Since 1988 • Priceless
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
August 2019
Let’s Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer! oldtowncrier.com
Setting the Standard In Old Town Since 1979
august’19 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Schultz
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28
A Bit of History............................................................. 16
First Blush.........................................................................43
Personality Profile............................................................ 4
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703. 669. 5502
After Hours.......................................................................11
Fitness................................................................................41
Points on Pets.................................................................18
Alexandria Events............................................................ 4
From the Bay….............................................................22
Arts & Antiques..............................................................13
From the Trainer............................................................42
CONTRIBUTORS Meg Mullery Melinda Myers Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Ashley Schultz Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown Wanda Lou Willis Molly Winans
Behind the Bar................................................................30
Gallery Beat.....................................................................12
Business Profile................................................................. 6
Go Fish...............................................................................45
Special Feature: Independence Day.....................40
Caribbean Connection...............................................20
Grapevine.........................................................................36
Social Media Message................................................... 2
Cooking Corner..............................................................34
High Notes.......................................................................10
Spiritual Renaissance...................................................44
Dining Guide...................................................................32
National Harbor.............................................................47
Dining Out.......................................................................29
National Harbor Events..............................................48
Entertainment: Blackbeard.......................................11
On the Road with OTC................................................... 1
Exploring Virginia Wines............................................37
Open Space.....................................................................46
To the Blue Ridge..........................................................26
Financial Focus.................................................................. 8
Pets of the Month.........................................................19
Urban Garden.................................................................14
Peggie Arvidson Nancy Bauer Sarah Becker F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Victoria Elliot Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc Sarah Liu Michael McLeod
© 2018 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas and St. John, USVI.
Since 1988 • Priceless
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Publisher’s Notes.............................................................. 2 Road Trip...........................................................................24
Tall Ship Providence Update....................................15 The Last Word.................................................................... 9
Photo: Ellynne Brice Davis
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
August 2019
Photo: Jorg Wolters
Let’s Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer! oldtowncrier.com
about the cover This is Jet. Each summer he and his owner spend their “Dog Days of Summer” swimming in the Patapsco River to cool off. As you can tell, he loves tennis balls. Jet is also a National Agility champion. “Jet is my heart and just loves life and fun. He is a very young 14 years old” - Owner and photographer, Debbie Baracco
Old Town Crier
on the road with OTC Versatile actor Henry Thedens of Hamburg, Germany was in Southern Maryland to appear as guest artist for a Fundraiser banquet held at Bailey’s Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown on May 2. His dinner show, An Evening With Marlene Dietrich, raised just over $5,000 for Lions Camp Merrick, a children’s summer camp located in Nanjemoy, MD, which provides vital services to children with diabetes, impaired hearing, or impaired vision. In the photo he is sampling French fries with Old Bay seasoning, and Key Lime pie from Stoney’s Kingfisher restaurant in Solomons, MD. Henri wanted to be sure that the OTC traveled with him to his hometown and was kind enough to send photos. If you would like to see your picture here, take the OTC on your next adventure, snap a high resolution photo and send it along with information for the caption to office@ oldtowncrier.com. Happy Trails!
August 2019 | 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
I
BOB TAGERT
have lived in this area for 68 years and I cannot remember sustained days of 100 degree temperatures like we had last month. Let's hope August is more pleasant. Hopefully you are in a nice air conditioned space while you peruse this issue. In the From the Bay section we visited the three otters that reside at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland. Native to the area, they are seldom seen as they sleep all day and eat and play at dusk and dawn. To beat the heat, Miriam Kramer tells us in Last Word about three books worth reading this month. In Personality Profile, Michael McLeod writes about third generation shepherd Tom Wilson and his Border Collies (cover photo). In Exploring Virginia Wines, Doug Fabbioli talks about the art of farming as a Virginia wine maker. In this month’s Open Space, Lori Welch Brown lets the heat get to her and writes about flared tempers and also touches on the reversal role of father/ daughter caretaker role. In A Bit of History, Sarah Becker relates to the Character of a Nation. In Dining Out, we visited an Alexandria original, Shooter McGee's Restaurant, which is celebrating 40 years of watching us all grow up. This eatery and classic bar has stood the test of time and has thrived through the years. Road Trip takes us through the farming countryside of St. Mary's County to beautiful Leonardtown, Maryland. Where once tobacco was king, today’s farmer grows the traditional crops but vineyards are beginning to spring up and corn is grown to make whiskey, and Leonardtown sits in the middle...”a Most Convenient Place”. The Old Town waterfront is once again graced with our own Tall Ship. The Providence proudly sits at the end of GH dock at the north end of the waterfront. You can read all about her in this issue. Be sure to check out our new “Best Happy Hour” page in the Dining Out Section when looking for that afternoon libation. They are taking on a new life in Old Town and having a tall, cool cocktail and some good eats at a good price is another way to beat the heat during these Dog Days. Stay Cool!!
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE
Sailing on the Patuxent River with my old friend Cayman. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge earlier this year and is sorely missed.
ASHLEY SCHULTZ ROSSEN
Dog Stars of Social Media
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ocial Media isn’t just for us bi-peds, it is also for our four legged friends! In spirit of the “Dog Days of Summer,” let’s look at the 10 top famous dogs on the internet! Boo the Pomeranian @boo_ the_pomeranian: Boo was one of the first dogs to make it big on the Internet. His Facebook page was setup in 2009 with him dressed up in various doggy outfits and showing his mischievous personality with his other four-legged friends! Not too long after starting his account he was named “the cutest dog in the world!” Boo passed away this past January, his owners said he died of a broken heart after his best pal Buddy passed away. Boo’s page has over 16 Million likes. Maru the Shiba Inu @ marutheshiba: Maru is a Shiba 2 | August 2019
Inu who lives with his owners in Japan and one of the most followed dogs on Instagram with over 2.6 million followers. Marnie the Shih Tzu @ marniethedog: Marnie is one very unique looking dog. Her tongue almost always hangs out the side of her mouth and has a permanent slight lean of her head from a medical condition she had when she was younger. She was adopted as a senior and now lives a new life in New York City-dressing up in cute clothes, meeting celebrities, and posting photos on her Instagram page for her 2 million plus followers. Tuna the Chiweenie @ tunameltsmyheart: As you might have guessed, a “Chiweenie” is a cross between a Chihuahua and a
Dachshund. Tuna was rescued as a pup and has a visibly large overbite that makes his top teeth stick out. He is one of the rare pets on Instagram with over one million followers. Minnie and Max the Pugs @ minniemaxpugs: This canine duo is famous on Facebook for their incredible talent to simultaneously tilt their heads to either side. They’ve been featured on some of television’s biggest shows like “Ellen,” “Good Morning America,” “Animal Planet” and more. You can see all
From Top to Bottom: Boo, Marnie, and Sir Charles Barkley. sorts of photos of the happy pugs posted almost daily on their Facebook page, which has 1.4 million likes. Manny the Frenchie @manny_ the_frenchie: Manny is the world’s most followed bulldog and is known to regularly donate to charity. With over
1.8 million Facebook likes and over one million Instagram followers, he’s been sought after by several agencies to appear in print advertisements, television commercials, and even movies. SOCIAL MEDIA> PAGE 5
Old Town Crier
Alexandria
AUGUST TOURS, EXHIBITS, EVENTS
Love Your Summer in Alexandria
New this year, book the Love Your Summer in Alexandria hotel package in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Virginia is for Lovers tourism slogan. Already one of the most affordable times of the year to visit, a summer trip just became even more enticing with 17 Alexandria hotels offering rates starting as low as $89 per night and including more than $200 in perks like free overnight parking and two-day unlimited ride water taxi passes for two through Labor Day.
starting July 1, and advance purchase is recommended, as space is limited.
much more. For more information log on to Ballyshaners.org
AUGUST 17TH
Find more summer events at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Summer.
AUGUST 3RD
Bring family, friends, neighbors and a blanket to watch family-friendly openair movies including Peter Pan, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Smallfoot (in Spanish with English subtitles), How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World and Incredibles 2 at Cinema Del Ray, sponsored by The Jen Walker Team.
The Real World Science Behind Harry Potter: Adults Only 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Admission: $20 per person Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum 105-107 S. Fairfax Street shop.alexandriava.gov Bring your friends for a fun night featuring all things “Harry Potter.” Explore the Muggle science and medicine of Harry Potter with tour guides, raise a toast to Harry’s birthday with a magical cocktail and allow Professor Severus Snape to ensnare your senses as he demonstrates his magical skills. Tickets are available
Cinema Del Ray Outdoor Movies 7 p.m.; films begin at dusk Admission: Free Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Field 2701 Commonwealth Avenue facebook.com/cinemadelray
AUGUST 24TH Alexandria Irish Festival
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA Named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine, a Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2018 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street,
AUGUST 3RD Friendship Firehouse Festival 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Admission: Free Friendship Firehouse Museum | 107 S. Alfred Street 703-746-3891 alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association (FVFEA) holds its annual Firehouse Festival each year on the first Saturday in August. The popular family event features antique fire apparatus, craft booths, displays by Alexandria merchants and live music. In addition to the day’s outdoor events, festival participants will enjoy visiting the Friendship Firehouse Museum, originally built as a firehouse in 1855. The FVFEA is now a philanthropic organization focusing on fire-fighting history and fire safety. It remains active in community events, including the annual Festival and supports historic preservation of the building and its collection. Food and beverages are available. Children will receive free fire helmets and are treated to a supervised visit inside the City of Alexandria’s fire trucks.
a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked in to 18th- and 19thcentury architecture still intact from the city’s days as George
Washington’s hometown ignite historic and off-the-beatenpath neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy. Learn more at VisitAlexandriaVA.com.
11 am – 7 pm Waterfront Park 1A Prince Street Join the Ballyshaners and their local sponsors for one of Alexandria’s biggest outdoor parties. Eat, Drink and Be Irish with food and beer truck, pipe bands, Irish dancers, vendors, craft jewelry and
OLD
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS
TOWN
FARMERS MARKET MARKET SQUARE • 301 KING ST SATURDAY 7 A.M. – NOON, YEAR ROUND
AUGUST 16TH – 25TH Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week Neighborhoods throughout Alexandria including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle and Eisenhower and the West End For 10 days and two weekends, more than 70 restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, will offer a $35 three-course dinner for one OR a $35 dinner for two during Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week,August 16-25, 2019. More than 35 restaurants will also offer lunch menus at $15 or $22 per person in addition to the dinner specials. Brunch lovers can enjoy brunch menus for $15 or $22 per person at nearly 20 restaurants. AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com - 703-838-5005 Old Town Crier
Free parking in Market Square garage during market hours People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town 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 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 E. OXFORD & MOUNT VERNON AVES 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.
NORTH MONTGOMERY PARK FARMERS MARKET NORTH MONTGOMERY PARK • 901 N. ROYAL ST THURSDAY 3 – 7 P.M., YEAR ROUND, WEATHER PERMITTING The market will feature local growers, bakers, and other area providers of wholesome foods including Twin Springs, Grace's Pastries, Bread & Water, and Relay Foods.
August 2019 | 3
PERSONALITY PROFILE
MICHAEL MCLEOD
Photos: Tedd Pellagato
TOM WILSON
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Master Shepherd
om Wilson raises Katahdin sheep near Gordonsville, Virginia. Home is an antebellum plantation house built in 1857 surrounded by 1200-acres of lush pastures, ponds, barns, and kennels. Wilson is a third-generation shepherd who was born to an already large family on the Scottish border with England. Known as Border Country, the area is the birth place of the top herding dog breed in the world, the Border Collie. Tom has been a shepherd since he was old enough to toddle to the pasture; he’s never had a different job. When experienced people do something well most want to know just how good they are. For shepherds and their dogs that means sheepdog trials. Tom won his first sheepdog competition when he was 20, but says it was a long dry spell before he won again. By the time he was 30, he had superb “stocksense,” meaning that he could sense what the 4 | August 2019
sheep were going to do before they did it. That skill let him command his dog, often hundreds of yards away, to correct the sheep’s path. He was one of the best sheepdog trainers and handlers in the British Isles, and was often in the winner’s circle at ISDS herding trials (see side bar). In 1983, Tom was invited to the United States to put on a herding clinic in White Post, VA. It wasn’t his first trip here but must have been his most important: it was at that event that he met his future wife, Florence Robinson, a clinic participant. When asked if it was love-at-first-sight, Wilson quipped, “It was for her. She showed up at a couple more US clinics then she came over to visit a couple of times. After that, I moved to Virginia.” Was that when they got married? “No. We were living in sin,” was his deadpan reply. There were some sheep on the farm when
Sheepdog Competitions Sheep farming in Scottish hill country is difficult, partly because of the terrain. The way to manage a large flock in an economical manner is with the help of sheepdogs that can “work the hill” all day. Border Country shepherds have been selectively breeding herding dogs for hundreds of years. A specific line of those dogs, casually called the “shepherd’s dog,” became popular in the late 1800s. In 1915 the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) officially named that line of dogs “Border Collie” to differentiate them from other collie breeds. One legend says “collie” is from the Scottish Gaelic language and means “useful.” Distant work, such as fetching sheep from hundreds of yards up a steep hill or driving them toward a far-off gateway to another pasture, is accomplished with coded whistles to tell the dog what do. Close-in jobs, such as penning for shearing, are usually done with verbal and visual commands to the same dog that brought the sheep down from the hills. An organization similar to the ISDS exists in North America: The United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA), often shortened to “Handler’s COMPETITION > PAGE 5
PERSONALITY PROFILE > PAGE 5
Old Town Crier
PERSONALITY PROFILE | FROM PAGE 5
Tom moved to Virginia, but more were purchased. At one point there were over 600 in the flock. That number is down to 125 today, plus this year’s lambs (+-175). There are also 80 cows, and a few horses. Tom, now 75, says that is as much as he, with the help of his dogs, cares to manage on a year-around basis. But even when there were hundreds of sheep to be sheared, have their feet trimmed, their injuries and illnesses taken care of…even then, Tom and the dogs did it all. It takes a lot of time to train a dog to the point of being useful. Tom trains his dogs every day. Most working shepherds have multiple dogs, one mature, one “getting there,” and one or more on the way up. Tom has five Border Collies: Kate (7, top dog), Roy (2, useful, and almost there), and three young ones of staggered ages (all less than a year old) that he has high hopes for. He has won all of the major sheepdog competitions in the US, including the Purina National Championship, the USBCHA National Nursery (x3) and Reserve (x2) Championships, and each of the competitions mentioned in the sidebar. In his spare time, he travels around the country to conduct herding clinics and judge competitions. When not on the road, he hosts
USBCHA competitions and teaches herding students on the farm. He calls this schedule “Slowing down a little.” He doesn’t have a computer and doesn’t want one. That means no email—if you can’t catch him close to his phone (no answering machine, so good luck with that) you’ll have to write him a snail-mail letter. No computer? How does he keep track of all that stuff? An old-fashioned calendar, the type you mark on with a pencil. He’s been doing it that way his entire life and has no intention of changing. The calendar does have one drawback: his wife. Florence is often on the road for equestrian events. Either she or Tom must be on the farm to feed the dogs and keep an eye on the horses, cows, and sheep. If you want Wilson to judge your trial or conduct a sheepdog clinic you’ll hear, “Hold on, I’ll check the calendar.” If Florence plans to be on the road on the days you want Tom for your event, you’re out of luck: the first one to mark the calendar gets priority on this working shepherd’s farm.
COMPETITION | FROM PAGE 4
day, the dog with the highest number of remaining points wins the top prize. In 2019, the USBCHA will sponsor more than 100 multiday trials in North America. Some of the more difficult and prestigious competitions are: Soldier Hollow (UT), Meeker (CO), Bluegrass (KY), and the National Sheepdog Finals (rotates east, west, and midcountry).
Association.” Both ISDS and USBCHA sponsor sheepdog competitions that are based on actual farm work but that require much greater precision on the part of the dog. Each dog starts out with the same number of points, then the judge(s) deduct points for mistakes. At the end of the SOCIAL MEDIA | FROM PAGE 2
Mishka the Talking Husky @ gardea23 on YouTube: Not only is Mishka adorable, she also had an unlikely talent of talking. Her vocabulary ranged from “I love you” and “no” to “I’m hungry!”. Unfortunatley Mishka passed Old Town Crier
Virginia’s Only Restaurant chosen by Open Table as one of the
Southern Restaurants in America!
About the Author: Michael McLeod has been a working writer for more than 40 years. He has awards for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays. He can be reached at michaelmcleodwriter@gmail. com
away in 2017. She has more than 909,000 subscribers on YouTube, and her videos have millions of views! Nobert the Dog @ norbertthedog: Norbert is a three pound therapy dog, who has the funny quirk of letting his tongue hang out the side of his mouth. He has
SPECTACULAR SEAFOOD • CREOLE & CAJUN SPECIALTIES Alexandria’s Renowned Neighborhood Restaurant & Bar Open daily for lunch and dinner and dinner on Sundays
3804 Mt. Vernon Avenue • Alexandria 703-684-6010 • rtsrestaurant.net his own children’s book and stuffed animal available for purchase! He has over 630,000 instagram followers! You can often find him playing around in videos with his friend the golden retriever Fred!
to grow! His owners set up an instagram account for him while he was a puppy and before long, people all over instagram were discovering his page! He has over 476,000 Instagram followers!
