Old Town Crier Full Issue - May 2023

CELEBRATE JOYFUL MOMENTS WITHOUT RELEASING BALLOONS.

Katherine Hanlon

Mini-Mart

A Bit of History........................................16

After hours.............................................13

Alexandria Events....................................8

Art & Antiques.......................................14

Business Profile.......................................10

Caribbean Connection.............................24

Dining Guide..........................................35

Dining Out.............................................32

Exploring VA Wines ...............................38

Financial Focus.......................................11

First Blush.............................................41

Fitness...................................................43

From the Bay.........................................26

From the Trainer....................................42

Gallery Beat...........................................14

Go Fish..................................................44

Grapevine..............................................37

High Notes..............................................13

Last Word...............................................12

Let's Eat.................................................36

Let's Get Crafty......................................39

National Harbor.....................................46

On the Road.............................................6

Open Space............................................45

Pets of the Month..................................23

Points on Pets........................................22

Publishers notes......................................7

Road Trip...............................................30

Special Feature.......................................19

Take Photos, Leave Footprints.................20

To the Blue Ridge...................................28

Urban Garden.........................................18

Where is the Mural?.................................7

ON THE ROAD WITH OTC

How could we have missed this? Longtime Alexandrian and Burke and Herbert Bank Icon, Charlie Collum turned 80 last fall! This photo of the family celebration with the Old Town Crier at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulfur Springs, WV was taken in the foyer. Left to right is Charlie, his lovely wife Sandi, their oldest son Chuck, son Joe’s wife Jennifer and Joe. Carrying on the B&H tradition and keeping it in the family, Joe is the Executive Vice President, Director of Branch & Business Banking. Thanks for your support over the years Charlie!

If you would like to see your photo in this space, grab a copy of the OTC and take it with you on your next adventure. Take a pic with your communication device and email it to office@oldtowncrier.com with “On the Road” in the subject line. Be sure to include information for the caption and your mailing address if you would like a hard copy sent directly to your home.

in

Boardwalk

watching the sunrise abouve the ocean is a lways a great way to start the day!

Where Is It?

Here's to you, Marv.

On a sad note, one of our dear friends and Landini stalwart, Marv Gurganus passed away suddenly last month. Marv was always a good guy to talk with and enjoy a cocktail. He never had a cross word to say about anyone and was very supportive of us and the OTC. Marv will be missed by many.

Where Is This Mural?

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

Facebook @oldtowncrier

Instagram @otcregionalmag

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

Hallelujah!

Someone finally guessed where the mural was that appeared in the February, March and April issues. Congratulations to Ellen Evans! She correctly identified the location in the entry way of the Pedigo Electric Bikes store on North Lee Street.

With the warm months coming early this year and you feel the need to celebrate, you might want to think about making a trek to Southern Delaware and the Boardwalk Plaza in Rehoboth before the season gets in full swing -see this month’s Road Trip column. If you are a planner, check out this month’s Caribbean Connection and learn the history of and how to make the perfect “Painkiller” and plan your winter getaway to Sandcastle and Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke.

It is May so that means we are celebrating Mom. Doug Fabbioli thanks the women in his life of growing grapes and making wine, starting with his mother in Exploring VA Wines. Lani Gering interviewed Sarah Drewry of Sarah Drewry Photography in Business Profile.

Sarah is a mom who, today, has a photography studio concentrating on mothers-to-be, infants and families. In Open Space, Lori Welch Brown remembers her mom... like it was yesterday.

The arts and entertainment section features Lenny Campello’s Gallery Beat - see who first coined the phrase DMV and also learn about the regions up and coming female artists - , Ron Powers High Notes tells us why Cindi Lauper's hit, Time after Time, is timeless; while Miriam Kramer give us her opinion of Ted Lasso in Last Word.

Are bald eagles still on the endangered species list? In From the Bay we learn about the explosion of them over the last 50 years in the Chesapeake Bay region. Julie Reardon talks about the similarities between “faster horses, younger women and older whiskeys” in To the Blue Ridge.

Grapevine finds Matthew Fitzsimmons sitting down with Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards and discussing the future of Nebbiolo wine in Virginia while Tim Long recalls a bad experience with tequila in his youth and learning to enjoy it as an adult during a great experience in Mexico in Let’s Get Crafty. Get out there and have yourselves a Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Rounding out the issue with A Bit of History as Sarah Becker returns to 1800 to discover what ails our Supreme Court in 2023 and Scott Dicken takes us to Namibia and the open road on a self-drive tour in Take Photos/Leave Footprints. This and much more inside!

While we all know to give Mom some special attention on the 14th, don’t forget that we need to spend time reflecting on those in the military who gave their lives while in service to our country on Memorial Day May 29th!

Mural Photo by Lee Moody.

19 th – 21st

Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour

6 to 9 p.m.

Admission: Friday: $49 for members; $59 for non-members; Saturday: $53 for members; $63 for non-members; Sunday: $43 for members; $53 for non-members

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org

Head to Mount Vernon for their most popular event of the year. Taste unlimited samples of wines from Virginia’s finest wineries. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Enjoy the live music of Bruce Ewan and the Solid Senders.

20 th & 21st

3rd Annual Alexandria Old Town Springtime Art Festival

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Free John Carlyle Square

300 John Carlyle Street artfestival.com

The Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival is heading back to John Carlyle Square in 2023. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality, diversity and creativity of art on display, exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. The show was rated as one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine.

21st

Old Town Festival of Speed & Style

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: Free Market Square & Beyond

300 King Street oldtownbusiness.org

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style highlights the unique offerings of the Old Town community – history, architecture, great food, fabulous people, art, style and energy. View dozens of rare and exotic cars up close, made famous by their speed, performance and elegance. This will be enhanced by a presentation of style, fashion and live music provided by over 40 local merchants. All proceeds benefit ALIVE! and The Campagna Center.

Spring Featured Events

Daily through July 15th

Alexander D’Agostino: “A Shrine for the Forgotten” Exhibit

Admission: Free Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org

Baltimore-based solo artist exhibition recipient, Alexander D’Agostino, presents “A Shrine for the Forgotten.” The work explores queer histories and images, through performance, installation, and reclaiming material from queer archives and other cultural resources related to the historic marginalization of LGBTQ people. 6th

Secret Language of the Fan and Chocolate Bon-Bons

7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Admission: $40 per person

Carlyle House 121 N Fairfax Street 703-549-2997 novaparks.com

Discover the secret language of the fan as many women in the 19th century did. While practicing your fan skills enjoy different flavored chocolate bon-bons from Potomac Chocolate. Tours of the first floor of the house will run from 6pm-7pm with the program starting promptly at 7.

6th & 7th

Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon 9 a.m. to 5p.m.

Admission: $35 for adults, $21 for youth

George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org

Mount Vernon's serene 12-acre field transforms into a battleground as Continentals, Redcoats and Hessians conduct military drills, perform cavalry demonstrations and engage in 18th century tacticals. Meet the soldiers who are encamped at Mount Vernon, discuss military techniques and greet General Washington. Walk through the Museum of the American Revolution's replica of General Washington's War Tent, which served as the marquee—or office and sleeping quarters—that he used as the command center of the Continental Army.

6th, 13th, 20 th & 27th

Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings of Alexandria at Carlyle House

10 a.m.

Admission: $20

Carlyle House

121 N. Fairfax Street

703-549-2997

novaparks.com

In honor of National Preservation Month, join Carlyle House and Lee-Fendall House on a tour of “Lost Alexandria.” Learn about the historic buildings that were not preserved and why.

20 th

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour

2 p.m.

Admission: $20 per person

Carlyle House

121 N. Fairfax Street

703-549-2997

novaparks.com

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join for a tour of Alexandria and explore the various architectural styles that adorn the city streets. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5-hour guided tour. Tours are held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.

For more spring events and activities in Alexandria, see the listings below and learn more at VisitAlexandria.com/Spring .

About Alexandria

Named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2021 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. Founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is the nation’s third oldest locally designated historic district, boasting 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. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington and America’s Founding Fathers while learning about Black history and African American change-makers that have shaped the history of Alexandria and the U.S. Learn more at VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

Connect with us!

Web: VisitAlexandriaVA.com

Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA

Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA

Instagram: Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA

Hashtags: #visitALX

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

Market Square

301 King Street

Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon

Year Round

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

DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET

Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues

Saturdays, 8 am to Noon

Year Round

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

OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Montgomery Park

901 North Royal Street

Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm

Year Round

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

FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

4109 Mount Vernon Avenue

Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm

Year Round

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

Not to be missed on the Waterfront:

Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson

Admission: Free Waterfront Park

1A Prince Street visitalexandriava.com/public-art

Photo Credit: Lee Moody

Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson is the fifth temporary public art installation on Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront, part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series. Created by Jamaican-born, New York-based award-winning artist Nina Cooke John of Studio Cooke John, the installation is inspired by the ships uncovered on Alexandria’s waterfront in 2015 and 2018 and the many layers of history that are not readily seen. The installation forms an abstracted ship’s hull with steel vertical elements that rise and bend, referencing the curve of the hull’s frame. Visitors can stand within the space and imagine a time in Alexandria’s history when the ships carried not only cargo like tobacco, molasses, rum and limes, but also enslaved people who were traded as part of the transatlantic and domestic slave trades. The outer blue of the installation is contrasted with an orange inner surface depicting text pulled from ships’ manifests listing items like herring, coconuts and gin, alongside names and descriptions of enslaved people, such as “Jane Tailor, female, 5’ 2”.” Also listed are “two boxes of oranges” and “Admonia Jackson.”

Capturing Moments with Mom

Since May is the month that we give Mom some extra attention, we thought it only fitting to profile a local “Mom” who has been bringing joy to the lives of new mothers and fathers in the surrounding DMV with her amazing photos for the last 6 years. Sarah tells me that she spent the major portion of her career – twenty years - in the graphic design arena and still maintains one client, the bulk of her time is spent behind a camera. Her keen interest in photography started when she had her boys – who are both in college – when she began chronicling their paths in life with photos. It appears that they were pretty good subject matter.

Sarah decided that taking photos of expectant mothers, babies and young families might help keep her memories of being a young mother alive. This is why she specializes in maternity, new born and family photos. When I asked her what the key to her success with photographing newborns is, she told me, without hesitation, “the baby runs the show”. When you look at the images on her website and Instagram and Facebook pages you will see what I mean.

She opened a brick and mortar studio on the first floor of 113 South Asaph Street here in Old Town in January 2022. This 1800 circa building interior lends itself to some great backdrops and the large western facing windows make it easy to use natural light for many of her shoots. While she encourages moms to take care of their own makeup and hair and bring their own attire for the photo shoot, she has several styles of dresses available for them to choose from as well as a recommendation for a local salon that can handle the rest.

What does a session with Sarah cost?

A one hour session is $300. The session fee includes your pre-session communication, her personalized preparation guide, your session time together at the studio or at an outdoor location of your choice (approximately 60 minutes) and access to view all of your hand-edited images (45+) approximately 2 weeks after our session.

For family sessions, the session fee includes up to 5 members of your immediate family, but she can customize it to accommodate your parents, in-laws, or extended family.

Please note – the session fee does not include digital files or printed materials. Digital files and printed materials from your time together can be accessed through the collections. All collections are designed so that you will receive digital files and a print credit to the online store. You’ll be able to select your favorite collection once you have viewed all of your images. Collections run from $575 – $1015.

She doesn’t limit her photo shoots to the studio and has done several sessions around Old Town proper and as far away as the Shenandoah Mountains. She has a very keen eye for creative natural backdrops and knows where the “hot” spots for taking said images are.

Once a session has ended, she puts together a digital file of the photos and gives clients the opportunity to look at them and choose the ones they like. Once the selections are made, they have the opportunity to decide what format/layout they would like to have the images transferred to – hard copy, canvas, etc. You make your selections from her online “Collections” options. Not only does she add her own special touch to the creative process by staging and taking the photos but she will custom design your album upon request.

113 South St. Asaph Old Town Alexandria 703-244-1740

sarah@drewryhill.com

sarahdrewryphoto.com

Sarah Drewry Photography

Photo Credit: Sarah Drewry Photography

Why young savers should adopt a long-term mindset

Four key considerations could help young adults create a mindset to succeed with saving and investing for the future.

Michelle Wan, Wells Fargo Investment Institute senior wealth investment solutions analyst, has met many younger clients who have had reservations about investing. “Young investors may find themselves delaying investing for retirement because it seems so far in the future. Alternatively, they may enjoy trading volatile investment instruments for rapid profits,” she says. “They don’t realize how important it is to methodically develop planning and investing goals at a young age. Time is a young saver’s greatest ally.”

Here, Wan shares four key considerations for young savers when it comes to prioritizing long-term savings and investment plans.

1. Adopt a planning mindset

One key factor is having a planning mindset — a positive and proactive stance that could set savers on a path to positive financial outcomes. A planning mindset can provide a road map that can help strengthen a person’s financial future.

2. Start with small changes

Small changes in your financial behavior today could have a big impact on long-term success. Creating a budget, building healthy financial habits, and becoming more comfortable and familiar with investing could go a long way in contributing toward achieving long-term financial goals. Some practices to consider:

• Automatically transferring part of your income into a savings account or an investment account

• Paying down student loans to avoid late fees and damage to credit scores

3. Begin saving and investing now

Start saving for retirement as soon as you can. The sooner you start, the more time every dollar saved has the potential to grow. If dollars saved early in your working years generate investment gains year after year, they can have a much bigger impact on the size of your account balance at retirement than you might think. Thanks to the power of compounding, as the dollars invested potentially earn returns, those reinvested returns can start earning returns, and so on — year after year.

“For younger investors, compounding returns become especially powerful given their longer time horizon, so an early start can make a dramatic difference in helping investors reach their financial goals,” says Wan

4. Take full advantage of retirement savings plans

If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, be sure to participate — and max out any kind of matching-contribution offers. They are the equivalent of free money.

Roth IRAs — to which you contribute after-tax dollars — are also worth a closer look because they offer tax-free growth potential. Investment earnings are also distributed taxfree in retirement if specific requirements are met.

“Another savings vehicle to consider is a Health Savings Account (HSA), which offers tax benefits to qualified investors,” Wan says.

A discussion with an investment professional about your investment goals can help you develop a long-term plan and strategies to potentially help you achieve those goals.

