1988 • Priceless
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
May 2020
CELEBRATING
Mother's Day on May 10th and Memorial Day May 25th!
oldtowncrier oldtowncrier.com
Setting the Standard In Old Town Since 1979
may’20 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Schultz DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703. 669. 5502 Sarah Becker F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Samantha Clayton Scott Dicken Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Jastra Ilic Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc Sarah Liu Cindy McGovern
CONTRIBUTORS Meg Mullery Melinda Myers Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Ashley Schultz Jaime Stephens Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lisa Velenovsky Lori Welch Brown Molly Winans
15
26
35
A Bit of History................................................................ 7
First Blush.........................................................................41
On the Road with OTC................................................... 1
After Hours.......................................................................11
Fitness................................................................................40
Open Space.....................................................................43
Alexandria Events............................................................ 2
From the Bay...................................................................24
Pets of the Month.........................................................19
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra '19-'20 Season....11
Gallery Beat.....................................................................12
Points on Pets.................................................................18
Arts & Antiques..............................................................13
Go Fish...............................................................................42
Publisher’s Notes.............................................................. 2
Business Profile................................................................. 4
Grapevine.........................................................................35
Road Trip...........................................................................26
Caribbean Connection...............................................20
High Notes.......................................................................10
Social Media Message................................................... 2
Dining Guide...................................................................33
Keep Your Distance and Wash Those Hands!....... 3
Take Photos, Leave Footprints......................................16
Dining Out.......................................................................30
Memorial Day Feature................................................22
The Last Word.................................................................... 9
Exploring Virginia Wines............................................38
Mother’s Day Feature..................................................15
To the Blue Ridge..........................................................28
Financial Focus.................................................................. 6
National Harbor.............................................................44
Urban Garden.................................................................14
© 2018 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 select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas and St. John, USVI.
On the road with OTC
about the cover The poppy represents those who lost their lives in service to their country in the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD. See our annual Tribute to Memorial Day in this issue.
Old Town Crier
Since our readers can’t travel very far for the time being, we are happy that our friend and Old Town Crier fan, Jackie Hall, who resides in Southern Maryland, took some time to celebrate with her dog Penny and catch up on some good news from Northern Virginia. We have been told that since this photo was taken, Penny has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. From all accounts she was a fantastic pooch and I am sure she is greatly missed. If you would like to see your photo in this space, take a high resolution shot and email it with a description for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com. May 2020 | 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
BOB TAGERT
What can I say...Keep Your Distance and Wash Your Hands. This is a favorite statement from my partner Lani and it does have merit. I am thinking that we should get it trademarked. Let’s hope the social distancing and other measures have helped reduce the spread of the Coronavirus - we do live in a different world now than we did two months ago. If you have picked up a hard copy of this issue, you have already noticed the absence of a glossy cover. For this month we have eliminated the glossy wrap but have up ticked the overall quality of the paper used throughout the issue. This affords us a significant savings with a minimum loss of quality. The fact of the matter is, we can’t afford the glossy wrap with the loss of the ad revenue that we have experienced. We also lost a major portion of our distribution sites due to the closures of almost all hospitality/tourism venues but that hasn’t deterred us. We haven’t missed an issue in 32 years and we are hoping to continue on. Most of our articles are written with the virus in mind. Many of our contributing writer’s share how they are dealing with this pandemic in their own way. Suffice it to say, we sincerely hope that by the end of this month we will be on our way to recovery. The mandates change every day and it looks like some businesses will be opening their doors this month. It appears that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, let us hope there is and that there isn’t a bigger train coming the other way. Our Road Trip takes you in many directions. You choose. The idea here is to get out of the house into the relative safety of your car or truck and take a drive. Enjoy the spring air, fragrances and sounds of the open road. In From the Bay you can learn how this virus has impacted the nation’s largest estuary. Check out the Special Feature on Mother’s Day, even the Fitness column is just for you Moms out there. We pay homage to Memorial Day every year – hence the APRIL TOURS, EXHIBITS, EVENTS lone poppy on the cover. It resonates the message from the famous poem In Flanders Fields. On a sad note, after a struggle with cancer, our friend and Old Town COVID-19 UPDATE original, Fred Parker passed away last month. Fred was the founder of the original Hard Times Cafe here in Old Town. An Alexandria resident and With the current situation with the COVID-19 virus lover of chili, Fred and his late brother Jim took their products to the highest level. HAPPENINGS & all schedules events have been cancelled. We Fred was a low key character, but he did a world of good. Vaya Con Dios Cowboy!! Left: Fred ParkerTHINGS (photo by Chester Simpson) TO DO IN will post as we get information, in the meantime Take some time to reflect on those that have passed on Memorial Day Above: Enjoying some “social distancing“ at Copper ALEXANDRIA: we encourage you to connect with the Alexandria – and if you see someone handing out a paper poppy, please donate. Convention and Visitors AssociationFox at: Distillery with a Wasmund’s Single Malt in hand. Wishing all of you moms out there a very Happy Mother’s Day!! 1. Check out VisitAlexandriaVA.com Web: VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Alexandria
Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com Facebook: Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA
2. Stay tuned to the visitALX blog at visitALX.com 3. Sign up for the Alexandria Insider monthly e-newsletter at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/eNews
Instagram: Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA Hashtags: #visitALX
COVID-19 UPDATE ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA Named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine, a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2019 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked in to 18th- and 19th-century architecture still intact from the city’s days as George Washington’s hometown ignite historic and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy.
With the current situation with the COVID-19 virus all schedules events have been cancelled. We will post as we get information, in the meantime we encourage you to connect with the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association at:
VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Old Town Crier
VisitAlexandriaVA.com #visitALX |
April 2020 | 3
Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA Hashtags: #visitALX Photo: Sam Kittner and Visit Alexandria.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA
Named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine, a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2019 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked in to 18th- and 19th-century architecture still intact from the city’s days as George Washington’s hometown ignite historic and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy. 2 | May 2020
Old Town Crier
LANI GERING
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Keep Your Distance and Wash Those Hands!
T
his is the first time since I started “helping” David and Bob with the Old Town Crier in November of 1994 that I have felt the need to editorially contribute something other than my normal assignments - ie Profiles, the Harbor section, etc. I have gone from donating my time and “expertise”, whatever that is, to being the force behind getting this publication pulled together each month. While we have been through some rough times over these past 32 plus years, we have still maintained a pretty darn good publication both in print and online. Never before this “virus” situation had we ever contemplated not publishing an issue. So much of our ad revenue is dependent on the hospitality/food service business and we lost close to ½ of our monthly income basically overnight. We haven’t missed publishing an issue since the first one hit the streets in January of 1988 and we are doing everything we can to continue the trend. That includes reducing the
VIRGINIA’S METRICS FOR PHASE ONE When we see… • Downward trend: Percentage of positive tests over 14 days • Downward trend: Hospitalizations over 14 days Increased testing and tracing • Enough hospital beds & intensive care capacity • Increasing & sustainable supply of PPE
number of pages (due to the loss of ads) and lowering the print run (due to the fact that a major portion of our distribution outlets are closed) in order to save some money. We have had to make some tough decisions and you will notice that this issue doesn’t have the glossy cover wrap
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE
that you are accustomed to – we have had that pretty wrap for over 20 years! On the upside, however, you might notice that the entire publication feels a little heftier. That is because we were able to upgrade the quality of
…then Virginia can move to phase one. Phase one looks like this: • Some businesses re-open with strict safety restrictions • Continued social distancing • Continued teleworking • Face coverings recommended in public
SOCIAL DISTANCING> PAGE 5
JASTRA ILIC
Online Gambling Breaking Records
US Online Gaming Industry to Hit $3.5 Billion Revenue This Year With coronavirus lockdown rules in place and millions of Americans advised to stay at home, online engagement in the United States increased dramatically in March. One of the most common at-home media activities in the United States last month was gaming. According to data gathered by Golden Casino News, between March 12th and March 19th, online gaming traffic in the United States increased by 75 % week-overweek. The online games segment refers to multiplayer online games, as well as casual and social games that can be played directly in the net browser or via applications that need to be installed. This part of the gaming market covers subscription-based games like World of Warcraft, as well as free-to-play games with in-game buys for additional premium content or functionalities like Fortnite, Call of Duty or Counter-Strike:Global Offensive. The United States represents the Old Town Crier
Image courtesy gamblershocky.com
second-largest online gaming market in the world, revealed the Statista survey. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the US online gaming industry was forecast to generate a $3.5 billion profit in 2020, or 15% less compared to leading China. However,
due to the increased online gaming traffic and the growing player base, these numbers could change by the end of the year. Statistics also showed the number of users in the US online gaming segment is set to reach 63.7 million
this year, with a user penetration of 19.3%. By the end of 2024, this number is expected to jump over 66 million, with 19.6% user penetration. The average revenue per user currently amounts to $56.30. 20% of Americans Spend More on Gaming During Coronavirus Lockdown Besides spending more time on gaming, statistics show Americans are equally willing to pay more on video games during the lockdown. A recent survey, conducted in the United States in April, showed that one in five respondents expect to spend more on gaming due to the coronavirus outbreak. The most significant percentage of online gamers who changed their spending habits are aged between 18 and 29. Almost 30% of respondents aged between 30 and 44 stated they expect to do the same. Jastra Ilic is a contributor to Golden Casino News. May 2020 | 3
BUSINESS PROFILE BOB TAGERT
Hats Off to Imagine Artwear, Ten Thousand Villages and Van’s Hairstylists
T
he Covid-19 pandemic has pretty much shut down the retail world as we know it. The current restrictions for these stores makes it virtually impossible to keep the doors open. However, a handful of operations in Old Town have taken the tactic of some restaurants and provide curb service pickup.
IMAGINE ARTWEAR Imagine Artwear is one of the great success stories in Old Town and owner Carol Suplee has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with the city and business groups. I started the
Old Town Crier in January of 1988 and when Carol bought her store (then Fiber Designs) in 1992 she began advertising with us and has every month since. I love success stories in Old Town, but it takes hard work, more so than ever now. When she opened Fiber Designs, she began to carry inventory from small studio designers and held her very first trunk show. “The Washington Post wrote a very positive article and customers began to show up. That is when I knew I had made the right decision,” she says. In 1997 after a lease disagreement, she moved what
OLD TOWN Shoe & Luggage Repair
Serving Alexandria since 1996 • New Luggage Shoe & Luggage Repair • All Your Shipping Needs
824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 | Donshoe.com Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm 4 | May 2020
is now Imagine Artwear to its current location at 1124 King Street. Today she carries the best in contemporary clothing, jewelry and crafts by American Artists. The store has attracted an international audience to its doors and is an upscale craft fair that happens year round! The store is exceptional, except the store is “sort of closed”. Although Carol is there occasionally, there are no set “open” hours. You can shop online via their website at imagineartwear. com and also on their newly developed Instagram page @ imagineartwear. You will see images of new pieces that are arriving daily including a lovely selection of linen by Vikolijno and classy rain jackets by Canadian designer Nikki Jones along with other outfits, summer scarves and accessories. A new addition at Imagine is perfect for these times... Zen Puzzles. These are artisan, heirloom-quality, wooden jigsaw puzzles hand-designed with unique, elegant designs and charming figural pieces. They are crafted in America with eco-friendly material and fine art prints. Zen Puzzles reflect the character and beauty of the Northwest in every detail, from the cedar wood of the puzzles and handmade patented boxes to the photos themselves. These puzzles are made with both adults and children 8+ in mind. It is something that you can enjoy time and time again over many generations. Imagine will ship your selections immediately and they have free delivery in the Alexandria area.
TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES We all know about retail “therapy”, but have you heard of retail “philanthropy”? Retail therapy has been outdone by a new notion. Simply put, give yourself the gift of giving back. It is no secret that the dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to (if you can find an extra
dollar). Fortunately, there is a place that you can shop and give back to others who are less fortunate at the same time. Located at 915 King Street, Ten Thousand Villages is a veteran business of Old Town and is well known in the community. Ten Thousand Villages improves the livelihood of disadvantaged artisans in developing countries by building a market for handmade products in North America. The Alexandria location was founded in 1994 and today stands as an independent store alongside the parent company. Although associated with the Ten Thousand Village franchise, the Alexandria store is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, directly supporting the artisans of Ten Thousand Villages US. Kate McMahon, the manager of the store understands the importance of shopping fair trade, and how unique this store and its customers are. Kate and her staff (although right now it is mostly Kate), play a vital role in the fair trade movement and are committed to the idea that every worker should receive a fair wage. They have built long term fair-trading relationships with artisans, providing the opportunity for sales of their products to pay for education, healthcare, food and housing. The Alexandria store is doing curbside pickup, shopping by appointment and special “Blind Boxes”. These are curated fair trade gift boxes that you choose by category through their google form (https://forms.gle/ WdNf4Pbf5wURGZSAA) that they pack and ship for free. They also have beautiful cotton fabric, hand blocked by their artisan partners in India that are a great face covering making project. Just two napkins make three masks and directions are included. Either or both would make a great Mother’s Day gift! Although an independent, they do encourage shopping at www.tenthousandvillages. com even though the entire
sale does not directly benefit the store. It does benefit the artisans they partner with and that is far more important and is what their mission is all about! If you do shop online, please choose the Alexandria store as your local shop. In addition, the Alexandria store has many items in stock that cannot be found on the website such as, fair trade coffee, chocolates, soup mixes, spices and more! If you stop by, they will show you around. As Carol says...we are kind of open!
VAN’S HAIRSTYLIST Another business that we want to call to your attention is Van’s Hairstylist on North Washington Street. This “low key” hair salon/barbershop, owned by the very “low key” Covan started advertising with the Crier in the early 90’s and haven’t missed an issue. These stylists deliver quality haircuts for both men and women along with the prerequisite shampoo and blowout, color application and permanents (I guess people still get them) for a very reasonable price. I know most of you have a stylist or barber that you are loyal to but I am thinking there might be a mad rush when the ban is lifted so….you might want to take a chance with Van’s! These are three Old Town shops that have supported the Old Town Crier for years and during the pandemic - it is right that we show them some love during this historic period in time. I have a lot of respect for all of the Alexandria businesses but we wanted to give these three some special recognition. They are part of the reason we are still able to provide this issue to you. Hopefully the mandates will loosen up this month and we will be able to get started on our “new” normal. In the meantime…Shop Local and Keep Your Distance and Wash Your Hands! * See these retailers ads in this issue. Old Town Crier
SOCIAL DISTANCING | FROM PG 3
the paper for the entire issue as a trade-off and still save a chunk of change at the same time. Who knows what the “New Normal” will be when we start to come out of this disaster. The “rules” change on an almost daily basis but at the time I am writing this it looks like some businesses in Virginia may be able to open as soon as May 8th with Phase One as long as the statistics on COVID-19 continue to decline/stay the course. I am worried about all of our businesses but more particularly worried about our many friends in the restaurant/food industry realm. The proposed mandates that are coming down on them in order to open up seem a bit of an overkill to me. Hopefully by the time you are reading this – things will have taken a better turn for them. For now, let’s keep ordering our eats to go and have them delivered or pick them up curbside along with an adult beverage or two. I don’t think any of us really thought that this “shelter in place/social distancing” mandate would last this long when the order came down the pike in midMarch. The idea that we were being told to keep 6 feet between us at any given time and that we couldn’t hang out with more than 10 people total and couldn’t have more than 6 people in a group seemed a bit ridiculous. But, here we are over 8
weeks later with the same restrictions and the added recommendation to wear a face mask in public. I have to be really honest here and say that I have a bit of a problem with the wearing a mask in public. I totally get wearing one in the stores or where you may encounter other warm bodies face to face but wearing one while I’m walking around outside ain’t gonna happen. If you pass me on the sidewalk/street/bike path, rest assured I will not spit, sneeze or cough in your direction and I appreciate it if you follow suit. I could go on and on about several things about the rules that twist me but that can wait for another time. Maybe when we reflect on this disaster when it has passed. In the meantime, we are all trying to cope as best we can. I have never said that I wish I hadn’t taken the buyout from my USDA job in 1994 until now. It would be so nice to have that paycheck coming in every two weeks while I worked from home. On the other hand, had I not left the Feds, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here today penning this piece. I am thankful for that. Right now I am pretty much doing my part to follow the mandates and I am happy that doing the distribution to the mountains and the bay is considered “essential” in Maryland and is allowed in Virginia. Taking these drives is what has kept me sane. That being said, “Keep Your Distance and Wash Those Hands!”
Photo: Lauren Fleming (instagram.com/lfbphotography)
WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT
Publisher's Note: I know a lot of you will have read this “Same Boat” quote on Facebook or some other social media platform, but I wanted to share it with those of you who are old school and like to read print. I think the message is an important one.