Sir Charles Barkley the French Bulldog @barkleysircharles: The Frenchie trend continues
Corgnelius the Corgi @ corgnelius: Corgnelius may not have millions or even
hundreds of thousands of likes and followers yet, but he is cute enough to make it up there with the others on this list one day! He currently has 95,000 Instagram followers! Thanks to www.lifewire. com for helping compile this list with the follower stats! Can you make your pet an Internet sensation??!! August 2019 | 5
BUSINESS PROFILE
LANI GERING
Wag & Brew Sit – Stay – Play
AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIND A GOOD DOGGY DAY CARE AND BOARDING FACILITY IN THE AREA, WE HAVE FINALLY FOUND A GREAT ONE! LOVE THAT OUR PUP HAS HER OWN PRIVATE ROOM (NO CAGES), THAT DAYCARE IS INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR BOARDING PRICE, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT THE STAFF IS ACTUALLY ATTENTIVE TO THE DOGS. SO WONDERFUL TO RECEIVE PHOTOS AND UPDATES DURING OUR DOG’S STAY! —BRI & MERCY
Playtime 6 | August 2019
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his is for all of you dog owners and lovers out there. What could be better than letting your pooch run around in a big play room with other canines under the watchful eye of a reputable pet sitter while you have a cold beer, glass of vino or hot cup of fresh brewed coffee or an espresso? Only thing I can think of is if you could do the same thing at a daycare for your human kids but am also thinking that probably isn’t gonna happen…. Anyway, Wag & Brew (W&B) is the place to do exactly what I just described. Owner, dog lover and avid golf enthusiast (he was attending the British Open when I went to do the R&D for this column), Jeff McDonald brought the Wag & Brew concept to Alexandria a little over a year ago. Billing itself as “a boutique dog care resort inspired to create the best place for pups and people”, W&B has definitely set itself apart from other doggy daycare establishments in the area. While I am not a dog owner, I do have many friends who
Lobby
Jeff McDonald and Mini. depend on services such as this as an alternative to having a dog walker so I consulted a few of them - I had to have someone to help compare the
Lounge time
benefits. The benefit of a walker is that your pooch gets to stay in their own home but the downside is they are staying alone. At W&B there is always a friend or two to hang with as well as people who LOVE dogs of all sorts. In addition to this, the large play room is climate controlled and full of toys so no worrying about adverse weather conditions. And….last, but certainly not least and maybe the most important part…you can stick around and watch your pooch while you have a cup of coffee or sip on an adult beverage in the lounge that sits adjacent to the large windows where the play area is. General Manager Tyler Sluman, dedicated dog lover and former professional golfer (you see a common theme here?), gave me a tour of the facility and told me about their philosophy at W&B. It is all about the experience for both animal and owner. From the outside this place is pretty non-descript. It is located BUSINESS PROFILE > PAGE 7
The main room Old Town Crier
OLD TOWN Shoe & Luggage Repair
Dog washing stations
BUSINESS PROFILE | FROM PAGE 6
in an industrial strip mall behind “Nick’s Bar and Grill” on South Pickett Street in a gray brick building. There are “rules” for signage so they can’t really get creative when it comes to that (notice the exterior photo accompanying this column almost looks like a black and white) but there is ample parking and once you find it, you won’t forget where it is. After you step inside, you will be pleasantly surprised at what awaits. The foyer looks directly into the play room (very big space) and the lounge is positioned just to the right. It is a nice open space and very tastefully appointed. The play room area is divided into sections – W&B separates the dogs via temperament instead of size - and has a very fun mural that looks like a forest as well as all sorts of toys to climb on and over. It is literally a playground for dogs. The lounge is an inviting space as well. We are talking some nice comfy chairs and a counter with comfortable stools and some themed artwork on the walls. Tyler told me that on the weekends the place gets pretty packed. I seems that at the end of the week when clients pick up their pooches they like to stick around and have a couple of drinks and socialize. This would definitely be a good way to wait out traffic if you worked close by or a great way to spend an afternoon with your dog getting some exercise while you enjoy a beer in a Old Town Crier
An ice-cold brew in the lounge
nice climate controlled space – think about how nice that would’ve been when we were experiencing those 100 degree days. I was also impressed with what goes on “behind the scenes” here at W&B. The dog washing area is pretty impressive – there are some high tech tubs in this place. I also loved it that each “client” has their own bin that holds their things with their names on them. Also important is their feeding area/station. They really pay attention to detail here. (I also want to note that the dogs are let out into a fenced area every 2 hours to “do their thing” since they don’t go on walks.) This post taken from their website probably says it best: “Our Alexandria day care brings the best in dog care and is custom themed to create a paradise for dogs. Our luxury services are designed to ensure your dog is in a clean, safe, and in a loving environment. Wag & Brew is for dogs, their owners, and puppy lovers. While the pups are getting a much needed grooming, playing in our indoor paradise, staying at our doggy day care/overnight lodging, feel free to stick around at our coffee, wine, and beer Bar. Wag & Brew is a place where you and your pups can sit, stay, and play together!” For detailed information on their services and rates, log on to their website or give them a call.
WAG & BREW 614A SOUTH PICKETT ST ALEXANDRIA 703-888-2554 WAGANDBREW.COM HOURS: MON - FRI: 6 AM - 8 PM SAT: 7 AM - 8 PM SUN: 10 AM - 6 PM
Serving Alexandria since 1996 • New Luggage Shoe & Luggage Repair • All Your Shipping Needs
824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 | Donshoe.com Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm
August 2019 | 7
FINANCIAL FOCUS
CARL TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN BEARCE
Goal-based Insurance Strategies Can Help Strengthen Your Portfolio
S
imilar to your investments, your insurance needs and related strategies change over time. As part of a smart financial strategy, it’s critical to review and adjust coverage at different life stages to make sure that you’re protected. “I refer to insurance as one of the cornerstones of an effective financial strategy,” says Peter Landry, Director of Wells Fargo Advisors Life Insurance. “You can have the best investment strategy, and you can have the best rate on your loans, but it’s also important to have the right type of protection in place. Insurance is an important asset protection tool for any good financial strategy.” Landry outlines four basic life stages that should trigger a reassessment of your insurance strategies.
Life stage: Starting out When you’re launching a career, your insurance needs tend to fall primarily into the category of income replacement: helping ensure that critical expenses like the mortgage and college tuition are paid if you pass away. During this stage in life, as you’re dealing with multiple expenses and trying to build wealth, it’s important that your insurance strategies are properly aligned with your budget and timeline. “You may want to consider term life insurance—a good, relatively affordable solution that covers you until you reach your peak earning years and when you might see an overall reduction in your expenses as well,” says Landry. He suggests a level premium term policy that’s maybe 20 or 30 years. 8 | August 2019
Life stage: Pre-retirement At around 45 to 60 years old, it may be appropriate to think about leveraging life insurance to help with retirement planning. “Several individuals in this age range may have maxed out what they can contribute to a 401(k) on an annual basis,” Landry says. “They may not have options from an income perspective to contribute to an IRA either.” Individuals in this situation who have a need for life insurance may want to consider insurance strategies such as an indexed universal life product or a variable universal life product. Several of these products are designed to accumulate cash value in the early years of the policy. Landry says this approach is not necessarily geared toward funding a particular death benefit, but rather toward accumulating cash inside of the policy. “The life insurance helps provide for your protection needs, but when properly structured, cash value may be assessed as part of a supplemental income strategy. In the right situation, these strategies can deliver a lot of value so as you get into retirement, you can seek to maximize things like Social Security and IRA withdrawals—and use that life insurance cash value as a bridge strategy.” Note: Investments in variable universal life are subject to market risk, including loss of principal. Cash value will fluctuate in value based on market performance. Cash value is accessed through policy loans and withdrawals, which
reduce death benefit.
Extended care planning The third life stage involves insurance strategies based around extended care needs, an area where carriers have gotten creative with solutions, says Landry. Options include traditional long-term care insurance, a hybrid policy that combines life insurance and long-term care insurance, and a life insurance product with a long-term care rider. Landry says that while some people are hesitant to use longterm care insurance strategies, if positioned properly they can be an effective estate-planning tool. “The knock on long-term care coverage is, ‘If I never need it then I don’t really get any value from it.’ But in many cases, you can marry it with a life insurance product solution. You have a life insurance product, and if you need longterm care, you can draw upon that policy,” Landry says. “It reduces the face amount of the policy, but you are able to cover your costs related to long-term care services, and if you never need long-term care, well, you have a life insurance policy that you can leverage for your estate planning purposes.”
Legacy planning The last life stage is legacy planning: using life insurance strategies to create leverage— in a tax-efficient manner—so you can leave a gift to your recipient of choice, such as a family member or charitable organization. These solutions tend to be individually tailored. “We have insurance specialists who work handin-glove with estate planning attorneys to put together life
insurance solutions that can help meet legacy planning needs,” Landry says. At every stage, Landry says, he and his team focus not on products, but on solutions and insurance strategies. “It’s not about, ‘You have to get an insurance product,’” Landry says. “It’s, ‘Let’s talk about the insurance that you have. Is it still meeting your needs as you move through life’s stages?’” This information is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent any specific product recommendation. Speak with your financial professional regarding your specific situation. Insurance products are offered through non-bank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies. Variable insurance products are sold by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other
information, can be obtained by calling your financial advisor. Read it carefully before you invest. Unlike variable life insurance, indexed universal life (IUL) policies are typically structured so that they are not securities registered with the SEC. Nor are the sales in IULs regulated by the SEC or FINRA Regulation, Inc. This article was written by/ for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing DirectorInvestments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice PresidentInvestments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2019 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD
W
hat’s next, a plague of locusts? Following a record rainfall and flash floods in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, temperatures and high humidity recently combined to create a heat wave up the East Coast with a real feel of about 110°F in DC and Old Town Alexandria. If the weather keeps you from sunbathing or sitting on a beach, keep blasting that air conditioner while a clutch of novels entertains and relaxes you during your vacation days. You can try an airport read, The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian; a tellall about sisters and family, Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner; or a majestic piece of historical fiction, The Lost Queen by Signe Pike. The Flight Attendant is a fun airplane diversion: a thriller that I gulped on a recent flight along with my complimentary ginger ale and Cheez-Its. Cassie Boyden, a flight attendant with a layover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, wakes up with a horrible hangover next to her previous night’s fling, a firstclass passenger whose throat has been slit open. Scrambling
Old Town Crier
MIRIAM R. KRAMER
to remove all traces of herself and make it to her flight to Paris, she tries to piece together a previous evening featuring copious alcohol and several blackout periods. As she flies first to Paris and then JFK in New York, Cassie attempts to reconstruct her night with Alex, a hedge fund manager with a flair for number crunching and an unusual penchant for Russian novels. She vaguely remembers that a so-called
The Flight Attendant is an enjoyable thriller in which Russian spies, the FBI, jet setters, and high finance intertwine. Cassie, a lonely woman with a penchant for spontaneity, lying, experimentation, and risky behavior comes to terms with her history as a
some international armchair travel to glamorous destinations, Chris Bohjalian’s book will fulfill your wishes. Jennifer Weiner’s recent
female business colleague of his had stopped by the room with a bottle of Stoli, after which she can recall nothing until the moment she woke up with a first-class headache in Alex’s first-class hotel.
functioning alcoholic while keeping several steps ahead of an increasingly frightening set of events. If you want to suspend your disbelief, learn what it’s like to be a flight attendant, and indulge in
book Mrs. Everything certainly seems to contain everything. It touches on any and every secret or family dysfunction under the sun. Jo Kaufman and her younger sister Bethie are classic Baby Boomers who
move in the 1950s with their parents from Detroit to a new house in the suburbs: their piece of the American Dream. Jo is a tomboy who constantly disappoints her mother, Sarah, by never living up to her mother’s standards of what a young Jewish girl should be, while Bethie is busy trying to be the perfect little lady while taking on a part in the school play. When their beloved father Ken dies, all goes haywire for the two and their mother. Sarah, a typical housewife of the period, has to find herself a job in a world that assigns women only certain kinds of occupations. Jo struggles with her own romantic feelings and growing pains as she finds out that she’s attracted to women, and in particular her teenage best friend. Weiner describes THE LAST WORD > PAGE 11
August 2019 | 9
HIGH NOTES
I
t’s been 7 years since the Hives have geared up for a major album release. Now they’re back and better than ever with a jaw dropping single called “I’m Alive.” A picture of triumphant resurrection is painted with “I’m Alive”. It’s the kind of song that makes you feel more resilient and capable. There’s a grit and toughness to it that embodies the advice Winston Churchill once gave: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” After a few minor and major chords followed by a rolling drum fill, the song erupts with iconic Hives guitars, and a chilling scream from singer Pelle Almqvist. In the background we hear bells ringing out, alerting bands 10 | June 2019
RON POWERS
I’m Alive
AN ALBUM REVIEW everywhere that school is back in session. Listening to this song gives you the feeling that the last seven years have not been easy for the Hives. Throughout the song, singer Pelle expresses sentiments of being down, dead, or buried. On the first verse we hear the lines: “The light in the tunnel Was an oncoming train I was under the rubble But I’m back again” These opening lines and all that follow are delivered by steady knowing hands. “I’m Alive” comes with all the attitude and style the Hives are loved for. It also displays
a new level of excellence that shows why many feel The Hives are one of the best, if not the best, bands in the business. On a technical level the production and musical arrangement of “I’m Alive” is some of the most impressive work I’ve heard from the Swedish punk rock band. It has everything you’d want in a proper banger, but at the same time there’s an epic and even inspiring tone to it. All this while maintaining that unmistakable Hives swagger and attitude. The song structure of “I’m Alive” is unconventional. As
a rule, today’s popular music standard calls for a chorus to make its first appearance at the 30 to 60 second mark. But the first chorus for “I’m Alive” doesn’t kick in until the 1:33 mark. This lag in introducing the chorus would bog down a lesser song. But the two verses and pre choruses that precede the chorus of “I’m Alive” are so good you don’t even notice. And if you weren’t sold already, you would be by the time the chorus does finally comes in. Trust me. Listen to the song and find out for yourself. Something else I love about this song and the Hives in
general is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. They push out huge amounts of power, but they do it in a way that isn’t self-aggrandizing. There’s a lightness and fun in the midst of all the hardhitting punk rock. To me this is what puts them in a class of their own. I can’t think of a single band besides the Hives that deliver such a well-balanced and potent emotional cocktail. In a sea of fools-gold musicians, it’s a welcome relief when the real thing shows up. If you’d like to know more about the Hives or listen to their music, you can find them on most social media platforms as well as streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD | FROM PG 9
Jo’s relationship in descriptive, racy terms. Young Bethie attracts the attention of her well-off uncle, who finds a way to get Bethie on her own in his car regularly. Weiner explores many issues and topical events the girls face as they become women and go off to college: sexual abuse, eating disorders, racism, biracial relationships, the Civil Rights movement, flower power, drug and alcohol experimentation, the Vietnam War, and the pressure to conform. Jo falls in love in college, where she must decide whether to become a typical wife and mother or forge an unconventional and lonely path as a lesbian without the love of her life by her side. Bethie adopts multiple faulty coping mechanisms as a way of managing her own pain, discarding the conventional way in which she was brought up as Jo reluctantly explores taking the path most chosen. As they come to terms with themselves and their unexpected life choices, the sisters react to each other’s judgments while appreciating one another’s support. They
find love and forgiveness for each other over time as children are born and other long-term relationships fall apart. Those who like juicy family dramas and Judy Blume’s adult works will get their money’s worth from this dishy, earthy novel, along with Baby Boomers looking back on their patchwork quilts of life experiences. Of these three novels, my favorite by far is an unexpected contender: The Lost Queen by Signe Pike. Pike’s deep research over many years into Celtic culture and language has blossomed into this book about Lailoken, a sixth-century figure upon which Merlin the magician was most likely based, and his twin sister, Languoreth. Pike focuses on Languoreth as a formidable figure in her own right, one heretofore forgotten by history. This first book of an eventual trilogy offers a sweeping story of enchantment and burgeoning war. Lailoken, son of a petty lord, trains to become a Wisdom Keeper, a druid and warrior with knowledge of culture, song, oral history, storytelling, prophecy, and ways to evoke
spirits. Against her will, Languoreth is destined from birth to become the lady of their rural estate, Cadzow, in what is now Scotland. She must marry a high lord or king in this region where crafty King Tutgual resides. Languoreth’s viewpoint is both dreamy and down-toearth, revealing an inspiring heroine whose strength of character, intelligence, and unusual beauty make her destiny as a queen seem inevitable. Historical novels about ladies, princesses, and queens are not uncommon. Signe Pike, however, has a flair for using language as delicate as gossamer or a spring flower bowing to rain to tell a dramatic story that never fails to fascinate. This novel surpasses its genre in its faultless early medieval world building and gorgeous writing. A thin veil separates Languoreth from the spirits of nature and those who have passed on. Pike’s descriptions of nature are exquisite, and Languoreth defines herself in part by her earthly surroundings and those she loves who command its powers. She and her family set themselves against early
Christians led by a charismatic charlatan who wants to eradicate their pagan moral codes and beliefs to gain power. Her foster brother, Gwenddolau, becomes Uther Pendragon, the leader of an army fighting off invading Angels while keeping other petty kingdoms in check. When her husband’s interests eventually conflict with those of her brother and foster brother, the potential for civil war nearly tears her in two. Languoreth’s saga will continue with Pike’s next installment, which I will read as soon as it’s released.