The Magic of Ted Lasso

“If the Lasso way is wrong, it’s hard to imagine being right.” Trent Crimm, a British journalist from the Independent writes these words in his column about soccer, or football, as most of the world calls it, becoming one of many aloof or hostile characters won over by an American football coach named Ted Lasso. The Emmy-winning Apple+ TV series emerged just when it was needed at the height of the pandemic on August 14, 2020. The story of Lasso, who moves to the London Borough of Richmond to coach a Premier League soccer team, Ted Lasso lives up to its hype. Currently in its third and last season, it continues to reveal the kind of heart, beauty, and humor that most TV stumbles past even with clever plotlines and spot-on writing.

Ted Lasso is its own animal, a show that may make you tear up but never makes you feel despair. It is anti-despair, and despair is very fashionable in peak TV, the golden age of television characterized by cable series and shows released by streaming series. I am tired of hunting for TV that makes me happier, while also spoiled by excellent series. From shows like The Sopranos to Mad Men, Homeland, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Game of Thrones, or a lesser-known British gem such as The Fall, I consume series and then let them go, while remembering great acting, storytelling, and the moods they evoke.

While many of them are wonderfully written, memorable, humorous, or provocative, they

often reflect and support deep cynicism and feelings of desolation. I recently finished the first season of The Last of Us, a post-apocalyptic series that jangles the nerves, picking up the ever-popular theme of zombies while highlighting deeper human stories in some episodes. I have now tried the celebrated HBO series Succession twice, but cannot get past the first three episodes because I dislike the characters so much.

Ted Lasso is completely improbable as a concept but completely convincing on an emotional level and compulsively likeable. As a coach who finds himself over his head when he moves to England with the laconic, bizarre, and delightful Assistant Coach Beard, the title character gradually wins over a section of his reluctant fans despite having to learn the technical aspects of a game that is almost as much a part of them as breathing. In the first series, he does so with an incurable optimism that is never treacle-sweet, just happy.

As you may have read before, Ted Lasso is based more on the art of coaching than it is on the actual sport of football. Anyone can watch it, even non-sports fans. Lasso becomes a mentor to his team of young men in soccer’s Premier League, many of whom need someone to turn to as a masculine role model in a country where some have come to play as foreigners. As a man whose father let him down, Ted refuses to quit on his players, despite his separation from his wife and the sense that he is quitting on his family. After this sentence, I find myself needing to re-affirm that this show is never needlessly

sentimental, because I want you to give it a chance. Lasso has to face his own demons.

Ted Lasso is wholesome, charming, kind, and hilarious, but never unconvincing. This show starts off as a bright, winning comedy that gradually deepens over its three series into a show about facing mental illness, understanding what it is to be a father with all its difficulties, growing up, and finding friendship and love of all kinds despite facing loneliness and your insecurities wherever you might be in your life or the world.

The male characters in Ted Lasso become mature enough to talk about how they feel and connect emotionally with one another, and the female characters are strong, funny, well-defined women who support each other through their trials. Strong-willed Rebecca Welton, the owner of the soccer team AFC Richmond, gives the charming Keeley Jones, a player’s girlfriend and former topless model, a job in PR, which catapults Keeley into running her own agency. Men may have created the show, but the women featured are the exact opposite of the narcissistic banshees who populate the “Real Housewives” reality series.

It becomes almost impossible to pick your favorite personality among this bevy of characters, male or female. Ted Lasso is also quirky and strange without ever being off-putting, delivering a great musical soundtrack to boot.

Ted Lasso’s writers have great fun referring to a wide range of cultural topics, as the coaches and

players debate anything from romantic comedies and Julie Andrews characters to whether they should go to a rave or the red light district after playing a game in Amsterdam. They let their freak flags fly, looking for ways to become more secure and realize better versions of themselves. Ted Lasso’s manifesto, “Believe,” is his mission to realize the potential in the people around him, helping them trust their ability to win despite all the reasons they have to be pessimistic.

As season three, the last season, progresses, I have started to appreciate the series’ depth and subtlety underneath its more obvious messages. Its creators, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, and Bill Lawrence, along with its other writers, have laid out their tight, careful plotlines since the beginning of season one, and hints made then about characters are coming to fruition now as those characters stumble awkwardly towards maturity and self-belief. You may disagree with the writers’ artistic choices, but at least they are thoroughly thought through.

I do not want to spoil this series, which ends May 31st. All I can say is that if you have missed out so far, you should watch it for its hilarity, originality, sweetness without undue sentimentality, and sharp eye towards characterization. While it has aspects in common with Ricky Gervais’s wonderful series After Life, with the same keen understanding of the human condition, it features less caustic sarcasm and offers an inherent warmth and sunniness that offsets the darkness we experience.

Time After Time

This month I’m excited to discuss one of my favorite slow songs. “Time After Time” was released in 1984, as part of Lauper's debut album "She's So Unusual," which won her a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The album was a massive success, with "Time After Time" becoming one of its most popular tracks, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With its heartfelt melodies and expansive dreamy music, Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" continues to connect with millions. This timeless ballad stands as one of the most exquisite expressions of love and commitment ever recorded in pop music.

The song begins with gentle synthesizer mixed with a subtle palm-muted guitar riff. Sparse percussive elements composed of kickdrum and shaker also punctuate the music. After eight measures of intro music, we hear Lauper’s soft and iconic vocal melody sing the words, “Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you / Caught up in circles / Confusion is nothing new”. As the first verse progresses, more instrumentation is layered in, lifting the emotion of the song. This dynamic is repeated for the second verse which seamlessly flows into one of the best choruses pop music has ever produced.

For the chorus we hear Lauper and backing vocalist, Rob Hyman, singing a combination of lyrics and melody that is in a class all its own. The sentiment conveyed is a triumph of pop ballad magic and stands as a timeless testament to the power of music itself. The instrumentation of the chorus also includes the introduction of bass guitar which gives new depth to the impact of the music. Additionally, guitar chords shimmering with a chorus effect ring out while snare rimshots add to the overall movement of the song.

The main structure of “Time After Time” consists of only a few verses, a repeated chorus, and a brief instrumental. The emotion that Lauper delivers

throughout this song envelopes the listener so thoroughly that the last thing you would notice is the absence of the typical bridge section after the second chorus. This reflects a songwriting process that relies upon feeling more than technical “correctness”. It also aligns with Lauper’s free-spirited image and artistic expression in general.

“Time After Time” has become ingrained in popular culture, being covered by a multitude of artists, including Miles Davis, Eva Cassidy, and Iron and Wine, just to name a few. The song has also been featured in several movies, TV shows, and commercials, further cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.

Although not releasing songs that are quite as popular as “Time After Time”, Cyndi Lauper is still active in the music industry and stands as one of pop music’s most popular artists. She’s even been nominated to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If you would like to listen to “Time After Time” you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you’d like to learn more about Cyndi Lauper, you can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.

listen to “Time After Time” you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you’d like to learn more about Cyndi Lauper, you can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.

Girl Power is Alive and Well in the DMV Art Scene

According to the research done by the Washington City Paper in 2017, the term “DMV” to refer to the District, Maryland and Virginia first appeared in a DC ART NEWS blog post that I wrote in 2003 – And yes! I therefore do claim that I invented it!

The Greater Washington, D.C., capital region (the DMV) is not only home to some of the best art museums in the world, dozens of art galleries, non-profit art spaces, alternative art venues, and art organizations, but it also supports fertilizes of the best and most creative visual art scenes in the nation.

This scene is kindled and ignited to a large extent by female artists of all ages, races and ethnicities – an artistic female universe significantly more diverse than just about any of other major city on the planet. By the same logic and path, the artwork created by these fertile minds examine every possible corner of the visual arts genres and creative corners.

Celebrating this art scene, I want to use part of this month’s column to announce that I have and am compiling works by a number of leading and talented emerging contemporary female visual artists who represent the tens of thousands of women artists working in this culturally and ethnically diverse region in order to assemble a group show to showcase the immense power of the visual arts being created by these artists.

Let me repeat myself: Equally diverse as the artists, are the artistic styles and media you will see in this curated exhibition, the first of its kind for the capital area.

With more than 100 works of art potentially available for curatorial selection, this exhibition will offer a primer for both the experienced art eye and the beginning art aficionado, highlighting a selection of talented artists who usually deserve more attention on a local, regional and national scale.

And now for some recent local shows…

J. Jordan Bruns has been a resident artist at Glen Echo’s Stone Tower Gallery for 15 years, but currently he has a solo a Glen Echo’s Popcorn Gallery, which according to the news release:

The Popcorn Gallery is proud to present Playing with Reality: 15 Years at Glen Echo Park a solo exhibition by Glen Echo Park Resident Artist J. Jordan Bruns. Bruns has been creating a wide range of paintings in the Stone Tower Studio since joining the Park 15 years ago. He is known for his large-scale abstractions depicting themes of order vs. chaos. This retrospective show celebrates his range as an artist, featuring a stunning collection of paintings with varying degrees of realism. From portraits and landscapes that evoke mood and personality to still life paintings that border on "trompe l'oeil" realism, utilizing expert oil painting techniques, demonstrating the breadth of his artistic output.

ART & ANTIQUES

GALLERIES

Aphrodite, oil on panel by Bruns

Morpheus no.2, oil on panel by Bruns

I went to see the show a few days ago and was immensely impressed by the artist’s facility with the brush in a show that at first glance would seem to be a two-person show!

First we see a series of acrylic wash painting which were executed when Bruns lived in Japan for a few years and explored that nation's artistic ancestry - both in media and subject. We see temples and images which one would swear come from the trained hand of a Japanese master artist, but it is quite clear that Bruns' Japanese period works speak for their own - they tell the visual tale of a brush master absorbing the Japanese scenery with the facility of a seasoned Japanese brush painter; they are nonetheless fresh and contemporary - this is a rare marriage indeed.

“A woman in love with abstraction” - 2021

But it is Bruns immensely fresh series of studio portraits which (in my opinion) tend to dominate the show, not only for the facility and deceptive ease with which Bruns delivers the brushy color application to define the subject with immense freshness and skill, but also by the unintended juxtapositioning that they deliver to the show when paired with the Japanese paintings - it is as if two master artists decided to hold a two person show: One a master color-wash painter, the other a master of the color scale. And it works!

This is a terrific example of an artist's artists show - it allows Bruns to flex his formidable painting skills in two opposite directions and showcase his mastery over both! It also allows the viewer to absorb the painting traditions of two cultures superbly delivered by a seasoned and skilled master artist.

About the Author: F. Lennox Campello's art news, information, gallery openings, commentary, criticism, happenings, opportunities, and everything associated with the global visual arts scene with a special focus on the Greater Washington, DC area has been a premier source for the art community for over 20 years. Since 2003, his blog has been the 11th highest ranked art blog on the planet with over SIX million visitors.

Who to Watch for at My Show:

Michelle Banks

Jennifer Kahn Barlow

Shanti Chandra Sekar

Anne Cherubim

Carol Brown Goldberg

Amanda Coelho

Rosemary Feit-Covey

Margery Goldberg

Janis Goodman

Pat Goslee

Melissa Ichiuji

Martha Jackson-Jarvis

Akemi Maegawa

Anne Marchand

Maggie Michael

Ally Morgan

Georgia Nassikas

Dora Patin

Judith Peck

Amber Robles-Gordon

Renee Stout

Remember Mom this year with a handcrafted gift.

Exclusively representing the works of F. Lennox Campello

Price and additional images upon request.

“ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON, DC”

16x20 watercolor on paper with embedded electronic images that rotate every 5 seconds.

– Washington City Paper

Exclusively representing the works of F. Lennox Campello

Syreni Caledonii (Northern Atlantic Mermaid). Watercolor, charcoal and Conte. 2019, 12x36 inches.

Price and additional images upon request. Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC, Washington, DC www.alidaanderson.com / info@alidaanderson.com

Hakone Jinja no.2, acrylic ink on paper by Bruns

A BIT OF HISTORY SARAH BECKER

A Case for Judicial Review: Marbury v. Madison

From the Republic’s founding there has been a connection between politics and the courts. Perhaps no more dramatically than the case of Marbury v. Madison [1803]. The U.S. Supreme Court decision was landmark: it established the Constitutional doctrine of judicial review.

The case—brought by the district of Columbia’s William Marbury and Alexandria complainants Robert Townsend Hooe [the Town of Alexandria’s first Mayor], Dennis Ramsay and William Harper—was an outgrowth of the contentious politics surrounding the Presidential election of 1800.

In November 1800, President John Adams [F-MA] lost his re-election bid. Incumbent Vice President Thomas Jefferson [DR-VA] defeated him. Soon after Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party claimed Adams was packing the courts in an effort to protect the Federalist Party’s legacy.

John Adams was well known for his 1776 Thoughts on Government. “For Adams the structure of government was a subject of passionate interest that raised fundamental questions about the realities of human nature, political power, and the good society,” David McCullough explained. “It was a concern that for years had propelled much of his reading and exchange of ideas.” Adams want: a government that included an executive, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary.

President Adams appointed attorney and former French Envoy John Marshall Secretary of State on June 6, 1800. Months later, when U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth [1796-1801] resigned, Adams offered the Chief Justice’s job to Marshall. Chief Justice Marshall took his oath of office on February 4, 1801, while simultaneously serving as ad interim Secretary of State.

Marshall, a moderate Federalist, was born in Germantown, Virginia, in 1755. The oldest of 15 children he was schooled using mostly the Dictionary. His was a stellar resume. Marshall joined the Virginia BAR in 1780; was a member of the House of Burgesses [1782-1788] and an elected emissary to Virginia’s 1788 U.S. Constitution ratifying convention.

Not long after the Chief Justice’s confirmation Adams Federalist-dominated Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801—a revision of the Judiciary Act of 1789. Also, The Organic Act of 1801 an Act Concerning the District of Columbia. The Organic Act divided the newly formed Federal District into “Washington and Alexandria counties” and set up a court system for both. To which outgoing President Adams appointed officers including U.S. judges, a

marshal and attorney, and justices of the peace.

On March 2, 1801—two days before President Adams was scheduled to retire—he nominated 23 justices of the peace in Washington and 19 in Alexandria, D.C. The “midnight” justices were quickly confirmed; outgoing Secretary of State John Marshall affixed the proper seal then put their commissions aside for incoming Secretary of State James Madison [DR-VA] to deliver. Not all of the commissions were delivered.

Disgruntled appointee William Marbury, aided by Alexandria attorney and former Attorney General Charles Lee filed a lawsuit requesting a writ of mandamus forcing Secretary of State James Madison to act. That said, the incoming 1802 Democratic-Republican Congress repealed the Federalists Judiciary Act of 1801; politics intervened and the matter was delayed. The U.S. Supreme Court, as it then operated closed for one year.

