Since 1988 • Priceless
August 2022
oldtowncrier oldtowncrier.com
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
otcregionalmag
Setting the Standard In Old Town Since 1979
august‘22 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert
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MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery
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SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Erin Koons
A Bit of History ............................................................... 8
Fitness .............................................................................. 38
Open Space .................................................................... 42
CONTRIBUTORS
After hours ...................................................................... 11
From the Bay .................................................................. 24
Pets of the Month ........................................................ 19
Alexandria Events .......................................................... 2
From the Trainer............................................................ 39
Points on Pets ................................................................ 18
Art & Antiques.................................................................15
Gallery Beat..................................................................... 14
Publishers notes ............................................................ 2
Business Profile ............................................................... 4
Go Fish .............................................................................. 41
Road Trip ......................................................................... 22
Caribbean Connection .............................................. 20
Grapevine........................................................................ 34
Special Feature................................................................. 6
Dining Guide................................................................... 31
High Notes ...................................................................... 11
Take Photos, Leave Footprints.................................16
Dining Out ..................................................................... 30
Let's Eat............................................................................. 28
The Last Word ................................................................12
Exploring VA Wines .................................................... 35
Let's Get Crafty ............................................................ 36
To the Blue Ridge ......................................................... 26
Financial Focus ............................................................... 7
National Harbor ........................................................... 44
Urban Garden ............................................................... 10
First Blush ....................................................................... 40
On the Road .................................................................... 1
Stephen Bearce Sarah Becker Alexander Britel Kelsey Bonham Cheryl Burns F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Carolyn Cockroft Beth Crabtree Scott Dicken Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Nicole Flanagan Alberta Frost Lani Gering Miriam Kramer
Genevieve LeFranc Timothy Long Cindy McGovern Meg Mullery Melinda Murphy Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Jaime Stephens Ashley Stimpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Catherine Varchever Lori Welch Brown
© 2022 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas and St. John, USVI.
On the road with OTC
About the Cover Kayaking on the New River in Giles County Virginia. Photo by Paul Moody of New River's Edge. For more photos like this check out newriversedge.com or follow them on Facebook.
Old Town Crier
Longtime Alexandrians and Old Town Crier readers David and Laurie Norcrosse took the July copy with them on their latest trek up north. Little did they know it would turn into an impromptu Family Affair. Both David’s father’s parents and mother’s parents starting going to Loon Lake in Rangeley Maine in the early 1920’s. His mother and father met there, eventually married and produced David. The Norcrosse’s in this picture are the result of that meeting one hundred years later. Two spouses (and a significant other) with four grandchildren. Laurie is pictured in the center with the OTC in hand and David is to her right. This photo
was taken about ten miles from Loon Lake on Mooselookmeguntic Lake. (Yes…..that is an actual lake!) If you would like to have your photo featured in this space, grab a copy of the Old Town Crier and take it with you on your adventure and snap a
photo or three of you having some fun with it in hand and email it to office@ oldtowncrier.com. Be sure to include information for the caption and your mailing address so we can send you a hard copy. Your photo will appear on our website/blog as well as Facebook and Instagram pages. August 2022 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
BOB TAGERT
Sitting atop Bald Mountain in Pembroke, VA The Dog Days of Summer arrived in full force. As we close out July and move into August the weather has been brutal with very high temps and thunder storms popping up almost every afternoon. My sailing adventures over the years in the lower Potomac River and Solomons, Maryland has shown that July is always the hot month with August offering more pleasant temperatures. I hope that trend holds true. Our Road Trip this month took us to Mountain Lake Lodge and the New River in southwestern Virginia. The cover photo features just a small portion of the beauty of the river. Read the column and learn more about the river, the lodge, the lake and the home of the iconic movie, Dirty Dancing’s filming location. In Let’s Get Crafty, Tim Long reminds us of one of summer’s treats...the Shandy. He also takes a taste of SelvaRey Rum, one of the hottest new rums on the market as well as a great cigar recommendation to compliment it. Grapevine author Matthew Fitzsimmons introduces us to a few of Virginia’s assistant winemakers, how they got there and their mentors. In Exploring VA Wines Doug Fabbioli laments on training and retraining after a pandemic. Miriam Kramer does the research for the best in Beach Books 2022 in Last Word. In High Notes, Ron Powers continues his Flashback series and shines a light on Chuck Berry. Sarah Becker’s A Bit of History column takes a look at Roe v. Wade and the Law of Coverture. There is some eye-opening information in this piece. In Caribbean Connection Bob Curley introduces us to a few of the Best Caribbean Rainforest Accommodations. It is a tradition to leave our area in the winter and head to the islands. With constant mid to upper 90’s this summer, the 85 degree average in the islands sure looks inviting. Scott Dicken explores Africa’s Big-Five: A Safari Highlight in Take Photographs, Leave Footprints. Dining Out took us to Union Street Public House for their classic sandwich “My Bar, My Rules”. A big welcome to Paul Magnant, the new executive chef at Union Street. If you are looking for some “Hot Eats and Cool Treats” that won’t blow your diet, check out Let’s Eat. Lori Welch Brown laments about “THE” Summer in Open Space. Her column is always entertaining and thought provoking. All of this and much more awaits in these pages. The long range forecast calls for warmer than average the first and last parts of August. Stay in the shade, drink plenty of water and have a safe August. Fall is on its way!
2 August 2022
Alexandria Summer Events Feature Outdoor Festivals, Historical Happenings and More – AUGUST 2022 photo by Chris Cruz for Visit Alexandria
SUNDAYS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4TH Junior Docents at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Admission: $5 per adult; $3 per child (ages 5 to 12) and free for city residents Gadsby’s Tavern Museum 134 N. Royal Street alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Junior Docent Program is back with an exciting new offering this summer thanks to American Heritage Chocolate! Every Sunday, through Labor Day weekend, from 2 to 5 p.m. guests can meet Junior Docents (grades 4 and older) who will be stationed throughout the tavern. They will be sharing the history of the early America and the tavern, but also the history of chocolate, including a hands-on demonstration of historic chocolate-making in the ballroom.
THROUGH OCTOBER 7TH Potomac Paddle Club Booze Cruises Admission: $75 per person 107 N. Union Street seasuitecruises.com/locations/potomac-paddle-clubalexandria 202-656-3336 The nation’s capital’s only passenger pedal boat, the Potomac Paddle Club, is cruising its second season from Old Town Alexandria. Passengers have the option of cruising southbound underneath the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, past the Jones Point Lighthouse and around the channel markers to National Harbor and back or cruising northbound towards either DC’s Wharf or Navy Yard before circling back to Old Town for a total cruise time of two hours. The 20-passenger vessel is powered by ten cycle stations surrounding a mahogany bar. The party is bring-your-own-food and drink and is assisted by a captain and motor if needed, allowing guests to enjoy monumental views on an intimate cruise at their own pace.
THROUGH NOVEMBER 13TH Lives Worth Celebrating: Stories of Resilience, Rebellion and Freedom at Lee-Fendall House Admission: $7 per person Lee-Fendall House 614 Oronoco Street 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org Explore a timeline of major events related to the history of slavery in the Americas as you learn about legendary African American leaders, stories of self-liberation and family legacies including the descendants of free and enslaved African Americans who worked at the Lee-Fendall House. Part 1: “Freedom” will launch this 3-part exhibit which will delve
into stories of rebellion and resilience by enslaved people in America over the next two years.
THROUGH THE 13TH Summer at The Little Theatre Alexandria Admission: $21 to $24 per person The Little Theatre of Alexandria 600 Wolfe Street 703-683-5778 thelittletheatre.com This month, The Little Theatre Alexandria, patrons can enjoy “Something Rotten,” a Tony-award nominated musical farce that’s more fun and festive than a trip to the Renaissance Faire.
4TH First Thursday in Del Ray 6 p.m. Admission: Free Various locations in Del Ray visitdelray.com Held the first Thursday from April to August along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local nonprofit. This summer’s themes include “Unmask Your Superhero First Thursday,” “First Thursday Red, White & Blue,” “First Thursday Aloha Thursday” and “First Thursday Show Your Spirit,” respectively.
5TH & 19TH Trivia Nights at Historic Sites From 7 to 9 p.m. Admission: $8 Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden 614 Oronoco Street 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org Staff members at Carlyle House Historic Park and the LeeFendall House Museum combine their knowledge to create bi-weekly trivia nights throughout the summer in the beautiful gardens of the Lee-Fendall House. Test your knowledge on everything from pop culture to history. Registration must be done in advance. Limited capacity so register early! Tickets include snacks and one complimentary drink. Additional drinks can be purchased at our bar. Teams are limited to 6 people, ages 21+ only. Each trivia night will have a different theme, ranging from literature to horror to 1990s. There will be weekly prizes for the winning team as well as a grand prize for the team that wins the most points over the entire summer.
ALEXANDRIA EVENTS > PAGE 3
Old Town Crier
ALEXANDRIA EVENTS | FROM PAGE 2
6TH Friendship Firehouse Festival From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission: $2 per person; free for city residents Friendship Firehouse Museum 107 S Alfred Street 703-746-3891 alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse Head to the 100 block of South Alfred Street to celebrate Friendship’s 248th year. Visit the historic Friendship Firehouse Museum, learn about fire safety today and in centuries past, and see City firefighting equipment up close. There will be displays by community organizations, local vendors, and food and beverages available. Children receive free Friendship fire hats.
12TH The Late Shift: Sidewalk Art Party at the Torpedo Factory Art Center From 7 to 10 p.m. Admission: Free Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org Find early discounts and specials in select studios throughout the building on the eve of the 2022 Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, discover new art to love with a visit to Artist Row, featuring local artists from across the DMV and take part in the massive sidewalk chalk mural party on the steps and sidewalk along the Union Street side of Torpedo Factory Art Center. Rain location will be inside the Grand Hall.
13TH Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale Throughout Old Town and Del Ray VisitAlexandriaVA.com/SidewalkSale One of the longest running seasonal summer shopping events returns to the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques, Alexandria, Virginia, with the annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale happening Saturday, August 13, 2022, throughout Old Town and Del Ray. The event features approximately 60 Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise. Learn more at VisitAlexandria.com/ SidewalkSale.
14TH Free Yoga in the Fresh Air in Old Town North From 9 to 10 a.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park Gazebo 901 North Royal Street 571-218-2161 riversedgeyoga.com Start your day with a burst of energy from this all-level al fresco yoga class offered on select Sundays throughout the summer.
18TH Music at the Market at Old Town North Old Town Crier
From 6 to 7 p.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 N Royal Street oldtownnorth.org The Old Town North Community Partnership, with support from NOTICe, The Old Town North Alliance and local businesses and residents, present Music at the Market on the third Thursday of the month throughout the summer. Head to the Old Town North Farmer’s and Artisans Market to browse, pick up a bite and picnic in the park while soaking in great live music. Rain date September 8.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA Named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. in 2021 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise 2022 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. Founded in 1749, Old
Town Alexandria is the nation’s third oldest locally designated historic district, boasting more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington and America’s Founding Fathers while learning about Black history and African
American change makers that have shaped the history of Alexandria and the U.S.
Connect with us! Web VisitAlexandriaVA.com Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com Facebook: Facebook.com/ VisitAlexandriaVA Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA Instagram: nstagram.com/VisitAlexVA Hashtags: #visitALX
18TH, SEPTEMBER 15TH, OCTOBER 20TH Old Town Art Walk From 5 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Various locations in Old Town Alexandria oldtownbusiness.org Enjoy a self-guided tour of Old Town Alexandria and explore the fine art and studio crafts found in art galleries and boutique shops on the third Thursday of each month, May to October. The stroll is a great activity after an early dinner, or before enjoying a meal at one of Old Town Alexandria’s restaurants. The Old Town Art Walk is presented by the Old Town Business Association.
THROUGH OCTOBER
20TH Workshops on the Waterfront From 1 to 3 p.m. Admission: Free Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org Enjoy a free workshop or live demo with a Torpedo Factory Art Center artist at the Waterfront entrance of the Art Center. There will be a different project every third Saturday of the month from April to October.
Bands and Brews Summer Bar Crawl From 1 to 6 p.m. Admission: $15 in advance; $20 at the door Various locations along Mount Vernon Avenue visitdelray.com Del Ray’s annual summer bar crawl features live music, food and drink specials at 15+ restaurants, trolley transportation, and more. For more details and tickets, visit visitdelray.com.
27TH Around the World Cultural Festival From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: Free Oronoco Bay Park 100 Madison Street facebook.com/events/ Around TheWorldCulturalFestival The Around the World Cultural Festival takes attendees on a day trip around the world and present you the cuisine, culture and traditions of over 40 countries participating at the event held in the expansive Oronoco Bay Park.
mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-profit is featured each weekend.
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET Market Square 301 King Street Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.
DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh
OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European flair and much more.
FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to reflect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, all guidelines suggested by the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health and the City of Alexandria are followed by the market managers and the vendors at these markets. August 2022 3
BUSINESS PROFILE
LANI GERING
IZALIA LASER HAIR REMOVAL & REJUVENATION SPA
Obsessed With Doing It Right!
Annette Antonelli opened Izalia in the 100 block of North Columbus Street in Old Town Alexandria 16 years ago and has been growing the business ever since. She moved the Spa to its current location at 114 South Patrick Street in 2008 and became the OTC’s next door neighbor. That is when we met this crazy creative girl with the fantastic imagination! While we moved from South Patrick about 7 years ago, we have stayed in touch and watched her business blossom. It has been 12 years since we profiled Izalia and we thought it would be good to circle back. To be honest, I had no idea how many men Izalia Laser Hair Removal and women there are out & Rejuvenation Spa there that are plagued 114 South Patrick Street with excessive hair until Old Town Alexandria I met Annette. All I 703-549-0911 could think of at first Izalia.co. was Steve Carell and the chest waxing scene in 40 Year Old Virgin! Yikes! Laser hair removal, however, requires more than one treatment and from all appearances doesn’t involve a lot of pain and is a more permanent solution to getting rid of unwanted hair. The spa interior is very inviting and care has been taken to make clients feel at ease and feel confident in the professionalism of the staff. Izalia uses the latest in technology with their aesthetic energy 4 August 2022
BUSINESS PROFILE > PAGE 5
Old Town Crier
Kerry Joseph Donley (February 1, 1956 – July 13, 2022)
BUSINESS PROFILE | FROM PAGE 4
devices and sets itself apart from other laser spas in that they GUARANTEE their results as long as clients follow the prescribed requirements for prepping for treatments and follow-up. This is a lifetime guarantee. If, after the prescribed 8 treatments, you have hair that returns they will treat it for free. Antonelli is literally obsessed with “doing it right” and Izalia is the only laser hair removal entity in the area to make this offer. The following information was garnered from Izalia’s informative website izalia.com: “At your first visit to the spa we carefully explain how laser hair removal works, teach the 5 golden rules of effective treatments, and answer all of your questions. You will learn for yourself that we are passionate about providing you the very best results. Laser Hair Removal is a safe and effective way for patients with all skin types to enjoy smooth, hairfree skin without the need for pesky razors, expensive waxing or painful creams. Treatments are done in a short, in-office session and require absolutely zero downtime. Izalia Laser Hair Removal & Rejuvenation Spa uses the most advanced laser technologies to maximize comfort while achieving an optimal outcome. The GentleMax Pro is a dual wavelength (both Alexandrite and YAG) laser device that allows us to precisely target the base of hair follicles. Laser energy delivered to hair while in an active growth stage, ruptures the root, causing it and its hair to die. Most people have 5-8 cycles within the 3 stages of hair growth, so 5-8 treatments are necessary to kill all existing hair. Laser Hair Removal does not prevent new hair growth.” In addition to hair removal, the following services are offered at Izalia: Sublative™ Skin Rejuvenation delivers bipolar radio frequency (RF) technology through a hand piece equipped with multi-electrode pins. The thermal damage vaporizes the topmost layer of the epidermis while the electrode pins create tiny micro-injuries just below the surface of the skin. These treatments are typically done on the face, neck, hands, and chest. The procedure can be customized to treat even the most sensitive areas such as under the eyes or around the lips. Treatments are safe and effective for all skin types including dark tones. Sun Spot Removal - Men and women who are bothered by sun spots, brown spots, or other pigmentation problems can benefit from non-invasive laser treatments with the GentleMax Pro. Sun spot removal is a simple in-office procedure. Treatments are long-lasting and many patients only need one session to achieve an optimal outcome. I had the Sublative Rejuvination treatments about Old Town Crier
6 years or so ago – I was 62 at the time - and I can attest to the fact that my skin was much improved afterward. Full disclosure….I had to psych myself up to get “zapped” but once you are settled in you are fine. There are big things on the horizon for Annette and her team – she purchased the building at 214 South Payne Street earlier this spring and is in the process of gutting it and getting it prepped for the future home of Izalia. She is also embarking on a new retail venue – Lux Rox Luxury Home Décor Crystals & Gemstones – in conjunction with the spa. We are looking forward to see what her creative vision has for the new space. It is sure to be amazing. Izalia is an award-winning Laser Spa and has 5-star ratings on both Google and Yelp! Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and every other social media outlet there is out there.