I have heard that we are “all in the same boat”, but it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa. For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis. For some that live alone they’re facing endless loneliness. While for others it is peace, rest & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters. With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment some are bringing in more money to their households than they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales. Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0. Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend. Some want to go back to work because
they don’t qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine. Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday. Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don’t believe this is a big deal. Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come. So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different. Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing. We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey. Unknown author
Photo: Lauren Fleming (instagram.com/lfbphotography)
DON’T LITTER
Pick up your masks, protective gloves, sanitary wipes and put them in the trash YOURSELF! Old Town Crier
May 2020 | 5
FINANCIAL FOCUS
F
CARL TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN BEARCE
Five Ways to Help Protect Your Family from Fraud
rom listening to music to ordering groceries, almost all aspects of our daily lives are connected to the Internet in some way. Nearly a third of Americans say they’re “almost constantly” online, with 81% using the Internet at least once a day.¹ But our always-connected nature can come with risks: The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center² averages more than 900 complaints a day; the center recorded $2.71 billion in victim losses in 2019.³ Here are some ways you can help protect your family online.
1. Learn to spot imposter scams. Have you ever received a call, text, or email purporting to be from your credit card provider regarding suspicious activity detected on your account? It could be a scammer trying to convince you to share sensitive
information that would enable them to access your accounts. Increasingly, these criminals may be able to spoof caller ID or an email address so it appears they are legitimate. When in doubt, do not respond. Instead, alert your provider about the suspicious communication. Learn more about how to spot common scams at www.wellsfargo.com/ scams.
2. Manage and monitor your credit. If your data has been compromised through a security breach, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file with the three major credit bureaus. Visit https://www.consumer.ftc. gov/features/feature-0014identity-theft for more information on identity theft prevention tips and resources you can share with your family. Make a habit of reviewing credit reports for you and
your child at least once a year. Look for unauthorized accounts that may have been opened in your names. More than 1 million children were victims of identity fraud in 2017, according to one study from banking industry research firm Javelin Strategy & Research.⁴
3. Limit what you share on social media. Thieves scour social media profiles for clues to security questions, passwords, and other information that could help them impersonate potential victims online. First, set your profiles to private—and encourage your family members to do the same. Also, restrict your social media contacts to people you know personally. Finally, watch what information you disclose. Revealing too much personal information in your social profiles can put you at greater risk of identity
theft, especially if your bank or other companies use that information to verify your identity.
4. Protect your home network. Create a strong password for your wireless network in your home. Consider using a unique phrase with a mix of letters and numbers. Avoid using any part of your email address or information shared on social media, like the name of your pet, favorite movie, or anything else someone could easily guess. When you are configuring your router, the Department of Homeland Security recommends choosing the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) setting, which is the strongest encryption option.⁵
of the latest threats. Be sure to work with Wells Fargo Advisors and other financial providers to understand ways to protect yourself as you conduct financial business online. This article was written by/ for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing DirectorInvestments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice PresidentInvestments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE
5. Stay up to date.
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Cybercriminals change their tactics frequently, so families should stay on top
© 2019 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
¹https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/25/americans-going-online-almost-constantly/ ² https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx ³https://pdf.ic3.gov/2018_IC3Report.pdf 4 https://www.javelinstrategy.com/coverage-area/2018-child-identity-fraud-study 5 https://www.ready.gov/cybersecurity
6 | May 2020
Old Town Crier
A BIT OF HISTORY
©2019 SARAH BECKER
St. Louis Red Cross Motor Corps on duty Oct. 1918 Influenza epidemic.
Image courtesy of The Library of Congress
T
oday it is the unexpected arrival of an acute febrile respiratory disease, COVID-19 that sickens America. COVID-19, a relative of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was first discovered in China in December 2019. The United States recorded its first COVID-19 case on January 21, 2020; on March 11 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the “novel coronavirus” a pandemic. Fifteen days later one third of the world’s population was on lockdown. The first seemingly flu-like case was diagnosed in Wuhan, China; then Europe, Italy and Spain especially. Now the United States is infected, all 50 states: Washington and New York States; New York City (the epi-center); Los Angeles, New Orleans and Detroit; rural populations as well. Disease surveillance “is the continuing scrutiny of all aspects of occurrence and spread that are pertinent to control.” The speed of COVID-19’s spread boggles the mind. It is transmitted by droplet spread including oral contact (sneeze, cough) and hands (touch and contaminated surfaces). By March 25, 2020, the stay at home health crisis had given way to economic chaos: Old Town Crier
Infectious Diseases Throughout the Years
Influenza ward, Walter Reed Hospital, Wash., D.C. [Nurse taking patient's pulse]
Demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918.
Image courtesy of The Library of Congress
supply shortages including personal professional equipment [PPE]; prolonged school and business closings; job layoffs and a historic $2.2 trillion Federal relief bill. The Defense Production Act of 1950 was revived, albeit slowly. Disease occurs when cells in the human body are damaged as a result of infection. Infectious diseases are caused by living organisms including viruses, bacteria, fungi,
protozoa and parasitic worms. The South succumbed to hookworm in 1909. Infectious diseases spread by direct contact: via vectors like the mosquito; contaminated food, water and blood; and airborne droplets. The pandemic Spanish influenza slowed the First World War, and in 1918 in Alexandria “expectorating on sidewalks” became punishable by law. Today’s
Image courtesy of The Library of Congress
law enforcement officers spend their time scattering social groups of more than ten people, a class one misdemeanor in Virginia. In 1617 Jamestown’s Indian villages suffered a fatal smallpox epidemic. In 1793 Alexandria’s Superintendent of Quarantine inspected incoming ships to prevent the spread of yellow fever. In 1862 President Lincoln’s son Willie died of typhoid fever and during the Civil War
more soldiers died of diarrhea than battle wounds. “The [civil] war is over, but the hospitals are fuller than ever,” hospital volunteer Walt Whitman wrote. “I should say of the sick, from my observation, that the prevailing maladies are typhoid fever and camp fevers generally, diarrhea, catarrhal affections and bronchitis, rheumatism and pneumonia.” Beginning in 1861, concurrent with the Civil War, Louis Pasteur developed his germ theory of disease. In 1861 U.S. Army bacteriologist George Sternberg isolated the pneumococcus bacterium “that is responsible for pneumonia.” Sternberg’s announcement of his discovery “came almost simultaneously with Louis Pasteur’s statement of the same.” Pneumonia is an acute respiratory disease sometimes coincident with coronavirus Covid-19. Revolutionary War General George Washington understood the maladies associated with infectious diseases. He survived smallpox as a youth. Washington favored smallpox inoculation, so much so he countermanded the Continental Congress and ordered the Continental army A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 8
May 2020 | 7
A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 7
immunized. “Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure, for should the disorder infect the Army…we should have more to dread from it, than from the Sword of the enemy,” Washington told Dr. William Shippen, Jr., in 1777. “[General] Washington’s unheralded and littlerecognized resolution to inoculate the Continental forces must surely rank among his most important decisions of the war,” historian Elizabeth A. Fenn wrote. No COVID-19 vaccine exists as yet. “Future nations will know by history only that the loathsome small-pox has existed and by you[r vaccine] has been extirpated,” President Thomas Jefferson wrote English physician Edward Jenner in 1806. Thanks to the courage of men like Washington and Jefferson smallpox was wholly eradicated in 1979. Infectious diseases account for a quarter of the deaths worldwide. As air travel continues, as weather patterns change; as food is
now traded, as water and sanitation practices fail infectious diseases will spread. Alexandria understood as early as 1810 excreta contaminated its groundwater. Some health solutions, like repeated hand washing with soap, are simple. Others including physical, i.e. social distancing require greater effort. The polio virus, which slowed with the 1953 Salk vaccine, remains prevalent in Pakistan, Afghanistan and northern Nigeria. The 2018 Polio Endgame Plan includes the introduction of female vaccination teams, a strategy local Taliban oppose. Remarkably fewer women have died of coronavirus COVID-19 than men. Question: why is it the United States seems so poorly primed? Perhaps because President Donald Trump’s National Security adviser John Bolton dismissed the White House’s Pandemic Response team, its Global Health Security team in May 2018. Yes, the country lived through the 2003 SARS outbreak: the complexities of state, federal and corporate supply chains. But product globalization; China-only supply chains
We're open and we're ready to help you!
Virtual consultations are fun, easy and free!
40
%
BUY 1, GET 1
We Now Offer FREE Virtual Consultations! ✓ Be safe and secure ✓ Air-tight installation ✓ Eliminate drafts ✓ Built, installed and warrantied by one company
OFF
YOUR ENTIRE PROJECT1 MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4
PLUS
0 MONEY DOWN 0 INTEREST $ 0 MONTHLY PAYMENTS $ $
for 12 months1 MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4. INTEREST ACCRUES FROM DATE OF PURCHASE BUT IS WAIVED IF PAID IN FULL WITHIN 12 MONTHS.
CALL BY AUGUST 31 TO LOCK-IN THIS OFFER
571-932-5842
THE FULL SERVICE REPLACEMENT WINDOW DIVISION OF
1 DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 8/31/2020. Offer valid on initial visit only. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window, get the next one (1) at 40% off and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, $0 interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or patio doors between 4/1/2020 and 8/31/2020. 40% off windows and patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or patio door in the project. Subject to credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender or familial status. Available only at participating locations. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. Los Angeles License #992285. Orange County License #990416. MHIC #121441. VA License #2705155684. DC License #420215000125. License MN: BC130983/WI:266951. Excludes MN insurance work per MSA 325E.66. Other license numbers available on request. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. "ENERGY STAR" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. © 2020 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. *Using U.S. and imported parts.
8 | May 2020
Two women enjoy the sunshine in Old Town Winchester during Virginia's COVID-19 stay-at-home order.
Photo: Lauren Fleming (instagram.com/lfbphotography)
including antibiotics and medical supplies? SARS originated in China’s Guangdong province and lasted perhaps six months. “The disease known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is the first new infection in decades that can be spread from one person to another,” The Washington Post reported on March 25, 2003. “SARS is believed to have first emerged in Southern China. From there the disease spread globally…by international travelers across Europe and America.” “Evidence indicates that the cause of the mysterious outbreak is a new member of a family of microbes known as coronaviruses,” The Post continued. “Coronaviruses… traditionally cause common illnesses like colds and upperrespiratory tract infections. They can be quite contagious [and] this virus is unlike any other human or animal coronavirus we have seen before.” It may be a mutated strain. “Although more research is needed…scientists using a powerful microscope have seen the distinctive crownlike shape of a coronavirus,” The Post concluded. “In addition, scientists have found evidence of a coronavirus in lung and kidney tissue, as well as antibodies…in the blood of three patients.” “The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is now working on tests for the [SARS] virus,” The Washington Post said on April 6, 2003. “That is crucial for
determining which patients… actually have SARS, how often infected people get sick, and how long they can spread the virus.” The Food and Drug Administration approved a rapid COVID-19 test on March 27, 2020. Patient payment is a separate issue. “Left alone coronaviruses can survive for several hours on inanimate objects,” The Post explained. “But it is unclear how often door knobs, elevator buttons, water or sewage contaminated by the virus can infect people.” “The CDC has [asked for]… help to develop better tests, analyze the viruses’ genes, and screen at least 2,000 existing antiviral drugs to see if any work,” The Post concluded. “None of that would be possible without having first identified the unknown [SARS] virus.” Seventeen years later the previously unidentified coronavirus COVID-19 infects the country. Did the SARS epidemic teach us nothing about pathogens and preparedness? I leave it to you, the reader, to decide. Three weeks in Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, predicted “we could see 200,000 deaths and millions of cases” before COVID-19 kips. The worldwide tally surpassed 1.4 million cases on April 7, 2020. As of Easter Sunday more than 20,000 Americans had died. U.S. deaths from COVID-19 now exceed 9/11. It will not be a missile that does the United States in Microsoft and
Gates Foundation founder Bill Gates said in 2015, it will be a pandemic. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $250 million dollars to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. That said, the vaccine itself may not be available for another 14-18 months. In the interim the U.S. government has given Director Fauci an extra security team. It seems conspiracy theorists blame him, not the “novel coronavirus” for the country’s ongoing medical dilemma. President Trump also has suspended federal payments to the WHO. Governor and medical doctor Ralph Northam expects Virginia’s COVID-19 spread to peak, the curve to flatten sometime in late May. About the Author: Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD
N
ot only is this the time of COVID-19, it is also the time of escape through TV binging and reading. I recently came across an unusual series on Netflix called Unorthodox. Based on the book written by a former Hasidic Jew from Brooklyn, it offers more than a peek at the world of a closed society most of us know nothing about: the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Satmar sect in New York. Deborah Feldman, who wrote Unorthodox, escaped from her very insular community in which rigid rules are prescribed for the roles of both men and women. To follow up I read the book Unchosen by Hella Winston, a book about the lives of New York Hasidim who test the boundaries of their fundamentalist communities or find a way to leave them altogether. Unorthodox is only four episodes, so you can zoom through it. As an adaptation of Deborah Feldman’s book, it does not follow her story precisely. Esty, or Esther Schwartz, is a young Satmar Hasid. She must follow precise rules in growing up as a young woman whose future is already written: that of a wife and mother who must not sing in front of men or practice the music she loves. Her role is to respect her husband’s wishes and Old Town Crier
MIRIAM R. KRAMER
produce as many children as possible. Esty’s mother, who is gay, escaped the sect and her husband early on. Therefore, she lives with her grandparents. Her aunt has contacted a matchmaker who sets her up with Yanky Shapiro. As is traditional, she only meets him briefly before her wedding is arranged. Shira Haas plays Esty beautifully. The series starts with Esty’s escape, as she takes only the minimum with her and buys a ticket to Berlin, traveling on a German passport validated through her German ancestry. Her estranged mother lives there. She wants to inhabit a completely different world and find out why her mother left her so long ago. Haas displays her discomfort eloquently with even the slightest shift in expression. As a tiny, elfin figure, her intellectual rebellion makes more of an impression than it might if she took up more physical space. She warns Yanky “I am different” to let him know subtly that she questions her boundaries as a woman within the community. Amit Rahav, who plays Yanky, also does well as a shy, sheltered young Hasid, peering uncomfortably at Esty during their courtship
ritual and floundering to be a proper husband and live up to the Satmar sect’s expectations. Esty secretly reads books in English, a proscribed activity, and speaks English better than most of her fellow Satmar Hasids, since the men in particular only learn English up to the state-required fourthgrade level in school. With her artistic leanings and broader perspective, she chafes against all the guidelines she must follow. Filming mostly in Germany, the series used former Hasidic Jews and Yiddish translators to ensure the most verisimilitude on set. The director cuts between Esty’s tentative modern life in Berlin and her old life, which could have been set in a different century. Unorthodox’s cinematography feels both real and a little unworldly, done in a documentary style that juxtaposes the darker tones of the Satmar community with the lighter, swooping post-World War II architecture featured in Berlin scenes. Perhaps the most fascinating scenes show the rituals leading up to and including Esty and Yanky’s wedding, generally unseen by outsiders. Almost all the scenes in Brooklyn are
filmed in Yiddish. The Hasidims’ clothing is based on Eastern European clothing from the eighteenth century. These frozen-intime rituals create a surreal picture in the context of the twentyfirst century, while also somehow touching in the way they can create joy for many who perform them. The filmmakers show the happiness inherent in such rituals along with the highly conservative and stifling pressure to keep up appearances and adhere to strict conventions. After an unhappy year of marriage, Yanky threatens Esty with a divorce. Secretly pregnant, she cannot take her restrictions any more. She escapes to Berlin, seeking new friends and a new life. As Esty’s life progresses in Berlin, she finds a secular view on the outside world, which is characterized by diverse people and musical exploration. She finds her voice and ability to express herself artistically in a city
that has moved on from the trauma it created in her own former community, which was founded by Holocaust survivors. The series is gripping from beginning to end. Esty’s development runs from darkness to light, restriction to independence, and voicelessness to expression. While her adventures in Berlin wrap up a little too neatly for my liking, you can still enjoy the series. I relished the story and artistry inherent in this cinematic journey into two different worlds, one strictly defined and ironically ensconced within modern New York City, along with the other based in contemporary Berlin. Finished with the series, I read Deborah Feldman’s book. Esty’s journey parallels her own in many respects, and it was as THE LAST WORD > PAGE 11
May 2020 | 9
HIGH NOTES
I
was recently going through a list of musicians I admire when I came across a new song by AWOLNATION called “The Best”. This tune has an inspirational and uplifting tone that is just what the doctor ordered for a time like this. Many are reaching to music to ease the uncertain feeling in the air. So, if you can use a little more vigor and hope, I recommend cranking up this exciting new tune. The crowning jewel of this song is the top line melody. The chorus melody, in particular, caught my attention. Lead singer Aaron Bruno sets things up with a relatively low-key verse melody which has a yearning emotional tone to it. This contrasts with the driving syncopated rhythm of the chorus melody and allows the pumped up and inspirational tone of the chorus to stand out. This melodic dynamic is the central reason the song pops and hooks the listener. 10 | May 2020
RON POWERS
“The Best” is essentially a power pop anthem with hard rock undertones. The song begins with a palm muted slightlyoverdriven guitar line with a delay effect. Sprinkled in the background we hear a synth-like bell sound which gives the song a mysterious and atmospheric vibe. Next, a nostalgic sounding lead synth line introduces the main musical hook just before the full band is introduced giving us a glimpse of the pounding music that lies ahead. The thing I love most about the music for this song is how the guitars, synths, and bass tones contrast with the drum tone. For example, AWOLNATION uses huge hard-edged drum sounds juxtaposed against emotive yet powerful guitar, synth, and bass sounds. This emphasizes the “anthemic” quality of the song and is a major reason you feel empowered and emotionally moved all at once while listening. Singer Aaron Bruno unpacked the
songs meaning in a recent interview. He said he can understand why people would think the song is simply about being the best, but he’s realized that the song is more about discovering the best version of yourself than it is about being better than anyone. He talks about how for a long time he desperately wanted to be the one at the top of the mountain. Then he realized that there will always be someone a little further along than him. He says, “it’s always nice to aspire to be the best at something even though, in fact, it’s impossible.” He also added that he agrees that the song’s message can definitely be used to inspire the listener to work harder and be more disciplined in achieving a goal, but the heart of the song’s message is more selfacceptance than measuring your status against others. It’s true. “The Best” is the kind of song you crank up in your earbuds just before running your heart out on the treadmill.