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Fans of Game of Thrones who appreciate less cynicism and more contemplation may enjoy The Lost Queen. This story also evokes a lovely book named Hild by Nicola Griffith, in which a teenage seer and natural leader gains power through advising her uncle, King Edward of Northumbria, in the seventh century. (I reviewed Hild in an earlier copy of the Old Town Crier.) If you enjoyed that novel, you will most certainly cherish this one. They are not cookiecutter copies, but they are complementary.
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June 2019 | 11
GALLERY BEAT
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
Yasmin Bussiere, "Illumination" (Best in Show, SOLD)
Artmosphere
I
’m one of those dwindling number of people who had a significant existence before Al Gore invented the Internet; was right there at the inception of it; bought Amazon at $5 a share (technically my wife did – I bought Commodore); and have developed right along the spectacular “spread” of cyberspace as a way to reach places where the written word had never reached before. And in spite of all that, I am always surprised by things and facts that people pick up on, discover, and reflect back to me when appropriate. Last month I wrote about “Queer Glass” and in that piece had one of the DMV’s best-known artists, and perhaps the leading and earliest artist associated with this “new” term (new to me at least), Tim Tate, guest-write a piece which he had earlier authored for the Washington Glass School. After that piece, I received a few emails, including one from a museum curator, pointing me to other artists who are also doing what is now being called “Queer Glass.” I also got an interesting email from a local writer, who often writes about art for a well-known online publication. He pointed me to an interesting event which had developed a while back in Wikipedia. Apparently, 12 | August 2019
right in the middle of Pride month, some editors at that Internet site decided that the term was not a “real” art term and deleted the article from the online site. I do not know Wikipedia that well, and or how “articles” or facts are vetted, and thus I do not have an informed opinion why “Queer Glass” was deleted as an art term, but it doesn’t leave a good optic… especially during Pride month. Enough said about that. But it got me to think about how we in the “artmosphere” of major cities, or perhaps even wee Scottish villages, are always seemingly obsessing on the “new” when it comes to art. The most expensive, and also the most useful “thing” to have is information. Think about it, information leads to everything that one needs to survive: where the food is, where shelter is, where clean water is, where the zombies are attacking, what new gallery is looking for artists, which museum has been suddenly funded to acquire local art, etc. The art world is usually getting wrapped around its cultural axles trying to find the “new” and not a year passes where someone writes about some new movement or “ism”… and yet, because the way information is now distributed, especially visual information, more often than
not we then and subsequently discover, as The Beatles so elegantly noted in the 1960s, “… There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known… Nothing you can see that isn’t shown…” Maybe that’s the reason that Wikipedia editors decided that “Queer Glass” is not a thing. Around the DMV, the brutal hot weather brought along some very cool shows, such as the one at Alexandria’s Art League Gallery, where Fanna Gebreyesus, who is a Curatorial Associate at Potomac’s gorgeous Glenstone Museum (where she collaborates on artist publications, exhibition planning, and public programming), selected the show. Because it is the Art League – one of the true art jewels of the DMV’s art tapestry – and having juried this show a few times over the last 30 years or so (Art League: I’m due for another one by the way!) – I suspect that Gebreyesus had a lot of fun selecting this show, and probably learned a lot about diversity in art from being exposed to the spectacular range of styles, techniques, genres, approaches, and ideas. In fact, I would submit that the closest that anyone in the artmosphere ever comes to GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 13
Ralph Paine, "Walking Figure"
Alina Tolkacheva, "Aware" Old Town Crier
Alex Tolstoy "Stormy Sea"
Timothy Felker "The Dress Makers" GALLERY BEAT | FROM PAGE 12
seeing something really “new” in the art world is after being exposed to the jurying process of a large group show such as the Art League presents nearly every month. As a result of the diversity in Art League membership, the juror selected a dizzying array of artwork, almost overwhelming to the uninitiated, and certainly more diverse and wide-ranging than anything Glenstone would ever dare to hang in its pristine walls. Gabreyesus awarded the “Best in Show” to a gorgeous painting titled Illumination by Yasmin Bussiere. It is an attractive abstract work and certainly merits special attention.
However, as it has become my annoying tendency in this column over the last few decades, after looking at all the submissions online, my version of awards might look a little different from the real juror. I liked A. Tolkacheva’s sensual red painting of power personified by a strong woman, fully aware, and clearly transmitted in the painting, of her strength. I also enjoyed Toulsaly’s deceptively simple sculpture of a pensive figure – almost the opposite of Tolkacheva’s powerful red woman, and yet as strong and omnipresent. Staying with the female model, there is also a sensual work by Ralph Payne which captures the young model’s odd pose in such a manner as to deliver every ounce of data about the visual strength of youth.
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Syreni Caledonii (Northern Atlantic Mermaid). Watercolor, charcoal and Conte. 2019, 12x36 inches.
Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC, Washington, DC www.alidaanderson.com / info@alidaanderson.com
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A painting entry by Felker is also able to capture the subtle sexiness of the painting’s central figure, while at the same time spreading the visual message with the three other figures in the work – which act to both diffuse the voluptuous pose of the central figure, and paradoxically augment it! Sometimes it is the unusual approach to the subject itself which captures attention – such as in Dooriso’s painting of an older gentleman enjoying his water aerobics. Or D. Vergaray’s somewhat scary piece of a woman near the Washington Monument (I think) with a touch of “let me disturb your visual senses” in her depiction. Abstraction is well represented – including intelligent works by area masters such as Marsha Steiger and J. Sherfy, as well as a strikingly moist painting by A. Tolstoy in which the artist delights in flexing his/ her wet-on-wet mastery – a note to Tolstoy: lose the bad habit of signing your work in the middle of the painting. I believe that all artwork should and must be signed somewhere, but a signature cannot compete with the art itself, especially on a superbly composed abstract depicting of a landscape as this piece is… stick to the lower margin on the front, or sign the work on the verso – but never on the middle of the painting! Now everyone who reads this column has gathered an important bit of information about signing artwork… cough, cough…
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August 2019 | 13
URBAN GARDEN
W
hile the list of gardening tasks for August is shorter than in many months, there are still ongoing tasks to perform in the garden. The hot temperatures of mid-summer make it tough to spend much time working in your garden, so take advantage of any cooler days to take care of grooming and weeding. Right now, your primary concern will be assuring an ample supply of water for your plants. Weed control is also very important, because with the warmer weather and increased watering, weed seeds will germinate and grow faster, and mature to the point of producing more seeds. Take advantage of your spare time to keep the weeds cultivated out of all parts of the garden. Here are a few August gardening tasks and projects that you can do to help keep your garden looking it’s best for the rest of this season:
Watering Watering can be the biggest task this month particularity if the weather gets really hot. Vegetable gardens, most flowering plants, and the lawn all need about one inch of water every week to keep them green and looking nice. Be sure to water
14 | August 2019
thoroughly, and deeply each time you water. When possible, do your watering in the morning or early afternoon so the soil has a chance to warm up before the cooler evening hours set in. Of course, if you planted drought resistant plants in your garden, you won’t have to water as often, but the principal of deep watering still applies. Be sure to check the hanging baskets and container grown plants every day during hot weather and about every second day on moderate summer days. Don’t just check the surface, push your finger an inch or two into the soil to be sure there is adequate moisture below throughout the root area. Water them thoroughly each time you water, but be careful not to over-water them.
Perennials, annuals, and bulbs Take out a few minutes to pick off the old dead flowers on your annuals, as well as the spent flowers on perennial plants. A little time spent on grooming the plants will make a big difference in the overall appearance of the garden. By removing the spent flowers, the plants will not go into the seed producing stage and should continue
to flower longer into the season. Spring flowering perennials can be divided and transplanted this month or next. Be sure to do this during the coolest part of the day and water the plants thoroughly after transplanting. Prune your hybrid roses in late August to promote the most fall blossoms. Remove about a third of the vigorous growth. Any stems that cross each other should be removed, as well as those that are in the center of the plant. Weak, spindly canes and any damaged by black spot fungus should be removed. Maintain a spraying schedule to control insects and disease.
Shrubs and trees Summer blooming shrubs should be pruned for shape after they have finished flowering. Remove any dead or diseased branches.
Lawn Contrary to popular belief, a brown lawn isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. Grasses go dormant in times of drought, but will quickly return to life with the fall rains. If a lush green lawn is important to you, and you don’t mind mowing, water it regularly, and deeply. If a water shortage is expected, or you hate
tending to grass, you may choose to just let your lawn go dormant, and water it as seldom as once a month. Raise the cutting height of the mower. Taller grass cools the roots and helps to keep the moisture in the soil longer.
Odds and ends Keep the weeds pulled, before they have a chance to flower and go to seed again. Otherwise, you will be fighting newly germinated weed seed for the next several years. Weeds in the garden are harmful because they rob your plants of water and nutrients, harbor insects and diseases, and, on occasion grow tall enough to shade your flowers and plants. Change the water in your bird bath regularly, and keep it filled. Standing water is less healthy for the birds, and may become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Continue to watch for insect, slug and snail, or disease damage throughout the garden, and take the necessary steps to control the problem. Publishers Note: This column provided courtesy of TheGardenHelper.com. Log on to the site for a full range of gardening tips.
Old Town Crier
Tall
p Shi
Comi ng
Pr
o vid e nce
~ SHE’S HERE! ~
T
he Tall Ship Providence is here and swaying gently at the end of the pier in Old Town Alexandria. In the beginning of July she went through her sea trials and Coast Guard inspection approval in Maine to prepare for the sail south to Alexandria. The sail went well including an off-shore stretch down the Atlantic coast and into the Chesapeake Bay. The Providence continued her journey up the Chesapeake Bay and into the Potomac River arriving in Alexandria at midnight on July 1st with fanfare as she cruised through the opened Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The long anticipated public boarding of the ship, unfortunately, has been put off for about a month with public tours beginning the end of August or early September. The ship did not receive her Coast Guard Certification thus negating the ability for the public to board the ship. The Foundation is hard at work to bring her up to specs and will be working to that end. There has been a flurry of activity on the dock as folks walk down to view the ship. According to Diana West, Director, Programs and Communications, “For the past two weekends we’ve had
Old Town Crier
John Paul Jones
Visiting Pirates
Interpretors
Pirates play songs from the sea
Historical Interpreters down on the pier to talk with visitors and answer questions. Interest and enthusiasm are high and we look forward to welcoming all those people aboard the ship once we’re open.” Once the ship is open to the public, the Foundation will
offer 30-minute tours of the ship daily as well as themed weekly cruises. On the daily tours, visitors will learn about the history of the ship, see what life was like aboard ship during the American Revolution, and meet Captain John Paul Jones, who will share a
thrilling tale from his days aboard Providence. Their themed cruises will include a Friday night craft beer cruise, a Saturday morning family pirate cruise, and monthly adult pirate cruises. The ship is also available for private charters, private dinners, and children’s birthday parties. Soon after arrival the Providence was visited by a bunch of pirates. According to West, “We had a great time with our pirates. Such a terrific group of people. They were very understanding about the ship not being ready and they appreciated the fact that we bent over backwards to host the best party for them that we possibly could. Some of our Historical Interpreters sang Sea Chanteys, I gave a presentation on “Pirates of the Chesapeake,” and the character who plays John Paul Jones stopped by for a visit”. As you can see, everything is in place and just waiting on that Coast Guard Certification. The Tall Ship Providence Foundation, under the leadership of Scott Shaw, has done a remarkable job of securing the damaged boat, completing a stem to stern renovation in Maine and safely getting the ship to her new home in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Welcome aboard!!
August 2019 | 15
A BIT OF HISTORY
SARAH BECKER
©2019 Sarah Becker “Character, my friends, is a byproduct,” Woodrow Wilson said. “It is produced in the great manufacture of daily duty.” Wilson, a wartime President [1914-1919], was born December 28, 1856 in Staunton, Virginia. He was the Scotch-Irish son of Presbyterian minister Joseph Ruggles Wilson and Janet Woodrow Wilson. Romans 5:3-4, NIV Archaeological Study Bible: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope…” A nation’s character, like that of an individual, is elusive,” World War II Navy and Marine Medal recipient John F. Kennedy professed in 1946. “It is produced partly by things we have done and partly by what has been done to us. It is the result of physical factors, intellectual factors, and spiritual factors. It is well for us to consider our American character, for in peace, as in war, we will survive or fail according to its measure.” “Inspired by a deeply religious sense, this country, which has ever been devoted to the dignity of man, which has ever fostered the growth of the human spirit, has always met and hurled back the challenge of those deathly philosophies of hate and despair,” Kennedy continued. “We have defeated them in the past and we will always defeat them.” “In 1917…the American character was stimulated by the slogans ‘War to End War’ and ‘A War to Save Democracy,’ and again the American people had as their leader a man, Woodrow Wilson, whose idealism was the traditional idealism of America,” Kennedy explained. “To such a degree this was true he was able to say, ‘Some people call me an idealist. Well, that is the way I know I am an American.’” Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, was a child of the Civil War; a pacifist who led his country into World War I, a domestic reformer who failed to fully implement the post-war League of Nations. He remembered secession and the Civil War, Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ prison trek, Reconstruction and its 1877 end. “I rejoice in the failure of the 16 | August 2019
A NATION’S CHARACTER
Confederacy,” Wilson wrote in 1880. “The perpetuation of slavery would, beyond all question have wrecked our agricultural and commercial interests, at the same time that it supplied a fruitful source of irritation abroad.” “It is perhaps true that the American intervention in 1917 might have been more effective if the case for American intervention had been represented on less moralistic terms,” Kennedy
recollected. “As it was, the American people eventually came to look upon themselves as giving food and guns to a general cause in which all other people had material ends and in which they alone had moral ends.” “The idealism with which we had entered the battle [WWI] made the subsequent disillusionment all the more bitter and revealed a dangerous facet to this element of the American
character, for this bitterness, a direct result of inflated hopes, brought a radical change in our foreign policy and a resulting withdrawal from Europe,” Kennedy concluded. “We failed to make the adjustment between what we had hoped to win and what we actually could win.” By the summer of 1914 Europe was bracing for war. President Wilson’s foreign policy was not nearly as aggressive as his domestic. “Have you ever read the Declaration of Independence or attended with close comprehension to the real character of it when you heard it read?” Wilson asked on July 4, 1914. “The Declaration of Independence was a document preliminary to war. It was a vital piece of practical business, not a piece of rhetoric.” On August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on Russia; on France two days later. War talk divided neutral America. “Although we have centered counsel and action…upon the [domestic] problems…to which we addressed ourselves four years ago,” President Wilson said in his 1917 Inaugural Address, “other matters have more and more forced themselves upon our attention—matters…which, despite our wish to keep free of them, have drawn us more and more irresistibly into their own current and influence.” In February 1917 the Germans sank 540,000 tons of Allied shipping; in March 578,000 tons, and 874,000 tons in April. On April 6, 1917 America responded by declaring war. The United States entered the global war on the condition that it could legitimately demand universal liberal democracy from the world. Stopping German submarines was only part of Wilson’s predicament. America’s once proud merchant marine had withered away. Wilson’s 1916 shipbuilding program produced remarkable results including the 1918 Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation located in Alexandria at Jones Point along the Potomac River. The permanent yard was constructed in 85 days, an alleged world record. President Wilson presented his principles for peace, his Fourteen Points on January 8, 1918. The Points included absolute freedom of A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 17
Old Town Crier
A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 16
navigation upon the seas, equality of trade conditions, and a general association of nations [The League of Nations]. “The settlement must be final,” President Wilson said in 1918 at Mount Vernon. “There can be no compromise. No halfway decision is conceivable.” The Big Four’s peace Treaty of Versailles was resolved on June 28, 1919. The League of Nations, which the U.S. Congress declined to join, convened in 1920. President Wilson, a 1920 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, retired from office in 1921. Kennedy, a cub reporter in 1945, covered the San Francisco conference that launched the United Nations. “It is now in the postwar world that this idealism—this devotion to principle—this belief in the natural law—this deep religious conviction that this is truly God’s country and we are truly God’s people—will meet its greatest trial,” Kennedy concluded. “Our American idealism finds itself faced by the old-world doctrine of power politics…and all this may result in a new and even more bitter disillusionment.” 2020 is a presidential election year. “If we give Donald Trump (R-NY) eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation—who we are—and I can’t stand by and watch that happen,” former Vice President and Presidential candidate Joe Biden (D-DE) said on April 25, 2019. “The core values of this nation, our standing in the world, our very democracy everything that has made America America is at stake.” “What are we going to do with the influence and power of this great nation?” President Wilson asked in 1914. “Are we going to play the old role of using that power for our aggrandizement and material benefit only?... There is no man who is more interested than I am in carrying the enterprise of American business men to every quarter of the globe.” “I am willing to get anything for an American that money and enterprise can obtain except the suppression of the rights of other men,” Wilson reminded. “A patriotic American is…never so proud of the great flag under which he lives as when it comes to mean to other people as well as to himself a symbol of hope and liberty.” “The way to be patriotic in America is not only to love America but to love the duty that lies nearest to our hand and know that in performing it we are serving our country,” Wilson continued. “The members of the House and Senate who stay in hot Washington to maintain a quorum of the Houses and transact the all-important business of the Nation are doing an act of patriotism.” To the naturalized citizen Wilson said: “Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name. This man was not an Irish-American; he was an Irishman who became an American.” “My dream is that as the years go on and the world knows more and more of America it will…turn to America for those moral inspirations which lie at the basis of all freedom,” Wilson concluded, “that she puts human rights above all other rights and that Old Town Crier
her flag is the flag not only of America but humanity.” Yet President Wilson segregated the federal government the previous year, 17 years after the U.S. Supreme Court decided in favor of the 1896 Jim Crow Car Law. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty [and] it will ever be the price,” Kennedy decided. “Wherever freedom has been in danger, Americans with a deep sense of patriotism have ever been willing to stand at Armageddon and strike a blow for liberty and the Lord.” “I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations in examples of justice and liberality,” President George Washington said in 1790. Liberality, as defined by The American Heritage dictionary: “openmindedness, tolerant; favoring civil and political liberties, protection from arbitrary authority.” “We dare not forget that we are the heirs of the first revolution,” President John F. Kennedy said on January 20, 1961. “Let the word go forward…that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human [and civil] rights to which this Nation has always been committed today at home and around the world.” President Donald Trump, age 73, announced his 2020 re-election campaign in June. The Democrats offer an unfettered field of 25 presidential candidates, ages 37-77. Individual character: “(1) the qualities that distinguish one person from another. (2) moral or ethical strength. (3) reputation.” Your definition of character is? Columnist’s Note: On June 27, 2019 E&E News reporter stated that “minorities are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from cars and trucks in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. It’s a grim yet unsurprising finding for environmental justice advocates, who have warned for years that low-income and minority populations bear the brunt of pollution in the United States.” The Union of Concerned Scientists report found that African-Americans in the region are exposed to an average of 61% more air pollution from vehicles than their white counterparts.” The Alexandria City Council passed Phase II of its Environmental Action Plan on July 9. (OTC/ Greenhouse Gases July/2019)
What do you think? A Quinnipiac University poll taken March 3–5, 2018, asked 1,122 voters in the United States who they thought were the best and worst Presidents since World War II.
