Old Town Crier - September 2014 Issue

Since 1988–Priceless

September 2014

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

Dining Out

THE FLYING FISH

“We Are Sushi Grade” Personality Profile

RICK WASMUND The Copper Fox

Single Space

LORI & XXL ARE GETTIN’ HITCHED! Road Trip

HISTORIC SOTTERLEY PLANTATION Genteel Charm & Southern Hospitality

oldtowncrier.com

Landini’s

Setting TheZAGAT Standard In Old Town For2006 Over 37 Years AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

AND THE PAST 15 YEARS

115 King Street Old Town Alexandria 115 King Street 703-836-8404 Old Town Alexandria landinibrothers.com 703-836-8404

G -11 pm N I RK :30

PArday 5 T E AL atu

V y&S a

Frid

Valet Parking Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm

Franco and Noe welcome you!

COME FOR THE FUN, STAY FOR THE FOOD!

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

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

105 & 107 King St. Old Town Alexandria

703.836.5676 fishmarketva.com

Eat Fish, Drink Beer, Live Longer!

september14 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, Va. 22320

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phone: 703. 836. 0132 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month.

Worth waiting for!

PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Laura Parker

A Bit of History After Hours

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Art & Antiques Electronic Ink Behind the Bar 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, Va. 20175 Chris Anderson Vincent Arrunategui Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Ashley Denham Busse Jaime Elliott Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Elizabeth Jones

CONTRIBUTORS Frances Killpatrick Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc Laura Parker Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Neil Williamson Molly Winans

Business Profile

8

First Blush

43

Pets of the Month

17

11

Fitness

40

Points on Pets

16

15

From the Bay…

24

Publishers Notes

28

From the Trainer

41

Road Trip

20

Gallery Beat

14

Single Space

45

5

2

Caribbean Connection

18

Go Fish

39

Spiritual Renaissance

44

Chefs Special

34

Grapevine

36

The Last Word

12

Civil Discourse

9

High Notes

10

To the Blue Ridge

26

Dining Guide

32

National Harbor

46

Urban Garden

13

Dining Out

30

On the Media

3

Virginia Wine Trails

38

Exploring Virginia Wines

35

On the Road

1

Personality Profile

4

Financial Focus

6

© 2014 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to selected Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas as well as St. John, USVI.

Follow US on Facebook facebook.com/oldtowncrier

On the road with OTC About the cover Late summer starry night in Ocracoke, NC photo: © Chester Simpson

Old Town Crier

One of the Old Town Crier’s youngest readers, Colby Morel, passes the time while waiting for a table with his father, Glen Morel, at the famous Cheers Bar in Boston.

If you would like to see your picture here, take the OTC with you on your next trip, snap a high resolution photo and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com.

September 2014 | 1

PUBLISHERS NOTES BOB TAGERT

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

1207 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.549.4040 www.lamplighterlamps.com Haircuts $13 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $16 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up

A Very Good Price!

Color $38+up Permanent $43+up (including haircut & conditioner)

Good Haircut!

Beautiful Perm!

Long Lasting Color!

Van’s Hairstylists 107 North Washington Street (near corner of King & Washington streets)

703-836-1916

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

Biolage • Vital Nutrient • Socolor • Matrix Perm • Paul Mitchell • Nexxus

private yacht charter Cruise the waters of the Potomac River with its postcard views of the DC skyline.

Business entertainment, private parties, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries are our specialties.

We take the art of entertaining to a whole new level, no matter what the occasion.

You and your guests will remember the cruise for years to come. Quality service begins with custom planning to suit your needs.

potomac belle Docked in Old Town Alexandria

For reservations and additional information

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

2 | September 2014

W

here has the summer gone? Here it is September and the leaves will soon begin to lose their green color and turn brilliant yellows, golds and reds. If you have ever wondered why this transformation takes place, google “Autumn leaf color” and read the Wikipedia or Weather Channel explanation.

With the arrival of cooler weather it is time to get outside, and there is a lot going on in our region. Sotterley Plantation in St. Mary’s County will be hosting their annual Winefest next month, but you can read all about it this month. On the other side of the Patuxent River in Solomons, Md. where you can catch artists painting outdoors at the annual Plein Air Festival. Read all about this national event in the From the Bay section. It is an exciting competition for both artists and viewers. Here in Old Town Alexandria on September 13 and 14 King Street will be filled with art as the12th annual King Street Art Festival comes to town.

On the first week of October, Culpeper will be celebrating A Taste of Culpeper and hosting their annual Farm Tour. Don’t forget that September marks the 200th anniversary of our National Anthem. Molly Winans of SpinSheet fame and our From the Bay columnist outlines the big celebration taking place in Baltimore mid-month. The Blue Ridge bustles in the fall

Local Farmers Markets

as well—Julie Reardon has prepared a comprehensive list of all things “hunt country” in her column. There are lots of options. You can stick around town or take a short drive and enjoy the show of Autumn’s colors.

September’s Single Space column finally reveals Mr. XXL and this month he and Lori will wed. Best wishes to them both!

As we are entering the last eight months of the Civil War 150 years ago, Douglas Coleman gives us a little insight of the destruction to come in his Civil Discourse column.

Thanks to Chester Simpson for his beautiful cover shot. Over the years Chester has provided us with many beautiful works of art as seen through the lens of his camera.

Not only are the leaves changing, so have we.

Over the past five months we have downsized, moved out, hung out and finally moved into our new office at 317 South Washington Street.

It is quite a change and we think for the better.

We don’t have a sign out yet, but we are up on the second floor. There isn’t a huge patio for us to entertain friends and visitors but the space is well suited to what we are now. We’ll eventually have to form a block party on our new block and have you all stop by!

Old Town Farmers Market

Market Square • 301 King Street Saturday 5:30-11 a.m., year round Free parking in Market Square garage during market hours People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town Alexandrias Market Square is thought to be one of the nations oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians.

George Washington sent his produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here.

Today, the market offers folks a way to reconnect to the past, while participating in an ongoing local and national tradition.

Del Ray Farmers Market

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

September 4-October 30 Upper King Farmer’s Market

King Street Station Courtyard Thursdays 3-7 pm Located just steps from the King Street Metro in the courtyard next to Embassy Suites Hotel on Diagonal Road. The market will offer locally grown produce, meats, cheese, flowers and homemade sweets and bakery items. 30 minutes of free parking in the underground garage entering from 1755 Duke Street.

Old Town Crier

ON THE MEDIA LAURA PARKER

A Study in Black and White

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love words. We find ourselves using words to attempt to express the human range of emotion, logic, and in essence, all human thought from the moment that we learn to form our first syllables. But, as a marketer I have to sometimes leave words behind and move on to another artistic medium: the photograph. photos: © George Mucibabici

Living in a world of Instagrammers, who are attempting to become the “Dorthea Lange of Instagram” through a pre-ordained list of color settings and “photo enhancements,” we have become brain washed when it comes to photography. And so, I’ve decided to take a break from words and provide you with what appear to be two

very similar photographs.

Either of these photos could potentially be used in an email marketing campaign, a social media blast, or as part of a print advertising campaign. However, their subtle intricacies create vast differences that would greatly change the marketing message.

The angle, depth, and height

of the black and white photo invite it to be used as a standalone, iconic image. With only a single phrase or embedded logo, a powerful message could be delivered. On the other hand, the slightly closer color shot encourages you to play with the context of the photograph itself. I could easily imagine chopping up this single photograph, overlaying it with different versions of itself, and creating a very unique collage that would drive home a multitude of messages in a single

version.

Two photographs. Two vastly different campaign messages. No pre-determined Instagram color schemes involved. Sometimes the key to a successful marketing campaign involves using words to carefully weigh your other artistic mediums.

Laura Parker is a full-time freelance writer and marketing guru. For more marketing tips or to schedule a marketing advice session please contact her at parke425@gmail.com

DESTINATION DINING

Enjoy Autumn’s beautiful colors in Paris, Virginia at the Ashby Inn & Restaurant Join us for “A Taste of Spain” Wine Dinner October 2, 2014 692 Federal Street Paris, Virginia 540 592-3900 ashbyinn.com

Old Town Crier

September 2014 | 3

Personality profile Laura Parker

Rick Wasmund Copper Fox Distillery

G

ilda Radner once said, “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.”

Rick Wasmund embodies the spirit of Gilda Radner’s words. His journey from working on an estate in Middleburg to building Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, Va. is one that inspires countless weekend whisky warriors to make the journey to his home and current place of work. But, perhaps I am getting ahead of myself.

In 1999 Rick Wasmund found himself enjoying a Johnny Walker tasting. As he sipped on the whisky, he remembered wondering about “cooking with apple wood, cherry wood, and smoking with other blends of fruitwoods; something that, at the time, no one in the industry was pursuing.” It is at this point in his story that a passion was lit.

Rick soon found himself visiting distilleries all over the United States.

When the U.S. market no longer sated his thirst for knowledge, he made the journey to our northern neighbor, Canada. By 2000 he found himself taking a trip to the other side of the pond. In true Rick fashion, i.e. a bullheaded desire to goodnaturedly push forward with his passion, he found himself touring Scottish distilleries that malted their own barley. As luck would have it, Rick happened upon Islay during their whisky festival. With a charming

personality and a witty quip at the ready, Rick was offered a gamechanging internship at the prestigious Bowmore distillery.

Upon his return to the U.S. Rick Wasmund decided to roll the dice.

He was determined to build a new whisky enterprise—one that embodied his industry changing idea of using special fruitwood peat, hand cut fruitwood chips, smoke from fruitwood, and fruitwood barrels in the traditional whisky making process.

With the help of investors, Copper Fox Distillery opened, after a few false starts, in 2005. In August of 2006, Rick was proud to see the first bottle of ’Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky.’

As previously mentioned in Gilda Radner’s quote, some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, or end. But for Rick Wasmund, the story of his whisky passion always had a clear starting point; he just had to learn to “see the direction that it was going.” Fast-forward to 2014 and you will find Rick happily letting life steer him towards his next story: the expansion of his whisky phenomenon to Williamsburg.

It was at this point in our chat that I paused and asked Rick to reflect on his journey. I asked if there was anything he regretted.

With a bit of a smirk, he shook his head no, but then his smile took on a slightly rueful hue as he recalled that he “couldn’t have had this adventure while married. I risked too much and would never have been able to do that while still being a good husband and father.” Right on cue, the apple of his eye, his 3½ year old daughter Camille came running into the office to give her daddy a big hug.

Grounds of Copper Fox Distillery (above), Rick and the family Lab, Gin.

4 | September 2014

After seeing his beaming pride as he swooped his daughter up into a giant bear hug, I knew that there was more to this man than a whisky passion turned successful business venture.

And so, I did what any writer would do, I asked about what else influenced his life, besides the obvious love for his family (including the family Black Labrador, aptly named Gin). For a kid from upstate New York his response took me a bit by surprise: “sailing.”

I, for one, think of bitterly cold winters, small mountains, and beautiful fall foliage when I remember my days of living in upstate NY. But for Rick, New York and his college days at UMASS Amherst are filled with memories of learning to sail.

Most of us would attempt to become sailors by learning to sail on breezy days. But, not Rick; he approached sailing just as he would later approach his whisky endeavors, with a fiery passion that found him learning the graceful art of the unexpected capsize on stormy days. He recalled whipping

across the Finger Lakes and parts of Ontario during the fiercest of storms.

Sailing knots were quickly learned and a passion that would continue for the next 30 years was born. In fact, sailing and a love for the water was part of the reason for choosing Williamsburg as the location of his next distillery.

Whether he is helping an employee rake the latest batch of barley seeds, tightening the sail to coax his boat to faster speeds, or spending time with his loving wife and daughter, Rick Wasmund is the picture of calm passion. His passions infiltrate all corners of his life in the most beautiful of fashions. By embracing life and all of its unknowns, Rick has been able to find a career doing what he loves in a kaleidoscope of unique ways. In his words, he “enjoys what he does here because it is so broad. From the design to the space and the engineering challenges that are independent of alcohol, I get to have a hand in everything and every aspect of this timeless art. At Copper Fox, we have a particular passion for whisky.”

photos: © George Mucibabici

Old Town Crier

business profile lani gering

solid kitchen & bath

From left to right; Owners, Aykut Yekeler, Emre Basak , Ertan Cokguler

Solid Kitchen & Bath

315 South Washington Street Old Town Alexandria 703-299-4444 scwkitchenandbath.com

Your home … your dream

L

ocated at 315 South Washington Street right next door to Crier’s new office space is a fairly new kid on the block here in Old Town—Solid Kitchen & Bath (SK&B). Just looking in the window at the “dream kitchen” displays is enough to make me wish I actually had a place of my own to remodel.

