Old Town Crier - July Full Magazine by Old Town Crier

Since 1988 – Priceless

July 2015

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

Road Trip

THE MYTHIC WEST

Destination Grand Canyon Grapevine

NEW KENT WINERY New Kent, Va

Business Profile

KIRWIN’S CANDY & ICE CREAM An Old Favorite in a New Location Dining Out

FOTI’S

A Culpeper, Va Culinary Delight

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Landini’s

ZAGAT

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

AND THE PAST 15 YEARS

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Frid

Valet Parking Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm

Noe and Franco welcome you!

COME FOR THE FUN, STAY FOR THE FOOD!

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

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

105 & 107 King St. Old Town Alexandria

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Eat Fish, Drink Beer, Live Longer!

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

phone: 703. 836. 0132 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert

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

CONTRIBUTORS Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc Jeff McCord Laura Parker Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown

Open Space

After Hours

First Blush

Pets of the Month

Art & Antiques

Fitness

Points on Pets

Behind the Bar

From the Bay…

Publishers Notes

A Bit of History

Financial Focus

From the Trainer

Road Trip

Caribbean Connection

Gallery Beat

Spiritual Renaissance

Chefs Special

Go Fish

The Last Word

Civil Discourse

Grapevine

To the Blue Ridge

Dining Guide

High Notes

Urban Garden

Dining Out

National Harbor

Virginia Wine Trails

Exploring Virginia Wines

On the Media

Festival Season

On the Road

Business Profile

7 38

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

About the cover On the road with OTC The Grand Canyon, courtesy of Arizona Tourism

Old Town Crier

Old Town Crier subscribers, Linda and Dave Allin, enjoy the OTC aboard their cruise ship Antonela while at port in Hvar, Croatia. This town was called Pharos by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The skyline above the old town is dominated by the Spanjola fortress that was built in the 15th century. If you would like to see your picture here, take the OTC with you on your next trip, snap a high resolution photo and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com.

July 2015 | 1

PUBLISHER’S NOTES BOB TAGERT

t’s hard not to notice the Grand Canyon on our July cover. You might be thinking, “What does this have to do with Virginia or anywhere else in our distribution area?” Actually there are a lot of east coast references that we discovered as we made or our way west on our epic road trip. We decided to combine a high school reunion, visiting friends and visiting places

I had never seen before with this Old Town Crier staple, Road Trip. We visited Lexington, Kentucky where Secretariat became famous, but did you know that this great race horse was foaled in Virginia? The fabled Route 50 begins in Ocean City, Md. and stretches west to Sacramento, Calif. While the interstate system is the peoples’ choice for auto travel, Route 50 still meanders through small towns and big cities. This is

the route for those with time on their hands. Taking this two week drive opened my eyes to parts of this country I have never seen. As I write this, I am sitting in a farm house in Wyoming where I watched team roping practice. Went to the Corner Bar last night where the locals meet and you can still buy a $3 gin & tonic. I have seen the Grand Canyon and got my kicks on Route 66. I have left 120 sweltering

degree temperatures in Grand Junction, Colorado, driven to the top of Grand Mesa where the temps dropped to 72. It is great country out there. Sketch out a route, make a plan, and take a trip. Visit new places, reunite with old friends and make some new ones. Don’t forget to check out all of the other attentionworthy columns in this issue. The likes of Jimmy Deaton’s garden progress in Urban

Garden; Lenny Campello’s take on a very hot topic in the news media in his Gallery Beat; Bonnie Browning pinch hitting for Lori Welch’s Open Space; and the list goes on. My hope is that you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed taking on the task of pulling it together from the road. Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Local Farmers Markets Old Town Farmers Market

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People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town Alexandria’s Market Square is thought to be one of the nation’s oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians. George Washington sent his

6/26/15 10:37 AM

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

Del Ray Farmers Market

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

Old Town Crier

ON THE MEDIA LAURA PARKER

t ron f r ate 7 e w ce 198 h t on sin

big wheel bikes

New

Bikes

Used

Bikes ReNtals RepaiRs

2 Prince Street Old Town Alexandria 703.739.2300 bigwheelbikes.com

& FittiNgs

Social Media Message

here is a time and a place for every type of social media message. As with most things marketing, success can be found with a little bit of luck and when you know your consumer. This is not a new message. In fact, it is probably one that you have read hundreds of time, which means that it is finally time to take action. Analysis without action can only get an organization so far. Sure, it might be nice to know that your consumers are made up of certain demographics or that they respond best at certain times of the day. Now, you must take that information and do something with it. I can't tell you what to do, because I can't see your consumers as you do. The simple truth is that every organization, every consumer, and every social media campaign is different. But, when you know your consumers you can start to make progress.

Stop lumping consumers into one or two giant buckets. Take the time to make small focus groups, then take it one step further and get to know some of your consumers on an individual basis. Contrary to the digital world’s belief that all people should be interconnected (and thus become exposed to the same entities), people should be treated as the individuals that they are. In short, social media success will come when you can know and appreciate what each consumer has to offer; only then can you offer them something they will respond to. Laura P. Parker is a freelance writer and content marketing consultant who specializes in improving the marketing efforts of small-businesses through well-written, engaging, and ROI enhancing content. laura@laurapparker.com www. laurapparker.com

Hola! It is a pleasure to serve you. Yo hablo español. Bryan, technician

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

1207 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.549.4040 www.lamplighterlamps.com Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)

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

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

business profile Lani Gering

Husband andwife owners Dani and Javi with freshly made caramel corn

I Since 1947, sweet Kilwin’s

in every sense!

4 | July 2015

must walk down King Street, especially the lower 6 blocks, 1015 times a week and lately it seems like there are new stores opening up every other day! On a recent trek, I stumbled upon the newly opened Kilwins candy and ice cream store that opened in the old P&C Fine Art space at 212 King. What a nice addition to our main drag! I must have been living under a rock since I moved to this area in 1992 but I had no idea that “Kilwins” is a pretty big deal in these parts. I do like ice cream and my fair share of caramels and dark chocolate but it isn’t something I actively seek out – that has changed, however, since I found this place! For those of you who are like me,

here is a little background information on this Michigan-based concept that I found on their website: “Since 1947 Kilwins has been a celebrated part of Americana having earned a reputation for providing high quality products and excellent service. Our heritage was built on the simple premise of creating our products from the finest ingredients and providing customers with great service. Today we continue the tradition by uniquely combining high quality products with a warm friendly customer experience that is supported through a successful community of caring owner operators. We continue to offer the

finest quality, traditional downhome confections and ice cream that are kitchen made fresh from premium ingredients and original recipes. Our values are simple; Treat others as you want to be treated, Do your best, and Have fun! These values translate directly to a culture of people who are driven to provide an exceptional confectionery experience. Coupled with our high quality products, in-store craftsmanship, and genuinely friendly staff we create an atmosphere that our customers want to visit again and again. From sight, to taste, touch, smell and sound a visit to Kilwins BUSINESS PROFILE > PAGE 5

Old Town Crier

BUSINESS PROFILE FROM PAGE 4

provides an authentic sensory and taste experience like none other. Our customers have come to know and love us as “My Kilwins” and share Kilwins with friends and family. Kilwins is where people celebrate, vacation, and share the experience of life, family, and gifting in a nostalgic Americana setting.” The Old Town location is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Javiar (Javi) and Danielle (Dani) Groisman. After my interview with them, you can tell that the really

love what they do. Their plan came to Javi’s family is from fruition when Dani KILWIN’S Argentina but he and her mother 212 King St. was born in the Nancy decided it Old Town Alexandria United States and would be a good 703-566-4094 raised in St.Louis, idea to buy in to the Missouri. Dani is a Kilwin franchise. kilwins.com/alexandria local — born and They discovered this raised in Potomac, divine candy and Md. Javi told me that they met on the ice cream palace while vacationing very first day of their freshman year in Rehoboth, Delaware and Del Ray, at George Washington University and Florida. instantly became best friends. That There simply isn’t enough room in this column to describe every first encounter was just the beginning confection that they carry at the of a beautiful relationship. Though store. While I was there Dani was they both had careers in the 9-5 making fresh caramel corn and the world, they knew that they would be store smelled heavenly!! This caramel happiest if they could work together.

corn makes Cracker Jack look like an amateur! I am particularly enamored with the several types of caramel apples that they sell. I somehow think I am eating a “healthy” snack when biting into one of these. Everything in the store with the exception of the ice cream is made in-house. Dani is the one in charge of product so she has her hands in the making of everything. Javi handles the business side of this venture and the combination seems to work like a charm. They also live above the store so they really are “living” the dream. If you haven’t discovered our local Kilwins, please treat yourself and stop by.

Coleman Law Group Attorneys at Law Serving Virginia and DC for over 20 years

Experienced, Professional, Dedicated...

(703) 739-4200 coleman-lawyers.com 602 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314

Seaport Properties manages these fine properties! Let us manage yours! Cheryl C. Monno CPM®/Principal Broker 703-519-0951 office 703-304-3641 mobile cheryl@seaport-properties.com

Since 1988–Priceless

From the Bay to the Blue

Ridge

June 2013

Cicada The 17-Year Locust Is Back!

Personality Profile

MILT & JON PETERSON

The Men Behind National Harbor Business Profile

DISCOVERSEA SHIPWRECK MUSEUM Hidden Treasures on Fenwick Island, DE Grapevine

LOVINGSTON VINEYARD & WINERY VA Gem A Nelson County,

Road Trip

HAMPTON & VIRGINIA BEACH, VA Fun in the Sun!

Special Feature

PARKER’S CREEK

Something Gone Right in Calvert County, MD

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

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824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm July 2015 | 5

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

Tips for Retooling Your Portfolio

ike a closet that isn’t reorganized from time to time, a portfolio that isn’t reviewed regularly can leave you feeling like the pieces no longer fit. Last year, for example, stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 had annualized returns of 13.69%.1 U.S. investment grade bonds gained 5.97%, while international stocks declined -4.49%.1 Given this diverse composite of returns, a portfolio than began 2014 carefully allocated between stocks and bonds could now have shifted away from your intended asset allocation.2 Getting your portfolio back on track is critical because studies have confirmed that asset allocation is the single most important determinant of investment success.

• Simply shift money from your over-allocated funds to other assets. • Direct any new investment money into under-allocated assets. • Sell shares of an over-allocated asset to help restore balance. Investment performance is just one factor that might prompt you to adjust your portfolio. When undertaking your “rebalancing act,” ask yourself the following questions to determine whether your portfolio needs a nip and a tuck or, perhaps, a major overhaul: Has my life situation changed significantly during the past year? A change in marital status, the birth of a child, the last child leaving home, retirement, purchase or sale of a home, or a job change all signal that your portfolio may need retooling. Has the value of my home or business changed? A sudden appreciation or drop in value can leave you in the position of being over- or underexposed to one asset class.

Restoring Balance

Restoring your portfolio to its original (and intended) mix can be done in a number of ways:

Will my spending decrease in the near future? If mortgage or college tuition payments are winding down, this could be the ideal time to “pay yourself ” by stepping up investments. When was the last time I rebalanced my portfolio? If you can’t remember, or if your last portfolio review took place more than a year

Many factors can lead to an unbalanced portfolio. Restoring balance is a simple – but critical – exercise in investing wisely.

ago, it is definitely time for a checkup.

An Easy Fix for “Portfolio Drift”

One of the easiest ways to keep your portfolio on track is to enroll in an automatic investment plan. By putting aside a set amount of money at regular intervals, you buy more shares when prices drop and fewer when prices rise. Over time, this disciplined approach to investing may make you better able to maintain your portfolio’s balance through the market’s shortterm ups and downs.3 Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content. ©2015 Wealth Management

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

Wealth Management Systems Inc.; Standard & Poor’s; Barclays Capital; Morgan Stanley Capital International MSCI EAFE®Index. U.S. stocks are represented by the S&P 500, an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Bonds are represented by the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index, a broad-based benchmark that measures the general performance of the investment grade U.S. bond market. Foreign stocks are represented by the MSCI EAFE®(Europe, Australia, and Far East) index, an unmanaged index generally considered representative of developed international markets. Performance is for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. It is not possible to invest directly in any index. Investing in stocks involves risks, including loss of principal. Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and are subject to availability and change in price. Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments, including political and economic risks and the risk of currency fluctuations, and may not be suitable for all investors.

Asset allocation does not assure a profit or protect against a loss.

Periodic investment plans do not assure a profit nor protect against loss in any markets. You should consider your financial ability to continue purchasing shares through periods of high and low prices.

6 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN JIMMY DEATON

Jimmy and Angie’s Garden of Eatin’, Part II

1. The newer beds consisting of zuchinni, squash, Mexican cucumbers, Marketmore76 cucumbers, Tigger and Minn. Midget Melons and Sakata, a Japanese melon. Along the fence are blueberries and strawberries.

2. Tomato/Pepper beds. Tomatoes: Mr. Stripey, Olive, Black Krim, Cherry, Purple Cherokee, Black and Brown Boar. Peppers/Chili’s: Del Ray Rojo, Baby Bells, Sweet Italian, DRRxThai, Piri Piri, Moruga Scorpion, Red Cayenne, Serrano, Jalapeno, Thai, Fatalli. Ghost and Red Savina

3. We start top dressing with an organic granular fertilizer once a month 30 days after we transplant into the ground, usually with Espoma’s Tomato-Tone. The first and third weeks we foliar feed with Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed. On the second and fourth weeks we foliar feed with epsom salt.

4. The black pipes along the sides of the beds are used to keep the hose out of the beds so the plants aren’t damaged when moving the hose from spot to spot.

5. Regular and Alpine strawberries. We’ll harvest the Alpines until fall. Nothing like some fresh berries on top of your summer ice cream

6. Early June and things are just blowing up. We have started to harvest small amounts of everything but melons and sweet peppers. Within the next 3 weeks we’ll be full steam ahead with daily pickings taking over the kitchen.

7. New addition to the fruit production. Dwarf grapes that will bear fruit all year if brought inside during the colder seasons.

8. We’ve been harvesting chili peppers so far but no sweet peppers although the Del Ray Rojo’s are loaded down with pods and/or peppers. We’ll foliar feed with a fish and seaweed solution at 2 tbsp. per gallon or 1 tbsp.of epsom salt per gallon of water. We alternate weeks between the two. This gives them a boost and the epsom salt will bring in the much needed magnesium especially for the tomatoes and peppers.

9. Some good rain and plenty of organic fertilizer has given us the growth spurt to cover this part of the backyard with edible plants. I don’t understand how folks can spend the time and money to have picture perfect grass, yet complain about food prices. We just finished up the last of the dried beans and frozen peaches, tomatoes and peppers from last year and 95% of the time walk right through the produce section at the grocery store even in the dead of winter.

10. Sunflowers at around 6-7 feet already with the homemade tumbler composting station on the right.

his month we are giving you all an update on what happened in June. The photos in this month’s column should give you an idea of where we were during the month. By the time you are reading this, there will have been many more changes since a lot can happen in a few weeks time in the garden! This is the time of year when one has to deal with pests. Here we let Mother Nature do her thing by bringing in beneficial insects to wage war with those that wish to eat for free on all those veggies you planted for yourself. Ladybugs, praying mantis and others certainly rise up to the challenge, but sometimes they need a little reinforcement.

Old Town Crier

With that we use various organic sprays such has Capt. Jack’s Dead Bug or Neem oil and for snail and slugs we use Sluggo. You can also use beer in saucers put around your plants to get rid of snails and slugs. One misconception folks follow is using dish soap mixed with water to kill bugs. In a word: BAD! The insecticidal soaps you buy at the stores/garden centers are made from fatty acids whereas dish soap is not. Also dish soaps are made to cut grease which will also strip the waxy coating off of your leaves and you must actually get it on the bug to kill it. If you do wish to make your own insecticidal soap use Murphy’s Oil Soap at 1.25 ounces per gallon of water.