On a very sad note, it is with a heavy heart that we extend our condolences to the family and friends of former Alexandria Mayor and Living Legend, Kerry Donley. Kerry was a supporter of the Old Town Crier and we have watched many changes in our fair city together. He was taken way too soon and will be greatly missed.
Where Is It? Be the first person to respond with the correct location and receive a $50 gift certificate to a local dining establishment of our choice. In order to participate, you will have to Like and Follow us on: Facebook @oldtowncrier Instagram @otcregionalmag We will contact the winner each month via personal message to arrange for prize delivery.
August 2022 5
SPECIAL FEATUE
LANI GERING
Who Knew? Well….stupid covid (can’t bring myself to capitalize the word) put a couple of cogs in the Old Town Crier wheel this month. Just as we were finalizing the Personality Profile interview, our interviewee was hit hard by the virus and we had to reschedule for next month. In the scramble to get all of the parts to our designer – who, by the way, also got hit with it the weekend before our deadline – we had to come up something entertaining for this space. And what is more entertaining than knowing that there are really important things in August that many of us have never celebrated. I consulted calendar.com/united-states and who knew that there are 97 said celebrations I had never heard of. Obviously there are several things to celebrate on the same days. I picked the following since one is pretty self-serving and the other for the good of the order:
National Lazy Day – August 10th If you have been very busy with work or school lately, and you just need a day to relax and do nothing, then August 10th is the perfect day for you as it is Lazy Day! A day to do no work, no house chores, and to just sit down and enjoy your favorite TV show, read your favorite book, or anything you want, just as long as it is a lazy activity. The best part is that you don’t have to feel guilty about it because this day is a celebration of laziness! Like many unofficial holidays, the origins of National Lazy Day are unknown. However, it sure seems to have become a popular day with people, probably because who doesn’t like a day that allows them to be a couch potato.
Why Being Lazy Can Be Good. Even though many people see being lazy as a negative thing, there can actually be quite a few benefits to it! For one, lazy people are more likely to be well-rested 6 August 2022
and therefore have decreased levels of stress as well as a better memory and attention span. This means that lazy people often are better at focusing on their longterm goals, as they spend their idle times thinking about and planning for the future. In other words, their minds are freer to set goals as they are not always preoccupied with what is happening in the present. At the same time, lazy people like to finish their tasks as quickly as possible, which means that they can be more efficient, especially as they would hate to have to re-do a task which means they will do their best to do it well. Similarly, those who are lazy will waste less time because every activity needs to be worth their time, and they only get involved in events that have meaning to them. Who knew?
What to do on Lazy Day The obvious answer to this is: be lazy! This doesn’t mean spend your whole day sleeping, although you can do that if you want, but just take the day to relax and not strain yourself too much. You can stay on the sofa and catch up on that tv show you’ve been meaning to watch, or you can spend the day laying in the park reading that book you’ve been meaning to for a while. All of this should be done, of course, while wearing your most comfortable clothes. This is also the perfect day to cut yourself some slack and leave the house chores for tomorrow. You can even order takeout instead of cooking dinner.
National Beach Day – August 30th National Beach Day is celebrated at the height of summer on August 30th. Everyone loves to spend a warm day laying on their towel on a sandy beach, making sandcastles, and taking a dip in the beautiful sea, and this is the day to celebrate that experience! National Beach Day also raises awareness about how important it is to keep beaches clean so everyone can enjoy them.
Background The first people to have the idea of a day to celebrate the beaches in the United States were the Knights of Columbus in Milwaukee, in 1929. This day was meant to be a part of their convention plans, but it never took off in popularity. Not a lot of beachfront around Milwaukee. The day was forgotten until 2014, when family lifestyle expert Colleen Page created National Beach Day, an unofficial holiday, to be observed at the end of August. The goal of this day is to show appreciation for beaches and show people that they must be kept clean so that future generations can enjoy them as we do! Through the years the government has taken some actions to make sure that the beaches are clean and safe for people. In 1948 the Clean Water Act was passed, which ensures that there are water quality and pollution standards that keep the waters on beaches clean. Then in 1972, the government passed the Coastal Zone Management Act whose goal is to preserve, protect, and restore the coastal zone of the United States. And finally, in 2000 the BEACH Act was passed, requiring the EPA to set standards for testing and monitoring the water.
What to do on National Beach Day Gather a group of friends and organize a cleanup on the closest beach to you. Try to encourage the beachgoers that are there to join you, and collect all the trash that people have left behind them. When you’re all done, lay down on your towel and relax, cool down with a dip in the sea. Make a fun day out of doing something good for the environment! There are many organizations around the United States dedicated to keeping the beaches clean. Check if there’s one near you and volunteer to help them out the next time you are at the beach. Old Town Crier
FINANCIAL FOCUS
CARL TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN BEARCE
Paying down debt vs. investing Paying down debt is often difficult, especially in a challenging economic environment. You may be wondering which to tackle first — pay down your debt or invest for the future.
Balance is best A balanced approach to wealth management serves both today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals. For some that may mean paying off some debt today while simultaneously investing for the future. Your own needs and circumstances will be unique. The following guidelines can help you evaluate alternatives and find an approach that fits your situation and goals.
Don’t forget your emergency fund In addition to paying down debt and settling on an investment strategy, make it a priority to set up an emergency reserve. Traditional “rules of thumb” suggest setting aside three to six months or more of living expenses in traditional savings or very short-term, highly liquid, low-volatility investments. While ideal, that goal may not be realistic for everyone. Start by building up a reserve of a month’s expenses and make it a goal to increase your emergency fund over time as resources permit.
Your future first When making decisions about debt and investing, be a long-term thinker. Consider “what position do I want to be in 10 or 20 years from now?” Then evaluate what actions today should be most effective in helping you achieve your long-term financial goals. For example, if you have high-interest debt that is compounding, this could eventually become a serious impediment to reaching your long-term goals. In contrast, you might not be in a hurry to retire low-interest debt if the potential return on long-term investing would be greater. When making decisions about debt reduction vs. investing, keep in mind that the need to eventually pay off principal is certain but investment returns are not. Investment performance will vary over time, and it’s possible to experience losses as well as gains. At the same time, it is well known that investors who start earlier may benefit from compounding and “time in the market.” If you have the opportunity to participate in a retirement plan at work and your employer makes matching contributions, that could be a Old Town Crier
compelling reason to prioritize investing up to the amount that the employer will match. But there are no magic numbers. That’s why you may want to work with a financial advisor to create an investment strategy that fits your financial expectations for the future.
Prioritize your debts With your emergency fund and investment strategy in place, you can begin deciding on a strategy for reducing your debts. But how do you decide which debts to pay down first? Mathematically, it makes sense to focus on paying off high-interest debts like private student loans and credit card debt first. Federal student loans and mortgages might be lower priorities because their rates are often lower and their terms longer. Vehicle loans might fall somewhere in the middle. Tax considerations may also come into play. An alternative approach is to start with the smallest debt first. It might be motivating to get a “quick win” by paying off a smaller debt before beginning to chip away at a larger one. Once you pay off one debt, add that payment amount to a different debt payment amount to accelerate its pay off.
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It’s personal One last tip: Don’t discount your emotions. If paying off a certain debt will help you feel more secure, follow your gut. Or discuss with a financial advisor before you decide. Also, identify some key milestones that you want to reach, and celebrate (modestly) when you achieve those goals! This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice PresidentInvestments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. 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. ©2022 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Investment and Insurance Products are: • Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency • Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate • Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
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August 2022 7
A BIT OF HISTORY
©
SARAH BECKER
Women’s Equality Day, 2022? Yeah, Right. “Abortion presents a profound moral issue on which Americans hold sharply conflicting views,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito wrote in February 2022. “For the first 185 years after the adoption of the Constitution, each State was permitted to address the issue in accordance with the views of its citizens. Then, in 1973, this Court decided Roe v. Wade 410 U.S. 113.” Moral, as defined by the American Heritage dictionary: “Of or concerned with the judgment or instruction of goodness or badness of character and behavior. Morals: “Rules or habits of conduct, esp. of sexual conduct.” In America such rules are grounded in religion, a political mix of religions and Sir William Blackstone’s 1765 Commentaries of the Laws of England—the Law of Coverture. Today’s politicians mostly favor the moral opinions of those affiliated with the Christian right: Evangelical Protestants, Conservative Catholics, Mormons, Orthodox Jews, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Also: The Federalist Society [est. 1982], Evangelical Protestant Pat Robertson’s American Center for Law & Justice [est. 1990], and Rachel MacNair’s Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America 501(c)4 & PAC [est. 1992]. Pat Robertson, a Virginia Republican is Southern Baptist.
8 August 2022
Call us back when you get serious. In 2016 Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network professed “Christianity is where the power is. There is no separation of church and state.” Amendment 1 of the Constitution’s 1791 Bill of Rights is called the Establishment Clause. It “build[s] a wall of separation between Church & State, adhering to…the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience,” President Thomas Jefferson [DR-VA] told the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802. In 1776 Abigail Adams asked husband John to Remember the
Laidies [sic] when making the colonies “new code of laws.” She did not want “unlimited power put into the hands of the Husbands.” “Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex,” Abigail continued. Vassal: “a subordinate or dependent.” “My security depends not upon your [John’s] passion, which other objects might more easily excite, but upon the sober and settled dictates of Religion and Honour,” Abigail later explained. “By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law,” Blackstone
wrote, “that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband: under whose wing, protection and cover, she performs everything.” Married women, femme coverts were property. As of 1966—two years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964—at least twelve states adhered to the Law of Coverture [U.S. v. Yazell of Texas]. The states, as listed in the Brief were: Texas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, and North Carolina. “The Texas ‘law of coverture’…rests on the old common-law fiction that the husband and wife are one,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black [1937-1971] said. “This fiction rested on what I had supposed is today a completely discredited notion that a married woman, being a female, is without capacity to make her own contracts and do her own business. I say ‘discredited’ reflecting on the vast number of women in the United States engaging in the professions of law, medicine, teaching, and so forth.” According to the 2020 Census “more than 1 in 3 Lawyers are women.” Justice Black also believed “that the liberties guaranteed in the Bill A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 9
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A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 8
of Rights were imposed on the states by the Fourteenth Amendment.” The 1960s-1970s were tumultuous decades. The Law of Coverture was on life support, women were exercising their reputed constitutional rights, and men no longer had majority control of women’s bodies. To stay on top, man had to re-right the narrative. The problem was no longer woman; it was an unborn child’s right to life. The tagline quickly caught on. The Virginia Society for Human Life—created in 1967— was the country’s first, statewide right to life organization. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops soon followed; they established the National Right to Life Committee [NLRC] in 1968. One year after the U.S. Supreme Court decided Loving v. Virginia [interracial marriage]: the same year women’s liberation groups burned their bras. The NLRC, a 501(c)4 as of 1973, not only advocates for a Human Life Amendment but also the reversal of Roe v. Wade. It “works through ‘legislation and education.’” It is for this reason that the nation’s Catholic bishops established the National Committee for A Human Life Amendment, Inc., in 1974; a Political Action Committee [NRL PAC] in 1979. Fortune magazine—in 1997—called the NRLC “the 10th ‘most powerful’ public interest group in the country.” August 26 is Women’s Equality Day. To what extent is today’s woman equal to man? The woman’s Equal Rights Amendment— first introduced by Alice Paul 99 years ago— remains unresolved; passed by the 117th House of Representatives then tabled in the Senate. Not only does today’s woman remain constitutionally unequal, the U.S. Supreme Court has rescinded her constitutional right to choose. Paul’s want: woman’s “full constitutional equality.” In 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton, together with Quaker Lucretia Mott assembled 300 men and women in Seneca Falls, New York, to discuss the woman’s Declaration of Rights and Sentiments. Among the Sentiments listed: [1] “He has usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself, claiming it as his right to assign for her a sphere of action, when that belongs to her conscience and her God.” [2] “He allows her in Church as well as State, but a subordinate position, claiming Apostolic authority for her exclusion from the ministry, and with some exceptions, from any public participation in the affairs of the Church.” At present the United States overall maternal mortality rate is “more than double that of most other high-income countries.” The states with the highest maternal mortality rates, in descending order: Louisiana, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri, Texas, South Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee and Wyoming. “There is a deep-lying struggle in the whole fabric of society; a boundless, grinding collision of the New with the Old,” Stanton told the New York Legislature in 1854. New York passed its first abortion law in 1830, Congress the related Comstock Act in 1873. Gov. Nelson Rockefeller [R-NY] repealed the New York law in 1970. “In discussing the rights of woman, we are to consider, first, what belongs to her as an individual,” Stanton told the Judiciary of the U.S. Congress in 1892. “If we consider her Old Town Crier
as a citizen, as a member of a great nation, she must have the same rights as all other members.” “From the inauguration of the movement for woman’s emancipation…canon and civil law; church and state; priests and legislators; all political parties and religious denominations have alike taught that woman was made after man, of man, and for man, an inferior being, subject to man,” Stanton author of The Woman’s Bible [1895] wrote. In 1991 the U.S. Senate confirmed Georgia born, Catholic and pro-life Appeals Court Judge Clarence Thomas, Thurgood Marshall’s successor to the U.S. Supreme Court. If only Ronald Reagan [R-CA] had not introduced his 1980 Southern states’ rights Strategy in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Had not the NLRC’s 1989 legislative director described “Roe v. Wade as ‘social engineering.’” Justice Thomas believes, as do other Catholic Justices “that the Court’s abortion precedents are ‘egregiously wrong.’” Thomas’ former law clerk, Mississippi Solicitor General Scott G. Stewart “was given 35 minutes to argue” Mississippi’s December 2021 antiabortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Thomas did not recuse himself why. The U.S. Supreme Court is the only U.S. Court—federal or state—that operates without an ethics code. In 2007, Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life 551 U.S. 449 Justice Thomas joined the 5-4 majority and “overturned those portions of the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law that restricted grassroots lobbying directed to Senators and Congressmen facing reelection.” Have PAC will donate. On May 11, 2022, the Senate’s Women’s Health Protection Act—An act to protect a person’s ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services—was voted down. According to Pew Research “a majority of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases... [that] it is important for women to have equal rights with men.” The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Roe’s essential holding in 1992 [Planned Parenthood v. Casey 505 U.S. 833]. “The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women,” Evangelist Pat Robertson’s 1992 fund-raising letter explained. “It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to…kill their children, practice witchcraft [Alito’s reference to 17thC. British jurist Sir Matthew Hale?], destroy capitalism and become lesbians.” For more than two decades the Southern Baptist Convention, the country’s largest Protestant denomination has “stonewalled, and even been outright hostile to survivors of clergy sex abuse,” a 2022 internal report revealed. As for those Catholic bishops who seek to punish by denying communion—“The Vatican has warned conservative American bishops not to use access to the Eucharist as a political weapon.” On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn a 50-year old precedent. “Roe was…on a collision course with the Constitution,” Alito wrote. Why because married women were property in 1787 and passage of the Equal Rights Amendment has
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A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 43
August 2022 9
URBAN GARDEN
MELINDA MYERS
Preserving Your Summer Garden Produce for Delicious Winter Meals All your hard work is paying off with a bountiful harvest. Fresh produce is filling your garden, countertops, and refrigerator while the garden keeps producing more. Preserve some of your harvest to enjoy throughout the winter with some tried-and-true or updated variation of food preservation techniques. Hanging bundles of herbs to dry is a long-time practice that works. Harvest herbs in the morning just after the dew has dried off the leaves. Rinse, allow them to dry, and remove any damaged or dried leaves. Gather the dry herbs into small bundles and secure with a rubber band. Use a spring-type clothespin to hang the bundles from a clothesline or hanger in a warm, dry, airy place out of direct sunlight. A modern twist on this tradition is the space-saving Stack!t Herb Drying Rack (gardeners.com) hung from the ceiling. You will be able to dry large quantities of herbs in any narrow, outof-the-way space. Extend the life, flavor, and nutritional value of squash with proper harvesting and storage. Only store blemish- and damage-free fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of mold and decay developing during storage. Harvest zucchini when the fruit is six to eight inches long and scalloped squash when three to six inches in diameter. Store these in a plastic bag inside the vegetable crisper drawer in your refrigerator for several days. Wait to harvest winter squash when the fruit is full-sized, and the rinds are firm and glossy. The portion touching the ground turns from cream to orange when the fruit is ripe. Use a pruner to harvest the fruit, leaving a one-inch stem on each fruit. Cure all winter squash, except for acorn, in a warm, humid location. Then move to a cool, dry, well-ventilated area 10 August 2022
Photo courtesy of Gardener’s Supply Company
Wooden orchard racks maximize storage space while allowing air to reach each layer of produce. to store for several months. In the you plan to use them. Pick the fruit past, gardeners stored these, potatoes, when it is 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches long if you onions, and fruit in wooden racks that plan on making sweet pickles. Allow maximized storage space and allowed the cucumbers to grow a bit bigger, air to reach each layer of produce. three to four inches, if dill pickles are An updated version, Gardener’s on the menu. Harvest those for slicing Supply Orchard Rack, adds convenient when the skin is firm, bright green and drawers to this traditional storage the fruit is six to nine inches long. system. Turn a portion of your harvest into Boost your cabbage harvest with something delicious. Fermentation is a this trick. Remove firm full-sized relatively easy preservation technique heads but leave the lower ring of leaves used for thousands of years. Preserve and roots intact. The plant will form some of your cucumbers as pickles, several smaller heads. cabbage as sauerkraut, and berries as preserves with fermentation. Store Harvest cucumbers based on how
fermented fruits and vegetables in a cool, dark place or extend their shelf life by canning the finished product. For most projects, you just need the fruit or vegetables, water, salt, and spices. The desired ingredients are placed in a covered vessel and weights are used to keep the fruit and vegetables submerged in water throughout the fermentation process. Select the storage and preservation methods that work best for your garden produce, growing location, and lifestyle. Once you enjoy homegrown produce in winter meals, you will start growing more produce to eat fresh, share and preserve. Note for future months: If your garden is still producing when frost is in the forecast, extend the harvest season. Cold frames and cloches are tried-and-true techniques used for extending the growing season. A modern method employs floating row covers. These spun fabrics allow air, light, and water through while protecting plants from frosty conditions. Cover the plantings and anchor the fabric in place. Lift to harvest and enjoy several more weeks and even months of garden-fresh produce. Melinda Myers is the author of numerous gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Gardeners Supply for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com. Old Town Crier
HIGH NOTES
RON POWERS
“Move It” by Chuck Berry For this month’s Flashback article I’d like to shine a light on an unrecognized gem by the inventor of rock and roll himself. In 1979 Chuck Berry released “Move It”, the first track off his nineteenth studio album (Rockit). In spite of no chart success, and little critical recognition, “Move It” has all the appeal of hits like “Maybellene” and “Johnny B. Good”. The song has a ruthlessly catchy melody and a backbeat that gets your head bobbing straight away. Yes, “Move It” holds up with the best of them and remains one of my favorites by the legendary rock and roll pioneer. The song begins with one of Berry’s signature guitar licks and then blasts off into the verse with a full band arrangement. We hear a scat rhythm from the guitar while the bass bops along with the drums and the piano sprinkles boogie woogie magic all over the mix. The lyrics of the first verse describe a fiftyfive Ford broken down on the side of a highway with traffic piled up and a police officer upset about it. Like many of Berry’s songs, the lyrics used employ classic rock and roll imagery that combines with the music to create a flavor as classic as McDonald’s hamburgers. Rather than a fixed melody and lyrics for the chorus, Chuck relies on the groove to hold the listener’s attention. This is probably why we hardly notice that the chorus does not obey the songwriting convention of repeating melody patterns. Instead, Chuck delivers a different melody variation during each of the three chorus sections of “Move It”. Although the words “move it” are repeated, the melody and lead guitar parts change each time. You would expect this to cause attention to wane, but for this particular song, it’s more about the beat than a popping chorus. By the time the chorus is introduced Berry has his listeners so deep in the rhythm, no one is worried about anything but keeping the rock and roll hypnosis going. “Move It” employs a classic structure with three verses, three choruses, and one of Chuck’s iconic guitar solos. For the solo, Berry pulls from his legendary bag of tricks filled with the major pentatonic scale, double-stops, and rhythmically placed slides. The solo is played with attitude through a lightly overdriven guitar amp with a touch of reverb added. No extra effects or frills are added to the guitar which makes for a crisp clean rock and roll experience that I found myself listening to more than a few times. Chuck Berry left us in 2017 but his music continues to make toes tap and hips move. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit his website (chuckberry.com), or find him on Wikipedia. If you’d like to listen to “Move It” or any of Chuck Berry’s incredible work, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most places music is streamed or sold. With nearly three hundred songs recorded since 1954, you’ll have no trouble finding something to listen to. About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.