As I was doing my research—aka checking out SK&B’s website—I found that they really do describe what they do best in their introduction. That being said, I offer the following: “Solid Kitchen & Bath is serving— with high quality service—the DMV area since 2005 by improving the level of quality with experience in hundreds of different projects. We have specialized teams of experts who will work with you to create your ideal living space, and help you transform your home into your dream home. As the area’s top kitchen remodeling contractors and bathroom remodeling contractors, we have partnered with the industry’s leading vendors in granite, marble, cabinetry, tiles and hardwood, to offer the Old Town Crier

unsurpassed service and design expertise that will make your remodeling project stress-free.

Remodeling your home is a significant undertaking. It takes knowledge, skill and good planning. We at Solid Kitchen & Bath recognize that, and are here to make your experience as easy as possible. As the top bath and kitchen remodeling Northern Virginia expert, we understand we are changing your most personal of places—your home.

Solid Kitchen and Bath is creating a new standard of excellence in luxury remodeling. We meet every need from kitchen remodeling to whole house renovation. Our comprehensive offering combines efficiency, quality craftsmanship and elegance in each personalized project. The combined efforts of an outstanding management team and the area’s best suppliers provide superior service and high-quality craftsmanship. Solid Kitchen & Bath is the only company offering different essentials of cultures into your new design: American Traditional, Eastern Style, European Dream and Turkish Delight.

BUSINESS PROFILE > PAGE 7

September 2014 | 5

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

Tips for Minimizing the Tax Bite on Retirement Assets

F

or many investors, a large percentage of their assets are held in taxadvantaged accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. While these accounts can be ideal for sheltering retirement savings from taxes pre- and post-retirement, because these assets are included in the account holder’s gross estate, they can be highly exposed to tax issues in an estate if managed improperly. In short, the combined estate and income taxes owed by beneficiaries could potentially erode the lion’s share of the value of these assets.

Proper Naming of Beneficiaries

Many problems that arise when transferring retirement plan assets occur around the naming of beneficiaries. Consider these tips to help avoid problems in this area: • Be sure to have a named beneficiary.

Naming the account holder’s estate as the beneficiary will trigger the “five-year rule,” which states that retirement plan assets must be paid out immediately or by the end of the five years following the account holder’s death.

• Review and update beneficiary designations. Life situations change frequently and those changes can affect your beneficiary designations. For example, many times after a divorce, participants forget to update their beneficiary designations.

• Make sure one or more contingent beneficiaries are named. Without contingent beneficiaries you may face the same consequence as not naming a beneficiary at all—particularly when a primary beneficiary is no longer living.

Spousal vs. Non-Spousal Beneficiaries

Retirement plan assets that pass to 6 | September 2014

a surviving spouse may qualify for the unlimited estate tax marital deduction, whereas retirement plan assets that a non-spouse beneficiary inherits may be subject to estate tax upon the account holder’s death.

In addition, after the account holder’s death, the surviving spouse may roll over retirement plan assets to an IRA in his or her own name or elect to treat the retirement plan as his or her own. If the spouse chooses the latter option, he or she may defer taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) until he or she turns age 70½—a distinct advantage from an asset accumulation and taxation perspective.

A surviving spouse may also “disclaim”­—or refuse—his or her interest in an IRA. Once disclaimed, the spouse will not receive any interest in the retirement plan and it will pass to contingent beneficiaries (typically children or grandchildren).

Distributions to the contingent beneficiaries must then be made under the RMD rules that apply to nonspouse beneficiaries.

Tips for Non-Spouse Beneficiaries

Unlike a surviving spouse rollover, an IRA inherited by a non-spousal beneficiary must remain in the name of the deceased account holder.

Any distribution to a non-spouse beneficiary is a taxable event.

Therefore, any check delivered by the deceased’s retirement plan trustee should be made payable directly to the inherited IRA custodian or trustee.

A non-spouse beneficiary must begin taking RMDs from the inherited IRA by December 31 of the year following the year of the account holder’s death.

Other Considerations

Other strategies to help make qualified retirement plan assets more

“

While tax-advantaged retirement accounts can be ideal for sheltering retirement savings from taxes, they can be highly exposed to tax issues in an estate if managed improperly.

tax efficient include:

• The Stretch IRA: A distribution strategy that can extend the taxdeferred status of IRA assets across multiple generations. The strategy aims to avoid large distributions and allows only RMDs to occur for as long as possible.

• Retirement Plan Trust or IRA Trust: These instruments allow for the stretching out of distributions combined with the benefits and protections of trusts.

• Charitable Remainder Trust: This type of trust may be named as beneficiary of a retirement plan in order to obtain an estate tax deduction. The trust will provide income to the non-charitable beneficiary—usually the surviving spouse—during his or her lifetime, and will distribute remaining assets to the charity at the spouse’s death.

• An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust: If the retirement assets are not needed, using after-tax withdrawals from the retirement plan to purchase life insurance owned by the life insurance trust can be a strategy that transforms a twicetaxed asset into a tax-free one.

This article offers only an outline; it is not a definitive guide to all possible consequences and tax implications of any strategy. For this reason, be sure to seek advice from knowledgeable legal, tax, and financial professionals.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by S&P Capital

IQ Financial Communications or its sources, neither S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers or others use of the content. © 2014 S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications. All rights reserved.

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

Securities offered by McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and investment advisory services offered by McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC. Old Town Crier

Let’s Make Banking Fun for Everyone You know us. We know you. Our team of Erik, Ted, Charlie and Pam has been serving the personal and business banking needs of Alexandrians for generations. Being friendly and helpful is natural for this dynamic foursome. Stop by our new branch and let us show you why so many others have made John Marshall Bank their bank. We make banking fun.

Alexandria Branch Grand Opening!

ACT NOW! Open a “Grand Opening” Money Market Account between $2,500 to $250,000 in new money with John Marshall Bank and earn up to

1

% APY*

To qualify for this special rate simply open a new John Marshall Checking or Interest Checking Account with $1,000 or more.

For more details or to open an account, call or stop by today.

*APY is annual percentage yield. APY is quoted with an average daily balance of $2,500 or more as of November 18, 2013 and is subject to change at any time after June 30, 2014. If the average daily balance falls below $2,500, APY will be .50%. The APY of 1.0% applies only to balances of $2,500 or more up to a maximum of $250,000. The APY on balances of more than $250,000 will be .50%. Fees may reduce earnings on this account. Withdrawals of more than six (6) per month are subject to a $10.00 excess transaction fee. If the average daily balance in the related checking or interest checking account opened with this account falls below $1,000, we reserve the right to convert this account to a regular John Marshall Bank Money Market Account. This is a limited time offer and the availability of this account may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

640 Franklin Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-289-5950

Member

JohnMarshallBank.com

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

BUSINESS PROFILE FROM PAGE 5

Our goal is to turn your home into your dream. Our custom designs are both beautiful and functional, making the best use of your space and featuring top quality materials. Our team of experts offers a full-service, handson approach, from concept to completion, to ensure that no detail is overlooked. Take the stress out of remodeling with Solid Kitchen & Bath.

On every single project our goal is a beautiful end-product and a satisfied Old Town Crier

customer.”

In this age of having information at our fingertips, including the likes of Yelp, Angie’s List, Houzz and other remodeling-related websites, it is easy to get others’ opinions immediately. It appears that SK&B has been living up to their promises. If you have a bathroom or kitchen that needs a little tweaking or a full blown remodel, put Solid Kitchen & Bath on your contact list and be sure to tell them the Old Town Crier sent you.

824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm September 2014 | 7

a bit of history sarah becker

Jay’s Treaty

First President George Washington

Third President Thomas Jefferson

I

n February 1790 Benjamin Franklin, on behalf of Pennsylvania’s anti-slavery society, petitioned Congress to abolish slavery; “to devise means for removing the Inconsistency from the Character of the American People.” The petition triggered a national debate and slave owners were displeased. President Washington’s cabinet—which included Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, a Virginia Democratic-Republican, and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, a New York Federalist—divided politically.

The slavery debate coupled with Hamilton’s post-Revolutionary War debt remedies confirmed the conundrum. “That I have utterly, in my private conversations, disapproved of the system of the Secretary of the treasury, I acknolege [sic] & avow: and this was not merely a speculative difference,” Jefferson wrote on September 9, 1792.

The Secretaries squabble was fueled by partiality; Jeffersonian newspaper editor Jon Freneau and a partisan press. President Washington was hopeful “some line could be marked 8 | September 2014

out by which both [men] could walk.”

But he could not resolve their disputes.

“I do not require the evidence of the [enclosed] extracts to convince me of your attachment to the Constitution….,” Washington wrote Jefferson on October 18, 1792. “But I regret—deeply regret—the difference in opinions which have arisen, and divided you and another principal Officer of the Government….”

Virginia Congressman James Madison and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, fearing Hamilton’s influence, “launched an orchestrated attack on the [Washington] administration.” Jefferson, also a former Minister to France and then retired, opposed not only Hamilton’s handling of the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion but also Envoy Extraordinary and US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay’s November 1794 commercial treaty with Great Britain. The Treaty, its publicly debated pros and cons marked the organizational beginning of America’s two-party system.

The pro-Jefferson newspaper “Aurora joined the chorus of criticism, going so far as to suggest that Jay had been chosen because sending the chief justice to London would make impeachment proceedings again President Washington impossible.”

Washington spoke of “infamous scribblers.” Cartoonists showed the President guillotined.

Jefferson condemned Jay’s Treaty “as wearing a hostile face to [revolutionary] France.” Both France and Great Britain violated America’s declaration of neutrality, especially Britain’s impressment of American sailors. President Washington first stated his neutrality policy on April 22, 1793: “Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and

France on the other;…the interest of the United States require[s], that [it] should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward belligerent powers…”

Jay, a New Yorker like Hamilton, authored many of the proconstitutional Federalist Papers. He was an ardent abolitionist and one of three Commissioners dispatched to negotiate the American Revolution’s preliminary articles of peace.

From the Democratic-Republican perspective Jay was a Federalist caricature, a monacrat. “From the Federalist perspective,” Ron Chernow wrote, “[Jay] had won peace with Britain at a time when [another] war seemed suicidal for an ill-prepared America.” Washington did not receive his London-signed copy of the Treaty until March 7, 1795.

“Mr. Jay’s treaty has at length been made public, so general a burst of dissatisfaction never before appeared against any transaction,” Jefferson wrote Minister to France James Monroe in 1795. “It has, in my opinion, completely demolished the monarchial [Federalist] party here.

The Chamber of Commerce of New York, against the body of the town, the merchants of Philadelphia, against the body of their town, also, and our town of Alexandria have come forward in its support…Some individual champions [like] Alexander Hamilton also appear.

[Vice-President John] Adams holds his tongue [and] we do not know whether the President has signed it or not.”

President Washington defended Jay’s Treaty despite Jefferson’s disapproval.

Jay’s Treaty guaranteed British withdrawal “from all Posts and Places within the Boundary Lines assigned by the [1784] Treaty of Peace” especially America’s Northwest Territory; provided for British restitution “of irregular or illegal A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 42

Old Town Crier

civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

September, 1864: Sheridan in the Shenandoah

P

rior to Early’s raid on Washington in July, the Yankees he had driven out of central Virginia had pursued a policy of burning the homes of prominent Confederates. Payback comes at the end of July, when Early’s cavalry pushes north into Pennsylvania to ransom Chambersburg in reparation for this destruction. When the townsfolk did not produce the ransom, the Confederates burn about 500 buildings.

It is apparent the Early’s little army of 13,000 is more than an annoyance.

In early August, Early achieves Lee’s objective to draw off a disproportionate number of Federal troops. Grant sends General Phil Sheridan with 43,000 men. It bears mention that Sheridan was given abundant cavalry, including Custer’s veterans – and Early has few troopers to respond. Sheridan’s mission is simple: drive Early out of the Valley and destroy the “bread-basket of the Confederacy”, leaving nothing but scorched earth behind. Hence Sheridan’s boast, “If a crow wants to fly down the Shenandoah, he must carry his provisions with him.” Never mind that the Valley is inhabited largely by peaceful Quakers and Mennonites, many of whom voted against secession in April of 1861.

Thus in the early morning darkness of September 19th, Yankee cavalry moves on the fords of Opequon Creek near Winchester, with other units moving straight up the Valley Road (modern Route 11). McCausland’s cavalry, the boys who burned Chambersburg, wait on the opposite bank, entrenched and supported by artillery. Threatened by perhaps 8,000 Yankee troopers, McCausland also has to deal with a frontal assault by infantry, which goes well for the Confederates as artillery chews them up as they break from the trees. After Old Town Crier

this initial assault recedes, two divisions of Yankee cavalry hit the line in the afternoon. A frontal assault by one cavalry division supported by a flanking attack by the other puts troopers armed with Spencer repeating rifles in the Confederate rear, quickly rendering McCausland’s position untenable.