For weeds we just hand pick them or use our homemade mix to get rid of them. We do not, under any circumstances, use Round Up. Our homemade mix consists of: • 1 gallon vinegar • 1 cup epsom salt • dash of dish soap Spray your weeds early in the day and they should be dead by evening. The first application does not kill the root and will usually require around three doses to do so, but this homemade mix is far safer than the above mentioned commercial product, especially if you have pets or children. Another common pest in this region is the squash vine borer which affects

squash and zucchini plants. You’ll know if you have them by looking at the stem close to where it enters the ground. It will be hollowed out some and will look like sawdust around it. Once this happens most plants are goners. To prevent them from boring into the stem, wrap some aluminum foil around the stem from the ground up to the first leaf. They can’t get through the foil and the foil is fragile enough to rip when the stem gets bigger in which case you just wrap some more around it. If you have a garden questions or would like to comment on this column, please send emails to office@oldtowncrier.com July 2015 | 7

a bit of history sarah becker©

f Ferdinand Magellan’s 1519 voyage marks the advent of globalization, then former President Jimmy Carter — the alleged father of alternative fuels — appreciates not only his pluck but also the environmental benefit of the windblown sail. Carter was the first U.S. President to openly criticize America’s dependence on foreign oil. True to his cause, in April 2014 he urged President Barack Obama to reject TransCanada Corporation’s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

had 22 commercial nuclear power plants in full operation. “Our decision about energy will test the character of the American people,” Carter continued on April 18, 1977. “This difficult effort will be the “moral equivalent of war”— except that we will…build not destroy. The 1973 gasoline lines are gone… but our energy problem is worse… It is worse because more waste has occurred, and more time has passed without planning for the future. And it will get worse every day until we

“Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, concentrations of greenhouse gases from human activities have risen substantially,” the National Academy of Sciences’ Koshland Science Museum reported. “Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas produced in the largest quantities, accounting for more than half the current impact on Earth’s climate.” The Koshland Science Museum is located in northwest Washington, D.C. “Historically over half of all global carbon dioxide emissions have been

Jimmy Carter and the Evolution of Climate Change James Earl Carter, age 90, is a 1947 Naval Academy graduate who speaks with a southern twang; a Baptist and former Georgia Governor. He narrowly defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential race. The Watergate scandal still loomed and Carter argued the moral imperative. “One distinguishing characteristic of really civilized men is foresight; we have to, as a nation, exercise foresight for this nation in the future; and if we do not exercise that foresight, dark will be the future!” President Theodore Roosevelt said in 1908. On January 26, 1977 President Carter requested Congress to pass emergency energy legislation. “Nothing more clearly illustrates the serious consequences of our long delay in creating a comprehensive national energy policy than does this legislation,” Carter explained. “Our [energy] program will emphasize conservation,” Carter said on February 2, 1977. “The amount of energy being wasted which could be saved is greater than the total energy that we are importing from foreign countries.” “We must face the fact that the energy shortage is permanent,” Carter concluded, “and emphasize research on solar energy and other renewable energy sources; as well as maintain strict safeguards on necessary atomic energy production.” In 1971 the U.S. 8 | July 2015

act…We must look back at history to understand our energy problem, the transition from wood to coal to oil and natural gas.” Unpopular when he left the President’s office in 1981, Carter now “feels vindicated.” “For many sportsmen, the impacts of climate change are already becoming evident,” The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership reported. “From changes in seasonal distribution of waterfowl, to diminished stream habitat for cold water fish such as trout and salmon.” The National Climatic Data Center recently announced that 2012 was the contiguous United States’ warmest year on record. The average 2012 temperature was 55.3 degrees, 3.2 degrees above the 20th century average. In March 2013 Oregon State University earth scientist Shaun Marcott announced “global temperatures are warmer than at any time in at least 4000 years.” The cause: greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (84%), methane (10%), nitrous oxide (4%) and fluorinated gases (2%). Temperature change is, as former Vice President Al Gore claims, An Inconvenient Truth. Volcanic eruptions and solar variations naturally contribute to change. However most U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are human roused the result of burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for heat, electricity and transportation.

generated by just ten countries,” Koshland continued. “In 1971 the United States was number one in carbon dioxide emissions, followed by Russia and Germany. In 2007, China was number one followed by the United States, Russia, India, Japan and Germany.” On November 11, 2014 the United States and China “jointly announced targets to reduce carbon emissions in the post-2020 period.” In addition to discussions of rising sea levels, floods and droughts the United Nations Environmental Program 2012 report concluded that 20% of vertebrate species are under threat of extinction, coral reefs have declined by 38% since 1980, greenhouse gas emissions could double over the next 50 years, and 90% of water and fish samples are contaminated by pesticides. Marcott predicts that “over the coming decades temperatures are likely to surpass levels not seen on the planet since before the last ice age.” Before thermo metrical measures scientists used proxy data collected from corals, tree rings and ice cores. The earth is getting hot, the politics even hotter. Do Americans adapt or do local, state and federal governments mitigate? Carbon dioxide molecules, once emitted, remain in the atmosphere for maybe a century. Just ask residents of Alexandria’s U.S. Route 1 residential corridor.

President Jimmy Carter’s official portrait by Herbert E. Abrams, 1982

In June 2012 the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court ruled to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 auto-related Endangerment Finding and Tailpipe Rule. The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act was correct and the Agency can regulate the harmful effects of greenhouse gases. “We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity,” President Barack Obama said in his Second Inaugural Address. “We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.” The President released an Executive Order — Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change — on November 1, 2013. “Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, crippling drought, and more powerful storms,” Obama A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 11

Old Town Crier

civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

July 1865:Vengeance Is Mine

he Union officially executed only two Confederates as war criminals, though there were probably over 1000 military tribunals for other crimes. These two were Henry Wirz, commandant of Andersonville prison, and Champ Ferguson, a partisan and very possibly the meanest Scotch-Irish SOB ever. Wirz was Swiss, coming to America after the failed European revolutions in 1848. A university man, he opened up a medical practice and was a successful doctor when he entered the Confederate army as a private in 1861. He was wounded in the Seven Days battles in 1862, losing the use of his right arm, but promoted captain for his valor. Reliable and intelligent, he advanced to become a general’s aide and was later entrusted with Confederate dispatches to Confederate envoys in Europe. Upon his return, Wirz was assigned to a prison in Richmond, where his talents as an administrator were recognized. In April of 1864, Captain Wirz was assigned to the newlyopened Andersonville POW camp in Georgia. Andersonville was awful — makeshift tents, men sleeping on the ground, short rations, no firewood or cooking utensils, lice, scurvy and other diseases, bad water full of human waste, and ultimately predatory gangs testing Darwinian Theory. Andersonville received about 45,000 POWs, of which about 13,000 perished — about the same as its Yankee counterpart at Point Lookout, actually. For which Dr. Wirz receives unfair condemnation. Wirz did not choose the site or the water supply. If the prisoners were on short rations, so were the guards, all of which had something to do with Sherman “making Georgia howl” in 1864. Wirz was neither a dummy nor a sadist. Recognizing that feeding and caring for the Yankee POWs was beyond his resources, in July of 1864 Wirz released five prisoners with a petition signed by thousands of the

Old Town Crier

POWs seeking reinstatement of the prisoner exchanges cancelled by the Federal government the previous summer. The Yankees rejected the petition; the emissaries, bound by their word, returned to captivity. Later in the year, all of the prisoners who were well enough to be moved were marched to better locations in the hope of saving their lives. Wirz permitted the POWs to try, punish and even hang the gang members who were preying on their weaker fellows. Wirz tried several of his own men for mistreating prisoners and gave them balls and chains to wear alongside the POWs. Bottom line, he was actually trying very hard not to run a death camp – a real challenge where one has no food, no shelter, no medicine, and one’s charges are drinking from the sewer. In the end, Wirz’s efforts did him little good. Captured in May of 1865, he was transported to Washington and charged with murdering Yankee POWs. He was tried in the Capitol building by Yankee officers headed by Ben Hur author Lew Wallace, a show-trial of a scapegoat with a predictable outcome. He was accused of thirteen murders, some whereby he beat men to death with his revolver or stomped them to death, or set dogs on them — not really something one visualizes a physician doing. He responded with documentation demonstrating that he had in fact done all in his power to care for his charges. No less than Lee himself vouched for his efforts, corroborated by a Catholic priest tending the prisoners. Hearsay to the contrary was admitted. Some of the witnesses were not even there at the same time as Wirz. The most effective Yankee prisoners received rewards for their testimony. After he was hung, someone noticed that the prosecution’s star witness had most likely perjured himself. Wirz begged clemency from

Top to bottom: Execution of Henry Wirz by Alexander Gardner, Library of Congress Champ Ferguson with his prison gaurds, 1865 Andersonville prisoner by Matthew Brady

President Johnson, who let it be known that his life could be spared if he linked Jefferson Davis to atrocities at the camp. Major Wirz chose an honorable death rather than implicate Davis with lies. He was hung at the Old Capitol Prison on November 10, 1865. As a final indignity, the drop was too short - no doubt by design since hanging was an established science by this time. His neck did not break, so he squirmed a long time before choking to death. He is buried at Mount Olivet cemetery in D.C. He was hung where the Supreme Court building is today – think about him when you pass.

Champ Ferguson, on the other hand, was not such a gentle soul; by his own admission, he personally killed over 100 men. Some say Clint Eastwood anti-hero Josey Wales is loosely based on Ferguson. But Ferguson was mean in the way Devil Anse Hatfield (also a Confederate partisan) was mean — awesomely mean, mean as performance art, mean CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 42

July 2015 | 9

EXTRAORDINARY

Alexandria st r i F r! ve E

LIVE MUSIC W E E K

Live Music at More than 30 Venues On July 10-19, 2015, music fans can take part in the first-ever Alexandria Live Music Week, with 10 days of live music at more than 30 restaurants and venues hosting musical performances. Live Music Week will feature more than 100 acts ranging from jazz to bluegrass, Irish, folk rock, country and more at venues including the legendary Birchmere music hall, waterfront newcomer Blackwall Hitch, Daniel O’Connell’s Restaurant & Pub, Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, John Strongbow’s Tavern and the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Live Music Week’s kick-off weekend includes the Alexandria/USA Birthday Celebration on Saturday, July 11, featuring performances by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and fireworks over the Potomac River, with the second weekend culminating with The Bacon Brothers at the Birchmere on July 16, 17 and 18. LiveMusicWeek.com is the information hub that will roll out the week’s schedule and more details as the event approaches, with updates shared on Visit Alexandria’s social media channels with the hashtag #LiveMusicWeek.

highlights

Festival Season is HERE!

It’s Spring time! Flowers are blooming, the grass is green and it’s festival season. There are so many diverse music festivals happening just a short drive from the Washington, DC area that everyone should experience at least one. For folks who enjoy listening to talented local bands, soaking up the sun, and making new friends, these are not to be missed.The festivals are largely family and child friendly, with many events designed for all ages along with good food to round out the experience.Check out the schedule here and hopefully you’ll become part of a great local summer tradition. See ya there!

Port City Brewing Co. celebrates Live Music Week’s kick-off weekend with its Old Town Alexandria pub crawl on Saturday, July 11

2015 Music Festival Schedule

Alexandria/USA Birthday Celebration honors Alexandria’s 266th birthday with fireworks and performances by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, July 11

July Red Wing III Roots Music Festival July 10-12 www.redwingroots.com

The Birchmere hosts various rock, blues and country acts including Southside Johnny, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and The Bacon Brothers throughout Live Music Week Blackwall Hitch complements its brand-new waterfront dining experience with daily performances by local, regional and national acts including Lovebettie and The Cheaters Daniel O’Connell’s features daily Irish music and rock, plus surprise performances. Acts include award-winning singer-songwriter Áine O’Doherty and DCbased rock band Judge Smith Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, John Strongbow’s Tavern and The Light Horse Restaurant present 10 days of live Irish, Celtic and rock music including The Fighting Jamesons Bilbo Baggins hosts a jazz-themed wine tasting featuring Rico Amero and a Grateful Dead-themed 35th anniversary party featuring the Scott Fallon Experience Nick’s Nightclub features country music performances including national act The Josh Phillips Band Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts Nomadic Jazz featuring tenor saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed, previously a resident at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Strathmore Alexandria Live Music Week is presented by Visit Alexandria to showcase the live music scene that takes place year-round in the city. From top names in music performing at the Birchmere to intimate performances nestled in independent restaurants, Alexandria offers an authentic music experience.

32nd Annual Mineral Bluegrass Festival July 16-18 www.mineralbluegrass.com

2015 Bluegrass in Luray Festival August 6-8 www.bluegrassinluray.com 71st Semi-Annual Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival August 13-16 www.gettysburgbluegrass.com

Floydfest July 22-26 www.floydfest.com

September Lockn Sept. 10-13 www.locknfestival.com

August Old Fiddler’s Convention Galax, Virginia August 3-8 www.oldfiddlersconvention.com

Watermelon Park Fest Sept. 24-27 www.watermelonparkfest.com

Steep Canyon Rangers performing last year at the 2014 River Roots Festival at Watermelon Park. photo: © Chester Simpson

connect with us Web www.LiveMusicWeek.com www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com Blog blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com

Twitter www.twitter.com/AlexandriaVA Instagram www.instagram.com/VisitAlexVA #LiveMusicWeek, #ExtraordinaryALX

Facebook www.facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA

10 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

AFTER AFTER HOURS HOURS

Birchmere 703.549.7500 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com

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

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

The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. thelighthorserestaurant.com

Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442

Morrison House 703.838.8000 116 South Alfred St.

Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com

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

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

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

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

Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com

La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St.

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

A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PG 8

continued. “The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But Americans cannot resist this transition. We must lead it.” Carter’s 1976 Democratic primary opponent, California Governor Jerry Brown recently announced that his drought stricken state will stick with mandatory water restrictions. Is the future dark, especially given the more than 540 Political Action Committees now invested in U.S. election politics? Pennsylvania State University Professor Michael E. Mann contends “it’s the unprecedented speed with which we are changing the climate that is worrisome.” George Washington instinctively planted living fences — willows, honey locusts, and cedars — to contain his methaneproducing cows. “Just as a synthetic rubber corporation helped us win World War II, so will we mobilize American determination and ability to win the energy war,” President Carter said in his July 15, 1979 Crisis of Confidence Old Town Crier

speech. “Every act of energy conservation is more than just common sense—I tell you it is an act of patriotism. We often think of conservation in terms of sacrifice. In fact… every gallon of oil each one of us saves is a new form of production.” Reactor meltdowns, including Three Mile Run (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011) have dimmed the nuclear energy debate.

In May 2015 Virginia Representative Don Beyer introduced H.R. 1162, the Science Prize Competition Act in an effort to spur American research and innovation. Governor Terry McAuliffe earlier established the Virginia Environmental Literacy Challenge. The new White House climate strategy was announced on June 22. Email: abitofhistory53@gmail.com July 2015 | 11

HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON

here’s blues and then there’s blues. Jonny Grave, a fixture on the local music scene, both solo and with his smokin’ hot band, The Tombstones, is a cat that understands the blues. But this ain’t your granddaddy’s twelve-bar blues. Their brand is a brutal smack-down of riff-rockin’, paint-peelin’, gut-hollerin’ blues. The kind of blues you heard from Howlin’ Wolf. The kind of blues you hear on the Fat Possum label. The kind of blues you’d hear out on the field. And with the Tombstones – Jeff Stapleton (guitar), The Rev. Aaron Pierce (bass), Terry Boes (harmonica), and Nathan Oliver (drums) - it’s the kind of blues that makes you want to dance. And dance hard. Their latest release was recorded in 24 hours back in February and, oh my, it’s a scorcher. From the get-go, it’s clear that all those nights spent blowing the roof off of Madam’s Organ and Hill Country have totally paid off. This is a well oiled band and that is revealed as soon as the band kicks in on the opening, “Bona Fide”. Legend has it they have never had a rehearsal. They don’t need to rehearse. This is music that lives for the moment, thrives in the moment….their obvious

12 | July 2015

jonny grave the well & the tombstones telekinesis takes care of the rest. Jonny’s gritty riffs interweave with Jeff ’s fluid, lightningfast, finger-picked solos while The Rev lays down one hypnotic bass groove after another and Oliver holds it all together like a man possessed. This is music that makes you want to drink. This is music that makes you want to move. This is music that makes you want to drive 100mph down an old dirt road, kicking up dust for miles around. And this is only the first track. When they kick into “Georgia Women”, you can’t help but boogie, even in your seat. Eleven of these thirteen songs are originals and they reveal an artist who has spent a lifetime living and breathing the blues. There is an understanding that goes far deeper than many of his contemporaries. That understanding comes out in the country-fried “How Long?”, a number that distills the Allman Brothers Band into four minutes and eighteen seconds of pure fire. That understanding comes out in his slide guitar work. That understanding comes out in his voice. What a

voice! Jonny possesses a guttural howl that is far older and wiser than his young age suggests. There is an authenticity to his voice that you just don’t often hear. “Change My Clothes” gets a little trippy, with a dark groove reminiscent of Gov’t Mule. The Rev lays down a sinister bass line while Jonny and Jeff weave together in disparate synchronicity. Just under the surface, Terry Boes lays down some haunting harmonica that makes this track even cooler. They pick up the pace with “Roustabout” and “Maryjo”, two numbers that could surely turn heads in the rowdiest juke joint. From there, they launch into the first of two cover songs. Most folks know “C.C. Rider” via Mitch Ryder’s revved-up version, and that’s the vibe that you usually hear on that song. This take, however, is slow and sexy, sleepy and dark, like some long-lost Sticky Fingers outtake, with even more grit, and is by far the best version of this song I have ever heard. I’d keep replaying it if it weren’t for the hyperactive rendition of the classic, “Rollin’ & Tumblin” that follows. From the point that Boes kicks it off with some serious 78rpm harp licks, you know this is going to burn and, folks, it does. This track is so upbeat that it is exhausting to listen to….I can only imagine the sweat that puddled in that room when they finished cutting this track. The band slows things down, rightly so, for the title track, a swaying, swinging swagger that has that kind of dark, dirty groove that Hendrix spent the last two years of his life perfecting, and featuring a bridge-riff that would make him proud. And jealous. From there they kick it back into high gear on the swampy shuffle of

“Right Hand Road”, featuring some killer slide work from Jonny and good, greasy harmonica from Terry. One thing I love about this album is the track sequence. Every song is a burner, in one way or another, but it’s the dynamic rise and fall that makes this album such a success. Just like every album should, this one knows when to take a breather and when it’s time to kick ass. And, more importantly, when to split the difference, as they do on the slippery mid-tempo boogie of “Highway 95”, where they bring it down in such a way to suggest that this is one hell of a tune on stage. Those who have seen a Tombstones gig know that Jonny is a consummate performer. He not only commands a room – he owns it. This track gives but a mere speck of an insight into his onstage personality, but it’s a mighty speck. Rounding out the album is the slow country-blues of “Richmond”, that perfect sort of 4am, last-call number, the kind where you can just picture the last hangers-on, clutching their glass in one hand, the other arm draped around some old, or new, friend, swaying the last drops of the evening away. When I talked of rise & fall…. this is a perfect example of that. But…just to remind you what they do best, they close out with “When I Die”, a revved-up talking blues that references a trip to that sacred spot of the blues….the crossroads. But the thing is, these guys are so hot…they don’t need no devil’s deal. They are the deal. I could keep on with the praise but, you know what? It’ll never compare to the experience of seeing and hearing them. So do yourselves a favor and support these local cats by seeing them live and heading over tho Bandcamp and downloading this album. You won’t regret it.