Best President since World War II: 1. Ronald Reagan (28%) 2. Barack Obama (24%) 3. John F. Kennedy (tie) (10%) 4. Bill Clinton (tie) (10%) 5. Donald Trump (7%) 6. Dwight Eisenhower (4%) 7. Harry Truman (tie) (3%) 8. Jimmy Carter (tie) (3%) 9. Lyndon B. Johnson (2%) 10. George H. W. Bush (tie) (1%) 11. Richard Nixon (tie) (1%) 12. George W. Bush (tie) (1%) 13. Gerald R. Ford (<1%)
Worst President since World War II: 1. Donald Trump (41%) 2. Barack Obama (21%) 3. Richard Nixon (10%) 4. Jimmy Carter (8%) 5. George W. Bush (6%) 6. Bill Clinton (4%) 7. Lyndon B. Johnson (tie) (2%) 8. Ronald Reagan (tie) (2%) 9. Gerald R. Ford (1%) 10. Harry S. Truman (tie) (<1%) 11. Dwight Eisenhower (tie) (<1%) 12. John F. Kennedy (tie) (<1%) 13. George H. W. Bush (tie) (<1%)
©2019 Sarah Becker Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email: abitofhistory53@gmail.com August 2019 | 17
POINTS ON PETS
VICTORIA ELLIOTT
Regional Resources: Statewide: Wildlife Center of Virginia 40-942-9453
Where the Wild Things Roam…
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or many people, summertime means venturing into the great outdoors to enjoy the long days, sunshine, and to soak in all the natural world has to offer before autumn comes back around and the days grow cold again. Whether it’s camping with friends in the Shenandoah Mountains, spending a relaxing day on the lake fishing, taking a long hike on the Mount Vernon Trail, or visiting a nearby National Park (of which there are so many to choose), one fact remains: with the outdoors comes all the animals that call the outdoors their home. Our area is home to a variety of wildlife: deer, possum,
Look…But Don’t Touch! raccoon, squirrel, fox, and bats, among many others. As visitors to their home, it’s our responsibility to include wildlife safety in our summertime plans. Wildlife safety is a twoway street. While what first comes to mind may be precautions to take against harm from a wild animal attack, it’s equally as – if not more so - important to consider the impact that your presence has on wild animals and to take precautions to avoid causing harm to any wildlife
ADOPTION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS AND MORE INFO www.kingstreetcats.org emai: contact@kingstreetcats.org
Are you or someone you know free during weekday mornings? King Street Cats is looking for weekday morning caregivers and vet taxis to transport our cats to the vet. Please email: contact@kingstreetcats.org for details. King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we can provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email: contact@kingstreetcats.org for details.
18 | August 2019
you may encounter while enjoying your time outdoors.
Keep your distance For the sake of your safety, as well as that of the wildlife, keep your distance and observe from afar. While many wild animals are beautiful to behold, especially in their natural habitat, keep in mind that they are wild. In some wild animals, contact with humans can cause rejection by other animals in their family or group. Additionally, there are illnesses that can
KING STREET CATS 25 Dove Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday and Sunday from 1.30pm-4.30pm PETVALU Bradlee Shopping Center, 3652 King St, Alexandria, VA 22302 Every Sat/Sun from 1pm-4pm
pass to and from people, pets and wildlife, so ensure you and your pets are healthy and well before venturing out – and that you stay out of direct contact with any wild animals you may see. Humane Rescue Alliance recommends keeping 50 feet between you and wildlife – so, imagine roughly the distance of three mid-sized cars between you and the animal as you observe it or take photographs. POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 19
Richmond: Area Rehabbers Klub (ARK) 804-598-8380 Northern Virginia: Wildlife Rescue League (WRL) 703-440-0800 Hampton Roads: Wildlife Response Inc. (WRI) 757-543-7000 Virginia Beach: Virginia Beach SPCA Wildlife 757-263-4762 Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge 757434-3439 Winchester: Blue Ridge Wildlife Center 540-837-9000 Roanoke: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke - 540-798-9836 In addition to the above regional associations, the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries can provide a full listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
PETCO UNLEASHED 1101 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202 Every first Sat & third Sat from 1pm-4pm PETCO UNLEASHED 1855 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007 Every fourth Sat/Sun from 12pm-3pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street, Alexandria, VA22314 Every second Saturday from 1pm-4pm
Old Town Crier
POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 18
Clean up your trash Consider how you leave your campsite or picnic area when it’s time to pack up at the end of the day. Clean up any items that you brought outside. Trash, such as plastic six-pack holders and fishing line, can be deadly to an animal who gets tangled up in it, so cut it up before disposing of it in a secure location. Balloons are another frequent danger to animals, who can either mistakenly ingest pieces thinking that it is food or become tangled in the string. If hunting is part of your summertime activities, take time to educate yourself about lead toxicity. If you use lead bullets, ensure that you dispose of all animal parts securely. Lead toxicity is a danger for birds of prey (e.g, eagles, vultures, owls) who are scavengers and may ingest left-behind or ineffectively disposed of game. Consider
using non-lead bullets as an alternative.
Avoid feeding the wildlife Either by directly offering a wild animal a piece of your food or by indirectly leaving behind waste, feeding wildlife can be a danger both to you and to the animal. Once you’re done for the day, ensure that all food items are disposed of in a secure disposal site that cannot be easily disturbed. Think raccoons rooting through loosely closed trashcans for a midnight snack. Animals who repeatedly find – or are given – human food can become dependent on food that is not a part of their naturally occurring diet –this is called “food conditioning.” These animals can become dependent on humans to provide food and they may even become aggressive in seeking it out. Ineffectively disposed of food can attract animals to
unsafe (for us or for them) locations. The Wildlife Center of Virginia shares a story, “The Message of the Apple Core,” to illustrate the danger of discarded food attracting wild animals. In the story, a man driving along the road throws an apple core out of his car, not thinking it can cause any damage – it will just decompose, so what’s the harm? While the core itself doesn’t cause any damage to the environment, it attracts a possum to the side of the road later that evening. Another driver, not seeing the animal, strikes it and injures or kills it. The message that the Wildlife
Center of Virginia intends to convey is clear: “No litter is ‘safe’ litter.”
Call for help You’re walking along the path of the trail and see an animal by itself, during the daytime, not running away from you when it sees you – perhaps it looks ill, or maybe just young and possibly abandoned. You’re concerned and want to do what is best for the animal. If you see an abandoned or injured animal that you’re concerned about, reach out to a trained wildlife professional. Doing so protects yourself from harm from a
possibly scared and/or injured animal, as well as ensures expert care for the animal that is possibly in need. Summer provides many outlets for enjoying the outdoors and observing wildlife in their natural habitat. With just a few precautions as part of your planning, your day out in nature can be safe for you and the wildlife whose home you’re visiting. About the Author: Victoria Elliott is an animal rescue advocate. She lives in Alexandria with two brown tabby boys of her own.
Resources HUMANERESCUEALLIANCE.ORG WILDLIFECENTER.ORG DGIF.VIRGINIA.GOV/WILDLIFE/INJURED/REHABILITATORS NPS.GOV NPCA.ORG
PETS
OF THE
MONTH 4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm Old Town Crier
CHESAPEAKE & GUCCI
SOXIE
LIZZIE AND SLINKY
Adult, Male Brown Guinea Pigs
Adult, Spayed Female, Black and White (Tuxedo) Domestic Shorthair
Senior, Spayed Female and Neutered Male Grey Terriers
Summer and the beach, peanut butter and jelly, whatever your favorite pairs are, add CHESAPEAKE and GUCCI to the list! These two Guinea Pigs are ready and wheeking to meet their future family, and they can’t wait to show you. Gucci is the self-described goofball who can always be found deep within a fort of hay. Chesapeake is the outgoing half of the team, always hurrying to the front of their enclosure to make new friends, and their next friend might just be you!
Miss SOXIE is a purrfect mix of sweet and spunky. Ready to play? So is Soxie! She loves her ribbon toys and can’t wait to show off her best pounce. Nap time? Soxie loves to nap, especially in a bed near her favorite people. She’s a balance of black and white and adorable all over!
SLINKY and LIZZIE aren’t just brother and sister – they’re best friends. They celebrate Best Friend Day every day by helping one another stay on their nap schedule and alerting the other when a friendly face with treats is around. When going for walks, they always walk side-by-side because they’re on their journey through life together! Come by and see this adorable twosome. They’ll inspire you with their friendship!
alexandriaanimals.org/animalprofile/?id=37873
Photo thanks to Alison Lane Photography
alexandriaanimals.org/adoptioninformation/ Photo thanks to Alison Lane Photography
alexandriaanimals.org/animalprofile/?id=35713 alexandriaanimals.org/adoptioninformation/
alexandriaanimals.org/animalprofile/?id=36644 alexandriaanimals.org/adoptioninformation/ Photo courtesy of Dirty Paw Photography
August 2019 | 19
SPECIAL FEATURE
MEG MULLERY
Coping with the Care of a Deceased Pet The call came from a panicked husband on business travel. His distraught wife and four young kids discovered the beloved family dog deceased on the kitchen floor. The husband called the vet for help and was guided to In Memoriam Pet Services. In less than 2 hours, the grieving family was receiving comfort and counsel from an employee of In Memoriam Pet Services. He stayed with the family to ensure they were coping with the situation and then lovingly removed the pet from the home. The cremated remains were returned two days later in a beautiful urn with a paw print imbedded in clay. Meet Larry Brissing, the founder of In Memoriam Pet Services. A typical workday for Larry and his six employees puts them in the roles of grief counsellor, emergency responder, funeral director, parish priest, and bartender at the neighborhood pub. Growing up in the beautiful
Larry Brissing, Proprietor Hudson Valley area of New York state in a family of pet and nature lovers, he gravitated to wildlife management and environmental services studies. After working in these areas for almost a decade, he discovered the insurance restoration industry. Larry was the “go to” guy when major catastrophes like a fire destroyed the family home and, with it, the fabric of the family. Larry’s empathetic nature, coupled with a quiet efficiency and can-do attitude, helped families rebuild their lives and reweave the family
unit. Larry’s decision to move to scenic Virginia was fortuitous. He met his wife and then kids arrived on the scene. Following the death of the family dog, Larry became aware of the dearth of appropriate facilities and complementary services that would ease the process of losing what people regard as a best friend and member of the family. He was surprised to learn that, while living in the heart of horse country, the nearest crematorium for horses and other large animals was in Maryland. This made cremation impractical and expensive. Few good options exist for the after care of horses. Cremation often is the first choice. These situations were not unlike those he faced in his earlier insurance restoration career. His compassion, coupled with his communication and management skills, easily translated to his new endeavor
Cremation of Horses & Companion Animals (571) 835-0540 Chantilly, VA IMPetServices.com
20 | August 2019
of providing after care pet services. In Memoriam Pet Services built a state-of-the-art facility in Chantilly, Virginia, providing cremations for pet parents and veterinary practices covering an area from Dupont Circle to West Virginia. Complementary services include individual and communal cremations, pick up/delivery, private memorial services; truly any kind of support the situation requires. Customized, discreet vans for small animals and a truck and trailer for large ones are used for transport. In cases of an unexpected need to euthanize, In Memoriam Pet Services can meet the vet at the site and provide the requisite after care help for the animal and its owner. An emergency telephone number ensures that calls are responded to 24/7/365. Satisfied clients sharing Larry’s business model have played a huge role in the demand for his services. He also partners with veterinary practices. Chelsea Best, a patient advocate at Blue Ridge Veterinary Associates in Purcellville, Virginia, could not say enough good things
about In Memoriam and Larry. “We have been partnering with them for about two years. They have never failed to be accommodating, timely, respectful and compassionate,” Chelsea explained. Blue Ridge Vets contracts with In Memoriam for regularly scheduled cremation pick up and drops offs as well as on-call services as needed. In Memoriam adheres to, and indeed goes beyond, the 250 standards of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories, which represent the best practices in pet cremation care. Larry has helped pet families mourn the loss of all kinds of animals - lizards, rabbits, alpacas. He has seen big, tough guys and small kids alike in tears over the loss of their furry friend. “Animals are the great equalizer,” said Larry. “They deserve our respect for helping us be better humans.” About the Author: Meg Mullery is a licensed Virginia real estate agent with the Middleburg office of Washington Fine Properties. Her family includes two horses, two cats, and a rescued dog.
Honoring Your Furry Family Members The In Memoriam web site has a wide array of memorial urns and other products that would be thoughtful and appreciated gifts to friends who are grieving. Tribute picture frames and a memorial seed packet filled with Forever Wildflowers are just a few of the many options. Go to www.impetservices.com for more information.
Old Town Crier
THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER WANDA LOU WILLIS
E
arly July begins the “dog days of summer” which lasts until early September. Depending on latitude and climate, the actual dates vary greatly from region to region. Nearly everyone has heard this expression and knows that it refers to the hottest, most sultry days of summer. Some of the popular beliefs or claims connected with this period are that it is an evil time, there’ll be droughts and plagues, wine will turn sour, and humans will suffer from heat hysterics or go mad. The Ancient Greeks believed that the “dog days” weakened men and women became aroused. The phrase took on an ominous meaning by the 19th century. It was believed that dogs would most likely contract rabies during this period. Today it’s a time to be laid back and carefree while sipping iced tea in sleepy contemplation. The term seems a natural expression since dogs pant and lie as flat on the ground as they
can to avoid the heat; however, it has nothing to do with dogs. Where does the expression “dog days of summer” come
God Osirus, whose head resembled that of a dog. Both ancient Egyptians and Romans believed that the combination
DOG DAY BRIGHT AND CLEAR INDICATES A HAPPY YEAR. BUT WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY RAIN, FOR BETTER TIMES OUR HOPES ARE VAIN. from? What does it really mean? The “dog” in this saying refers to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky which rises and sets with the Sun. The ancient Egyptians named the star Sirius after their
of the brightest luminary of the day (the sun) and the brightest star of night (Sirius) was responsible for the extreme heat
experienced during the middle of summer. In ancient Egypt, the New Year began with the return of Sirius. When it appeared they knew that the “Nile Days” were at hand. It was a warning to the people who lived along the Nile River that the floodwaters were coming which added to the fertility of their lands. At this time the people would open the gates of the canals that irrigated their fields. In recent years, the phrase “Dog Days” or “Dog Days of Summer” have been given new meanings. It’s frequently used in reference to the American stock market. Summer is typically a very slow time for the stock market. Poorly performing stocks with little future potential are frequently known as “dogs.” Watch the summer sky for the Dog Star, Sirius. It can be seen with the naked eye. The star will appear to be brilliant white tinged with blue. When the air is unsteady, or when the star is low on the horizon it seems to flicker and splinter with all the colors of the rainbow.