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August 2022 11
THE LAST WORD
MIRIAM R. KRAMER
A
f o t e u Bouq
H C A BE KS BOO
What constitutes a beach book? It is different for all of us. This month many of us will be at the beach or the pool, traveling to see friends and family, or just hitting the deck or porch to snack on biographies, fiction, or history. Luckily I have been hitting some lighter books hard this past month to collect reading ideas for your own dog days of August, hopefully to be spent with a dog or two flopped at your feet and a glass of iced tea at hand.
First up are two suspense thrillers with unpredictable story-telling. Verity, by Colleen Hoover, works not just as a thriller but also as a sly commentary on writing with a classic example of an unreliable narrator. A New York writer, Lowen Ashleigh, who has had moderate success with her books, meets a man after she sees an accidental death on a street. After he cleans the blood off her, they both head off in separate directions, only to end up in the same literary meeting. Jeremy Crawford’s wife, Verity, is the author of a highly successful series of books. After an unusual car crash, she is left almost comatose with constant nurse supervision at home. Jeremy
12 August 2022
seeks a writer to continue his wife’s series of novels. Verity had thought very highly of Lowen’s work. Therefore Jeremy wants her to author the novels, first doing research to pick up narrative threads and organize Verity’s outlines. Against her better instincts, Lowen moves into their Vermont home to put together Verity’s writings. When she finds Verity’s diaries, she is swallowed up in Verity’s version of the truth, which paints herself and her husband in a certain light. She also finds herself obsessed with Jeremy and haunted by Verity. I heard an echo of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier throughout the novel. Until the book ends, the question
remains: who is Lowen to believe? The name Verity means the truth, but is she truthful? To the story or to herself? Are they the same thing? What do the answers to these questions mean in respect to Lowen’s own life and writing? I found the resulting questions the most meaningful aspect of the book. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager is similarly creepy. Casey Fletcher, an actress and another New Yorker, has suffered the drowning of her beloved husband. After hitting the bottle hard to numb herself, she at least temporarily ruins her Broadway career. Her mother makes her retreat to their summer house on
a small lake in Vermont to dry out. Casey whiles away every day until she deems it appropriate to start drinking again, while sitting on the porch and looking at the few houses scattered on the shores. A famous modelphilanthropist, Katherine Royce, and her businessman husband, Tom, have moved into an expensive modern house there. One day, when Casey is paddling in a boat on the water, she rescues Katherine from drowning, even though Katherine was already blue from the cold and seemingly lifeless. They strike up a friendship, although Casey starts to notice THE LAST WORD > PAGE 13
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Katherine’s erratic behavior. She sees it through her own drunken lens, which causes her to doubt herself. In a nod to the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window, Casey picks up binoculars and watches the couple across the lake through their huge plate glass windows, becoming suspicious that Tom may want to kill his wife for the insurance money. When Katherine goes missing, her doubts grow into beliefs. Casey takes action in unexpected ways, with the help of a hunky nextdoor neighbor. As the plot proceeds, we start to learn Casey’s unreliability, since she herself has not fully told us her own circumstances. With an unexpected touch of the paranormal, this thriller is certainly unpredictable. I did not love it or the previous novel, although I thought they were better than most of their kind. They both featured some twodimensional characters and soppy romancenovel scenes, but they are good candidates for twisty beach books you can stain with suntan lotion and donate to someone else after you have skimmed them. The best example I have read of this creepy, suspenseful type of book with unattractive but compelling characters is still Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. If you have not perused it, you might start there. The movie version of Gone Girl is, unusually, even better than the book. If you are interested in old Hollywood, a decent biography I recently perused was Truly, Madly by Stephen Galloway. Galloway does an excellent job at charting the rising British stars of the cinema and theater, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and their passionate but doomed marriage. Galloway’s biography covers their early theatrical adventures, along with Vivien’s explosion into super-stardom after she portrayed Scarlett O’Hara brilliantly in the face of doubters who did not think an English actress could inhabit the skin of a quintessential Southern belle sacred to the American public. Old Town Crier
He scrupulously describes the overwhelming passion of their marriage, which began to deteriorate as a result of Vivien’s terrible and undiagnosed mood swings. Even as Laurence Olivier devoted himself to becoming a leading light of Shakespearean theater in particular while starring in multiple celebrated films, Vivien showed increasing signs of instability. Sometimes she might strip naked and show herself in a public setting, for example, only to come to her senses later. As Galloway notes, in today’s world she would possibly have been diagnosed as Bipolar I with other comorbidities. At that point, all Laurence could do was bear her vagaries and try to contain them. They both ended up cheating in their marriage, despite their love for one another. Galloway writes of their divorce as a matter of necessity for Olivier to function, but notes that both felt remnants of their love throughout their lives. For the Michael Connelly fans, I would recommend the newer Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch series. Harry now volunteers as a retired police officer working cold cases at the small police station covering the tiny city of San Fernando. When he and Renee meet, he endeavors to solve cases on the down low with Renee Ballard, an active detective who enjoys the independence of working night shifts on “The Late Show.” As two loners with exacting standards for fighting crime, their symbiosis energizes the series, in particular because they normally work on and solve more than one case per book. The switch back and forth between a cold and a current case kept me more interested than Connelly’s work focusing just on Harry Bosch. If you like gritty L.A. noir and a decently written, taut mystery, you will find yourself absorbed in The Late Show, Dark Sacred Night, and The Night Fire.
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Enjoy your summer reading and stay cool out there. These dog days can be brutally hot, so make sure your dogs are not! Keep their paws on the grass and off the hot asphalt to make your vacation a happy and healthy one for all concerned. August 2022 13
GALLERY BEAT
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
“Art Lovers 1 - Picasso - Le Gourmet 0” Acrylic by Leni Gurin
Traveler by Wendy Donahoe. Drawing; charcoal & carbon pencil
Summertime in the Swamp… …is often not a pleasant time for many, but for art lovers it is a perfect opportunity to go visit some local art galleries and support your area artists. If you also want to stroll around the very pleasant areas of Kensington, I want to give a plug to the Montgomery Art Association (MAA) 2022 Paint the Town (PTT) Art Show on Labor Day weekend. I will be jurying this very popular exhibition -attended by over 3,000 visitors each year -- MAA is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that serves artists in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The event is co-hosted by the City of Kensington, 14 August 2022
MD, and takes place in the Kensington Armory. PTT features about 500 non-juried works in eight judged categories, plus a separate plein air competition with about 50 pieces. Judging of the main show takes place from 1 p.m. to approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, September 2. On Saturday, September 3, judging of the plein air show begins at 3 p.m. The Paint the Town Labor Day Show is one of the region’s largest and longest-running art shows composed of all local artists. The show will be open to the public Saturday-Monday, September 3-5 PM.
I will be on site on Friday, September 2 for closeddoor judging and Saturday, September 3 to judge the plein air competition and present awards. An easy way to spend most of a summer rainy afternoon is a visit to the Torpedo Factory, host to many art studios and some key galleries. While you’re there, go check out the current Open Exhibit, juried by artist Jessie Boyland. According to the Art League’s press release, Boyland “is a painter and has a BFA from VCU School of the Art, Painting and Printmaking. Jessie plans and curates all the exhibits at Art Works. She arranges for the Thriving Artist Exchange workshops engaging talented and knowledgeable speakers and demos.” For the show awards, the juror gave the Art League Award for Best in Show to Wendy Donahoe for “Traveler”, and Honorable Mentions to Mary Elizabeth Gosselink “Twister”, Cindy Grisdela “Color Grid”, Hyesuk Kong “In City”, Craig Nedrow “At the Classic Car Show”, Susan O’Neill “Transposition”, and Beverly Ryan “Starlet.” Congrats to ALL the awardees – having been the juror for these shows several times in the past, I know how difficult the process is and how tough the competition! If you’re a constant reader of this column, then you know what comes next: The Campello awards! Are you ready for a shock? I believe that for the first time since I’ve been messing around with rejurying other jurors’ shows and awards (first time was around 1981), this is the FIRST time that I’ve agreed with the Best of Show! Wendy Donahoe’s “Traveler”, a spectacular charcoal and carbon pencil drawing, is not only a superbly crafted technical masterpiece, but also a work that does something that a master like Donahoe does so simply: in this case capture the GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 15
Old Town Crier
GOSSYPIA
GALLERY BEAT | FROM PAGE 14
psychologic presence of the subject. She nails it and do not be fooled by the simplicity of my words in describing her accomplishment with this piece. These are finely tuned and trained artistic muscles which Donahoe flexes so easily in this work and which are in reality impossibly difficult to deliver. I also quite liked some of the Honorable Mentions, especially “Transposition” by Susan O’Neill, an elegant figure study employing charcoal, red chalk, and mixed media on paper. Personally I would have given an award to “Art Lovers 1 Picasso - Le Gourmet 0” by Leni Gurin, a very elegant Acrylic and a take off on the great Spanish master. I started this month’s article by mentioning plein air painting – there are some exceptional works from that genre in this show, works such as “Anticipating Hope” by Suzanne Yurdin, “A lake in the Berkshires” by Karen Thuermer, “Wetland Series (abstract landscape)” by Parisa Tirnaz (which has a weird perspective that I find interesting), “From the Isle of Wight” by Barbara Stepura, and “Along the Shore” by Ginya Truitt Nakata. Deal of the show? At 14 × 78 × 11 inches, the earlier referenced painting by Leni Gurin is a steal at $900! Go buy it!
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Enamelist’s Gallery 105 N. Union Street
Random Harvest 810 King Street Acme Mid-Century + Modern 128 S. Royal Street
Printmakers, Inc. 105 N. Union Street Kelly’s Art & Frame 510 N. Washington Street
Van Bommel Antiek Hous 1007 King Street
Oerth Gallery 420 S. Washington Street
Lloyd’s Row 119 S. Henry Street
Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus Street
1124 King Street
•
(703) 548-1461
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 •
imagineartwear.com
Johnston Matthew 105 N. Union Street
Red Barn Mercantile 1117 King Street
GALLERIES
Washington Square Antiques 425 S. Washington Street
Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union Street
Susquehanna Antique Co. 608 Cameron Street
Principle Gallery 208 King Street
Old Town Antiques 222 S. Washington Street
Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery 105 N. Union Street
Silverman Galleries 110 N. St. Asaph Street
Verdigris Vintage 1215 King Street
St. George Gallery 105 N. Alfred Street
Cochran David 105 N. Union Street
Cavalier Antiques 400 Prince Street
The Art League 105 Union Street
Betty Grisham Studio 105 N. Union Street
Sumpter Priddy III 323 S. Washington Street
Local Colour Old Town 218 N. Lee Street
Imagine Artwear 112 King Street
Old Town Crier
Modern and minimalist, comfortable and aluring jewelry from Pursuits. With bold shapes and striking forms, all of Pursuits’ pieces offer a unique take on geometry. Metals, rubber, and glass orbs combine to create a sophisticated and modern look for necklaces and earrings. Stop at the shop to see our current selection. Coming soon to our online shop.