Old Town Crier

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

enjoy marking the passage of seasons in this column, because sometimes certain months seem appropriate for certain types of books. July is one that I tend to mark out for beach-related books—ones with good stories that you can dangle from your fingertips as you take a snooze on a lounger at the pool or near the pounding surf during your vacation at the shore. DC dozes also, working with skeleton staffs, and if you stay home, you relax with a fun work of fiction after working on the house or finishing a project. This month I picked Judy Blume’s newest book, In the Unlikely Event, as my candidate. Judy Blume is a longbeloved author for teens and adults who wrote forthright teen classics like Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret; Deenie; and Forever; which marked one of the first teen sex scenes displayed in fiction. Generation X-ers internalized her as part of their adolescence. She was subject to book bannings for her much-needed frankness. Both librarians and her fans battled back against censorship. In the Unlikely Event is an adult novel based on Blume’s experiences growing up as a teen in the early 1950s in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In the space of several months three plane crashes occurred around the Newark Airport, losing lives in the air and on the ground. She explores the impact of these crashes on a wide selection of interrelated people in the city. The main character, Miriam, nick-named Miri, has a cozy family that lives together in a duplex: her grandmother, Irene, lives with her Uncle Henry, a journalist for an Elizabeth newspaper, and she lives with her mother, Naomi, nick-named Rusty. Her mother had become pregnant out of wedlock, and has never named her father and never wants to discuss him. Miri, at the age of fourteen, would like to know Old Town Crier

Up in the Air with Nowhere to Go more, but knows that her family keeps secrets. Her best friend is Natalie Osner, whose father, Dr. O, is a beloved local dentist, and whose mother, Corinne, is a wealthy woman from Birmingham, AL. They seem like the perfect Jewish upscale family. She spends time with Natalie and Natalie’s siblings, including younger sister, Fern, and older brother, Steve, and sometimes fantasizes about their families being joined if Corinne wasn’t there. The first plane crash badly affects the community, destroying any complacency in residents who have gotten back to work despite the legacy of World War II and the current Korean War hanging over their heads. Miri’s friend, Natalie Osner, starts channeling one of the dead from the first plane, a famous dancer named Ruby Granik, and taking dance to be just like her, becoming anorexic as a way of maintaining control amidst the subterranean problems going on in her own family. Miri becomes completely shaken and feels as if she is losing her friend. In the mean time, she meets a non-Jewish boy, Mason McKittrick, at one of Natalie’s parties and feels an instant connection to him, one that she knows her family won’t like. They have a strong connection, and he becomes part of her growing up and her security, particularly when the second plane crashes on the ground and hits buildings that are near schools. Also, Miri’s paternal aunt, Frekki Lasner, whom she had never met before, shows up, and wants her to meet her birth father, Mike Monsky. She hides this brief meeting

from her mother with very mixed feelings. Her boyfriend, Mason, who lives in the orphan’s home, becomes a hero when he rescues people from the third plane crash, which happens near his residence. Judy Blume goes on to mix in a wide variety of composite characters from the Elizabeth in which she grew up and shows how their relationships change under the stresses of the plane crashes, as new widowers find second wives, couples realize their need to divorce, and other couples buck family traditions and marry despite their families’ desire for them to stay within their ethnicity. Through Miri’s eyes, and the voices of other characters, the youngsters in the junior high school and high school are traumatized by the seemingly inexplicable crashes, coming up with wild theories such as UFOs, sabotage, and explosions aimed at youth, since all of the plane crashes occurred near schools and dormitories. In this Blume reveals how some of the paranoia of the Fifties affected their thinking. It was a time when McCarthy was a potent force in redbaiting and the Cold War made another atom bomb a real possibility. Jewish gangsters were also a force in Elizabeth, and through her wide cast of characters, Blume shows them getting ready to build the city in the desert, Las Vegas, after making their bones on the East Coast near New York. In the Unlikely Event reminded me more of a book by Maeve Binchy than Judy Blume. Like Binchy,

Blume includes dramatic twists and turns and carefully interlaces the relationships between people in a large community, coming to some unexpected conclusions. She has a knack for talking about teenagers and their joys and trials in growing up, but her main character has been diluted here through the focus on lesser relationships between others. Maeve Binchy’s books, while equally broad-ranging in terms of people and their connections, also evoke a strong sense of warmth regarding those communities that I found missing here. I would recommend Binchy’s earlier novels in particular as good beach books. While Blume writes with warmth in some of these family

relationships, she did not make me care about any of the characters, including the main one, the one bearing my own first name. I found them two-dimensional and thin. I wished that she had made this a more focused book, one focused on the main character and her friends. It would have been better even as a book meant for teenagers, since it depicts Blume’s own adolescent experience with these crashes. Blume’s book, Wifey, written long ago for adults, was a raunchy potboiler that was definitely not for children, and it was entertaining and a fun bestseller for the time. I hope that Blume uses her singular talents to try her hand at something else in the future, including a novel along the lines of any of her past successes, instead of this type of novel.

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July 2015 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

y now nearly everyone on the planet knows who Rachel Dolezal is, and what her immense deception was in fabricating a web of lies and deceit in order to represent herself as a black woman. But what has not, as of the writing of this article, received enough press is how her architecture of lies and deception may have extended into both her artistic resume and her production of art.

in “convention centers.” And I’ll ignore the fact that there is practically zero digital footprint for Dolezal’s artwork on the Internet for those years. And, thus, let’s believe her for a minute, and this is getting harder by the second the more we learn about this artist. But, if art student Rachel Dolezal, while a graduate art student at Howard University, was selling artwork for as high as $10,000 in 1999-2002, she was not only the top priced student at Howard ever, but also the top priced student in the

Oh, what a tangled web we weave … She has a local DMV connection: She went to Howard University for her Master’s in Fine Arts, where she also taught undergraduate art students, sued Howard (as a white person) for discrimination, and subsequently was around the Greater DC area until around 2005. In an interview with The Easterner (the newspaper for Eastern Washington University where she taught until recently) she stated that “during her time at Howard, her paintings sold quite well in convention centers around the nation, the highest for around $10,000.” With almost 40 years of experience selling art, I have no knowledge of any “art circuit” where artists or galleries sell artwork in convention centers, unless Dolezal is talking about art fairs. But art fairs were in their infancy back in then, and individual artists are usually not included in art fairs, but rather must be there under the umbrella of a gallery or art dealer. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe there is an art circuit, outside of my radar (rather unlikely) and not art fairs, where artists sell their work

14 | July 2015

DMV ever. In fact she would have been at the very top of the artist commercial food chain in the DMV, right along with Sam Gilliam in 1999. But I had never heard of her until her deceit was exposed last month. In the last few years I’ve mentored two art students from Howard, and I suspect that they’ve never heard of her either. Someone selling paintings for up to $10K in 1999 in DC would have

been a legend in her school, among the art crowd in the DMV, and on the radar of every art dealer in the city. And thus, I don’t believe Dolezal on this giant art lie either. Another thing bugs me. There’s what appears to be an impressive level of technical skill in some of her paintings. As an example, in the 2011 Dolezal painting titled “Recognition,” the manner in which the paint is handled, the treatment of the light and the wood surfaces is rather impressive. I say “appears to be” because internet sleuth David Castillo discovered that Dolezal essentially copied the painting titled “Alike’s World” from a movie still of the film Pariah. And Castillo has further evidence of possible copyright violations. I agree with Castillo that this particular “painting” appears to be initially photo-based. That is, a digital image of the photo has been digitally printed onto a canvas and then “re-worked” with some clear acrylic medium (to give it a surface brushwork texture), and possibly some broader brushwork with a thicker medium with color-matching paint on the background buildings. The reproduction of the figure is too exact to be anything other than a reproduction on canvas. The buildings have been worked over with a broader brushwork to blur

them a little into the background, but the shadows (in most cases) are too exact in proportion and relation to the original photo to be anything other than a photo reproduction. The sky has been worked over as well, and she went a little lazy on the left side of the painting. Five gets you ten that if I examined this painting up close, I would see thicker paint covering up the left side of the piece (above the shoulder of the figure) than on the figure itself. The fact that she didn’t even bother to change some of the folds in the hoodie not only takes cojones, but artistic laziness in this, possibly the shortest fake route, to a hyper-realistic painting. Are any of the paintings her own? I think that “Utterance” and also “Sabrina” are her real level of “unaided” painting skill. In the 2007 painting “Utterance,” the manner in which the perspective of the figure, the treatment of the hands, and the disaster that is the manner in which the white wood and white bricks have been handled, demonstrate a much lesser skilled artist. This is white straight off the tube with a little black added to make a colorless gray in order to separate the wood slats and bricks and add shadows. The skin tones on the man are also straight out of the tube, amateur time. Given Dolezal’s now confirmed string of lies, fabrications and abuses, this huge dichotomy in artistic technical skill plants a question in my head as to the authenticity of some of these works, and I believe her deceit extends to her artwork.

Old Town Crier

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At the corner of King and Fayette Streets

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Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

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

ELDER CRAFTERS 405 Cameron St. 703-683-4338

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

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

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

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

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

FINE OLD POSTERS 1015 King St. 703-684-3656 FIVE OAKS ANTIQUES 2413 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-7006 FOLIOGRAPH GALLERY 217 King St. 703-683-1501 FRASER GALLERY 7700 Wisconsin Blvd. Suite E Bethesda 301-718-9651 FRENCH COUNTRY ANTIQUES 1000 King St. 703-548-8563 GALLERY G 215 King St. 703-836-5400 GALLERY INDIGO 1607 King St. 703-838-8098 GALLERY LAFAYETTE 320 King St. 703-548-5266

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

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

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

GALLERY WEST 1213 King St. 703-549-7359

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

GOSSYPIA 325 Cameron St. 703-836-6969

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

IMAGINE ARTWEAR 1124 King St. 703-548-1461

Old Town Crier

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

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

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

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

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

TRASTEVERE 303 Cameron St. 703-683-9555

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frida Kahlo

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

feast your eyes. feed your soul.

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

visit a museum.

July 2015 | 15

POINTS ON PETS ASHLEY DENHAM BUSSE

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

16 | July 2015

Yet Another Reason to Love Our Pets: They Help Kids with Autism

e know, and have written about, the many physical and psychological benefits owning a pet has for adults, but did you know that caring for and bonding with a pet can help children with autism as well? A recent study by the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri showed that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who also had a pet had significantly stronger social skills. In another study, parents of children with ASD reported that their children bonded and played well with pet dogs in particular. The researchers at the University of Missouri noted that, in social situations, kids with pets were “more likely to engage in behaviors such as introducing themselves, asking for information or responding to other people’s questions. These kinds of social skills typically are difficult for kids with autism, but this study showed children’s assertiveness was greater if they lived with a pet.”

Emotional Support and More

In fact, owning a pet can help improve communication skills, lower stress, and reduce problematic behavior in kids with autism disorders. And pets tend to help with these issues far better than toys, found another study in 2013: “Participants with ASD demonstrated more social approach behaviors (including talking, looking at faces, and making tactile contact) and received more social approaches from their peers in the presence of animals compared to toys. They also displayed more prosocial behaviors and positive affect (i.e., smiling and laughing) as well as less self-focused behaviors and negative affect (i.e., frowning, crying, and whining) in the presence of animals compared to toys.” Why is this so? Put simply, perhaps the easiest answer is that pets can provide solid, nonjudgmental, reassuring

photo: courtesy of autismspeaks.org

emotional support. Isn’t that the appeal for many pet owners, regardless of age or need? The same reasons we often love our own pets – their calm, loyal companionship – can be extremely helpful for kids who have trouble filtering the overwhelming sights, smells, sounds, and other stimuli that others can manage on their own. Pets are physically soothing, with their warm bodies and soft fur and gentleness; they’re also emotionally soothing, providing a “grounding” or focal point to rest on. Moreover, they don’t judge or criticize “strange” or repetitive behaviors. They simply are, without judgment. In addition, pets can help create positive social interactions – if you’ve ever met a new friend at the dog park, you know just how pets can act as “social lubricant” in fostering connections and relationships.

Specially-Trained Assistance Pets

However, just as we know each person is different, and each child with ASD has different struggles and needs, we must also remember that each pet is different — and that not every pet would

be a suitable companion for a child with ASD (or any child, for that matter). Specially-trained service and therapy animals might provide more effective and reliable help. For example, Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) is a non-profit organization that was formed to provide dogs trained specifically for autistic children. They write, “Our service dogs provide physical safety and an emotional anchor for children with autism. With their child tethered to a service dog, families are able to engage in activities as simple as going to the park or going out to eat as a family. When out in the community, a service dog increases safety and helps families feel secure. The service dog’s calming presence can minimize and often eliminate emotional outbursts, enabling the child to more fully participate in community and family activities. In many cases, the service dog accompanies the child to school, helping with transitions between activities and locations. Having a service dog helps increase opportunities for the child to POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

POINTS ON PETS FROM PAGE 16

develop social and language skills with others.” Another non-profit, Paws With a Cause, offers Service Dogs for Children with Autism to “act as constant companions to children with autism to help them improve social interactions and relationships, expand verbal and nonverbal communication, teach life skills, increase interest in activities and decrease stress within the family. A PAWS Dog doesn’t pass judgment, but breaks into the world of autism and becomes a crucial part of the family’s life.” Michele Arbogast, senior writer-producer for Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, has shared how her son Kyle’s life has been improved through his service dog, Taz: “Taz absorbs my son’s energy when he’s hyper. He sleeps with him for comfort. I have watched irritability and transition problems melt away as my son and other children pet him, sit next to him, and lie on him… Taz helps [Kyle and] every kid in [Kyle’s] school. He even transforms the days of people in Trader Joe’s.” There are many, many more stories like this, of children and families who feel they’ve got a new lease on life with the help of a specially-trained assistance pet. Yet another reason to love our pets! If you’re passionate about this issue and would like to help, we suggest getting involved with one of the non-profits mentioned above, or with a local therapy dog organization such as P.A.L. (PeopleAnimalsLove.org) or National Capital Therapy Dogs (www.nctdinc.org). Ashley Denham Busse has worked part-time for Doggywalker.com since 2006. Doggywalker.com is a professional pet-sitting company located in Old Town Alexandria, celebrating more than 13 years of providing daily walks and customized in-home pet care. Visit www. doggywalker.com or email info@doggywalker.com.