In preparation for the U.S. Supreme Court 1803 hearing, Maryland Senator John Howard [F-MD] introduced a request for a certified copy of the Senate’s 1801 executive journal:

“THAT your Petitioners have been informed and verily believe, that John Adams while President of the United States, nominated to the Senate of the United States for their advice and consent, your petitioner William Marbury, to be a justice of the peace in the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia, and your Petitioners, Robert Townsend Hooe and Dennis Ramsay, to be Justices of the Peace in the county of Alexandria, in the same District; that the said nominations were duly taken into consideration by the Senate, who on or about March 1, 1801, were pleased to give their advice and consent that your petitioners should be severally appointed to the office aforesaid; that commissions were accordingly in due form signed by the President, and directed to be sent to your petitioners by the Secretary of State, but that your petitioners, from some cause, have been deprived of their commissions, and are reduced to the necessity of asserting their rights to same, in a judicial course proceeding, in which, as they are advised, it will be requisite to produce satisfactory evidence.”

“It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is,” Chief Justice John Marshall argued in Marbury v. Madison

“The Judges of the Supreme Court have given it as their opinion, in the case of the Mandamus, that the justices are entitled to their commissions, but, that they have not the power to issue a mandamus in the district of Columbia, it not being a State,” the

Alexandria Advertiser and Commercial Intelligencer reported. “If, however, the occurrence had taken place in one of the states they should have had no hesitation in granting it.”

The legal questions were three. Has the applicant a right to the commission he demands? If he has a right, and that right has been violated, do the laws of his country afford him a remedy? If they afford him a remedy, is it a mandamus issuing from this court?

Assistant Circuit Court Judge James Marshall, the Chief Justice’s brother, testified on behalf of the litigants stating “that he had attempted without success to deliver a number of commissions in Alexandria, and that he returned them to the State Department.” James Marshall lived in Alexandria, in a rental home at 220 N. Washington Street.

Reader’s question: Is the Marbury decision an example of judicial independence or the inevitable influence of politics on the judicial process?

Answer: The Supreme Court accepted the politics and, in the process established its constitutional authority.

“In its far-reaching importance to the country, Adams appointment of Marshall was second only to his nomination of George Washington to command the Continental Army twenty-five years before,” McCullough concluded.

George Washington, of no political party, retired from the Presidency in March 1797. His third retirement as scholars describe it. As President, Washington thought political parties impolitic, a violation of “justice, sound reasoning, and fair representation.”

“The Mass of our Citizens requires no more than to understand a question to decide it properly,” George Washington wrote John Marshall in December 1797. Yet, in 1798, Washington was recruiting Congressional candidates on behalf of Adams Federalist Party.

John Marshall, Thomas Jefferson’s second cousin, was such a candidate. On the morning of September 3, 1798, Marshall joined George Washington for breakfast at his Mount Vernon Estate. Washington “urge[d] him to run for Congress as a Federalist for the District around Richmond.” He accepted Washington’s invitation reluctantly.

Adams and Jefferson differed in their notions of democracy. Adams, like his predecessor George Washington preferred a strong central government. Jefferson favored states’ rights.

The Sixth U. S. Congress convened March 4, 1799. Marshall entered the Halls a winner. He succeeded by neutralizing skeptics like Patrick Henry; splitting with Federalist Alexander Hamilton, and opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts.

“Marshall went on in a series of landmark decisions [Fletcher v. Pick (1810), Marlin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816), McCullough v. Maryland (1819), and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)] to strengthen the power of the central government and to favor a broad interpretation of the Constitution—what it implied rather than literally stated,” historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., explained.

John Marshall served until 1835. He died on July 6, 1835, while seeking medical treatment in

Philadelphia. Two days later the Liberty Bell rang as part of the Chief Justice’s funeral procession. The freedom bell reportedly rang so hard, so long that it cracked—never to clang again.

Today’s legal dilemma: the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade [June 24, 2022]. A legal, poli-religious dilemma it is! Two Federal District Judges, one in Washington State another in Texas, ruled for and against the sale of Mifepristone, a commonly used abortion drug. Another Court ruling waits.

Columnist’s Reply: Nashville, Tennessee’s March 28, 2023, Covenant School shooting has readers again scratching their heads. Six people are dead including three nine-year-old students. The murder weapons: two semiautomatics and a handgun, three of seven firearms legally purchased by the disturbed 28-year-old shooter. Then, on April 10 a 25-year-old suicidal employee—using an AR-15 assault rifle—shot nine people killing five inside Louisville, Kentucky’s Old National Bank.

“Firearms are the leading cause of death in children and youth ages 0 to 24 years of age in the United States,” The American Academy of Pediatrics decided in December 2022. The Children’s Defense Fund agrees. Does U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY], a recipient of NRA largesse even care? McConnell, as of the 118th Congress, has received $1,329,699 in NRA campaign contributions. Why? Because the U.S. Supreme Court has left the 2002 McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in tatters. McConnel l v. FEC (2003) and Citizens United v. FEC (2010) are two case examples.

Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email: abitofhistory53@gmail.com

The Memorial Day Poppy

The Greeks have a legend that explains how the poppy came to be called the Corn Poppy. The poppy was created by the God of Sleep, Somnus. You see Ceres, the Goddess of Grain, was having a hard time falling asleep. She was exhausted from searching for her lost daughter; still she couldn't fall asleep and had no energy to help the corn grow. Somnus cooked up a concoction and got her to take it, soon she was sleeping like a baby. Rested and relaxed Ceres could then turn her attention to the corn that began to grow. Ever since that time the people believed that poppies growing around cornfields ensure a bountiful harvest. And so was born the Corn Rose, or as we call it today the Corn Poppy.

Those are some of the ancient legends associated with the poppy. Now you are asking if I am ever going to explain the war connection. This too is an ancient connection going back to Ghengis Khan. It is said that after his annihilation of the enemy the fields were churned up and drenched in blood. Soon they were covered in pure white blooms of the poppy. During the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century the same phenomenon occurred. Churned up blood-drenched fields erupted in poppy flowers.

So buy a poppy, then grow some poppies. They are easy to grow and will self-sow so that each year you will have gorgeous poppies in your garden, or where ever the wind has blown the seed.

Corn Poppies grow about 2 feet tall, although I have seen them get even taller. The flowers are from 2 to 5 inches across and come in a variety of colors. Starting from seed is so easy, all you have to do is scatter the tiny seeds onto some prepared soil and forget them. You can do this in the fall or early spring. Fall scattered seeds tend to grow healthier and produce larger flowers than spring sown seed but either way you can't go wrong. They like cooler weather, would prefer to be in full sun and they like well-drained soil. They look great in mass plantings or as part of a wildflower meadow and bloom profusely. Poppies make great cut flowers. If you sear the cut end of the stem with a match they will last longer in the vase.

Publishers Note: This article is printed with permission. Portions have been edited in the interest of space. To read Ms. Jacinto's complete feature and for more information about growing poppies and other botanicals log on to botanical.com.

The inspiration for this column began at the local shopping mall. Yeah, I know it is a pretty bizarre place to get any kind of inspiration let alone gardening inspiration but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. You see sitting out front of one of the mega stores was a WWII veteran and what looked like his grandson. On the shaky card table were a bunch of red silk poppies and a can for donations.

I always put some money in the can and get a poppy to wear. It's a habit I picked up from my Dad when I was a little kid. He always bought a poppy and kept it in the visor of his truck. I didn't know why he did this exactly except that it had something to do with the war. He was a veteran of WWII and since he is no longer around to buy his poppy I do it for him.

That old vet sitting at his table a few weeks before Memorial Day got me wondering about the story of the red poppy. There are many kinds of poppies but the poppy mentioned in John McCrae's poem “In Flanders Fields”, was found growing in the fields of Flanders and often referred to as Flanders Poppy is actually Papaver rhoeas more commonly called Corn Poppy. This Mediterranean native is found growing in cultivated fields all over southern Europe.

Its legend reaches back thousands of years. They have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back 3,000 years. There is a drawing of a poppy that was found in the Codex Vindobonensis which was put together for the Byzantine princess Anicia Juliana. The Codex is dated at over a thousand years. Homer mentions poppies in the Iliad, comparing the head of a dying warrior to that of a hanging poppy flower. Many of the ancient Greek and Roman gods are associated with the poppy. The god Morpheus made crowns out of the poppy flowers and gave them to those he wanted to put to sleep. Poppy flowers were used to decorate his temple.

Like all legends there is some fact mixed in with the fiction. Papaver rhoeas does not contain any opium. Its cousin Papaver somniferum is the opium poppy and is native to parts of Asia.

I repeat, for all you poppy pod swipers, the Corn Poppy does not contain any opium, so leave the pretty flowers alone so other people can enjoy them. Now that that is cleared up I'll tell you what the Corn Poppy does contain and why Morpheus used it to put people to sleep.

Papaver rhoeas contains a substance, cleverly named rhoeadine. It's nonpoisonous and has been used as a mild sedative for centuries. The ancient Romans used a concoction of the poppy to ease the pains of love, I guess if you are sleeping you can't worry about love.

Living in 15 Minute Increments

I am the mother of four kids, aged 8 to 14 years old, and trying to launch a business. I live life in 15-minute increments.

Our house wakes up at 6:00 a.m. during the week. Getting everyone to eat something is a challenge so I let them eat whatever they want – leftover pasta, soup, mac and cheese, cereal, bagels, whatever. Then I either drive them to school, leaving at 6:45 or go to my office and start to work.

I usually have appointments racked and stacked as I work with a team located across Korea, India, Vancouver, San Francisco, Mexico City and Honolulu. Today, I’m also trying to keep fish from dying. My son went to a birthday party and the party favor was a beta fish. I groaned when I saw it and secretly vowed to get even with the mom. Then my son named the fish Medallion because it was like gold to him. So, yesterday I went to the pet store to get some accommodations for Medallion and we left with six mollies and an aquarium. Anyway, the six mollies are named – Blaze, Spike, Buster (girl), Anna, Crusoe, and Razor.

This morning, I came upon our dog, Buster Brown, with the fish food container in his mouth. He had eaten nearly the whole can and I had to wrestle the container from him. Apparently, he had climbed up on the chair and snatched the food. He was utterly remorseless standing there with fish flakes sticking all around his mouth. And he apparently scared a fish to death. Poor Spike met his demise.

Buster Brown is also going to the vet today as his ears are infected and he has been chewing his paws. So now I add allergy medicine and pet hospital to the bills! Lately we have been cracking down on him running away to visit our neighbor’s chihuahua as our other neighbor feels menaced by small dogs and calls security.

My assistant arrives and we crank through as much as humanly possible as we are on an impending deadline. Then school pick-ups start at 2:45. Someone helps with the driving but we are both in our respective cars from 2:30 until 6:00 every day. Each child has school, a sport and an instrument. But we also have doctor and dental appointments, birthdays, school orientations, parent conferences, school fairs, major sports events, dances, and play dates in all different venues. And, they keep growing and needing new clothes and shoes.

I arrive home at 6:00 from the vet, picking up my 13 year-old son from tennis along the way. My 8 year-old daughter runs to the door to remind me the bake sale is tomorrow and we promised to send in cheesecake brownies, cut into pieces, bagged and labeled. Luckily, I have brownie mix and cheesecake filling. We preheat the oven and start to make them. I am

making dinner at the same time, boiling water for pasta. So it appears to be working out. Then I discover we have no canola oil. I rush to the store to get the oil. I am almost home and my oldest texts me – “just ran out of milk.” I text her back “drain the pasta and I’ll get milk.”

As I walk in the door, one of my kids calls me to report an “infestation“ in the kitchen. Sure enough there are a thousand little ants just by the door. We run and douse them with enough “raid” to fill a bathtub.

I have three kids to help with homework; however, one is independent or I should say refuses to let me see his work. I listen to how everyone’s day went, then showers, piano practice and a little free time. If I don’t tell them to go to bed, they forget (but if I attempt to send them to bed early, it is treated as a crime committed against children everywhere.)

I still lay down for five minutes with my youngest when she goes to bed. She goes down at 8:15 and that 15-minute increment is critical to her.

Then, I cut and bag the brownies, make lunches, make sure all laptops are charged-up, and check for correct shoes for in-school and after-school sports. Last, I confiscate all cell phones until morning as they text their friends incessantly.

Just when I feel like my “sports’mom’ship” might give out, my kids give me a hug and tell me I’m the best mom ever. I get re-energized and work a little longer as India and Korea are up and working. I have a glass of wine with my husband and ask him about his day. I usually don’t remember his response, as I am so exhausted. At ten, I go to sleep dreaming about ski vacations and sleeping in.

Every Sunday, we look at the calendar and figure out what items we have in addition to the regular routine. I slot them all into the schedule in 15-minute increments. My youngest son likes to play flag football and says he is great at “juking.” This is modern-day parent “juking.” And tomorrow I start booking the summer camps, trips and schedule. But at least I’ve made enough pasta tonight to eat for breakfast tomorrow.

About the Author: Eileen Wacker, a Harvard Business School graduate, lived and worked in seven different countries, including the United States. She commuted to Asia for nearly three years as part of a business development team, which sparked her interest in Asian culture. Wacker spent a good portion of her youth in the Washington, DC area and now resides in Honolulu, Hawaii, with her husband and four children, one of whom is a daughter adopted from China. For more information please visit her website: http://www.oncekids.com.

Namibia: t he road to t rue a dveN ture

Are you feeling adventurous? Does driving in South Africa not quench your thirst because it isn’t adventurous enough? Are other tourist hotspots like Zambia and Botswana too much too soon? If the answers to all these questions are ‘yes,’ then Namibia might just be the right place for you to shake off the shackles of organized overlanding and hit the open road on a selfdrive tour. Namibia is a fantastic place for a first-timer experiencing southern Africa: its tourist infrastructure is well-developed, and you won’t struggle to find both budget and high-end accommodation along any of the routes you might pick. An entire tourist industry has sprung up in Namibia around the adventurous self-driver, and you’ll find plenty of resources and local companies able to support your planning and booking process (although you won’t necessarily need them). The major car rental companies all operate out of Windhoek’s international airport and provide basic Namibia-specific driver training before you leave. Also, the road infrastructure is as simple as they come, meaning it’s near impossible to get lost.

Where to go:

A simple ‘self-drive Namibia’ google search will immediately give you an abundance of ideas of possible routes. The most popular tends to be a classic route encompassing Windhoek, Sos-

susvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha National Park and Okinjima in that order. Here’s why:

The Classic self-drive route is designed to make sure that you get a well-rounded tour of the country taking in most of the main sights and activities. In Sossusvlei, you get the world-famous dunes; Swakopmund

that might be a holiday in itself. However, most people will want to make sure that they have at least 2 nights in each place to explore everything each place had to.