Huddy Studio 105 N. Union Street Mezzanine Multiples 105 N. Union Street
Like us on Facebook! @oldtowncrier August 2022 15
TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
SCOTT DICKEN
Photos by Scott Dicken
Africa’s Big-Five:
A SAFARI HIGHLIGHT
A
fter what feels like a lifetime, and with the recent easing of COVID testing requirements to reenter the States, I’m finally back on the road (somewhat integral to the writing of a travel column). As I write my column this month, I’m sitting in a traditional Kosovar restaurant in Pristina, Kosovo while simultaneously attempting to plan a forthcoming trip to Mozambique and South Africa. The planning of the latter, which will incorporate several days on Safari in Kruger National Park, has rekindled my passion for safari – something that’s had to be shelved for the last few years. For that reason, the focus of this month’s column is safari’s infamous “BigFive”. If you’ve ever been on Safari, or even just googled ‘safari’, then you’ve very likely come across the term ‘The Big-Five’. It’s the term used to describe the five animals (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) that hunters found the most difficult and dangerous to hunt. Thankfully, the term is more prevalently used these days to attract tourists to game parks, reserves, and countries that play host to each of the Big-Five species. There are three important things to note about any attempt to spot the Big-5 on Safari: 16 August 2022
Just because a country hosts the Big-Five doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to see them all on the same safari on the same day (even with all the luck in the world). For example, you have the potential to see four of the Big-Five on a safari in Etosha National Park in Namibia, but if you want to spot a Cape Buffalo you’ll have to head elsewhere in the country. The combination of poaching, which can cause parks and countries to lose Big-Five status, in addition to the translocation of animals, which, for example, made Rwanda a Big-Five country again in 2017, means that country status changes over time (albeit very slowly). Animal Density affects your chances of spotting the Big-Five. Just because a country (or even an individual park) has Big-Five status in no way means you’re guaranteed, or even likely, to see the Big-Five if there are particularly low numbers of any one animal. So, if spotting the Big-Five is an absolute ‘must’ for you then it’s best to check current density levels of each species; or else be faced with trying to find the one remaining black rhino in a country (that’s a fictitious example, but you get my point). LEAVE FOOTPRINTS > PAGE 17
Old Town Crier
LEAVE FOOTPRINTS | FROM PAGE 16
The Big-Five: Which Countries and National Parks? KENYA: The first and most obvious choice for any firsttime safari-goer looking to ‘hunt’ down the Big-Five is the Masai Mara - even though rhino are rarer in the Reserve. If you really wanted to increase your chances of spotting rhino then my advice would be to twin the Masai Mara with Lake Nakuru which has a very healthy population of both Black and White Rhino. If you want the Big-Five AND a famous backdrop, head to Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is where you’ll have the chance of taking that postcard picture of an elephant with Mount Kilimanjaro (located across the border in Tanzania) in the background. TANZANIA: Where Kenya has the Masai Mara, Tanzania has the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Both are excellent choices for a Big-Five Safari (despite the rarity of rhino in the Serengeti). However, if you aren’t a fan of crowds, I’d consider another park (both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro can sometimes feel like a Disney Parade of vehicles); my suggestion would be to head to Selous Game Reserve. It too has the Big-Five and as a bonus has a healthy population of my favorite animal, Wild Dogs. SOUTH AFRICA: I could probably write an entire BigFive article on South Africa alone. It is by far the best place for a Big-Five safari. However, for anyone who has been on a number of safaris, South Africa starts to lose is affinity when you’re looking for a ‘wild’ experience. That said, if you’re looking for a good value, luxury Big-Five experience then look no further than the Kruger National Park in the East of the country. NAMIBIA: The best place for wildlife spotting in general is Etosha National Park in the north of the country. Whilst Etosha isn’t home to any Cape Buffalo it does house the remaining Big-Four and the neighboring Waterberg Plateau does have Cape Buffalo. So, you can just take the quick drive between the two if needs be (and the roads in Namibia are particularly good which makes a self-drive safari all the more appealing). ZAMBIA: I love South Luangwa National Park! It’s my favorite safari destination and some of the best leopard sighting chances you’ll have anywhere in Africa. That said, it doesn’t have rhino. In fact, there’s only one place (I think…) where you can see all of the Big-Five in one sitting in Zambia. That place is North Luangwa, which is a true wilderness and probably beyond the comfort zone of all but the most ardent of safari-goers. If you’re just looking for rhino then check out Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The Park is beside Victoria Falls, has White Rhino, and a has also introduced some Black Rhino in a pilot area. In my opinion Mosi-oa-Tunya is more of a ‘wild zoo’ than a true wilderness safari as it’s so tiny, but if needs must then that’s your best bet in terms of ratios.
Old Town Crier
BOTSWANA: Chobe, Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan and Okavango Delta (including Moremi Game Reserve which is the only part of the Delta where you can spot rhino) are your best bets for Big-Five spotting in Botswana. I’m a big fan of Chobe, which offers the opportunity for land and water-based safari (you can even stay on a houseboat). If you’re interested in a real wilderness experience, then head to Okavango where wild camping deep inside the delta is a highlight. Admittedly, digging your own toilet and not showering for a week might not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, but nothing beats the thrill of climbing out of bed straight into the wilderness first thing in the morning. ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe isn’t the first choice of most people looking to go on safari, but its major advantage is the lack of crowds and a more traditional safari experience. Zimbabwe has a number of safari offerings but only one of those is a World-class, big hitter, Hwange National Park. You can see all the Big-Five in Hwange with a particular prevalence of elephant. It’s also not too far from Victoria Falls (about a 2.5 hour drive) which is an added bonus. MALAWI: Majete is probably your best bet for a Big-Five safari in Malawi; particularly after the reintroduction of over 2,500 animals fairly recently (including the 500 Elephants initiative). I’m led to believe that Liwonde is also a Big-Five park, but having been myself I’m not convinced that your chances are high of seeing lion, and black rhino can only be found within a fenced sanctuary (although I heard a rumour that they’d broken out in to the main park…). RWANDA: With the reintroduction of 15 African lions in 2015, and 18 Eastern Black Rhinos in
2017, Akagera is Rwanda’s only Big-Five park. This means that it’s now possible to go on a Big-Five safari and Mountain Gorilla tracking (in Volcanoes National Park) and lessens the need to overland between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya on the same trip (although in fairness that’s a lot of fun in and of itself). UGANDA: Technically, Uganda is a Big-Five country, but you won’t find all of the Big-Five in any one location; the reason being that Rhino was essentially poached into non-existence during the civil wars in the country. The only remaining place to see rhino is at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which has an active rhino rehabilitation program. The remaining four of the Big-Five can be found roaming in the National Parks of Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth. ESWATINI: The country formerly known as Swaziland is a Big-5 country with a surprising number of impressive national parks given its diminutive size. Your best bet for finding all of the Big-5 is to visit the country’s most popular safari destinations, Hlane Royal National Park and Mhkaya Game Reserve. Being located right next door to South Africa also means you’ll have the opportunity to country hop and visit the more popular Kruger National Park in South Africa. Happy Safari Travels! About the Author: Scott Dicken is a world traveler and amateur photographer on top of being employed full time at an internationally known company. His love of travel is evident – you can read more articles like this at takephotosleavefootprints.com
August 2022 17
POINTS ON PETS
CAROLYN COCKROFT
MEDICATION MOJO 101:
Dosing Pets Can be Stress-free
“T
his is the medicine for Marigold’s condition,” the veterinarian informed me. She held up a package of pills as I stroked my cat reassuringly after a stressful checkup. Handing me another bottle, she continued, “And this is for you once you try giving Marigold her medicine.” Yes, this is a joke. But the reality, where Marigold is concerned, is NO joke. Dosing a pet can be challenging. Having someone to assist you is ideal but going solo can be stress-free if you apply a few tricks, lots of patience, and stay calm.
Preparation is Key Before administering medicine, consult with your veterinarian for any tips (some will even demonstrate for you and let you practice in front of them with your pet). Have at hand a towel, gloves (if needed), and a proper applicator, if required. Most importantly, have some yummy treats—a special delicacy your pet gets only at the time of medication.
Delectable Disguises Hiding a pill in tasty food can turn medication into “treat time”. Check with your vet first since some medications shouldn’t be taken with food. With dogs, a spoonful of peanut butter (with no xylitol), a chunk of 18 August 2022
meat or cheese, or ice cream can work. Commercial pill pockets or paste mask the taste of medicine when wrapped around the tablet. Try a bait-and-switch approach. Give your pet a treat (or two) that’s not laced with medication. Then offer one that contains the pill. Follow up with a treat without medication. Open a capsule or crush a pill into powder and mix it into a small portion of your pet’s food. Monitor your pet’s eating to make sure all the food is consumed. Cats have an uncanny ability for knowing when they are being tricked. Their sense of smell can detect medicine even in the yummiest food. Soaking the pill in fishy tuna juice might work. A method I learned at
There are many how-to videos are available on YouTube. These are among the best: ■
Medicating Tricks and Tips
■
5 Different ways to give pill or capsule to your dog
■
The Scratch-Free Way to Give Your Cat Medicine!
King Street Cats was to insert the pill into a pill pocket then roll it in crushed cat treats.
Feeding Directly into the Mouth If the veterinarian says medicine shouldn’t be mixed with food, you will
need to administer it directly. Fortunately, many devices are available for sparing your fingers from a pet’s sharp teeth. With cats, a good practice is to wrap the animal in a towel (this trick is called the “purrito”) so that their front paws are covered securely. A pill plunger is a narrow cylinder that holds the pill at one end. A trigger on the other end is pressed so that the pill is “fired” into the back of the pet’s mouth. Hold your pet’s head with one hand while pressing the sides of their mouth with your thumb and middle finger and slightly tilting their head back. This will cause the mouth to drop open. With cats, you can hold them by the scruff to keep them still. This gives them a slight release of endorphins, making them feel somewhat secure. Hold the plunger in your other hand with your thumb on the trigger, insert it into the side of the pet’s mouth and press down, thus shooting the pill to the back of the throat. Close your pet’s mouth and gently stroke their throat to encourage swallowing. Blow softly on their nose. Syringes, used to administer liquids, work best when you sit behind your pet and press their back against you so they cannot back away. Be sure to shake any liquid medication before measuring. POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 19
Old Town Crier
POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 18
Hold the filled syringe in one hand and use your free hand to lift the animal’s upper lip on the side of the mouth. Insert the syringe and slowly squeeze the liquid into their mouth, pausing often to give them time to swallow the medicine, and avoid spitting it out. Do NOT squirt all the medicine in one thrust. Too much at one time may cause your pet to aspirate the liquid and choking or damage to lungs could occur.
Eye and Ear Medications Eye medications are in liquid or ointment form. Again, sitting behind your pet provides the easiest access to their face and prevents escape. While holding the eye medication in your dominant hand, use the thumb and index finger of the other hand to separate your pet’s eyelid. Holding the bottle or tube within 1-2 inches of their eye, quickly squeeze the required dosage into it. Do NOT touch the eye with the applicator. If the medicine gets onto only the tips of the pet’s eyelids, shift more of the dosage into the eye by gently massage around eyelids. Giving ear medicine is similar. While seated behind your pet, hold their head in place and squeeze the medicine into the ear canal and massage the base of the ear externally or with the ear flap folded over.
Seek Help if Needed Giving your pet necessary medication is
critical. Never avoid giving it if it becomes too difficult for you to do alone. Ask your veterinarian for help. An alternative medicine in a more appealing flavor may be available. They may also be able to suggest pet sitters who can come to your home to medicate. Boarding at the veterinarian’s office may also be an option. Additionally, there are some medications that come in long-lasting shots that the vet can administer. Don’t force medicine into your pet. Some slight resistance is to be expected, but if your pet fights back, don’t risk injury to him or to yourself. Wait about 30 minutes between attempts to avoid more anxiety. And always follow up with praise, gentle stroking, and a tasty treat! After all, a trusting, compassionate relationship with your pet will go further than any trick to securing a successful outcome.
Sources: www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/putting-thetreat-into-treatment-getting-medicine-into-petseffectively-but-kindly www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-give-your-pet-pill thefrugalchicken.com/giving-medication-to-apet/ About the Author: A volunteer at King Street Cats, Carolyn Cockroft lives with her cats, Marigold and Butterbean, who instruct Carolyn on the proper etiquette of feeding, nail trimming, and dispensing treats.
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
Louie
Serena
Chance
If good things come to those who wait, then 11-year-old Louie deserves all the best! This American foxhound mix has the patience of a “Zen Master” and is ready to wait as long as it takes to find his perfect Best Friend. Louie’s hobbies include leisurely strolls with his nose to the ground, cuddling with his friends and the occasional bouts of zoomies. Louie is currently enjoying a stay with one of the AWLA’s amazing foster families, and his adoption fee has been paid by a generous donor, so schedule time to meet him by emailing Adopt@AlexandriaAnimals.org.
Serena is ready to sing her siren song, straight into your heart! At 9 years old, this sweet terrier mix is all about her human friends, and she loves to shower them with puppy kisses and wiggly snuggles. She’s also an energetic gal who loves to show off her excellent walking skills and sprint with her favorite toys around the yard. Serena’s adoption fees have already been paid by a generous donor, so learn more about meeting Serena by emailing Adopt@ AlexandriaAnimals.org.
How does 4-year-old Chance stay cool during the dog days of summer? By showing off his “chillest” self, of course. This red and fawn terrier mix loves a good run around the yard, but when the weather’s hot, he’s just as happy to cuddle with his friends in the comfy A/C. Chance is recognizable by his trademark goofy grin and his wiggly
Schedule time to meet with any of these amazing adoptables by emailing Adopt@AlexandriaAnimals.org or calling 703.746.4774 opt. 2. August 2022 19
Now that we're all working remotely
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION BY BOB CURLEY
Wouldn't you REALLY rather work from the beach?
NAPLES FL TOPS THE LIST FOR BEST BEACHES IN USA BEACHFRONT SEASONAL RENTAL AVAILABLE Naples has again claimed the top spot by Travel and Leisure and several other groups for best beach town in the US. The jewel of SW Florida’s Paradise Coast has sugar sand beaches, turquoise clear waters and every amenity worthy of a world class resort town. Seasonal lease of well furnished 2BR 2BA condo in the very best beachfront location is available this winter (90 day minimum lease term). No finer view from inside and better beach access at any price and most rentals in area start at twice the price. Includes carport parking, heated pool, elevators and privacy; uncrowded beach and, onsite management. Photo is the view from inside! Call (no texts), email or visit our Facebook page @NaplesOceanfrontCondo. 540-364-9480 • hopespringsfarm@gmail.com
k
Ann Street Gardens
y
ey west getawa
Key West Getaway One Block from Sloppy Joe’s Contact: historichideaways.com • 1-800-654-5131 20 August 2022
Secret Bay in Dominica
The Best Caribbean Rainforest Resorts Nearly every island in the Caribbean is ringed with beautiful beaches, but there’s more to a Caribbean vacation than sun and sand. Just inland from the coast on many islands you’ll find steep-sided mountains carpeted in lush rainforest, a less undeveloped and often unexplored side to what are, after all, tropical islands. In destinations like St. Lucia, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Belize and Panama, take the path less traveled to one of these beautiful resorts hidden among the palms and ferns: SECRET BAY, Dominica Secret Bay promises a “six-star” rainforest resort experience, and this Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel delivers with all-suite accommodations featuring private plunge pools, dining on sustainably sourced food in your private villa or the open-air Zing Zing restaurant, dedicated hosts for each room, and a setting that blends the serenity of the rainforest with a secluded beachfront location — the best of both worlds. Of course, it’s not just the region’s best rainforest resort; it’s one of the best resorts in the hemisphere, period. FOND DOUX ECO RESORT, St. Lucia Sixteen cottages are scattered in lush tropical gardens on a working cacao plantation in the shadow of St. Lucia’s Piton Mountains. The Green Globe certified resort sources food for its two restaurants from plants and fruit trees growing on site, the Mama La Terre spa uses only organic materials in its treatments, and guest activities include chocolate-making, hikes to Petit Piton, swimming in a trio of pools, tree-planting programs, cooking classes, and a shuttle to the beach. RABOT HOTEL/HOTEL CHOCOLAT, St. Lucia The Tree-to-Bar experience at the Rabot
Hotel has nothing to do with drinks — it’s an immersive experience where guests learn about the process of turning cacao beans into Hotel Chocolat chocolate bars. Yum. And that’s just part of what’s delicious about a stay at this eco resort in the St. Lucia rainforest, which has 25 eco-lodges, cacao infused dining and spa treatments, and a private beach club. JUNGLE BAY, Dominica Cliffside villas set in a tropical forest overlook a marine sanctuary at this Dominica eco-resort, where wellness and yoga are woven into the resort culture along with a commitment to conservation and sustainability. Guests can combine spa treatments with guided rainforest hikes, dive to sea walls and go canyoning in rainforest gorges, and indulge in healthy dining at the Calabash restaurant, which puts a special emphasis on vegetarian and vegan dishes. ROSALIE BAY, Dominica Powered by wind and solar, this 28-room eco-resort has a little bit of everything the “nature island” of Dominica has to offer: a black-sand beach that’s a favorite habitat for sea turtles, luxury villas with artwork and furniture made by local artists, CARRIBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 21
Old Town Crier
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 20
dining and spa treatments alongside the Rosalie River, meditation and herbal medicine walks, and guided excursions through rainforests and to waterfalls, hot springs, lakes and beaches.