DC PAWS Adoption calendar JULY 2015 The DC stands for Dog and Cat Pro Feed 1628-A Belle View Blvd. Alexandria, VA Sunday, July 12 12:00 - 2:00 pm DOGMA 2772 S. Arlington Mill Dr. Arlington, VA Sunday, July 19 12:00 - 2:00 pm the dog park 705 King St. Alexandria, VA Saturday, July 25 1:00 - 3:00 pm For more info: www.dcPawsRescue.org

Pets of the Month banjo (A063684) Howdy, y’all! We’d like to tell you a little bit about our great friend named Banjo. Banjo is a neutered male Beagle, estimated to be about four years old. Usually you’ll see him with a wagging tail and a toy hanging out of his mouth because he LOVES to play! Banjo promises that if you welcome him into your home, he’ll fill your life with happiness and your house with the music of his squeaker toys. If you’re looking for a dog sweeter than southern tea who will make every day feel like a holiday, come adopt Banjo today! “Thanks to a generous sponsor, Banjo’s adoption fees have been paid!”

mcgonagall (Ao63949) Have you met McGonagall? McGonagall is a spayed female Domestic Shorthair, estimated to be about three years old. She, along with seven other cats, has quite a unique story to tell. They were discovered by a Good Samaritan who heard meows coming from an abandoned U-Haul, and then were brought to the shelter by one of our Animal Services Officers. Since then, all of the cats have made dramatic transformations! McGonagall sometimes needs a moment to warm up to strangers, but she is a lovely cat who is wise beyond her years! Come take a chance on her and find out how magical she is!

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

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

For more informaaon email: sue@doggywalker.com

CHANGE A LIFE.

Adopt Old Town Crier

July 2015 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFFrey R. Mccord

West Indies Privateer and Mutinous Mercenary Founded Jamestown Colony

f you are visiting Emancipation Gardens in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, this memorial plaque is easy to miss: “Landing of the Virginia settlers:

Admiral Christopher Newport, left, and Captain John Smith

18 | July 2015

These settlers were a company of 144 Englishmen, bound for Virginia, who landed on St Thomas on 4th April 1607 and stayed for three days before going on to found Jamestown in Virginia. From that colony grew the overseas expansion of English speaking peoples; the Commonwealth of Virginia; the

United States of America; the British Commonwealth of Nations and Realms Overseas.” Like much West Indian history, the story of the settlers’ voyage to the New World provides a window onto the lives of adventurers and pirates. It is a story of courage amid privation. Cannibalism played a role. Most like to believe Jamestown, founded in 1607 as the first successful British colony in North America, was planted by sober-minded, virtuous and entrepreneurial Englishmen. Bronze statues in Tidewater, Va. of Captain John Smith and Admiral Christopher Newport seem to tell us so. Christopher Newport, however, was able to successfully navigate his three ships (the Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed) carrying 105 settlers and 39 crew to the New World because of his privateering experience. During the late 1500s, he successfully attacked Spanish and Portuguese settlements and shipping throughout the Caribbean. Like many a pirate, he’d lost a limb — an arm — in combat, although his noble statue depicts him with both. Captain Newport made it big when

he captured a Portuguese merchant vessel carrying an immense treasure from Brazil. He invested part in a new ship and continued plundering the West Indies until 1603 when he was made a Master in the Royal Navy. The private Virginia Company then hired him to command the fleet that departed England in December, 1606 to plant the new settlement. Early in his career, John Smith broke a merchant apprenticeship agreement to become a for-hire soldier for the Austrians in their battle with the Turks over control of Hungary. He is said to have exaggerated his military skills. In any event, he was captured and enslaved by a Turkish officer. He escaped by killing his master. Upon Smith’s return to England, he, too, was hired by the Virginia Company. On its voyage to Virginia, Newport’s fleet took the proven route. They followed the trade winds and Guinea current across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands, off Saharan Africa, to the West Indies. Somewhere in between, Smith, the son of a lowly yeoman, was suspected of conspiring a mutiny and placed in chains, CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 19

Old Town Crier

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 18

according to fellow voyager George Percy, the Earl of Northumberland. Years later, Smith acknowledged he was “restrained at the scandalous suggestions by some of the chiefs” that he wanted to kill the officers and make himself “king” of the New World. So, when the fleet sighted the West Indies in mid-March 1607, Smith was a prisoner on-board Admiral Newport’s flagship. Indeed, on their first stop at the island of Dominica, then, as now, known for its fertile volcanic soil and abundant fruit, Newport prepared to hang Smith. He was restrained by the others, Smith remained Newport’s prisoner. The expedition then spent three weeks traveling island-to-island, trading with “many savages” for “many kinds of sundry fruits, cloth, potatoes, plantains and tobacco.” In return, they gave Indians hatchets, knives, beads and pieces of copper, “which they hung from their nostrils, ears and lips – very strange to behold,” George Percy tells us. Sailing north west, they arrived at the “Virgin Isles” at the beginning of April. They landed at St. Thomas bay, which George Percy admired: “[The bay is] capable of harboring a 100 ships. If this bay stood in England, it would be a great profit and commodity to the land. On this island we caught great store of fresh fish, an abundance of sea turtles, which

served our fleet for three days. We also killed a great store of wild fowl. We cut the bark of certain trees, which tastes like cinnamon and very hot in the mouth. This island has very good ground, straight and tall timber. [But they could find little fresh water], which makes this island void of any inhabitants.” Admiral Newport simply noted: “We spent some time [there], where, with a loathsome beast like a Crocodil [sic], called a Gwayn [iguana], Tortoises, Pelicans, Parrots, and fishes, we daily feasted.” They desperately needed fresh water “seeing that our water did smell so vilely that none of our men could endure it,” George Percy tells us. Seeking it, they departed uninhabited St. Thomas and sailed to Spanish Puerto Rico and refilled the water casks. Despite a serious storm, they eventually made it to the Chesapeake Bay and up the James River to plant their colony. It proved fortunate Admiral Newport did not kill John Smith because when they opened their orders (to be read upon arrival) they discovered the Company had named him a Captain and member of their leadership council. After depositing the settlers, Admiral Newport returned to England, leaving them one ship. Although the enterprise started out promising, the Jamestown colonists were top-heavy in aristocrats who

Ann Street Gardens

knew nothing of construction or farming. They faced a catastrophic first winter of starvation. Only 38 of the 105 settlers survived. Recently, a Smithsonian forensic scientist studying human bones found in a Jamestown trash pit confirmed George Percy’s description of the “starving time”: “Having fed upon our horses and other beasts as long as they Lasted, we were glad to [eat] dogs Cats, Rats and mice…shoes or any other leather. . . [As famine began] to Look ghastly and pale in every face, nothing was Spared to maintain Life and [we did] those things which seem incredible . . . to dig up dead corpses out of graves and to eat them. And some have Licked up the Blood which hath fallen from their weak fellows.” Fortunately, new settlers and supplies eventually arrived and the colony’s economic success was assured by John Rolfe who experimented with tobacco seeds he’d acquired in West Indies. His new leaf “had smoked pleasant, sweet and strong,” recalled Ralph Hamor, Secretary of Virginia. It proved very popular in England and Europe. Meanwhile, John Smith helped the colonists survive by forcing everyone to work and successfully trading with Indians for food and seeds. But, he was once again accused of conspiring (this time, with Indians) to take control of the enterprise and was again

imprisoned. He returned to England and famously wrote about his North American adventures. Admiral Christopher Newport made three additional voyages to Jamestown with much needed supplies. He was then hired as a chief captain by the British East Indies Company. An adventurer to the end, he died in 1617 on the Dutch island of Java in what is now Indonesia. Today, a Virginia university is named for him. The commemorative plaque in St. Thomas had been presented to the Virgin Island government in 1957 to mark Jamestown’s 350th anniversary. But, after display, it was damaged and misplaced. Thanks to the St. Thomas Historical Trust, this significant memorial was found, restored and placed in Emancipation Garden in 2011. Jeffrey R. McCord is a free-lance journalist and media relations consultant who has called Northern Virginia his home for more than 20 years. The author of “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” a quarterfinalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest, Mr. McCord’s articles on international economics and consumer protection have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Gannett newspapers and Truthout.org, among other publications. He now divides his time between Virginia and St. John, USVI

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July 2015 | 19

ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT

Westward Ho! To the  Grand Canyon

20 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

Keeneland

his month’s Road Trip is longer than most we’ve presented our readers over the past 27 years — in words and miles traveled. Even though this trip covered more than 3,000 miles, they are ones we have all experienced before — either BY car or watching TV shows. These were shows from my generation … Route 66 is one. Grab a cup of coffee and come along with us as we wander across the country.

Our first stop was Lexington Kentucky — a little under 600 miles away. We had the good fortune to stay with our friends Clayton and Ashley Embly and their 8 year old daughter Savannah. These folks are important because they live and work in the heart of the thoroughbred community in Lexington. Blue grass country, bourbon and the home of the greatest thoroughbreds in the world. On our first day there Clayton and Savannah treated us to breakfast at the Track Kitchen at Keeneland. Eating breakfast with jockeys, trainers and owners of race horses was a special treat. After breakfast we went to check out the morning workouts. In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Keeneland was ranked #1 of the top ten tracks. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The spring meet contains several preps for the Kentucky Derby, the most notable of which is the Blue Grass Stakes. The fall meet features several Breeder’s Cup preps. Most of the racing scenes of the 2003 movie Seabiscuit were shot at Keeneland, because its appearance has changed relatively little in the last several decades. Folks in Virginia can get a taste of the thrill of thoroughbreds by attending one of the many hunts, steeple chase races or point to point races. These are held every spring and fall and feature some of the best throughbreds in the country. Our next stop took us to the world renowned Claibourne Farm, a thoroughbred horse breeding operation in Paris, Kentucky. The farm was established in 1910 by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by his family ever since. The most celebrated horse to reside at Claibourne Farm was Secretariat who won the Triple Crown in 1973. Still working that Virginia connection, Secretariat was foaled at The Meadows in Caroline County, Virginia. Today there are eleven stallions standing stud at Claibourne Farm. Stud fees range from $2,500 to $150,000 (as earned by War Front). These horses were true champions and still beautiful athletes today. The final resting place for these champions is also located at Claibourne Farm. The cemetery contains the remains of 20 stallions, including Secretariat, who was embalmed and buried intact. This is an exception to the usual practice of burying a horse’s head (intelligence),

War Front

ROAD TRIP > PAGE 22

left: Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim Village Fog. Photo: National Park Service.

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July 2015 | 21

heart (courage), and hooves (speed). Claibourne Farm is 3,000 acres of beautiful Kentucky pastures and old buildings. The breeding shed is said to be over 100 years old. Claibourne is also one of the only farms that offers public tours, including a chance to get up close and personal with the stallions. War Front, the highest paid stud, has an estimated value of 80 million dollars. For a mere 2 million you can buy a share of his stud fees. Life is good in Kentucky. After a wonderful dinner (and some great Lexington bourbon), we departed for the Grand Canyon the following morning. With the interstates allowing speeds at 65 and 75 mph, we made it to Amarillo, Texas by 11pm. Getting this far in one day made our drive across New Mexico and into Arizona the next day a reasonable drive. After leaving Kentucky we drove through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and into Oklahoma, where Interstate 44 joined historic Route 66 outside of Tulsa. Also known as the Will Rogers 22 | July 2015

Highway and colloquially known as the Main Street of America, or the Mother Road, Route 66 was one of the original highways within the U.S. Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926. For those of you old enough to remember, the TV series, Route 66, was a popular show from 1960 to 1964. The story was about two young adventurers in a Corvette who explore early 60s social problems and changing mores, looking for the right place to settle down while seeking themselves. Traveling along this road brought back many memories of my youth. Leaving Amarillo we headed for the New Mexico border. Shortly after crossing the border we came to the town of Tucumcari where we left the interstate and drove through this throwback town of another era. We stopped for breakfast at Kix on 66, a direct reference to the ad campaign “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” The instrumental theme song, which became one of the most recognized tunes, was written by Nelson Riddle.

Tucumcari was truly a huge slice of Americana …and yes, I got a t-shirt. Jumping back on the interstate we sped along under hazy blue skies for our reservation at Grand Canyon. There isn’t much that I can say about the Grand Canyon that you probably don’t already know … unless, of course, like me, you have never seen it. This place is awe inspiring. To try and grasp the making of the Grand Canyon is beyond my comprehension. Over a mile below the South Rim we could see the Colorado River which, over millions of years, has carved out the canyon. It is not the deepest canyon in the world, however the Grand Canyon is known for its visually overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape. The great depth of the Grand Canyon and especially the height of its strata (most of which formed below sea level) can be attributed to 5-10 thousand feet of uplift of the Colorado Plateau, starting about 65 million years ago. The uplift has steepened the stream gradient of the Colorado River

and its tributaries, which in turn has increased their speed and thus their ability to cut through rock. Unfortunately while we were there, wild fires were raging in California about 480 miles away, and the smoke created a haze over the entire canyon. Some of my pictures shown here are clear because they are close up, but the distant shots reveal the haze. Leaving the Grand Canyon we headed north east to visit our friends Dave and Linda Allin in Grand Junction, Colorado. The drive took us into the state of Utah and through Monument Valley Navajo Indian Reservation on the Utah-Arizona border. The valley is not a valley in the conventional sense, but rather a wide flat, sometimes desolate landscape, interrupted by the crumbling formations rising hundreds of feet into the air, the last remnants of the sandstone layers that once covered the entire region. Whereas the Grand Canyon was eroded by wind and running water, the sandstone has been eroded by wind and rain. A canyon Old Town Crier

goes deep while the monuments reach for the heavens. Monument Valley has been featured in many forms of media since the 1930s. Director John Ford used the location for a number of his bestknown films, and thus, in the words of critic Keith Phipps, “its five square miles have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West.” When we arrived in Grand Junction the temperature was 102 degrees, but like Arizona, the air was very dry, yet hot. Dave recommended a drive to Grand Mesa to beat the heat. It is the largest flat-topped mountain in the entire world. It has an area of about 500 square miles and stretches for about 40 miles east of Grand Junction between the Colorado River and the Gunnison River. The forty mile drive took us about an hour and the temperature at the lake on top had dropped to 72 degrees. Due to a cold May, the snow had only melted enough the previous week to allow the park to open. Large Old Town Crier

patches of snow were still visible and the lake water was very cold. Drifting in the lake on kayaks was the perfect way to beat the heat. In Grand Junction you will find the Colorado National Monument as well as the Colorado River as it works its way to the Grand Canyon. The Colorado National Monument is the view from Dave and Linda’s back porch. An impressive sight, the Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. This treasure is more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. You can experience sheerwalled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you can observe big horn sheep and soaring eagles. Locally referred to as The Monument, this is an area of desert land high on the Colorado Plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau. Every July 4th, the sheer walls of Independence Monument is scaled and a US flag

placed on top. This is an amazing feat. As we were driving through Grand Junction I saw a U.S. Route 50 marker. Like Route 66, Route 50 has a great story as well. Route 50 begins in Ocean City, Md. and stretches more than 3,000 miles to Sacramento, Calif. There is a road sign on the Route 50 bridge out of O.C. that says ‘Sacramento 3,072 miles.’ Unlike Route 66, however, Route 50 does not weave in and out of interstates, but charts its own course across the country, earning the nickname ‘The Loneliest Road in America.’ Route 50 also passes through Washington, D.C. as well as Virginia’s beautiful horse and wine country and straight through Grand Junction. After leaving Grand Junction we crossed the Rocky Mountains via Rocky Mountain National Park heading to Lingle, Wyoming to visit Dave and Aimee Unverzagt. Which is where I find myself putting the finishing touches on this column. The drive through the Rockies was

spectacular. It dropped to 57 degrees and at 12,000 feet above sea level, it was a long way down! This truly was the drive of a lifetime. If you read my Publisher’s Notes last month about the fact that the internet and computers have not killed print media, but rather married it, this piece is a good example of that. My photos are digital, this travelogue was typed on a laptop, and the internet pushed it through cyberspace to our designer in Leesburg, Va. where it was added to the rest of the July issue, and then sent, once again, via internet to our printer in Fredericksburg, Va. Back on July 2, I delivered the July issue of the Old Town Crier that is in your hands now. This was a long road trip, but one well worth the time. Having friends and family along the way certainly helped to offset costs and made the journey much more enjoyable. Take the time and plan your own road trip. The wild blue yonder beckons. July 2015 | 23

FROM THE BAY…

A Art Blooms: Fabulous Floral Fantasies

Exhibit features more than 25 floral designers

nnmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons is excited to announce the Art Blooms: Fabulous Floral Fantasies exhibit that will be open for just two days, July 18 and 19 from 10 am to 5 pm each day. Art Blooms is a weekend exhibit held in the Dennis Murray Arts Building, featuring the work of more than 25 floral designers from across the region. Each floral designer is assigned a work of art currently in the Main and Mezzanine Galleries and is invited to create a floral arrangement inspired by that work of art. The designers are asked to draw inspiration from two exhibits this year. The first exhibit, Cosmos: Imagining the Universe, captures how artists render the work of scientists, authors, explorers, astronomers, cartoonists, Trekkies, LARPers, astrologers, and philosophers. This exhibit embraces not only what science has revealed about space, but what humans have imagined about the cosmos. The second exhibit, Heroes & Villains: Exploring Archetypes Through Art, celebrates the complexities and nuances of heroes and villains that populate history, literature, popular culture, folklore, mythology, psychology, and other realms of human experience and expression. The resulting floral arrangement beautiful, and provocative and not to be missed. This year marks the fifth year for Art Blooms, the exhibit co-hosted by the Calvert Garden Club and Ann’s Circle of Annmarie Garden. Don’t miss the Free Floral Design Demonstration on Saturday 10:30am – Noon. Admission to the exhibit is FREE.

About Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, Annmarie Garden is located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. The sculpture garden features a walking path that meanders through the forest past permanent and loaned sculpture, including more than 35 works of art on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art. Annmarie Garden also presents a variety of award-winning special events, gallery shows, and engaging public art programs. Annmarie Garden’s Studio School offers creative classes for all ages and abilities taught by a talented faculty. Annmarie Garden is conveniently located just off Route 2-4, on Dowell Road in Solomons, Maryland; open 9 am - 5 pm daily; the Murray Arts Building and Gift Shop are open 10 am - 5 pm daily. To learn more, visit www.annmariegarden.org.

Directions to Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center

From Washington DC (about a 60 minute drive): Take Route 4 South to Capital Beltway Exit 11 (to Prince Frederick). Continue on 4 South, following signs to Solomons. Left on Dowell Road at Hilton Garden Inn Annmarie is less than ¼ mile on left. From Baltimore (Beltway I-695): Take I-97 (Annapolis) to Route 301 South (Bowie). Continue on 301 to Route 4 and follow signs to Solomons. Left on Dowell Road at Hilton Garden Inn. Annmarie is less than ¼ mile on left. From Annapolis: Follow Route 2 South towards Prince Frederick/Solomons. Left (South) onto Route 2/4 at Sunderland light. Left on Dowell Road at Hilton Garden Inn. Annmarie is less than ¼ mile on left. 24 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

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2015

Summer Events NOW THRU OCT 16 | 6 TO 9 PM Farmers’ Market, Classic Car Cruise-In & Art Fair | Every Friday Night

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JULY 3 | DUSK Fireworks | No Farmers’ Market

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JULY 10 | 6:30 PM Crafts & Campfire on the Beach

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JULY 11 | 6 PM Concert on the Pavilion | The Drive Train

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Wetlands

JULY 18 | DUSK Movie on the Beach | The Lego Movie

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JULY 24 | 6:30 PM Crafts & Campfire on the Beach

DINING

Pedestrian-Friendly

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SHOPPING

Bayside History MUSEUM

AUG 14 | 6:30 PM Crafts & Campfire on the Beach

Friday Night

FARMERS’ MARKET

AUG 15 | DUSK Movie on the Beach | Stuart Little

Kayak & Bicycle RENTALS

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www.hopkinsordinary.com Sperryville, Virginia 540.987.3383 26 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

Professional retriever trainer Bobby Baldwin shows off some of the awards the retrievers he trained won at a recent trial. He does not regret giving up his career in education and is now applying his teaching skills to canine pupils.

Take This Job and Shove It!

hat does it take to get a person to give up a lucrative corporate career and risk it all to move to a rural area to pursue his or her passion? Thousands of people visit the beautiful countryside around and near the Blue Ridge, either to enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty of rural Virginia or to pursue a hobby they can’t do in the city or suburbs. Perhaps they daydream during the week, stuck in our infamous traffic on the way to or from a job that provides the money to pursue that hobby but little else in the way of personal fulfilment. Some decide early, after a brief taste of the corporate world, that they just aren’t cut out for it. Some pour their heart and soul into their careers, and add a family and financial responsibility that makes it that much harder to jettison responsibility to go sell shells on an island or, in the case of our area, ride horses for a living. And some prove that with hard work and sacrifice, it’s always possible to pursue a dream. A little over a year ago, Bobby Baldwin, 46, was a school principal. A psychology major in college, he entered the field of counseling, found he enjoyed working with children and got a masters degree in special education from George Mason and began teaching emotionally disturbed children. “I loved it but it’s a physically and emotionally demanding job; a young person’s job,” he said. “Not one you can Old Town Crier

do for 30 years.” So Baldwin added a second Masters degree, this one in education leadership and administration and rose through the ranks from assistant principal to principal, putting in more and longer hours as he worked and raised a family. A country boy who grew up in rural Southern Maryland, he found he had less and less time to pursue his hobbies of waterfowl hunting and training retrievers. “I figured I’d put in my 30 years and retire and then play with the dogs,” he said. But increasingly he began to hate city life and couldn’t see himself continuing along the same path for another dozen years. So last year, after contemplating several promising job offers, he declined them all and decided to train dogs full time. “It was kind of scary, going from a nice salary and health insurance, to not knowing where or how much my income would be,” Baldwin said. But he added that the risk was lessened because he was able to move to the family farm and spend more time with his aging parents, although it did mean uprooting his two daughters from their friends and schools and going from their spacious city home to a little farmhouse where they all four share a single bathroom. “But we all pulled together and made it work.” He doesn’t mind

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July 2015 | 27

BEHIND THE BAR

SAM MOGUL IS BEHIND THE BAR AT mASONS SOCIAL 728 HENRY STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703-548-8800 MAson-social.COM

Samantha ‘Sam’ Ann Mogul How did you get started in the bartending business? Growing up I knew when it was 5 o’ clock because my grandmother would have her Old Fashioned ready. I would wait patiently for the orange and cherries when she was finished. Then, as I got older, my father taught me how to make him a good Martini after work and the best Bloody on the weekends. I remember my parents asking me one morning, after getting busted for drinking their liquor, what I used as a mixer for their bottle of vodka. When I responded with “Coca-Cola because it’s all we had,” they told me, “If you’re going to drink our good booze you will mix it correctly: vodka gets juices and dark liquor gets Coke.” I guess it started there, unofficially.

Sam serves up the Sneaky Pete: Espolon blanco tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, fresh juiced red bell pepper, Agave, Hellfire bitters and garnished with a lime twist and house-made red bell pepper salt.

Biggest bartender pet peeve? While I’m sure I could be brutally honest with this one — and a few

readers would probably recognize these behaviors in themselves — I think I’ll spare them and myself from being scolded by my bosses (you’re welcome, guys) . That being said, how about when I’m busy and the only concern from a patron is charging their phone so they can continue swiping right or left on Tinder and not paying attention to the live bodies around them (Thankfully, the designers thought of those people when we did our build out. We have sockets and USB ports installed in the bar under the bag hooks every few seats!). What is the most clever line anyone has ever used to get a free drink? They usually aren’t that clever, but if they’re really entertaining attempts I may give in. Actually, after taking the picture for this column the charming BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 29

This is where your new favorite whiskey comes from. Visit us in Sperryville. Tours daily. www.copperfox.biz

28 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

BEHIND THE BAR FROM PAGE 28

photographer himself coyly asked if I needed to do something with the Sneaky Pete I made for the shot. Free drink for Bob! What is the best/worst pickup line you have overheard at the bar? There are so many to choose from! I had a regular who made up the wildest stories of his past. I’m unsure which were true and which were false but some seemed to work for him. He was married to Alanis Morissette before she was really famous and he sailed in storms that flipped the ship in a 360 degree roll over through the water … the list went on. Sometimes they worked and other times he failed miserably. Tell us an interesting encounter you have had with a customer. There are some characters that have sat on the other side of my bar, for sure. My favorite recent encounter had to be a couple several months ago. Since we are a new venue, I have posted a lot on social media to get people aware to come check us out. This day was pretty routine until the door opened. I looked to see who was walking in and it was my best friend from college who I hadn’t seen since 2009! She had a layover and was walking to King Street with her fellow flight crew and recognized the name/ building from my pictures. She walked in to see if it was the same place and I happened to be working. Total girls, we both started crying and laughing at the same time. I have customers return who were there that day and still bring it up.

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

If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world, past or present who would that be? My late grandmother. Now that I’m seasoned in making her favorite Old Fashioned cocktail and legally old enough to enjoy one with her. I would give anything to be able to sit outside with a drink and talk to her. Sam’s schedule varies, however, she is behind the bar or on site doing something more often than not. Stop in and see her. If you would like to see your favorite bartender featured here, send contact information to office@oldtowncrier.com. Old Town Crier

July 2015 | 29

DINING OUT BOBTAGERT

FOTI’S 110 E. Davis Street Culpeper, Virginia 540-829-8400 fotisrestaurant.com

FOTI’S

A Culinary Delight in Culpeper

30 | July 2015

or this month’s restaurant showcase we decided to return to Culpeper, Va. and visit a small town with big restaurants. By big, I don’t mean size, but rather taste, and one of the best is Foti’s. The husband and wife team of Frank and Sue Maragos, who met when he was a sous chef and she worked front of the house at the Inn at Little Washington, opened Foti’s in 2005 and have been enjoying success ever since. When they opened in 2005, the restaurant was located in the 100 block of East Davis St. in Culpeper. It was a beautiful venue that shouted elegance. For the special occasion dinner, this was perfect, but for more frequent and casual dining, there were other options. This has all changed. Foti’s has moved one block to 110 East Davis St. The new location is more open, more casual and has a reasonable size bar for that occasional drink. Other changes were added as well: although they retained their favorite dishes on the new menu, they added new, lighter fare for the lunch crowd. Included in the new offerings are a homemade soup of the day; Foti’s B.A.L.T: bacon, avocado, lettuce, mayonnaise and sliced tomato in a flour tortilla wrap; meatball sandwich; Foti’s

gyro; Foti’s burger; and a roasted beet sandwich. Their starters and salads include crispy fried buffalo frog legs, garlic sautéed snails, prosciutto-wrapped duck confit, corn crusted oysters, shrimp lollipops and a strawberry and goat cheese salad. Favorite starters that were carried over from the old menu include cedar plankroasted brie, vanilla-roasted Maine lobster, roasted beet and goat cheese tower, and warm kale and butternut squash sauté. The main courses are surf and turf a la greque and pan seared duck breast. To the new menu Maragos has added such tasty items as pan roasted baramundi, lamb tangine, pan seared salmon, Moroccan spiced mahi mahi and shrimp and pork belly. This is not a run of the mill lineup, but rather a varied selection of tasty food. For my appetizer I ordered the roasted beet and goat cheese tower. Growing up in this area, I was never fond of many vegetables, but the years have changed all of that, and I find beets to be very tasty. These were no exception. Measuring almost a half-inch thick, the flavors of the goat cheese and beets melded nicely. My companion had the soup of the day and

was very pleased with it as well. For my main course I ordered one of the house favorites, pan seared duck breast. The medium rare sliced duck breast was accompanied with prosciutto wrapped duck confit and drizzled with a balsamic blackberry sauce. This was a nice addition to the tender duck breast. The roasted blackberries really made for a nice taste sensation. It did not overpower the taste of the duck, but rather created subtle flavors that languished on the tongue. The vegetable was a combination of sliced zucchini, shaved carrot, and spinach. These are some of my favorite vegetables and the delicate seasoning let the flavors shine through. The dish was also accompanied with cauliflower. I can’t remember the last time I ate cauliflower, but this was delicious and can easily take the place of potatoes. My companion ordered the pan seared salmon with pickled ginger and apple salsa, drizzled with a pomegranate molasses and served over jasmine rice with sauteed vegetables. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the combination of flavors added a new twist on an old favorite. DINING OUT > PAGE 31

Old Town Crier

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DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30

I have to admit that we got a couple of to-go boxes for our leftovers, saving room for dessert. We had the strawberry emanadas and a special of the day, carrot cake. This wasn’t just a regular slice of carrot cake, it was baked in the form of a carrot and garnished as such. Really hesitated cutting into such a lovely presentation. Both were a nice complement to the end of our meal. Foti’s also has a respectable wine selection and support local Virginia wineries. The selection runs the gamut and represents good wines at affordable prices. Although I liked Foti’s first location, I now understand the thought behind the move. The new location is much more open, less of a special event occasion, but still an elegant menu in a more casual setting. A new wrinkle to this location is the addition of two tables in the kitchen area servubg as chef ’s table. You can reserve the table and have your dinner while you watch Frank prepares yours, and all of the other dinners for the evening. It is a great way to get the true restaurant experience. Old Town Crier

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® 713 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.548.1717 • murphyspub.com July 2015 | 31

Dining Guide american BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BITTERSWEET 823 King Street 703-549-2708 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com An Old Town tradition since 1979 and an original Georgetown pub and restaurant since 1967. CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com USA City inspired menu choices that bring together traditional American and global cuisine with their own personal touch. Casual dress. $30 and under. Lots of free parking. Open 7 days a week with brunch on Sat & Sun 11-3. AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 DUTCHS GRILL (Holiday Inn) 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 703-960-3400 THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FINN & PORTER AT MARK CENTER 5000 Seminary Rd. 703-379-2346 FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200 FLAT IRON STEAK & SALOON 808 King St. 703-299-0777 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050

32 | July 2015

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

OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

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

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

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

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

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

JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790

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

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

JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777

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

KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800

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

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

LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-909 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MANCINIS 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-838-FOOD Mason Social 728 Henry Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MONROES AMERICAN TRATTORIA 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 703-548-5792 MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011 MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Old-world Irish pub featuring a roaring fireplace, serving a variety of imported, domestic and non-alcoholic beers in a friendly atmosphere. Serving robust American-Irish meals at fair prices. Favorites include fish and chips and Irish stew. Irish-style entertainment nightly. NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922 NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com

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

SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com American cuisine with libations from around the world. Bar specials Mon-Fri, 4-7 PM. Brunch served Sat & Sun. TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640 TRADITIONS (Holiday Inn) 625 First St. 703-548-6300 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap and grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour. VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669

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

BRABO by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 BRABO Tasting Room 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Northern Italian, French provincial and American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, meats and pasta served in a contemporary, romantic atmosphere. CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 FRENCH BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141

VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 asian

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

Sang Jun Thai 300 King Street 571-312-3377

CONTINENTAL

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

ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

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

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

ITALIAN BERTUCCIS 725 King St. 703-548-8500 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant. With entrees from $14, there is no reason not to enjoy a selection from their Wine Spectator award-winning list, while being attended by the friendly staff of seasoned professionals. Reservations recommended and casual attire welcomed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com Elegant, classical Italian cuisine served in a lovely historical setting. Fresh veal, homemade pastas, and fresh fish are some of the daily choices. An extensive list of wines and champagnes served in a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere. OLD CHICAGO PIZZERIA 2245 Huntington Ave. 703-960-1086 PARADISO 124 King St. 703-837-1245 PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 TRATTORIA DA FRANCO 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 VILLA DESTE 600 Montgomery St. 703-549-9477 MEDITERRANEAN

CHEZ ANDREE 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-836-1404

LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 “Spring into Spain and Feast Like a King.” Offering unlimited tapas at lunch and dinner. Choice of dessert included. Lunch 11:30-4:30 for $20.07; dinner 4:30-close for $30.07. Eat a little, drink a little, have a lot of fun!