Did you know? • August was named in honor of Augustus Caesar. It has 31 days because Augustus wanted as many days as Julius Caesar’s month of July had*. Previously names Sextilis in Latin, it was the sixth month of the Roman calendar. *They took that extra day from February • August, the eighth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Summer’s rule, derives its name from Augustus (Augustus Caesar). • The traditional birthstone amulets of August are the peridot and the sardonyx. • The gladiolus and the poppy are the month’s traditional flowers.
PRIVATE
YACHT “August is shared by the astrological signs of Leo the Lion and Virgo the Virgin, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Ceres, the Corn Mother, Demeter, John Barleycorn, Lugh, and all goddesses who preside over agriculture. During the month of August, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to Lammas, one of the four Grand Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.” -Secrets of a Witch
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August 2019 | 21
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFF MCCORD
F
or years we have been “loving to death” a marvelous life form. The good news is that we are learning the errors of our ways in time to make a difference. Coral reefs are constructed by clusters of simple marine animals called cnidaria. Like their jelly fish and anemone cousins, the cnidaria species known as coral have mouths surrounded by small tentacles used to catch and eat tiny prey the size of planktons. To compensate for their lack of bones, cnidaria live in organized colonies and secrete calcium to build a protective exoskeleton known as coral reefs. Like many creatures, coral requires sunlight found in clear, relatively shallow waters. Corals’ shallow water habitats are shared by many other creatures that have grown to depend upon the nutrients and small prey attracted to reefs. Reef fish have evolved and adapted to this unique environment in part through colorful camouflage hiding them from even larger prey. In the tropics, clear shallow waters and colorful coral and reef fish are attracting increasing numbers of terrestrial animals, aka us. Marveling at their otherworldly beauty, we swim and snorkel among the coral colonies and fish. Few realize, though, that our very acts of appreciation threaten the marine communities’ survival. It 22 | August 2019
Citizens and Governments Working Together to Save Caribbean Reefs
should be obvious that we shouldn’t stand or sit on coral reefs. And, we must be mindful that the fins we wear when snorkeling can slice off or knock down delicate coral structures. Sadly, though, we are unknowingly killing the defenseless cnidaria themselves
through chemical attacks. Who among us has not seen an oily slick floating on the surface of otherwise pristine water? At least four chemicals commonly used in sunscreens can kill coral, according to numerous environmental and public interest authorities. The Environmental Working
Group, for instance, has issued warnings about oxybenzone (used in about 70 percent of non-mineral sunscreen products), butylparaben, octinoxate and a chemical called 4MBC. Though all of these and others are harmful, oxybenzone, widely used in plastics and nail polish, may
be the most harmful substance in sun lotions says EWG and other groups. Although the oceans are big, 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen enter coral reef areas each year, the National Park Service tells us. And, tiny portions of sunscreen chemicals – the equivalent of a drop of water in an Olympic pool -- can be toxic to corals, according to a study cited by Time magazine. Lest you think this is academic because it won’t affect where you swim, think again. Sunscreen chemicals are affecting reefs and associated marine life in Virginia, the Carolinas and the Virgin Islands. Indeed, the Environmental Working Group reports that recent studies have found dangerous levels of oxybenzone in reefs in the V.I. (4,000 times known harmful levels!) and off South Carolina (four times the amount known to be harmful). Volunteers who comprise the non-profit Island Green Living Association (iglavi.org) are working with governmental and other entities to save U.S. Virgin Island coral reefs that, like all coral worldwide, are being stressed by rising sea temperatures, related climactic changes and real estate development. “Reducing waste streams in our island communities, eliminating harmful run-off into the sea, adopting more sustainable living practices CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 23
Old Town Crier
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 22
and reducing use of harmful sunscreens can all help save our stressed coral reefs,” says Harith Wickrema, chairman of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Association and president of the Island Green Living Association. Mr. Wickrema, a Temple University professor and ecotourism expert, is optimistic that we can save our reefs for future generations of islanders and tourists. He and others say many sunscreen products utilizing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will effectively block the sun while not leaching harmful chemicals into the water. Some sunscreen specifically marketed and identified as “reef safe” actually contains oxybenzone, Mr. Wickrema said. Consumers need to look carefully at packaging or, better still, visit the Environmental Working Group site for more information on safe products. Visitors to St. John can find a list of stores selling safe sun products by clicking on the “Saving our Reefs” button at iglavi.org. Dr. Craig Downs, a Virginia based environmental scientist
cited by Island Green Living, notes that Caribbean reefs have suffered substantial damage and destruction over the years. “Any small effort to reduce oxybenzone pollution could mean that a coral reef survives a long hot summer or that a degraded area recovers,” Dr. Downs has said. Despite an unsettling national political scene, it is heartening to see individual citizens, some Federal agencies and local governments (Hawaii, California and the USVI come to mind) taking action in our home waters to save coral reefs, one of Earth’s most endangered life forms.
Jeffrey R. McCord is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Gannett newspapers and Truthout.org, among other publications. For more than 20 years he’s called Northern Virginia home. Jeff is the author of two fact-based Caribbean novels available on Amazon. com: “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” a quarterfinalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest; and, “Santa Anna’s Gold in a Pirate Sea,” a finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book contest. He now divides his time between Virginia and St. John, USVI.
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HH
MYSTERY READING AT ITS BEST by Virginia author Jeffrey Roswell McCord
CARIBBEAN MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE A dead Marine washed ashore on a Caribbean island leads investigators to otherworldly perpetrators in historic pirate waters and high level abuses in Washington. An intrepid maritime historian working the case for U.S. Naval Intelligence discovers a 60-year record of extraterrestrial activity in the Caribbean basin. History and national security politics meet science fiction in this mystery based on exhaustive factual research and informed conjecture.
CARIBBEAN hISToRY AND ADvENTURE Where did the villain General Santa Anna of Alamo infamy retire? Is time travel possible? What was it like on the ground in the worst hurricane of the 19th century? Can a band of rogue sailors from Coral Bay, St. John, defeat ruthless corporate mercenaries? These questions and more are answered in Jeffrey Roswell McCord’s new fact-based novel “Santa Anna’s Gold in a Pirate Sea.”
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August 2019 | 23
FROM THE BAY …
W
hile we usually rely on our good pal, fellow sailor and fellow writer and SpinSheet editor Molly Winans for information in this column, I just really wanted to get a piece in this section about the otters at the Calvert Marine Museum. I have been enthralled with them since my first meeting with the original “Bubbles” and “Squeak” many years ago. For the past year or so, every time I saw an otter post on my Facebook page I made a mental note to myself “the OTC needs to write about these guys”. Finally, I got in touch with Perry Hampton, Calvert Marine Museum’s Curator of Estuarine Biology, and we made a play date with ChessieGrace (3 year old female), Calvert (3 year old male) and Chumley (16 year old male). It was actually a lunch date since I was lucky enough to see them during one of their feedings. One of the benefits of writing about these creatures is that you get treated to the behind the scenes areas of their living space. It really is amazing what has to happen to make sure that these three stay happy and healthy. I really wish I had taken a photo of all of the beach towels that they have stacked up for these three to use – it was pretty impressive. Their inside space includes plastic igloos that they can retreat in to and plenty of items to play with as well as a beach towel or two. They are kept to a fairly strict schedule for feedings and are examined regularly by a veterinarian to make sure that they maintain good health. They are free to roam between the outside and the inside enclosures at will but there is no human contact with them other than feeding time. So…. there is no petting them or volunteering to swim with them – I asked. Perry introduced me to Spencer Kessinger who is currently interning in the Estuarine Biology Department and she gave me the lowdown on what was being served for lunch. It sounded a little fishy to me…..sorry, bad pun. Anyway, these three furry critters eat 3 times a day and consume about 45 fish EACH per day in addition to some frozen treats that have shrimp, fruit and vegetables that get tossed into their water filled playground. Feeding takes place through cutouts in the plexiglass of their indoor enclosure as opposed to tossing the fish at them like they do the sea life at Sea World. I did take note at how ominous their teeth are while Spencer was feeding Chumley and 24 | August 2019
LANI GERING
You “Otter” See These Guys
Playtime!
Spencer Feeding Chessie Grace and Chumley
Calvert Coming and Going
Spencer With Treats
Chessie-Grace. Let’s just say you really wouldn’t want to get between them and their lunch. Chessie-Grace, Chumley and Calvert are river otters so they are different than most of the ones you see in those cute Facebook posts. Those are most often sea otters who are two to three times the size of river otters and are the ones who float on their backs when at the water surface. River otters swim belly down and remain in that position when they are at the surface. You can also tell the difference by looking at their tails. Sea otters have a short flattened version while river otters have long and pointed tails. According to the Museums website: “River otters are well suited for life in and around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, though often go unnoticed. In the wild, they tend to be more active during the dusk and dawn hours, their dark fur blending seamlessly into the background. During the day, river otters are often sleeping in their den or mud-bank cave. Healthy otters will generally avoid humans. In nature, otters are atop the food web with few predators. They will eat most anything including fish, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans and even other mammals.” The day we were visiting was also a day that the Museum was hosting a couple of summer camp groups. This meant tons of kids who were just as in awe of these three otters as I was and they were all over the place. It was almost impossible to get close enough to get good photos when we were watching them frolic around in their 8,000 gallon fresh water pool. This is probably the highlight of the museum tour and that is saying something because this place has a plethora of fantastic exhibits relating to marine life on the Chesapeake. This being said, if you have children that you want to keep entertained for hours this is the place to take them. If you haven’t been to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland you are missing the boat – there is a boat ride feature at the museum as well but that’s a whole other subject for a column. A day trip to the Calvert Marine Museum and Solomons Island is well worth the jaunt. It is about an hour and a half from the DC metro area. Pretty easy to get there once you are on the beltway. Take Route 4 south to the Solomons Island exit and the museum is right in front of you. Old Town Crier
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ROAD TRIP
BOB TAGERT
W
ith all of the heat we have endured this past month we thought we would keep the road trip close to home and take a nice hour-and-a-half drive to Leonardtown, in Southern Maryland. You can take the road most traveled and drive down Route 5 in Maryland or take Indianhead Highway (Rte 210) south and pick out some of the Scenic Maryland back roads to your destination. Leonardtown is the County Seat of St. Mary’s County. Although the town has had a growth spurt in the last decade, the town has managed to hold on to that small town charm year round. With so much to do so close at hand, it is no wonder Leonardtown earned its antebellum moniker, “A most convenient place.” Just a short drive from Alexandria and D.C., wineries, galleries, dining, history and more make Leonardtown a great getaway. In the early 2000’s this little burg undertook a beautification program that included a redesign of the main street and waterfront in town. Widening the street and installing a beautiful landscaped median as well as new sidewalks that lead to the waterfront boardwalk and wetlands preserve at The Wharf have heightened the impact on the senses as you drive down the street. Leonardtown is home to Southern Maryland’s only Arts & Entertainment District. The A&E District celebrated its Arts and Entertainment District Designation on First Friday, September 6, 2013 becoming the first of its kind in Southern Maryland. Celebrated the first Friday of every month in Leonardtown Square from 5 PM - 8 PM, local entertainment is provided as well as merchant specials and refreshments. Experience art inside their galleries and outside in the square. Live demonstrations and 26 | August 2019
LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND
“A Most Convenient Place” Plein Air painting. Just last month the 20th annual Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival was expanded to include Leonardtown in addition to the main Saturday concert at Colton Point. The Leonardtown Wharf gives you the opportunity to rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards on Breton Bay which flows into the Potomac River. The Wharf is relatively new to this historical town and has extended the boundaries of what the town has to offer. The Beach Party on the Square August 3rd will extend from the square to the wharf. There will be fire truck hose downs, a party band, strolling entertainers, “Running of the Balls” and 40 tons of sand! If these 100 degree days continue, this will be a major treat! In the heart of town is the Old Jail
Museum which was built in 1858 and in use until 1942. The granite block and brick structure retains its original appearance. On the other side of town is the recently opened Shepherd’s Old Field Market (SOF Market). You can browse through over 40 shops and services in this “mini-mall’. SOF Market has something for everyone...maybe not what you need, but certainly what you might want! One of the anchors of the Market is a beer and wine garden. Although they do not brew their own beer at the Brudergarten Beer Garden, they do showcase the other local brews made in St. Mary’s County. They also feature a selection of spirits for a little stiffer drink and special cocktails. The fenced in outdoor space offers corn hole, life-sized Jenga, ladder golf and other games. From what we
learned, it has quickly become a popular gathering spot for locals. There were several on their way in the door when we were leaving around Happy Hour time. There are a number of dining establishments that serve a variety of foods in Leonardtown. From southern cuisine at the Front Porch Restaurant to Asian Fusion at Jessie’s Kitchen to home cooking and breakfast at Ye Olde Towne Cafe. If your taste leans towards Mexican there is Dos Amigos Mexican Grill and Smokey Joe’s for a BBQ fix. The night life kicks in at places like The REX, Olde Town Pub and a secretive Speakeasy. Each of these places offer food and a relaxing after hours ambiance. The Social Coffeehouse and Speakeasy is a particular treat. A coffee shop by day, at 4 PM the bookcase swings open and the back room bar comes into play. A very novel idea, this place has been a hit since it opened. New owners Sean and Lisa are downplaying the speakeasy part so that folks won’t think it is so secretive, it still feels like you have entered somewhere special when you walk in – check out the candles when you are in there. They offer light bites, seasonal cocktails and a selection of very good rum, bourbon and cinnamon whiskey from Tobacco Barn Distillery located in nearby Hollywood, Maryland. In a non-descript red brick building on the square you will see the sign for Heritage Chocolates. Once through the door you are in a whole new world. The large, brightly lit store has comfortable seating, a viewing window as they make chocolates (think of the popular I Love Lucy episode) and displays of their wares. Heritage Chocolates was established in 2015 and has brought handmade chocolates and confections to ROAD TRIP > PAGE 27
Old Town Crier
ROAD TRIP | FROM PAGE 27
Southern Maryland. Initially the menu offered classic chocolates and candies including caramels, brittles and toffees. The line expanded to include graham crackers, caramel apples and creamfilled chocolates. Today the kitchen produces over 75 unique recipes. They also have their own gelato which we found to be very refreshing on a hot day. A short distance out of the main part of town and along McIntosh Run is Port of Leonardtown Winery, a cooperative of Maryland vineyards partnered with the wine making skills of the winery. This makes Port of Leonardtown unique to Maryland in that all of the fruit is grown in Maryland. The wines are not only creative, but very good. This is a great place for a picnic in the park and you can also rent kayaks next door at Patuxent Adventure Center and paddle down McIntosh Run into Breton Bay and end up at the Wharf. As you can tell, most of the events and entertainment in Leonardtown are centered around The Square and down to The Wharf. On September 14th The Square will host the 13th Annual Taste of St. Mary’s. Sample menu favorites from St. Mary’s County restaurants and caterers. There is also live music. On September 20th-22nd events move to the County Fairgrounds for the St. Mary’s County Fair. On October 6th the Antique Tractor & Truck Parade returns to The Square. On October 19th & 20th the 53rd Annual St. Mary’s Oyster Festival is held at the Fairgrounds just outside of Leonardtown. Celebrate the opening of oyster season on the Chesapeake Bay and take part in one of the oldest and most popular oyster festivals in the United States featuring the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championships and National Oyster Cook-Off. Known for its exquisite range of seafood and exhibition of cultural activities surrounding oysters and the waterman’s way of life in St. Mary’s County, this annual festival also includes live music, local foods, arts, crafts, craft beer tastings, and family fun. As you can see, there is quite a bit to do in Leonardtown and we only touched on a bit of what happens in the whole of St. Mary’s County. There is a ton of history in this little town that I didn’t touch on, but that would take up a whole other column. The real treat though is the people you will meet. Always friendly people, but also, people set in their ways and customs. Situated between the Patuxent River and the Potomac River, St. Mary’s County is steeped in history and Leonardtown stands in the middle of it all – you might say that is genuinely “A Most Convenient Place”. Escape the city heat and take a road trip to Leonardtown and the cool byways and waters of St. Mary’s County. Old Town Crier
August 2019 | 27
TO THE BLUE RIDGE
JULIE REARDON
Learning Better Gun Skills
I
t may be hot and humid outside, but across the state people are getting outside to tune up their shooting skills—or in some cases, learn to shoot or better their technique. There’s been a renaissance in the shooting sports, and most of the growth in participation has come from women and youth taking up the sport. Just a few generations ago, learning how to handle a gun and shoot was a skill most boys, and some girls, were taught by their fathers or grandfathers. Today, with fewer and fewer people growing up in rural areas, and fewer places to shoot, you need a place and a plan. At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains just 60 miles from Washington D.C., Isobel Ziluca, a 35-year resident of Upperville, can help. She specializes in teaching youth and beginners how to shoot safely and accurately at a private shooting club on her farm west of Middleburg. Just 10 years ago, she got bitten by the shooting sports bug and despite her late start, began competing informally in tournaments. She discovered she had a natural talent but also worked regularly to refine and improve her shooting, and that led to more and bigger competitions sanctioned by the sport’s governing body, the National Sporting Clays Association. Along the way Ziluca taught
28 | August 2019
a few friends and both her daughters to shoot and discovered she enjoyed helping others learn the basics as well as improve their skill and accuracy, so she began instructing. Her passion led to improvements and customization of an unused field and abandoned barn at the farm where she and her family practiced shooting, into a shooting facility a few years ago, and Crocketts Shooting Club was born. Sporting clay shooting competitions are held under NSCA rules, and unlike trap or skeet shoots which are stationary, involve multiple targets fired from multiple locations or stands. Typically 5 to 8 targets will be launched from 14 or more stands. Sporting clay targets move at various speeds and from various locations much as the wild game they simulate. Typically, a course will have 100 clay targets fired from the multiple different locations. They might be launched from the front, side or behind the stand; they might arrive 2 or 3 at a time and fast, slow or somewhere in between. Ziluca is a life member and certified instructor with the NSCA, and is an A class ladies’ competitor, one of only two in Virginia. As a competitor, she’s top-10 in GUN SKILLS > PAGE 29
Old Town Crier
GUN SKILLS FROM PAGE 29
the NSCA eastern women’s division and ranked among the top 10 nationally for 28 gauge and 410 gauge. She coaches an ambitious youth group that competes throughout the Mid Atlantic area. Her proficiency with the smaller-gauge shotguns is an asset to her lesson program. “These are the guns I start the young people out with,” she explained. The 410s, 28s and 20-gauge shotguns are lighter and easier for young people and petite women just starting out to handle; she has students as young as 8 in her classes. She starts the youngsters with stationary 410s or 20 gauge shotguns, “Depending on the size and maturity of the child,” adding that safety is a big part of the instruction. “Every lesson begins and ends with a review of safety procedures,” she adds, and all children new to shooting get private lessons before joining one of her youth groups. She also coaches a woman’s group, and hosts family groups, hunters looking to tune up before hunting season, and has had shooting parties for bachelor and wedding parties as well as family reunions “But most of my students are boys,” she explained. “I think their parents feel comfortable with the safety of my program because I am older, and a mother myself. And the boys like it because I don’t talk down to them; I treat them with respect because I want them to learn respect too. “No sore losers in this sport,” she added. Her students compete in NSCA tournaments and she adds that while competition is healthy and she wants them
all to do well, they also must be gracious in defeat since sporting clay traditions include losers shaking hands with the winners. She also stresses that shooting is not just for the young. “I didn’t even pick up a shotgun until I was 50 years old,” she said. “You’re never too old to learn.” She coaches and hosts all ages, from 8 to 80, at her shoots. She sponsors the Virginia State Ladies Challenge Series and organizes the Boys and
Girls Club Benefit shoot, their largest fundraisers, in addition to coaching her junior team that competes throughout the Mid-Atlantic. For anyone looking to tune up before hunting season or brush up on their skills with a private or group lesson, or who wish to host a sporting clay event for friends or family in the scenic hunt country of Virginia, contact Ziluca through the website www. CrockettsShootingClub.com .