RAINFOREST INN, Puerto Rico Located at the doorstep of El Yunque National Forest, this boutique bed & breakfast inn has but three villa suites but offers an abundance of activities, from in-room spa treatments to hiking on the resort’s private Lost Machete Trail to a hidden waterfall and swimming hole. Fuel up for a day of outdoor activity — or just lounging in a hammock — with a vegetarian breakfast that doesn’t skimp on decadence: offset the chocolate waffles with a healthy smoothie, perhaps.
BLANCANEAUX LODGE, Belize You’ll never run out of rainforest to explore at Blancaneaux Lodge, film director Francis Ford Coppola’s hideaway in Belize’s 107,000-acre Mountain Pine
Ridge Forest Reserve. With cabanas, cottages and villas set alongside the Privassion Creek, the boutique resort is the ideal base for hiking trips into the deep jungles and canyons of nearby Noj Kaax Meen Elijio Panti National Park, the 264,000-acre Chiquibul National Park, and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. Miss the beach? Combine your stay with a few nights at sister resort the Turtle Inn, a beach hotel within walking distance of the fishing village of Placencia, or the Coral Caye private island resort. COPAL TREE, Belize Surrounded by 22,000 acres of rainforest, the Copal Tree eco-lodge has 16 suites and a three-bedroom villa supported by a 3,000-acre sustainable farm. Activities include learning programs at the Farm Center, rum tastings at the new Copal Tree Distillery, fishing, birdwatching, and rainforest explorations that include river cruises, horseback riding, zip lining and river tubing. A luxury eco-lodge in Belize’s Mayan heartland, Chaa Creek has dozens of accommodations headed by the Ix Chel Luxury Rainforest Villas, which has private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and butler service. But you don’t have to spend a fortune here — the resort also has eco-pod accommodations starting as low as $65 per night. The resort has the usual amenities — spa, pool, restaurant — but also a butterfly exhibit focused on the Belizian Blue Morpho, a natural history center, and its own 365-acre rainforest preserve.
Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean. The Lodge at Chaw Creek
CLIFFHANGER SEE OUR AY HOMEAW 5 AT 6 8 #2 29 LISTING AY.COM HOMEAW
As featured on HGTV and winner of “Bang For Your Buck” in St. Thomas. This recently renovated villa resides on the edge of a cliff 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the rocks below. The best location on the island—a private, secure, gated community of luxury villas—the villa offers spectacular views of the Atlantic and various islands including St. John, Jost Van Dyke and Tortola. The main house has 3 bedrooms with a detached cottage with its’ own queen size bed. Large deck, pool and spa. Phone 703 628-9005 • Fax 703 765-5900
Copal Tree Ecolodge Old Town Crier
August 2022 21
ROAD TRIP
BY BOB TAGERT
Photo by Dan Mirolli
MOUNTAIN LAKE LODGE
…More Than Just the Home of Dirty Dancing That is, the movie Dirty Dancing! With the 1987 iconic movie celebrating its 35th year along with young people and dance, we decided to take our Road Trip to the primary filming location. Most of us are familiar with the movie and when we had the chance to visit and stay at the site of the movie we took advantage of the invitation. Don’t be fooled, however, there is so much more to Mountain Lake Lodge than Dirty Dancing fame. Mountain Lake Lodge is located in the southwest mountains of Virginia in Pembroke, VA. Nearby is the campus of Virginia Tech, the New River, Appalachian Trail and plenty of mountains. At approximately 4,000 feet on Salt Pond Mountain you will find the stone lodge, rustic cabins and cozy cottages that make up Mountain Lake Lodge. Upon our arrival, after a winding, uphill climb, we arrived at the lodge nestled in a bowl and surrounded by an old growth forest. The stone lodge
22 August 2022
Mountain Lake Lodge 115 Hotel Circle Pembroke, VA 540-626-7121 www.mtnlakelodge.com New River’s Edge 540-599-8382 www.newriversedge.com
is very impressive on first sight and more so after entering the beautiful hotel. We checked in and they gave us directions to our cottage in the center of the compound. We were given a cottage named Norfolk. All of the cottages and cabins have names from back in the days they were built. Our accommodations were very comfortable and complete with a balcony overlooking the volley ball and badminton courts, the two pools, Baby’s cottage and in the distance the dried up lake (we will get to that
shortly). The cottage included a king size bed, stone fireplace and a jacuzzi tub. The tub came in handy after a day of kayaking on the New River. Even though the evenings were cool, it didn’t warrant a wood fire in the evening, however we did make it to the fire pit on our first night. As we were finishing settling in, a staff person arrived with our golf cart to help us navigate the grounds. Nice touch! We enjoyed a very nice dinner our first night in the Lodge’s spacious dining room. Service was excellent as all of the staff were very friendly. Before and after dinner we made a stop at the Stoney Creek Tavern which was adjacent to the dining room. According to President and CEO Heidi Stone, the resort can accommodate up to around 350 people, which means that this bar would be pretty crowded during their busy season. To ease that situation they are in the middle of construction of an adjacent Pub. The Pub and
adjoining shops will be completed this summer. Although Mountain Lake is a place to relax and enjoy all of the open space, including hiking trails and free parking for day trippers, there are other adventures in which to participate including *Treetop Adventure, 3D Archery, an Escape Room, Bubble Ball, Archery Tag and Guided Gator Tours. In addition they offer a Clays 5 Stand, consisting of 5 individual shooting stands and up to 7 different targets, including a rabbit (not a real rabbit BTW). On our first day we met our Gator chauffeur and historian Bo Hunnicutt and embarked on the 2 hour History tour. After the first hour of this tour I was convinced that Bo was a go-kart race driver in a former life. The John Deere Gator was the perfect vehicle for this off-road exploration of the 2,900 acres of the mountain. Our first ride took us to the top of the mountain where, some years ago, a golf course was built on the plateau. Although over grown today, there is a part of the course that is still maintained and hosts the Clay shooting operation. As Bo told us, imagine playing a round of golf at 4,000 feet. We understand that a number of celebrities have frequented ROAD TRIP > PAGE 23
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ROAD TRIP | FROM PAGE 22
this course over the years. The rest of our Gator tour took us to the other side of the mountain and to Bald Knob that overlooks the valley at the top of Salt Pond Mountain. Bald Knob is a beautiful rock outcropping for unobstructed views. It reminded me of Dolly Sods in West Virginia... wind swept and vegetation bent from the constant wind. As Bo expertly drove back down the mountain he continued to impress us with his knowledge of Mountain Lake and its long history. On our way back we decided to visit the lake bed....and this folks is what makes Mountain Lake so interesting and perplexing. If you are familiar with the Dirty Dancing movie, you will remember the classic lift scene in the lake. When we arrived at Mountain Lake I began looking for the lake but could not see it. The lake was in a drying out stage. However, my disappointment turned into appreciating the wonders of nature as I learned that Mountain Lake was in a cleansing cycle that had been going on for six thousand years. Mountain Lake along with Lake Drummond in the Great Dismall Swamp are are the only two natural freshwater lakes in Virginia. The lake typically covers about 50 acres and its level has largely been consistent at the elevation of 3,875 feet during the 19th and 20th centuries. The first known existence of the lake was in 1751. Natural lakes are common well to the north, where the Appalachian Range was subject to geologically recent glacial activity. But the basis on which this lake - the only natural one in the southern Appalachians exists has been the source of much speculation. Recent scientific studies indicate that an unusual combination of natural processes created the lake, which is maintained by four fissures at the bottom that provide an outlet for both sediment and water and prevents the lake from otherwise simply becoming a bog. Replenishment of the water lost depends on rain levels, and apparent washing out of sediment from the fissured bedrock bottom is causing the unstable levels. The lake essentially cleans itself. The lake is estimated to be about 6,000 years old, and geologists believe it must have been formed by rock slides and damning. Because of the narrow channels, or fissures, in the lake bottom, the level has a history of changing dramatically depending on the water flow through these channels. The lake is more than 100 feet deep when the lake is filled. On the lake bed today you can see the floating pavilion and floating docks sitting on the lake bottom. There is water running in a small stream into the lake but the lake does not rise because of the openings in the lake bottom at the deep end. Kayaking and tubing the New River Old Town Crier
Participating in ReNewing the New!
is a great added adventure available to guests when you stay at Mountain Lake Lodge. They have partnered with Paul Moody and his on-thewater venture, New River’s Edge. On our second day we drove the short distance to the New River where we met Paul, the 65-year-old kid who is retired but he has this “hobby” that keeps him extremely busy. When we were there the only helping hand Paul had was young Thomas - a quiet, hardworking young man with the best manners I have seen in a 19-year-old in a long time. Paul asked us if we wanted to do the 6-mile paddle/float by ourselves or would we like him come along. I noticed the twinkle in his eye and we readily said “sure”. Not only is Paul a gifted kayaker but he loves the New River and taught us so much during our paddle/float. Without getting into the history of the new river, let it suffice that it is one of the oldest rivers in the world, has characteristics
that match those of the Nile River and flows north through West Virginia and beyond. Paul is also a talented man and not one bit shy. During our float he asked if we would like to hear one of his songs. Without accompaniment or written words he leaned back and sang a song of passion for him...it is one he wrote about preserving the New River and its wildlife. It was quite good. He has been instrumental in a project called “ReNew the New!” that concentrates on removing derelict materials and litter from the river banks. We participated in some litter pick up on our trip – check them out at www.renewthenew.org . The river was flowing swiftly which made for a bit of excitement when we came to the rapids created by the rocks. The last rapid was the longest and the best as the water flying about cooled us off. We plan on going back soon. There is so much history to the development of Mountain Lake and
Lani with Mountain Lake Historian and Gator Guide Extraordinaire Bo Hunnicut.
Paul Moody, our New River's Edge guide and me. the Moody family that still cares for the property today. We don’t have the room in this column to relate the entire history, but after a two hour ride in the Gator with Bo, you will know the whole story.
Getting There: We took a straight shot on I-66 to I-81 and south to Blacksburg. The drive was a little over 4 hours and about 300 miles. On the return trip we jumped off of I-81 at Staunton on to Route 250 until we picked up 340 North to Luray. From Luray we took Route 211 to Sperryville where we stopped in at Copperfox Distillery to see our friends and have a nice Copper Fox Rye. This helped break up the drive. From Sperryville we went through Warrenton to 15, to I-66 and the Beltway. The miles were shorter but the time was somewhat longer because of the stops and traffic. If you are a Dirty Dancing fan, a visit to Mountain Lake is a must. The lodge is massive and the dining room huge. Baby’s cottage is there at lakeside and you can rent it. If the movie is irrelevant, go for the pure pleasure of these mountains, the New River and the great hospitality of Mountain Lake Lodge! *The morning before we checked out Lani participated in this adventure. At 68 years old and not necessarily in prime shape, this truly was a one of a kind experience for her. She said that it literally was life-changing in that she pushed herself to limits that she wouldn’t have attempted 45-50 years ago. If you have any spirit of adventure and aren’t afraid of heights, sign yourself up! August 2022 23
FROM THE BAY
KELSEY BONHAM
Keeping Your Boat and Body Cool Every Chesapeake Bay sailor knows how hot and sticky a long day on the water can be, but not only can it be unpleasan t, it can also be dangerous. As the dog days of summer approach, these tips will help you keep your decks, cabin, and crew cool, making your sailing experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Invest in a Bimini or Canvas Tarp Shade is crucial. Biminis are one of the best ways to keep your cockpit shielded from the sun, but if a bimini isn’t in your future, consider purchasing or fashioning a canvas tarp that can be suspended over the cockpit. If you’re feeling really thrifty, an old sail might even do the trick.
To keep both the boat and crew cool, protection such as this bimini over the cockpit is well worth the investment.
Open Your Hatches Strategically Cabins are notorious for turning into saunas. Opening any hatches will make a difference but creating a tunnel of airflow through the cabin is best. A combination of an open foredeck hatch with an open companionway will help a breeze flow through most efficiently.
culinary skills with a view of your anchorage. If your stove is firmly installed into your galley, consider grilling out over the transom or serving no-cook meals instead.
Keep Wet Gear Outside
Try a Windscoop If opening the hatches alone doesn’t invite enough air down below, consider investing in a windscoop or fashioning one yourself to help guide the breeze into your hatches.
Cook on Deck Every galley chef knows how quickly a stove can turn into a heater. If you have a removable stove, bring it on deck and enjoy practicing your
24 August 2022
Heat isn’t the only thing keeping you hot—humidity is also a major factor, especially on the Bay. If you have wet gear, whether it’s foul weather gear you stripped off following an afternoon downpour or a collection of sopping swimsuits, leave them outside to dry as long as possible. Clothespins for the lifelines can help keep them from blowing overboard. If they dry in the cabin, a lot of that moisture will linger inside, amplifying the heat that is already there.
Bring Plenty of Water Staying hydrated is the most important aspect of staying cool.
Make sure you carry enough water for your whole crew, and then some more.
Bring Refreshing Snacks Heat can make even the best of us a bit cranky but combating the exhaustion of spending a long day on the water can be aided by making sure you and your crew are fueled up. Fruits like grapes and watermelon not only provide that boost of energy you might need to stay on top of your game, they’re also full of water to help keep you hydrated.
Prevent Sunburn Besides all of the other reasons sailors should prioritize preventing sunburn, they also make it harder for you to stay cool. Reapply your sunscreen more often than you think you need and try to wear lightweight sweat-wicking long-sleeved shirts and hats.
Publishers Note: This article first appeared in the July 2022 edition of SpinSheet Magazine. Based in the Eastport section of Annapolis, Maryland, SpinSheet is the ultimate Sailing publication in the Mid-Atlantic.
Old Town Crier
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August 2022 25
TO THE BLUE RIDGE
MEG MULLERY
SPROUT:
SPROUT Gala 2022 This year’s gala is on Saturday, September 17, beginning at 5:30 pm at the barn. For more information, contact tim.mooney@sproutcenter. org. For information on lessons, programs, events, contact info@sproutcenter.org or visit Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center on Facebook. Sprout is located at 40685 John Mosby Highway in Aldie, Virginia. Telephone: (571) 367-4555 sproutcenter.org
To Grow, Spring Up, Come Forth On a beautiful autumn evening last September, Sprout Therapeutic Riding & Education Center in Aldie, Virginia, hosted a gala celebrating Sprout’s Tenth Anniversary. While these kinds of formal events are not unusual in the D.C. area, this one was far from your typical black-tie soiree. Guests entered the event, which took place in Sprout’s riding facility, through a line of stalls that housed a welcoming committee of very excited ponies and horses with heads sticking out hoping for pats or treats. This led to the large indoor riding ring magically transformed into an elegant venue with chandeliers, loads of twinkle lights, large potted palms, dining tables, a dance floor and live music. After cocktails and dinner, the time came to introduce the guest of honor. A Sprout staffer wearing a stunning gown led a large horse named Duke into the event to a standing ovation. Duke was recognized for his many years of patient lesson service and continuing to prove there is a transformative connection between human and horse. Duke is just one of the 18 uniquely trained horses that give hope and confidence to students at Sprout. And then it was time to dance. And dance they did. Party-goers of all abilities crowded
26 August 2022
Photo courtesy of SPROUT
Operations Manager Anna Escorting Horse of Year Duke onto the floor. If one were to create a tableau that captured the spirit and vision of Sprout, the gala would serve as the model. Sprout encourages and embraces friendship, fun, and community. Each week, Sprout serves nearly 185 individuals ranging in age from a one-year-old diagnosed with spinal muscle atrophy,
to a thirty-year-old survivor of a traumatic brain injury, to an eighty-year-old with advancing physical and mental deterioration. Since Sprout began operations in 2011 its programs have expanded to include adaptive riding/ driving; equine supported therapies; community lessons; equine assisted learning; competition; and clubs to ensure riders are supported both in and out of the barn. These programs and therapies-created with the goal of providing hope, healing, empowerment and recovery through the bonds of partnership with equines--have changed the lives of thousands over the years. My friend Nancy L is back in the saddle at the age of 60-something after being diagnosed with MS years ago. A mechanical lift takes her from wheelchair to her therapy horse Dancer with the help of the amazing instructor Nancy D and a team of volunteers. Nancy L and Dancer engage in a lesson involving the walk, trot gaits combined with TO THE BLUERIDGE > PAGE 43
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August 2022 27
LET’S EAT
NICHOLE FLANNIGAN
Hot Eats and Cool Treats That Won’t Ruin Your Diet The hazy hot and humid days of summer are here. Regardless of the heat, my favorite part of summer is cooking out on the grill and relaxing with friends and family. The wonderful part
of summer is all the fresh produce that is available at your local farmers market. Fresh fruit or garden salads make a great addition to any meats cooked on the grill, and it’s all healthy! This month I
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have made a list of some of my favorite summer recipes. These healthy and flavorful dinners and drinks will be a great way to compliment a nice summer day.