There are some areas, like the Skeleton Coast, that would be amazing to visit but are incredibly remote. It may be tempting to stretch the route, but in two weeks you will want to avoid over-exertion. If you’re planning a longer trip, then you definitely might wish to consider some of these more remote places. They’re off the beaten path which means that far fewer people visit. So, if you’re looking for a true taste of ‘exploration,’ then this enhanced itinerary might be for you!

is the capital of adventure where you can kayak with seals in the ocean and go sand-boarding; Damaraland gives you the opportunity to search for rare desert-adapted elephants and rhinos whilst relaxing in luxury lodges; Etosha is the most famous of Namibia’s game reserves and offers the chance of spotting 4 of the big 5; and Okinjima is one of a few stopover options on the way back to Windhoek Airport that provides a chance to spot big cats and visit the Africat Foundation.

Some of the more complex routes, whilst stopping in more places, entail significant time on the road. For some people that really enjoy driving,

Visiting in the dry season ensures that you will barely see a cloud and maximize your chances of big game viewing in Etosha. It also ensures that the roads will be dry. Many of the roads on the Classic route are gravel or mud (the toughest being from Windhoek to Sossusvlei). During the wet season, these roads can become particularly difficult to drive (or impassable). If your trip has to be at a certain time of year, you may want to consider different routes and towns to ensure that the drive isn’t too difficult. After all, you’re supposed to enjoy it! What will become clear during your planning process is that, unlike some holidays, you need to make sure that you

research and understand the demands of the route and adjust accordingly. Given the sparsity of roads in Namibia, it’s not that easy to adjust a route mid-trip. top 10 t ips for Whe N You h it the road:

6. Keep your eyes on the road: The scenery is amazing, and the roads are straight; both of which could lead to you taking your eyes off the road. We encountered a lot of wildlife whilst driving (giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, guinea fowl and antelope), and nobody wants to be scraping a guinea fowl off the windscreen!

7. Stick to roads your car can handle: The roads will be a combination of tar, gravel and mud, depending on your route. The conditions of the gravel and mud roads can deteriorate quickly in the wet season and may only be passable in 4x4s. Make sure you speak to your car rental company to discuss your route and the time of year you’re going to make sure you have a car that can handle the conditions you’ll encounter.

8. Be prepared for a bumpy ride: It won’t always be comfortable, but it will hopefully always be enjoyable. If you suffer from car sickness, this probably isn’t the best trip for you if I’m honest. But in seriousness, if you aren’t used to driving on gravel or mud, then make sure you take things easy until you get used to the differences in deceleration and cornering. Over-excited tourists

1. Make sure you stock up: Make sure you stock up with provisions before you hit the road and replenish in every town when you get the chance. Stores may potentially be few and far between (in fact you can go hours without seeing another driver let alone a town or store). As always, there’s an inclination to buy soda and sweet treats but make sure you also have sensible provisions like water and energy bars. If you do break down (which hopefully won’t happen), then it could be several hours until help arrives. Water will also help get the dirt off your windscreen!

2. Top up the tank every chance you get: gas stations can be hundreds of miles apart. As a result, make sure that you top up the tank at every opportunity you get.

3. Carry enough cash: Many gas stations don’t accept credit cards and don’t have ATMs, so make sure that you have enough cash to get by. The last thing you want is to be stuck at a gas station with no fuel and no way to pay for some!

4. Make sure you have a good old-fashioned map: Mobile phone data plans will likely be useless –you won’t have any signal at all most of the time. I highly recommend renting or bringing a GPS, but they can always fail. So, make sure you have a trusty map. Most of the car rental companies will provide you with one upon arrival. My guess is that you’ll look at it and think it can’t be right because there are too few roads, but lo and behold, it’s correct! As I mentioned previously, there are so few roads, even the most directionally-challenged people will struggle to get lost in Namibia!

5. Stick to the rules of the road, especially the speed limits. The roads are unbelievably straight for large stretches and cars are few and far between. The inclination is to therefore unwittingly speed up, but Namibia has a fairly comprehensive program of operating speed cameras on major tarred roads that will catch you at the slightest opportunity. We were also told that some rental companies use on-board GPS to track your speed, and if you exceed the speed limit more than an unspecified number of times, they’ll fine you when you return the car. It’s hard to say how true this is (we weren’t fined).

are apparently the main source of road traffic accidents in Namibia. Lastly, be careful of driving into deep sand – it’s incredibly easy to get stuck!

9. Carry your driver’s license and ID with you at all times: ID checks are conducted at police checkpoints coming in and out of major towns (these aren’t anything to worry about so don’t get nervous). You’ll need your driver’s license and passport at the ready. The likelihood is that you won’t be asked to provide them (they tend to wave obvious tourists straight through), but the last thing you want is to have to get out and search through your bags for IDs.

10. Most of all, enjoy it! Namibia is one of the greatest places to drive that I’ve ever visited.

About the Author: Scott Dicken is a world traveler and amateur photographer on top of being employed full time at an internationally known company. His love of travel is evident – you can read more articles like this at takephotosleavefootprints.com

— Photos by Scott Dicken

When your life path hasn’t involved children, Mother’s Day can feel like a reminder of something you didn’t do. But, while I know there’s an ineffable difference, I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite as much like a mom as I did the day the veterinarian said “cancer.” This is my story; Smoky Tiggs Burns’s story. I’m not an expert, but I’m sharing these words with the hope that they help at least one pet parent feel less alone. Because, as I always knew but experiencing feline cancer confirmed, pets ARE family.

Smoky was around 12 years old and had been with us for seven years when my husband noticed “bumps” on her neck. Although he was pretty sure they were new, he grabbed our second cat – we jokingly thanked her for being our “control group kitty” – to confirm it wasn’t normal. We got her to the vet that day. The bumps were swollen lymph nodes. The vet looked grim; while she needed to run some tests, it looked very much like lymphoma. They drained Smoky’s lungs, which were filled with fluid, and sent blood out for testing. Even before the results came back, the vet told us that Smoky wouldn’t have lasted the week if my husband hadn’t noticed the swelling and acted quickly.

with this diagnosis into remission, but it always came back fairly quickly. A few cats got a second remission; a third was extraordinarily rare. Her knowledge astounded and comforted me. She reviewed a detailed plan with several lines of treatment and plans in case one drug didn’t seem to work. She shared some good news too: this type of cancer wasn’t particularly painful (according to observation of feline patients and feedback from people with a similar condition), and cats didn’t suffer from the terrible side effects that people endure with chemotherapy. We would try everything. When we pushed, she said we were looking at four to six months – if we were lucky. They started treatment that day.

Cancer in Cats: A Cat Mom's Story

The first test confirmed cancer. The second classified it as large T-cell lymphoma. The vet was blunt, which we probably needed: it was the result they always hoped they wouldn’t get. It was a Thursday when we contacted a feline oncologist, and we felt lucky to get an appointment the following Wednesday. The gravity of the situation sunk in when our regular vet asked, “Can you get her in sooner?” We started Smoky on steroids and had her lungs cleared once more before we dropped her off at the oncologist’s emergency room on Monday to be seen whenever they could manage.

It was 2021, and COVID protocols were firmly in place. When they called us back in, my husband and I were taken to a comfortable, private waiting room (a dog mom friend once said you knew it was bad news when you’re put in a room with a couch and comfy chairs) where we met the oncologist via speakerphone. She explained – in clear but never unkind terms – that they could get a sizeable percentage of cats

For Smoky, treatment meant regular vet visits that increased in frequency from every three weeks to every week, plus oral steroids. (Pro Tip: the oncologist shared another patient’s brilliant trick of putting a little butter on a pill and sticking it in the freezer for a short moment to harden. Smoky was never easy to pill, but the butter helped!). Smoky was tired. She retreated a bit, especially immediately after a treatment, and she didn’t eat much, but she was herself. We watched her as any parent would, and never saw pain cross her face. The oncologist coordinated with another vet to administer some of the treatments, which made the logistics much easier. I remember sitting with the other vet while he called the oncologist after a disappointing test result. Aside from being amazed that an in-demand oncologist took an unplanned call to help us decide to change course, I felt grateful because I saw that they both cared about their patients. Still, at that appointment like almost every trip to either doctor – even when Smoky achieved a temporary remission – the vets reminded us that the cancer would win.

And it did. We were sick ourselves the day Smoky started to squat outside the litter box, staring right at us as she did. It wasn’t like her (she never actually peed … our prim and proper girl till the end). We took her in. They told us what we knew. While they were getting her ready – and we were getting ourselves ready – she passed on her own. They brought her to us. We held her. We cried. And we felt the loss of our sweet girl.

Feline cancer can be treated. Many times the vets win the battle. Not all stories end as ours did. Each type of cancer and each treatment is unique. A fellow cat mom shared that after getting radioactive iodine for a thyroid tumor, her rescue Josephine couldn’t sleep with her human for a couple of weeks and she did lose her “lion’s mane,” but she recently passed her three-month follow-up with flying colors! I’ve heard of cats that experienced cancer as a chronic illness and lived with it for years.

In our case, despite losing the battle, we got five months -- the time we needed to be ready (or as ready as one can be) to say goodbye.

A few resources that you might find helpful if your cat’s vet says cancer:

“Home Care for the Cancer Patient,” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine; “Cats and Cancer,” The Conscious Cat; and “Lymphoma in Cats,” VCA Animal Hospitals.

Cheryl Burns is a Legal Editor who divides her time between Northern Virginia and Central Pennsylvania. She’s a proud King Street Cats volunteer. Some 20 months later, she still sometimes says that two cats kindly allow her and her husband to share their home.

PETS OF THE MONTH

Selected Metro DC Animal Shelters/Rescues

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria alexandriaanimals.org/ Animal Welfare League of Arlington www.awla.org

Fairfax County Animal Shelter www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter

Friends of Rabbits and House Rabbit Sanctuary www.friendsofrabbits.org/

King Street Cats www.kingstreetcats.org/ Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. ophrescue.org/

Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary www.rikkisrefuge.org

4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774

alexandriaanimals.org

Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm

It's Ozzie the Prince of Barkness, and this young pup is ready to pawty! Ozzie is just under a year old and has a zest for life that is only matched by his cute looks. Like all youngsters, Ozzie is going to need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to channel his energy for good rather than evil. Despite his mischievous nature, Ozzie is endearing and charming.

Ruby is a Satin Angora bunny with luscious locks to rival any metal hair band; although she's more into hip hop. She is social, curious, and sweet. She is calm, friendly and likes to be held. One of her favorite pastimes while she waits for a home is to be cuddled by the AWLA front desk staff. Ruby loves her snacks of carrots, cilantro and biscuits. Ruby's hair will need to be brushed regularly, but she rather enjoys the activity.

Any mega superstar needs a true and faithful roadie. Look no further than Mr. Brown. This beefcake of a boy has a heart of gold. His playfulness and enthusiasm are contagious. Mr. Brown adores toys and romps in the yard almost as much as he loves people. His favorite game to play? Tug of war! You've been warned though ... he's very good at it! He would make an excellent adventure partner, too.

Ozzie

Ruby

Mr. Brown

Smokey

Now that we're all working remotely Wouldn't you REALLY rather work from the beach?

NAPLES FL TOPS THE LIST FOR BEST BEACHES IN USA

BEACHFRONT SEASONAL RENTAL AVAILABLE

Naples has again claimed the top spot by Travel and Leisure and several other groups for best beach town in the US. The jewel of SW Florida’s Paradise Coast has sugar sand beaches, turquoise clear waters and every amenity worthy of a world class resort town. Seasonal lease of well furnished 2BR 2BA condo in the very best beachfront location is available this winter (90 day minimum lease term). No ner view from inside and better beach access at any price and most rentals in area start at twice the price. Includes carport parking, heated pool, elevators and privacy; uncrowded beach and, onsite management. Photo is the view from inside!

Call (no texts), email or visit our Facebook page @NaplesOceanfrontCondo. 540-364-9480 • hopespringsfarm@gmail.com

The Legendary Sandcastle at Soggy is Back!

The Caribbean’s most legendary beach bar hotel has a longawaited reopening date. The Sandcastle at Soggy Dollar, the boutique beach hotel at the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, will begin welcoming back guests on May 15, the Soggy Dollar confirmed.

“We are very excited to be reopening Sandcastle at Soggy Dollar,” the property said in a statement.

For now, reservations will only be accepted six months in advance of arrival; all guests must be a minimum of 25 years old, the hotel said.

Since 1970, nestled on the pristine white sands of White Bay, Sandcastle Hotel, located at the world-famous Soggy Dollar is the ultimate Caribbean beach bar resort. With two beachfront cottages, two garden cottages, and two garden view rooms with exclusive beach access and onsite bar and restaurant privileges ... it’s no wonder they have been voted number one by USA Today “10 Best” year

after year. It is a triumphant return for a beloved boutique hotel that has been shuttered since Hurricane Irma back in 2017.

Stay in White Bay ... keep it shady ... stay at Soggy! For more, visit soggydollar.com/ hotel.

Getting There!

You can fly either into Tortola (Beef Island Airport) or St. Thomas. Getting to Soggy Dollar is easiest from Tortola, but airline fare variations and frequent flyer programs may make St. Thomas a more practical point-of-departure.

From Tortola you will need to get to West End Tortola and you'll take either the ferry or a chartered boat to Jost Van Dyke. To ensure

catching the last ferry to Jost Van Dyke (6pm) you should arrive at Beef Island not later than 4pm. If this not possible, we will be glad to assist you in making arrangements for you to stay at a guest house on Tortola. Some logistics to factor in: from Beef Island Airport (Tortola) is a 45 minute cab ride which will bring you to West End.

From St. Thomas to Jost Van Dyke you have several transportation choices. To ensure the greatest number of options it is recommended you arrive in St. Thomas no later than 3:30pm. The InterIsland Boat Services Ferry (340776-6597) provides service to the British Virgin Islands from St. Thomas and St. John.

The Original Painkiller

Originated and perfected at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the 1970's, this smooth, full-flavored rum cocktail has become the essence of Caribbean imbibing.

The correct concoction of premium dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice (proportions are secret), topped with fresh grated Grenadian nutmeg makes the swim (no dock) to the Soggy Dollar Bar worth the effort.

Perhaps it's the setting of White Bay, the thirst from the swim, the perfect blend, or just because of the tradition of the original Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar… whatever the reason, welcome, enjoy and stay shady my friends.

The Hideout Hotel

The return of the Sandcastle is actually part of a wider hotel renaissance in Jost Van Dyke, which also includes the spectacular new Hideout hotel, also on White Bay, that opened last year. That hotel has quickly become one of the hottest boutique resorts in the Caribbean, thanks in large part to its signature amenity: a plunge pool in every villa. thehideoutbvi.com

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

About the Author: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.

Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Eagles?

Bald eagles are conservation darlings.

Once lurching toward extinction, eagles flew off the endangered species list as the number of mating pairs nationwide soared from a low of a few hundred in the 1960s to nearly 10,000 by 2010.

And the Chesapeake Bay region has continued to burnish its reputation as one of the country’s top bald eagle breeding grounds, registering a nearly fivefold leap in paired males and females during the past two decades.

But can there be too much of a good thing? Perhaps so, according to one of the region’s leading avian researchers.

Bryan Watts, founder and director of the Center for Conservation Biology at Virginia’s College of William and Mary, has authored dozens of academic papers on bald eagles over a more than 30-year career. In the past 20 years or so, he said, he has documented a shift in the behavior of adult males during the nesting season.

The change was subtle at first. But as Watts continued to monitor the phenomenon, he realized that he was watching a population grappling with the limits of its recovery.

“It’s a natural part of the recovery process,” he said. “The species are just going to have to work it out for themselves.”

The main cause of the eagles’ near demise half a century ago, experts say, was the widespread use of the pesticide DDT, which caused the shells of eggs to become too thin to withstand incubation. Its’ banning in 1972, coupled with water pollution crackdowns, habitat restoration and reintroduction programs, are credited with bolstering the rebound.

Along the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal reaches of its rivers, the eagle population exploded. At one point, their numbers were doubling every eight years, Watts said.

“It’s obvious when you’re in that time of ascent, something is going to happen,” he said. “You can’t stuff eagles into little spaces here and there.”

That’s not for lack of trying. Today, eagles are frequently spotted in suburban backyards, airports, farm fields and other places where a generation ago a sighting would have been virtually unthinkable.

“Eagles have shown themselves to be more adaptable than we expected,” Watts said.

But now, he says, they seem to be running out of room in the Bay region. The most notable consequence has been the growing population of so-called “floaters,” breeding-age eagles of either sex with no territory of their own. The crowding has become so intense that researchers now believe that the floater population is six to eight times greater than the breeding population.

Breeding males that do have nests and mates find themselves at near-constant threat of losing them to intruders.

“These things can be bloody fights to the death,” Watts said. “It’s a jungle out there for these birds.”

Females mostly stay in the nest, incubating eggs or, after the hatch occurs, feeding the young. Traditionally, males would spend most of their time

hunting food for the nestlings. Sometimes, those males would be found on a nearby perch, guarding their nests from would-be interlopers.

That, though, represented the minority of cases. During the 1999–2004 period, a male sentry was present at only about one-third of the nests that Watts encountered.

By the early 2010s, that figure had jumped to more than 60% of nests in the Bay area. By the 2020s, it had surpassed 70%. Something was happening, Watts said, and what he suspected was that population pressure had “forced the male … to stay home and protect his nest and his female from these floaters.”

Watts and his colleagues published research about the floaters a decade ago. What wasn’t clear at that time was whether that behavioral change — males bringing less food back to the young — was impacting nesting success.

Now, Watts believes he has gathered enough data for a paper. In a blog posted on his research center’s website in January, he previewed the findings. The initial numbers paint a portrait of distress for many eagle pairs.

The typical number of chicks per nest has declined since 1999 from two to one, the breeding failure rate has jumped from 17% to 24%, and the percentage of pairs producing three chicks has dropped from 13% to 5%. Watts said he has also observed an uptick in “brood asymmetry” — significant size differences between sibling chicks because one of them is underfed.

“The brood is being trimmed to match the incoming food,” Watts said. But is he worried? Not in the least.

“It’s certainly nothing to be alarmed about,” the longtime researcher said. The Chesapeake region of today is home to more than 3,000 mating pairs, which represents the largest concentration of eagles in the lower 48 states. Watts said that their numbers remain strong, even in the face of threats like chronic lead poisoning — now known to be widespread in golden and bald eagles.

“The Bay is one of the most productive aquatic ecosystems in the country,” he said. “If you look around the range, there’s nothing really comparable.”

Jeff Cooper, an eagle expert with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, said his biggest concern with the eagle population is trying to minimize conflicts with humans. Discouraging the birds from nesting near airports is a big part of his job these days.

Like Watts, he doesn’t see a problem with fewer young eagles being produced in the Bay’s tidewater region. Nor does he see a need for human intervention.

“[Overpopulation] is probably the primary driver for productivity going down,” Cooper said. “You just let that play out. We’re reaching equilibrium. The population is going to remain large because the Bay can support it.”

About the Author: Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland. You can reach him at jcox@bayjournal.com. This article first appeared in the April 2023 issue of the Bay Journal and was distributed by the Bay Journal News Service.

Photo Credit: Dave Harp (Left) and Bryan Watts (Right)

Photo Credit: Lani Gering

Party Hats, Tailgating, Whiskey and Fast Horses

Kentucky may have its Derby and celebrities preening for national news in their party hats sipping mint juleps, but in Virginia, the first Saturday in May has always been about the Virginia Gold Cup. And the hats are just as fine. With Virginia's only flat track open for its boutique summer season, Virginia’s love affair with horses runs longer and deeper than Kentucky’s. We’re starting to produce some decent whiskey locally and young girls still hope to find a pony under the Christmas tree, so the cowboy ballad by the legendary Tom T. Hall about older whiskey, younger women and faster horses could have been written about our state. Kentucky’s famous horse race, first run in 1875, may be the country’s best-known equestrian event, but George Washington was hunting hounds here in Virginia and colonials were racing horses before Kentucky was even settled. And here in suburban Northern Virginia, the Kentucky Derby is held on Gold Cup day, not the reverse. On Saturday May 6th, the Derby will have to share top billing with the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase race meet, held at Great Meadow, The Plains, VA.

Fast Horses

With crowds of over 40,000 in attendance, the Gold Cup is to Washington D.C. what the Derby is to Kentucky: a premiere social and sporting events. Arrangements and tailgating parties are planned months, even years, in advance; prime tailgating and railside boxes are often passed down in wills. Good ones are usually sold out long before race day. You can, however, still get general admission tickets up until race day starting at $100 for a car pass that admits 6 by contacting www.VAGOLDCUP.com or calling 540-347-2612. If you have been invited to a party on Members Hill, there is a dress code you're expected to adhere to, “afternoon dress” including hats for ladies; flat shoes are encouraged, and sport coats for men. Shorts are discouraged. Dress is slightly more casual in the general admission section. Dogs are not allowed and there are no food vendors, so pack a tailgate to bring.

as families—gather with tailgates and picnics to watch the Twilight Polo program. On selected Friday nights the arena hosts its popular Twilight Jumpers program, where tailgaters can watch high jumping show horses compete for prize money. Both events run through mid-September. General admission for the twilight polo is $25 per car and reserved tailgating spaces are available. Some of the events feature music and dancing by moonlight afterwards. For a complete schedule, and ticket information, call the Great Meadow event line at (540) 253-5001, or visit: www.greatmeadow.org

Older Whiskey

Culpeper is home to Belmont Farm Distillery in the history-rich Cedar Mountain area, and this distillery produces some fine aged whiskeys along with some younger corn liquors made famous by the Discovery TV program Moonshiners, including Tim Smith’s famous Climax Moonshine. Belmont Farm grows all the corn and grains they distill, and master distiller Chuck Miller is proud of the reputation his spirits have gained for being “grain to glass” products. The distillery is open for tours Tuesdays through Saturdays 11 to 4, and you might get to meet Chuck or moonshiner Tim Smith.

Just up the road from Belmont Farm in Sperryville is the Copper Fox Distillery, nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As distilleries go, this one’s not old, but owner Rick Wasmund, who founded it just 17 years ago, strives to make his single malt and rye whiskeys and his gin the best, patiently using slower methods such as malting his own barley and toasting his own apple, cherry, and peach wood for the finest results. The Copper Fox is open for tours and tastings from 10 am until 6 pm Monday through Saturday. The tours are free; tastings are $8 and they have a store on site. Groups larger than eight are asked to make appointments - visit them at CopperFox.biz or call (540)9878554.

Younger women

The country’s top steeplechasers aren’t the only fast horses you can see this month. Lightning fast, responsive and keen, able to turn on a dime and anticipate the action, polo horses, called ponies, are just as fun to watch. Polo season in the hunt country gets underway this month also, with the return of the twilight arena polo at Great Meadow on Saturday nights starting May 27th. Gates open at 5:30 pm and the first of 3 matches begins at 6. Great Meadow, host to the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races, has an outdoor polo field too and you can find a schedule of those daytime games on their website or Facebook page. The twilight arena series is very popular with locals and Washingtonians alike; during the summer more than 20,000 fans--young professionals as well

What young woman hasn’t begged for her very own pony at some point in her life? For the young and the young at heart, May is a great time to take in a local horse show or polo match or even just take a drive around to see new foals and ponies frisking in the new spring grass. Morven Park, the spectacular 1200 acre estate that was once the home of General Westmoreland Davis, hosts several different horse related events in May. On Saturday the 13th there is a dressage show, and on the weekend of the 20th and 21st there is a two day horse show held on the grounds. It's located right off Rt. 15 just north of Leesburg, visit their calendar of events at www.morvenpark.org for more information.

Ahhhh…..Rehoboth Beach & the Boardwalk Plaza!

With the early arrival of warm temperatures this year, we decided to take a Road Trip to the Atlantic Beaches and visit the bustling town of Rehoboth, Delaware. For those of you who grew up here, like myself, you probably discovered the Atlantic Ocean by first going to Ocean City, Maryland on some sort of spring break or with the family for a beach weekend. It was always an ordeal, especially on warm weekends. Back then, there was only one Bay Bridge and there were tolls to pay going each way. This always led to impromptu parties in the backup. The second span was completed in 1973 and in the last few years the toll booths have been eliminated. This has all but eliminated traffic backups except when there is a massive volume of vehicles trying to make their way to the beaches.

On the Wednesday that we travelled to Rehoboth, there was very little traffic and we made the 260 miles in under three hours. We could not have picked a more perfect April 12thweather wise. Arriving a little before check in, we decided to hit Dewey Beach for a quick lunch. Our first choice, the Starboard, wasn’t open so we chose a new place...

Woody's Dewey Beach. This place is fantastic. Great food at a good price with a very casual bar with plenty of seating and an extremely friendly and engaging staff. Next time we are there we are trying out their famous crab cakes. After a nice lunch we continued on to the Plaza.

The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is a Victorian style hotel situated right on the boardwalk a block and a half from the ocean front bandstand on the main drag. The hotel is absolutely beautiful and you will get that vibe

as soon as you walk up to the desk. The lobby is spacious and decked out in period furniture and furnishings. You will also be greeted by the three resident parrots...Moose, the one who

you to the floor of your room. We were lucky enough to get the 4th floor which is adults only and has access to the rooftop deck and hot tub. This is an excellent treat. The

the Atlantic Ocean and the beach. We noticed that the town is in the midst of beach replenishment as a pipe lays partially covered by sand leading into the ocean where sand is pumped from the seabed to the beach. This is an ongoing exercise up and down the coast especially after rough winter storms.

As I laid down on the comfortable bed after the drive, Lani began to take a stroll around town. She loves checking out people and places and even though several of the boardwalk venues remained closed until Memorial Day, there was plenty to entertain her – the arcades, the fun “beachy” shops with the $5 deals, etc. And…the boardwalk was jumping with people. The 80+ degree weather really brought them out!

After a brief nap I met up with Lani - who was already at a discovery we made last trip – the Nalu Surf Bar Nalu, which in Hawaiian means wave surge, or wave is one of our new favorites. The whole restaurant has a tiki feel to it and the walls are adorned with paintings of huge waves, the bar top looks like a wave under glass, and the happy hour Mai Thai is only $6 with a dollop of dark rum on top. Yum. We also ordered our favorites...grilled bacon wrapped pineapple with a caramel drizzle and an order of an old time favoriteCoconut Shrimp. This is such an uplifting place and the staff, with the like Jules, our bartender, are terrific.

tends to greet you with a peck from his beak; Peanut, the large one who talks a lot; and Emro, the greeter with the personality who will jump on your hand and walk up to your shoulder.

After check in, the elevator will take

rooms have two queen size beds and dresser, a walk through with fridge, vanity, sink and enclosed bathroom. Next is a nice den with writing desk, another TV and comfortable chairs. The den opens up to the balcony with two chairs and a beautiful view of

Another nice thing about going to Rehoboth this time of year is that the down town parking is still free. However, the 89 degree day drew folks out of the woodwork and finding a spot would be difficult. We were glad that the Plaza was only a block and a half walk. In Rehoboth,

most of the shops and restaurants are open although a few may still be closed for a few more weeks. You could hardly tell, with all the doors wide open inviting folks in. I scored with a $14.99 Panama hat at one of the many shops - I wore out my old one. Another bonus--there is no sales tax in Delaware. It is a great place to shop.

After the second Mai Thai we decided to take a short drive down coastal highway to the Maryland state line and Our Harvest Restaurant in Fenwick Island, Delaware. A very good friend of ours, Marty Jenkins has moved to the area and works at Our Harvest. It was great to see him after all these years.

another drive down Coastal Highway to the Maryland line and met our friend Nancy at Harpoon Hanna's on the canal. The first incarnation of this restaurant was built in 1983. In the last 40 years it has more than tripled its size. We met our friends at the waterside bar to listen to some live music.

After leaving Harpoon Hanna’s we stopped in Bethany Beach on the way back to Rehoboth. We stopped in town at Mangos for dinner. This restaurant was originally opened as Mango Mike's by Mike Anderson and Dicky Heidenburg

(owner of Starboard in Dewey).

Anderson owns a number of restaurants in Alexandria including Sweet Fire Donna, Whiskey & Oyster, Pork Barrel BBQ, Holy Cow and a popup bar that changes seasonally. Another “Bay to the Blue Ridge” connection.

Mangos is a second floor restaurant that has excellent views of the beach and ocean. We chose a table out on the covered porch and enjoyed a leisurely dinner and a bottle of wine and headed back to Rehoboth and the hotel for a night cap.

This is another great example of our "Bay to the Blue Ridge" connection. If you are in the area I would highly recommend this restaurant and it's spacious bar. The menu is fantastic and the prices are very reasonable.

The next day after a nice breakfast on the patio at Victoria's, the hotel restaurant, we went back to the room. I was still a bit tired so decided to revisit that comfortable bed while Lani took a walk on the beach and ventured up the north side of the boardwalk. In all of the times we have been here neither of us got past OB’s on the Beach. Come to find out there a couple of retailers and a huge yoga and fitness center on that end.