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August 2019 | 29
DINING OUT
THE GASTRONOMES
Shooter Mcgee’s Delectables and Cure-Alls — 40 Years Young Shooter Mcgee’s has been a neighborhood go-to restaurant and bar for forty years as of this month. Started by young former D.C. bartenders, Tom Jackson and Mike (Mango) Anderson, they brought their D.C. culture of a good, fun restaurant to the west end of Alexandria. In celebration of their 40 years, I am going to start this piece by repeating the introduction written by our restaurant reviewer from 1997, Rich McNamara. Little has changed over the years... “With a name like McNamara, I know a fair bit about Irish bars. With both parents born and raised in Ireland and having been an Irish citizen myself until the age of thirteen, I think I could be considered a reasonably good authority on Irish culture and heritage. I have spent enough time traveling in Ireland to know that the “sing-alongs” and patriotic anthems that are so common in America’s “Irish Pubs” are rarely found in the Public Houses of the Irish countryside, except on national holidays and in the tourist traps. Irish fare though, can be similar to American bars. They are mainly local joints where good friends gather over food and drink. Whether it’s to watch a sporting event on TV or to revel in their own athletic accomplishments, the patrons of Irish bars are just like their American counterparts in that the pubs are considered a place to share a good time and good people. In this respect, Shooter McGee’s is one of the most “Irish” I’ve found anywhere.” Shooters is a fair distance from Old Town but it’s worth the trip. For residents of the western part of Alexandria, it is their neighborhood hangout. As you enter the restaurant, you will be facing a classic dark wood bar. With a wide variety of spirits and draft beers available, Shooter’s, the bar, is worth the visit all by itself. There are several TV’s around for you to keep up with the scores. The bartenders greet you with a smile. They are personable and friendly. In the hectic pace of
30 | August 2019
Here's to another 40 Years! Mike Anderson, Tom Jackson and Stephen Mann
today’s world, it can be difficult to find this kind of warmth and charm. It really gives you the feeling of a local pub. Like Rich said in 1997, “If Cheers had been based in Washington, D.C., Shooter’s is the kind of place where it
would have been set!” Besides a little sprucing up over the years, Shooter’s has changed little, except for the food. Their BBQ ribs have been the real deal over the years, slow cooked for eight hours, char-
grilled and smothered with your choice of Shooter’s BBQ or Kansas City BBQ, served with two sides. As Rich noted, this is comfort food in a home style setting. Other entrees DINING OUT > PAGE 31
Old Town Crier
DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30
include Whiskey New York Strip, Lobster-Crab Cake, Grilled Salmon, Country Fried Pork Chop and Classic Creole Jambalaya. All this with a great sandwich and burger selections. All of which are made with the hearty appetite in mind. There are a choice of five salads, two soups and a bowl of beef chili. The appetizers are across the board ranging from Firecracker Shrimp and Classic Chicken Quesadilla to Steak & Cheese Egg Rolls, Mcgee’s Classic Wings and Shooters Sliders. I let my love of southern cooking guide me to the Country Fried Pork Chop. “Country Fried” adds a realistic touch to southern cooking from times gone by. Not necessarily heart healthy, but good for the soul. This was basic meat and potatoes with Mom’s fresh green beans and everything smothered in country gravy. The pork cutlet is pounded and breaded but remained thick and very moist, no short cuts here, and the two pieces were too much for lunch, so I made it dinner the next night. I love gravy and this was on target. The creamy mashed potatoes added to that down home feel. Like my Mom’s, I thought the green beans a tad undercooked but still tasty and al dente. The next night they were perfect. The other Gastronome sort of stepped out of the box too far with her order and selected one of the specials of the day – The Taco Bowl. She had been craving Mexican food and thought this would fit the bill since the tacos that they serve here at Shooters are spot on. Well…not so much the taco bowl. It was good but it wasn’t the normal caliber of food Old Town Crier
they serve here. That being said, she asked that I guide you toward one of the many salads on the menu. She has pretty much had them all at one point or another. August is a good month for a nice salad and the West End Cobb is her number one choice. Grilled chicken breast sliced over FRESH mixed greens (fresh being the key word) with bacon, crumbled bleu cheese, chopped hard boiled egg, avocado, tomato and cucumber served with your choice of dressing. I guess we know what she is having when
we go back. One of the many things that keeps regulars coming back to Shooter’s, in addition to some of the best French fries in the area, are the weekly specials at dinner and a select daily short menu offering for lunch – all of this in addition to their regular menu. They also serve brunch on both Saturday and Sunday. This is another area where they excel - featuring the popular eggs benedict, filet benedict, Shooters Slam, breakfast burrito, Belgian waffle, ham & eggs, French toast, French toast Slam, fried
Inspired by foods found in cities across America with a toast to their craft brews, wines, and spirits
egg sandwich and create your own omelet. Let’s not forget the Bloody Mary Bar ($3.75) and the Good Morning Mimosas ($3.75)! In addition to the full bar and draft beer collection, the restaurant offers a comprehensive wine list and a HUGE selection of domestic, imported and, of course, “craft” beers. They are so “hip” here these days they even have a couple of Shooters Cocktails – the Shooter’s Signature and the Fire Extinguisher – you should check them both out! There is also a nice patio/
deck out front for that alfresco dining moment and…there is a television outside so you won’t miss out on the big game score while you eat. This is very important to some people. In 40 years, Shooter McGee’s has been true to their purpose...great food at a good price. Our congratulations go out to current operations manager and partner, Steven Mann, for keeping the dream alive. The landscape may change, but the basics remain the same!
celebrating american cuisine with libations from around the world
Bruschetta Scallops Month!
SEAFOOD LINGUINE MONTH!
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tjstones.com 608 Montgomery St Alexandria 703.548.1004 August 2019 | 31
BEHIND THE BAR
MURPHY’S GRAND IRISH PUB 713 KING STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703-548-1717 MURPHYSPUB.COM
Manny pulled together the Murphy’s Irish Mule – Jameson’s, Ginger Beer and Lime Juice!
Emanuel “Manny” Lazo How did you get started in the bartending business? I used to work in masonry. After one incident where I was left dangling 8 stories up on the side of a building I decided bartending would be much safer.
What is your biggest bartender pet peeve? There’s nowhere to eat my shift meal! I’ve eaten more sandwiches than any man should just because it’s easier to eat discreetly behind the bar.
What is the cleverest line anyone has 32 | August 2019
tried on you to get a free drink? “I used to have a drinking problem. I still do but I used to, too.” That Bud Light’s on me, good sir. What is the best or worst pickup line you’ve heard at the bar? “You’re so beautiful you look like my mom. Can I buy you a drink?” She looked mortified.
Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a customer/customers. I once convinced a tourist that catfish was BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 33
Old Town Crier
BEHIND THE BAR FROM PAGE 32
literally a cat/fish combo dish. Keeping a straight face for the “What? How? Why?” questions that followed was pretty difficult. We had a good laugh after.
If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world, past or present, who would that be?
helped liberate the Philippines, got a bronze star and became a teacher.... from teen activist to war hero to activist again…his life sounds amazing. Manny is normally behind the main bar Monday 116, Tuesday upstairs 6-close (trivia starts at 8:15pm bring your smart friends, it’s pretty tough) and Wednesday upstairs 6-close.
Ralph Lazo. He volunteered to go to a Japanese American internment camp because his friends were taken. He graduated, joined the Army,
If you would like to see your favorite mixologist featured in this space, send contact information to office@ oldtowncrier.com.
GRAB ABITE
Old Town Crier
August 2019 | 33
AMERICAN
AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970
JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777
BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300
JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria 703-436-0025
BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090
LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313
CAFE 44 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957
THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533
CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHARLIE'S ON THE AVENUE Mount Vernon Avenue 703-851-3270
LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080
MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288
CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776
MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-8800 mason-social.com
EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FLAT TOP BURGER 529 East Howell Ave. 571-970-1006 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 GRATEFUL KITCHEN 727 N. Henry Street HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JAVA GRILL 611 King Street 571-431-7631
34 | August 2019
LIVE OAK 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 571-312-0402
MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011 MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com MYRON MIXON PITMASTER BBQ 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340 NECTAR COFFEE & WINE BISTRO 106 Hume Avenue 571-431-6150 NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com
SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122 SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEETGREEN 823 King St. 571-319-0192 SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 STREETS MARKET AND CAFE 3108 Mt. Vernon Ave. 571-431-6810 THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 THE SUSHI BAR 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue 571-257-3232
CONTINENTAL
BRABO by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 BRABO TASTING ROOM 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Village Brauhaus 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BISTRO SANCERRE FRENCH 1755 Duke Street LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141 ITALIAN BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 HANKS PASTA BAR 600 Montgomery Ave. 571-312-4117 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LA TRATTORIA 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 PARADISO 124 King St. 703-683-5330 PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873
MEDITERRANEAN
LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 thepitahouse.com DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. Alexandria, VA 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD
CATCH ON THE AVENUE 2419 MOUNT VERNON AVE 703-566-1283 HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 Urbano 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148
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Happy Hour Food Specials At All Locations!
MURPHY’S GRAND IRISH PUB
FISH MARKET
BASTILLE BRASSERIE & BAR M-F 4-7pm Sat-Sun Noon5 pm 606 N. Fayette Street
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RT’S RESTAURANT
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UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE $2 off Draft Beers and House Wine by the Glass. $5 House Spirits
August 2019 | 35
LET’S EAT
CHARLES OPPMAN
In Search of the Perfect French Fry!
W
ho doesn’t a love a big pile of hot, crispy French fries? I’m not talking about the kind served at fast food joints -- although some do serve up fabulous fries -or mom and pop restaurants where the chef either doesn’t know how to properly cook French fries or can’t be bothered to get it right. Great fries aren’t just a matter of slicing potatoes and drowning them in a bath of hot fat for a few minutes. Perfect fries begin with the perfect potato followed up by an essential two-step cooking process. Deep-fry French fries one time and you’ll wind up with a heap of limp, pallid potato sticks, but not proper French fries. The potato is a member of the nightshade family (solanaceae) -- which includes egg plant, tomatillos, tomatoes and chayote -and its leaves and flowers are poisonous if eaten in sufficient quantities. Some plants have great medicinal value, especially for arthritis, some are quite poisonous. These health hazards were at least marginally understood in Europe so when the tubers were brought to the Old World they would be used primarily to feed the underprivileged. Their nutritional value was not appreciated. Eventually Europeans embraced the potato and it became widespread as a food source. There seems to be some dispute as to where fries originated. The Belgians lay claim to being the first while the French take credit for inventing these crispy batons of delight. But then, it wouldn’t be the first time in the history of gastronomy the French have taken credit where they oughtn’t to have. For example, take the croissant, but wait, I’m getting off track. That’s another story. Wherever the truth lies, we Americans are quite certain Thomas Jefferson introduced the French fry to the homeland. As the story goes, Mr. Jefferson developed an affinity 36 | August 2019
Ingredients 5 large Russet potatoes, peeled or well scrubbed, if leaving the skin on. 1 quart peanut oil Kosher salt, if preferred.
Method 1. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and then cut each slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick fries. Rinse the fries in cold water and towel dry. 2. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed medium stockpot over medium heat, or in a tabletop deep fryer, to 325F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside. 3. Drain the fries well and pat dry in batches with paper towels. Fry each batch, turning frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes or until the fries are a pale blond color and limp. Remove to the baking sheet lined with paper towels. 4. Crank up the heat of the oil to 375F. 5. Fry the potatoes again, in batches, turning frequently, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and drain on clean paper towels. Season immediately with salt and serve hot. for les pomme frites during his stint as Minister to France from1785 to 1789. Mr. Jefferson high-tailed it out of Paris when the French revolution broke out in 1789 and took the French fry recipe with him. Safely back at Monticello, TJ wanted his private cook, James Hemmings, (brother to the famous Sally Hemmings, TJ’s purported concubine) who learned the art of French cookery while in Paris with TJ to continue to prepare the new-found potato delicacy. Legend has it that Mr. Jefferson continued his love affair with French fries at the White House where, purportedly, during a dinner in 1802 “potatoes served in the French manner” were listed on
the menu. There are approximately four thousand of potato varieties or cultivars (hybrids), but not just any old spud is suitable for that perfect French fry. Enter the Russet. Only the Russet cultivars provide a French fry, one that is light in color, crisp on the outside and fluffy and mealy on the inside and is not saturated with oil. By the way, I asked Dr. Novy how to cook the perfect fry at home and he suggested that I buy a bag of frozen French fries because the manufacturer has already selected the perfect potato which I probably could not purchase at my local grocery store. Now let’s get to how to cook
the perfect potato. Before frying, the potatoes should be peeled and rinsed in cold water to remove starch. Now this is where something of a debate arises. Some cooks advocate rinsing the raw fries in a salt water solution while others do not. Some cooks believe the raw product should be soaked in cold water for up to 8 hours before moving onto the cooking process. Still others are adamant that fries should not be rinsed at all before they hit the fat. Personally, (I owned a restaurant where we served house-made fries) I’ve had good luck with a quick rinse and dry before cooking so I’m advocating the quick rinse approach.
Where ever you land in this debate one thing is certain, the correct “French frying” method is a two-step process. Once the raw fries have been rinsed and dried they are partially cooked in oil without adding color. This is called “blanching”. This should be done in relatively cool oil, peanut oil being the preference because of it high smoke point and it imparts a delicious flavor (I prefer lard or duck fat). The blanching oil should be 325F. The cooking time will depend upon the size of the fries. In any event, at this point the fries are not cooked thoroughly, they are pale and limp. Pull them out of the oil and let them drain and cool completely, and don’t allow them to stick to each other. During this time, steam escaping from the hot potatoes will force starch out of the potato and into a thin layer coating them. This is critical. This starch layer is what makes them crispy, and retain their crispiness when they receive their second frying. At this point the blanched fries can either undergo a final cooking or frozen for later use. However, if they are to be frozen do not allow them to freeze in a mass. The industrial term is “IQF” -- individually quick frozen. The fries may also be refrigerated until final cooking. When you’re ready for that plate of crispy fries then crank up the oil to 375F. The starch layer that you generated earlier will now crisp up and form a protective barrier sealing any residual moisture while keeping them hot and crispy even minutes after you’ve removed them from the fryer. Do not over fill the fryer basket as this may result in uneven cooking and the fryer will take longer to recover from the temperature drop. Give the basket a quick shake to ensure that fries are not stuck together. Cook until a golden brown color is achieved. Drain, salt and serve. Old Town Crier
RESTAURANT WEEK MENU August, 2019 August 16-25
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NANCY BAUER
GRAPEVINE
Three Days in Southern Virginia: Martinsville - Henry County
Y
ou already know way more than you think about southern Virginia’s Martinsville–Henry County. The region is known as the home of many household names: Bassett, Fieldcrest, NASCAR, Marshall Fields. Today, it’s also home to locally-crafted libations, plenty of culture, and lots of options for romping in the great outdoors. This three-day itinerary will have you shaking off the Beltway and I95 blues in no time.