The Battle of Opequon, also known as the Third Battle of Winchester, is a clear Yankee win. Though Sheridan loses about 5,000 men to Early’s 3,500, Sheridan can afford it – perhaps 12,000 Confederates oppose roughly 40,000 Federals.

Early falls back to Strasburg, where he throws up breastworks to even the odds. Despite a strong position with one flank anchored on the North Branch of the Shenandoah and the other on Fisher’s Hill, Early is badly outnumbered at roughly 30,000 to 9,500. When Sheridan hits him again on September 22nd, the dismounted cavalry that is supposed to protect Early’s flank beyond Fisher’s Hill breaks before Federal infantry; then the rest of his line collapses under Sheridan’s 3 to 1 advantage. Early’s only luck is that 1,200 of his troopers manage to chase off the 6,000 cavalrymen Sheridan has dispatched to his rear to cut off his retreat. Early lives to fight another day, but loses about 1,200 to Sheridan’s 500 or so casualties.

A vicious cycle of retaliation and escalation had begun as soon as Custer entered the Valley. On August 18th, Custer learned that a local house is being used to signal Mosby’s guerillas.

Custer burns this house and some neighboring farmhouses for good measure. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Mosby’s men catch them in the act. The rangers charge down a ridge, through the Shenandoah and straight into Custer’s myrmidons, yelling, “No quarter.” The Yankee raiding party instantly disintegrates

Alfred Waud, Custer at Mount Jackson, October 1864, Library of Congress

into every man for himself. And no quarter is given – the rangers bring off thirty horses, but no prisoners. Some of Custer’s men are gunned down in their hiding places; others are stood up before a firing squad.

Now, with Early out of the way in Waynesboro, Sheridan’s cavalrymen spread out over the upper Valley like locusts, terrorizing the civilian population with thousands of torches. Houses burn, granaries burn, livestock are carried away – the wise and merciful Lincoln deliberately inflicts misery and starvation upon the residents of the Valley. Everyone remembers Sherman’s March, but Sheridan was not less barbarous.

The Confederates primarily blame Custer for burning out civilians, referring to him as “Attila the Hun.” It is understood that Custer had better not let himself be taken alive. One of Custer’s aides is found with his throat slit. In response, the Yankees burn

every house, barn and outbuilding within a five mile radius of the body.

A similar incident occurs on October 7. Chief Quartermaster Montgomery Meigs’ son John is killed when he and two of Custer’s aides brush up against three of Mosby’s men in a storm, whom they mistake as fellows until the rangers pull their pistols at close range. The surviving aide reports Meigs has been murdered.

Sheridan orders Custer to burn every building within five miles and soon smoke fills the air all around.

Montgomery Meigs takes his own vengeance, designating Lee’s Arlington estate a national cemetery and burying soldiers near enough to Arlington mansion that it will never be a residence again. Meigs cannot plow salt into Lee’s land as the Romans had at Carthage, but this is close enough.

Meigs buries his son at Arlington, joining him in 1892.

CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 42

September 2014 | 9

HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON

Meanwhile … In Newfoundland be listening to for a good long time.

Some highlights:

Sherman Downey & The Ambiguous Case: The Sun In Your Eyes

A

s many of you know I have been spending my summer in Newfoundland. In fact, I am writing this article from a wonderful hostel in Trinity East, a town so small it makes the smallest DC outskirt seem like a bustling megalopolis. And it’s filled with some of the best people I’ve ever known. I could wax on about this place, and the characters we’ve met.

But this is a music article, not a travel one. Fortunately, however, music plays an integral role in Newfoundland’s identity.

Being that the island, the culture, and the accent are all very Irish in nature, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the music takes on those characteristics as well. Many of the songs originated in Ireland and emigrated here along with the people, though most of the songs are straight from the heart of Newfoundland itself, most often with an aquatic theme.

Songs of the sea, songs of fishing, songs of hard living and good times are all major themes. And, of course, songs of drink. Those are often the best ones.

The most successful band to come

10 | September 2014

out of Newfoundland is Great Big Sea. Their brand of traditional music infused with a pub-rock edge has won them audiences all over the world.

Other fantastic bands worth checking out include Shanneyganock, The Irish Descendants, The Navigators, the hilarious Buddy Wasisname And The Other Fellers, Ron Hynes (Newfoundland’s answer to Dylan) and The Once, who are starting to garner attention internationally due to their work with The Passenger.

However, there is much to discover beyond the accordion-drenched seafaring folk music. St. John’s, in particular, has a thriving indie rock scene, filled with wonderful bands who may have grown up listening to traditional music but also grew up listening to rock & roll and managed to find a way to combine the two.

Some of these bands are starting to make waves off the island while many are enjoying their hometown success.

Fred’s Records, on Duckworth Street, is one of the best stores I’ve ever visited, and I spent a good deal of time there. Their selection is outstanding but it is their focus on local music that kept me opening my wallet, resulting in a stack of CDs that I will

Sherman hails from Corner Brook, on the western side of Newfoundland, and his relaxed vibe reflects that perfectly. Easily my favorite “discovery”, his second album could be a best-of compilation. Every song is pure gold. It’s clear that Sherman grew up in Newfoundland, evidenced especially by the presence of an accordionist in the band. But he also grew up listening to The Band and Dylan and stuff like that.

Fusing the two, the result is a set of expertly-written, tuneful songs that get stuck in your head after hearing them once. Bouncy, catchy songs like “Isadora Duncan”, “Heart vs Doubt”, and “Thick As Thieves” make it impossible for you to not smile, while more reflective songs like the country-tinged “Annalee” and the dreamy “All That You Hate” balance the act stupendously. While it’s hard to pick favorites, I’d probably say the big winner here is “The Right Idea”. If you listen to nothing else by Sherman Downey, make sure you look this track up. It will be your favorite song in the world by the time the first chorus finishes up. The amount of airplay this album has gotten in my car has rivaled Alabama Shakes. Just can’t turn it off.

Whatever you do, make sure you hear this album.

Sherman’s first album, 2009’s Honey For Bees is also outstanding, especially songs like “Blue”, “Keep Your Head Up”, and “Falling Backwards”. It’s well worth seeking out.

HIGH NOTES > PAGE 11

Old Town Crier

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HIGH NOTES FROM PG 10

Green & Gold: The Body Knows

So one evening I went down to the Rose & Thistle to see a few bands I had never heard of, just because I wanted to hear some local music. Had a great time. I became friendly with Steve and Len, who played in two of the bands. They told me about their main band, Green & Gold, and suggested I come out to their show at the Ship Pub the following week so I went and they blew the roof off the place. Picked up their debut EP and it is just as good. “Night Rainbows” is hands down the best song I have heard all summer. It recently was given top honors in an Overcast reader’s poll, so it’s not just me. The rest of the disc might not reach such lofty heights but it comes damn close.

“Those Deviant Kids” is another winner as is “Wolves”. They played some new songs at the show and I’m very much looking forward to hearing them in their final form. Until then these eight songs will do fine.

Rogues: Edge Of The World

Hailing from St. John’s, Rogues are another band that clearly grew up listening to traditional music. But they also listened to Green Day and stuff like that. So the result is a really high energy mix that is similar to bands like Flogging Molly or the Dropkick Murphys, but with the grit and gusto of the “Fighting Newfoundlander”. Their debut album captures that spirit perfectly, whether on the solid alt.rockers like “Huckey Pump” and “Fridays”, or the revved-up Newfoundland stompers like “Pride Of Torbay”, “Hangman’s Waltz”, or “Captain William Jackman”. This is another album that has been getting constant play in my car. I am still kicking myself for not seeing them live.

Perhaps next time.

I don’t have enough room to go into detail about the rest of the music that I found but other highlights include the laid-back island vibes of Baytown, the stripped-down garage pop of The Connexions, and the tuneful alt.rock of London Above. And, of course, Hey Rosetta! They will be saved for another article, as that is a whole other kettle of cod.

Old Town Crier

Robin and Chester backstage in 1983

photo: Randy Bachman

ROBIN WILLIAMS

Robin Williams was always hanging around in the 70s and 80s, always backstage at concerts and events in San Francisco.

I was lucky to have known him, spent time with him, laughed at his jokes and photographed him.

Robin was a kind person who could and would talk to anyone and cheer them up. He was real, sensitive and caring.

I’m happy to have great memories of being around such a talented, sharp-witted and happy individual in my early career.

–Chester Simpson

September 2014 | 11

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

The Fault in Our Stars “Like our best friends’ home if our best friends were amazing chefs and knew exactly what we wanted before we asked.”

Trip Advisor

www.hopkinsordinary.com Sperryville, Virginia 540.987.3383

12 | September 2014

W

hen I first heard this book’s title, I had two subsequent thoughts.

The first recognized the reference to the quotation by Cassius in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” I next mused that Cassius would be spinning in his metaphorical grave these days. As Kim Kardashian and Miley Cyrus rump-shake their way to stardom, we so-called underlings— managers, bank tellers, teachers, nurses, and such—live quiet lives of hard-working routine while watching their faked realitystar shenanigans light up TV screens at night.

The author, John Green, has a more profound point than mine, although related. In his highly popular young adult book The Fault in Our Stars, his protagonists yearn to be more than they are, which is teens with cancer who meet each other at a support group in a church basement, as far away from stardom as they might imagine possible.

Hazel Grace Lancaster has a form of thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, and she wheels an oxygen tank to attend the depressing group that their testicularly challenged group leader and cancer survivor says takes place in “the literal heart of Jesus.” One day she comes in part to see her equally depressed friend Isaac, who has lost an eye to cancer. There she meets a boy named Augustus Waters, who catches her own eye through staring at her as if he’s seen a ghost. A former basketball star who has lost a leg to osteosarcoma, Augustus is like no one she’s ever met: a sarcastic, attractive seventeenyear-old on her wave-length, who wins her over with such arguments as those against the misuse of the word “literal.” He sees her as a young Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta and invites her to see the movie. When she says yes, she has said yes to many conversations discussing their impending mortality and status as stars, underlings, or something inbetween.

Occasionally I read young adult novels because they are a hugely popular genre, with a large crossover to an adult audience. The conversations between Hazel and Augustus are not particularly realistic for your average seventeen- and sixteen-year-olds, but young people fighting to experience youth’s fruits in the face of impending mortality are often going to be more mature than average, and perhaps employ fairly fruity language in their

profounder than ordinary discussions.

Yet their adult, and weirdly reassuring discussions of the notions of death, oblivion, and philosophy jar somewhat against some of the author’s plot decisions, such as Augustus’s recommendation that Hazel read a novelization of a video game that he likes, for example.

While the author may want Augustus to set himself up as a hero video game figure who wants to take the fall and make an impact, this technique feels overly metaphorical.

While Augustus is a self-professed “big believer in metaphor,” metaphors become clunky when the author hits you with them as if he’s whacking you with a rubber chicken at every other moment. Part of the growing attraction between Augustus and Hazel comes from their discussions of a profound work of literature Hazel loves about a girl with cancer, written by a reclusive author who has moved to the Netherlands. The novel, An Imperial Affliction, ends with no resolution, thereby cluing us in that the character has died. Here again the foreshadowing of our human fate smacks the reader upside the head.

When the two set out for Amsterdam to meet the author of An Imperial Affliction, a nasty and selfish alcoholic named Peter van Houten, their journey seems like a plot contrivance that could have been excised by a skilled editor. Even their romantic encounter at the Anne Frank House feels metaphorically manipulative, a struggle of life against death. It is no surprise to find out that the author received a grant to write in Holland for two months, thus probably guaranteeing its mention in his current work of fiction.

The Fault in Our Stars has some meaningful discussions about the end of life, cancer’s effect on families, and our very human need to make our mark in the world before we die. The two main characters also frequently employ very funny gallows humor, which is necessary to lighten the difficult subject matter. While generally appealing, they never really stood out as stars, as separate voices or characters to me, so I was not moved by the book’s resolution.

Had they been their own people, I might have felt much more for each of them. Instead, I felt that I was hearing John Green’s funny and mordant musings on mortality, thoughts that might have been better served in an essay than in a young adult novel like this one. In short, I wish this book had touched my heart as much as it did my mind.

Old Town Crier

THE URBAN GARDEN ROSEMARYVEREY

A campaign for

SEPTEMBER

Autumn is approaching— here are some tips to ease the gardener into that time of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

S

eptember is the start of autumn, when nature is having a final fling of beauty before quieting down for winter.

And it is helpful to prepare a program or campaign for your autumn activity.

We will be taking cuttings of our doubtfully hardy and tender favourites— verbenas, diascias, felicias, argyranthemums and pelargoniums. Do not forget the violas, rock roses, dianthus and fuchsias that are useful for infilling after the tulips are over. Most of our cuttings go on the mist bench, carefully noted with the name, number and date. If you don’t have the facilities to create a mist, put these cuttings in pots with a polythene bag over the top to conserve moisture.