Perfect Burgers 1 slightly beaten egg white 2 tablespoons water 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs 1/4 cup finely shredded carrot 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped sweet pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper
greens, tomato slices, and/or red onion slices (optional)
1 14oz can of black beans rinsed and drained
Combine egg white, water, bread crumbs, carrot, onion, sweet pepper, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add Parmesan cheese and ground beef; mix well. Shape mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties. Grill burgers on an oiled grill rack for 7 minutes. Turn and grill 8 to 11 minutes more or till no pink remains. Serve burgers on buns with vegetables, as desired. 6 servings - Calories 232, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 3g, Sodium 334mg, Carbohydrate 19g, Fiber 3g, Protein 18g
2 tsp ground chipotle chile
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Chicken With Black Bean Sauce
1 pound lean ground beef 6 whole-grain buns
3 tablespoons diced yellow onion
Shredded carrot, sprouts, mixed
½ tsp minced garlic
1 cup chicken stock ¼ cup diced tomatoes ½ tsp minced fresh cilantro 1 tsp sea salt 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp chile powder 4 4oz skinless, boneless chicken breasts Sauté onions and garlic in a saucepan over medium high heat until onions are soft. Add the beans, chipotle, chicken stock, tomatoes cilantro and salt. Simmer 15-20 minutes or until beans are slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Puree half the bean mixture in a food processor. Add the whole beans LET'S EAT > PAGE 29
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Old Town Crier
LET'S EAT | FROM PAGE 28
Makes 10 servings, 101 calories per serving
to the pureed mixture and set aside. Combine the olive oil and chili powder in a small bowl to make a paste. Rub the paste on the chicken breasts. Grill chicken 3-5 minutes on each side or until meat is no loner pink. Top with black bean sauce. 4 servings – Calories 330, Protein37g, Carbohydrates 29g, Fat 8g , Fiber 11g
Spiked Pomegranate Lemonade
Melon Margarita Ice 4 cups seeded and cut-up cantaloupe or honeydew melon (about 1 medium) 1/2 of a 10-ounce can (about 2/3 cup) frozen margarita mix concentrate, thawed 2 tablespoons snipped fresh mint 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon tequila (optional)
1.5 ounces lemon/lime vodka
In a blender container or food processor bowl combine half of the cut-up melon and half of the margarita mix. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. Repeat with remaining melon and margarita mix. Stir in mint, lime juice, and, if desired, tequila. Pour melon mixture into a nonmetal freezer container. Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally. (The consistency should be icy, not smooth.) To serve, scoop into 4 margarita glasses or small wine glasses. (If too hard to scoop or scrape, let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes or until slightly softened.) Makes 4 servings, 112 calories per serving
1.5 ounces lemonade 1.5 ounces pomegranate juice 4 ounces club soda 1 Serving - 136 calories
Citrus Lemonade 6 large lemons 3 medium limes 3/4 to 1 cup honey 6 cups water 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries Ice cubes Lemon and/or lime slices In a 2-1/2-quart pitcher, combine lemon juice, lime juice, and 3/4 to 1 cup honey. Add water and raspberries. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Just before serving, gently stir to combine. Pour into ice-filled glasses. Add lemon and/or lime slices, if desired.
Fine Dining, Fine Wines,
Hopefully you will enjoy these recipes. The melon margarita ice is my favorite! Publishers Note: Nicole Flannigan pens the Fitness Column each month and we are happy to share her tasty eats and drinks with you all in this space as well.
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August 2022 29
DINING OUT
THE GASTRONOMES
Union Street Public House
An Old Town Icon
W
ith summer’s heat upon us we decided to take a different approach to dining out and write about a cool place for lunch and a good sandwich in particular. This led us to Union Street Public House on Union Street (imagine that!). Union Street (as we all call the restaurant) has a double claim in Old Town as one of the oldest restaurants and one of the newer (sorta). Let me explain. When I came to Old Town in 1977, where Union Street sits now – contrary to what many have published in the past - was an upscale, fine dining restaurant called Kings Landing, not a warehouse. It was said that Kings Landing was Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurant when he came to town. The late 70’s and early 80’s were also bringing change to Old Town. The rather small restaurant with the nice front yard was torn down and Union Street maximized the space and built the restaurant out to the sidewalk. The new place had it all…a beautiful Tap Room, Whiskey Bar, a casual Oyster Bar on the ground floor with a large, beautiful dining room upstairs and a balcony looking down on Union Street. The building was designed by renowned Alexandria architect Bob Holland. It is truly a beautiful restaurant. The very first day Union Street opened there were lines to get in. Back then, there were lines at most all restaurants and bars because Old Town was so small and most of the action was within three blocks of the waterfront. From day one Union Street was known for their large selection of draught beer, fine whiskeys and great food. Locally sourced, their food was always very good and plentiful. Union Street was also home to some of the best bartenders in the DMV – including the infamous Bruce Wytucki who has been 30 August 2022
holding court behind the his character he developed this bar for well over 30 years. iconic edible! On a slightly 121 South Union Street Our bartender the day we toasted, rather large English Old Town Alexandria dined was Luis who always muffin, they stack a cut up 4 703-548-1785 has a smile on his face and oz. petite filet, sauteed onions, UnionStreetPublicHouse.com is eager to please. Swiss cheese, arugula, and On our visit I decided garlic aioli. This is not only I would try a sandwich a good sandwich but a fun that Union Street is famous for – the “My Bar My sandwich to eat. It is stacked so high that it tends Rules” Steak Sandwich. A little history…Carlos to fall apart when biting in but that is what the Myer was one of Union Streets all-time great and DINING OUT > PAGE 32 loveable bartenders and he ran a tight ship. As was Old Town Crier
DINING GUIDE AMERICAN
ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400 AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 CAFE 44 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 GRATEFUL KITCHEN 727 N. Henry Street HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria 703-436-0025 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533 LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545
Old Town Crier
LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 mackiesbarandgrill.com MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEETGREEN 823 King St. 571-319-0192 SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960
Please Contact your favorite restaurants for updates on their "Social Distancing" policies. THE STUDY 116 South Alfred Street 703-838-8000 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com
TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com VILLAGE BRAUHAUS 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com
VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com
BRABO 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141
ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794 KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458 THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154 CONTINENTAL
CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361
FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BISTRO SANCERRE FRENCH 1755 Duke Street
ITALIAN
ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue (behind the building) 703-888-2243 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 FRANK PEPE NAPOLETANA PIZZERIA 3231 Duke Street Alexandria Commons 703-719-2035 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 MICHAEL’S LITTLE ITALY 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 MEDITERRANEAN
BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100
TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD
HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533 INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148
August 2022 31
DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30
Authentic Creole, Cajun and Seafood Specialties Since 1985
setup with the steak knife is for. I ate half of the sandwich with my hands and the other half with my fork. The sandwich also comes with thin cut fries (reminded me of McDonald’s - which is a good thing). They were very good but only problem with fries is: you have to eat them fast before they get cold. My partner decided to go with a good cold sandwich and picked the Italian Grinder. Served on a soft sub roll, it is packed with Provolone cheese, capicola ham, salami and peperoncini topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and dressed with a tasty oregano and red wine vinaigrette. It is pretty good sized so she took half of it home and had it for dinner later. Instead of fries, she opted for the house salad as a side. All sandwiches come with your choice of fries or salad. The sandwich menu at Union Street is pretty extensive and fun. They start the list off with a Grilled Veggie Sandwich and a Shrimp Po’boy. They offer four burgers...USPH Cheeseburger, Fried Green Tomato Burger, Bacon Bleu Burger and the Badazz Burger which is loaded. The list ends with a Pulled-Pork Sandwich and the Chicken Salad BLT. The Tap Room is a popular gathering place. The large bar accommodates plenty of people and spacious booths are scattered along the walls. Two tops and four tops dominate the large space in front of the bar and behind the wall to wall windows looking out onto Union Street. For a nice cold draft beer you will find what you want with a dozen beers on tap and the prerequisite seasonal craft cocktails won’t disappoint. The have a pretty impressive back bar and the wine list is fairly extensive as well. Happy hour runs from 4 pm-7 pm Monday through Friday and Brunch is served on both Saturday and Sunday and the Brunch menu is very impressive on its own. They have daily specials for both lunch and dinner. Watch for a new menu coming soon – there is a new “Chef in Town”. It is summer time and the sandwich is king. Stop by Union Street Public House to cool off and enjoy a “bite” of historic Old Town!
3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. | Alexandria, VA 22305 | (703) 684-6010 | rtsrestaurant.net
“Top 50 Southern Restaurants in the Country”—Forbes Magazine
32 August 2022
Old Town Crier
CELEBRATING 36 YEARS
SHUCKS BUCK For A
$1 Local Oysters Happy Hour 4-7 • Tap Room Only
121 SOUTH UNION STREET, OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703.548.1785 • UNIONSTREETPUBLICHOUSE.COM
®
JOIN US FOR OUTDOOR DINING
LIVE MUSIC 7 NIGHTS A WEEK WITH NO COVER IRISH HAPPY HOUR 4-7 PM MONDAY-FRIDAY 713 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.548.1717 • murphyspub.com Old Town Crier
August 2022 33
GRAPEVINE
MATTHEW FITZSIMMIONS
Kent Arendt, Walsh Family Wine
Katrina Buccella, Paradise Springs Winery
Ashleigh White, Glen Manor Vineyards
Getting to KnowVirginia’s
Assistant Winemakers When Melanie Natoli of Cana Vineyards was handed the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition’s highest award, Doug Fabboli of Fabbioli Cellars was there to witness the event. Doug had a personal interest in watching Melanie ascend the stage; she was his Assistant Winemaker a decade earlier, one of a long roster of people he’s mentored in the Virginia wine industry. Melanie’s journey demonstrates how today’s assistants are tomorrow’s leaders. Many also have their own projects which deserve attention. Not only are these young winemakers introducing new ideas, their progression is changing the industry’s demographics. A number of today’s Head Winemakers such as Chelsey Blevins, Christopher Harris, and Corry Craighill got their start elsewhere in Virginia before moving to their present gigs.
Kent Arendt Assistant Winemaker for Walsh Family Wine & maker of his private label Boden Young What drew you to winemaking? “My last job was in data analysis. I was always interested in wine, but I didn’t think much about it until 10 years ago. But the more I enjoyed wine the more interested I became in the details; like 34 August 2022
how different wine is regionally, why it tastes so different, why different winemakers use different styles. So in 2016 I decided to give it a try. I’m the kind of person who needs tangible results in his work. I interned in Washington State and worked a harvest at a big facility. When I came back, I realized that’s not the kind of place I want to work at. So I applied to an ad from Nate Walsh and was his first hire.” Describe your role of an Assistant Winemaker: “Winemaking is 90% organization and cleaning and 10% winemaking. But being an assistant varies depending on the winery. For us, the Head Winemaker becomes more and more hands-off in the cellar work as the business grows. I do much of the day-to-day cellar work. Nate will have a list of things to do and I work through that list, whether it’s running the lab, checking sulfur and acidity levels, topping up barrels, maintenance of equipment, and getting ready for bottle. And cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.” What parts of the business are you in charge of? “Anything that happens in the cellar is done by me or scheduled by me. I meet with Nate on almost a daily basis to talk about what’s going on in the cellar. But the best part is the farming. A big part of what makes Virginia wine
special is the farming.” Do you have any side-projects of your own? “Nate creates an environment that is conducive for small projects. I make a wine named Boden Young. Boden translated roughly as “Soil” in German. Albariño is one of those varieties that I’ve enjoyed for a long time and I’m excited that it’s picked up in the past 5 years. I’ve made 43 cases of albariño and 38 of viognier.”
Katrina Buccella Assistant Winemaker at Paradise Springs Winery What drew you to winemaking? “I originally went to Virginia Tech to study veterinary medicine but fell in love with microbiology and food sciences. That led me to their fermentation course. Five years ago I interned at Rocklands Farm Winery (in Maryland). I had the chance to do every step in the process from planting a vineyard, to harvesting grapes, to making wine, to sales. I’ve also worked in New Zealand and finished my UC Davis winemaking program. I love the cyclical nature of winemaking. It spoke to something older, and winemaking is so much more soulful.” Describe your role of an Assistant
Winemaker: “I’m basically Rob’s (Rob Cox, Head winemaker at Paradise Springs) right hand. He makes the decisions in the cellar, but I’m in charge of the estate vineyard. It’s only one acre but it’s a well taken care of acre. In the production facility I do the barrel maintenance, upkeep of the barrel room, punch down, racking, but most of all cleaning. I also do a lot of the laboratory tasks. It’s a small team so it’s all hands-on deck.” What has been your career path to become a winemaker? “I’ve heard of so many different ways to get into this business. But there’s no one way, you just have to be moved to take it. As long as you have the drive and ambition and a little science smarts you can go far.” Are there any specific parts of the winery you are in charge of? “Rob asked me if I had any project ideas and I suggested a pét-nat. So we’re planning on making 80 cases using seyval blanc. It will be a cool first for Paradise Springs. I’m hoping it will be more of a natural fermentation pét-nat, but we haven’t made any final decisions. I’d like to be as intervention free as possible but I won’t know what will happen till I’m in the thick of it!” GRAPEVINE > PAGE 37
Old Town Crier
EXPLORING VA WINES
DOUG FABBIOLI
Life got turned upside down for all of us about two and a half years ago, and we continue to work our way back to some sort of normalcy. One of the largest and most visible industries still affected by the pandemic is our food service industry. I include our tasting room operations under this tent, as we have the same challenges as everyone else in finding people who can and want to work serving others. We will get through this staffing challenge eventually, just like we get through our other challenges, but this one is pretty widespread and will take lots of training to get through. I guess training is a part of mentoring, if you stop and think about it. We need to find the folks and convince them that this work experience will fit them now and help them in their future life. We need to teach them to put themselves in their customers’ shoes for a moment. They also need to understand the business and get a feel for my shoes as a business owner in order for us all to be successful. They need to learn how to become a part of the team, pulling together with their co-workers to provide an experience for the guest that is welcoming and comfortable, and at the same time productive for the business. When I am out and about, I
Training Day recognize more training going on than ever before. Many people new to their position find their learning hat and wear it proudly, and their trainer takes the time to show them what they need to know to be successful. Everyone has had to go through this job training part, and if we are successful, we keep learning and looking for more ways to do better. We may get some training on the computer or by watching videos, but the human contact, with real customers, is an irreplaceable part of
the process in the service industry. Sometimes as guests or customers we find ourselves playing a part in the training process. Please embrace these opportunities to help a new staff member have a good learning experience. Patience is key! I keep myself on a pretty tight schedule but when these moments of training occur, where a new worker needs a little more time for my transaction, I slow down to allow them the time to learn. In the same vein, if you need to correct
your server, please be polite and kind so they will remember that moment of learning with a smile instead of embarrassment or anger. I also like to acknowledge the trainer in learning situations when I can. Training is not an easy job, but it sure is important to someone learning a new skill. It is almost always easier to do the work yourself than to train others, but then you are stuck doing all the work! Make the time as a trainer to communicate along the way. You have the ability to build your coworkers and your workplace in a way that is fun and productive. Ok, what does this have to do with wine? Wine is a team sport, my friends, and it always has been. From planting, growing, and picking in the field, through crushing, aging, and bottling in the cellar, to presenting, selling, and sharing that bottle, it takes a big team and a lot of teamwork to make it happen. I am in my 42nd year in this industry and I continue to be excited about bringing new folks into our industry. It is hard work, but it is rewarding in so many different ways. Our seasoned folks are training new staff like we always do; we just need to do more of it these days. A big thank you to my team, past, present, and future, as our wines do not happen without the people that make it all work. A bigger thank you to those who take the time to train! We need to continue that each day so we don’t lose the art of service. Enjoy the product of our welltrained efforts!