I can imagine it accompanying the next “Rocky” type movie while the protagonist trains, or studies, or hustles their way to peak condition. But I also love the idea of this song being an anthem about listening to the beat of your own drum and not worrying about what others are doing or thinking. Outside of this incredible new tune, AWOLNATION has a lot of other great songs. If you’d like to listen, you can find them on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most places music is streamed or sold. If you’d like to stay up to date on their events and news, you can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also visit their website at awolnationmusic.com Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant, and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent. Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD | FROM PAGE 9
compelling as the series, and more realistic, as it should be, in terms of the book’s ending. Her journey diverges somewhat from the fictional one, however. She discusses her reactions to the rules and proscriptions within her community more deeply. Feldman’s writing is intellectually honest, vivid and fast-paced, and you can easily read it in one sitting. If you want to learn more about Hasidic philosophy and rules, you will find her experiences within these guidelines compelling, if sometimes highly dramatic. After deciding to dive deeper into the subject, I read Unchosen by Hella Winston, a sociologist who chose to study rebellion within different Hasidic sects in Brooklyn. She interviews a woman who, like Deborah Feldman, broke free of her community altogether, founding a group to help other Hasidim who seek to find a life on the outside, despite having no official high school diplomas or the ability to speak English well. Winston also follows a Lubavitcher Hasid as he cuts off his payos (sidelocks) and goes back and forth between sneaking to Manhattan in jeans and then donning
traditional garb back in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. While the Lubavitchers have more contact with the outside world than the Satmar sect, since their philosophy includes recruiting unaffiliated Jews to their community, they still have rigid rules of their own. Yossi’s psychological difficulties greatly increase as he seeks modernity and freedom in a secret life while remaining unable to break free entirely from his community. Hella Winston writes also about a respected religious Hasid figure who is a secret atheist. She discusses those who still consider themselves Orthodox but need a broader intellectual perspective to question and compare their faith to that of others. Some of her interviewees buy TVs and computers in secret. They covertly read books in English and Hebrew or the anonymous blogs written by other rebels within their communities to feel less alone and discuss their changing identities. Some of her subjects live psychological double lives without the hope of stretching their parameters in reality, knowing that they cannot leave the community without damaging the marriage prospects and reputations of their family members. Others know they
cannot find a job without help, since their community leaves them with no academic, professional, or linguistic qualifications that would allow them to leave and establish lives elsewhere. I found reading this sociological book saddening but also hopeful in the sense that many Hasidim want to return to the roots of Hasidism, founded in the eighteenth century ironically to get away from Judaism’s thenrigid conventions and create a more ecstatic, emotional connection to God. Some want to abandon their religion altogether, and many want to debate their faith and remain Orthodox if not Hasidic. Her conclusion is that there are more people seeking progress than has been previously known; people who are creating changes not only as struggling Hasidim but also in Orthodox Jewish communities. In essence, modern Orthodox Judaism is more fluid and perhaps even more potentially progressive than previously understood. These changes have the potential to enrich Orthodox Judaism, regardless of rejection or obstruction by those Hasidim who cling to the comfort and warmth of their communities, happy in adhering to their strict conventions.
AFTER HOURS Alexandria Symphony Orchestra 2019-2020 Season Due to the COVID-19 Virus situation the Alexandria Symphony has cancelled all performances until the opening of the 2020-2021 Season. ASO PRESENTS A SEASON OF MASTERWORKS, NEW WORKS AND MULTIPLE COLLABORATIONS Led by Music Director James Ross, the season offers familiar masterworks and multiple collaborations with local arts organizations. The season launches with a joyful noise on October 3 and 4, 2020
Old Town Crier
Birchmere 703.549.7500 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com The Blackwall Hitch 571-982-3577 5 Cameron St. theblackwallhitch.com Carlyle Club 411 John Carlyle Dr. 703-549-8957 thecarlyleclub.com Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442 Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Like us on Facebook! @oldtowncrier
Future performances cancelled until the pandemic mandates are lifted.
The Fish Market 703.836.5676 105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St. The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. lighthorserestaurant.com Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com O’Connell’s 703.739.1124 112 King St.
Rock It Grill 703.739.2274 1319 King St. Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com 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 LaTrattoria 703-548-9338 305 S. Washington St. Two Nineteen 703.549.1141 219 King St. Village Brauhaus 710 King St. 703-888-1951 These establishments offer live entertainment. Call to confirm show times, dates and cover charges. Check our advertisers’ websites.
May 2020 | 11
GALLERY BEAT
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
Photo: Visit Alexandria
GIVE A ‘EM A
BREAK!
12 | May 2020
ccording to the 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Alexandria is the second friendliest city in America – immediately following Savannah, Georgia and just above Boulder, Colorado. Yay! And as I’ve noted many times before, the Torpedo Factory is the anchor to Alexandria’s “scene”, not only as its main attraction, but also as the crown jewel to the DMV’s art tapestry, and easily one of the key visual art places in the entire nation. Yay! And amidst the many personal disturbances, social shock, and financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Alexandria is (as we used to
say in the Navy) trying to “screw the pooch” by being remarkably thick when adjusting their stance as the rather “new” landlord of the Factory. Booo! Here’s the issue: The Torpedo Factory, just like every other art space, art museum, art gallery and anything where people go to gather and view and buy art, has closed as ordered by Virginia’s governor. And yet, the City, which is the landlord to the many artists who rent studio space from the building, has NOT waived rent charges while the building is closed and not available to the artists! Let me clarify… as an artist from the Factory tells me: “The city said they would
waive rent for now but we’d have to pay it back, and they will work with us on a payment plan.” It sounds to me like the city will eventually want artists to pay back the rent accrued while the building was closed. In fact, as much as artists and galleries and museums are struggling right now, what the City of Alexandria needs to do right now, is to do whatever it takes to ensure that when the Torpedo Factory reopens its doors, that all artists return to their studios and go on being Alexandria’s main tourist draw. It is obvious to the most casual observer that unless the studio rents for the COVID-19 period are waived completely, a significant number of artists will be forced to close their studios and never return, especially when faced with the specter of significant financial issues already taking place because of this worldwide pandemic. Before this nasty virus
escaped from Wuhan and infected the planet, the city (as the building’s landlord) had already faced some valid criticism for its management of the Factory. The same source tells me that “there was one studio empty for months because they couldn’t fill it… I know of at least two studios that will be empty soon... Under the watch of the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association that never happened. Never. Ever. Maybe the city needs to reconsider allowing a thriving artist association to manage the studios again…” The point is that apparently the city struggled with renting an empty studio prior to Covidian times – this is a shock to me, as historically those studios are highly sought-after and have dozens of applicants whenever one becomes available. And… if the city struggled to rent a studio when times were good – what’s gonna happen during the slow rebuild after GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 13
Old Town Crier
ART&ANTIQUES
Curzon Hill Antiques 108 S. Columbus Street
B&B Art Gallery 215 King Street
Exclusively representing the works of
ANTIQUES
The Hour 1015 King Street
Gallery West 1213 King Street
Price and additional images upon request.
Spurgeon-Lewis Antiques 112 N. Columbus Street
A Galerie 315 Cameron Street
BW Art, Antiques & Collectibles 108 N. Fayette Street
Enamelist’s Gallery 105 N. Union Street
Random Harvest 810 King Street
Imperfections Antiques 1210 King Street
Printmakers, Inc. 105 N. Union Street
Acme Mid-Century + Modern 128 S. Royal Street
The Antique Guild 113 N. Fairfax Street
Van Bommel Antiek Hous 1007 King Street
Silverman Galleries 110 N. St. Asaph Street
Lloyd’s Row 119 S. Henry Street
Red Barn Mercantile 1117 King Street
GALLERIES
Washington Square Antiques 425 S. Washington Street
Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union Street
Susquehanna Antique Co. 608 Cameron Street
Principle Gallery 208 King Street
Old Town Antiques 222 S. Washington Street
Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery 105 N. Union Street
Verdigris Vintage 1215 King Street
St. George Gallery 105 N. Alfred Street
Cavalier Antiques 400 Prince Street
The Art League 105 Union Street
Sumpter Priddy III 323 S. Washington Street
Local Colour Old Town 218 N. Lee Street
Betty Grisham Studio 105 N. Union Street
Henry Street Antiques 115 S. Henry Street
Icon Galleria 101 N. Union Street
Imagine Artwear 112 King Street
GALLERY BEAT | FROM PG 12
the Coronavirulization of America ends? And there are lots of empty studios because artists couldn’t afford the back rent? I asked the City of Alexandria for comment on the issue and Mr. Craig T. Fifer, the Director of Alexandria’s Office of Communications & Public Information was gracious enough to respond: “The Torpedo Factory Art Center is closed to the public, but not to artists. Artists can still access their studios and derive value from having a place to work, make online and curbside sales, and store their supplies and art. Because some artists derive more or less income from walk-in sales than others, it would not make sense to apply a one-sizefits-all approach to studio rent. We notified each of our 119 leaseholders on March 31 that they could request rent relief with just a simple email, and only 16 so far have done so. We have also made extensive business assistance information available on our website at alexandriava. gov/Coronavirus (the direct link for the business info is growalx.com/business). Many other art centers are still charging normal rent, or a discount with no deferral or payment plan. We are offering case-by-case consideration of rent relief with the potential Old Town Crier
to defer 100% of rent through June 30 and then begin a 12-month payment plan after that. This is the same offer we have provided for certain tax payments for businesses citywide.” I realize that I am biased on the subject, but in my opinion someone in the City administration skipped ECON 101 in college: The Factory is a cash cow for the City, and its return from the Covidian Age must be nurtured, not sabotaged. Based on a City-funded study in 2010, the Torpedo Factory generates $16.2 million annually in direct visitor spending for the City of Alexandria. That was 10 years ago! And unlike your “average” Alexandria business, the city owes the Factory a HUGE cultural debt! The Torpedo Factory was and is a labor of love by a visionary few who took out truckloads of garbage out of an abandoned building decades ago and converted it into one of the great art center locations in the nation and the key to the entire revitalization of Old Town Alexandria. The city and the region owe a lot beyond just artistic output to the artists of the Factory. The tax dollars that the City of Alexandria spends each year in subsidizing the Factory has been repaid a thousandth fold over the decades, not only in peripheral income associated with the Factory,
Kelly’s Art & Frame 510 N. Washington Street Oerth Gallery 420 S. Washington Street Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus Street Johnston Matthew 105 N. Union Street
F. Lennox Campello
“ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON, DC” Syreni Caledonii (Northern Atlantic Mermaid). Watercolor, charcoal and Conte. 2019, 12x36 inches.
– Washington City Paper
Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC, Washington, DC www.alidaanderson.com / info@alidaanderson.com
Huddy Studio 105 N. Union Street Mezzanine Multiples 105 N. Union Street Silverman Galleries 110 N. St. Asaph Street Cochran David 105 N. Union Street
but also in the immeasurable way in which the TF kindled and started a complete urban renewal in Old Town Alexandria a few decades back. The answer is clear: No rent while the building is closed. Follow Lenny by tapping into “Daily Campello Art News” at http://dcartnews.blogspot.com. “One of the Internet’s earliest and most popular visual arts blogs - focusing on the Greater Washington, DC area visual arts scene with art news from all over the world. Nearly five million visits!”
Handmade. Fair Trade. Support Local and Global.
915 King St. Old Town Alexandria 703-684-1435 Call 703-684-1435 to shop in store or online www.tenthousandvillages.com
Check us out online at
oldtowncrier.com
TriangulateDC.com TriangulateDC.com
A Pause ...
In these unprecedented times, we are temporarily pausing in-person shopping at Imagine Artwear. Taking care of our Imagine family, friends and supporters is the most important priority in life, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the shop very soon. We are also concerned about feelings of isolation for all of us, so we would love to connect with you via our new Instagram page at imagineartwear. And, if you’d like to shop virtually using FaceTime, email csimagine@aol.com to set up an appointment. We will ship your selections immediately. Be safe and be well. We can’t wait to see you again. Come in soon to see our entire line of amazing North American-made clothing, jewelry and crafts.
1124 King Street
•
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 • (703) 548-1461 www.imagineartwear.com
May 2020 | 13
URBAN GARDEN
E
ach year we set aside one day to honor mothers. And each year we struggle to find the perfect gift to show them we care. Cut flowers are one of the most popular gifts. No dusting and maintenance required, and they are sure to generate a smile. Behavioral research at Rutgers University found the gift of flowers had immediate and long-term benefits no matter the age of the study participants. Participants demonstrated true or excited smiles as well as delight and gratitude 14 | May 2020
when they received flowers. They also reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated long after receiving the gift of flowers. Floral gifts also helped create connections between family and friends. A hanging basket or container garden is another way to give mom a season of flowers and more. Gardening helps improve health and well-being by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, strengthening muscles and increasing flexibility. If mom likes to cook, a potted tomato, container of greens or window box of
herbs may be the perfect gift with increased benefits. Mom can grow and further boost her health with fresh nutrientrich vegetables. A gift certificate to her favorite garden center, hobby store or retail location allows mom the freedom to select her own gift. She can enjoy time shopping for something special she wouldn’t normally buy for herself. The gift of time is appreciated by many mothers. Helping mom in her garden, working around her home or assisting her with another hobby is a great way to
spend time together doing something mom loves. Update her garden tools if she is an avid gardener. Consider a tool caddy and fill it with her favorite hand tools such as a weed knife, hand pruner, sunscreen, and gloves. Add elegance and function to your mother’s daily activities with durable and fashionable gloves. Their practical and fashionable nature makes them a popular add-on or stand-alone gift item. Elbow length garden gloves - I recommend Foxg loves (foxglovesinc.com) protect forearms and hands
MELINDA MYERS
from sun, scratches, and plant oils. The ‘cottony soft’ feel of the Supplex® nylon that these are made of makes them comfortable but extremely durable and tough. They can be washed and dried quickly, so mom always has a pair of gloves ready to use. Add some fun to this functional gift by choosing one of the bright colors. Add a hat to further protect mom from the heat and sun when working outdoors. If it’s comfortable and looks good, she is more likely to wear it. Take the pressure off and make mom’s day extra special with one of these Mother’s Day gifts that provide immediate and long-term benefits. She’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness when she opens the package, unwraps the flowers or puts the tools and gloves to use all season long. Melinda Myers has written numerous books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationallysyndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Foxgloves for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www. MelindaMyers.com. Old Town Crier
SPECIAL SECTION
MOTHER’S DAY
Are You A Good Mother?
What makes good mothers? It is a pertinent question whose answer cannot be contained within a few words. Mothers comprise of a bundle of emotions that sometimes defy reason. So this goes out to all the mothers who have kept awake all night with their sick toddlers in their arms, constantly uttering those compassionate words, “It’s OK honey, Mommy’s here.”
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who don’t. For those who show up at work with milk stains on their dress and diapers in their handbags. For those mothers who cannot restrain tears from trickling down their cheeks when they hold their babies for the first time in their arms; and for the mothers who give birth to babies they’ll never see. For the mothers who gave homes to babies and gifted them a family. For the mothers who yell at their kids who clamor for ice cream before dinner. For the mothers who defy all odds just to watch her kid perform and repeat to themselves “That’s my child!!” For all the mothers who read “Goodnight, Moon” twice a night for a year, and then read it again. “Just one more time.” For the mothers who taught their children to tie the shoelaces even before they started going to school. For the mothers who incontinently turn their heads when they hear the word “Mom” even though they know that their kids are nowhere around. For the mothers who silently shed tears for their children who have gone astray. For all those mothers whose heart aches to watch her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time. For all the mothers of the victims of school shootings, and the mothers of those who were involved in the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their televisions in horror, clinging to their child who just arrived from school safely. So, this is meant for all the young and aged mothers, working mothers and housewives, married mothers and the single mothers, those with money and without and for those without whom life would have been insufferable. We wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! -Author unknown
Old Town Crier
May 2020 | 15
TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS SCOTT DICKEN Photos: Scott Dicken
I
t’s a strange time to be a travel writer. With most of us having cancelled travel plans, our focus has turned to things much closer to home, including the financial and personal safety of our loved ones. And yet, for many, the yearning for travel fails to abate. Travel is something to look forward to and forms a central component of our mental well-being. With that in mind, and in the absence of international travel for the foreseeable future, this month I focus on some of the things you can do to scratch that travel itch in these strange, Covid-19 dominating, times.