DAY ONE Check into Stuart Hill Bed and Breakfast (228 Spencer-Preston Rd, Martinsville) for the weekend; the Colonial Revival home built ca. 1910 is located between Martinsville and Stuart. There are just three rooms at the popular little inn, so book early. Hi/Lo Lodging Options • Planning a milestone celebration for a group of family or friends? Book the Stoneleigh Historical Country Estate (375 Edgewood Dr, Stanleytown). 38 | August 2019
Starting at $800/nite, this 1926 Tudor mansion was the home of an early Governor. Chef, butler and bartender are extra. • Looking to go off-grid? Rent a yurt, a cross between a tent and a cabin, at nearby Fairy Stone State Park (967 Fairystone Lake Dr, Stuart; $75/nite). Stop at the Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center downtown for maps and info, and then walk a few blocks toward “uptown” for local fine art and handmade crafts, thrift store finds, and more. Grab a casual dinner at Hugo’s Uptown Restaurant and Sports Bar (25 Bridge St., Martinsville) before heading out to Mountain Valley Brewing (4220 Mountain Valley Rd, Axton) for the evening. Mountain Valley is one of the few Virginia breweries actually farming their own hops. And the only place you can sample these intriguing brews is at the taproom, they don’t bottle or can anything. Live music starts around 7pm.
Stuart Hill Bed and Breakfast.
DAY TWO After breakfast, take a drive into town to experience Piedmont Arts (215 Starling Ave, Martinsville; open Saturday 10-3, closed Sunday), a gallery with changing exhibits, performing arts (check schedule
for evening events) and art garden with two unique attractions: the Remarkable Tree of Virginia, and the Historic Little Post Office. Next, head back toward your inn for lunch. We recommend a location that GRAPEVINE > PAGE 40
Old Town Crier
EXPLORING VA WINES
DOUG FABBIOLI
Is there Art in Agriculture?
I
have spent almost 4 decades working in agriculture, turning crops into a preserved, value added product, and teaching people how to be successful at this vocation. We don’t always acknowledge that there is an artistry to agriculture, mainly because the science is so critical
to success. Also, financial success of farmers can be so challenging, we don’t feel comfortable or stable enough to put the creative hats on and add a little flair. Clearly making wine has an artistic element. The process of blending, defining the style of a wine and the way a wine can draw an emotional
response all add into the recognition of creativity that leads to success. The art in the labels, the tasting room design, the experience a customer has when they enter your farm, all of these examples are affected by the artistic vision that someone had and continues to have as they do their job.
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So the artistry has a direct relationship to many decisions that are made on the farm on a daily basis. Certainly there are also financial, process, sanitary and scientific decisions that are made as well. But recognizing that an artistic element to your farm business can make a major difference is very important to your success. As conventional farmers get closer to consumers through the farmers markets, “on the farm” sales and the “know your farmer” movement, the stories of why they are different begin to show. Many farmers deal on a commodity level, like selling their milk to the local co-op to be processed with other milk. But some farmers are keeping a portion of that milk to start their own ice cream operation. The creative character of this leg of the business will help define their business and add value through retail pricing, building a customer base and brand recognition. Each farmer is a steward to their land and a parent to their crop. The stories of how they do what they do is the expression of the art they do every day. Sometimes
the art is the repetition and uniformity of the crop or the row. Other times, the art is the random and bizarre ways that Mother Nature appears on your land. Sometimes the art is in the efficiency of using products off the farm for other purposes in a way that increases income and exposure. It can also involve changing practices to protect water, soil and climate. Encouraging farmers and others to think outside of the box can help them save the farms and the lands they steward. At The New Ag School, our non-profit agriculture workforce development effort, we are recognizing this artistic element as a key part to our base curriculum. The traditional educators have been pushing STEM education for a decade or so. The newer concept is to add art to the curriculum making the focus STEAM. Making a farm successful and paying the bills is important, but the art factor gives us a reason of why we do it. Embracing the artistic side of things can make the functionality side work stronger, smarter and with more style. August 2019 | 39
GRAPEVINE FROM PAGE 38
Where friends, family and the joy of wine come together! New Rooftop Patio Now Open to the Public
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TRY A SIP
will surprise you: the regional airport. Simply Suzanne’s (525 Airport Rd, Martinsville) is a hidden gem, with fromscratch sandwiches piled high and homemade desserts like yummy Chocolate Chess Pie. Sit inside, or watch the planes arrive while you dine outside. Another 20 minutes west brings you to Patrick County and Stanburn Winery (158 Conner Dr, Stuart), owned by the Stanley family, longtime residents and winegrowers. Each step in the winery’s growth is taken by family and friends – a new roof to cover a patio for guests, renovating an old barn into a tasting room, planting, pruning, picking. Stanburn is the epitome of
Piedmont Arts. a farm winery. The family prefers making serious wines (i.e. dry) from their barbera, chambourcin, cabernet franc and other grapes, but semisweets are available as well. Attention Racing Fans! • Martinsville Speedway (340 Speedway Rd, Ridgeway) roars to life in March and October for exciting NASCAR racing. You’ll be up close and personal with all the action as this is the shortest of tracks, only .526 miles in length - you can’t get any closer. Other times of the year, you may be allowed to drive your own car on the famous track. Call for details.
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Take a rest at the inn before heading back into town for dinner, where fresh ingredients and locallysourced produce are on the menu at Third Bay (1163 Spruce St, Martinsville). This former filling station (yes, the third bay refers to a garage) is known for good service and simply grilled or blackened ribeye, chops, fish and more. If you visit on a second Saturday, check out the local talent at open mic night at Daily Grind Coffee House and Café (303 E Church St, Martinsville). Local beers and wine available.
DAY THREE Wake up early and enjoy the great outdoors. Philpott Lake Visitors Center (1058 Philpott
Dam Road, Bassett) has exhibits on wildlife as well as the story of the Philpott Dam, built by the Army Corps of Engineers. Hamlet Vineyards (405 Riverside Dr, Bassett; opens at 1:00 Sundays only), and its spacious rustic-chic tasting room, lounge and deck will call you to sit and relax. One of Virginia’s best winemakers, Michael Shaps, crafts a variety of single varietals and blends from Hamlet-grown grapes. You can easily make lunch out of Hamlet’s light fare and Sunday Specials. TIP: Hamlet Vineyard’s 2016 Eltham, a blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot, was included as 1 of 12 wines in the state’s top wine competition in 2019, the Virginia Governor’s Cup. Between Philpott Lake and Hamlet Vineyards, pass through the town of Bassett. In the late 1800’s, the Bassett family had a sawmill here that eventually grew into the million-dollar furniture company Bassett. The furniture trade was a key factor in Martinsville– Henry County development and this legacy continues with the trove of furniture outlets operating today in Martinsville Uptown. See more Virginia Wine Country Getaway itineraries in the book Virginia Wine Travel Journal 2019 by Nancy Bauer, $15 on Amazon.
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40 | August 2019
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NICOLE FLANAGAN
FITNESS
EXERCISING
IN THE HEAT:
How to safely work out in hot conditions
T
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
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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 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 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). -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. August 2019 | 41
FROM THE TRAINER
RYAN UNVERZAGT
❶
THE SIDE PLANK (AKA HOVER)
H
opefully your summer has been filled with plenty of physical activities. This month’s exercise is an isometric one called the side plank or hover. The goal of an isometric exercise is to hold the position shown in figures 1 and 2 without any movement. This is a total body exercise. Therefore, multiple muscle groups are involved including the shoulders, triceps, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, internal & external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae, and muscles of the hip and outer thigh. Looks may be deceiving because the side plank is difficult to master. Balance, strength, and posture are important factors to pull this one off successfully. Even though no movement is required, balance will be the biggest challenge. If this is your first time attempting the side plank, try the position in figure 1 using a mirror for feedback. Notice that the knees are bent, but you should form a straight line from head to knees, meaning that your hips are forward and in-line with the shoulders and knees. Place the elbow directly below your shoulder with the forearm perpendicular to your body. This will help maintain proper balance. Place your other arm across the chest with the hand on your opposite shoulder. During the plank, focus on your spinal posture and don’t forget to breathe! Just because you are holding this position doesn’t mean you need to hold your breath. 42 | August 2019
Figure 2 is the full-fledged side plank. This is the more difficult position because the points of contact with the floor (forearm & feet) are further apart thus creating a mechanical disadvantage between these two points. This means your muscles have to work harder to maintain the desired position. A common mistake is to let the hips drop toward the floor. To prevent such occurrence, concentrate on keeping the torso rigid by contracting your oblique muscles underneath your body. The top shoulder should be kept above the bottom one to keep proper alignment. The benefits of the side plank or hover is an increase in core stamina and strength and a decrease in low back pain. I rely on the side plank along with a combo of other exercises to help decrease my low back pain. Remember to plank on the other side of the body to assure symmetry of strength. Try holding the hover for at least twenty seconds per side to start. Eventually progress to 3 sets of 60 seconds per side. You will find that the side plank/ hover is a great exercise to mix in with any exercise routine. Enjoy until next time…..stay fit!! Unverzagt holds Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
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OLD TOWN DENTISTRY Frinet Kasper, DDS • Family & Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns & Bridges • Invisalign • Sealants • Fillings • Whitening • Same Day Appointments 1203 Prince Street • Alexandria, Va. 22314 • 703.683.0800 • www.oldtowndentistry.com Hablamos Español
Old Town Crier
KIM PUTENS
FIRST BLUSH
Get that Summer Glow On!
D
uring the dog days of summer, most of us need a pick me up to our beauty routines. Forget the spa and save some money by giving yourself an at home facial. Here are some easy steps on how to get a spa-worthy facial in the privacy of your own home and at a fraction of the cost.
Step 1 – Get Your Face Squeaky Clean Use a good facial cleanser to rid your face of make-up and debris from the environment. Be sure to use the right cleanser for your skin type. If you are dry or sensitive, avoid cleansers with too many active ingredients, glycolic or alpha 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)
hydroxy acids. If you are oily, be sure to use a cleanser that gets your skin and pores clean without stripping it.
Step 2 – Scrub a Dub Dub Get rid of dead skin and rid pores of the gunk. Find a physical exfoliante - one with some grit to get rid of the ick. Beware of physical scrubs that use nutty ingredients as their scrubbing agent. These can superficially scar the skin and cause problems during your not so youthful years. Look for scrubs that use perfectly round spheres to ensure a safe exfoliating experience. Examples of such are those with ingredients of diathomous earth or jojoba
A Very Good Price!
Good Haircut! Beautiful Perm!
Long Lasting Color!
beads. Some tips on using a scrub: • If you use on dry skin, you’ll get a deeper exfoliation • For a good scrub, but not too deep, use on damp skin after you cleanse. • For a mild exfoliation, mix the exfoliant with your cleanser.
Step 3 – Put on a Mask Even Though It’s Not Halloween Now that you’ve cleansed and scrubbed away the dead skin, apply a facial mask. Masks come in many forms and have different uses. If you are feeling as dry as the Sahara, you might try a mask that boosts the moisture in your skin. Moisture or hydration masks – as they are
often called – usually look like jelly and don’t dry while sitting on the skin. Clay based masks are great for skin that is either dull or congested. The clay ingredients work to pull out impurities that are clogging pores and to bring back the natural glow that has been camouflaged by dead skin cells.
Step 4 – Give your Face a Treat After your mask is wiped clean, your face is ripe for a treat. Apply a treatment serum appropriate for your skin type. If you are worried about your age catching up to your skin, apply a Vitamin C based serum. Vitamin C is the closest thing to the Fountain of Youth. It helps to rebuild collagen and improve the skin’s elasticity. If you are acne prone, apply an antiacne serum. These serums help keep pore-clogging, acne-instigating
bacteria at bay. For normal skin types, simply apply a vitamin-infused cocktail of antioxidants to help keep the skin looking healthy.
Step 5 – Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow The final step is to seal in all the goodness with a moisturizer to improve your natural inner glow. Choose the right moisturizer for your skin type – creams for dry skin, lotions for combination, and oil-free for oily skin. If you are performing your spa facial during the day, you might choose a tinted moisturizer to even the tone of your skin and give you a little added glow. Now, go put your best face forward and rejuvenate your skin during these dog days of summer!
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703-836-1916
Monday-Friday 9 am-7 pm • Saturday 9 am-6 pm We care and will give you only the best! Biolage • Vital Nutrient • Socolor • Matrix Perm • Paul Mitchell • Nexxus Old Town Crier
August 2019 | 43
SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON
Own
M
y hard-wiring is such that seeing a silverlining is relatively easy. I don’t know if I was born this way or made my way to it through my journey. It’s easy for me to see the good because by all counts I have had a good life. My parents, bless them, are still married after 60 years this month. They raised my siblings and I to respect others, to think deeply and most importantly to be kind. We didn’t have everything, but we had everything we wanted (except for that pony!) and learned how to get jobs and show up for work even when we were hungover. For the record, I’ve never seen either of my parents hungover. There was, however, one summer I was home from college and went out until the wee hours of the morning with my friends. When it came time to get up and ready for my day job (yes, I’ve had office jobs forever) my Dad came in and told me that if I was grown up enough to stay out until all hours of the night I was darn tooting mature enough to get out of bed, shower, and put in a full day’s work. Lesson learned. Pessimism was easy in my 20s and early 30s. Even before the dawn of social media I spent time comparing my insides and outsides to what I perceived to be the life of others. I was mad at the government, authority and people who seemed to have it better than I did. Before long, I was working longer hours, getting promotions and wound 44 | August 2019
Your Power!
up with the money that I thought would make me happy. (Spoiler alert: It did not.) Longing for childhood didn’t seem to make a dent in my negative outlook and neither did whining about things outside of my control. That’s when I started seeking some spiritual answers outside of organized religion. Finding my own path has been a bit of a meander around the block, into brick walls and trudging over mountains, while dragging way too much baggage along. I could have hitched a ride, caught an Uber or even taken the bus to the destination and gotten here just the same. My journey to this half birthday has been nothing if not adventurous. Looking back, I seek patterns in my own story. Places and twists that repeat in uncomfortable and heartbreaking ways. The faces or circumstances involved look different – a bad scene as I left a job, a cheating spouse, an ill-conceived volunteer experience – yet they had more in common than you’d think on the surface. That’s the thing about introspection, you have to dig UNDER the surface to find the truth. Digging is hard and often dirty, messy work. I don’t think I’ll ever love getting dirty, but I’m always glad to have done it. The heartbreak that’s repeatedly shown up in my life can all be traced to one thing – an inability to own and voice my own power. This shouldn’t really be such an “aha” right? I mean, don’t we all know when
we’re giving away our power? Sometimes. Owning our power is tricky. For me, I had high-powered jobs, started companies, earned bank and had no trouble telling people to get out of my space if they shouldn’t be there. That was the “outer” story though. My inner story, when I got down to it, was all about me worrying what other people thought about me. More precisely, what I thought others thought about me. I suspected that the people in my life were watching and analyzing my moves and motives. Every heartbreak comes down to my pattern of
presuming I know what others want for me and doing what I can to make them happy. OR what I perceived as the key to making them happy. I felt that my parents were disappointed that I wasn’t married, instead living with my boyfriend. I hated that feeling, so we got married. Nearly every job I’ve had was due to the fact that I needed the money, took a job and before long ended up promoted, recruited to a new role and another promotion. In not so many years I was afraid to leave a career that was sucking the life out of me because I was worried about the “cocktail party intro.” (You know, the way you introduce
yourself at a cocktail party, “I’m Peggie, nice to meet you, what do you do?”) One by one I’ve traced the highlight reel of painful life moments to times when I ignored my gut and went with what I thought would make someone else happy, or at least reduce the likelihood that they’d talk smack about me. Owning my power means trusting my gut, using my voice and acting on my own beliefs, even if I think someone else may not agree. As you ease into the next season, I encourage you to review your highs and lows to find the hidden patterns. You may be surprised at what you learn.
Are you at a crossroads and need to make some serious decisions? If you’re feeling stuck at work, in love or in general, it can feel impossible to get out of your own way. Peggie helps you assess your situation, using ancient and modern tools to help you move forward with a specific plan of action. Private Sessions are available by phone or Skype.