Hardwood cuttings are easy. We have a well-drained shady bed where cuttings 1012 inches long are lined out, with half their length buried.

For an extra shrub or two put these round the parent plant.

By late spring they will have enough roots to move them to their permanent home.

Try ribes, spiraea, privet, rue, honeysuckle, philadelphus, weigela, hebes and willows.

Seed gathering continues into the September program.

Gather seeds in paper bags, then transfer them into sealed envelopes and store them in your fridge. Sow some now in drills and watch out for slugs eating the young growth.

We order new bulbs every August, many of you may have done the same.

Some crocuses, both species and Dutch, scillas and

Old Town Crier

puschkinias and others ring the changes, and keep up a selection each year. Plant the prepared hyacinths in September so they are in flower at Christmas. Paper white narcissus are wonderful for forcing. Put them on the surface of a flat bowl with a sandy gravel mixture, keep them in the light, and they will be in flower in six weeks, sometimes sooner. Plant them at intervals so you have a succession and can enjoy their strong scent.

As your bulbs arrive, if you have ordered them by post, open the packets and stand them in a cool corner, preferably on a table so the mice don’t get at them. List them and note which bed they will go in. Over the years I have tried to keep each bed to a colour theme, especially for spring. Bed 1 has white and yellow, bed 2 white and pink, bed 3 stronger pinks with Tulip ’Mariette’ and T. ’China Pink’. Bed 4 has a variety of tulips in the purple spectrum to go with the hellebores and honesty. Our tulips are always underplanted with forget-menots.

Dead-head where necessary allowing some attractive seed heads to remain. Make sure you have enough mulching material, leaf mold, mushroom compost and Cocoa Shell (Sunshine of Africa) to cover the borders as they are finally put to bed. September is a ’gobetween’ time and you must be restrained but also look ahead. It is not possible to make a complete clearance in any border, but we take small

areas where the penstemon or lobelias are past their best, dig and pot them and keep them in the polytunnel for next year. Your first tulips and special narcissus can go in groups in their place.

Remember to label your dahlias before the frost cuts them down. Eventually, dig and store them for next year.

You can also plan to clip your yew hedges.

Greenhouses must have their good autumn clean and disinfectant before the tender plants are brought in. We use smoke bombs to get rid of lurking greenfly and red spider mite. Paint the walls with white distemper and dowse the floor with Jeyes

Fluid. Finally, clean the glass and mend any cracks.

Rosemary Verey is a regular contributor to The Backyard Gardener. Many of her articles can be found on the site.

For answers to all of your gardening questions log on to BackYardGardener.com.

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September 2014 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

"Charles Mingus in his Apartment in New York City", c. 1965.

lida moser

A Lida Moser photgraph, from the book “Québec à l’été,” 1950.

L

Moser’s iconic photo of the window washers cleaning windows at the Exxon Building in NYC was actually made into a 3D sculpture at Leggoland (without Moser’s permission) in Florida.

1920-2014

ida Moser passed away last month a few days before her 94th birthday. This grand photographer was

Lida Moser signing a copy of “100 Artists of Washington, DC” in 2011

14 | September 2014

not only one of the most respected American photographers of the 20th century—respected by fellow photographers, curators and all human beings—but also a pioneer in the field of photojournalism. Her photography has been in the middle of a revival and rediscovery of vintage photojournalism, and has sold in the five figures at Christie’s auctions and continues to be collected by both museums and private collectors worldwide. In a career spanning over 60 years, Moser has produced a body of works consisting of thousands of photographs and photographic assemblages that defy categorization and genre or label assignment.

Additionally, Canadian television a few years ago finished filming a documentary about her life; the second in the last few years, and Moser’s work has been for years in the collection of many museums worldwide. A couple of the years ago, the Smithsonian Institution

purchased over 800 photos and slides and negatives by Moser of her beloved New York.

She was once called the “grandmother of American street photography” by an art critic, which prompted a quick rebuttal by Moser, who called the newspaper’s editor and told him that she wasn’t the “effing grandmother of anything or anyone, and would he [the writer] ever describe Ansel Adams or any other male photographer as the ’grandfather’ of any style.”

Tough New Yorker.

I once sold one of her rare figure studies to a big famous photography collector from the West Coast (who collects mostly nude photography).

There were four or five prints of the image, taken and printed around 1961, but one had all the markings and touch-up evidence of the actual photo that had been used by the magazine, and thus I sent him that one.

GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

Fair

ce l in 20 ebr al ye ati ex ar ng an s 4th Annual dr Trade Rug Event ia!

September 11 - 14, 2014

Choose from more than 300 hand-knotted wool and silk rugs, in all sizes, handmade in Pakistan by fairly paid adults

SEE THE FAIR TRADE DIFFERENCE!

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ELDER CRAFTERS 405 Cameron St. 703-683-4338

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

THE ANTIQUE GUILD 113 N. Fairfax St. 703-836-1048 ARTCRAFT 132 King St. 703-299-6616 ARTS AFIRE GLASS GALLERY 1117 King St. 703-548-1197 THE ATHENAEM 201 Prince St. 703-548-0035 AUBURN ARTS GALLERY 110 South Columbus St. 703-548-1932 BANANA TREE 1223 King St. 703-836-4317 BELGRAVIA FINE ART 411 Cameron St. 703-549-2011 BIRD-IN-THE-CAGE ANTIQUES 110 King St. 703-549-5114 BROCKETTS ROW ANTIQUES 277 South Washington St. 703-684-0464 THE CLASSICAL GALLERY 110 S. Columbus St. 703-836-7736 CURZON HILL ANTIQUES 108 S. Columbus St. 703-684-0667 DIEHL ANTIQUES 614 N. Washington St. 703-706-8191

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FINE OLD POSTERS 1015 King St. 703-684-3656 FIVE OAKS ANTIQUES 2413 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-7006 FOLIOGRAPH GALLERY 217 King St. 703-683-1501 FRASER GALLERY 7700 Wisconsin Blvd.

Suite E Bethesda 301-718-9651 FRENCH COUNTRY ANTIQUES 1000 King St. 703-548-8563 GALLERY G 215 King St. 703-836-5400 GALLERY INDIGO 1607 King St. 703-838-8098 GALLERY LAFAYETTE 320 King St. 703-548-5266 GALLERIE LA TAJ 1010 King St. (Gadsby Arcade) 703-549-0508

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

SPURGEON-LEWIS ANTIQUES 112 N. Columbus St. 703-548-4917

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

STUDIO ANTIQUES & ART 524 N. Washington St. 703-548-5188

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

MARIS ELAINE GALLERY 178 Waterfront St. National Harbor 301-686-0323 MINDFULL HANDS GALLERY 211 King St. 703-683-2074 OLD COLONY SHOP 222-B S. Washington St. 703-548-8008 P & C ART 212 King St. 703-549-2525 PAUL McGEHEES GALLERY 109 North Fairfax St. 703-548-7729 POTOMAC WEST INTERIORS & ANTIQUES 1517 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-1911

TIME JUGGLER 411 Cameron St. 703-836-3594 TORPEDO FACTORY ART CENTER 105 N. Union St. 703-838-4565 TRASTEVERE 303 Cameron St. 703-683-9555 VAN BOMMEL ANTIEK HAUS 1007 King St. 703-683-4141 703-629-6521 by appt.

Steve Young, Proprietor THE VON BRAHLER LTD./GALLERY 1437 Powhatan St. 703-798-8686 WASHINGTON SQUARE ANTIQUES 689 S. Washington St. 703-836-3214

Frida Kahlo

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feast your eyes.

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

GALLERY WEST 1213 King St. 703-549-7359

THE PRINCIPLE GALLERY 208 King St. 703-739-9326

GOSSYPIA 325 Cameron St. 703-836-6969

SCULPTURE GALLERY 115 S. Patrick St. Studio 303 703-683-5056

IMAGINE ARTWEAR 1124 King St. 703-548-1461

STUDIO BIANCO 220 S. Henry St. 703-299-0662

SILVERMAN GALLERIES ANTIQUES 110 N. Asaph St. 703-836-5363

visit a museum.

September 2014 | 15

POINTS ON PETS ASHLEY DENHAM BUSSE

King Street Cats Adoption Calendar SEPTEMBER 2014 For details & MORE INFO website: www.kingstreetcats.org email: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email for our Kitten Fostering FAQ at: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats 25 Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday & Sunday 1:30–4:30 pm Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday 6–8 pm, June–September

R

ecently, a couple of close friends have had to say goodbye to their beloved pets. This has to be one of the worst—if not the worst— experience a pet owner has to endure. Whether it’s something that comes on suddenly or a chronic illness, deciding when to let your pet go is never easy. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I happened to be introduced to Dr. Christine Shibly as I was grieving with these friends. Dr. Shibly is one of a network of Lap of Love veterinarians, “whose goal,” according to their website, “is to empower every owner to care for their geriatric pets.” Lap of Love’s “philosophy centers around the humananimal bond and the need for that bond to be as undisturbed as possible during this most difficult time.” Realizing how vital this kind of service could be to so many pet owners, I asked Dr. Shibly to tell our Points on Pets readers a bit more about her experiences as a Lap of Love vet.

pets by increasing their comfort during their end-of-life stage. I can offer solutions to mitigate pain, recommend ideas to manage their home life and help families understand their pet’s situation and what to expect when the end is near. It really provides some peace of mind and allows our pet parents to have a meaningful conversation about their situation.

If a family elects euthanasia, they can certainly go to their clinic. However, we find that several of our families cannot physically move their pet to the clinic at this time. Or, many of our pets don’t enjoy visiting a veterinary clinic and might show signs of distress or anxiety, which is not what our pet parents want for their last memory with their pet.

When deciding to have this experience at home, parents can create an intimate environment and have some privacy during their final moments. It’s really about creating a positive and peaceful atmosphere for you and your pet. We’ll

know that I can offer that last gift to our families.

PoP: You must have witnessed some powerful stories so far. Anything you’d like to share?

Dr. Shibly: There are so many wonderful families and pets that I have been able to meet. I have been to homes where the pet has had a “farewell party” the day of, full of awesome food, friends and family, music and laughter. I have been to appointments with young children who have drawn pictures and given gifts to their loved one. Some of them have had steaks prepared before or at my time of arrival, a dog drinking a beer or eating a previously forbidden chocolate cupcake as a final treat.

The most powerful feeling I experience often, is the embrace I often share with a grieving family member, who was thankful that we were able to give their loved one a peaceful passing.

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16 | September 2014

Bringing the Peace of Hospice Care to Our Pets Points on Pets: What should people know about Lap of Love?

Dr. Shibly: Lap of Love provides inhome consultations for end-of-life care as well as the gift of saying goodbye in the comfort of your home, if and when the time arises. We help families entering the end-of-life stage with their pets by providing tools and tips to help maintain or increase comfort for their pet, similar to human hospice care. The intention is not to prolong pain and suffering but to give them comfort to enjoy their remaining days. When it’s time to say goodbye, I will come to the family’s home where their furry friend will be surrounded by his or her family and his favorite things for a peaceful goodbye.

PoP: How do you think this service is beneficial to pets and their people?

Dr. Shibly: Veterinary hospice helps our

make sure that he or she is surrounded by his favorite things and nestled into his favorite spot, even if it is in your arms, on a porch or under a shady tree outside.

This is not a time to feel rushed; you should feel free to take your time saying goodbye.

PoP: What have you learned from doing this service?

Dr. Shibly: Although I’ve been doing this service for several years, it’s still surprising how difficult it can be to make these decisions with my own pets. Just like with my families, it’s really hard to make this type of decision when you see your babies every day, which is why I love being able to provide an objective, outside opinion to my clients on where their pet truly stands. I learned that we all want our pets to pass peacefully.

Mother Nature can’t always guarantee that, though. When that time comes, I

I’ve perused the Lap of Love website (www.lapoflove.com) and found it full of really helpful information and support; it can also help you find a Lap of Love vet in your area. I encourage you to save this information or to contact Dr. Shibly about Lap of Love when the need arises.

What a wonderful final gift to give your loved one.

Dr. Christine Shibly nova@lapoflove.com 703-870-5489 www.lapoflove.com Ashley Denham Busse has worked parttime for Doggywalker.com since 2006.

Doggywalker.com is a professional petsitting company located in Old Town Alexandria, celebrating more than 13 years of providing daily walks and customized in-home pet care. Visit doggywalker.com or email info@doggywalker.com.

Old Town Crier

GALLERY BEAT FROM PAGE 14

He called me to complain that although he loved Moser’s work, that he wasn’t too happy with the retouching, and could I ask Lida for one of the untouched photos.