Travel Planning If there’s one thing I’m sure of it’s that we’re all going to be deserving of a vacation at the end of the lock-down.
Airlines, cruise lines, and hotels will be offering cut-price deals when the global travel restriction expires, and you should be ready to take advantage of the best of them at short notice. With time to burn while you telework from home, now is the perfect time to start planning that next trip. There’s no better way to begin than by ordering some travel guides to spark inspiration. The Take Photos Leave Footprints recommended guide brands are: • Lonely Planet: Perhaps the best known of the big-brand guidebooks, Lonely Planet has earned its reputation as the go-to for budget travel. • DK Eyewitness: In my opinion DK guidebooks are the best on the market for those seeking visual inspiration for trips to major world cities and countries.
• Fodor’s: If you’re planning a trip to Europe, and are hoping to visit the continent’s major landmarks, then look no further than Fodor’s; it’s what they’re best known for. • Frommer’s: If you’re looking for a touch of luxury then Frommer’s produce the guidebooks for you. • Rough Guides: As the name would suggest, Rough Guides offer inspiration for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Travel Hacking Travel hacking covers a range of activities designed to increase frequent flyer mileage collection and effectively utilize those miles to travel for free. For many, it can seem an overcomplicated and time-consuming concept to put on the back-burner. But, with extra time on our hands, now is the time to hone your travel hacking skills. So, what steps might you consider to up your travel hacking game during the lock-down?
• Enroll in a Frequent Flyer Program: Selecting a frequent Flyer Program is the single most important travel hacking decision you’ll make, so ensure you familiarize yourself with the mileage earning and spending terms before making the decision. I’m a member of United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles. These two programs allow me to collect miles on flights operated by any of 45 global airline partners through just two loyalty programs cards. I can also collect miles through partner hotels, car rental companies and limited merchandise purchases. • Sign up for a Credit Card: CoBranded or Point-Earning credit cards such as the United Explorer Card, Delta Skymiles American Express Card, or the Capital One Venture Rewards Card typically offer great one-time mileage bonus rewards and the opportunity to earn miles for every dollar spent. • Sign up to Rocketmiles (rocketmiles.com): Unlike traditional hotel
4 Ways to Scratch the Travel Itch During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Into Thin A Everest Ba
The deserts of Namibia, possibly the perfect place to self-isolate. 16 | May 2020
Old Town Crier
bookings, where you might earn hotel loyalty points, Rocketmiles bookings allow you to choose a frequent flyer program through which to collect points for your hotel stays. It’s a great way to top up your mileage account on each business trip with minimal effort. • Shop through online Portals: Even if you don’t sign up to a credit card you can still earn miles while shopping during the lock-down. Most major airlines host shopping portals through which you can earn miles for dollars spent. For example, the United Airlines Portal (shopping.mileageplus.com) earns miles for online shopping in over 900 stores.
Wander-Lusting As a travel writer and blogger nothing sparks my wanderlust more than browsing travel blogs and reading travel literature. Travel blogs offer up-to-the-minute insight, personal stories, and tips that formal guidebooks don’t offer. Travel literature often throws a completely new, thought-provoking, perspective on common travel destinations. Other than Take Photos Leave Footprints (takephotosleavefootprints. com), which I obviously recommend, here are some of my go-to blogs and books:
Blogs: •
Never Ending Footsteps
• Turn Right at Machu Picchu: This New York Times Best Seller is a travel memoir that follows author, Mark Adams, as he recreates Hiram Bingham’s infamous original expedition to Machu Picchu in 1911.
(neverendingfootsteps.com) follows the adventures, and misadventures, of Lauren Juliff, a phenomenal storyteller and persistently hapless world traveler. • Expert Vagabond (expertvagabond. com) joins Matt Karsten, an adventure traveler, digital nomad, and photographer who’s been traveling the world non-stop for the last 9 years. • Legal Nomads (legalnomads.com) tracks the adventures of former corporate attorney, Jodi Ettenberg, as she travels the world telling stories through food. • Goats on The Road (goatsontheroad.com) follows Nick & Dariece, a Canadian couple who abandoned the 9-5 lifestyle for the road. Providing travel, financial, and occupational advice, Goats on The Road offers everything you need to embark on a true travel adventure.
Books: • Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer: Despite being an epic personal account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, it was actually this book that inspired me to trek to Everest Base Camp in 2018.
• Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders: So not exactly a traditional literary masterpiece, but Atlas Obscura casts a light on some of the world’s most intriguing and curious destinations. The ultimate in bucket list wanderlust.
Binge-Watching Covid-19 has caused a spike in Netflix viewership that has led the world’s most popular video streaming provider to reduce its video quality in a number of countries; it is, after all, the second biggest contributor to internet traffic in the world. But don’t let that stop you from using the huge repository of travelrelated programming that the top streaming services have on offer to quench your travel thirst. Here are the Take Photos Leave Footprints top travel shows on offer right now:
• In A Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson: Bryson, possibly one of the most famous travel writers out there, travels across Australia by railway and car documenting his witty impressions of the culture down under.
• Netflix: The travel documentary, “Travels with My Father” is presented by British comedian Jack Whitehall as he travels with his father through Asia (Season 1), Eastern Europe (Season 2) and the US (Season 3), offering two very different, and hilarious, perspectives as they go.
• Amazon Video: Purchased separately from the standard Amazon Prime membership, “An Idiot Abroad” follows the travel adventures of comedian Karl Pilkington. Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant the show’s four series offer the kind of deadpan, cringeworthy, comedy you’d expect of Gervais set against a backdrop of bucket list-worthy travel experiences and cultural landmarks. • Hulu: “The Layover” follows host, Anthony Bourdain, on travel adventures across the US, Asia, and Europe with a specific focus on getting the most out of a city during a 24-48-hour layover. Tracking his adventures through food, culture and story, the series provides a unique take on the classic travel show genre. • Disney+: “Lost Cities with Albert Lin” offers up something completely different to the more traditional travel documentary. Traveling to Israel, Colombia, Micronesia, Jordan, Peru, and the UK, Lin uses archelogy as the glue to explore some of the world’s most famous discoveries and legends. If you’re considering for more travelrelated inspiration make sure to check out the TakePhotosLeaveFootprints.com website where you’ll find more hints, tips and destination inspiration for your next trip.
Fodor ’s Europ covers wel l-know ean d es n such a s Flore tinations nce, It aly.
Air sparked my desire to hike to ase Camp.
your help fund ld u o c s e Greece. Mil Santorini, to ip tr t x ne
Old Town Crier
Albert Lin visits the archaeolo gical city of Petra, Jord an
May 2020 | 17
POINTS ON PETS
I
LISA VELENOVSKY
Mother
n China, a new mother cradles her tiny baby constantly, giving her the care and attention a helpless newborn needs. Another mom, this one in Africa, gets a much-needed break when her women’s group watches over her baby while she rests. A hungry mom-tobe in the Pacific is fully focused on protecting her unborn children, oblivious to her own needs. And, in the U.S., a young mother nuzzles her baby, using touch to convey her love. As Mother’s Day approaches, we celebrate all the roles that these moms and moms like them fulfill: nurturer, food source, protector, and teacher. The only difference is that these amazing moms are not human. They are the panda, elephant, octopus, and dog. Mothers of the animal kingdom – no matter the species, no matter wild or domesticated – put their special skills and instincts
toward the same goal as human mothers: to help their babies survive, thrive, and grow to adulthood well-prepared to face the world. They just approach things a little differently. Pandas are often considered the clowns of the animal kingdom, with their roly-poly bodies and their adorably ungainly antics. But, make no mistake, mother pandas are deadly serious about nurturing. Panda cubs are pink, blind, and helpless at birth. They are also tiny, weighing around 3-5 ounces (that’s a half stick of butter to you) compared to mom’s 300 pounds. For the first three months, mommas spend nearly all of their time caring for their cubs; an Atlanta Zoo study found panda moms hold their cubs nearly 80% of the time. They cradle them to their chest much like humans to feed and protect them because the teeny-tiny newborns can’t even hold themselves up. This non-stop mothering is crucial to a cub’s survival, but
ADOPTION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS AND MORE INFO www.kingstreetcats.org emai: contact@kingstreetcats.org
Are you or someone you know free during weekday mornings? King Street Cats is looking for weekday morning caregivers and vet taxis to transport our cats to the vet. Please email: contact@kingstreetcats.org for details. King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we can provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email: contact@kingstreetcats.org for details.
18 | May 2020
Knows
it takes time and energy. It also takes great gentleness, given the size difference between the two. If humans had the same baby/mother weight ratio, our moms would weigh more than 3 tons! When it comes to tons, elephants are considered a superstar of animal-world mothers. To begin with, they endure a nearly 2-year gestation period, the longest of any mammal. That, in itself, is quite a feat. The good news for elephant moms is that the matriarchal, group nature of child-rearing in the herd means other female elephants, known as “allmothers,” take turns helping care for the calf throughout its childhood. They are affectionate and fiercely protective. Together, they teach life skills from day one: how to nurse, how to find the best plants, how to defend against enemies, how to lead, and even how to navigate steep terrain. There is one critical item that
KING STREET CATS 25 Dove Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday and Sunday from 1.30pm-4.30pm PETVALU Bradlee Shopping Center, 3652 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302 Every Sat/Sun from 1pm-4pm
t s Be
only mom can provide. Four times during the weaning process, her milk changes to meet the calf ’s evolving needs. This includes adding plants with antiinflammatory properties to her diet to soothe teething pain. With a mothering experience like that, it’s no surprise that elephant kids stick around for 16 years or more. The octopus is one of the fiercest moms around. We’ve all heard of a mother choosing to sacrifice her life for her child, but that is business as usual for the octopus. After laying between 50,000 and 200,000 eggs on average, she immediately sets about to protect them. She separates her eggs into groups by characteristic, including most likely to survive, and then spends the next two months guarding over them and using water pushed out from her siphon to oxygenate, clean, and protect the eggs. All of this means no time to feed herself or leave the area. Sadly, most
octopus moms die from starvation soon after their eggs hatch. While this may be the most consistently selfless act of motherhood found in nature, scientists have discovered that mom’s drive to sacrifice herself is a biological imperative for species survival. Secretions from the optic gland between her eyes appear to be tied to the reproductive organ maturity and the deactivation of digestive and salivary glands, which leads the octopus starve itself to death. Without her death, there would be no life. Aside from human babies, the babies we are most familiar with are puppies and kittens. Dogs and cats are certainly no slouches in the mothering department, and their mom powers rival those of their relatives in the wild. But one critically important maternal factor can determine whether a puppy or kitten becomes a friendly, healthy, and wellPOINTS ON PETS > PAGE 19
PETCO UNLEASHED 1101 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202 Every first Sat & third Sat from 1pm-4pm PETCO UNLEASHED 1855 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007 Every fourth Sat/Sun from 12pm-3pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street, Alexandria, VA22314 Every second Saturday from 1pm-4pm
Old Town Crier
POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 18
adjusted adult or is skittish, aggressive, and difficult. This factor is how their mothers treat them; specifically, the amount of touch they get from an early age. Scientific studies indicate a correlation in the mammal world between higher levels of touch stimulation and higher levels of engagement and normal development. Consistent touch and love from mom demonstrated through grooming, nudging, nuzzling, and simple contact has a significant positive impact on confidence, friendliness, and interaction and sociability skills. Nature abounds with thousands of other mothers that have awe-inspiring, weird, and wonderful skills combined with unwavering instincts to
nurture and care for their young -- like alligators that carry their young in their mouths for protection, birds that use their poop to hide themselves and their eggs from lizards, and frogs that separate their tadpoles to keep them from eating each other. As strange as some of these animal mothering skills sound, ultimately the goal of all mothers – human and non-human -- is the same: to protect and nurture their young until they are ready to take on the world. As they say, “Mother knows best.”
Cremation of Horses & Companion Animals (571) 835-0540 Chantilly, VA IMPetServices.com
About the Author: Lisa Velenovsky is a long-time volunteer with King Street Cats, a free-roaming, no-kill cat orphanage in Alexandria, Virginia
Sources: ecowatch.com/elephant-mothers-2567941539.html sciencealert.com/mother-octopus-senescence-death-after-matingeggs-reproduction-rna-sequence-optic-gland www.api.nationalgeographic.com psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201605/does-motherlove-play-role-in-rearing-better-dogs nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/05/animals-mothers-pandasspiders-octopus.html thedodo.com/archive/surprising-ways-animals-care-for-their-young washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/08/26/whypanda-mothers-abandon-their-babies/
PETS
OF THE MONTH
VALLEY BOY
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm
Senior, Spayed Female, Gray and White
My shell is about 6 inches wide, and I have the cutest cheeks you will ever see. I am a social and active boy! I love to sun bathe on my basking rocks during the day. I am looking for a family to feed me when I am hungry, keep my tank clean and warm, not interrupt my basking time and treat me like the King I am. If you think your home has room for a King like me, sign up for a virtual meeting!
Domestic Shorthair
alexandriaanimals.org/animal-profile/?id=42804 alexandriaanimals.org/adoption-information/ Valley Boy’s photo courtesy of Dirty Paw Photography
Virtual adoptions are here at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria! To learn more about meeting your new best friend remotely and the other community services the AWLA is offering while observing best physical distancing practices, visit AlexandriaAnimals.org.
Old Town Crier
ARIEL
Senior, Male Red-Eared Slider Turtle
MAYA
Adult, Spayed Female, Black and White Pit Bull Terrier
Like her namesake, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, this beautiful gray and white princess longs to be a part of your human world! Ariel is a super sweet senior who purrs when petted and revels in your attention and affection. She can be a little shy as she gets her sea legs in a new environment, so she will swim best in the calm waters of a quiet home. Ariel is ready to sail away to new lands with you, snuggling up for cozy cat naps on deck; fishing for pipe cleaners, feathers, or strings; and offering you oceans of love. Are you in the market for a co-Captain to help you navigate the tides of life? Chart a course to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria today to meet Ariel, your new first mate!
Hello, everyone! My name is Maya. My joys in life are tummy time, rolling in the grass, and getting petted and snuggled by my favorite person. Sometimes, at first, I can be very excited and get a burst of energy, but then I’m calm; I know my cues for “sit” and “down” really well, and walk like a little lady on the leash, enjoying sniffing and just trotting along. I can be a little particular about my dog friends, so would love to be the only dog in my future home. And can get a bit energetic so might be a better match for older kids than younger kids. If you like a girl who’s the perfect mix of exuberant and sweet, I’m the one!
alexandriaanimals.org/animal-profile/?id=42390 alexandriaanimals.org/adoption-information/
https://alexandriaanimals.org/adoptioninformation/
Ariel’s photo courtesy of Alison Lane Photography
Maya’s photo courtesy of Alison Lane Photography
alexandriaanimals.org/animal-profile/?id=29959
May 2020 | 19
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION BOB CURLEY
Photos courtesy Caribbean Journal
Soggy Dollar White Bay Beach, Jost Van Dyke
Harbour Village, Bonaire
Pussers at Myett's, Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Bucuti
11 Caribbean Webcams to Watch
ACCESSING THE WEBCAMS We imagine that most of you have been plugged into your “social media” devices way more than you thought you would be over these last 8 plus weeks but we think you should take a break and check out some webcams in the Caribbean. The easiest way to do this is to pull up https://www. caribjournal.com/2020/04/10/arubast-maarten-webcams-caribbean/11/. This link to the Caribbean Journal will take you where you need to go.
Enjoy your Caribbean Webcam adventure!
20 | May 2020
I
f you’re stuck at home far from your favorite Caribbean beach, fire up one of these great live webcams on your screen of choice, and let your mind wander to where it’s warm until the day comes when you can visit in person.
Bucuti and Tara Resort, Aruba This twin resort also offers two-for-one on webcams — there’s a beach-facing cam on each of the hotels. Of the two, the Tara cam has the better view of Eagle Beach, but you can enjoy Aruba’s everswaying palm trees moving to the trade winds from both perspectives.
The Fred Hotel, Frederiksted, St Croix, USVI The Fred is a beautiful boutique hotel in St Croix’s up-and-coming second city, Frederiksted, and while you won’t see much of the hotel in
this webcam, it’s an excellent view of the gentle waters lapping at the beach. Like the resort itself, this view is all about the zen
Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke, BVI The Soggy Dollar webcam is perfectly positioned between two palm trees with a view out to White Bay. Normally, the beach is filled with boats and visitors hoisting Painkillers from one of the world’s most famous beach bars — turn it on early in the morning (or in the middle of a pandemic) for a more tranquil view
Pusser’s at Myett’s, Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, BVI Stir yourself up a Pusser’s Painkiller and relax in front of one of Pusser’s three webcams — in Cane Garden Bay, Road Town, and Soper’s Hole. The Cane Garden Bay cam has the best view and switches aspect from looking straight out to
sea to a long shot of what just might be Tortola’s best beach.