PeggieArvidson.com peggieParvidson@gmail.com Old Town Crier
STEVE CHACONAS
GO FISH
Not So Fine Print
B
oaters would never intentionally go up a creek without a paddle. But they might be setting a course without proper insurance coverage. As an avid boater who also uses a boat for business, complete coverage is essential to my business and peace of mind. But sifting through coverages with insurance agents, aka salespeople, is like speaking Greek. Not understanding what you need or what you want could end up with incomplete coverage. Cost should not be the sole determining factor. First thing to do, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), is to pull out previous policies and read them. Thanks to BoatUS founder Richard Schwartz, policies are a bit easier to comprehend, but there are still ambiguous areas and boating specific coverages. Surprisingly half of all boat sinkings occur when some small part below the waterline fails. On bass boats it could be as simple as a faulty or lost drain plug or drains or intakes for livewell systems. If a boat sinks it’s likely a total loss. “Consequential damage” coverage pays for losses that often start with a failed part that may be excluded under the policy, but most importantly, the rest of the repairs or total loss will be. After reading the policy, you might notice fuel-spill liability fine print. Fuel-spill liability protects from claims for cleanup or third-party damage
due to the accidental discharge of oil or fuel that can occur in a sinking, fire, collision, or grounding. This is where many policies specifically state they only pay costs associated with a fuel spill up to the policy’s set limit of boating liability coverage. While many boaters might find this acceptable, better policies separate out fuel-spill liability and provide coverage up to the maximum amount you can be held liable for under federal law, which is $939,800. Check this out as the policy cost difference is rather small. If you own a boat, at some point an on the water tow will be in your future. You never know. But know this, they can be very expensive! Make sure you find this fine print in your policy and see what you are really paying for. A lot of boat insurance policies offer an on-water towing endorsement that provides a level of towing and assistance for routine breakdowns or soft groundings. Here’s the issue. You must find out how this coverage will be enabled. Who will you call? When will they respond? Where will they come from and how soon? A 24-hour dispatch service to call for assistance is essential as you are likely stranded. An on-water towing endorsement or a stand-alone on-water towing membership plan could allow you to receive free towing with priority towboat service. Salvage coverage is very specific and is often a point of contention with boaters and insurance companies. Damage
from fires, sinkings, shed-roof collapses, or running up on a shoal end up in a “salvage” situation. If not a total loss, the boat still needs to be recovered and brought to a repair facility. These costs can escalate quickly and dramatically and are deducted from the insured value of the boat, reducing the funds available to repair the boat or the amount paid in the event of a total loss. Unfortunately, many boaters assume the cost of raising or moving the boat to a safe location is covered, and they aren’t. In a total loss, the check you receive for the boat’s insured value, may not cover the salvage bill. You might have to pay out of pocket and end up with nothing for your boat loss. Better policies provide salvage coverage that is separate but equal to the boat’s hull value coverage. Bass boaters continually use their boat trailers, but not all boat insurance policies automatically provide boat trailer coverage. Look for this specific coverage. Further complicating trailer coverage, some policies have geographic limits on where you may trailer the boat. Boat policies pay to repair or replace trailers damaged in an accident while towing, however any thirdparty damage your trailer causes to property or injuries to people is covered under your auto policy. Opting for a liabilityonly policy, make sure that it provides not only coverage for property damage and
bodily injury to others but also coverage for salvage and removal of the wreck, and that separate coverage is available for fuel-spill incidents. Insurance policies for boats are just as important as wearing a PFD. But you have to read the fine print and be properly insured. The cost differentials for the best coverage isn’t that
much. Pay now, or pay a lot more later. Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & contributing writer for BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.
Potomac River Bassing in August Hollow body Mann’s Super frogs work now! Tie to 60-pound test GAMMA braid and fish over grass, under docks or near any cover. Use a 7’2” Quantum Medium heavy rod and a fast Quantum Smoke reel. Pitch Mann’s Stone jigs with HardNose craw trailers to grass, docks and pads on 16-pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line. Swim over and around cover. Mizmo tubes soaked in garlic Jack’s Juice will produce. Same line with a 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point Mega Bite hook and a 3/16-ounce weight. Mann’s 5-inch HardNose Freefall weightless stickworms on 10-pound test GAMMA Edge Fluorocarbon line can also be fished around cover. Crank Mann’s Baby 1-Minus crankbaits in craw and baitfish patterns over wood and grass with 12-14 pound test Edge on a KVD Quantum cranking rod. Use faster Quantum Smoke reels. Mann’s Classic ¼ ounce spinnerbaits and chatterbaits with white skirts are effective close to grass, wood and rock, bumping cover or snapping free from grass. With high clear water, cloudy skies and some chop, try 3/8-ounce double willow spinnerbaits with firetiger skirts. Seeing grass or submerged wood is important for finding fish. Maui Jim HT lenses cut the glare and highlight cover.
Old Town Crier
August 2019 | 45
OPEN SPACE
LORI WELCH BROWN
A Sybill Summer
A
nyone remember that 1976 movie “Sybil” about the woman with multiple personalities or perhaps the Netflix show, “United States of Tara?” I can relate. I don’t know if it’s the heat or Mercury Retrograde, but seriously— who am I and who is that woman who had a near meltdown because the nice folks at Outback forgot to put her filet in the sack at curbside pickup. “Aye, matey. Somebody toss her some bar-bee, stat!” My inner Miranda Priestly was quick to let them know that she was not amused by their incompetence. “By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.” Mercury was in retrograde from July 7 to July 29 so at least I had an excuse for so many Miranda sightings. Thank you, Mercury! And praise Jesus that’s behind us. Mercury rules planning and logistics and basically makes everything and everyone go haywire. I don’t sit around charting my astrology, but I do sit up and take notice when Mercury goes into retrograde because that is no joke bloke. Seriously. I could set my Apple watch by it except that it stopped working. Anyhow, I survived July—a meltdown or two notwithstanding. I’m adjusting to a new world view with my 89 year old dad who now resides in the guest room across the hall two weeks out of the month. For the record—I’ve only had four roommates my entire life—three girls in my twenties and my husband. My girlfriend roomies at least picked their socks off the floor and let me borrow their clothes and make up. I haven’t 46 | August 2019
shared a roof with my dad since 1985, and trust me, it was his house, his rules back then. His rules motivated me to work hard to earn rent money. For all you parents who have kids with failure-to-launch syndrome, what you are lacking is a strong set of rules. No friends after 10 pm. No members of the opposite sex in bedrooms ever. No alcohol or pot. No smoking or vaping. No TVs or phones in bedrooms. Enforce some of those rules and your 12 year old will be filling out applications and contacting leasing agents. I highly recommend that you channel your own Joan Crawford and start banishing the wire hangers immediately. Life with Dad is good, but has definitely taken some adjusting. For starters, transitioning from daddy’s girl to dad’s caregiver means I am a full-fledged adult which I’m not totally digging. I’m seeing my own end of the conveyor belt. You definitely don’t want to rent too much space in your head for those thoughts or you’ll never get out of bed. I’m childless so someone needing something from me 24/7 is foreign to me. Not complaining at all because I’m grateful for this time with Dad, but it is hard any way you slice it. The hardest part is watching this man I knew as the epitome of strength struggling to walk more than 12 steps. He is a champ always though and keeps on keeping on through it all. At 52 years old, I still want him to be proud of me, but some days I feel as if I’m failing at everything. Failing at being strong. Failing at being joyful. Failing at being present and grateful. Why can’t I do
it all with a smile on my face? Why can’t I be more like [fill in the blank with some goddess chick like Michelle Obama or Elizabeth Gilbert]? Why haven’t I published a book or run a marathon or lost ten pounds or won an Academy Award for all this whining? I suck. At. Everything. I get angry at myself often. I’ve learned though that anger is my superpower which is not necessarily a bad thing. Anger shows up and tells the whiny, thumb-sucking Cindy Brady to step aside. I like to think my anger looks like Sarah Connor aka Linda Hamilton (whose biceps put Michelle Obama’s to shame) in Terminator who walks in the room and says, “Shut up! Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! It’s all your fault! M#$@&R F@#%*R, it’s all your fault!” Okay— well some of it might be my fault, but anger reminds me that I probably need some self-care. Maybe I need some time alone. Maybe I am doing a good job and it’s okay not to be doing everything because I am doing the important thing. The trick is not to vomit my anger all over say, the Outback host. That’s why God made customer service surveys. Anger gets a bad rap sometimes—especially for women. We were taught to Julie Andrews our way through the Apocalypse and come out the other side all sugar and spice and everything nice and then just to prove we mean it, drag out some Pamela Anderson lingerie to seal the deal. In other words, we are supposed to be the light in the room not the fireworks, but sometimes a little spark is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Important PSA: Men—do not blame your wife’s anger on menopause. Consider yourself forewarned—this is not a good time to make menopause jokes. For the record, menopause jokes are 1,000 times worse than ‘that time of the month’ jokes. And, by the way, if you want your spouse to channel her inner Pam Anderson, feel free to channel your inner Bradley Cooper or Ryan Reynolds or Jon Hamm or Idris Elba… My other super power is administration and organization. When the going gets tough, I channel my inner Tess McGill and Doralee Rhodes for some high-powered female ingenuity. I can email, file and schedule my way through any crisis. All I need is my Rolodex of resources, my 1985 shoulder pads and big permed hair and I can save the world or at least, schedule a massage and a mani/pedi which is akin to saving the world—at least mine! At a minimum, I can declutter a junk drawer and my brain translates that into peace and harmony. One clean drawer and all is right with the world. It truly is the little things in life that bring us happiness. Luckily, at the end of the day, I am able to put my Mirandas and all my other selves aside and call upon the me, the Lori, who loves summer and wishes life could be one endless day on the beach with all-you-can-eat ice cream and all the puppies and kittens you can hold. Note: I’d still like some Michelle Obama biceps. Just sayin’. Old Town Crier
NATIONAL HARBOR
LANI GERING
Cool Times Ahead at National Harbor I know you all probably think that I have lost my mind since this column is about Christmas and….you may not be far off. The heat wave we had last month just about did me in and that’s what prompted my decision to turn my column over to my marketing pals at the Gaylord since they are already planning all sorts of COOL things for the holidays. I am particularly looking forward to the “Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing” experience! Read on….. It may be the middle of summer, but Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center has Christmas on its mind. The nearly 2,000 room resort announced today that it is offering an even COOLER line-up of holiday attractions and events to its annual Christmas On The Potomac celebration presented by Pepsi© from November 15th through December 30th. Guests to the resort this holiday season will experience an extra 7,000 pounds of ice with new attractions including Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing and an outdoor ice skating rink. The two offerings add to Gaylord National’s more than 2 million pounds of ice used to create colorful, life-size ice sculptures for the resort’s signature attraction, ICE!, presented by DEI©. Thrill-seekers will love Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing featuring a fourlane tubing hill designed for all ages to zoom down inside the resort’s Christmas Village. Visitors can then head outdoors to ice skate in a newly created area, Winter Square, with views of the Potomac River. In addition to ice skating, Winter Square will include Tinsel Tavern, a tacky Christmas bar complete with adult and kid-friendly beverages. The Capital Region’s must-see
Old Town Crier
attraction, ICE!, will return and bring to life the classic 1957 holiday story of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The attraction will feature favorite scenes from the famous Christmas special through interactive ice sculpture displays including the Grinch lurking through the chimneys of the Who-ville homes, the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes and the feast where he carves the roast beast. Tickets start at $33 for adults ages 12 and older, $25 for children ages 4 to 11 and free for kids ages 3 and younger. Military pricing also is available. Grinch fans will get another
opportunity to see the star of the show at the resort’s Feast with The Grinch breakfast. Diners can enjoy a buffet of Whoville inspired items, table-side visits with The Grinch and his trusted dog, Max, and decorative touches Dr. Seuss fans are sure to adore. Visitors can experience numerous other attractions inside the resort’s Christmas Village during Christmas On The Potomac. Family and friends will delight in stories and freshly baked cookies with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread decorating, train rides, The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt and photos with Santa himself!
They also can visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop© to make their very own furry winter friend – a cuddly, teddy bear plush, designed exclusively for Gaylord Hotels that can be personalized with cozy winter clothing and accessories. The resort’s 19-story atrium is another area not to miss. Decked out with millions of twinkling lights, a 55-foot suspended Christmas tree and nightly laser light shows with an indoor snowfall, guests will be hardpressed to leave without some holiday cheer. The atrium also is home to Cirque Dreams Unwrapped. The 25-minute Christmas fable will return with new, spellbinding acts that will dazzle viewers with its spectacular costumes, soaring imagination, gravity defying feats and on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement. Family and friends can start planning their holiday travels early with tickets and overnight packages for Christmas On The Potomac on sale now. For more information on Christmas On The Potomac at Gaylord National Resort, to book a room or package and purchase tickets, visit www. ChristmasOnThePotomac.com or call 301-965-4000.
August 2019 | 47
National Harbor Calendar of Events - August 2019 ONGOING THROUGH SEPTEMBER
Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.
Movies on the Potomac On the Big Screen At the Plaza Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than movie nights at National Harbor. Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza screen for a free evening of fun!
Miller Farms Farmer’s Market On the Belvedere at Waterfront and American Way 10 am – 5 pm Miller Farms returns to National Harbor with their wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods.
Date Night Movies – 7 pm 1st – Green Book 8th – Transformers: The Last Knight 15th – Bring It On 22nd – Bumblebee 29th – Mean Girls Family Night Movies – 6 pm 4th – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World 11th – Learning to See: The World of Insects 18th – Holes 25th - Dumbo Please note that movie times/dates may be changed or cancelled due to weather. Any updates will be announced via social media, so please make sure to follow us on Facebook,
EVERY SATURDAY
Salute the Sunset Concert Series Plaza Stage 7 pm World-class performances by bands from the nation’s Armed Forces at National Harbor stir the hearts and souls of civilians and military personnel alike, while their tuneful stylings in a variety of genres please music lovers of all ages. Please refer to our social media pages for any weather-related cancellations. 3rd – The Army Band 10th – Air Force Max Impact 17th – Air Force Airmen of Note 24th – Air Force Singing Sergeants
ONGOING THROUGH OCTOBER Fitness on the Potomac On the Plaza
Participate in FREE fitness classes on the Plaza. All classes run from 7-8 pm with Saturday morning Yoga that runs from 10-11 am. Mondays – Cardio Hit Tuesdays – Teaser Fitness Wednesdays – Zumba Saturdays – Yoga
friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven’t met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience. The gates open at 4 pm with food trucks and music. Design your own lantern between 8 pm and 9 pm with lanterns being launched at 9:30. Ticket information: waterlanternfestival. com
AUGUST 24TH AUGUST 3RD Water Lantern Festival 2019 165 Waterfront Street 4 pm – 9:30 pm Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family
Chesapeake Crab, Wine & Beer Festival National Harbor SouthPointe Lot Session 1: 11 am – 3 pm Session 2: 5 pm – 9 pm This festival offers an all-you-care-to-taste extravaganza complete with over 50,000 crabs, lots of beer, arts and crafts, live music, family fun and much more. Get Cracken’ and find out what over 30,000 people have come to enjoy. Ticket information: crabwinebeer.com
NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE AC LOUNGE 156 Waterfront Street 301-749-2299 BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445 BRASS TAP 164 Fleet Street 301-965-9116 BROTHER JIMMY’S BBQ 177 Fleet Street 301-909-8860 CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet Street 301-839-1100 CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL 158 National Plaza 301-749-2016 CRAB CAKE CAFE 140 National Plaza 240-766-2063 ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014 48 | August 2019
FIORELLA PIZZERIA E CAFFE 152 National Plaza 301-839-1811 GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788 GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY 200 American Way 240-493-3900 IRISH WHISPER 177 Fleet Street 301-909-8859 MASON'S FAMOUS LOBSTER ROLLS 156 National Plaza 410-298-7850 McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815
NANDO’S PERI-PERI 191 American Way 301-567-8900 NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com PIENZA ITALIAN MARKET Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS 146 National Plaza 301-686-1160 PUBLIC HOUSE 199 Fleet Street 240-493-6120
REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330 ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 SUCCOTASH 168 Waterfront Street 301-567-8900 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 WALRUS OYSTER & ALE HOUSE 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100
Old Town Crier
Get a taste of Southern Maryland at the Port of Leonardtown Winery. Paddle the McIntosh Run water trail. Enjoy a sunset along Breton Bay. Dine at an outdoor cafe. Located conveniently in the heart of St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. VisitStMarysMd.com/Leonardtown
Port of Leonardtown Winery
www.POLWinery.com
thelba.org
FINISHING TOUCHES, you’ll only find here LESS THAN 1 MILE TO YELLOW LINE METRO! SUMMER/FALL MOVE-INS AVAILABLE!
TOWNS AT
SOUTH ALEX
®
Urban Rooftop Terrace 2-Car Garage Townhomes from the mid $700s | <10 Min. to Old Town | 2,896 sq. ft. | 4 BR | 3 full, 2 half BA Sales Manager | Lori Windsor (703) 507-6882 | lwindsor@craftmarkhomes.com
CraftmarkHomes.com/SouthAlex Brokers Warmly Welcomed. Must register and comply with policy terms.