Now, you gotta understand that these images were taken and touched-up by hand for publication in a newspaper or magazine (since they were nudies, the latter probably). They were not touched up for a gallery or an art show—they were “battlefield” prints of a working photographer.

I called Lida and explained the situation over the phone. “Sweetie,” she said to me in her strong New York accent, “you call that guy right back and tell him that you talked to Lida Moser and that Lida Moser told you to tell him: F… You!” I didn’t do that, but just sent him an untouched vintage print.

Tough New Yorker.

Lida was a well-known figure in the New York art scene of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and a portrait of Lida Moser by American painter Alice Neel hangs in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Neel painted a total of four Moser portraits over her lifetime, and one of them was included in the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ “Alice Neel’s Women” exhibition.

Among her body of works there are also loads of photographs of well-known artists and musicians that either hung around Lida’s apartment in NYC or who were part of her circle of friends.

Lida Moser’s photographic career started as a student and studio assistant in 1947 in Berenice Abbott’s studio in New York City, where she became an active member of the New York Photo League.

She then worked for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Look and many other magazines throughout the next few decades, and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

In 1950 Vogue, and (and subsequently Look

“Judy and the Boys,” perhaps Moser’s most famous photograph

magazine) assigned Lida Moser to carry out an illustrated report on Canada, from one ocean to another. When she arrived at the Windsor station in Montreal, in June of that same year, she met by chance, Paul Gouin, then a Cultural Advisor to Duplessis government. This chance meeting led Moser to change her all-Canada assignment for one centered around Quebec.

Armed with her camera and guided by the research done by the Abbot Felix-Antoine Savard, the folklorist Luc Lacourcière and accompanied

by Paul Gouin, Lida Moser then discovers and photographs a traditional Quebec, which was still little touched by modern civilization and the coming urbanization of the region.

Decades later, a major exhibition of those photographs at the McCord Museum of Canadian History became the museum’s most popular exhibit ever.

She also authored and has been part of many books and publications on and about photography.

She also wrote a series of “Camera View” articles on photography for The New York Times between 1974-81.

Her work has been exhibited in many museums worldwide and is in the permanent collection of

the National Portrait Gallery, London, the National Archives, Ottawa, the National Galleries of Scotland, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC, the Library of Congress, Les Archives Nationales du Quebec, Corcoran Gallery, Phillips Collection and many others. And that iconic photo of the window washers cleaning windows at the Exxon Building in NYC was actually made into a 3D sculpture at Leggoland (without Moser’s permission) in Florida.

Moser was an active member of the Photo League and the New York School.

The Photo League was the seminal birth of American documentary photography. It was a group that was at times at school, an association and even a social club. Disbanded in 1951, the League promoted photojournalism with an aesthetic consciousness that reaches street photography to this day.

If you are a female photographer, I hope that you didn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Arts Club a couple of years ago when they hosted a wonderful show of her works and hopefully met one of the women who set the path for all of you.

The Arts Club show was curated by my good friend Erik Denker, the Senior Lecturer, Education Division at the National Gallery of Art, who is also an authority on all things Moser. The show was titled “The World of John Koch” and depicted Moser’s portraits of the renowed New York portrait artist John Koch taken over a 20 year span from 1954 to 1974. These photographs were exhibited in Washington for the first time and are only one of two portfolios of the portraits ever printed by Moser (the other was given to the Koch widow once the painter died in 1974).

The Fraser Gallery represented Lida’s works for many years, and also gave her several solo shows.

This hurricane of a woman lived a fruitful life and has left a magnificent artistic footprint on the history of American photography. She will be missed, and we are saddened by her departure, but happy to know that Moser’s enormous legacy will live forever.

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Old Town Crier

September 2014 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JAIME ELLIOTT

ISLAND CUSTOMS A guide to etiquette in the U.S. Virgin Islands

T

here is no question that the turquoise waters and alabaster shorelines of St. John are some of the most beautiful scenery one can enjoy. There are few things in this world more relaxing and more awe-inspiring than dipping one’s toes in the clear Caribbean Sea as the tropical sun shines down from above with lush green hillsides all around.

But step off that beach and walk into Cruz Bay in nothing but your bathing suit, and you’ve likely offended someone. It is customary here for ladies to don their coverups and men should put their t-shirts on after they leave the beach.

Traditionally, U.S. Virgin Islanders are a conservative people who aren’t particularly pleased to watch bikini18 | September 2014

clad women walking down the street. Although the cooks at Skinny Legs never mind when one of those bikini-clad vacationers walks into the restaurant, you’ll get more smiles from people if you throw on a coverup when you leave the beach.

It’s also customary for people to greet each other when they walk down the street and definitely when they enter a shop or restaurant. A friendly “Good Morning” or “Good Afternoon” is all it takes. And don’t get confused when someone says “Good Night,” they mean “Hello” not “Goodbye.”

That one confused me for a while when we first moved here.

Manners and friendliness are the name of the game here. Virgin Islanders are so friendly, in fact, our recently installed roundabout in Cruz

Bay often comes to a standstill when one motorists stops mid-way around to let a friend or relative to enter the circle. The fact that circles are not supposed to function is beside the point entirely. The overly courteous maneuvering certainly makes for friendly, albeit confusing, motoring.

Since we’re on the topic of driving, you know of course that we drive on the left here. I’ve always been told this tradition dates back to when asses were the main form of transportation.

Apparently, it was easier to traverse the island on donkey-back in the left lane.

You’ll still those donkeys walking the hillsides (in both lanes) as you drive down the left lane roads of St. John.

Donkeys have been seen and used in the Virgin Islands for hundreds of years. Used to haul goods and as

a form of transportation, today they serve as photo opportunities for tourists and also in a newly launched tradition of Donkey Softball.

Carlina Corral owner Dana Bartlett offers trail rides on horses and donkeys from her Coral Bay farm. As a way to bring in some extra cash to help keep the animals in hay, Bartlett conceived the idea of hosting a donkey softball game with local children helping the donkeys around the bases.

Hilarity ensued and the upcoming softball game in 2015 will be the third annual fundraiser for the horse farm.

From donkeys to after-beach attire, I hope this field guide to the USVI comes in handy on your next trip to the tropics.

Cheers!

Old Town Crier

Photography: Rolando Garces

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Old Town Crier

September 2014 | 19

ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT

ROAD TRIP > PAGE 20

20 | September 2014

Old Town Crier

T

his month my road trip takes us to one of my favorite destinations, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Bordered by the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, St. Mary’s County is a place of beauty, history and activities year round, but particularly in the Fall.

A little more than an hour south of Old Town stands a historic site majestically overlooking the Patuxent River—Historic Sotterley Plantation.

Known for her genteel charm and southern hospitality, this National Historic Landmark is the only Tidewater Plantation in Maryland open to the public that offers a full range of visitor activities, special events, and educational programs.

Having received the designation of National Historic Landmark in 2000, Sotterley is one of the oldest museums of its kind in the United States as its history dates back to the turn of the 18th century.

Many people have called Sotterley home over the years. Some came here to prosper; others worked the land, either for wages or under bondage.

Today Sotterley consists of almost 100 acres of breathtaking beauty including nature trails, Colonial Revival gardens, and more than 20 historic buildings.

The Plantation house had its beginnings in 1703 and has undergone many changes and additions over time. Sotterley’s only surviving original Slave Cabin illustrates the life conditions of many St. Mary’s County people from the mid-1800s into the early 20th century.

“Over the years, Sotterley has transformed from being a frontier farm, to a significant port, to becoming a landmark worthy of notice and attention and a place that brings history to life,” stated Nancy Easterling, Executive Director of Historic Sotterley, Inc. “The versatility of this amazing site extends a welcoming hand to all, whether they are here to experience our history, our special events, or in search of a beautiful site rental opportunity.

Sotterley underwent a significant Old Town Crier

re-interpretation in 2009 to be able to better tell the fact-based story of the plantation during the best and worst of times. With the support of grants and private funding sources, Sotterley’s history is now presented through the lens of the Colonial Revival period in American history— a tie when renewed patriotism was at the forefront. From this perspective, the moe than 300 years of history is told through guided tours, selfguided tours and group tours. Offshooting from this, several specialized education programs have emerged, including: Tidewater Plantation Life, Slavery to Freedom, Living on the Patuxent, Archaeology Rocks, Live Enslaved and Loyalist to Patriot.

Throughout year, Historic Sotterley offers many special events, including speaker programs, children’s programs, a weekly farmer’s market, and social events such as the Gala in the Garden and the Sotterley Barn Bash. Coming up in October, people come from near and far to enjoy the Riverside Winefest at Sotterley and the Ghosts of Sotterley, followed in December by Sotterley Christmas Traditions and Family Plantation Christmas. “Sotterley offers something for everyone. We are thrilled when people visit us for the first time and then return again and again to experience Sotterley in new ways.

Every program, every tour, and every event is a unique dimension of Sotterley!” said Eileen Miller, Sotterley Marketing Manager.

Sotterley’s Event Manager, Mellanie Teed, not only manages all of the annual events but also orchestrates site rentals at various locations on the site. “What is really wonderful about Sotterley is how it lends itself to any occasion—from weddings to corporate functions to birthday parties to fundraising events, and more.”

With a fascinating story to tell and breathtaking beauty to behold (I sail on the Patuxent), a visit to Sotterley Plantation is a must “Road Trip.” I have visited Sotterley before and it has come so far since it was designated in 1996 as one of the 11 most endangered

For hours and more information Call 301-373-2280 or 1-800-681-0850 visit Sotterley Plantation online www.sotterley.org homes in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

As a non-profit public charity, Sotterley is governed by a Board of Trustees that has included descendants of former owners and former enslaved.

It is supported by fees, grants, memberships, sponsors, donations, and events. By becoming a member of Sotterley, you will become part of the legacy of this treasured National Historic Landmark and help to ensure its survival for future generations.

Publisher’s note: My thanks to Eileen Miller for providing me with essential information for this column.

July 2014 | 21

The 12th Annual

2014

Celebrate the Best of Maryland in the Breathtaking Setting of this National

Historic Landmark!

October 4 & 5 Noon - 6 pm $20 Discount Tickets Online Only through 9/28: www.sotterley.org At the gate $25 But WAIT! Become a Sotterley Member and pay only $15 at the gate!

Designated Drivers $15 | Children $5 - ages 6-20 | Free - under 6 $2 Parking Fee. Rain or Shine! No Refunds. No Pets. No Coolers.

Wine Tastings from over 20 MD wineries!

Artisans! Food & Beer Vendors! Demos!

Wine Pairings! Children’s Activities!

FREE 1703 Plantation House Mini Tours!

Garden Tours! and more!

~ Live Music ~

The Justin Myles Experience! Groove Span!

Hydra FX! The John Luskey Band!

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Follow Sotterley on Pinterest! Instagram! Twitter! Let’s connect on LinkedIN! Blog: www.sotterleyplantation.blogspot.com 22 | September 2014

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www.annmariegarden.org September 2014 | 23

FROM THE BAY… MOLLY WINANS

Baltimore’s Star Spangled Banner The tall ships are coming to Baltimore again!

B

etween September 10th and 16th, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will be jam packed with Tall Ships, fast jets, air craft carriers, historians, and tourists. It’s a celebration that you don’t want to miss, but in order to make sure you don’t waste your time looking for parking or waiting in lines, keep this guide handy.

is no set schedule for any of the ships, and public tours won’t begin until Thursday at noon. If you’re mainly interested in getting onboard, head up on Friday for ship tours between noon and 5 p.m., and then head over to a Meet the Fleet Happy Hour held in the Inner Harbor Village where you can meet visiting sailors and enjoy drink specials.

Tall Ships Sink Brits

The Red, White, and Blues

The armada of defenders arrives on Wednesday, September 10, and this is a great opportunity to see them under sail and flying colors. However, there 24 | August 2014

The Blue Angels are back!

September 13 and 14 you want to find a place with unobstructed skyline views to watch flight demonstrations

Photo: Mark Talbott

between 2 and 4 p.m. The air show takes place over the Middle Branch of the Patapsco, and while it’s possible to watch the Blues from the water, sailboats and powerboats are restricted near the air show box while the demonstration is in process.

As for watching the Blues from the ground, there are many options, but none are as great as one of the many rooftop decks around Baltimore. Want to see a full list as compiled by the editors of SpinSheet and Baltimore magazines? Check out spinsheet. com/1812 for more.

Sing It Loud, Sing It Proud!

September 13, two concerts bring out the big guns. Starting at 6 p.m., Fort McHenry hosts the U.S. Marine Band and the Morgan State University Choir, who will entertain while the 30foot by 42-foot Star Spangled Banner is hoisted into the skyline. Our tip: get there early, as the bag check and security will be tight.