Scrub Island Resort, BVI The British Virgin Islands has a particularly rich collection of webcams, and anyone who has ever visited the Scrub Island resort will instantly recognize this view of the marina and looking southeast toward Marina Cay, Beef Island, and Virgin Gorda.
Harbour Village, Bonaire Tired of looking at beaches? The Harbour Village Beach Resort’s unique Reef Cam scans Bonaire’s most prized asset, its fringing reefs alive with tropical fish and brightly colored corals. Switch this one on and it’s like having a virtual aquarium in your living room.
Xcaret Park and Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico Resort-view cams aren’t always the best, but I like CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 21
Old Town Crier
and Ile Toc Vers.
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 20
these two from Xcaret because they not only show the beach and pools but also glimpses of the famous Xcaret lagoon. We can’t wait to explore this unique place again.
Sunset Beach Bar, St. Maarten
Barnes Bay, Anguilla
Barnes Bay, Anguilla The Four Seasons resort on Anguilla (formerly the Viceroy) provides this serene live view down the length of the Barnes Bay beach.
Sunset Beach Bar, St Maarten
Paradise Island Cam, Nassau, Bahamas
One of the “bucket list” experiences in the Caribbean is hanging out on Sunset Beach in St. Maarten while huge passenger jets pass just overhead on final approach to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport. This webcam captures the action when you can’t be there yourself — just wait a few minutes for a plane to flash across the screen!
This 360-degree cam is offers a sweeping view of Paradise Island from New Providence Island, including the Atlantis resort and Marina Village, the cruise port,
lighthouse, downtown Nassau, and more. Bob Curley is a contributing writer for the Caribbean Journal, the popular online magazine/ website, the Caribbean Journal, based in Miami, Florida. We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief, and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the Journal at caribjournal. com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.
Escape to paradise
Flamands Beach, St. Barth This high-altitude cam is perfectly positioned to capture the entire white-sand arc of Flamands Beach on St. Barth, backed by the red-roofed homes of the beach town and including an expanse of green-blue Caribbean water and Ile Chevreau, Ile Fregate,
Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas
Hillcrest Guest House is located within a residential area, rising two stories above Cruz Bay, on the crest of a hill and minutes from the beach and the US National Park, Virgin Islands. Six suites available, $185-$235/day Call 340-776-6774 or 340-998-8388 hillcreststjohn.com
HH HILLCREST GUEST HOUSE
CLIFFHANGER k
Ann Street Gardens
y
ey west getawa
SEE OUR AY HOMEAW 5 AT #28629 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
May 2020 | 21
MEMORIAL DAY FEATURE Compiled by LANI GERING
E How to Grow Corn Poppies Six Easy Steps Corn poppies, (Papaver rhoeas), also known as Flanders poppies, field poppies or Shirley poppies, are hardy annuals with vividly colored, papery red, pink or white blooms that rise above lacy foliage. The fuzzy stems reach heights of 2 feet and more at maturity. Easily grown by seed, corn poppies are often planted by state highway departments for spectacular displays of color along roadsides across the nation. Corn poppies are beautiful as cut flowers and the dried seed pops add interest to dry floral arrangements.
Things You Will Need: • • • •
Compost or manure Garden hose or drip irrigation system Mulch Balanced liquid or granular fertilizer
Step 1
Plant corn poppy seeds directly on top of cultivated soil. In mild climates, plant the seeds in late fall or early spring when soil temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Corn poppies thrive in full sunlight and rich, well-drained soil. If the soil is poor, incorporate 2 to 3 inches of compost or manure prior to planting.
Step 2
Water corn poppies when the top of the soil feels dry. Saturate the root zone thoroughly, as shallow waterings promote a shallow root system. For best results, water by hand with a hose or use a drip system to keep the foliage as dry as possible. If you use a sprinkler, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry before evening. Soggy soil and damp foliage place the plant at risk of rot and fungal diseases.
Step 3
Spread 1 to 2 inches of mulch around the plants in the spring. An organic mulch such as shredded leaves or dry grass clippings keeps the roots cool, conserves moisture and prevents the growth of weeds.
Step 4
Apply a balanced liquid or granular fertilizer if newly emerging foliage has a yellowish appearance. Use the fertilizer in accordance with label recommendations. As a general rule, poppies require no supplemental fertilization if granular fertilizer or compost are incorporated into the soil at planting time.
Step 5
Pinch off flowers as soon as they begin to fade. This process, called deadheading, prevents the plants from setting seed too early. Remove the bloom, along with the stem, down to the next leaf.
Step 6
Remove all seedpods at the end of the season if you don’t want the poppy to self-seed. If you want poppies next spring, allow a few pods to remain on the plants. Publishers Note: This feature compliments of SFGate.com.
22 | May 2020
ach year around Memorial Day, Veterans of Foreign Wars members and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers distribute millions of bright red poppies in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. The program provides multiple benefits to the veterans and to the community. The hospitalized veterans who make the flowers are able to earn a small wage, which helps to supplement their incomes and makes them feel more selfsufficient. The physical and mental activity provides many therapeutic benefits as well. Donations are used exclusively to assist and support veterans and their families. The poppy also reminds the community of the past sacrifices and continuing needs of our veterans. The poppy has become a nationally known and recognized symbol of sacrifice and is worn to honor the men and women who served and died for their country in all wars. The poppy movement was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian forces in 1915 before the United States entered World War I. By 1918 the poem was well known throughout the allied world. Moina Michael, an American woman, wrote these lines in reply: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies Selling replicas of the original Flanders’ poppy originated in some of the allied countries immediately after the Armistice. A brief history of the artificial poppy In the World War I battlefields
of Belgium, poppies grew wild amid the ravaged landscape. How could such a pretty little flower grow wild while surrounded by death and destruction? The overturned soils of battle enabled the poppy seeds to be covered, thus allowing them to grow and to forever serve as a reminder of the bloodshed during that and future wars. Madam Guerin, who was recognized as “the poppy lady from France”, sought and received the cooperation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. early in 1922, after the Franco-American Children’s League was dissolved. The VFW conducted a poppy sale prior to Memorial Day, 1922, using only poppies that were made in France. In the 1923 poppy sale, due to the difficulty and delay in getting poppies from France, the VFW made use of a surplus of French poppies that were on hand and the balance was provided by a firm in New York City manufacturing artificial flowers. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was the first veteran organization to promote a nationally organized campaign for the annual distribution of poppies assembled by American disabled and needy veterans. In 1924, the VFW patented the name “Buddy Poppy” for their version of the artificial flower. Buddy Poppy proceeds represents no profit to any VFW unit. All the money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies is used in the cause of veteran’s welfare, or for the well being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans. Following the 1924 sale, the VFW believed it would stimulate local sales if the poppies they used were assembled by disabled veterans in hospitals
within their own jurisdiction. The 1924 encampment of the VFW at Atlantic City granted this privilege, under the provision that all poppies would be produced according to specifications set forth by the National Buddy Poppy Committee, and that all poppies would be assembled by disabled veterans in government hospitals and by needy veterans in workshops supervised by the VFW. Around the same year, the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as the organization’s memorial flower and pledged its use to benefit our servicemen and their families. Today, the poppy continues to provide a financial and therapeutic benefit to those hospitalized and disabled veterans who construct them, as well as benefiting thousands of other veterans and their families. Each nine-piece poppy is made by veterans for veterans in Auxiliary sponsored Poppy Shops that supplement physical and psychological therapy needed by hospitalized and disabled veterans. The Auxiliary provides the materials and the volunteers. The veteran makes the poppy and is paid a small amount for each painstakingly made flower. For some it is their only income. No matter what the cost of maintaining and supplying the “Poppy Shops”, the memorial poppy is never sold, but given in exchange for a contribution. Publishers Notes: Information for this piece was taken from several different sources and is not meant to be a direct quote from the author.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD Canadian Army (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Old Town Crier
Spring Solomons... CELEBRATE
Staying the Course In
IN Looking toward the Future SOLOMONS!
Spring is upon us! WE HAVE A SLIP WAITING FOR YOU!
DEEP WATER AND COVERED SLIPS AVAILABLE
14485 Dowell Road Solomons, MD 20629 410.326.4251 calvertmarina.com Old Town Crier
WE SHIP OUR AWARD WINNING CRABCAKES ANYWHERE IN THE USA! VOTED BEST CRAB CAKES IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND 2012 Maryland Life
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC • CRAB CAKE SHIPPING DOG FRIENDLY OUTDOOR PATIO • 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 HALF PRICE WINE
May 2020 | 23
FROM THE BAY …
THE BAY JOURNAL NEWS STAFF
Coronavirus Hinders Bay Cleanup Efforts, Seafood Industry
W
atermen have no restaurants that can buy their catches. Help for farmers who want to install runoff controls has been sharply curtailed. Streams throughout the region are missing their annual spring cleaning. And many students are losing their chance to experience the Chesapeake Bay firsthand. The impact of the novel coronavirus, barely on the radar only a few months ago, is rippling through the Chesapeake Bay region, with impacts felt from Pennsylvania farm fields to Eastern Shore oyster grounds. While some impacts are minor, such as the postponement of meetings and cleanup events, others could become significant if the COVID-19 crisis lingers, potentially creating another setback for Bay pollution control initiatives. While some point to slivers of positive news — air pollution is down — the near-shutdown of business activity is likely to slam state budgets in coming months, and possibly years, at a time when they had hoped to significantly increase spending on the Bay cleanup. “There’s obviously going to be a delay in any new plans and conservation work,” said Lindsay Thompson, executive director of the Maryland 24 | May 2020
Association of Conservation Districts. In a sentiment reflected by many, she added, “Right now, it’s really just [about] trying to keep the wheels rolling and keep everyone safe.”
Delays & cancellations Tree plantings, school field trips, citizen oyster restoration activities and the region’s largest litter cleanup event are all being postponed or altered as environmental groups struggle with the sweeping disruptions. “We’re in uncharted territory,” said Willy Agee, vice president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, as his group, as well as the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, have been forced to delay environmental field work. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has been forced to postpone Project Clean Stream, the largest network of stream cleanups in the Bay watershed, to this fall. In the meantime, individuals can still help the Bay and their local rivers by picking up trash in their neighborhoods or planting native plants in their gardens, said Marissa Spratley, an Alliance spokeswoman. “We’re encouraging folks to remain positive because this, too, will pass.” Other volunteer efforts are also being hit. CBF’s oyster gardening programs in
Virginia and Maryland are expected to be significantly reduced because of the lack of volunteers. Managers of the community-supported agriculture project on CBF’s Clagett Farm, which provides fresh produce and meals to food banks and people living in poverty in and around Washington, DC, will have to find a way to distribute food other than through large gatherings. This year, hands-on opportunities are more limited. The Alliance is encouraging people to crowdsource and share knowledge on its Chesapeake Network and stormwater and native plants websites. The Chesapeake Conservancy is highlighting opportunities to take “virtual tours” of the region’s rivers and other sites around the region. Also eliminated are spring outdoor field trips for students. The Bay Foundation’s Agee said he expects such excursions will be lost for the spring, and perhaps the remainder of the school year, removing a curriculum mainstay for hundreds of teachers and thousands of students in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Although the nonprofit had canceled all programming indefinitely, it is examining ways to continue engaging with the public, such as
through digital learning, said spokesman A.J. Metcalf. Cullen, of The Alice Ferguson Foundation, which typically hosts students at the nonprofit’s farm for educational outings in the spring, said some of that programming will be available online. We’re working on videos that can be useful for parents and teachers teaching about environmental topics,” she said. “There’s always something happening at the farm, even if they can’t visit.”
Farmer assistance at risk Of particular concern for Chesapeake restoration is the impact on efforts to reach out to farmers and support them in conservation efforts. All of the states in the region are relying on a massive ramp up in efforts to control farm runoff to meet 2025 nutrient reduction goals aimed at clearing the Bay’s murky water and ending its summertime oxygen-starved “dead zone.” But those efforts rely heavily on technical assistance providers from agencies or nonprofit groups working one-on-one with farmers to plan and install various farm conservation practices, such as stream buffers or manure storage facilities. Most county conservation districts and Natural Resource Conservation Service offices,
which provide most of those services to farmers, are either closed with staff working remotely or open with a single staffer to answer phones. Most conservation improvements come from programs with dedicated funding tied to tax revenue at the state or federal level, she said. “When the going gets rough and cash gets limited, often those dedicated funds get raided,” Swanson said. “So not only are we looking at budget shortfalls but also at potential raids of those dedicated funds. It’s not a pretty picture.”
Watermen hit on multiple fronts In the Bay, as is the case all along the coast, the closure of restaurants has hit the fishing industry hard. “It killed the last two weeks of oyster season. There’s been no market,” said Robert T. Brown, Sr., president of the Maryland Watermen’s Association. And it’s not clear the situation will get better with the opening of crab season, which began March 17 in Virginia and began April 1 in Maryland. With the foreign workers essential for crab meat-processing being forced to stay home, the region’s seafood industry is entering rough waters. To protect its staff from the coronavirus, the State Old Town Crier
FROM THE BAY | FROM PAGE 24
Department announced on March 18 a halt to processing most temporary work visas in its Mexico offices. Mexico is one of the biggest suppliers of labor to the Chesapeake’s crab-picking houses. The industry was already facing a shortage of temporary work visas because employer demand nationwide far outstrips the number that the government releases. On Hooper’s Island, the epicenter of Maryland’s crab-picking operations, six out of the nine processors did not receive visas this year before the virus-induced interruption. For watermen, Brown said, “It’s wait and see, pretty much, how bad it’s going to be — not how good, how bad.” Concerns over new rules A number of organizations, from conservative think tanks to labor unions to environmental groups, have asked the Trump administration to alter its rule-making process while the president’s national emergency declaration, issued March 13, remains in effect. The groups argue that many stakeholder organizations
have been forced to close their doors to prevent exposure to COVID-19, which hinders their ability to develop meaningful comments to agencies at a time when a number of proposals that would impact environmental regulations are under review. In a letter to the White House, CBF said interested citizens may lack the technology needed to weigh in remotely or may be unable to attend meetings
or collaborate with others to comment on proposals, such as changes to coal ash regulations, which are under consideration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Perhaps most importantly,” CBF wrote, “many will be consumed with taking care of themselves, their businesses, families, communities, and neighbors.” “For EPA and some other agencies to insist on proceeding with business as
usual is unacceptable,” said Jason Rano, CBF’s federal executive director. As of late March, the EPA had declined to delay its rulemaking, with officials noting that its regulatory website was fully functional and able to receive comments. Changes in & out of homes The large number of people staying home has raised special issues, too. Wastewater treatment plant operators are worried that people
confronted with a shortage of toilet paper will begin flushing wipes, paper towels and other materials. Those materials can clog sewer pipes and cause backups or damage treatment plants. The Maryland Department of the Environment is conducting a “No Wipes in the Pipes” campaign while others are launching similar public awareness efforts. If people become stircrazy after being homebound, they will find many state and national parks and wildlife refuges open, though visitor centers, bathrooms and campgrounds are closed. But some of those areas are in danger of being overcrowded: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy was urging people to stay off the trail, sections of which were becoming too crowded to practice social distancing. From reports by staff writers Jeremy Cox, Ad Crable and Whitney Pipkin, senior writer Tim Wheeler, and editor Karl Blankenship. This article was distributed by the Bay Journal News Service.
Three ways to stay in touch!
Subscribe
get
Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook
oldtowncrier.com
@oldtowncrier
!
your
monthly fix
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 ______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City/State/Zip ________________________________________
Old Town Crier
May 2020 | 25
ROAD TRIP
BOB TAGERT & LANI GERING
North, South, East or West & All Points In Between
T
his whole virus thing has really “put a cog in the wheel” of our daily lives for the most part. It hasn’t, however, prevented us from getting in our vehicle and taking a *drive. We are fortunate enough to live in an area that offers the mountains to the west and the waterfront to the east with both, when you venture north or south. Even taking a spin around the community where you live checking out your neighborhood and driving by your favorite haunts can be therapeutic. You might even think about picking up something curbside from your favorite restaurant or doing a little window shopping and ordering something online from a local retailer. Might not be as convenient as clicking your mouse and ordering from Amazon but it will sure help out a small business person and you will get some fresh air at the same time. We normally have a particular destination in mind when we take off but in these past weeks it has been a case of just getting in the truck and
26 | May 2020
deciding whether to head toward the Beltway or the Parkway and wing it from there. We like the back roads and are up for just taking a turn to see where it goes. After all, everyone pretty much has a GPS, Waze or another brand of directional application at their disposal so you can always find your way home. It has been difficult to keep in mind that we can’t just stop at our favorite eateries and watering holes during our treks so it takes a bit of planning when it comes to refreshment. Most of our destinations have restaurants that offer curbside pickup and there are always the fast food options (not our favorite choices BTW) with drive up windows. You might also want to consider packing a picnic lunch and your favorite beverages if you are planning to be out all day. And, who knows, by the time you are reading this the rules may have changed for the better. The goal is to get off of the major thorough fares as soon as possible and hitting the side roads. If you aren’t comfortable with just
“winging” it, how about planning your route via Mapquest or the likes before you leave the house? If you aren’t sure where you want to go, we have a few suggestions that you might find helpful. These are all small town destinations that have back road options. No matter where you choose to go, be sure to practice the prerequisite “social distancing” when deemed necessary. The beauty of being in your vehicle is that there are no mask, glove or sanitizer requirements…. *Technically, in Maryland, the mandate is that you are only to be on the road for “essential” travel (doctor, work, food, etc.) but we have it on good authority that unless you get arrested or involved in an accident, the authorities aren’t going to track you down. And, for those of you who have been following this column, you know that we like to venture to places for overnight stays but we recommend that you keep your adventure confined to a day trip until the hospitality industry is fully back up and running.