LA BERGERIE 218 N. Lee St. 703-683-1007 labergerie.com

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

YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. In the Hoffman Center 703-329-1010

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

FLYING FISH 815 King St. 703-600-FISH flyingfishdc.com FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900 INDIAN DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN AUSTIN GRILL 801 King St. 703-684-8969 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) CASA FELIPE 835 N. Royal St. 703-535-7868

Old Town Crier

BLUE RIDGE FROM PG 27

the hard work nor the fact that like any job with animals, the hours are long and the dogs have to be fed, watered and aired seven days a week. “No more running off to the beach on weekends,” he said. But he doesn’t regret his career change. Meghan Taylor Look and Rachel Kline, both 23, didn’t waste as much time before deciding that they preferred barn boots to high heels and both gave up the corporate lifestyle for an equestrian lifestyle. Look, who was living in Reston, worked several years in the finance industry and had a lucrative job that allowed her to have a horse that she boarded in Middleburg. She daydreamed about working with horses full time and surfed internet equestrian sites that listed jobs until she found the right fit—and quit her job in the collections department to become a stable manager at a large training facility outside Warrenton. “I did the reverse commute from Reston for awhile,” she said. Look has now started her own digital PR and marketing firm for equestrian professionals. “Most of them are too busy or not digitally savvy enough,” she explained. And she now lives in Fauquier so the commute isn’t a problem. Kline, who grew up in the Middleburg area and rode at Foxcroft and at Southern Methodist University in Texas, accepted a high paying position right after graduation as vice president of client relations with a start-up digital media company in Texas. The chaotic hours left her little time to ride and after a year, a visit back home to Virginia reminded her of just how much she missed it. So she quit her job, moved back and took a lower paying job where she could work remotely from home and pursue her dream of riding jumpers. But the pay cut took some getting used to. “I ride in the evenings,” she said. “To make it work, I muck stalls, I farm sit, I do whatever it takes.” Melissa Glover Gerlach, 40, ditched a 6-figure government contracting job dealing with risk assessment and continuity planning so she could work with dressage horses full time. While living in Ashburn, she had a horse she boarded in Western Loudoun County but

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TO THE BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 35

Old Town Crier

July 2015 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

Ricardo Planas

riginally from the DC Who have been the biggest inspirations area, Chef Ricardo of your career? Planas brings more Certainly, Chef Jean-Louis Palladin than 20 years of was an enormous influence, even experience to Union though I doubt he would’ve known Street. Formally trained at the French that before he passed. He was such Culinary Institute, Planas has worked an extraordinarily talented cook, first at some of the finest restaurants and and foremost, and he was nearly solely pubs in New York City, Washington, responsible for so many ingredients DC and Baltimore, including Tavern that we now take for granted being on the Green, Red Sage, Jean-Louis available in the US. He was cooking Restaurant at the Watergate Hotel Farm to Table in 1979! Nobody knew and Café du Parc at the Willard what spring mix or mesclun lettuce Intercontinental Hotel. Chef Ricardo was. But he went and found farmers has been able to make to grow for him. Foie a strong impact on gras. Truffles. All ricardo planas each of the restaurants because of him. IS THE executive CHEF AT he’s served through Chef Bill Telepan is union street his vast knowledge of another influence for public house the world’s cuisines his classic approach 121 south union street and his passion for of allowing great old town alexandria incorporating fresh ingredients to speak 703-518-1785 herbs to elevate the for themselves, and his unionstreetpublichouse.com foods’ flavors. insistence on a having a strong foundation of When did you first become interested techniques and skills. in cooking and why did you pursue a On a more personal level, my culinary career? mother would be an excellent I’ve cooked since I was a kid. I cook if she truly enjoyed it, but she watched Julia Child, Jacques Pepin and prefers baking. But she’s fostered an Martin Yan weekend mornings. As appreciation for being in the kitchen for career choices, I’ve always said, I that’s so deep, I’m not even certain she didn’t choose this life. It chose me. But realizes it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I started out in the butcher shop of an What dish on your menu are you curious ethnic grocery store, then dishwasher, to see how it is received by your guests? and on up. I’ve also been a server and Certainly, I’d like them all to be well bartender and a front of the house received. What makes this an even manager. CHEF’S SPECIAL > PAGE 35

Clockwise from top left: Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs, Roast Duck Breast & Ravioli, Profiteroles of Fromage Blanc & Summer Berries, and Dragon Creek Oysters.

Left to right: Roast Duck Breast & Ravioli, Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs, Profiteroles of Fromage Blanc & Summer Berries, and Dragon Creek Oysters.

34 | July 2015

Old Town Crier

CHEF’S SPECIAL FROM PG 34

tougher question to answer is the menu is constantly evolving and changing. Most dishes are only on the menu for the season and then they are gone. That said, I’m doing a spicy, smoked corn succotash as the garnish for fish that I’m really excited about and hope our guests will really love. What do you do to insure the quality of the food going out of the kitchen? The obvious answer is to only work with locally sourced vendors who provide

quality ingredients and that is exactly what I do. We will be serving desserts from Maribeth’s Bakery; goat cheese from Firefly Farms for our heirloom tomato tarts; beef from farms in the Blue Ridge; and produce from Path Valley Farms. But equally important is having a staff full of people who take pride in what they make and serve our guests. If they are excited about what they are cooking and serving, that pride finds its way into everything we do.

If any chef in the world could prepare you a meal, who would it, be? Such a tough choice, but I would have to say Joël Robuchon who is a French chef and restaurateur. He was titled “Chef of the Century” by the guide Gault Millau in 1989. He operates a dozen restaurants in Bangkok, Bordeaux, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Macau, Monaco, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo, with a total of 25 Michelin Guide stars among them — the most of any chef in the world. There

aren’t any adjectives that a mere mortal like myself could provide to adequately describe how amazing a chef he is. And if we are allowed to raise the dead, James Beard would be another choice. His influence on what has become American food is profound.

to indulge in too much junk food, even though I have a big sweet tooth. That said, I’m crazy about Twinkies. They are a cakey, creamy cylinder of wonderfulness and in a perfect world, they would be the healthiest food imaginable.

What is your guilty food pleasure? I don’t consider good fried chicken to be a guilty pleasure but I’d choose that over a good burger or pizza pretty much every time. I try not

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

BLUE RIDGE FROM PG 33

she had to endure a daily commute to Crystal City that seemed to get worse after the birth of her son. It helped that her husband was already vested in the horse business; he is a Germanborn top level dressage rider and instructor. While she was working, he’d often be away traveling to shows, and shortly after their son was born, the baby ended up spending 10 to 12 hours a day in daycare. “It was hard,” Gerlach admitted. Three years ago, her employer was going to move her position to Southeast D.C., a move that would double time spent on an already hellish commute. She had to accept it or a layoff. She took the layoff, and the Gerlachs leased a farm in Middleburg for his business and Gerlach took over the bookkeeping and the marketing, as well as helping out. Their barn filled immediately and they’ve now moved to a larger facility and live onsite. “I can’t imagine a better family life,” she said, although she did have to take a part time job bartending to help with finances. The Gerlachs’ son, who will be 5 shortly, already has his own pony. “Where else could you watch your son go feed his pony after breakfast?” she said. And it’s not just the women who give up the corporate world for their horses. Aldie resident Nate Dailey, 45, recently gave up a position as a senior executive Department of Defense consultant/IT enterprises architect to play and teach polo instead. “Best idea I’ve ever had. And I foxhunt in the off season.” While he admits giving up the big bucks has been scary, he said it’s been the best summer of his life so far. To make ends meet, “I’ve groomed for a large polo string; I’ve taken on three students that have never played polo before, I developed the new Great Meadow polo club website and worked for [polo manager] John Gobin to promote Great Meadow polo, been asked to play in certain teams to anchor. Started trimming my own horses’ hooves, bush hogging fields... basically scraping to get by. In the past I’ve developed composite polo mallet shafts, used drones to record polo matches and record polo matches and technology to capture equine physiological telemetry....sort of pulling in my techie-ness to try to start a new career centered on equine sports.” In Loudoun County, Mark Schroeter feels very fortunate to make a living doing something he’s passionate about: gardening. Schroeter is the head gardener at Oatlands Plantation south of Leesburg, worldfamous for its 4.5-acre formal gardens and surrounding native plantings. But he started

Old Town Crier

Nate Dailey gave up a lucrative defense contracting/IT career to spend his days with horses and playing polo.

out sitting at a desk wearing a headset, as a customer service representative at the Home Shopping Network in Florida. “I hated it, hated being inside,” he said. As a boy growing up in the Midwest, he’d always liked gardening and loved being in Florida for the beautiful and exotic tropical plants and the estates with their magnificent gardens and swans. When he finally quit his hated desk job, he marched outside and asked the head of the landscaping crew that took care of the grounds how he could get a job like that and was hired the same day. While Schroeter preferred mowing lawns to a desk job, he wisely decided to go back to school and study landscape design, botany and tried to learn everything he could about the plants he loved. This led to a job with the Architect of the U.S. Capitol where he became the head gardener for the U.S. Capitol (including the Capitol itself, the ancillary buildings and the Supreme Court). “I love to be outside, to have my hands in the dirt. But I also love to learn and in this field you never stop learning,” he said. But eventually the commute, which had lengthened to over 2 hours coming home, began to wear him down; Schroeter lived in Manassas at the time. One rainy Halloween, the drive home took six hours, so he reluctantly resigned, and took a job as head gardener at the Inn at Little Washington. But even that commute, although less rigorous, was about 100 miles a day. These days Schroeter’s drive to work is short, as he lives in Middleburg and only has to drive to Oatlands, little more than a dozen miles away. And his own garden? “I live in a townhouse,” he chuckles. “But you’re welcome to come see my garden at Oatlands.”

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July 2015 | 35

GRAPEVINE FRANK BRITT

New Kent Winery A VIRGINIA ORIGINAL

ew Kent Winery is a summer “must-stop” for vacationing out-ofstate visitors, as well as Virginians out for a relaxing experience, or neighbors making memories. The setting is spectacular. The winery is majestic. The wines are first class. It’s a Virginia original! A passion for fine wine and a lifestyle surrounded by family and good friends working together and enjoying each day is the reality created by Joe and Joanna Dombroski at New

36 | July 2015

Kent Winery. The entire Dombroski family is involved in the winery, including son Jacob as Director of Agricultural Operations. His wife Lindsay is in charge of marketing, Joseph label design and information technology. Jessica tastes and enjoys while boyfriend Kevin Keller is Tasting Room Operations Manager, and Joshua assists with landscaping and harvest. The cutest little Dombroski, Berkley Lane, brings her smile and everyone joy. New Kent is conveniently located just off Route 64 between

Richmond and Williamsburg. An environmentally sensitive winery in a perfectly beautiful setting, it was modeled to reflect an earlier time. The winery was built by craftsmen of historic materials reclaimed from buildings and structures well over a century old. Beautiful heart-pine trusses came from a 1901 Southern Railroad Depot located in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom. Heart pine structural timbers and floor timbers were recovered from a Connecticut warehouse circa 1852. The stunning exterior facade boasts handmade,

pre-Civil War bricks. Siding and roof shingles were milled from cypress logs that had been submerged in Florida rivers for more than 150 years. An impressive entrance porch leads to an expansive Tasting Room that features a ceiling of exposed heart pine wood beams, a floor of Lyptus (Eucalyptus) wood and an elegant tasting counter that can accommodate 22. Large windows provide sweeping views of the vineyards. Tastings of New Kent wines and small plate GRAPEVINE > PAGE 37

Old Town Crier

EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI

for special events inviting involvement selections are available and can be in New Kent County, neighboring enjoyed on the spacious outdoor Viniterra and Four Seasons patios and lounging porches, all communities, as well as the Viniterra surrounded by beautiful landscaping. Golf Club. New Kent’s 17,000-square-foot In addition, the winery is equipped very first New Kent with state-of-theWine Club opened art winemaking NEW KENT in May with member equipment from WINERY benefits such as around the world. 8400 Old Church Road limited release wines, Winemaker Tom New Kent, VA 20144 discounts and special Payette continues to 804-932-8240 events. A new logo share his knowledge that incorporates and guidance to newkentwinery.com the Dombroski produce fine wines name debuted on with Production “Sweet Virginia” in April, and it will Manager Kevin Jones. The vineyards be featured on the 2014 Vidal to be adjacent to the winery were planted released late summer. in 2001 and currently there are 20+ acres under cultivation with Cabernet Frank Britt is the former co-publisher Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Vidal, and co-founder of Virginia Wine Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon Lover magazine and current publisher varietals. The planting of six of the Official Virginia Wine Lover additional acres in spring 2016 will e-newsletter, “THE Source for Virginia’s move toward their goal of 50 acres in Wine news.” (www.vawinelover.com— the next few years. complimentary to Old Town Crier The Dombroski Family is excited readers). He also consults with several to welcome couples beginning wine festivals and can be reached at their journey together and recently frank@brittmarketing.com; www. enhanced the New Kent wedding vawinelover.com packages and offerings and brought on an on-site wedding coordinator, Jessica Lavold. There are also plans

Steak with garlic and mushrooms A favorite pairing recipe from New Kent Winery Use with New Kent Winery Merlot to create a rich steak sauce. Ingredients 2 beef rib eye steaks about 1 inch thick, 8 oz. each ¼ teaspoon Frontier Veggie Pepper 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoon butter, divided 4 to 8 cloves garlic thinly sliced ½ lb. sliced mushrooms ½ cup New Kent Winery Merlot Preparation Bring steaks to room temperature and tenderize by piercing with a fork several times. Sprinkle steaks with Frontier veggie pepper and kosher salt. In a large skillet, add oneTbs. of butter. Sauté the steaks for 6 minutes on each side turning once or until meat reaches desired doneness. Remove and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. In the same skillet, add 1 Tbs. butter and sliced mushrooms. Sauté mushrooms for 4 minutes

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turning once. With rubber scraper move mushrooms towards back of skillet and add garlic in open space. Sauté for 30 seconds and then immediately add ½ cup of New Kent Winery Merlot. (garlic will turn bitter if overcooked, so watch the clock for 30 seconds.) Stir. Sauté for 2 minutes or until sauce is somewhat absorbed and thickens. Spoon sauce over steaks and serve.

hen I graduated college in 1986, Syracuse University’s Operations Management program did not offer a structured career path leading me to wine production and eventually to entrepreneurism. With the loving support of my partner (and eventually, wife) I took big risks and blazed my own trail. College gave me the knowledge with which to work, and more importantly, established a building base to continue learning throughout my career. I learned the pride of physical accomplishment, teamwork and patience. I also learned important lessons in how the industry worked that I continue to utilize years later in my own business. All of this process took time and hard work. There were many days where I wished I could have moved up faster, made more money, got higher recognition or actually use my degree in my career. The reality is that my degree was helping me every day; I just could not see it at the time. Earning my degree helped my brain think in a certain way, gaining additional knowledge that was not always taught by a teacher or a lesson plan. Putting the time in as I did gave me the understanding, experience and viewpoint that has made everything else since then a success. I am not writing this to brag, but to help identify and manage the expectations of the young folks out there looking to find their trail. I believe that much of our society gives our young people expectations that work can have shortcuts to success. I spent many hours playing Mario Brothers on the original Nintendo system trying to accomplish certain levels, but one day I was taught the shortcuts and my learning process changed a bit. I see many kids these days who are always looking for the shortcuts. The reality is that when 30 tons of grapes need to be shoveled from a fermenter, there is no shortcut. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and do the work. There is no education that can replace experience, but having the education helps open doors for opportunities to gain and enrich the experience. Our county’s (and most others) biggest expense and investment is in education. However, there is a disconnect of expectations between the employers and the young folks looking for work. I frequently hear from employers that our young people do not have the work ethic or commitment of the previous generations, and I hear from young folks that they are not given the opportunity to work because they do not have the experience. Somehow developing the work ethic in the young folks while embracing the idea that education goes hand in hand with work would benefit all involved. Teachers are not bosses but maybe they should be to a certain degree. Many bosses do not teach but that may be an important factor. Having the education system embrace the connection with the business community is critical to the success of our future workforce and the health of the businesses. Identify a problem, and then work to build solutions. We need to recognize that looking for shortcuts is not the way to work through society. Recognize the value of experience and encourage the younger folks to put their time in. Teach the best way to do things and do not accept mediocrity. Value the journeymen who do the jobs every day. Honor the master that has put in the time of learning, growing and working without always grasping for the shortcuts. Life is what we do every day and we should take pride in each job. Experience takes time and it has tremendous value.

Education vs. Experience

July 2015 | 37

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

n three fox vineyards juLy events n

n 4: rich Giersch n 11: the paLio • annie stokes • bracco itaLian wine festivaL n 18: movin’ on n 19: paint niGht n 25: annie stokes • fauquier wine reLease weekend n 26: 6th annuaL 5k run/1 miLe waLk • farm effect food truck n

Blue Ridge Wine Way www.blueridgewineway.com The Blue Ridge Wine Way features eight wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains of the Northern Virginia region. Botetourt County Wine Trail botetourtwinetrail.com The Wine Trail of Botetourt Country features three wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Eastern Shore Wine Trail esvatourism.org The Eastern Shore of Virginia Wine Trail hosts three wineries along the Land Between Two Waters. This area is a unique rural coastal environment. Hundreds of miles of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for beach-lovers, fishermen, and boaters in addition to wine lovers.

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Fauquier County Wine Trail fauquiertourism.com/wineries.html Fauquier County is home to 16 wineries and vineyards —each with its own unique flavors. Enjoy awardwinning Virginia wines, wine tastings and tours. Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail svwga.org The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail is an association of six vineyards and wineries. Loudoun Wine Trail visitloudoun.org Loudouns Wine Trail in Northern Virginia takes you through Virginias hunt country to 23 participating wineries.