Starting at 7 p.m. at Pier Six Pavilion, a two-hour long concert hosted by John Lithgow will feature many international stars. Tickets run between $79 and $175 and can be purchased at piersixpavilion.com. In Old Town Crier

Solomons Plein Air Festival September 17–21, 2014

By Bob Tagert

Ft. McHenry

Photo: Ken Stanek/Visit Baltimore

addition, the whole concert will be broadcast on PBS live.

Fireworks!

The fireworks will be launched from six barges stretching three miles between the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry. The 20-minute show should start around 10 p.m. While your best bet is to catch them around the Inner Harbor, Canton Waterfront Park, and Fells Point, if you’re stuck watching from home, we recommend tuning in to the KeyCam, one of four cameras set up in the East Harbor, Key Bridge, and the West Harbor. You can watch the fireworks show as Francis Scott Key himself saw the city. Click on keycam.com for more.

Security

Expect it to be enhanced. Nobody is saying anything officially just yet, but given the date in recent history, anything of this magnitude around September 11 is going to be closely monitored.

Boaters should respect restricted zones or security boxes for the airshow, the fireworks, and around gray hull and commercial vessels. Assume that enforcement will be swift and uncompromising.

On Foot or Bike

Spectacular walking and biking routes will be clearly marked between the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry. Ample bike parking will be available (at Latrobe Park and at the Inner Harbor Spectacular shuttle stop). Bring your locks for security. The walk between the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry is 2.3

The Star Spangled Banner, 1814. Manuscript by Francis Scott Key. Image courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society

miles/45-minutes; the bike route between the Inner Harbor and Latrobe Park is 2 miles/10-minutes.

Learn More

Find details about the air show, fireworks, tall ships and more at the event website starspangled200.com.

Molly Winans is the managing editor of SpinSheet and PropTalk Magazines in Annapolis. Her fellow editor, Duffy Perkins, and SpinSheet contributor, Steve Allan, did all of the reporting for this article.

Enjoy a weekend in beautiful Calvert County at the annual Plein Air Festival. What is Plein Air? Simply put, it is painting outdoors rather than in a studio. En plein air is French, which translates to “in the open air” and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoor.

Artists have long painted outdoors, but in the mid-19th century working in natural light became particularly important to the Barbizon school and impressionism. The popularity of painting en plein air increased in the 1870’s with the introduction of paints in tubes. Previously, painters made their own paints by grinding and mixing dry pigment powders with linseed oil.

It was during this period that the “Box Easel,” typically known as the French Box Easel or field easel was invented. These highly portable easels made treks into the forest and up the hillsides less onerous. Still made today, they remain a popular choice even for home use since they fold up to the size of a brief case and are easy to store.

French impressionists painters such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir advocated en plein air painting, and much of their work was done outdoors, in the diffused light provided by a large white umbrella.

American impressionist painters noted for this style during this era included Guy Rose, Roer William Wood, Mary DeNeale Morgan, John Gamble, and Arthur Hill Gilbert. The popularity of outdoor painting has endured throughout the 20th Century and in the 21st century.

On the weekend of September 17-21, you can observe painters painting en plein air along the banks of the Patuxent River in Solomons, Md. The artists will paint for three days and some of the paintings will be for sale.

Weekend Schedule September 17–21 Solomons Plein Air Festival Juried Painting Competition September 16, Tuesday, 6 pm Juried Artists Registration September 18, Thursday, 6 pm NEW! Nocturnal Quick Draw Public registration fee $25 Cash awards presented September 20, Saturday, 10 am Paint the Town for a Cause An Art From the Heart Public Paint Out Prizes and awards September 20, Saturday, 6–9 pm “Affaire of the Arts” Reception and Art Sale Meet the competition artists enjoy live music, sip wine and buy art to support five great causes.

These En Plein Air competitions are held throughout the country. Check out the one in Solomons. For more information go to www. solomonspleinair.com

Capt. Brandon Cordill, left wingman of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, flies an F/A-18 Hornet over Baltimore during the Star Spangled Sailabration. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Johnson/Released of the U.S. Navy

Old Town Crier

August 2014 | 25

…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

S

eptember is a harvest of happenings in the Blue Ridge, not the least of which is a cornucopia of freshly harvested local

fresh fruits and vegetables available at fruit stands and farmers markets throughout the hunt country. Get the last of the summer peaches, or choose ripe tomatoes, melons, berries, silver queen corn,

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or the early season apples.

Road stands abound, and the farmers’ markets are chock full of farm fresh produce.

One of my favorite farm stores is the Buckland Farm Market, open daily 7 days a week. Details and hours: www.BucklandFarmMarket. com I’ve been shopping there for years, since it was just a shed open seasonally, on southbound Rt. 29, just over the Fauquier County line.

It’s always had picked that morning fresh produce; now it’s housed in a new building in the same location. Part of Avalon Farm, they grow organic meats and produce and have an onsite bakery with fresh breads, cakes, pies and other treats. Everything in the spacious market is either grown right there on the farm, or from neighboring farms.

Another local favorite farmers market continues every Sunday at Archwood Greens in The Plains. Open from 11-4 Sundays, this market has produce, baked goods, meats, herbs and plants, and more.

Archwood Greens is located right off I66 on Old Tavern Rd. in The Plains.

Farm Fun

In addition to farm animals, Leesburg Animal Park has squirrel monkeys, giant tortoises, lemurs, and lots of baby animals born this summer including llamas, donkeys, goats and ponies.

Here, children can pet and interact with lots of farm and other animals, including cows, sheep, bunnies, llamas, donkeys and more. There are pony rides and sometimes even camel rides available.

They also have an exotic animal exhibit, a playground and more. You can arrange to host birthday parties or special events there and even have them bring animals to you for parties and/or events with their new “Rent a Zoo” program.

Details and admission/hours: www.LeesburgAnimalPark. com For the best of the farms, check out the Virginia State Fair which showcases livestock, produce, crafts, 26 | September 2014

Harvest Time in Hunt Country baked goods, and just about anything farm-related plus concerts, rides, dances, and more. It’s in Richmond at the Richmond Raceway Complex September 26–October 6. Call 800-588-3247 or visit them at www.statefair.com.

Crazy for Mazes

Children of all ages love them—harvested corn with paths throughout so kids (and adults) can wander through.

Some are even shaped with messages, most of which aren’t evident from the ground. By September, the corn is high enough that it’s over a man’s head. Admission is nominal— and there are plenty to choose from in the area, including the farmers’ market just south of Leesburg on Rt. 15, the one at the Archwood Greens Farmers’ Market mentioned above, and one of the best, at Al Mara in Midland.

Al Mara Farm is a working dairy farm about 12 miles south of Manassas on Rt. 28. The corn maze there last year was a work of art—a patch of corn planted in the shape of a cow and calf, with the paths forming the words “cow crazy.” Al Mara is one of the few remaining working dairy farms left in Fauquier County. In addition to the maze, families can see and pet baby calves (the farm is home to 350 head of dairy cattle) or visit with the sheep, donkeys, goats, horses and roosters.

Hay rides are also offered.

The farm is open to the public weekends until Nov. 3. For information, call (540)4394806 or visit their website at www.Cows-n-Corn.com.

Horsing Around

Polo is traditionally thought of as a summer sport, but it’s still going full swing in September. The arena series of games Saturday nights continue at Great Meadow polo in The Plains every Saturday through September and usually hosts one or more end of season tournaments, including the United States Polo Association’s National Arena Polo Championships.

This prestigious event pits the country’s top amateurs and professionals and promises lots of action. Field play also continues throughout September. For details, call Great Meadow’s polo office at 540-253-5156.

The Virginia Wine Festival will also be held at Great Meadow the weekend of Sept. 13-14, and you can taste the local bounty as well as watch the polo games. For information on events there: www.GreatMeadow.org Horse shows are also plentiful during the month of September, with one of the country’s oldest held Labor Day weekend in Warrenton.

The 114th annual Warrenton Horse Show is a Labor Day tradition, featuring ladies sidesaddle, hunters, jumpers, and local hunts and hounds.

Call 540-349-0910. And steeplechase racing returns to Virginia for the fall season in September, with races over hurdles and timber beginning Sept, 20 with the Blue Ridge Fall Races in Berryville (www.BlueRidgeFallRaces. com) and moves to Charlottesville Sept. 28 for the Foxfield Fall Races www. foxfieldraces.com.

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Taste Of

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Old Town Crier

540.825.4416 | www.culpeperdowntown.com | CRIDowntown @CulpepDowntown | www.tasteofculpeper.com | TasteofCulpeper

September 2014 | 27

BEHIND THE BAR CHESTER SIMPSON

mark barrett photo: ©2014 Chester Simpson

mark barrett IS BEHIND THE BAR AT chez andree 10 east glebe road ALEXANDRIA, virginia

of the cocktail, not just alcohol.

3. I call it an air bottle. When you’re busy making drinks and you 703.836.1404 reach for a bottle and there’s not even a half shot left in the bottle. That usually happens when you’re very busy.

Marks serves up the ever popular Cosmo. He is behind the bar Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 5 - 9 pm; and Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

How did you get started bartending?

As a child growing up in Pittsburgh, my Dad owned a country and western bar and it always intrigued me. Then when I lived in New Orleans and after seeing the movie Cocktail, I wanted in on the action and did my first bartending gig there. I loved it. Plus, I enjoy talking to people— that’s why I like bartending at the Chez and catching up with all my regular customers. I’m going on my 21st year here, which tells you how great it is 28 | September 2014

to work for the Lecureux family and how much I love working with my wonderful coworkers.

What is your bartender pet peeve?

Well actually I have three: 1. People snitching fruit out of the garnish tray. That just isn’t right.

2. A drink being sent back because it doesn’t taste like alcohol. I like to think of myself as a mixologist. If the drink is made right, it should be smooth and taste like the name

What’s the best line somebody has used to get a free drink?

I’ll gladly pay you tomorrow for a drink today. That’s not happening. (It might work once if you are a good regular customer.)

What’s the most memorable pickup line youve heard?

Hi! My name is [John Doe]. How do you like you’re eggs?

Can you tell us an interesting story?

I used to have this customer who would come in two or three times a week and have two drinks and the French onion soup. At one point he

had shown me his doctor’s orders which allowed for only two drinks.

Well one day, he asked for a third drink, and I told him I couldn’t do that. After the fourth time trying to get a third drink out of me and me refusing to do so, he asked for the check and told me to put a $100 tip on it.

Who would you want to have a drink with and why?

I think my Dad, who passed away in 1997, and who I miss every day. I’d love to sit down and talk to him about the Pittsburgh Steelers and how he taught me everything I know about outdoor illumination at Christmas and to thank him and my Mother for giving my brother Bobby and me a wonderful childhood.

If you would like to see your favorite mixologist featured here, send contact info to chester@chestersimpson.com.

Old Town Crier

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Old Town Crier

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September 2014 | 29

DINING OUT bobtagert

O

n February 5, 2005, Larry Vallieres opened the Flying Fish restaurant at 815 King Street in Old Town Alexandria. As it is with all restaurants, there were growing pains. As he tested his menu he began adding different items and removing the ones that did not sell well.

Over the next few years he assembled quite an extensive menu of fine seafood, steaks, and pastas.

Also from day one, there was a sushi bar just as you walk in the door. Today the sushi bar is still there serving up some of the best sushi and sashimi in the metro area. Earlier this summer, however, Larry and his staff made some bold changes in the menu. He made a major reduction in the number of offerings on the restaurant menu and has concentrated on fewer, fresher offerings.

Flying Fish

Sushi Grade!

We had the pleasure of being invited to the private opening and mock dinner before the final menu was launched so were able to taste most everything new that was coming down the pike. The new menu has some of the favorites from the old menu with the likes of the delightful edamame as an appetizer while introducing Pork Belly with grits to the main course offerings.

We went back to Flying Fish last month to see what changes actually made the cut. Sticking to his fresh fish roots Larry bought back his popular Caribbean Style Mahi and added Petite Pepparadelle Pasta as well as a sandwich of the day. With the pared down menu, Flying Fish has the capability to offer new specials on a daily basis depending on availability of what is fresh and available.

On this particular night, after a sampling of the sea 30 | September 2014

salt coated Edamame, I opted for the Mahi bites as my appetizer. Twelve tender chunks of fresh Mahi, lightly fried, and served in a large martini glass.

The Mahi pieces were tender and the coating prior to frying was very tasty but did not over power he taste of the fish. My companion ordered the Fresh Jalepeno Poppers (she loves hot food and peppers).

These were bacon wrapped (everyone loves bacon) and tempura fried. This frying technique does not leave much grease in the breading and gives the poppers a light texture. The bacon complimented the large peppers perfectly.