Old Town Crier
VIRGINIA
anni a and Giov Milano, Dell ineyards. xV at Three Fo
Sperryville
Rappahannock County Flint Hill, Washington, Sperryville Fauquier County The Plains, Marshall, Hume Loudon County Middleburg, Lovettsville, Purcellville
Main Str in Marsheaet ll Photo: Meg
Rappahannock County View Photo: John McCaslin
Mullery
Keep in mind when you are in these parts of Virginia you will be driving by some of the Commonwealth’s premier wineries and vineyards. Even though the tasting rooms are closed (this may have changed by the time you read this) because of the virus you can still pick up wine curbside at most of them – check out Pearmund, Barrel Oak, Three Fox and Fabbioli vineyards for sure. This means you get to drive through the vineyards and witness the budding of a new season. If you are into “spirits” Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville and Dida’s in Hume are good drive bys.
St. Mary’s County Leonardtown, St. Mary’s City, St. George’s Island
MARYLAND
Calvert County North Beach, Chesapeake Beach, Solomons Island Anne Arundel Deale, Galesville, West River
On the W Anne Arunater in del Phot o: David Site
s
All of these Maryland destinations have waterfront viewing – the Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers. These areas are normally a hot bed for roadside farm stands and hopefully you will happen upon a few.
in The Wharf wn to rd a n Leo Photo: Lani Gering
North Beach Boardwalk
Photo: CM Photography
Photo: Lauren Fleming
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Old Town Crier
Charm
Photo: Lani
If you aren’t that tuned into cruising your neighborhood or heading to the hills or the water, this is a good time to take a cruise through “Our Nation’s Capital”. We wouldn’t normally suggest this since traffic is usually a huge deterrent, but the lack of tour buses and tourists in general and the reduced number of federal workers has changed that substantially. Load up the kids and go on a history lesson with a drive by the many monuments and memorials that are the fabric of The Mall. This adventure might just play right into part of the “home school” narrative.
May 2020 | 27
Gering
TO THE BLUE RIDGE
JULIE REARDON
I
at attention, the dog’s body gets low and wiggly. It’s just so incongruously goofy you cannot help laughing at the dog, which tends to make it smile even more. Chesapeake Bay retrievers are a uniquely American creation. Unlike nearly all other sporting dogs, Chesapeakes were not developed abroad and
f you’ve read my column often or only occasionally over the past 30 years, you’ve no doubt seen or read about my Chesapeake Bay Retrievers that appear frequently in photos and stories. I currently share my farm with six of them, and have owned many generations of them since I got my first in 1981. As
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers SMILE: It’s an all American Breed
I type, Pottsy is smiling at me—I know this without actually seeing her goofy grinning maw because I can hear her snorkling under my desk. That’s what we call the snorting noise they make breathing through the scrunched up nose and peeled back lips. The doggy smile is actually a gesture of submissive surrender, as in, “You mean that wasn’t my dinner? That trash can just tipped over right in front of me and oh, I’m so hungry!” and is also seen when the dog sees you after a brief absence, even if only for five minutes. “I thought you left for good and were never coming back!” In the case of Pottsy, who smiles all the time for any reason, she’d been reprimanded for 28 | May 2020
garbage surfing and now I am the recipient of her supplicating smile. But perhaps they know what we owners learn quickly: you simply cannot stay mad at a smiling dog. Smiling is not a breedspecific trait although it does seem more common in some breeds, including Chesapeakes, than others. And it definitely runs in families. Although the toothy grin can be a bit unnerving to
those
not
familiar with it or dog body language, it’s unmistakably
harmless and indeed, submissive. An aggressive or fearful dog might bare its teeth in warning, but the look is completely different from a smiler with stiff upright posture including erect ears, hackles up, and wide, staring eye showing whites, often referred to as whale eye. The smiling dog will have cupped or folded back ears and squinty happy-looking eyes. Instead of standing erect
imported here, they were born and bred right here, by and for Americans, to hunt our country and guard our belongings over 200 years ago. The Chesapeake, or Chessie as they are sometimes called, was one of the first breeds and the first retriever - to be recognized by the then-newly formed American Kennel Club in 1878. Of the 190+ breeds the AKC recognizes today, Chesapeakes rank 45th in popularity, well below many breeds including newer ones. The most popular breed in the country, the Labrador Retriever, was not an AKC recognized breed until 1910 and was rarely seen here in the U.S. until the 1940s. The Chesapeake’s story BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 29
Old Town Crier
BLUE RIDGE | FROM PAGE 28
actually began long before the AKC existed. In 1807 an English brig returning home was shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland loaded with new world goods from the Chesapeake Bay area. The crew and two puppies aboard were rescued from the sinking ship by an American vessel, and the British captain gave the puppies to his rescuers in gratitude. Every living Chesapeake Bay retriever today traces back to those two dogs. The male was named Sailor and the female called Canton, after the rescuing ship. While it’s not known if they were ever bred together, both were bred to local dogs and like the parents, all the offspring were legendary retrievers and hunting dogs that became highly sought after for both sport and market hunters alike. A fanciful rumor has it that these early dogs had been bred to otters for their ability to swim in cold, icy water, but the truth is, they were most likely crossed with local hunting hounds for scenting ability. What is known from careful record keeping and very early photos and drawings is that these early versions of today’s Chessie were called Chesapeake Bay ducking dogs, brown Winchester dogs and various other names but the distinct type that evolved looked remarkably like the breed still does today. It is a medium sized dog with the haunches the same or a trifle higher than the shoulders; webbed feet; a thick double coat with a coarse, wavy outer layer and dense woolly undercoat; the eyes are clear and light colored, either
yellow or amber. It is a cheerful and tireless worker but tends to be more aloof with strangers than other retriever breeds. Today’s Chesapeake looks very much the same as it did 150 years ago. The distinctive double coat was designed to blend in with its surroundings and to shed water and dry off with a quick shake. Although larger ones do exist, males should weigh 65 to 80 pounds and females a bit less at 55 to 70 pounds. Colors range
from browns (both dark and coppery), reddish strawberry blond, faded tan shades that look silvery in some lights, to a light, straw color aptly called deadgrass. These dogs can make wonderful family dogs but they are not good dog park dogs as they tend to be indifferent to other dogs and aloof with strangers. Often independent, they are rarely aggressive or fighters but most are more than capable of taking care of themselves or their families if trouble arises.
Without proper training and socialization, they can be territorial and take guarding what they consider theirs very seriously, whether it’s a pile of dead waterfowl or the owner’s duck boat and/or truck. These tendencies, plus their rather plain, workmanlike looks, meant the Chesapeake never attained the level of popularity of their distant cousins the Labrador and Golden retrievers. A small but loyal following meant the dogs were mostly bred for serious
waterfowlers - not pets. This kept the numbers small and the breeding in the hands of dedicated owners. Labrador and Golden retriever puppies are much easier to find and both are far more popular as family and hunting dogs, while the Chesapeake remains a more primitive breed with a much smaller, but fiercely loyal following. For more information on the breed visit the American Chesapeake Club’s website at www. AmChessieClub.org
YOUR
ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE
Quality Sport & Trail Horses For Sale Open Year-Round Lessons • Training •Trail Rides • Special Events www.therockingsranch.com • 540.678.8501
•
29 Main On the River – Sperryville
•
A quaint cottage on the Thornton River in the Heart of the Village of Sperryville. Spacious one bedroom/one bath suite Kitchenette Private deck overlooking the River Outdoor shower Popular for Hikers and Foodies, looking for a great getaway. VRBO#1001234 • AirBnB #18582009
• • • • • •
Large put cozy, suite above Little Washington Spa 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Living room with pull out sofa Kitchenette Great Location in the center of town VRBO#735456 • AirBnB #7131304
• • • • •
The Loft – Little Washington
More Info Contact- Samantha.rpkgetaways@gmail.com
Old Town Crier
May 2020 | 29
DINING OUT
BY THE GASTRONOMES
Curb-side Pick Up? Delivery?
LANDINI BROTHERS Noe Landini had to close Bar Deco in Washington, D.C. but has kept Junction Bakery & Bistro open in Del Ray as well as Landini Brothers. Junction has excellent bakery products, wines, and chef James Duke is in the kitchen making dinners to go that are great for an evening of good home cooking with a flair. Even though Landini’s is on a limited menu, the choices are many and this is a chance for you to discover why this is Old Town’s favorite go-to Italian restaurant. Don’t forget to order your wine and cocktails to go with your meal.
THE WHARF is the place if you have a taste for great seafood. As you look past the hospitality table you will notice the nautical bar. That place is usually packed. Not only does the Wharf offer seafood but also prime steaks and the perfect pasta dish. Their she crab soup is a classic. 30 | May 2020
I
t has been nearly eight weeks since we sat in our favorite restaurant or bar and watched the folks outside gaze in the windows to check out the action inside. Is the bar too crowded? Are there any seats available? Some even had their noses pressed against the glass as to eliminate the glare on the window. Soon afterward the COVID-19 virus began to spread and business, as we know it, came to a standstill. With the closing of restaurants in the Alexandria area we were hit with an economic disaster. Restaurants began to close and subsequently applied for Small Business Association backed loans in an effort to survive. Social distancing was the next rule and soon the crowds were gone. It reminded me of when I came to Old Town Alexandria in 1977. In 1977, Old Town Alexandria was only seven
blocks long – it ran from the waterfront to the 700 block where Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub has recently reopened. The Woodrow Wilson Bridge (the first one) had just opened 16 years earlier. Old Town was relatively young. The Fish Market Restaurant as well as the Wharf and 219 were the only restaurants here that are still here today. The Landini brothers owned Pelicano Restaurant at 100 King Street. The Warehouse was another restaurant but whose former name escapes me, and where Union Street Public House is located there was Kings Landing. The Seaport Inn Restaurant sat at the corner of Union and King Streets, where Starbucks serves coffee today. Business was slow and Old Town was entering their growth stage to where today, Old Town Alexandria is 20 blocks long. Unlike today, you could usually find a place to park on the street and there were very few downtown
parking lots. Everyone worked hard and the town began to prosper. Today, these same restaurants are working hard to survive the “virus” and need our help. As I mentioned, some restaurants have flat out closed with hopes to reopen. Some of them have decided to open for delivery and curbpickup service. Nowhere in Alexandria is this effort more evident than the 100 and 200 blocks of King Street. Owners are in their restaurants running food to the waiting cars, taking a shift in the kitchen when they are needed, and doing all of the other jobs in an effort to survive. Some of the service folks are on volunteer time, only working for the tips. This community has come together to help themselves as well as each other. If you miss a great Italian dinner from Landini Brothers, a crabcake sandwich from Fish Market and the gumbo from the Warehouse, now is Old Town Crier
DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30
the time to call in an order, take it home and enjoy. I might mention that most of these fine restaurants have wonderful wines and beers at discounted prices and they are now allowed to send you home with your favorite mixed beverage as well. Bonus! These are the restaurants that are keeping Old Town alive. On weekends there are
a number of folks walking around on the streets and in the parks and taking a break from their confinement. During the week there are fewer people out and they seem to adhere to social distancing more even taking it to extremes (not even a “hi, how are you?”) Social distancing is an important component of the ability to impede the spread of this virus and if you forget, there are Alexandria’s finest there
to remind you. You will find a police car at the foot of King doing just that. Some other favorites of ours that aren’t located on lower King are open and offering curb service and delivery as well. You might also be missing the burger at Mackie’s, the Irish stew at Murphy’s, fabulous French fare from Bastille, a brat from the Village Brauhaus, and Caroline’s sweet potato biscuits at River Bend Bistro.
THE FISH MARKET
THE WAREHOUSE is one of the area’s most popular restaurants specializing in prime aged steaks and fresh seafood. When the restaurants were first closed for the pandemic I asked owner Hossein Pishdad how long he planned to stay open with carryout and he answered, “As long as the employees want me to.” This is the kind of camaraderie that prevails in this restaurant community.
An Old Town pioneer, the Fish Market has been serving delicious seafood ranging from their own clam chowder recipe, fish sandwich, pastas and seafood platters to a good burger. Once again the menu is limited, but there are plenty of choices. Also, cocktails to go as well as growlers of beer. When they reopen, check them out... good restaurant, I know, I tended bar there 31 years ago.
These fine places are not in a cluster like lower King in Old Town, but they offer delicious food and may be close to where you live. Please support these restaurants by having a chef prepared dinner at home tonight. Remember to tip well as that is the reason they are there. You can also support the restaurants by purchasing a gift certificate for future use or as a gift. When these restaurants reopen there will
certainly be social distancing protocol in place so seating will be at a premium. Support them now and guarantee your seat at the table or bar in the future. Don’t be the one looking in from the outside with your nose pressed against the window. BON APPETIT! Contact information for all of these establishments can be found in the Dining Out Guide in this section.
UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE is a classic American restaurant with a special menu of hearty food for take home. With their fine selection of whiskeys it is the perfect stop for to-go drinks with your food. General Manager Al Chadsey is usually front center making sure customers are taken care of and that everything runs smooth. Other restaurants in the 100-200 blocks that are offering to go food are Urbano 116, Vola’s Dockside and Il Porto. And don’t forget Hummingbird and Chadwick’s on the Strand –they have some amazing offerings.
MIA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN If the 100 block of King Street, during this pandemic, has an anchor store, it is Mia’s. The street level of the restaurant is a series of double doors that are always open creating an open air sort of feeling. Their Italian food is very reasonably priced and good. Check out their deals on the adult beverages. And… they have music playing for you while you wait and if you meet their order criteria, you will be sent home with a roll of toilet paper! How can you beat that?
O’CONNELL’S IRISH RESTAURANT Who doesn’t relish good Irish fare now and again. O’Connell’s is open in the foyer the later part of the week offering deals on wine and really good food. As it is with the Irish, you may even discover a bit of entertainment while ordering your evenings fare. Old Town Crier
May 2020 | 31
“A Washington Post Capitol Cuisine Favorite” The Very Best Alexandria has to offer in the Heart of Historic Old Town Famous for our She Crab Soup, Steaks and Crab Cakes
Small Batch, Gourmet Hot Sauce
We apply the “Hurricane Category Heat Index”
Cajun Dew Bayou Inspired
Inca Gold
Best Brunch in Old Town Saturday & Sunday 9am- 4pm
Cajun Dew is the perfect blend of Cayenne and Habenero peppers along with garlic, vinegar and salt. Simple and flavorful.
Inca Gold combines the unique flavors of South American Peppers with just the right amount of punch.
Available for purchase online at hurricanebobs.com or at the Old Town Shop and fine restaurants including Bonefish Grill, The Columbia Firehouse, Daniel O’Connell’s, Union Street Public House, and Virtue Feed & Grain.
OLD TOWN DENTISTRY Frinet Kasper, DDS
GOOD SPORTS GOOD FRIENDS GREAT EATS!
COVID-19 SPECIALS* Steak Dinner for Two & a Bottle of Wine - $70 Pasta Dinner for Four w/Salad - $79 Movie Pack - $25 All available for curbside pickup or delivery to your door via Uber Eats, Door Dash & GrubHub
• Family & Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns & Bridges • Invisalign • Sealants • Fillings • Whitening • Same Day Appointments 1203 Prince Street • Alexandria, Va. 22314 • 703.683.0800 • www.oldtowndentistry.com Hablamos Español
*See details and full menu offerings at
MACKIESBARANDGRILL.COM
907 KING STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703.684.3288 | MACKIESBARANDGRILL.COM 32 | May 2020
Old Town Crier
DINING GUIDE AMERICAN
AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 CAFE 44 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 GRATEFUL KITCHEN 727 N. Henry Street HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JAVA GRILL 611 King Street 571-431-7631 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria 703-436-0025 Old Town Crier
Please Contact your favorite restaurants for updates on their "Social Distancing" policies.
LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313
THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533 LIVE OAK 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 571-312-0402 LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 mackiesbarandgrill.com MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011 MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com MYRON MIXON PITMASTER BBQ 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340 NECTAR COFFEE & WINE BISTRO 106 Hume Avenue 571-431-6150 NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122
SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEETGREEN 823 King St. 571-319-0192 SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 STREETS MARKET AND CAFE 3108 Mt. Vernon Ave. 571-431-6810 THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 THE SUSHI BAR 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue 571-257-3232
CONTINENTAL
BRABO by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 BRABO TASTING ROOM 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com VILLAGE BRAUHAUS 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BISTRO SANCERRE FRENCH 1755 Duke Street 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 ITALIAN BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 HANK & MIMI'S PIZZA AND PASTA 600 Montgomery Ave. 571-312-4117 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833
LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 MICHAEL’S LITTLE ITALY 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 PARADISO 124 King St. 703-683-5330 PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873
MEDITERRANEAN
LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD
HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 Urbano 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148
May 2020 | 33
“SOMETIMES I FIND MYSELF IN NEED OF A GOOD DRINK. NOW’S THE TIME!” As we push through these challenging times, we are thankful for our health, time with our families and the splendor of spring. We are busier than ever doing our part to help lift your spirits and making sure you can find your favorite Copper Fox whisky! Convenient online ordering and curbside pick up is available for bottles, cocktail kits, gift certificates and hand sanitizer at both distillery stores. Thanks to the Virginia ABC, we now are able to ship directly to you anywhere in Virginia! We miss seeing all of our friends, but trust completely that we will be back together one day and that the reunion will be all the sweeter for our time apart. Stay Safe and Be Healthy. Cheers!
Rick Wasmund www.copperfoxdistillery.com
9 River Lane Sperryville 540-987-8554
34 | May 2020
901 Capitol Landing Road Williamsburg 757-903-2076
Old Town Crier
GRAPEVINE
MATT FITZSIMMONS
Three Fox Lucy stomp
Y
ears ago I gave my mom a wine glass etched with the phrase “Mommy Juice”. She was not amused. But I must have been on to something, because now every time I check-in to a winery on Facebook she inevitably posts “What you getting me?”. Like the good son I am, very often mom gets a bottle. But since we are celebrating Mother’s Day this month, I think it’s important to get her something extra special. And by ‘extra special’, that means some great rosés. I couldn’t tell you why rosé wines are so closely associated with Mother’s Day; anyone who’s had an Italian rosato can tell you there’s nothing ‘feminine’ about this drink, and neither should it be confined to a certain holiday or season. As far as I’m concerned, rosé should be drank all year long. But I can see why rosés have such a special appeal for Mother’s Day. Light, versatile Old Town Crier
and refreshing, it’s particularly suited for drinking outside on a warm spring day. So in celebration of Mother’s Day here are some Virginia rosé that mothers (as well as everyone else) will love. No worries if you can’t make it to the winery to pick these vintages up curbside – these places deliver!
Pearmund Cellars: The Cameo Collection Pearmund Cellars has been one of my go-to wineries for years. It’s also one of the closer ones to D.C., right off Route 15 past Gainesville. As much as I love the wine I admit my favorite part is seeing their golden retriever, Tug, sprawled in front of the doorway. Apparently belly-rubs are the price of admission
here. I look forward to seeing him again. In the meantime, I am hoping that he is greeting people as they pick up their wine curbside. Owner Chris Pearmund is a long-time advocate for not just the wineries he manages, but the Virginia wine industry as a whole. Next time you visit ask him about his role in producing the “Virginia
Pearmund Cellars - Chris and Tug (Left) Pearmund Cellars - Cameo Heritage” wine, a collaboration of 16 different wineries commemorating the 400th anniversary of Virginia’s tradition of
winemaking. This year Chris is leading another effort; a dozen of rosé wines named the Cameo Wine Collection dedicated to Virginian women who shaped GRAPEVINE > PAGE 37
May 2020 | 35
Barrel Oak Winery and Farm Taphouse encourages everyone to stay safe and strong and calm and to drink wine. We are offering huge wine and beer discounts. Our cases of wine (12 bottles) or more are 40% off. Please email lori@barreloak.com. As always, our shipping is free. Come to BOW on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 12 & 4pm to enjoy our white glove curbside pickup of our wines and beer at huge discounts. Please place your order in advance. Thank you, Your friends at Barrel Oak Winery & Farm Taphouse www.barreloak.com 540-364-6402
36 | May 2020
Old Town Crier
GRAPEVINE FROM PAGE 35
American history. Each bottle has a label depicting one of these women, as well as describes their contributions in areas ranging from the arts, business, medicine, or historical significance. Some names such as Ella Fitzgerald, Martha Washington or Pocahontas need no introduction. NASA engineer Mary Jackson was one of the inspirations behind the film “Hidden Figures”. Others including suffragette Virginia Minor or physician Sarah Jones are less famous but trailblazers in their own right. Perhaps the least recognizable name is Emma Randal, who established Shenandoah Vineyards with
her husband in the 1970s. While you may not have heard of her, Emma’s legacy is hugely influential; Shenandoah is one of the first wineries in Virginia. Keep in mind that in the 70s the modern American wine industry was still in its infancy; the idea that great wine could be produced Rappahannock Rosé selection on the east coast was scoffed at. But today Virginia has Rappahannock Cellars: almost 300 wineries; that’s a Fizzy, Charmat and great legacy. Sparkling, Oh My! Check out the Cameo Located in a wooded corner Wine Collection at Effingham not far from Front Royal, Manor, Pearmund Cellars, Rappahannock Cellars is Philip Carter, and Vint Hill.
real people. earth friendly. fabulous wines. HOLD YOUR ‘FABB’ EVENT AT FABBIOLI CELLARS! WEDDINGS • CORPORATE OUTINGS • GRADUATIONS • CELEBRATIONS
email us at info@fabbioliwines.com 15669 Limestone School Rd • Leesburg, VA 20176 703.771.1197 • fabbioliwines.com
OPEN YEAR ROUND THURSDAY-SATURDAY & MONDAY from 11-5 SUNDAY from 12-5
offering ITALIAN VARIETALS 10100 Three Fox Lane, Delaplane, VA (540) 364-6073 • www.threefoxvineyards.com
tuscany EXPERIENCE
IN VIRGINIA
Old Town Crier
surrounded by great wineries, inns and restaurants. It’s also one of the larger wineries in the area, which I think gives them leeway to be a bit more experimental. I’m especially partial to their Meritage red blend. But when I visit with a group, can you guess what we end up sharing at our table? If you said “rosé”, you would be correct. But Rappahannock doesn’t just have rosés, they have sparkling rosés. And Rappahannock didn’t limit itself to a single option; it has three! Their still rosé is made with whole cluster pressing – a process which preserves acidity and provides its light pink color. Made with a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a dash of Chardonnay, it’s crisp and clean with aromas of peach and apricot. The sparkling rosé that started it all is the “Fizzy Lizzy” – a blend of Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Viognier, infused with carbonation to provide its ‘fizz’. While not a ‘sparkling’ in the technical sense (the wine industry is very picky in its terminology), it’s very satisfying and has long been a staple in Rappahannock’s lineup. Next up is their 2018 Charmat. Fermented in a large sealed tank (to reduce costs as well as retain freshness and aromatics), this Cabernet Franc & Chambourcin blend will remind you of a prosecco. Lastly is the 2018 Sparkling Rosé. Drier than the Charmat, this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay is made in the ‘traditional’ method (aka the méthode champenoise). Pomegranate and brioche on the nose, tangerine and lime on the pallet.
Todhunter were inspired by their trips to Italy to open a winery; they must have had an epiphany when they saw this piece of land. The Italian theme doesn’t stop there. Three Fox is one of the few Virginia vineyards that grows Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, both Italian varietals. The former is a large berried grape best known as the primary component of Chianti. The latter produces smaller fruit which packs a big punch, famous for making rich and structured Barolo and Barbarasco wines. The last time I visited was the day of their annual “Lucy Stomp”. If you’re a fan of “I Love Lucy” you know exactly where this is going. But for those who don’t – you and your partner race to stomp grapes in a bin (optionally dressed as Lucy) while the show’s theme song plays in the background. I’m still not sure how you ‘win’, but everyone seemed to be having fun and how can you not laugh at a bunch of (likely tipsy) adults dressed as Lucy? Mark your calendar to attend next year after “the virus” is under control. Ideally, you’d spend the day lounging on one of their hammocks while sipping wine but since you can’t these days – you can still have their Cano Pazzo Rosé (“crazy dog” in a dialect of Italian) shipped to you. A dry rosé made with 100% Sangiovese with notes of cherry, try this with a Mediterranean dish.
Three Fox Vineyard: Cano Pazzo Rosé Three Fox Vineyard is in Delaplane, about an hour away from D.C. down I-66. If the rolling hills reminds you of Tuscany, you wouldn’t be the only one to imagine that. Owners Holli and John
Three Fox rosé Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a wine blogger well on his way to visiting every one of Virginia’s nearly 300 wineries. Track his progress on https:// winetrailsandwanderlust.com/. May 2020 | 37
EXPLORING VA WINES
DOUG FABBIOLI
Entrepreneurism Encouraged
C
learly our springtime work on the farm has been a bit disrupted by the current circumstances of the pandemic and how our lifestyles have changed. Our vibrant rural economy, focused on hospitality and tourism, has been dropped on its head. The business owners, managers, association heads and politicians have been talking, adjusting and creating new ways to do business. We know that our guests will be allowed to return, but making it through to that point is critical for the continuation of the industry. 38 | May 2020
One of the big changes that the state government did for us was to lighten up a bit on the delivery options for our products. Local spirits can now be shipped, wine can be delivered to your door by the winery and mixed drinks can be purchased to go from your local pub. It was important that the state recognized how important the local “adult beverage” industry is to its citizens and keeping them functioning as best they can through these times. The ability for producers to get their products to the customers in a save and cost effective way, allows the cash to continue to
flow so we can keep farming. There was already Grub Hub and Uber Eats in the community before, but now we are seeing the local farmers getting together with the wineries and creating unique packages of products that can be delivered to your door. If you can’t come to visit Lucketts, we can deliver a taste of Lucketts to you. Fresh meats, produce, eggs and wine along with a recipe or two that will make your home stay a little less ordinary. Sunset Hills Vineyard is putting together a date night kit with wine, foods local chocolates and playing cards, delivered by DiVine
Wine Tours, one of our wine county tour groups. Some other wineries, like Breaux Vineyards, are stocking home products that you may need, so when you come to pick up your wine, you can get your toilet paper as well. The virtual tastings have been stepping up immensely. Although many are doing them, Walsh Family Wines seem to have taken the lead with these efforts. A winery will promote a date, ship out the wines that will be tasted, and then do a “Zoom” or live stream tasting with the winemaker or owner. I have seen requests from customers who want to do private virtual tastings as a birthday celebration or just a great reason for friends and family to gather virtually. If you can do it for a meeting at work, you can use that technology for entertainment and socializing as well. As for myself, I have used this change in lifestyle to focus more on agriculture and our farming team. Our vineyard team has continued to work, (it’s springtime on the farm after all) but we meet more often to review safe procedures and working conditions. We also talk about their families and neighbors more, as I want them to continue to work through this and help others that may need help. We have greatly expanded our vegetable plantings so we have more produce available for ourselves and our customers. The farmers were the first entrepreneurs and that continues today. The key is to grow the products that will be needed by the consumers and getting them to the consumer when it’s time.
Wine buys us time, but other products have their own timing needs or process. This is a time to use what you have to repurpose, reinvent, address needs and be flexible. As some businesses are retooling their operations
THIS IS A TIME TO USE WHAT YOU HAVE TO REPURPOSE, REINVENT, ADDRESS NEEDS AND BE FLEXIBLE. to fill a need, we will adjust what we can and remain true to our roots. Our business has been based on commitment to the land, the team/family that gets us through all of our projects, the customers that enthusiastically support us, and making great quality wines year in and year out. We shall continue to serve, it just may be in a little different model for a bit. Thanks for continuing to support our local hospitality and agriculture businesses. We look forward to sharing time with you again. “We built this for you!” Old Town Crier
CAMEO: A rare appearance, a moment in the story, and adornment to enjoy. This spring as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, Savor this Cameo Rose moment, crafted in tribute to the women who fought and won the right for all women to vote. 12 different labels, each honoring one of the Commonwealth’s most influential women.
VISIT US AT : CAMEOWINECOLLECTION.COM CAMEO IS AVAILABLE AT:
Old Town Crier
May 2020 | 39
FITNESS
NICOLE FLANNIGAN
FITNESS BY
FIT MOM
2020!
A
s a personal trainer and mother, I can appreciate being able to have an hour to myself to get in a good workout. This event rarely happens when things are “normal” and it is almost non-existent since the kids are home 24/7 and parents have been tasked with home schooling their children. It seems that by the time I actually have some time to spend on myself there are still a million things to get done. Exercise is always on my list of things to do for the day and I have found that the best way to fit it in is by doing a 15-20 minute workout at least twice a day. Fitting in a workout can be easier if you make it a part of your daily routine. I know this is easier said than done, but it is possible. Make your workout fun for you and for your kids. Try doing a workout video in 40 | May 2020
the living room while your kids play. If they are old enough to move around have fun with them, you get your workout in and the kids get worn out too! When babies are too young to move on their own, it’s the best time to strap them in a stroller and go for a walk. If you are a runner, I highly recommend investing in a jogging stroller it will make exercising fun and the jogging strollers fold up so you can take them just about everywhere. Exercising increases your metabolism, increases energy and will help you sleep better - even if you are only getting a few hours at a time. You can complete an entire strength training routine in just under 20minutes using only your body weight. The best part about body weight training is that you can do it anywhere!
Total Body Strength Workout: Warm-up • Jumping jacks, walk in place for 1 minute
Squat Jump • Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart. • Squat down, bending your knees to 90 degrees. • Now jump up and land softly again in the squat position. Use the strength in your legs and butt to jump up explosively.
Single Leg Opposite Arm and Leg Reach • Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, abs engaged, left hand on hip. • Lift left knee up to 90 degrees in front of you. Lean forward slightly as you reach right arm in front of you and push left foot behind you. • Hold for 1 count. Pull both back in. Do 12 reps.
• Remember to land as softly as you can with your knees bent; keep your weight back, over your heels.
• Switch sides; repeat 3 times.
• Do 3 sets of 8 reps
• Start in a plank position. Shoulders over wrists, back straight, core engaged. You can be on your knees or toes.
Single Leg Circles • Lie back on the mat with your arms by your sides and your palms facing down. • Begin by pointing with your left foot, as if reaching out with your toes toward the ceiling, and rotate your leg slightly outward. • Inhale, and trace a circle on the ceiling with your left leg, moving your whole leg, but keeping your hips still. Don’t lift your left hip off the floor. • Trace the circle on the ceiling 5 times in a clockwise direction. Repeat in a counter-clockwise direction.
Eccentric Push-ups
• slowly lower your body to the ground while keeping your core tight and legs straight. • Return to start position. The goal is to lower your body slowly; you are only doing the down part of the push-up. • Do 3 sets of 5-8 reps
No Weight Shoulder Press • Extend arms out to sides at shoulder height, elbows bent 90 degrees, palms forward. Raise arms over head, then lower to start. (30 reps)
• Switch legs and repeat 5 times
Old Town Crier
FIRST BLUSH
KIM PUTENS
PUBLISHER'S NOTE While we are hoping that all of the area beaches, parks and outdoor recreational venues will be opening this month for all of you who love being outdoors. We all know that over exposure isn’t a good idea but there isn’t anything better than getting that “kissed by the sun” look and soaking up some much needed vitamin D. For those of you who aren’t interested in obtaining that “Coppertone” look via Mother Nature, here are some tips to make sure your self-tanner does the job.
these clothing items may or most likely will be slathered in self tanner. If at home, naked is best. If at a professional tanning salon, consider wearing a thong that could get ruined or use the paper ones provided. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
GET READY FOR
SUMMER
The Secrets to a Fool Proof Self Tan
L
earning to apply selftanner is as much about patience and perseverance as it is an art form. It does not have to be an uphill battle, like learning how to paint the Mona Lisa. It is achievable and a few tricks of the trade will have you looking as stunningly bronzed as ever. Even if you seek out a professional for help, it is important to know what and what not to do. Remember, regardless of your self-tanning fate, it is still better to get that fake bake than to bake in the sun or in a wretched tanning bed. Old Town Crier
Step 1 – Exfoliate – You must get off all that dead skin before even attempting to point that bronzing bottle at your body. If you do not slough, the tanner will blotch. Pay particular attention to rough spots like knees, elbows, heels, and hands. When choosing an exfoliant, be sure to choose one that is oil-free. Oil prevents tanner from properly penetrating. Step 2 – Prep Yourself – To avoid turning green, orange or any other color of the rainbow, it is extremely important that you prep your skin. Remove
deodorant – it can react to the self-tanner and turn your underarms green. Put moisturizer on your eye brows – the tanner can turn them orange. Finally, rub a thin layer of body lotion onto chronically dry areas such as elbows, hands, heels and hands to keep them from turning darker shades of brown. All this will ensure that the tanner absorbs nicely without splotching or streaking. Steps 3 – Dress Accordingly – Opt for less is more. Choose clothing that is not your Sunday best. Keep in mind
Step 4 – Get to Work – To avoid weird lines from bending over, it is best to work your way up starting with your lower half. Be sure to hold the spray tan can at least eight inches away from you and spray in an up and down motion. Spray from your thighs to calves to feet in slow, steady, even layers. Go easy on typical problem areas - feet, knees and ankles - so they don’t end up darker than the rest of your body. Next, move to the middle. Spray the front and back of your torso. Then do your arms, armpits, and wrists. Be careful not to overdo the area around your armpits. These should look a little lighter as they naturally would. Go lightly on your wrists and hands so you don’t end up looking like you are wearing dark brown gloves. Finally, face the music. Mist your face lightly. Instead of one fell swoop, mist your face in sections. Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)
Step 5 – Fix Mistakes – You have about 20 minutes before the tanner fully absorbs. So, check your work quickly so you can attend to mistakes. If you find areas that are too dark or splotchy, fix your mistakes by blotting the dark areas with a make-up sponge. Be sure not to wipe, as you can create streaks. Step 6 – Let it Set – It takes about 8 hours for self-tanner to fully set. Thus, for this period of time, be sure to wear loose, dark clothing, as it is possible for tanner to rub off on your clothes. Avoid any clingy clothing such as a bra. Avoid showering during this time period either because it will impact the fate of your tan. If you find that an area looks too dark, rub a slice of lemon over the area. The acid will tone down the color. Step 7 – Make it Last – Most self-tanning applications last about one to two weeks. To get the maximum out of your self-tanning effort, avoid exfoliating and shave your legs infrequently, if possible. Finally, moisturize your body from head to toe after every shower.