Once again I dozed for about an hour and went to meet Lani at the Purple Parrot. From the "Parrot" we took

Friday morning rolled around and we had to get back to Old Town. With the late checkout that comes with the rooms on the 4th floor, however, there was time for another stroll on the beach for Lani while I enjoyed reading the paper on the balcony. Upon our noon checkout we decided that the trip wouldn’t be complete without spending some time at the Starboard in Dewey (remember, it was closed on Wednesday). They are open Thursday-Sunday until the official season rolls around. We opted to have lunch at the outdoor bar with our new BFF Pete Gillette behind the bar. Starboard never disappoints – the juices are fresh squeezed, the beers are cold and the food is great. And on top of that, the people are fantastic.

You all might want to schedule a trip to this slice of heaven in the next couple of weeks before the Memorial Day crowd starts off the 2023 season. Even though it was more crowded than years past this time of year…still no lines to get in places and there is plenty of space on the beach.

Emro

Peanut

Our pal, Marty!

Cool Pete!

Last month one of Old Town's oldest and most iconic restaurants celebrated its Golden anniversary. In this day and age when restaurants seem to come and go, it is amazing when you hear of one that has remained true to itself for 50 years.

Il Porto is a restaurant that shows off the unique architecture of this town. Unlike newer and remodeled restaurants, Il Porto shows glimpses of the past history of the building. The building has been a brothel, butcher shop, artist's studio, speak easy and even a “repair” shop as a cover for a Nazi radio network. If the walls could only talk.

In 1973, Mr. "Ray" Giovannoni opened IL Porto. Shortly after, he opened the Fish Market at the other end of the 100 block and began his journey on becoming an icon in the local restaurant community. Today, current owners Akbar and Wali Zadran have kept Il Porto in the spotlight and the restaurant has maintained its charm and reputation for good

IL Porto Celebrates 50 Years!

food.As we were dining on this unusually warm April evening, Akbar walked over to talk with us. I had first met Akbar and Wali when they took the restaurant over many years ago.

As it is in Old Town, it is always good to see old friends. We reminisced about the old days and spoke of former Ragtime piano player Johnny Maddox and all of the entertainment that abounded in the 100 block of King back then.

Over the years IL Porto Restaurant has developed a reputation of fresh food daily. The pasta is made from scratch every day. Their menu is too extensive to talk about here so I would recommend that you check out it out online and choose accordingly. With the aforementioned "fresh pasta", I can assure that they offer many different selections of pasta, either as an entree or to serve as a side dish. In addition to their regular menu, daily and weekly specials are available.

It was a beautiful night so we decided to dine al fresco but we would be remiss if we didn’t tell you that it was a hard choice since the interior of this restaurant is beautiful. Will have to go back on a bad weather day!

We started off with vodka gimlets to whet our

appetites and enjoyed them with the warm bread that is served with the meal. After consuming the warm bread, we had to pass on an appetizer and went straight to our entrees. As I am a veal fanatic, I ordered the Scaloppine al Marsala ($37.95) for my dinner. This was milk fed veal scaloppini and mushrooms sauteed in a Marsala wine sauce served on a bed of pasta. The portion was large and very satisfying with a nice meld of flavors. The other half stuck to her tried and true lasagna ($24.95). She says that the lasagna in an Italian restaurant tells you a lot about it. Il Porto more than passed her “test”. The meat sauce exceeded her expectations by a long shot and the layers of noodles and cheeses was a solid match. She was warned that the portion is large so you know that over half of it went home with us that night. I can attest to the fact that it travels well since I treated myself to the leftover over the weekend.

We each had a glass of Chianti recommended by our waiter and it complimented both dishes quite well. If you aren’t a fan of Chianti, there is a nice wine list available that covers the gamut.

We ended our meal with another favorite – Spumoni Bomba. We have loved this concoction of strawberry, pistachio and chocolate gelato formed into a ball and coated with chocolate since we had our first one in the early 90’s.

Kelly Spaine Photography

While it can be somewhat challenging to eat, the staff at Il Porto cut the chocolate ball in half and garnished the halves with whipped cream. Treat yourself!!

Someone once said that "the more things change, the more they remain the same." This is a truism for IL Porto Restaurant.

I have been a fan of this restaurant since I came to Old Town in 1977. Back then there were not nearly as many choices for dining as today, however, IL Porto has stood the test of time. Adjusting to new techniques, attitudes and customer wishes, Il Porto has kept pace with change while staying true to their traditional restaurant values and quality. Stop in today and dine al fresco, on either floor of the restaurant or enjoy a fine cocktail upstairs at the intimate bar. Buon Appetito!

Il Porto Italian Ristorante

121 King Street

Old Town Alexandria 703-836-8833

Ilportoristorante.com

Patio Season is Upon Us

Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar 112 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703 739 1124 | www danieloconnell.com

DINING GUIDE

AMERICAN

1799 PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD

110 S. Pitt Street

571-404-6001

ADA'S ON THE RIVER

3 Pioneer Mill Way

703-638-1400

AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970

BLACKWALL HITCH

5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090

BOB & EDITHS DINER

1743 King Street

703-664-0043

CAFE 44

44 Canal Center

571-800-6644

CHADWICKS

203 Strand St. 703-836-4442

CHART HOUSE

One Cameron St.

703-684-5080

CITY KITCHEN

330 South Pickett St.

703-685-9172

fatcitykitchen.com

EDDIE'S LITTLE SHOP & DELI

1406 King Street

571-312-8615

EVENING STAR CAFÉ

2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.

703-549-5051

EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE

1400 Duke Street

703-299-0894

FIVE GUYS

725 King St.

703-549-7991

FOSTERS GRILLE

2004 Eisenhower Ave.

703-725-1342

GADSBYS TAVERN

138 N. Royal St.

703-548-1288

GRATEFUL KITCHEN

727 N. Henry Street

HARD TIMES CAFE

1404 King St.

703-837-0050

HEN QUARTER

1404 King St.

703-684-6969

HOPS 'N SHINE

3410 Mount Vernon Ave.

703-566-1509

HUMMINGBIRD

220 South Union Street

703-566-1355

JACKS PLACE

222 North Lee St.

703-684-0372

JOE THEISMANNS

1800 Diagonal Rd.

703-739-0777

JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO

1508 Mount Vernon Avenue

703-436-0025

KINGS RANSOM

728 King Street

571-319-0794

LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St.

703-683-6313

THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533

LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street

703-549-5545

LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511

MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117

MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com

MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com

NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032

OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395

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

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

THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851

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

RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. 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

SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266

SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807

SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649

SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550

SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423

SOUTHSIDE 815

815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222

SWEETGREEN

823 King St. 571-319-0192

SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS

510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960

Please Contact your favorite restaurants for updates on their "Social Distancing" policies.

THE STUDY

116 South Alfred Street

703-838-8000

T.J. STONES

GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM

608 Montgomery St.

703-548-1004 tjstones.com

TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR

1605 King Street

571-312-1909

UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE

121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com

VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED

106 South Union St. 571-970-3669

VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE

101 North Union St.

703-935-8890

THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL

214 King St.

703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com

ASIAN

ASIAN BISTRO

809 King St.

703-836-1515

INDOCHEN

1625 King Street

(571) 404-6050

KISSO ASIAN BISTRO

300 King Street

703-888-1513

MALAYA

1019 King St.

703-519-3710

MAI THAI

9 King St.

703-548-0600

NASIME

1209 King St.

703-548-1848

SIGNATURE THAI

722 King Street

707-888-2458

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

SISTERS THAI

503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154

CONTINENTAL

CEDAR KNOLL

GW Parkway at Lucia Ln.

703-780-3665

OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN

1024 Cameron Street

703-717-9361

VILLAGE BRAUHAUS

710 King Street 703-888-1951

villagebrauhaus.com

FRENCH

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

BRABO

1600 King St. 703-894-3440

LE REFUGE

127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661

FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE

119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151

LA MADELEINE

500 King St. 703-729-2854

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

ITALIAN

ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue (behind the building) 703-888-2243

ANDY’S PIZZA

107 N Fayette St 571-319-0497

BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313

FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998

FRANK PEPE NAPOLETANA PIZZERIA 3231 Duke Street Alexandria Commons 703-719-2035

HANDOVER BY THE SLICE 728 King Street 571-319-0794

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

LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com

LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086

MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300

MICHAEL’S ON KING 703 King Street 703-838-9090 Michaelsonking.com

PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287

RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873

THOMPSON'S ITALIAN 1026 King Street alexandria@thompsonitalian.com

MEDITERRANEAN

BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100

ELAINE'S 208 Queen Street 571-970-0517

NANDO'S PERI PERI 2462 Mandeville Lane

571-473-5500

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

PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194

DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006

VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720

VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747

SEAFOOD

HANKS OYSTER BAR 818 N St. Asaph 703-739-HANK

FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com

THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834

WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533

INDIAN

DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085

DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338

KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507

NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615

MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN

CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312

CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438

DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144

LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918

LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290

LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167

TAQUERIA POBLANO

2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226)

TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203

URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148

Springtime Pasta Primavera

Now that spring is in full swing we’re likely to see the seasonal springtime dish pasta primavera on Italian restaurant menus across America. It just makes sense―the word primavera means “spring” in Italian. But what is pasta primavera exactly, and what’s its culinary history? Let’s begin with the heart of the dish, the pasta.

Long before they invented the mechanical clock, gunpowder and paper, the Chinese invented noodles, which would come to be called pasta, “dough” in Italian. Although the origin of pasta evokes much speculation, many historians credit the 13th century explorer, Marco

Polo, with bringing pasta to Italy from China. During his 17 years in China the Venetian merchant probably dined with the likes of Kublai Khan, Polo must have sampled a variety of Asian pastas, which were generally made with rice flour or millet. The Chinese began using wheat for noodles about 3000 BC. The medieval Chinese didn’t eat dry strands of pasta like we do today. Instead they cooked fresh pasta.

Pasta primavera is an Italian-American dish― created in New York City in the 1970s―consisting of pasta and fresh vegetables. There is no one recipe for this dish. It may contain almost any kind of vegetable, but cooks tend to stick to firm, crisp

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 pint grape tomatoes

1 lb farfel pasta

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2/3 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, peas, onions and green, red or yellow bell peppers, with tomatoes. Pasta primavera is usually highlighted by light flavors, aromatic herbs and bright colors. A seasonal addition would be fresh asparagus, which is inexpensive and plentiful during the spring season.

Chicken, sausage or seafood may be added, but the star of the dish is always the vegetables. A Classic primavera sauce is based on a soffritto (the Italian version of a French mirepoix) of garlic and olive oil, and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Rich Alfredo-style cream sauces may be used to enrich the dish. The

choices of pastas with this dish are typically smaller shapes, such as penne, farfel, rigatoni and fusilli. If using longer like spaghetti or fettuccine, the vegetables are cut in julienne style, or thin strips, to match the shape of the noodles.

Preparation

1. Blanch green beans in boiling, salted water for 3 minutes. Cook beans first since they take the longest. Add peas and asparagus and cook until just tender, about 1 to 2 minutes more. Immediately strain vegetables and transfer to a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process, reserving hot water in pot for cooking pasta. Drain chilled vegetables in a colander.

2. Cook 1 teaspoon garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in 2 tablespoons oil in a large, heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring just until garlic is wilted, about 1 minute. Stir garlic and add drained vegetables and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 2 minutes, then transfer to a bowl. Reserve skillet.

3. Cut tomatoes lengthwise. Cook remaining teaspoon garlic and remaining red pepper flakes in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, just until garlic is wilted, about 1 minute. Add halved tomatoes with salt and pepper to taste and simmer, stirring occasionally. Add cream and simmer until sauce is thickened and halved tomatoes are softened, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Boil water and cook farfel until al dente. Drain in a colander. Immediately add butter and zest to skillet with tomatoes and simmer gently, uncovered, 2 minutes. Stir in cheese and add pasta, tossing to ensure pasta well coated. Add green vegetables, parsley, basil, and salt and pepper to taste and toss gently to combine.

Serve dish topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings. Serves 6 guests.

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest

1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

1/2 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 lb green beans (preferably French haricots verts), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup frozen baby peas, thawed

Garnish: Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings

An Introduction to Virginia's Nebbiolo

Few grapes are as synonymous with the region they come from as nebbiolo. Indigenous to the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, it’s the source of two of the world’s most famous (and expensive) wines; Barolo and Barbaresco. Powerfully tannic yet possessing delicate aromas and expressive fruit, wine critic Madeline Puckette famously quipped drinking nebbiolo was like “Getting kicked in the face by a ballerina”.

Nebbiolo’s relationship with the mountainous Piedmont isn’t coincidental; even the name is a reference to its home. Many believe the word Nebbiolo comes from the Latin Nebula, which means ‘fog’ or ‘mist’. This fog inundates the region during harvest, helping regulate the temperature of the grapes.

Such conditions contribute to nebbiolo’s reputation as a finicky, terroir-driven wine. Early budding yet late ripening, few places outside Piedmont are thought to have the near-goldilocks conditions to allow nebbiolo to mature to full ripeness. Its requirement for an especially long growing season gives many Virginia winegrowers pause when considering it for their vineyard, given the state’s erratic weather.

So it’s somewhat surprising that nebbiolo is nevertheless gaining traction in Virginia. According to the 2021 Virginia Grape Report, 47 acres of nebbiolo are now grown in the state. While that’s nowhere near the acreage of Cabernet Franc or Chardonnay, neither is it an outlier found in only a handful of locations.

A growing number of winegrowers seem to think nebbiolo is worth the investment. But why?

Luca Paschina: The OG (Original Grower) of Virginia’s Nebbiolo.

Luca Paschina of Barboursville Vineyards is probably the person most responsible for the grape’s introduction into Virginia. His love of nebbiolo is understandable. Not only is Luca a native of Piedmont, nebbiolo is the first wine he’s ever made.

When asked to compare how the different growing conditions of Virginia and Piedmont impacts locally-grown nebbiolo, Luca pointed out that elevation is only one part of the equation; Virginia’s weather is hotter and soils are clay-based.

“We planted it in 1995 and originally started with ½ an acre. Our first vintage was 1998, a very good growing season. In 2001 we planted an additional 4 acres and another 4 in 2023.

I knew nebbiolo had the potential to age, but I didn’t know whether it could do the same here. But drinking the 1998 vintage, I can see it ages well.