With the new menu, Larry has taken off the wonderful Commander Sirloin Steak from his previous menu and added a Hanger Steak. Expecting to be disappointed, I ordered the Hangar Steak… medium rare. Well, it just goes to show how much I don’t know. The Hanger Steak is also known as the “butcher’s steak” because butchers would often keep it for themselves. Hanger Steak resembles flank steak in texture and flavor, and is usually the most tender cut on an animal. Quickly cooked over high heat and seared just right, this is something that I will go back for again. Cooked medium rare but with a rich red color, this steak was tender and very flavorful. Served with mushrooms and potato of the day, the Hanger Steak made the Commander Steak a distant memory.

Flying Fish has always had a great reputation for fresh fish cooked medium rare, so my companion ordered the Caribbean Style Mahi. Cooked medium rare with a slight sear to the outside, this fish complemented by the citrus mango slaw made one think they were in the islands. Although I love pineapple with fish, the mango in the slaw had a more subdued flavor and let the taste of the Mahi come through.

The new menu is rounded out with Seared Jumbo Scallops, Tempura Fried Seafood Medley, Iron Seared Yellow Fin Tuna and Pork Belly with Grits.

Keeping the restaurant family friendly, there is also a kid’s menu with portions priced at only $5.00.

The prices for the regular menu are $9 and under for appetizers and the entrees going from a high of DINING OUT > PAGE 33

Old Town Crier

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RESTAURANT & BAR

112 King St. Old Town Alexandria 703.739.1124 danieloconnells.com

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Old Town Crier

September 2014 | 31

American DUTCHS GRILL (Holiday Inn) 2460 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 703-960-3400

BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BITTERSWEET 823 King Street 703-549-2708

THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000

CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com An Old Town tradition since 1979 and an original Georgetown pub and restaurant since 1967.

CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080

EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FINN & PORTER AT MARK CENTER 5000 Seminary Rd. 703-379-2346

CLYDES 1700 N. Beauregard St. 703-820-8300 clydes.com

FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200

COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776

FLAT IRON STEAK & SALOON 808 King St. 703-299-0777

Dining Guide

FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288

HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MANCINIS 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-838-FOOD MANGO MIKES 4580 Duke St. 703-370-3800

asian ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

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

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

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

BRABO Tasting Room 1600 King St. 703-894-5252

TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Northern Italian, French provincial and American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, meats and pasta served in a contemporary, romantic atmosphere.

Caphe Banh Mi Vietnamese 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 Sang Jun Thai 300 King Street 571-312-3377

RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450 CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501

LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854

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

LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661

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

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

FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151

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

32 | September 2014

BERTUCCIS 725 King St. 703-548-8500 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998

FRENCH BASTILLE 1201 N. Royal St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com

OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222

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

MONROES AMERICAN TRATTORIA 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 703-548-5792

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

MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011

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

T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com American cuisine with libations from around the world. Bar specials Mon-Fri, 4-7 PM. Brunch served Sat & Sun.

MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Old-world Irish pub featuring a roaring fireplace, serving a variety of imported, domestic and non-alcoholic beers in a friendly atmosphere. Serving robust American-Irish meals at fair prices.

Favorites include fish and chips and Irish stew. Irish-style entertainment nightly.

NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922

REYNOLDS STREET CAFÉ 34 S. Reynolds St. 703-751-0830 RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122

NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com

GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant. With entrees from $14, there is no reason not to enjoy a selection from their Wine Spectator award-winning list, while being attended by the friendly staff of seasoned professionals. Reservations recommended and casual attire welcomed.

IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LA STRADA 1905 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-2592 SAPORE DITALIA RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA 1310 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-683-9680

LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com Elegant, classical Italian cuisine served in a lovely historical setting. Fresh veal, homemade pastas, and fresh fish are some of the daily choices. An extensive list of wines and champagnes served in a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere.

OLD CHICAGO PIZZERIA 2245 Huntington Ave. 703-960-1086 PARADISO 124 King St. 703-837-1245 PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 TRATTORIA DA FRANCO 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 VILLA DESTE 600 Montgomery St. 703-549-9477

TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640 TRADITIONS (Holiday Inn) 625 First St. 703-548-6300 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap & grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour.

VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669

SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266

THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868

SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247

italian • pizzErias

CONTINENTAL BRABO

by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440

McGINTYS PUBLIC HOUSE 3650 S. Glebe Rd. Potomac Yard Located at Market Square in the Eclipse next to Harris Teeter on Rt.1 703-414-3555

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

LAYLA 907 King St. 703-684-3288

LAS TAPAS 710 King St. 703-836-4000 CASABLANCA 1504 King St. 703-549-6464 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com

seafood Hanks Oyster Bar 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK RTS RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 FLYING FISH 815 King St. 703-600-FISH flyingfishdc.com Traditional American and fancy seafood specializing in sushi.

FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900 ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046

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

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

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

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

MEXICAN • LATIN SOUTHWESTERN AUSTIN GRILL 801 King St. 703-684-8969 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) CASA FELIPE 835 N. Royal St. 703-535-7868 INDIAN DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd.

703-660-6085

Old Town Crier

DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30

$24 to $12. Be sure to ask about the dessert offerings of the day. If you happen to be there when they have the mango cheesecake, just do it—it is a melt in your mouth experience.

I have already mentioned the sushi and that part of the Flying Fish experience cannot be underestimated. From day one the restaurant has received rave reviews on their sushi. I have to admit that prior to Flying Fish opening, I wasn’t keen on sushi of any kind but after experiencing it here I am a total sushi convert.

Everything is very fresh and prepared at the open sushi bar right in front of the restaurant.

Presentations run from a few pieces to a wooden boat with over 50 pieces.

I also have to mention the Speakeasy downstairs. Here is a large bar with tables

G

and booths for dining in a more relaxed and sometimes noisy atmosphere. Most nights the late crowd will join their friends for an evening of Karaoke and most often the singing is quite good. It is a popular place for the restaurant employees in the area to gather after their shifts at other local eateries in Old Town. It is also one of the few places that permits smoking. In the Speak Easy area on a limited basis, smokers may embibe in a ventilated smoking section after 9 pm Sunday through Thursday. All other hours remain totally smoke free.

The Flying Fish is closed for lunch and opens at 5 pm serving dinner until 10 pm in the upstairs dining room 7 days a week. Sushi is served until 12 midnight Sunday through Thursday and 1 am Friday and Saturday nights in the Speakeasy.

GERANIO RISTORANTE Redefining Italian Cuisine in Old Town Alexandria Dinner Entrees from $14

722 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.548.0088 www.geranio.net

GRAB A

BITE!

“The Finest Lebanese Cuisine” –Washington Post, 2001 Family Owned & Operated Come and Enjoy a Cozy Candlelit Dinner Carry-Out Available • Free Delivery Open 7 Days for Lunch & Dinner

719 King St. Old Town Alexandria 703.684.9194 • thepitahouse.com Old Town Crier

September 2014 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

I

am the demo chef at Society Fair. I was born in Natchitoches, La. and spent my childhood moving in a military family. I graduated from L’Academie de Cuisine’s professional program in June of 2012. LAC is a small school in Gaithersburg Md., consisting of six months of classroom and practical instruction, coupled with a six month externship. I did my externship at Acadiana in D.C. where

I worked as their pastry assistant and miscellaneous prep guy. After graduation, I stayed on at Acadiana, and worked a different station every night of the week. During the day, I worked right across the street from Acadiana at a small (now closed restaurant) Asian-ish restaurant, 901. I was the daytime fry guy. After overstretching myself—maybe 10 total days off—for six months I quit both locations, and started at Society

larry blevins IS THE demo CHEF AT society fair 277 s. washington st old town alexandria societyfair.net 703.683.3247

Fair December 2012. I figured if the Mayans were right I wanted my last few work days to be on my terms.

Since then I have taken over French Steak night. I have stolen the demos and claimed them as my own. The world didn’t end, but I have found happiness in the kitchens here.

When did you first become interested in cooking? Why did you decide to pursue a culinary career?

In our family everything revolves around the kitchen. Whoever was behind the stove held all the power —they were the creators, the bosses of what and when we ate. They were always the most important people in the building. I grew up the only child of a single army mother splitting time with her and with my grandmother in

Who have been the biggest inspirations for your career?

This is easily my mother. Raising me on a limited enlisted soldier’s salary was very tough. We had to be creative.

Cooking for a spoiled brat on a tiny budget takes serious talent while juggling a demanding army career.

photo: ©2014 Chester Simpson

What do you do to insure the quality of the food going out to customers is of high quality?

First there is the visual inspection of the plates. With a lightly “vinegared” cheesecloth, clean the plates. Make sure hot food is hot, on a hot/warm plate, and the cold food is cold and on chilled plates. Tasting spoons are inexpensive, and they are lifesavers. I would rather gamble in Atlantic City on roulette, than on my reputation with food that doesn’t taste very good.

LARRY BLEVINS

Louisiana, so I had issues with being the center of attention. When I was maybe four or five years old I would get tasked with mixing biscuits or scrambling eggs. Later bacon. I didn’t decide to cook professionally until I was in my early 20s.

Chef Larry holding Society Fair signature potatoes and filet mignon while cooking a rib eye on the grill.

belong in grits. I believe if you slowly cook your grits with whole milk, herbs and some love it trumps cheese and that’s how we make our grits. I am curious to how people take to cheeseless grits.

What dish on the menu are you most curious to see how it’s received?

The first I was curious about was the Gumbo. It is 95 percent my mother’s recipe. It has received great reviews, and that stirs a little extra pride in me.

Lately though, the dish I have been watching is the Smoked Pork Chops and Grits. This was a collaboration between Chef Dan and myself. I am a very firm believer that cheese does not

If any chef in the world could prepare you a meal, who would it, be?

I fortunately have been able to update my culinary bucket list a few times in my short career. I have crossed off Chef Cathal Armstrong, Chef Michel Richard, Chef Gabrielle Hamilton, and some others. Right now I have an obsession with Chef Michael Symon of Lolita in Cleveland and Iron Chef fame. I am in love with the things he does with bacon, and his funky laugh.

What’s your guilty food pleasure?

This is an unfair question as most food is a guilty pleasure. I guess, I like to binge eat on pizza. I try to space out my sessions. And I mean pizza, I do have preferences but when you get down to it, I am not necessarily picky about what type or from where.

If you would like to see your favorite chef featured here, send the information to chester@chestersimpson.com

Chef preparing a New York strip, filet mignon , and rib eye in salt, pepper, butter and garlic.

34 | September 2014

Old Town Crier

EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI

It Begins Again!

E

very year we go through the harvest season. We know that every harvest there will be challenges but we try to plan as much as possible, train our team as best we can and hope that in the end it all works out ok.

In the midst of planning for this year’s harvest, it occurred to me that the processing of farm products is a critical part of our survival. Our ancestors had to learn how to process and preserve the harvest to feed their families and communities over the long winter months. Sometimes the cost can seem questionable. For example, I have always been amazed that on larger farms, a packing house will sit dormant for 11 months a year. The reality is that for one month during harvest the processing plant is essential for the success of that farm. Similarly, we just purchased a $23,000 press to help us process our fruit better and more efficiently. This machine will be used for only 2 months out a year, which doesn’t sound very efficient or cost effective. Yet it truly is, because it enable us to increase both our yield and quality.

With the exception of honey, and some root crops like potatoes and onions that don’t require as much processing, all farm crops need to be preserved in some manner to carry us through until the next harvest season.

Think about the saucing, curing, freezing, drying, fermenting, milling and canning for different crops. Scientists research how to Old Town Crier

help farmers and processors preserve flavor, maximize nutrition and extend shelf life of these products.

Remember that all the food and the many jobs associated with the harvest have their foundation in farming. We will always need people to farm, land to farm and a commitment from our leaders to keep agriculture a priority. I did not grow up in a farming family but I have certainly embraced the vocation over the years. I always remind people that the main ingredient in farming is the energy from the sun, but we also need clean and plentiful water, nutrients, fertile soil and air flow, as well as management of bad bugs, weeds and diseases.

Okay, I am back to talking about wine again.

The fermentation process in wine production and preservation occurs naturally. Of course, many folks look at winemakers as magicians with the ability to transform grapes into a magical potion called wine. I will never claim that much credit but I do recognize that our job can be challenging and almost magical at times. The coordination of all the factors of a harvest: grapes, barrels, fermentation temperatures, harvesting labor, winery labor, more hours in the day please, good weather, trucks, bins, and many more things that all need attention and scheduling. The harvest is starting soon and there is a lot of great potential hanging on the vine. All we really need to do as winemakers is not screw it up!

Visiting Virginias Wine Country

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

September 2014 | 35

GRAPEVINE frank britt

for the perfect wine tasting Cooper Vineyards

A

Cooper Vineyards

13371 Shannon Hill Road Louisa, Virginia 23093 540-894-5474 www.coopervineyards.com

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visit to Cooper Vineyards is a must for Virginia wine lovers, both for the excellent wines they produce as well as the beauty of the landscape and elegance of the facilities.