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

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

Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail chesapeakebaywinetrail.com The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, in the Chesapeake Bay region, highlights six different wineries. Heart of Virginia Wine Trail www.hovawinetrail.com The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail in Central Virginia presents several events throughout the year at four wineries located in the central region of the state. Blue Ridge Wine Trail blueridgewinetrail.com The Blue Ridge Wine Trail features five wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains all within minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Generals Wine & History Trail thegeneralswinetrail.com In 2009, 10 wineries banded together to form a new type wine trail experience. The new wine trail experience was to tie our rich wine heritage with our rich historical heritage and thus the Generals Wine & History Trail was born. Monticello Wine Trail monticellowinetrail.com The Monticello Wine Trail leads to 24 wineries from its hub in Charlottesville. Source: Virginia Wine Marketing Office

38 | July 2015

For More Information: virginiawine.org Visiting Virginia’s Wine Country Its always a good idea to call before visiting. Many Virginia wineries are small, family-owned operations and may be closed during the time you are planning to visit. If you are a group of eight or more, call ahead to help the winery prepare for your visit and to make sure they can accept groups. Most of our wineries have grape cluster highway signs within a ten-mile radius pointing the way to the winery. Many of these signs also tell you how many miles to go before reaching the winery.

Old Town Crier

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

A Black & White Life in Living Color My Momma always said, “Life was like a box. You never know when you’re gonna need them.” As a child of a military parent, we saved boxes for the next move.

ishing began for me shortly after we left England and moved to Missouri. My Dad fished and I’m pretty sure the only reason he took me with him, when I was around three, was a condition of his release from home duties. My earliest memories include walking around the pond with my Dad and stepping onto the lily pads… falling in the water and being sworn to secrecy not to tell Mom. Fishing at three was nothing more than tossing bread to witness hundreds of bluegill swarming to get their fair share. Daytime excitement led to nighttime despair as Dad came into my bedroom to assure there were no fish, eager to eat my toes,

under my bed. Flashlight in hand, Dad clearly showed the coast was clear. To this day, Dad thinks I fish just to get even with those imaginary toe-nibblers. By the time I got to high school, I had attended nine schools. I made friends through fishing. In the 60s, we moved from Rhode Island to Turkey. TV was black and white with only 3 channels. When Dad wanted the channel changed, we were the remote control. There wasn’t any TV in Turkey. I acquired my appreciation of radio and an influence on my future talk radio career. Saturday was movie night. There were 6 James Bond movies in the 60s. There were 29 Clay/ Ali fights. A Bond movie

Bassing IN JULY Potomac River

Hollow frogs like Mann’s NEW Goliath on 60-pound GAMMA Torque Braid are perfect over matted grass. Also try toad style soft plastics with a Mustad Ultra Point Swimbait hook. Using a weighted hook will allow the bait to go faster and cast further! In open areas without grass, try Lucky Craft Gunfish walkers and G-Splash poppers, perfect for clear and calm water with overcast skies! Walk the dog with the Gunfish and don’t stop when fish strike! They will come back. For poppers, pop and stop, varying

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every 20 months and an Ali fight every three months. Much different than today’s revolving door of actors on the screen and in the ring. Returning to the US and our new Alabama home, we fished, targeting anything that swam, as I was yet to become a bass species snob. We went wherever our legs or Schwinn’s would carry us. We didn’t wear helmets, worry about bad neighborhoods or bad people. With our only rod across the handlebars, exploring was part of the adventure. If a buddy didn’t have a bike, they sat on the seat and we would stand up and pedal all the way to the lake. No bait shop stops for us. Find a stick and scratch for worms. For tackle, we had ZEBCO reels, Berkley lines, and Mustad hooks. We did almost everything to get hooks back, including diving for them. We got very good at climbing trees too. To my knowledge, no one fell out of

a tree and broke their neck. If we broke a line and lost our hook, it was nothing to ask a complete stranger to spare one. Eventually we fished with artificial worms, finding plenty of Mann’s Jelly worms. We used them even though they didn’t smell like worms. They smelled like fruit. I kept in step with black Chuck Converse high top canvas shoes, shorts and a t-shirt. Hats were worn with the bill facing front except

when playing baseball, and you were the catcher. The only reason our pants might have been baggy was because we hadn’t quite grown into the hand-me-downs from older brothers, cousins or neighbors. Belts kept our pants from falling down! Boys went to a barbershop to get the same haircuts, not a salon. If Mom wanted to reach us, she called a neighbor to begin the Mom phone tree. No GO FISH > PAGE 42

retrieves until a cadence produces. Also try Mann’s Waker over cover. Follow-up with weightless stickworms like Mann’s 5-inch HardNose Freefall worm on 10-pound test GAMMA Edge Fluorocarbon line for missed bites! Mann’s Baby 1-Minus crankbaits, in craw and baitfish patterns will work over wood and grass. For line, 12-14 pound test Edge on a KVD Quantum cranking rod. Mann’s Reel N’ Shad is deadly this time of year. Pitch Mizmo tubes on 3/0 Mustad Tube hooks on 14-pound Edge to docks and wood at higher tides, and then grass during every tidal phase. Use scents like garlic Jack’s Juice Bait Spray. Also try swimming jigs like Mann’s Stone Jigs with a HardNose Reel’ N Shad around cover.

July 2015 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

he dog days of summer are upon us and with the warm weather and longer days we all have a chance to get outdoors and enjoy some summer activities. Whether you are participating in sports or other physical activities during these hot months, it is important to keep in mind the potential risks that come with exercising in the heat. As long as you understand how to safely work out in the heat, there is no reason not to take advantage of what summer has to offer. There are many factors that contribute to how our bodies adjust in the heat. Air temperature and humidity play a major role in the body’s ability to regulate itself. Let’s say you’re running

EXERCISING IN THE HEAT How to safely work out in hot conditions in 80-degree heat and the humidity is low. Your body will be able to regulate temperature easily because the environment is cooler than your body temperature— which is typically 98.6 degrees. Up the humidity to

95 percent, and your shirt is sticking to your body because the sweat is no longer evaporating. When the temperature outside exceeds our internal temperature, the body loses its only natural defense

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against overheating, which is the ability to sweat. The evaporation of sweat from the skin allows the body to cool down. However, when the humidity level is too high, there is less evaporation and therefore less cooling. This combination of high humidity and high temperature can be dangerous if a person is exposed for too long without proper hydration. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two dangerous side effects that can happen when the body can no longer handle the heat. Signs of heat exhaustion include general fatigue, weakness, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, and an increase in body temperature. A body temperature above 104, an inability to sweat, acute respiratory distress, and loss of consciousness can be signs of heat stroke, which is more severe and can lead to death if not treated immediately. This does not mean that you should avoid going outside to have a great summer workout. Just be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent overheating and dehydration. Here are some tips for exercising in the heat. By following these guidelines, you will be able to safely exercise outdoors during the hot summer months:

Keep Hydrated

It is very important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Once you start to feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. Try to stick to non-caffieinated beverages (preferably water) or some type of sports drink. To stay properly hydrated during exercise, drink at least one cup of water 15 minutes prior to the beginning of exercise, and a gulp or two every 15 minutes during the workout.

Eat Regularly

It is important to keep eating during the day. Try to get five small meals a day.

For many people, the heat decreases appetite, but your body still needs the energy. Fruits and vegetables are great for energy and will also help with some hydration.

Wear Loose-fitting Clothing

Try to find clothes that are light and breathable. The best type of clothing to wear is something that is designed to wick sweat away from the body.

Wear Sunscreen

Even if you are out early in the morning, if you are exposed to the sun, it can give you a burn. Sunburns can hinder the body’s ability to cool itself. Workout at times of the day that are cooler and stick to familiar activities. The best times to work out are in the early mornings before the sun has a chance to warm up, or in the late afternoon when it starts to cool down. Try to avoid exercising during the hottest parts of the day (usually between 10am and 4pm).

Warm Up and Cool Down

Warming up before exercise and cooling down after is very important Give your body a chance to adjust to the outside temperature before beginning your activity. Five minutes of walking or a light jog is a good way to prepare you for a workout. When you are done with the workout be sure to cool down. An example of a cool down would be walking for five or ten minutes to allow your heart rate to return to normal. Avoid extreme temperature changes. Never go right from a hot sweaty workout into cold air conditioning. Don’t forget that we’re living in a city—we don’t have the luxury of running on unpaved country roads—the majority of the trails we enjoy are paved—which radiate heat— greatly increasing the heat from the environment.

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER

PLYOMETRICS!

RYAN UNVERZAGT

f you are a weekend warrior who loves to compete in various sports throughout the year, or just an ordinary Joe who’s looking for something new, you should consider adding plyometrics to your exercise program. Plyometrics is a form of jump training that has been proven to increase the muscle’s ability to produce power. Why is this important? An increase in power results in an increase in speed, strength, or a combo of the two, which means you will have an advantage over your competition and be lighter on your feet. Another benefit of plyometric training is it can be performed outside with minimal equipment needed. Factors such as age, strength, body weight, previous injuries, and training experience should be carefully evaluated before beginning a plyometric program. The National Strength & Conditioning Association

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(NSCA) recommends a lowerbody strength prerequisite because of its intense nature. A person must be strong enough to free-weight squat at least 1.5 times their own body weight. For example, a 180lb person must be able to squat a minimum of 270lbs! For a beginner, this would require twelve to sixteen weeks of progressive resistance training to reach this strength guideline. The minimum age requirement depends on the physical and mental maturity level of the adolescent. Please check with your family physician to help determine if your child is physically ready to start with basic plyometric training. The maximum age relies heavily on current health conditions such as obesity, arthritis, or past joint surgeries. Several studies have shown that lowlevel plyometrics can help increase bone density in older participants.

The NSCA recommends for those who weigh more than 220lbs should not depth

jump from a height higher than 18 inches. Depth jumps are one of the most advanced techniques in which a person stands on a higher surface, steps off, lands on a lower surface and jumps as high as possible. As mentioned earlier, this should only be performed after a solid strength base and previous training experience has been established. Besides having a solid strength base, you must also have great technique, especially upon landing from a jump. Most injuries happen during the landing, and rarely on the take off. Landing mechanics need to focus on proper foot placement and flexion of the hips, knees and ankles. Foot placement should be shoulder-width apart, with hips flexed about 130 degrees, knees flexed to 110 degrees, and ankles flexed about 75 degrees. I always teach my clients to “land softly” as to absorb the impact by pushing the hips back and flexing the

knees, similar to sitting in a chair. Your torso should be leaned slightly forward at the waist with good posture in the low back. Avoid slamming your feet down on the landing surface. A correct landing should be as quiet as a mouse. These are just a few things to consider before trying any jump training. I will list and explain the physiology, program design, and some basic plyometric drills in the next month’s issue of the Old Town Crier…….stay tuned! Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). Ryan is also a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

July 2015 | 41

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CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PG 9

way beyond the ken of modern metrosexual sissies. How would one know it was Ferguson ambushing you? Well, who else would be throwing heads taken from the last ambush into the road? Taylor Swift warns all he’s ever gonna be is mean — he’s okay with that, and thanks for noticing. Before the war, Ferguson was a successful farmer with a wife and daughter, living in eastern Tennessee where it meets Virginia and North Carolina. Ferguson was mean even before the war. In 1858, he and some friends tied the local sheriff to a tree; then he rode around the tree hacking the sheriff to death with a sabre. He also stabbed another man at a religious revival, though the victim lived. When the war broke out, the Confederacy decided it might have use for this sort of man and offered to forgive his priors if he joined the army. Ferguson did join. His Unionist counterparts then made the mistake of marching his wife and daughter through town naked (and maybe worse) while he was on patrol. He vowed to personally kill every man who participated; the story is he kept his promise. The last was a Union officer who had been wounded at Saltville in October 1864. When Ferguson heard the Union partisan was in hospital at Emory & Henry College, he rode there straightaway, found the guy, and shot him in his hospital bed. In the mountains of Tennessee and Virginia, there was not much official government control on either side, meaning that atrocities were common-place and personal, as one often had Hatfield-McCoy issues to work out with the neighbors. So Ferguson had no hesitation in killing neighbors he suspected of favoring the Union – he would simply knock on the front door and gun them down when they let him in. Ferguson is probably most notorious for murdering Colored troopers captured at Saltville. There are three versions of this story. First, that Ferguson was seen on the battlefield personally executing wounded Negroes and their white officers. The second is that he was seen in the hospitals executing Colored cavalrymen and stopped only upon the approach of Confederate regulars in Thomas’ Legion. The third is Ferguson’s own, given at his trial; he was not on the battlefield to execute anyone because he was miles away at Emory & Henry, preoccupied with killing the Union man who had insulted his wife. Executing captured blacks was unofficial policy in 1864, so Ferguson really had no reason to fib. He

also readily admitted to personally killing over 100 men — twice the number of killings he was on trial for — and he knew they were going to hang him no matter what he said. Ferguson was captured when he returned to his farm after the war. The prosecuting witnesses were Unionist partisans – pretty much the Hatfields trying the McCoys — so the outcome was predetermined, though the Unionist guerillas were guilty of plenty of atrocities themselves. Ferguson was hung at age 43 in October of 1865 — maybe. There is a story that sympathizers bribed the hangman to botch the hanging in a good way, permitting his wife and daughter to spirit off his coffin before anyone caught on. Supposedly the family moved to California, where Ferguson had a son. The son visited Saltville in the early 1900s and let on Ferguson had survived — in the end just too mean to kill. I thought of Ferguson, and people like Ferguson, years ago when I read Pat Buchanan’s editorial titled New Tribe Rising? Read it for yourself at: http://buchanan.org/blog/newtribe-rising-3930. Recognizing that our nation is as divided as it has ever been, Buchanan argues that a new type of white American, the Tea Party type, is arising as America loses the culture wars. I disagree with Buchanan and subscribe more to Jim Webb’s view of the Scotch-Irish in Born Fighting. These people have never gone away, though they are dismissed as rednecks or hillbillies or “Teabaggers.” Webb argues convincingly that the core values that used to define American culture, and which newcomers assimilated into, arose out of Scotch-Irish values like selfreliance, contempt for authority and a touchy sense of personal honor enforced by personal combat, all burned into the middle class psyche during the nation’s formative years, say 17751836. If Buchanan is right, it should (but probably won’t) give our masters pause that there are still plenty of Fergusons out there, slouching towards Washington to be born. Or, if Webb is right, these rough beasts have always been among us. “The past is never dead. It’s not even past,” which could be why “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria. Comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@colemanlawyers.com.

GO FISH FROM PG 39

texting or cell calls. We lived in the Washington, DC area and fished in the Potomac River in 1960 when the TV Indian Chief cried a tear as pollution created dead seas. Late in the 60s, moving from Alabama back to the DC area in Virginia, I brought southern boy bass knowledge to the Potomac. Locals were just discovering fish in this river. At my age, I thought bass were everywhere. It didn’t surprise me when I tossed a Mepp’s spinner and started reeling them in. This was not long after Clean Water legislation had done its part to clean up the Nation’s River that President Johnson had called a “NATIONAL DISGRACE.” The Potomac was becoming one of the country’s best bass

fisheries. Today Pan Am is gone, our food is fast, there’s a substitute for sugar, and we have become label conscious. Trips were taken in station wagons without seatbelts, not in minivans with airbags. Fishing still forges friendships. Living in and out of boxes, our hometown was where we unpacked. Our belongings were packed in boxes. Our experiences were carried in our memories. Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide and contributing writer for BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.