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LET'S GET CRAFTY
TIMOTHY LONG
For Your Summer Drinking Pleasure…The Shandy It gets hot in the DC area in August, real hot. It can be unbearable. This is the time of year that reminds us that large parts of our area are reclaimed swamp. If the humidity doesn’t remind you of it, the mosquitos certainly will. For many, it is a time for cooler, lighter drinks. The stouts and ales become less popular. And the Shandy takes center stage. That’s right, the Shandy. Or its German cousin, the Radler. No matter which of the names you choose, it’s a beer with either fruit soda or fruit juice in it. As my readers know, I am not usually a fan of any kind of flavored beer. My sister once tried to hand me a Bud Light Lime when I asked her if she had any beer. My first impulse was to disown her. I didn’t. But when we are together, I now tell people that she is a distant cousin from a foreign land called Cleveland. Yes, I am a purist when it comes to beer. And now I’m recommending a beer with fruit juice in it. Yes, I am once again being a hypocrite. But summers are hot, and adjustments can be made. These traditional summer delights are refreshing and quite enjoyable. The trick is to make them correctly. More to come on that point. People argue over beer all the time. 36 August 2022
THESE TRADITIONAL SUMMER DELIGHTS ARE REFRESHING AND QUITE ENJOYABLE. THE TRICK IS TO MAKE THEM CORRECTLY. Fisticuffs have ensued over which beers are the greatest. Belgian and German beers are often at the center of these arguments. The answer is, of course, German. The German purity laws, the Reinheitsgebot, are second to none. The German’s approach to beer is as pure as a bee’s approach to honey. And both the bee and the German bring us perfection. Do not take me wrong, the Belgians do make great beer. And I do enjoy many of their beers. I just do not care for the ones they fruit up. The fruit flavor often overpowers the beer. So, I am stating that I do not care for fruity beers and recommending the Shandy. Are you rolling your eyes? Good. Keep reading. A little history first, the Shandy is the predecessor of the Radler. The two are similar, but not the same. And both are summer traditions. The Shandy originated in the pubs of England in the 19th century. The original name was Shandygaff. Back then, it was a mixture of beer, usually a pilsner or helles, with ginger ale or
ginger beer. Today, it can be mixed with all kinds of non-alcoholic beverages, but most often a lemon/ lime soda. Charles Dickens once referred to it as the “perfect alliance between beer and pop.” The Radler has a quite different history. Although there is no official record, legend has it that the Radler was invented in June of 1922 by a barkeep named John Xavier Kugler. According to Hopculture.com: “As the tale goes, Kugler, an innkeeper in Deisenhofen, Germany, capitalized on the country’s biking craze by creating a bike trail from nearby Munich to his tavern. One beautiful day in June 13,000 cyclists wound their way to his establishment looking to quench their thirst. Overloaded with thirsty patrons, Kugler quickly began to run out of beer. But a stroke of genius saved him. Kugler cut his pilsner with overstocked lemon soda.” It was an immediate hit. Nowadays the Radler is still usually made with
lemonade or lemon soda. Like its cousin the Shandy, it is a great way to take a lighter beer and turn it into a refreshing summer drink. If made properly, both are quite delicious and thirst quenching. Therefore, I am quite forgiving when one is handed to me on a hot summer’s day. I haven’t disowned anyone family members over it. Whichever one you choose; I offer two rules when it comes to enjoying this summer delight.
The first rule, drink only freshly made, not mass produced. Yes, it’s August, and you see Shandys and Radlers in the beer department of every store. Don’t! Just don’t! None of them are anywhere near the quality level of one that is made by your local bartender. Or better yet, by you in your own home. A draft pilsner or helles from your local craft brewery works wonderfully when creating one of these thirst-quenching sensations. Fresh lemonade can be a huge plus as well. These drinks were meant to be made fresh, not mass produced and bottled. GET CRAFTY > PAGE 37
Old Town Crier
GET CRAFTY | FROM PAGE 37
The second rule, the measurements must be correct. It very easy, and the same for both drinks. The trick is a 1:1 ratio. One part beer to one part mixer. So, if you are making a 12 ounce Radler, you use 6 ounces of beer, and 6 ounces of lemonade. Going too heavy on either side can greatly alter and ruin the flavor of the drink. And lastly, for all the gentlemen reading this article. Guys, you need to let it go. These are not “Ladies Drinks”. I am not sure when that connotation started. I believe it is an American misconception. The 13,000 German cyclists who tried the first Radler in 1922 would have certainly been mostly male. And the British Pubic Houses in the 19th century were filled mostly with men. Yes, if my grandfather were still here and saw me order one, he would have asked me if I was planning on a career selling ladies undergarments. But he was born in the 1890s. He had very different opinions of the roles of men and women. And being Irish, he would have hated the Shandy for its British roots. But it’s 2022 for God’s sake! You do not get to disparage your friend for drinking a Shandy. Be confident in your masculinity. Go to your local brew pub and order a Radler or Shandy. And if some buffoon has something to say about it, merely scoff at him as you enjoy your drink. He’s a neanderthal. You, however, are the epitome of a modern man, confident and proud. Enjoy your Shandy! Just make sure you keep your pinky down while drinking it. You don’t want to look like the Queen sipping her tea.
Tim’s SUMMER IS RUM SEASON, SO I’M RECOMMENDING ANOTHER RUM. A recommendation for a good sipping rum came to me from our publisher, Bob Tagert. As Bob was convincing me to try the rum, which didn’t take long, the discussion moved to which cigar may pair well with it. This then led us to consulting John Pann, partner/manager of John Crouch Tobacconist in Old Town Alexandria. We planned to do a rum and cigar tasting in the courtyard of my building. We assembled on a perfect Saturday afternoon. The beautiful weather combined with great rum and cigars made for quite a fun event.
Ashleigh White Assistant Winemaker for Glen Manor Vineyards What drew you to winemaking? “I was still in school for biology with a concentration in ecology when Jeff (owner/winemaker Jeff White of Glen Manor) opened the winery. After I graduated I was doing different internships but I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Jeff offered me a position in the tasting room in 2014, and the next year I moved to a full time job in the vineyard and then in the cellar. Old Town Crier
A dangerous crew: (l - r) John Pann of John Crouch Tobacconist, me and OTC Publisher Bob Tagert
SELVAREY WHITE RUM: All three of us tend to lean toward amber or darker rums, but this white rum delights us. It is an aged white rum. It is a blending of 3 to 5 Panamanian rums produced in the distillery’s 1922 Copper Column Stills, then aged in American bourbon casks. The rum is then filtered to remove any color. Aged in bourbon casks? No wonder I love this rum. It has a sweetness that is pleasant, not overpowering. You get vanilla on the palate, but not too much. It’s one of the flavors, along with toasted sugar and hints of cocoa that the rum has pulled from the wood cask. It’s 80 proof, and at $30 is a great value. It’s wonderful on the rocks. And it blends well in any cocktail.
MY FATHER’S CIGARS FLOR DE LAS ANTILLAS: John presented both of us with a fantastic cigar to pair with the SelvaRey White Rum. My Father’s Cigar’s Flor de las Antillas Toro was Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year in 2012 garnering a 96 rating at the time. It still has a rating of 90 and is well worth the $9.20 price. Bob and I held our cigars with great anticipation as John described the flavor profile. The Flor de las Antillas has light creamy and earthy tones with hints of white pepper. The mouth feel is soft leather and silky at the very end. It complements the vanilla tones of the rum perfectly. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist 215 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314
About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? whatflyinmysoup.com
GRAPEVINE | FROM PAGE 34
Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations
Being a winemaker blended different parts of my degree; being outside in nature as well as growing into the winemaking. I also got to work in different cellars around the world which was exciting.” Describe your role of an Assistant Winemaker: “Jeff makes the decisions and trajectory for what will come for the year and I work alongside him learning things like making picking decisions in the vineyard. I’m kinda his shadow, learning his approach to processing the fruit and monitoring the fermentation.” What has been your career path to become a winemaker? “I would say
do multiple internships; you gather knowledge from different winemakers. I learned you can do the same job 5 different ways and none are wrong but you learn to pick and choose what works for you best. I’ve worked in New Zealand, Australia, British Columbia, and California. I miss the traveling, I miss learning. But the experience is always worth it. I’d like to keep traveling but I now feel like I need to stay put.” Are there any specific parts of the winery you are in charge of? “It really depends; every week is a bit different. I’m in charge of managing our Instagram account, and this year I
was in charge of blending trials for our 2021 red blends. I’ve also been leading our research into future varietals, like warmer climate reds. We also did a bit of carbonic maceration for the first time, which was my idea. The color was really pretty. We did the blending trial for our rosé blind and we all ended up liking it. Jeff is open to trying new things.” Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Follow his progress at winetrailsandwanderlust.com/. August 2022 37
CATHERINE VARCHEVER
FITNESS
O
ur bodies are made up of over 70% water and it is involved in almost every aspect of keeping our body’s biological processes running efficiently. Not counting perspiration, it is estimated that as adults we lose about 4% of our total body weight per day in water losses. This means, it is important to replace not only this water, but also the water we lose when participating in activities, especially in the summertime.
Are you Drinking Enough?
How do you know how much water you should drink? Experts vary in their recommendations and the exact amount depends upon your body weight, where you live, how much exercise you do per day, and the type of environment in which you are living. But as a general rule, one quick way you can estimate how much you should be drinking is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number by two. The result is the number of ounces that you should be
(Water, that is!) drinking per day in terms of your water consumption. For example, if you are a lady and weigh 125 pounds/2 = 62.5, you should be aiming for at least 62.5 ounces of water per day. Plain water is generally the best for hydration. Avoid caffeine or alcohol as these
can dehydrate you further. However, if you are working out in the heat and or perspiring extensively, then it is important to replenish the electrolytes that your body loses with either an electrolyte supplement or sports drink.
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Hydration and Health
Summary and Tips:
You need to increase the amount of fluids you drink if you are out in the heat. Plan your water intake before you start working out. Because everyone is different it is difficult to state exact fluid requirements, but as a starting point here are some general guidelines you can use, and then modify the amounts based on your individual circumstances: If you will be outdoors or working out extensively you should drink 2-3 cups of water before your workout (about 2-3 hours prior to exercise). During your workout a good rule of thumb is to drink about 1 cup of water for every 10-15 minutes that you are working out. Sodium is actually important if you are working out heavily, so consider adding a sports drink like the low sugar version of Gatorade (the G2) or my personal favorite which is the Crystal Light Hydration Lemon which has 10 calories per a 16 ounce bottle of water, 150 mg sodium and 70mg potassium in order to replenish the electrolytes that your body loses during exercise and sweating. A good tip is to weigh yourself before and after exercise, and any weight loss immediately after exercising is the weight you will need to gain back in water. As always, consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program and if you take any medication that may affect your fluid intake and or exercise program make sure to ask your doctor about planning the proper amount of hydration and what types of exercises are safe for you.
• Drink water before, during and after your workouts. • Consider adding in a Sports Drink to replenish electrolytes. Stay away from liquids containing caffeine or alcohol, (avoid beers, colas and other similar beverages)
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Signs of dehydration: • Weakness or lightheadedness • Exhaustion • Thirst • Pale skin • Loss of appetite • Dark colored urine • Dry mouth • Muscle cramps • Nausea and vomiting • Sweating cessation Confusion and weakness, and then possible organ failure can occur if the dehydration is not treated! About the Author: Catherine Varchaver (Peace Corp staff: Central and Eastern Europe and Kyrgyzstan 1991–1997) spent several years on Peace Corps staff working as a desk officer, trainer and Associate Peace Corps Director for Education at Headquarters and overseas. She has worked in private practice, Body and Soul Nutrition, blending Eastern meets Western approaches to health. She received her undergraduate degree from Oberlin College, Master of Arts in Teaching from the School for International Training, certification in health and nutrition counseling from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC, and hands-on training in Chinese medicine’s 5-Element tradition working with acupuncture colleagues in the DC area
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Old Town Crier
FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT
Keeping It Cool with the FitBall Plank Welcome back all you faithful readers! I hope you enjoyed the Weight Plate Lunge from last month and are managing well in the heat. This month’s exercise is the FitBall Plank. This is an isometric exercise (no sweating with this one) in which the objective is to hold your muscle contractions to prevent movement. Typically when you think of exercising, you think of moving. However, you might be surprised how difficult this is with minimal movement. The FitBall Plank is a challenging exercise for not only your core, but also the triceps, shoulders, hips, and quadriceps. Here is the setup: Lie face down on top of a FitBall with your forearms underneath your chest. (see photo). Place the feet about hip-width apart. Slowly push yourself up off the ball
Photo: Tracy Hall Unverzagt
until your elbows are beneath your shoulders. The hips should also rise even with the rest of the body. Hold this “plank” position for at least 20 seconds to start, then progress to longer holds. Remember to breathe normal and do not hold your breath. You can crank up the intensity by adding small (2-3 inches) forward/ backward or side-to-side forearm movements. You can also try “drawing” shapes such as circles,
squares, triangles, or even spell the alphabet. Another way to change difficulty level is to adjust your foot width. A wider base will provide more stability and narrow placement (feet together) will be less stable. Because the FitBall is such a versatile piece of equipment, I will be sharing more of these exercises in future articles. I urge you incorporate more FitBall training into your workouts.
About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
HYDRATION
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Old Town Crier
August 2022 39
FIRST BLUSH
GENEVIVE LEFRANC
Primer, Powder, Papers & Eye Shadow that
POP!
A
ll year long I yearn for summer’s arrival. It’s the perfect season for so many things—backyard barbeques, eating al fresco and festive fireworks. Everyone has an extra spring in their pedicured step from the sunshine and long days. However, once we round the corner into the oft-blistering August heat, each of us looks forward to cooler weather, and no longer having to deal with our makeup literally melting off our faces. As a makeup junkie, I often find myself struggling in the summer months when it comes to my cosmetic routine. I want to look as polished as usual, but often find my typical regime to be too much in the muggy humidity and temperamental climate. Now is the time to ditch heavy layers of makeup. August can be one of the most brutal months of all, so you’ll want to keep your makeup nice and light. The last thing you want is a muddled, caked-on look that’s sliding by noon; and the more makeup you put on, the more is at risk of melting off. While most of us know how to treat our skin during the far more forgiving climate of autumn, keeping your makeup in place during the scorching heat of summer seems impossible. But follow my tips for the stay-in-place essentials you’ll need to give your makeup a fighting chance withstanding soaring temperatures, and you’ll be sure to beat the heat. 40 August 2022
Wear Primer I started using primer on a regular basis for a more polished finish to my makeup, and summer is when primer is most certainly not an option. Primer is the key to long-lasting foundation and color, and all you need is a peasize dot of a lightweight, oil-free formula to help blot away oil and prevent sweating. Try MAC Prep + Prime Skin, a skin protecting cream with SPF 50 for the rays—it’s specially formulated with oil-absorbing powder for the heat and humidity. Other favorites include Smashbox OilFree Primer, which keeps skin from looking flaky if yours tends to be on the dry side; or L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Color Correcting Primers, available in three oil-free formulas for different skin types. Apply to moisturized skin before concealer and foundation and set with powder for a flawless, airbrushed finish.
Use Powder If you’ve done your makeup but then run down the street for a coffee,
you can expect a thin sheen of shine to ruin your handiwork. This is where miracle-working translucent powder saves the day. Translucent powders provide shine control without adding any noticeable color or texture while absorbing excess oils, setting makeup, and reducing shine. Use a large fluffy brush to dust a translucent loose powder across your T-Zone. Because it’s colorless, it will absorb oil while still maintaining that fresh, dewy look. Dust some loose powder on your nose, chin, upper lip (my personal sweat spot), and the center of your forehead. Keep a light hand to ensure the rest of your face remains glowy.
Use Oil Blotting Papers Trust me, I get it. You’re probably thinking that you’ll be re-powdering approximately every fifteen minutes throughout the day with this season’s record high temps. This constant adding of extra layers will leave you with product buildup and looking a cakey mess, which is almost worse than a sweaty one! Instead of applying more and more powder each time you spot yourself
getting shinier, use an oil blotter to get rid of excess shine. If you’re feeling fancy, try Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers. If you’re a loyal drugstore junkie, try Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. Stash these babies in your desk, purse, glove box—heck, anywhere! All it takes is a quick dab over your face to soak up excess oil without messing up your makeup.