A Very Good Price!
Good Haircut! Beautiful Perm!
Long Lasting Color!
Van’s Hairstylists 107 North Washington Street (near corner of King & Washington streets)
703-836-1916
Monday-Friday 9 am-7 pm • Saturday 9 am-6 pm We care and will give you only the best! Biolage • Vital Nutrient • Socolor • Matrix Perm • Paul Mitchell • Nexxus May 2020 | 41
GO FISH
STEVE CHACONAS
Don’t Fish - This Virus Bites!
R
ound the clock news coverage, toilet paper hoarding, just about every business closed, March came in like prespawn and went out with social distancing. Worse than muddy spring waters, Coronavirus put a halt to tournament fishing across the country. At a time when anglers should have been taking fish photos, the CDC presented a bleak picture. With no vaccine to treat the virus, they suggested avoiding exposure as it was spread person to person within 6 feet. Unfortunately even social distancing didn’t put any distance between the US and Coronavirus. A few days after introducing social distancing and group limits, the next shoe dropped. Early in March, the Northern Virginia Regional Parks closed their facilities, including the Potomac Pohick boat ramp. Not a good explanation as they operate well with limited manpower. Within a few days, the tournament picture appeared cloudy. MD wasn’t rescinding any tournament permits, however, the primary MD Potomac boat ramp, Smallwood, was clamping down on groups. Leeslyvania was more abrupt, cancelling all park permits, including tournaments. That left small privately owned ramps. In Maryland, it was Marshall Hall. In Virginia, Hope Springs fielded an event. Local fisheries departments were closing, however still sold fishing licenses on line. Public restrooms were closed and replaced with porta pottys or nothing at all. Calls to area guides turned into cancellations as events bringing tourists were being 42 | May 2020
shut down. While guide services easily comply with the group of ten restriction, clients didn’t want to risk exposure via the lack of social distancing. Fishing offered a distraction from grocery shelves depleted of milk, bread, eggs and toilet paper. Businesses closed and people hunkered down during some super early spring weather. Employees, either working from home or laid off, looked at this as an opportunity to do yard work, spring cleaning or to get out on the water. Costco inspired anglers, minimizing the virus spread: carts sanitized, customer flow regulated, and taped off social distancing lines with constant reminders to keep your distance. Cashier areas were buffered to spread people out and glass screens separated employees from customers. If COSTCO could stay in business and be safe, then so could fishing. In late March, a couple of tournament organizers conducted 30-40 boat events. Many on social media pages were upset with the thought of having a tournament during the pandemic. Undaunted, events were carefully executed including social distancing, groups of 10 or less, gloves, masks and hand sanitizer. These events looked like M.A.S.H. units. This brought enthusiasm to area anglers who saw a light at the end of the corona. As virus stats scrolled across the screen, anglers escaped by taking their boats and a buddy to the water. Some went solo. Fishing was in full swing. But March dealt a final blow as area Governors issued Stay at Home Orders. In Maryland, recreational fishing and boating were prohibited.
Only kayaks (because they are considered a form of exercise, an insult to all who bass fish competitively) and charter boats could fish. One exception, fishing for consumption was allowed, however, the 6 foot social distance was to be adhered. This meant no bass tournaments and no bass fishing, unless anglers could claim to be eating their catch. Maryland cancelled tournament permits through April. Virginia was more forgiving, social distancing and groups of less than 10, but people were encouraged to get outdoors. Technically there are enough Virginia creeks to keep anglers satisfied during this supersized dose of corona cabin fever. But many anglers were convinced they could circumvent the order, claiming they were fishing for food, navigating into Maryland waters. Fishing was prohibited as being non-essential. Convenience stores continued to sell coffee. Customers handling stacks of cups and lids, sifting through sugar packets and grabbing creamer to finally taking the coffee pot
handle to pour a cup, fresh with whatever the hundreds of previous customers were serving. But no fishing? Acknowledging the risk of catching this virus, many felt tournament fishing wasn’t a priority. While some were willing to accept the risk, not many wanted the burden of passing it to family or friends. If the My Pillow guy can make masks and Ford can make ventilators, anglers wanted to conduct fundraisers for local healthcare providers. At a time when the outdoors can relieve viral fatigue, Virginia prescribed
fishing and boating with reasonable restrictions. But in his Stay at Home Order, MD’s Governor banned fishing and boating, unless fishing for food, while declaring liquor stores as essential businesses. Someone needs to let the Governor know that stress relief doesn’t always come in a bottle. Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac River bass fishing guide. Potomac fishing reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/ purchase gift certificates: info@ NationalBass.com.
Potomac River Bassing in May Water is warming to 65 degrees. Bass are in the mood for love. They are moving shallow seeking out nesting areas. Submerged grass and along pad edges are where you’ll find most bass. Lots of moving lures work, like red lipless crankbaits. These can cover spawning flats, crawled along the bottom on 10 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line. Another technique is the Carolina rig. Use 30 pound test Gamma Torque braid with a 10 pound Edge leader. A 2/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook will hold most plastics. Try green pumpkin lizards and small creature baits. Drag slowly with frequent stops. Look for grass and stay in those spots. If you can see clumps, pitch Texas rigged Mizmo tubes into the center of the clumps. Rig on 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point Tube hooks with a 3/16 ounce Water Gremlin bullet weight with 10 pound test Edge fluorocarbon line. Use green pumpkin patterns. If the water is clear, try clown colored suspending jerkbaits. Twitch and pause on 10 pound test Edge. Red squarebill cranks also work when deflected off cover or snapped from grass. For all treble hooked baits, consider upgrading to Mustad Ultra Point Short Shank Triple Grip trebles. Move up a size when replacing.
Old Town Crier
OPEN SPACE
LORI WELCH BROWN
CHASING HAPPINESS (aka Not Freaking the F Out)
M
om—I sure do miss you. I can’t believe it’s been 14 years since I was able to hug you or pick up the phone to talk. And, trust me, I have wanted to talk to you so badly. This past year has been crazy—you wouldn’t believe. Dad is finally back in Virginia. He was living with us, but a few months ago, he went into assisted living. It’s okay. They’re taking good care of him, and you know Dad. He is rolling with the punches. It’s been hard not being able to visit him due to this pandemic situation. Ugh. It’s crushing to know that he is so close and yet so far. Being a senior citizen has never been so scary. I’ve been trying to stay positive and not worry, but as you know, worrying is part of my DNA. Thanks, Mom. Funny, but I think I inherited all the bad parts of my parents. I got Dad’s bad heart, and your propensity for depression. Of course, we didn’t really call it that back then, and we never got a chance to talk about it. I’m sorry for that. It makes more sense to me now though. How could you not have been depressed? You lost your Mom at what 15 years old? Then your baby brother is killed in a car accident some years later. Did you have someone to talk to? Did you give yourself time to grieve? Old Town Crier
Fortunately, depression doesn’t have me firmly in its grips like for some people. I’ve learned a lot about managing down cycles over the years and can usually catch myself. These days, however, you need to be Mary Poppins or Mr. Rogers not to be feeling some level of depression and/or anxiety. I’ve developed some strategies that are helping. As you know, I’m a consummate list maker. I have lists for everything. I store them in Reminders on my iPhone. I have book club recs, pack lists, bucket list, etc. I even have my funeral play list (if I leave it up to XXL, it will be a loop of All Along the Watchtower). I may have control issues also, but don’t worry. I’m not blaming that on you or Dad—that is straight up Lori. We are all in need of ‘happy’ lists these days. Mine sits after ‘groceries’ and before ‘home projects.’ It was created out of necessity during a time when I couldn’t recall things that make me happy when asked by my therapist. At that time, I was burnt out, exhausted from a crazy work schedule and running myself into the ground. Can you believe that someone could forget what happiness looks like? Luckily, I was referring to my Costco list much more frequently than my happiness list before COVID-19 forced us all into
the confines of what are now our beautifully organized and freshly-cleaned homes. Now that my house has been bleached to within an inch of its life, my anxiety has returned. My mind is spiraling down the rabbit hole of ‘what ifs’. What if this goes on for months? What if we lose our 401k savings? What if all our small-business friends are forced to shut their doors? What if Dad can’t have visitors for months on end? What if I run out of wine? My straight friends are making babies. My gay friends are baking bread. My single friends are teaching themselves how to sew masks for hospital workers in New York. And God—Martha Stewart is a frickin’ queen right now. Everyone, I mean everyone, is going to be making custom lamp shades out of turkey carcasses by next week. And, those who aren’t busy being the next Martha Stewarts of the world are busy writing their best-selling novels while prepping for their Oprah tours with Glennon, Brene, and Elizabeth, and well, I can’t stop watching The Good Wife. Lists help me. Seeing the things that bring me happiness in black and white grounds me. Sit down. Breathe. Open happy list. Yoga, books, Podcasts
(especially Moth radio!), art supplies (bright color everything), playing with Dozer and Lucy, hot baths, walks, bike rides. Oh—and chocolate. Chocolate cake. Chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate pudding. Dark chocolate bars. Instead of falling down the rabbit hole, I can choose another path. I can put my ear buds in, pull up a Podcast, lace up and go for a nice long walk followed by a nice, hot bath. By replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity we open ourselves up to an infinite stream of possibility. We can let fear rule our lives or we can become childlike with curiosity, pushing our boundaries, leaping out of our comfort zones, and accepting what life puts before us.—Alan Watts Be childlike. Get out of your comfort zone. Accept what life puts before you. Note to self: Create new list, i.e., Pandemic mindsets It’s not really rocket science, but it kinda is when all your brain wants to do is draw you further and further down the rabbit hole. The Land of Negativity is easy to find. Like bargain basement clothing, that crap is everywhere and accessible to everyone. Happiness, however, is like a designer blouse on a cramped
TJ Maxx rack. Some days you luck out, and it jumps out at you. Other days, you have to sink your heels in and hunt for it. Having a list is like leaving yourself a little trail of bread crumbs or a treasure map. Chasing happiness is exhausting in itself. During difficult times, settling for guiding yourself to the land of not ‘freaking the f out’ may be a more realistic option. Some days that feels good enough, even great. When your mind has reached maximum capacity with slush and crud, your internal navigation system may need some cleaning out before it can see the forest of happiness. Good thing I’ve got that Costco-sized jug of Clorox. Hey, Mom. On a positive note, I got some of your good genes too. Thank you for my gifts of kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity. Also my love of kids, dogs, books, Oprah, Ellen, and true crime shows. I miss you, but it warms my heart to know that you and Phil are together again. Please follow Lori on Instagram at loriwritesanddraws or subscribe to her on Medium at Lori Welch Brown. Feel free to send any comments to Lori’s attention to office@oldtowncrier. com or comment on her column on the blog at oldtowncrier.com. May 2020 | 43
NATIONAL HARBOR
LANI GERING
mon Meeks
Photo: Way
Photo: Waymon Me
eks
A
s much as I have been trying to keep a “the glass is half full” attitude while this pandemic carries on, it is getting harder and harder to do. I keep telling myself that I live in a “resort” and that the “resort” is basically closed down! Without the Gaylord being operational and all of the restrictions for gathering together, the Harbor has pretty much been a ghost town for the last 8 weeks. My purpose for penning this column each month has always been to generate foot traffic to the Harbor and we know that even if there was something going on we couldn’t gather anywhere…..even the piers that lead to the water have been closed off so I can’t even walk out to the ends to clear my head. Trust me, I need a little head clearing. A few of the restaurants are providing delivery and curbside pickup. McCormick and Schmick’s has probably had the 44 | May 2020
most success on this front since they are also offering grocery items at a very reasonable price. As with the restaurants across the bridge in VA, they are selling adult beverages to go along with wine and beer. Retail is virtually non-existent. There are a couple of stores that are offering online shopping deals but I’m not sure how successful they are. It is tough enough for them during the slow season when locals are their main audience so this has really taken a toll. Normally, whatever that is, we would be getting all squared away for the free fitness classes, the Friday night happy hours, games and live entertainment, concerts, movies on the Potomac and festivals that start up in the Merry Month of May. Bobby McKey’s is “airing” virtual performances on Facebook but I have no clue how, or even if, I can watch them on my television. Enough of “Debbie Downer”!
There have been some bright spots amidst the gloom and I do believe Jeffrey Fisher S that we will come erenad es on h is balco back stronger. One ny abo ve Ame rican W of the residents ay here at One National Harbor side Condominiums took the of the initiative to serenade us from building so I watched from his balcony on American Way. the street. Little things like this Taking the idea from Maurizio can make a huge difference. Marchini, the Italian tenor Another “silver lining” is who serenaded quarantined that the little store aka Potomac residents of Florence, Italy Gourmet Market that is in from his balcony in March. the ONH building has been Jeffrey sang Stars – one of stocked up with more fresh the many fantastic songs vegetable and meat offerings from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s than they usually have as well musical Les Miserable. He sang as the rest of the grocery line in accompanied by the music inventory. They did, however, score on a beautiful sunny close the Deli/Café section and afternoon. It was a little windy that was really disappointing. but that didn’t put a damper Their soups were fantastic! on things. He did a fantastic There are Harbor residents job. I only wish we had had a that are gathering pandemic bit more notice in order to get supplies - including toilet paper more residents to hang out on and hand sanitizer - and selling their Juliette balconies to listen them at cost to their neighbors. to him. I live on the opposite
Even though we have been forced to come together as a neighborhood, I think there are several of us that never would have connected if it weren’t for the virus and that makes me happy. The Wheel has been an inspiration on a continual basis. They light it up nightly with an uplifting color scheme and graphics. Think hearts and swirls and all sorts of light tricks. It was blue when the Harbor turned all of the lights blue in honor of those who are on the frontlines of the pandemic. Their current promotion is “Wheel Be Waiting”. I love it. I am going to close out with I have deemed the Old Town Crier’s pandemic catch phrase: “Keep Your Distance and Wash Your Hands!” Old Town Crier
Find trip info and order your free guide at
www.visitstmarysmd.com
Ready for A Change of Scenery? We’re Selling by Virtual Appointment! PRIVATE IN-HOME ELEVATORS | SUMMER MOVE-IN
New Urban Elevator Towns from the Upper $600s Discover a lifestyle you won’t find anywhere else, with Liberty at Lorton in Fairfax County. From its high ceilings and wide windows to a private in-home elevator that’s perfect for everyday conveniences, The Ashford model by Craftmark Homes at Liberty offers the luxury to which you aspire. With new amenities, walkable retail, easy commuting and city access, plus homesites offering golf course views – this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Get in Touch Today! Sales Manager | Lori Windsor (703) 507-6882 lwindsor@craftmarkhomes.com
LibertyByCraftmark.com
Take a Virtual Tour!
PRIVATE ROOFTOP TERRACES | QUICK MOVE-INS 4-Level Rooftop Townhomes from the Low $800s Explore Craftmark’s luxurious new townhome, The Bradley, available in a remarkable Alexandria neighborhood. Central to our nation’s capital, major commuter routes & metro, and Amazon HQ2 in National Landing in Crystal City, the stage has been set for extraordinary living. Take a virtual tour of our new model home, and discover it all for yourself!
Get in Touch Today! Sales Manager | Eric Yakuchev (703) 989-6662 eyakuchev@craftmarkhomes.com
FillmorePlaceWestAlexandria.com Brokers Warmly Welcomed. Must register and comply with policy terms.
Take a Virtual Tour!