Old Town Crier

FIRST BLUSH GENEVIEVE LeFRANC

veryone loves the idea of exploring an exotic or foreign land so now that summer’s in full swing, it’s time to plan your vacation. However, traveling is stressful and can cramp your style, especially when it comes to your beauty routine. Looking good while traveling is a major challenge whether you’re jet setting halfway around the globe, catching a train for a spontaneous weekend getaway, or flying for a business trip. Let’s face it: filling plastic mini bottles with your favorite products feels too much like preparing for summer camp, and the faulty, cheap lids inevitably spill their contents all over your digital camera or silk blouse. Instead, opt for a pared down assortment of basic travel musthaves that will keep you looking your best no matter where you’re going or how far. The key to looking radiant at all times is moisturizing. When you are forced to subject your skin to the dehydrating effects of cabin pressure and stale airplane air, your complexion ends up looking dull, tired, and sallow. Perk up with my all-time favorite travel weapon: Caudalie Grape Water spray. This light, refreshing mist is a grape seed based water toner enriched with mineral salts that works for all skin types—even the most sensitive— and acts as an instant pick-me-up no matter how tired, jetlagged, or queasy you feel from your travels. It is 100% plant-based water extracted directly from grapes and boasts unbelievable moisturizing properties. I use this product for anything and everything when I travel and you’ll find yourself reaching for it constantly, too. Use it to refresh suffocated airline skin; sooth a sunburn; and as a toner after cleansing or removing makeup. Stash it in your beach bag for cooling off at the beach, to rejuvenate makeup, and for surviving stuffy hotels without air conditioning. Spray it in light strokes over your skin and refrain from patting dry—simply let your skin drink in its goodness. For optimum freshness, store your spray in the fridge. It’s refreshing, hydrating, soothing, and environmentally friendly. Remember, as a general rule, to keep your hands off your face at all times to minimize unsightly breakouts while on vacation. The last thing

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Beauty Travel Tips you want is a zit when you spot a celebrity, meet someone interesting on the plane, or are posing for your honeymoon pictures! Think about all the bacteria you are picking up while traveling: the London Underground, the Paris Metro, countless taxis, ATMs, and virtually anything in an airplane. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly if you’re going to be applying makeup while in transit. If you’re an experienced traveler, you know how far a dazzling smile can get you when bartering at the local markets, hailing a taxi, trying to communicate with a non-English speaker, or pushing for an upgrade with a cranky airport employee. Having sparkling white teeth and fresh breath can really make you feel more confident and much less grimy from your travels, but toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste aren’t always readily available or in convenient shapes to simply stash in your carryon. Buy a pack of disposable Colgate Wisp mini traveling toothbrushes for that “Just Brushed Clean” feeling anytime, anywhere. These three and a half inch brushes are the perfect size for a purse or pocket and allow you to brush

on the go with no water or rinsing required, so you really can take it anywhere. The mini brush on one end comes with a Freshening Bead that releases a liquid to give you clean, icy cool breath while cleaning your teeth, and a soft pick at the opposite end to reach tight spaces. Although designed for single use, each pack comes with four brushes so you can freshen up as often as necessary and you can pick from six different options: coolmint, cinnamint, spearmint, peppermint, icy bubble, or coolmint plus whitening. Too much sun, wind, chlorine, or dry, static-inducing airplane air can leave your hair yearning for some serious help. The quickest, easiest way to give it a boost when you don’t have time to shower is to use a dry shampoo. My favorite is Oscar Blandi’s Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray To Go. Available in an adorable yellow, travel-size spray version of the popular powder form, this innovative product absorbs excess oil and product build-up while also cleaning and deodorizing hair whenever a shower just isn’t an option. Not only does it degrease your strands, it provides texture and adds increased volume at

the roots when unfamiliar climates leave your hair looking flat and lifeless while blending with your hair color seamlessly. Add a big European scarf wrapped around your neck to make your dirty, disheveled hair look trés chic. Added bonus: it strengthens hair, nourishes the scalp, and adds a delicious, clean scent. To revive damaged ‘dos after a full day at the beach, use one of my favorite cheap drugstore products, Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner. Its intense, fortifying conditioners are a simple fix for distressed tresses. You won’t be able to stop running your hands through your satiny locks, or stop sniffing them with its addictive, summery coconut scent. Freshly manicured nails always make me feel more polished, sophisticated, and put together, but traveling can take a serious toll on your paint job. Although nearly impossible to avoid, chipped nails are just tacky and who really wants to waste a minute of vacation redoing your manicure? Fortunately, there is a manicure/pedicure technology from CND called Shellac. A Shellac manicure or pedicure lasts a whopping 14 days without a single chip, nick, or smudge, complete with a highshine mirror finish that simply cannot compare to any other product available now. Its scratch-free, patentpending formulation of solvents, monomers, and polymers is why Shellac goes on like a polish, wears like a gel, and removes in minutes. Shellac is applied just like any regular nail polish, but after each coat, the polish is cured for ten seconds under the CND UV lamp. It’s also hypoallergenic and contains no formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP. The product strengthens your nails while preventing damage and boasts zero drying time so you can immediately text, drive, or fish around in your purse for your sunglasses or room key. Although a fairly recent advance, Shellac is available in more than 20 gorgeous shades to suit any personality, and best of all, you never have to worry about wrecking your nails during the embarrassing task of yanking your over packed suitcase off the luggage carousel while trying to remain graceful. Bon voyage, beauties!

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SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

ife lines are a continuing topic of fear and consternation for clients and palmistryvoyeurs. The life line begins in the space between the first finger and thumb and it curves around the base of the thumb, also known as the Venus mount. It may be short (not going all the way around to the wrist) or it may be long (going down and to the base of the wrist). Either is perfectly great. It may be deep or it may be wispy, again, this is not indicative of “good” or “bad” but rather in alignment with the type of hand you have. When I read hands, unless I’ve been asked about it specifically, I rarely read the life line, not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because I find most clients seeking information about money, love or career have more significant markings in their hands! If you want to know about your life line, definitely ask. I promise it won’t be scary! You might be the strongest bad-ass in the world, leading legions of people in their work and purpose, but when you’re confronted with the

The

possibility that a stranger may look at your hands and tell you the time of your death you shiver in fear or defiantly walk away before learning what the line can really mean for your life. Life lines are often glossed over in training, given a few hours or a half day at most in a year-long training program. It seems, at first, that all you need to know as a hand reader is that the life line doesn’t show the length of one’s life, but rather how grounded and focused one is in their physical being. However, deeper study over the past 12 years indicates something more involved. The life line shows your selfidentity. It’s the “life you are leading” right now, how you’re showing up in the world and how you’re identifying with that role you’re playing in your daily life. Sometimes I see multiple life lines. From a textbook perspective, if you had multiple life lines we’d talk about you “burning the candle at both ends” or protecting a part of you/your family. That’s an excellent place to start the discussion, but the deeper

meaning is often that this burning the candle at both ends or creating a protective layer is a result of leading two (or more) lives. For instance, you might be an animal advocate by day, but had to take on a night job at the meat processing plant by night to pay the bills. Obviously you’d feel that you were leading two lives! Many years ago I read the hands of a delightful woman who had three very distinct jobs in a relatively small town. Generally holding down multiple jobs may be indicated in a strong Saturnian configuration, often coupled with intensity in the Mercury zone. Some of us are hard-wired to put money in the bank and the discussion would revolve around value and identifying when there is “enough.” That was part of the conversation with this lady. However, the consulting went deeper when it was revealed that she used a different NAME at each of her jobs. There were three distinct personalities that she brought to life in each role she performed in the workforce. Throughout our work

Pragmatic Palmist PEGGIE ARVIDSON

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

Phone and Skype appointments are also available!

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

44 | July 2015

The Truth About Your Life LiNe together she at first felt very attached to the three separate personas and felt that if they blended together she’d be “outed” at work and that it could have a negative effect on her ability to earn her income. There was no history or indication of mental illness, this was simply the way she had chosen to express her very distinct skill sets in order to earn her income. While you may wonder how you can combine your accounting background with your interest in design and your certification as a Reiki Master, this kind and diligent woman didn’t bother to merge her various skills into one united business but rather brought each skill individually to a separate endeavor. (By the way, these weren’t her three careers, it’s just an example.) Over the years we’ve kept in touch and I’ve watched as she’s released the jobs and work that weren’t serving her. I also delight in the way she’s blossomed into embracing her most “woo-woo” of gifts and brought that into the world professionally. She’s gleefully bringing joy and healing into the community and world at large by doing her work

without worry about being “found out” as a woo-woo practitioner. Does it surprise you to learn that she now has ONE life line? As a hand analyst, I tread lightly on this topic and present various options for a client with multiple life lines. After all, some people have been living a double life for a long time and having their “cover blown” could be emotionally or physically dangerous. As you can see, there’s so much in your life line, but not one iota of information about the time of your death! Peggie Arvidson, the Pragmatic Palmist is a healer, teacher and soul coach as well as the founder of The Profitable Alchemist Academy. She’s helped thousands of people connect with their life purpose and put it to work for them through private readings, small group classes and individual coaching programs. You can learn more & sign up to receive your free mini-reading at PeggieArvidson.com. She’s also available for private sessions at Rising Phoenix Holistic Center in downtown Manassas, Va.

Old Town Crier

OPEN SPACE BONNIE BROWNING

never met my grandmother, “Babe. When my mother, “Bonnie Lee” was 16, Babe died in a car accident in Gonzales, Texas. I’ve listened intently to stories about Babe throughout my life, craving to know the matriarch who inspired three generations of independent women in my family. Told by my mother and my aunts Nancy and Sissy, most are related with laughter, some with tears, and often with disagreement over details. This storytelling has allowed an heirloom of independence to be passed down to the grandchildren and great grandchildren Babe never knew. The choices she made weren’t easy and may not have always been right, but each was made as she fought to be in control of her own life. To me, the purest definition of Independence: The ability to control one’s own life.” To control one’s own life; it’s what women want, men want and what countries want. It was also something almost impossible for a woman born in San Marcos, TX in 1915. Her given name was Ann Etta Stanley. That’s “Ann (space) Etta”. To some she was Annetta; the census takers had gotten it wrong from time to time, as did the coroner on her death certificate. She would have hated that. I’m certain she haunted that careless man for at least a few nights after his pronouncement of her death. So as you can imagine an easy nickname like “Babe” was welcome and made life simpler. Legend has it her nickname came from the song, “Pistol Packin’ Mama” recorded in 1943.

The bigger anomaly of the time was a strong woman, single by choice and deciding to raise children alone. For the time, it was considered such an aberration that when she divorced my grandfather her 4 children were placed by the state in an orphanage in San Antonio, TX. They told Babe, “Just until you get on your feet.” Right. What they really meant was “Just until you find another husband.” So ironically that’s what she did. As she continued to fight to be in control of her own life, she wanted her children back, so she got married again. Just. Like. That.

BABE AND AN HEIRLOOM OF INDEPENDENCE

Drinkin’ beer in a cabaret And I was havin’ fun! Until one night she caught me right, And now I’m on the run Lay that pistol down Babe, Lay that pistol down, Pistol Packin’ Mama, Lay that pistol down. The chorus was pondered by Al Dexter as he listened to a Texas barmaid relating her witness of a guntoting, woman scorned who gave chase to the “other woman” through a barbed wire fence. The troubadour considered what he’d say to a woman with a gun. “Lay that pistol down, Babe, lay that piston down” was the poetic response that laid foundation to the famous song. Now pardon me for a moment but I’m from Texas, and in 1943 a few guns and pistols present in a

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household were more than normal. As the stories are told, the image of Ann Etta gun wielding to make a point or scare off an unwanted suitor is vivid, frightening, retrospectively hilarious and oddly empowering. “Babe” was a moniker well earned.

I’ll see you every night Babe, I’ll woo you every day, I’ll be your regular Daddy, If you’ll put that gun away. Lay that pistol down Babe, Lay that pistol down, Pistol Packin’ Mama, Lay that pistol down.

Soon after, word spread though the orphanage that the baby was born. My Aunt Nancy, the eldest, decided to run away to go see the new sister. Nancy was returned to the orphanage the next morning; defeated but not beaten. In reality it was a victory, as she had met her goal. She delighted her siblings with the story of how she had ducked behind buildings, run down back roads, through fields and across town. The younger children begged for details about the new baby “Sissy”. Nancy knew she wouldn’t be on the run for long, but that victory sustained her and the group for a few more months until they were allowed to go home to Babe. Though the chosen clutch player, the new stepfather was not the greatest of catches. Before the orphanage, “Mac” would come to visit Babe without rave reviews from her children. After the anticlimax of a new marriage and the birth of his own child to favor, he grew more unpredictable and bad quickly got worse. On what seemed to be a more carefree day, Mac teased the girls with a pair of scissors as he gave chase, playfully threatening their long braided pigtails. Bonnie Lee was finally caught, giggling and shrieking. She resisted of course, and struggled to break away. As laughter turned to tears and tears turned to

fear the unthinkable happened. Suddenly the two tethered pigtails became one; the other was waved giddily by Mac, as if a flag flown in triumph. Stunned and silent for a moment, the reality of what must be done washed over Bonnie Lee and Babe. A lone pigtail has no purpose; the other must be sacrificed as well. Nancy stood agape and speechless. She felt both grateful and guilty - her pigtails still in tact. But Mac explained “fair was fair”. Since sister Bonnie’s had to go, Nancy must now step up to the gallows. With two quick snips, years of my Nancy’s long locks fell to the ground. Now, they could both be taken for boys. Soon after, as the story goes, an iron skillet full of hot bacon grease flung by Babe at then end of a row encouraged Mac to move on. His final attempt to control the family was to pour the milk into the yard along with what little food, just to make single motherhood a little harder. But Babe was single again and in control of her own life. This time, she got to keep her children. She kicked out my windshield, She hit me over the head,  She cussed and cried, and said I lied, And I wished that I was dead. Lay that pistol down Babe, Lay that pistol down, Pistol Packin’ Mama, Lay that pistol down.  The storytelling continues and I’m excited when I hear one new to me. Babe died when she was 49, which is the same age I am now. She lived her life the way she wanted and made few excuses. She loved strongly. For better or worse, she was in control of her own life. My wish for all women, men, and countries! Happy Independence Day! Dedicated to: Mom, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Sissy, Janetta, Cissy, Nancy, Peggy, Caroline, Charlotte, Shae, Shannon, new Baby Girl Houghtaling and, of course, Babe. Bonnie Browning is co-founder of AVID Productions with founder Glenn Morel. Bonnie is an "AVID" motorcycle enthusiast and entrepreneur. She is a Texan who splits her time between Austin and Washington, DC where AVID is based. For more information about AVID visit avidproductions.com

July 2015 | 45

national harbor juLY EVENTS Visit www.NationalHarbor.com for more information and holiday itineraries.

Saturdays and Sundays Millers Farm Market On American Way 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Miller Farms offers a wide variety of local seasonal fruits and vegetables along with some imports: lemons, limes, pineapple, etc.; as well as baked goods and flowers.

8th Potomac Riverboat Kids Groove Cruise Departing: 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm Perfect for kids of all ages! Buy your ticket at the National Harbor ticket booth. Cruise will depart from McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant. Adults $12 Kids 2-11 $6

Fitness on the Potomac with WillPower Functional Fitness On the Plaza – Free!

Through the19th UniverSoul Circus The Plateau At the UniverSoul Circus, you do more than see a show, you become a part of it. Imagine being a part of the largest pop-up game of circus beach ball ever or actually riding a “real” African elephant. For more information nationalharbor. com/events.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 2nd Zumba 9th Cardio Kickboxing 16th Zumba 23rd Cardio Kickboxing 30th Cardio Kickboxing Live Music on the Plaza On the Plaza – Free! 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm 3rd Key of Us 10th John Ware Trio 17th The Crimestoppers 24th The Groove Band 31st The Randy Thompson Band Military Concert Series On the Plaza – Free! 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 11th U.S. Navy Band featuring the Commodores! 20th U.S. Army Band

Movies on the Potomac On the Plaza – Free! 6:00 pm Nothing says summer like a movie under the stars. Bring you chairs and grab food to go from one of the fun places on the plaza and meet in front of the jumbo screen. Fun for everyone. No coolers. 5th Viewers Choice TBA 12th Journey to the Center of the Earth 19th Jumanji 26th Flintstones

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH OF JULY AT NATIONAL HARBOR! 46 | July 2015

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NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE AROMA DITALI 156 National Plaza 301-839-3492

ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014

BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445

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

CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com

GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788

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GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY 200 American Way 240-493-3900 Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspub andkitchen.com McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000

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

ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 Walrus Oyster & Ale House 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100

REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330

July 2015 | 47

Potomac RiveRboat comPany SightSeeing – Private CharterS – Water taxiS

private yacht charter Cruise the waters of the Potomac River with its postcard views of the DC skyline. Business entertainment, private parties, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries are our specialties. We take the art of entertaining to a whole new level, no matter what the occasion. You and your guests will remember the cruise for years to come. Quality service begins with custom planning to suit your needs.

alexandria – national harbor Water taxi

washington by wateR monuments cRuise

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

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

george WaShington’S mount veRnon by wateR cRuise

Water taxi to the national Mall

potomac belle Docked in Old Town Alexandria

For reservations and additional information

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

Arrive by boat and spend the afternoon exploring the 45-acre estate, grounds, Museum and Education Center.

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

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

703.684.0580

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ESCAPE FROM THE EVERYDAY CHOOSE A SPA TREATMENT: 50-minute Customized Massage 50-minute Customized Facial 50-minute Lemon Grass Body Polish CHOOSE A SALON TREATMENT: Classique Pedicure Shellac Manicure PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES: Lunch Complimentary Self-parking Champagne Full Use of Spa Facilities Amenities

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