Choose Creamy Cosmetics Protecting your makeup is really as simple as choosing the right formulas that will keep your color locked in place. When sweat and powder products mix, the result just isn’t pretty, so opt for a cream version of a product when you can. Cream formulas of eyeshadows, blushes, and bronzers are the way to go. Sheer cream shadows tend to cake less in hot weather, and they look so pretty when glistening in the sun. For eyes, try a highly pigmented eye color that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish that is long-wearing without weight, caking, or creasing. Old Town Crier
GO FISH
STEVE CHACONAS
Potomac River Bassing in August
EEEEW There’s Something in the Water
Lake Anna anglers have been wary of the blue green algae that’s been spreading over the 13,000 acre lake, one of the largest freshwater inland reservoirs in Virginia. For the last four summers, swimming has been restricted as Cyanobacteria, a harmful algae that causes skin rashes and stomach illnesses, dangerous for children and animals, has been covering shallow coves of the recreational lake. The Department of Health has issued notices to steer clear of contact with the blooms, warning swimmers to “avoid discolored water or scums that are green or blueish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.” The Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) is launching a pilot Cyanobacteria Mitigation Program. It addresses causes of the harmful algae and the elimination of it. Long-term solutions are based on prevention and that points to reducing nutrients, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen, entering from the watershed or from deposited sediments. A mix of runoff input from urban or agricultural areas is a big challenge as Anna has 200 miles of shoreline. Runoff from nearby farms and homes overloads the lake with nutrients allowing algae to flourish. In addition to the effects on humans and pets, algae can cloud the water creating more turbidity blocking light to other aquatic vegetation. To address nutrients flowing into the lake, experts have created a plan to reduce nutrient loading in each basin and provide substantial water quality improvement, especially in sections where nutrients remain high. Watershed Management Best Old Town Crier
Management Practices (BMP) include street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, buffer strips, and filtration systems. Hydrogen peroxidebased treatments are also considered a BMP. Chemical treatments are fairly low cost and can offer immediate solutions to treat visible outbreaks, but still can be up to $1500 per acre and also used for spot treatment of outbreaks. Estimated costs per tributary, $200,000 to $500,000. Studies have focused on areas with average depths of 9ft because shallow lake areas tend to have greater rates of nutrients suspended with wind, current and boating activity. LACA identified a section of Lake Anna as not meeting state water quality standards due to the harmful algae blooms. The algae blooms have spread mostly in the upper areas of the North Anna and Pamunkey branches, with smaller outbreaks in the middle and lower areas of the branches. Lots of testing has taken place and many feel now is the time for action. This initial pilot program will use BlueGreen Water Technologies’ granular treatment which is supposed to selectively target and eliminate harmful cyanobacteria/algae without harming other life forms or leaving any chemical trace in the water. Essentially, this releases hydrogen peroxide which is an algicide and eventually breaks down harmlessly into water and oxygen. It has been used in Israel, Russia, China, and South Africa and has been applied in Florida, Georgia, California, and Utah. The treatment is being reviewed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Treatment needs to be applied before the blooms form, or 10 times more treatment will be needed.
Get out early before it gets too hot! Fish thick grass with hollow bodied frogs and punching. Use 60 pound test Gamma Torque braid. Same line with a ¾-1.5 ounce tungsten weight to punch through matted grass with Texas rigged soft plastics. These techniques are best when it’s hot and sunny. For frogs, cover water over grass to locate bass for the punching method. Punch through loose grass and sticks, etc. floating around thick mats. Early in the day or under low tide or cloudy conditions, use walking baits and poppers, on 30 pound test Torque braid around edges of grass, docks, or riprap. Vary speeds depending on water clarity, faster in clear, slower in stained water. Shallow diving crankbaits cover water tied to 14 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon. Another bait to use it a big bodied, buoyant crankbait like the Lucky Craft BDS 4. Contacting grass is key for both of these. Crank down to the grass and snap free, then pause and repeat. Jigs work…pitching, swimming and bladed jigs in craw patterns or black/blue pattern…in grass and around docks. Use either Gamma braid or fluorocarbon line. Heavy drop shot works around cover and in grass.
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GO FISH > PAGE 43
August 2022 41
OPEN SPACE
S
eems like just yesterday I was convincing myself that this was going to be THE ‘summer.’ The summer I dropped my extra COVID 19 pounds of flesh and rocked my bikini aka my mommified highwaisted two piece with maximumhold spandex. The summer that I felt like a million bucks in my sundresses (as in my arms didn’t look like bat wings). The summer I’d start running again—maybe even sign up for a half marathon. Heck—maybe a whole. The summer I started eating healthy, maybe even committing to a plantbased diet. The summer I actually relaxed. I had a vision, but no plan other than a nightly regimen of chowing down on carbs with an ice cream chaser. Oh well. There’s always next summer… It’s hard to focus on these (shallow?) desires when there is so much heaviness in the world. It is challenging to get out, move, and have fun when you feel as if the universe has gone utterly bonkers. But, finding joy is important—especially during the summer months. It’s almost our duty to enjoy some down time, indulge in some ice cream, and dip our toes in the sand. Joy and happiness—and FUN—are important to our mental health. Unrealistic goals and beating 42 August 2022
LORI WELCH BROWN
Summer plans laid to waste
ourselves up when we fail, however, is detrimental to our well-being. During the dog days of summer when August presents itself as a horse hair blanket coated in hot embers, it is especially important to practice selfcare whether it is a midday nap in the air-conditioning, thirty minutes in the hammock with a summer read, or an early morning bike ride. Sure— push yourself a little to pedal an extra ten minutes or log another mile on the treadmill, but do so with caution and an awareness of the big picture. It’s hot out there, and your body can only take so much. It needs down time especially during the dog days… why else would they call it dog days? I guess they could call it cat nap days. As I’m writing this, I’m staring out my window at the ocean and yet my toes haven’t hit the sand in over a week. Partly due to poor weather conditions, but partly because the horse hair blanket I wear is sometimes of my own making. I’ve been known to weigh
myself down with obligatory tasks and anxious energy. In other words, sweating the small stuff. “Look,” I tell myself, “There’s plenty of sweating going on without having to add to it.” Truth. The to-do list will be here when I get back. Another truth. Make time to walk on the beach. For us over-achieving, Type A sorts, we often have to force ourselves away from our ever present to-do lists and hamster brains, and actually schedule time to do absolutely nothing or something that helps us to relax and tune out the noise of the world and forget about our obligations, deadlines and tasks for a period of time. I’ve been starting out with a goal of riding my bike for thirty minutes. I put my headphones on, pull up a book on Audible, and off I go. The past few days, I’ve been so engrossed with my book that an hour passed before I realized. The route is mostly flat, but it makes my legs work consistently. My thoughts often wander, and the
other day I found myself thinking of a time when I won’t be able to ride my bike. I thought about my dad whose legs stopped working and he became confined to a wheelchair the last years of his life. It reminded me that I owe it to myself to enjoy these small pleasures while I can. My husband, XXL, and I have started playing pickle ball. By ‘playing,’ I mean attempting to volley the plastic ball to each other. It’s great exercise especially since we don’t have a clue what we are doing, but we laugh a lot, and apologize a lot to the folks playing next to us when our ball inevitably flies across their court. Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks, but just don’t expect blue-ribbon results. This might not be the summer I hoped for, but it is the only summer I have, and I intend to enjoy as much of it as possible. Who cares what you’re wearing (no bikini here) as long as you’re healthy and happy. Life is short. Summer is shorter. Eat the ice cream, but ride the bike first. About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for well over 20 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this. Old Town Crier
TO THE BLUERIDGE | FROM PAGE 26
Nancy D guiding her student through difficult stretches while on the horse. Nancy L amazes her doctors with her core strength and encourage her to keep doing what she’s doing. Jeff, a retired military general, suffered a stroke impacting his cognitive abilities. His weekly lesson with physical therapist/instructor Sue entailed memorizing dressage tests and steering Thor, a large beauty of a horse, through the tests. Jeff ’s doctors were stunned at his recovery. Jeff, by the way, had never before been on a horse. Caroline, who is in her 20’s and uses a wheelchair, participates in carriage driving lessons with instructor Anna and horse Dancer. The joy and smile on Caroline’s face during the lessons says it all. A beloved family member who was stricken with polio leaving him paralyzed inspired his niece Brooke Waldron, an avid equestrian herself, to start the riding facility focused on students with special needs. Brooke explains that her late uncle, although in a wheelchair, was a leader and entrepreneur who didn’t recognize or understand limitations; rather, he saw possibilities. To that end, Brooke’s pride in her students’ accomplishments is evident and she reminds them to embrace being a “possibilitarian”, a wonderfully appropriate and creative made-up word. Brooke is so much more than the founder of Sprout. She is its heart, A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 9
thus far failed. With Dobbs the Law of Coverture in part lives on as does the Christian right’s political sway. In 1918 a divided Congress feared a federally initiated woman’s suffrage amendment “could undermine” Jim Crow. “Shall we admit [women] only to a partnership of sacrifice and suffering and toil and not to a partnership of privilege and right?” President Woodrow Wilson [D-VA] asked the U.S. Senate. “The Justices who vote[d] to strike down Roe v. Wade will not succeed in ending abortion: they will only GO FISH | FROM PAGE 41
Other cost-effective, natural, and long-term solutions include promoting native shoreline vegetation to improve water clarity, stabilize shorelines, and reduce nutrients. Plant growth levels of desired species are being established in areas where they would be effective. Planting would occur in small plot areas in a variety of substrates to determine the best to minimize losses. Expected planting costs would be approximately $25,000 - $50,000 per surface acre, depending on Old Town Crier
Photo courtesy of SPROUT
Possibilitarians! soul and brains. Her management and leadership skills are evident as she oversees a 27-acre facility with 16 dedicated staff members that include instructors, physical therapists, a barn manager and assistants, as well as front office personnel and an army of volunteers, working together to provide lessons and programs six days a week, ten months a year. Caring for the horses is a large part of Sprout’s budget. But Sprout donations also go toward ensuring that no student is turned away through subsidizing more than 50% of each
student’s lesson cost. The annual September black-tie gala is only one of several fundraisers throughout the year. Donor contributions, volunteer manpower, and in-kind donations allow Sprout to provide on-going therapeutic programs essential to the disability community. In defining her vision, Brooke explains, “Sprout is built on the conviction that we are not bound by our limitations but rather we are called to achieve personal greatness and invest in one another.” Possibilitarians,
indeed. Full disclosure: I have volunteered at Sprout for several years and have witnessed what can only be described as miracles.
succeed in ending safe abortions,” The Lancet the world’s oldest medical journal opined. The City of Alexandria now asks “the General Assembly of Virginia and the United States Congress to take such actions as may be necessary to protect the right to abortion in Virginia.”
On July 3, 2022, NPR reported a South Florida synagogue filed a lawsuit claiming, “that banning abortion is a violation of Jews’ First Amendment right to practice their religion.” On July 18, 2022, The Raleigh, N.C., News & Observer wrote
“It is impossible to argue that the U.S. Supreme Court justices personal religious beliefs didn’t have an impact on their belief that abortion is not protected by the Constitution...Jewish law sees fetuses as full people once they are born...Temple Beth Or Senior Rabbi Lucy Dinner said ‘I can’t speak for all of the Jewish community, but I would say a majority...believe that this is a religious issue...and to be forced by our government to follow a different religious point of view is a breach of the separation between church and state...The Christian right does not have a monopoly on faith and morality.” The legal debate continues.
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
planting density and species. Large common carp populations take a toll on subaquatic vegetation. Removing carp can help these natural vegetation filters. Carp also increase turbidity during spawning periods. This algae will be tough and expensive to wipe out as Cyanobacteria survive well in high water temperatures, adapt to low light conditions, and are able to regulate their buoyancy in the water column to obtain nutrients from bottom to surface waters. Fingers of the lake are likely acting as nutrient filters for
incoming watershed, meaning the primary productivity of plants and algae decreases downstream to the outflow at the dam. Unfortunately, algae uses the nutrients before they reach the water-clearing submerged vegetation. However, promoting growth of all vegetation in the lake’s fingers upstream could provide substantial water quality improvements. It’s been reported that the cost of the first treatment is $100,000 and about $300,000 annually to prevent the blooms. LACA has launched a
campaign “Kick the HAB”, referencing Harmful Algae Booms, to raise money. Attempting to kill off the algae blooms before they form is not a permanent solution. A complete, more intensive approach to eradicating algae blooms is needed, at an estimated $200 million cost and could take decades to complete.
Columnist’s’ Update:
About the Author: Meg Mullery is a contributing writer and Blue Ridge distribution “assistant” to the OTC and just a great all around person. She is a Middleburg resident and spends some of her valuable time selling real estate for Washington Fine Properties and volunteering at Sprout – a therapeutic riding program in Aldie.
Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Check out YouTube page, NationalBassGuide. August 2022 43
NATIONAL HARBOR
LANI GERING
Stay Cool My Friends! Whewie….it was a hot damn (and not in the good way) July! I am sooooo hoping that August doesn’t follow suit. This ungodly hot weather really cuts into our sailing time and how am I supposed to maintain my golden tan if it’s too hot to soak in some sun? On the flip side…there are some “cool”, literally and figuratively, adult things to do inside some of my favorite places in the Harbor this month. Let’s start with a nice cool beverage at the BELVEDERE LOUNGE accompanied by the SUMMER LASER LIGHT AND FOUNTAIN SHOW in the Atrium of the Gaylord Resort. The whole Atrium comes alive with this spectacular, swashbuckling show! Guests and visitors will be amazed when they view this dazzling display of lights, fountains, lasers and more. After the show head up to the REPLAY LOUNGE on the rooftop for a Material Girl Frose, Under the Sea Margarita or a Caribbean Queen Pina Colada – their summer frozen drink collection! Don’t forget to check out Friday and Saturday Night Movies in the Atrium through September 5th as well! Lots of “Hot Deals” taking place at the CAPITAL WHEEL this month. Enjoy a cold beverage in the air-conditioned comfort of a climate controlled gondola as you spin above the Harbor overlooking the Potomac from the Washington Monument to Mount Vernon. Just grab your beverage at the FLIGHT DECK before you board and you are in business. They are once again celebrating 44 August 2022
NATIONAL DOG DAY AT THE WHEEL. I have to admit that the last place I want to take my dog is on a wheel ride or to a baseball game but….I get it… there are lots of you out there who are “on board” with it. Here is a way to celebrate your favorite pooch on Friday, August 26th. Dogs ride free with the purchase of an adult ticket, then chill at Yappy Hour at the Flight Deck for special doggie treats for them and $5 draft beer and wine for you. Donate a can or bag of dog food and receive $5 off an adult ticket. (Limit two per transaction). See below for the aforementioned “hot deals”:
Golden Summer Package • 2 Tickets to The Capital Wheel • 2 Beverages, including cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine, hard seltzer or soda • 2 Souvenir cups • 2 6x8 photos • 1 4x6 photo • Digital download • $55, value up to $85 – offer ends Aug. 15.
Take Flight Package • 1 Ticket to The Capital Wheel • 1 Beverage, including a cocktail, mocktail, beer, wine, hard seltzer or soda • 1 Souvenir cup • $25, value up to $32 – offer ends Sept. 5
Magical Memories Package • • • • •
2 Tickets to The Capital Wheel 2 6x8 photos 1 4x6 photo Digital download $40, value $55
Endless Golden Summer Package • 2 Tickets to The Capital Wheel • 2 Beverages, including cocktails, mocktail, beer, wine, hard seltzer or soda • 2 Souvenir cups • 2 6x8 photos • 1 4x6 photo • Digital download • $55, value up to $85 – offer begins Aug. 16-Sept 5.
Double Seltzer Spin 2 Tickets to The Capital Wheel Bucket of 5 White Claw Hard Seltzers $45, value $70 – offer expires Sept. 5 All packages are valid for six months from the date of purchase. For more detailed information on these packages and more, check them out on Facebook, Instagram or online at thecapitalwheel.com Obviously, in addition to the inside adventures previously mentioned, many outdoor activities take place weekly as weather permits. Fitness classes, the Sunset Concert Series, Date and Family Night movies on the Plaza, etc. For a current listing of days and times for each check out www.nationlharbor.com or search for National Harbor on Facebook. Stay Cool……
Kid Stuff on Kids Days National Harbor celebrates summer with an ongoing Kids Day every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the waterfront plaza stage (150 National Plaza.) The fun Thursday mornings continue through August 25. Activities rotate and include crafts with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Art on a Roll Van, meet and greet with the Prince George’s County Police Department and the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department and interactive story time with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. Interactive story time takes place on August 11th and 25th. The Capital Wheel features a special “Kids Day” as well. Receive a free kid’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket on Kids Days. Parents can extend the fun of the morning’s activities with a spin. For more information on Kid’s Day: www.nationalharbor. com/events/annual-events/ summer/kids-day-on-theplaza/.
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