Our approach is to make it into a single varietal; I never blend it. Others do that to darken the color, but we don’t. I don’t make this wine to drink on the porch. It’s a food wine. Some are turned off because it’s astringent and assertive than comparable Bordeaux varietals. Its tannins may be astringent but never bitter.

The main threat is it does bud break early so it’s more exposed to frost risk. But nebbiolo is fairly healthy and easy to grow. We drop a lot of fruit, but it’s a good thing since you get to choose how much you want to harvest.

When it comes to disease resistance it has problems with downy mildew but overall isn’t much different than other varieties in Virginia. If it rains towards

the end of harvest nebbiolo does hold very well, it’s very resilient.” A Tradeoff of Risk vs Reward

While nebbiolo’s reputation as an early-budding yet late-ripening vine makes it a risky investment in Virginia’s capricious growing season, the grape’s fame is a strong motivator for others to take that chance.

When Bill Gadino of Gadino Cellars was deciding what red grapes to plant, he turned to Luca for advice. While Luca was careful to point out nebbiolo’s challenges, he phrased it like this; “If you’re going to pick one, go for the gold and grow nebbiolo.”

While Luca may have meant this figuratively, the impact for several Virginia wineries has been literal. Since 2014 over a dozen Virginia wines made with nebbiolo have earned Gold at the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup wine competition. Barboursville’s 2010 Nebbiolo and a 2016 bottle from Breaux Vineyards went on to place amongst the top-12 wines in the 2014 and 2021 competitions, respectively.

But even its supporters admit it’s not a perfect fit for Virginia. Multiple winegrowers voice concern over its risk to frost. Several also pointed out its inconsistent yields, ranging from 1.5 to 4 tons an acre, depending on who and when you ask. Despite all this, the number of people planting nebbiolo is growing, as is their faith its problems can be addressed.

“Is it worth the trouble? I’d say, yes.” wrote Robert Muse of Muse Vineyards. “Each year when we get it to fully ripen it gets better. I would say nebbiolo is finicky to the point almost of eccentricity. But we’re glad to have it, and I believe we’re more than halfway to understanding the variety and teasing out its best expressions.”

It’s familiarity to consumers also helps. Josh Gerard of Breaux Vineyards explained, “We grow both barbera and nebbiolo. Increased plantings of these two varietals may be due in part to their marketability. They have more recognition and familiarity in the marketplace than for example Aglianico or Verdicchio.”

Virginia Nebboilo will never be mistaken for a bottle made in Italy. But if the results are good, what did it matter where the grapes came from?

Pouring a glass of his 1998 vintage, Luca discussed a blind tasting at the Texas Sommelier Conference where one of his bottles was compared to a nebbiolo from Italy. In terms of picking a favorite, the results were split. In the end, he reasoned, “Why worry about the ‘why’ when you have the proof in front of you?”

Nebbiolo is found across the state. Look for bottles from Barboursville, Breaux, Chestnut Oak, Gabriele Rausse, Gadino, Greenhill, Horton, Stone Tower, Muse, and soon from Glen Manor Vineyards.

Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https://winetrailsandwanderlust.com/.

Cheers to the Ladies!

We all have a mother…and while we are celebrating them on Mother’s Day, I thought I would muse a bit about the mothers and women in my life who have contributed in some way to help this wine business happen for us.

First, I have to give credit to my own mother. She was never a drinker but she was certainly a foodie with a hypersensitive sense of taste and smell. I guess she’s where I get my palate. She referred to my first winery job in California as “working in the basement”—her expectations for me were a bit loftier. “No Mom, it’s a wine cellar.” As the years went by and we started our own venture here in Virginia, she clearly saw what we had achieved and the recognition we had received from the region. In the end, Mom was proud of her youngest.

Certainly the mother of my children, my business partner, wife, and love of my life gets the most credit. She committed to working a steady day job so that I was able to break into and grow in the wine industry. We certainly encountered many challenges on our continuing journey (with four decades behind us now), but the one I remember the most was my abrupt transition to self-employment. In the spring of 2001 we were gearing up to plant our own vineyard on our property down the road from where I worked and we lived. I was terminated out of the blue and was left with no job, no home, and a large order of vines arriving that I needed to get in the ground and maintain. My immediate reaction was to cancel the vine order until our lives were on more stable ground. My wife’s words to me were “Don’t You Dare!” She knew that those vines were the start of this venture and that we needed to stay on course. Needless to say we made it through, but her determination and confidence kept me on track and kept me focused. Sometimes I ride on the confidence of others to achieve the success that I may not yet see.

Our business is truly built on the hard work of fine women. Our vineyard team is mostly ladies. We have our second female vineyard manager employed who trains and supervises a crew of five to tend to the vines in order to grow and

harvest the best fruit possible. Marlene studied horticulture in college, but is learning the finer points of growing wine grapes in the Mid-Atlantic. Much of the work is finer and detail oriented so good hand-eye coordination, heat tolerance, and a willingness to learn how best to do the jobs all help us achieve our goals.

The other key point of operation for our winery is our tasting room. Our tasting room managers have consistently been women, as are most of our educators in the room. This is not really by design, but how things have worked out. As the majority of wine buyers are women, I believe this makes our customers a bit more comfortable as the traditional high pressure, male-dominated sales effort is nonexistent here. I have said numerous times that what makes this business successful is when I surround myself with strong, smart women. So far, so good!

Throughout history the wine industry has traditionally been a male field, but this is certainly changing. Groups of women winemakers and owners have emerged to support each other and change the culture. I learned my craft of winemaking from three different and dynamic female winemakers. Maybe that situation gave me the varied background to be more comfortable with the diversifying of the industry.

Moms and ladies have clearly made a difference in getting Fabbioli Cellars to this point. It is important for the guys to recognize the difference the opposite sex has made a difference in our lives, especially around Mother’s Day. THANK YOU LADIES! For life, reality checks, support, hard work, leadership, vision, and fortitude, thank you. This glass of local liquid sunshine is for you, and the rest of the bottle is as well.

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

Did you know that? I didn’t. A trip to Cabo, Mexico last winter ended up not just being fun, but educational.

Back in January, I wrote about finding a wonderful craft brewery in Cabo. I approached tasting the beer with much trepidation. But as I wrote in the article, “A Funny Thing Happened While in Cabo”, I was pleasantly surprised. The beer was wonderful, and the trip to the brewery a fantastic experience. I admonished myself for not being more open minded.

Another tasting experience in Cabo was equally enjoyable, a tequila tasting. We participated in one at a bar at our resort. I approached this adventure with much enthusiasm. We were in Mexico. Why not learn more about tequila! Being a bourbon drinker, tequila has never been one of my first choices when it comes to cocktail hour. And to be honest, an experience with it in college caused me to not be able to drink, or even smell, it for years. That all changed over time. I’m wiser and have a much more refined palate now. God only knows what kind of rot gut tequila we college boys were drinking that night.

My wife, brother-in-law, and I were seated at a circular outside bar that had a great view of the Gulf of California. Beautiful boats and birds were everywhere. People were water skiing and parasailing. In the distance, I noticed a spout of water shooting up by a cluster of boats. They were whale watching. Two humpback whales were within a few yards of their boats. I love whales. And you see plenty of them while in Cabo. I was so mesmerized that I almost missed the beginning of the bartender’s tequila lesson. He did a great job of explaining how tequila was produced. He also taught us about its places of origin, the regulations regarding its production, and the difference between it and mezcal.

As with most fermented drinks, tequila did not start out as tequila. The original version was an Aztec fermented beverage called pulque. Pulque was a milky liquid made from the sap of the agave plant. There are references to pulque written on stone walls from around 200 C.E. When the Spanish decided to pay the Aztecs an unwanted visit in 1519,

they found pulque to be a delightful drink. They, of course, felt they needed to improve it. They built primitive stills out of mud in order to distill agave. And thus, mezcal was born.

In the early 1600s, the Marquis de Altamira built the first large scale distillery in what is now Tequila, Jalisco Mexico. The Cuervo family began mass producing tequila in 1758. But legend has it that it was Don Cenobio Sauza who identified the Blue Agave plant as the best for producing tequila. And thus, our modern-day tequila was born.

As we do with bourbon in the United States, Mexico has several regulations to protect their prized national product. According to Decanter. com,

“It must be made from a minimum of 51% Blue Agave, with legislation allowing for the remainder to be made up of a neutral spirit made from cane sugar juice. Those that are 100% Blue Agave are labelled as such while those made with less than 100% are called ‘mixto’. All tequilas are required to be aged for at least 14 to 21 days, and they must be made from 100% natural ingredients and be a minimum of 38% alcohol.”

The Mexicans also set strict aging requirements on tequila. Blanco, or Silver, tequila is hardly aged at all. While Reposado tequila is aged anywhere from one month to 364 days. After one year, the tequila becomes Anejo. After three years, it becomes Extra Anejo.

Mexican law limits where tequila can be produced as well. It must come from one of five authorized states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas. If it is produced outside of these states, it must be called “Agave Spirit” or Mezcal.

Mezcal is often called the “Mother of Tequila.” There are also restrictions on where it is produced. Nine different Mexican states produce Mezcal. But most of it comes from Oaxaca. Any spirit distilled from agave can be called mezcal, including tequila. But mezcal can be made from any agave plant. Tequila is required to be made from Blue

“All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.”

Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

Siete Leguas Tequila Reposando

Yeah, I know. It’s not whiskey. But it is aged for eight months in ex-bourbon barrels. The barrels give it vanilla, caramel, and oak notes. The nose is very subtle and sweet with vanilla, oak, and agave. The palate is very clean with black pepper and cinnamon joining the above flavors. It has a long and sweet finish with oak and vanilla remaining on the tongue. The bartender told us that this was “their” tequila. It's what the Mexicans drink. A true national favorite. I can see why.

El Rey Del Mundo AJ Fernendez Limited Edition Toro

This wonderful cigar is perfect for either the aficionado cigar smoker, or the novice trying to expand his palate. It has earthy, chocolaty, and peppery notes that will perfectly compliment the Siete Leguas Reposondo. This cigar is a mildly sweet smoke with a medium body. This is odd for an AJ Fernandez whose blends are usually on the heavier side. As you smoke it, the earthiness decreases as floral notes start to come out. These notes remain as the cigar finishes. It’s a great smoke that will not be around for very long. They only produced 38,000 of these beauties.

Agave. Thus, all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.

The tequilas our bartender poured for us were marvelous. We tried several. It’s a tasting, so why not? Plus, the bartender was quite generous with the selection and the pours. One pour came from a beautiful white and blue bottle that many of us have seen in our local Tex/Mex restaurants. It is Clase Azul Reposado. Each of these bottles are hand painted. Therefore, each one is a little different. Because it’s a reposado, it has a light gold color. You get the agave on the nose, along with vanilla, orange, oak, and a hint of cinnamon. The palate brings hazelnut, vanilla, cinnamon, and of course, agave.

After several wonderful tequilas, we finished our tasting with the Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo. Our host told us to let the tequila breath for a minute or two before we begin. It is well worth the wait. This amazing tequila is probably the smoothest I’ve ever tasted. The nose has roasted agave, with oak and caramel. You get maple honey on the palate, along with oak and a little black pepper. It finishes with honey, pepper, and a bit of roasted agave on the finish.

As we finish our tasting, I am still watching the whale spouts by the boats. I stop to admire the Extra Anejo in my hand. What a lovely drink. It pains me that I spent years unable to enjoy this marvelous beverage. Life teaches us through good and bad experiences. I have had both with tequila. I am glad the good one came now. At this age, the hangover from the bad one would probably kill me.

About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com

This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.

Embracing Your Ageless Beauty

As former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright so deftly put it, “There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.” With Mother’s Day fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to not only thank the women we love, but to also learn from them. Some of the best beauty advice comes from the women in our lives we respect and admire most for their inner and outer beauty.

This month I reached out to beautiful women I know. I asked them to share their beauty knowledge and beauty tips, how they work with their different features and skin types, or a philosophy they swear by. These smart, savvy women tell us which products work for them, and the simple, seemingly obvious rules many of them live by. They represent different ages, races, and ethnicities across a wide beauty spectrum. From students and professionals to new moms and grandmothers, let’s join forces, share the girl power, and trade our tricks!

Dolores M. – 56

On eye makeup and aging: Wearing eye makeup is getting more difficult as I age and wrinkles appear, especially around my eyes. Those fine little wrinkles are places where eye makeup settles and I end up looking like I've done a bad job applying eye shadow! As a result I am at the point where I just use mascara to enhance my eyes—rarely do I use eye shadow.

Go-to product: I've used Oil of Olay (the original pink stuff) all my life and lately have been using their nighttime firming cream.

Kyle A. – 20

Go-to product: My all-time favorite is Maybelline Falsies mascara. This little tube of magic makes my lashes fuller and longer. Who knew I could get million dollar lashes for less than 10 bucks!

Favorite feature: I love my cheeks. To highlight them, I wear blush in a vibrant shade which goes well with my dark skin tone. Just be careful with a drastic color like this—less is more.

Her beauty trick : I love lipstick but it dries out my lips and evaporates after 10 minutes. To solve the problem I apply a good lip balm as a base and then lipstick. To seal the color, I apply a little lip gloss—it’s a fool-proof combination.

Leslie

L.-53

My credo is “Less Is More”. Aging skin benefits more from less of just about everything: less makeup, less alcohol, less sun.

I like my face to have a healthy glow but don't spend a lot of time in the sun anymore to get it. A good self-tanner is a great way to get realistic color without sparkle or shimmer. A little goes a long way; it doesn't dry your skin; and it actually smells great, too.

I stick to a sheer pink-brown color palette for lips and cheeks—just a touch of neutral color enhances more mature skin without creating an overly made up look. When I do use makeup, it is blush and a sheer lip color. I also use a quality face cream to pamper delicate areas and a soothing lip balm to keep my lips smooth and supple. Finally, I think fragrance adds dimension to a woman's beauty. Find one you like and make it your signature.

As to that part of beauty we don't necessarily see but know is so important to our overall well-being, I believe it's critical to: not smoke, sunbathe judiciously, wear sunscreen religiously, eat well, exercise and drink lots of water to hydrate the skin from the inside out.

Sue F. -34

Her beauty routine: As the mother of an active two-year-old, any beauty regimen is out the window for now. My only beauty trick is playing my son's favorite, recorded cartoon so I can take a shower. I know, very glamorous!

Her beauty secret: Sunscreen, as much sleep as possible and lots of water. Also, quitting smoking was by far the best thing I did for my skin. The difference is amazing. In my twenties I could do anything and it wouldn't show. Thirties is a whole different story. My skin won't let me get away with anything anymore!

Publishers Note: This column is a partial reprint of the original that appeared in the 2011 Mother’s Day issue. These ladies are all 12 years older now but we are pretty sure those of you in these age groups can still relate.

" Own what you have to bring out your own unique beauty. I now embrace my curves, my wavy, silver-streaked hair, and the wrinkles that are beginning to appear. It's important for a woman of any age to realize that physical beauty is fleeting. You won’t always have taught skin or an abundant head of hair. Confidence, a sense of humor and wisdom are, in fact, very sexy and, at the end of the day, the most lasting beauty of all."- Lesley L.

Get on the Ball!

May is the perfect month to initiate an exercise program if you have slacked lately. The weather starts to cooperate better which favors more outdoor activities. Walking, bike riding, hiking, jogging, or even rollerblading are fun things to do this month. I encourage you to get outside but if not, I have a great exercise for your core.

This one’s called the FitBall Crossover Crunch. I find it helpful to use a ball that is a size smaller than the one you normally would use. A 65cm ball is my usual size, however, I’m using a 55cm for this exercise because a smaller ball will keep you closer to the ground for stability. You need your opposite hand and foot touching the floor while performing this exercise. If a bigger ball is used, you might not be able to reach the ground and there’s a good chance you’ll fall off!

To start, lay on top of the ball with it placed on your mid-to-low back. The ball should curve along the lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae. Keep your opposite foot and hand in contact with the floor while the other leg is straight and parallel to the ground (figure 1). You should have your other elbow bent with the hand behind your head.

Bring your elbow toward the opposite knee (from the straight leg) to “crossover” to the middle. Focus on contracting your abdominals to help bring your shoulder toward the center for a slight rotation (figure 2). During this movement, the ball should not roll. To finish, slowly release tension on the abs to bring your elbow and leg back to the start position.

Finish 20 reps with the same side before you switch to the opposite arm/leg combo. Don’t try to alternate sides, this can be unsafe. To progress, you can add more reps or keep your opposite arm and leg straight during the exercise. Keep up the hard work and we’ll see you next month!

About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

making every minuTe counT

As 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. It seems that by the time I actually have some time to spend on myself there is 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 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. 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 shoulder-width 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.

Remember to land as softly as you can with your knees bent; keep your weight back, over your heels. Do 3 sets of 8 reps

Single l eg oppo SiTe a rm and l eg 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. Switch sides; repeat 3 times.

e ccen Tric puSh-upS

-Start in a plank position. Shoulders over wrists, back straight, core engaged. You can be on your knees or toes. 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 pre SS

-Extend arms out to sides at shoulder height, elbows bent 90 degrees, palms forward. Raise arms over head, then lower to start. Do 30 reps

Tackling the Tackle Business

Whether capitalizing on their product reputation or to stay relevant, fishing companies are expanding product lines.

In the competitive fishing electronics world, Garmin set the pace with forward-facing sonar. While other major players played catch up, Garmin raised the bar. They did so without requiring anglers to completely upgrade systems at a great expense. New and improved LiveScope shows more detail and at a greater distance with a new transducer and free software updates. This is very rare in the electronics business as major improvements usually require replacing entire systems at great expense. The new LVS-34 transducer upgrade is an easy install and allows most users to keep their existing screens and enjoy improved screen clarity, transducer sensitivity and target separation. Garmin is setting another bar, not only with new

Potomac River Bassing in MAY

transducer technology, but with how upgrades are sold to users. garmin. com

Dominating a product category combined with quality service, Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchors own the market they created, setting a standard for the fishing industry’s best customer service. Taking on a very crowded trolling motor field, Power-Pole isn’t doing it on price, nor are they marketing to the masses. Instead, boaters with high standards will be on board. A decade of research and development has produced Power-Pole’s MOVE ZR Trolling Motor Black, a brushless trolling motor for elite anglers. Powerful and quiet, the MOVE ZR is built for durability and performance with service to back it up. Power-Pole started from the bottom up, literally, reinventing the trolling motor. Even Power-Pole's pull cord is beefed up with Dyneema fibers, many times stronger than steel

Water is warming to close to 60 and fish are in prespawn, spawn, and post-spawn. This provides many opportunities to open the tacklebox.

Topwater fishing is coming along well. Cast buzzbaits with a trailer hook around grass, wood, and docks. Poppers work well over grass beds and clear water at falling tides.

Mann’s Baby 1-Minus is still a Potomac staple as it snaps out of grass and deflects off wood very well. Tie to 12 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line.

When water is stained, a ¼ ounce spinnerbait with a white skirt and gold Colorado and Indiana blades can be worked around cover, slowly on 12 pound test EDGE.

It’s always a good idea to use a jig around grass beds. Pitch to grass clumps or swim them with craw trailers through the grass on 16 pound test Edge. Snap free from grass and let them drop to the bottom. Fish will hit on the move, the drop or after being on the bottom.

wire ropes. Enduring full contact fishing, a shaft constructed of unbreakable aerospace-grade titanium includes a lifetime warranty. Steering through the toughest terrain, Power-Pole's custom-built steering motor maintains near absolute silence. A brushless design makes the MOVE quiet while producing over 30% more thrust and efficiency than others. Features exceed industry norms, including GPS, built-in transducer, anchor mode, and backup systems to redefine trolling motor reliability. MOVE’s sleeker design is up to 35% lighter, giving anglers a break and an unobstructed view! MOVE is also easier to lift with a 3-to-1 pulley system and a cylinder assist making deployment and stowing easy. A visit to Power-Pole’s website shows a dream list of trolling motor features. 3 year warranty on all components. power-pole.com

When you develop and own a category, there’s a built-in customer base. Z-Man’s Original ChatterBait has company. It’s another original category creator, billed as a ‘self-walking’ topwater lure. Z-Man’s 5-inch HellraiZer disturbs the water and fish, doing the work of several topwater lures, splashing, sputtering, and making noise. It casts a mile and effortlessly planes to work as soon as it hits the water. Straight retrieves create a crazed fleeing action at any speed. ChatterBait inventor Ron Davis designed the HellraiZer with a weighted tail blade to accentuate swimming motion with a thin body, a belly line tie and a single treble hook for better hook ups. Several color patterns for various situations and water clarity, Z-Man’s new HellraiZer presents a new topwater category. zmanfishing.com

Sometimes if you can’t beat them, invite them to be a part of your

success and drive more traffic to your store. The soft plastics industry is loaded with everything from international companies to garage businesses. Not long ago, BassCat/ Mercury Elite Series pro angler John Crews launched his line of made in the USA pro-tested soft plastic designs finding their way into tackleboxes and store shelves. This was remarkable and a testimony to Crews and his family for pulling off an unlikely foray into a very crowded marketplace. Capitalizing on his soft plastic success, Crews recently introduced his third new bait in the last year, a scaled-down version of Missile’s Magic Worm, the Mini Magic. As his lineup has grown Crews noticed a very large market being created by small tackle makers. Large swimbait makers don’t really have a marketplace for their unique and handmade lures. Crews says Missile Baits stays in their soft plastics and jigs lane most of the time. However, now they’re going to sell small guy swim baits on Missile Baits’ website. Kicking it off Missile Baits will feature $200-275 handmade Tater Hog glide baits. Shortly Phoney Frog glides will be promoted. These sellers are too small to supply Missile with a monthly allotment, so they are going to rotate between at least 8 different ones. So far commitments from Tater Hog, KGB, Phoney Frog, Taddo Designs, Black Label, Black Talon, and more have been secured. These hard to get baits are in limited supply. Crews says, “We are doing it to help these smaller guys out and create something fun to drive traffic to our site.” missilebaits.store

Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.

My mom has been gone 17 years now, and yet it still feels surreal to say it. In some ways it feels like she’s been gone forever; other days I can recall her passing so vividly it might as well have been yesterday.

I was the baby and the only girl with three older brothers growing up. Mom always said she prayed and prayed for a girl, and was elated when I finally came. Her regular OB/GYN happened to be on vacation, and she always joked that had she known all she had to do was wait for him to go out of town, she would have sent him on a cruise years ago.

In my teen years when she and I were having mother/daughter struggles, she lamented, “Be careful what you wish for,” as she cursed my rebellious, argumentative nature. I wanted independence and/or a family with a pool. I wanted a mom who liked shopping and dressed in something other than jeans and flip flops. I wanted a girly-girl mom to teach me about boys, dating, and make up. I wanted a mom who liked to travel and read fashion magazines.

Mom was none of those things. But then she was gone, and all I wished for was my Mom back.

I wanted the Mom who left me annoying messages that said, “Hi, Lori. It’s your mom. Where are you?”

I wanted the Mom who always had a Costco-sized cheesecake in the fridge “just in case.”

I wanted the Mom who made the best potato salad and sweet tea on the planet with no regard for calories or sugar comas.

I wanted the Mom who always tried to slip gas money into my pocket because she didn’t want me to run out—even though I never had and was well into my thirties.

I wanted the Mom who made sure I had a birthday cake every year even if it was in crumbles because baking wasn’t her strong suit.

I wanted the Mom who never, ever missed anyone’s birthday and kept Hallmark in business.

I wanted the Mom who told me she loved me every single time we talked and even when I wasn’t very lovable.

I Want My Mommy...

It’s easy to take people for granted—especially Moms. Now I know how lucky I was to have had a Mom who put her family first always—to have a mom who sacrificed daily with little or no reward beyond the occasional, “Thanks, Mom” as we were running out, slamming the door behind us.

Although she loved being a mom, I’m sure it came at the cost of sacrificing some of her own dreams and desires. Money was tight so there were no spa appointments, girls’ weekends, or even babysitters for date nights. Rarely did she shop for herself.

I vividly remember when I was around 12 that Dad took us to Landmark which years later became Landmark Mall. But this was way before any kind of mall existed. My brother’s girlfriend at the time worked at a boutique there, and Mom picked out a new pantsuit (which were all the rage). It was a BIG deal. That pantsuit was still hanging in her closet when she died almost three decades later.

For awhile after Mom passed, I was haunted by all the times I treated her like a jerk. The times I let her call go into voicemail because I was ‘too busy.’ Or, the times I didn’t feel like making the drive out to visit. Or the times she didn’t meet my lofty expectations and I let her know it.

Those memories stopped plaguing me when I realized that Mom would never make me feel badly about anything. She would forgive me the worst sin because she loved me like only a Mom can—unconditionally.

It took losing her to realize how blessed I was—and continue to be—to have had a Mom like mine for as long as I did. Not everyone has a Mom who loves them unconditionally and is there for them 24/7. And if you are blessed to have a mom like that, consider yourself fortunate and give her a huge hug and maybe some flowers. Definitely make her breakfast and do this dishes. And vacuum.

Cheers to all the Moms out there who continually make the world a better place by just being in it.

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

Boats and Booze... Catamarans and Cosmos... Sportfish and Sazeracs!

You all a re probably wondering what’s up with that headline besides being very creative… I just wanted to get your attention since there are two “firsts” coming to the Harbor this month. The announcement of these events caught my attention since I have a keen interest in both.

The Boats

Being involved with an avid sailor who is always looking for the next bigger vessel, I am pretty psyched that the Inaugural DC Boat Show is coming to National Harbor! It will be here all weekend from the 5th to the 7th. May traditionally is the beginning of boating season in the DMV and this show comes in on the heels of the spring shows in Annapolis in April. At the time of this writing there should be 40 boat dealers who will be displaying over 300 boats on land and in water.

Boat shows give you the opportunity to climb aboard a wide variety of vessels from sail to power (both pre-owned and new) and the chance to place an immediate sale or to order. Tour the boats, grab food and drinks, listen to live music throughout the show, peruse the vendor tents for the latest in boating gear, meet the experts, and commune with boaters from local and far away harbors!

The Booze

Who knew that the mixologist craze of “craft” cocktails would still be in vogue these some 10 years later? I am partial to the good old standard gimlet or martini but looks like I might be in the minority!

The show will have a lot to offer in the way of entertainment with live music in three locations throughout the weekend. A beach party is scheduled for Saturday, the 6th where musician Shawn Owen will play off the back of a Lagoon Catamaran. Bobby McKey’s Dueling Pianos will be performing in the afternoon in Spirit Park and more than 15 live musicians will perform throughout the weekend at various locations in the show!

Pernod Ricard, the Official Spirits Sponsor, will be providing drinks from their vast portfolio of premium brands including Absolut, Jameson, Beefeater, Malibu, and Kahula. The list of specialty cocktails in the VIP Canopy include fun refreshments like: Lillet Spritz, Malfy Gin, Absolut Bloody Mary’s and Espresso Martinis. Buck Distributing will provide beer brands such as Miller Light and Coors and Craft Breweries including Dogfish Head.

General Admission tickets start at $40 per day, VIP Tickets are $175 per day and come with many benefits including a catered food tent, open bar, specialty cocktails, parking pass, round trip water taxi ticket, access to a cigar roller, beauty consultations, swag bag, and more. The fun begins at 10 a.m.daily. Purchase tickets via EventBrite.com and www.dcboatshows.com

The Movies are Back!

If you have an interest in these “over the top” concoctions you might want to mark your calendars and join in as some of the best “mixologists” in the Harbor gather on Thursday, May 18th at the first ever National Harbor CocktailPRO Competition - the antics begin at 7 pm and end at 10 pm. At the time of this writing there were 13 contestants registered who will be competing for the CocktailPRO title and a cool $1000 in cash.

The best part of this competition? You get a say on who has the best drink! You try all of the unique cocktails and have the opportunity to vote for your favorite. It isn’t just a cocktail competition, you will be able to “catch the vibe” with sounds from DJ Stylus and HOT 99.5's Elizabethany will be making a special appearance at the competition starting at 7pm! This is also an opportunity for you to enjoy some good eats and more at this exclusive event. Obviously, you must be 21 to attend and have ID available.

The Harbor is home to many restaurants and hotels with bars that offer some of the best drinks libations in the area thanks to the bartenders who make them. I am hoping that a couple of my favorites have entered…. maybe I will see you there.

Tickets for this event are $45 with an option to purchase Early Bird and *VIP tickets at $75. The competition takes place at 151 St. George Boulevard and tickets available at EventBrite.com.

*VIP tickets to include Early hour access, exclusive VIP Lounge, Heavy Hors D’oeuvres, VIP Giveaways & more.

Featuring date night movies on Thursdays and family night movies on Sundays through September.

Every Thursday (“date night”) at 7 p.m. and Sunday (“family night”) at 6 p.m. guests are invited to gather in front of the Plaza Screen on the waterfront to watch recent releases and classic films. Movie goers are encouraged to bring chairs and order take-out from one of the many restaurants right around the plaza. Free and subject to weather. 4th –

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