The award-winning “green” Tasting Room officially opened in 2011 and shortly afterward received the coveted LEED Platinum certification, which goes only to construction projects that meet the highest-rated standards in green building technology. Not only are the construction features “green”, the aesthetics of the design with the surrounding landscape, create the impression that the wine tasting room is an outgrowth of the vineyard itself, similar to the way that the flavors of wines express the terroir of the vineyard soils.

Located in Louisa, Cooper

Vineyards is nestled among rolling hills in a traditional farming community. It is just a short drive from Richmond, Charlottesville and Fredericksburg.

Cooper was licensed as the 53rd Virginia Farm Winery in 1999 and the first block of two acres was planted with Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc and Norton that spring. The original farm covered 36 acres with two natural springs and a pond from which the grapes were irrigated. Over the years, land holdings increased from 36 to 150 acres. Ten different varietals are planted over 15 acres with a goal to achieve quality fruit that will produce world-class Virginia wines.

With an original production of 250 cases, Cooper Vineyards now bottles some 6000 cases per year with over a dozen wines poured for guests visiting the Tasting Room. All the wines Old Town Crier

are hand crafted from 100% Virginia grapes, with approximately half estate grown. They offer a number of distinctive wines that appeal to widely varying tastes, including the nationally acclaimed Norton Reserve and Noche, their “almost cult status” chocolate infused dessert wine.

The winery includes a spacious tasting room with custom concrete bar, a large covered deck with wonderful views of the vineyards and pond, outdoor bar, a private tasting room and deck for parties of up to 20 guests, as well as a tented pad for weddings and other events. It is a popular venue for weddings, parties, corporate functions and wine dinners.

Cooper Vineyards is a Heart of Virginia Wine Trail (www. hovawinetrail.com) participant and holds multiple on site events with discounted advance ticket purchasing online. Voted BEST Tasting Room in Virginia for 2012 and 2013, they offer daily wine tastings and weekend complimentary acoustic music on the deck or in the Tasting Room year round. Hours are 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Among the popular events at

Marie’s Noche Chocolate Cavity Maker Cake INGREDIENTS

Cooper Vineyards is the upcoming annual Mini-Cooper Rally on September 6. Full details at the website: www.coopervineyards.com Frank Britt is the former copublisher and co-founder of Virginia Wine Lover magazine and current publisher of the Official Virginia Wine Lover e-newsletter – “THE Source

for Virginia’s Wine news.” (www. vawinelover.com—complimentary to Old Town Crier readers). Frank also consults with several wine festivals and can be reached at frank@ brittmarketing.com; www.vawinelover. com

cooper vineyards was voted best tasting room in virginia for 2012 and 2013.

Old Town Crier

1 box (18.25 oz) devil’s food chocolate cake mix 1 3.9 oz instant chocolate pudding mix 1 16 oz sour cream 3 eggs, beaten 1/3 cup vegetable oil ½ cup Cooper Vineyards Noche Chocolate Wine 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips PROCESS 1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Grease and flour Bundt pan.

3. Mix in large bowel: cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, oil and Noche wine. Mix well.

4. Fold in chocolate chips.

5. Spoon into Bundt pan—batter will be thick.

6. Bake 55 – 60 minutes.

7. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out and cool.

8. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

September 2014 | 37

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

n Three fOx ViNeyArdS SePTeMber eVeNTS n

6Th & 27Th: LiVe MuSiC by ANNie STOkeS n 6Th: bLeSSiNG Of The hArVeST n 7Th: bArbeque n 13Th: feAST Of SAN GeNNArO n 14Th: yOGA & WiNe n 20Th: 8Th ANNuAL LuCy STOMP n 21ST: 1ST ANNuAL LuCy fuN STOMP

Blue Ridge Wine Way www.blueridgewineway.com The Blue Ridge Wine Way features eight wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains of the Northern Virginia region.

Botetourt County Wine Trail botetourtwinetrail.com The Wine Trail of Botetourt Country features 3 wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Eastern Shore Wine Trail esvatourism.org The Eastern Shore of Virginia Wine Trail hosts three wineries along the Land Between Two Waters. This area is a unique rural coastal environment. Hundreds of miles of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for beach-lovers, fishermen, and boaters in addition to wine lovers.

Tasting Room Hours - Open Year Round Thursday-Saturday, & Monday 11-5 pm • Sunday 12 pm (noon)- 5 pm Taste Our Award-Winning Piemontese Nebbiolo 2010 Virginia Governor’s Cup Silver Medal Winner

Mention or bring this ad for a complimentary tasting for two through 12/23/2010

10100 Three Fox Ln. • Delaplane, VA • 540-364-6073

Fauquier County Wine Trail fauquiertourism.com/wineries.html Fauquier County is home to 16 wineries and vineyards —each with its own unique flavors. Enjoy awardwinning Virginia wines, wine tastings and tours.

Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail svwga.org The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail is an association of six vineyards and wineries.

Loudoun Wine Trail visitloudoun.org Loudouns Wine Trail in Northern Virginia takes you through Virginias hunt country to 23 participating wineries.

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

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

Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail chesapeakebaywinetrail.com The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, in the Chesapeake Bay region, highlights six different wineries.

Heart of Virginia Wine Trail www.hovawinetrail.com The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail in Central Virginia presents several events throughout the year at four wineries located in the central region of the state.

Blue Ridge Wine Trail blueridgewinetrail.com The Blue Ridge Wine Trail features five wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains all within minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Generals Wine & History Trail thegeneralswinetrail.com In 2009, 10 wineries banded together to form a new type wine trail experience. The new wine trail experience was to tie our rich wine heritage with our rich historical heritage and thus the Generals Wine & History Trail was born.

Monticello Wine Trail monticellowinetrail.com The Monticello Wine Trail leads to 24 wineries from its hub in Charlottesville.

Source: Virginia Wine Marketing Office

38 | September 2014

For More Information: virginiawine.org Visiting Virginia’s Wine Country Its always a good idea to call before visiting. Many Virginia wineries are small, family-owned operations and may be closed during the time you are planning to visit.

If you are a group of eight or more, call ahead to help the winery prepare for your visit and to make sure they can accept groups.

Most of our wineries have grape cluster highway signs within a ten-mile radius pointing the way to the winery. Many of these signs also tell you how many miles to go before reaching the winery.

Old Town Crier

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

Virginia (and West Virginia) Are for Anglers!

I

f you only drive around the Northern Virginia area, you would think the Potomac River from DC to the Chesapeake Bay is the only body of water in the Old Dominion. Wrong! The state is loaded to the gills with lakes, rivers and streams. But it’s the rivers that excite and invite world-class fishing for many species including trout and smallmouth bass.

One of the things that make river fishing so compelling is the constant change of scenery.

Unlike lakes, which are mostly still water fisheries, rivers are deep and shallow, slow and fast, and there’s always a bend around the corner. Rivers can carry you away from civilization, while providing a historic highway through the wilderness that has provided an outdoor connection for inhabitants over centuries.

These bodies of water are waiting for anglers to ply their depths either from afoot or afloat. But where do you start?

Amazingly, author and outdoorsman Bruce Ingram has visited most of the fishable waters in the Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland area where the rivers run through it. Writing about fishing via many outdoors publications and in thousands of features and photos since 1983, award winning author Ingram spends most of his time fishing, hunting, birding and in just plain old outdoors enjoyment.

Bassing IN september Potomac River

Cool mornings are hot for topwater lures. Lucky Craft G-Splash poppers and walkers like the Gunfish on GAMMA torque braid can cover water at higher tides! Try Mann’s Waker too! Have a weightless stickworm on a 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point Mega bite hook ready for missed bites on 20-pound test Torque braid with a 12-pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon leader.

On sunny days use Mann’s Baby 1-Minus in chartreuse or shad patterns on cloudy days. Classic spinnerbaits with white skirts work on cloudy days. Craw patterned chatterbaits

Old Town Crier

In his recent books The South Branch and Upper Potomac Rivers Guide, covering from the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch downstream to the Upper Potomac just above Big Falls, and the new edition of The Shenandoah and Rappahannock Rivers Guide, Ingram includes his passion for every aspect of the outdoors. Not wanting to miss the forest for the trees, his books make note of birds and wildlife along with the terrain to compliment the fishing appetite.

Open-air minded folks already know GO FISH > PAGE 42

work anytime. Swim Mann’s Stone Jigs around cover. Use a HardNose Frankentoad trailer on 14-16 pound test GAMMA Edge.

Mann’s HardNose 5.5-inch Swim Shads with a ¼ ounce weighted 7/0 Mustad Swimbait hook on 20-pound Edge Fluorocarbon line. Pitch Mizmo tubes, Texas rigged with 1416 pound Edge and 3/16-ounce weights to grass clumps, wood and docks. A good soaking in garlic Jack’s Juice will keep fish holding on longer! Use a ½- 1.5-ounce Round Valley Tungsten weight on 60-pound braid with a small soft plastic craw to punch through grass mats.

Drop shot steep drops with GAMMA Torque 20-pound braid with a 12-pound test Edge leader on a Quantum EXO spinning outfit. Use a 2/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook and Mann’s HardNose 6-inch Jelly worm. Anchor this rig with a 1/8 ounce Water Gremlin Bullshot weight.

September 2014 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

Fall Back into Exercise

F

or some of us Fall brings a feeling of renewal.

The changing of seasons can bring a change in your daily routine.

With the kids heading back to school and the holidays just around the corner it may be impossible to find time to exercise. But what better time of the year is there to enjoy the fresh air without the heat and humidity.

September is a great time to get back in gear and change up that workout you have been doing all summer.

There are twelve weeks from the beginning of September until Thanksgiving. That is a great time frame to get in the habit of a new workout that you will be able to stick with through the winter months. There are so many ways to make exercising more fun in the fall. Trying

40 | September 2014

out a new routine or simply bringing a running workout from the treadmill to the treelined streets is a great way to change your routine and get your mind set on some new workout goals. This holiday season let’s focus on staying in that workout mode. For the next twelve weeks stay on track by adding new things to your workout. Fall is a great time for running, cycling, hiking, and walking.

Walking is the easiest form of exercise. The key to making walking enjoyable is to make it a part of your daily routine.

Start walking in the morning before work or school. By getting started early you jump start your body, mind, and metabolism so you have more energy throughout the day. If you need something a little more fast-paced, running is a great way to stay in shape

especially in the fall. It’s not too hot, not too cold and the crisp morning air will be much more awakening than a buzzing alarm clock.

Once you get in the habit of a morning run or walk you will find yourself looking forward to waking up early just to see the sun rise as you begin your workout.

Bringing your cycling workout from the studio to the streets or the trails will add fun to your workout. Get out those mountain bikes and take the kids out for a bike ride after school. You get to spend time with the family while enjoying a fun calorie-burning workout. If biking on the trails does not seem like it’s for you then try going hiking. It’s a great leg work out and the views of the woods in the fall are beautiful.

When the weather begins to

get too chilly, take advantage of that gym membership you’ve been holding on to.

Gyms offer a variety of cardio and strength machines that can help you to break that workout plateau. The key to keep seeing results is to keep a workout interesting. Don’t do the same exercises over and over for an extended period of time. By changing your workout every couple weeks you are forcing your body to adapt to new routines.

This keeps it from becoming “comfortable” with a certain workout.

Take advantage of all that your club has to offer. Most health clubs offer free classes to their members. If you are looking for a high intensity calorie burner, try a cycle or a cardio kick boxing class. If you want an all-over strength and flexibility workout try pilates or a beginner yoga class. If your club has an indoor pool I highly recommend taking a water aerobics class or swimming laps on your own. Swimming is a great overall strength and conditioning workout and if you have access to a pool year round why not take advantage of it.

If you’re not crazy about going the gym then home fitness is another great option.

Having a home gym can be as simple as having a few sets of dumbbells and some resistance bands to having a complete gym with at home cardio machines, mirrors from ceiling to floor and a weight bench. There are also workouts that you can do with no equipment at all.

There are many resources available online to help you with everything you need

for a home gym, from what equipment you need to how to organize your workout.

The best way to keep up with your fitness is to incorporate exercise into your everyday life. We all know the obvious suggestions like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car farther away from the mall entrance, and walking to lunch on your break. Here are a few that may be less obvious. When you are at your kid’s soccer practice or game walk a few laps around the field instead of sitting and watching. You’ll get a much better view of the action and also get some exercise in for yourself. Be an active television watcher. Most of our favorite shows start the new season in the fall. While you’re enjoying the new season of your favorite show do some standing lunges, jog in place, lift weights or do tricep dips on the couch.

During commercials do as many sit-ups and push-ups as you can get in before the show comes back on. During a one-hour show you will probably get almost twenty minutes of commercials.

With so many options to amp up your fitness routine for the fall it seems like it should be easy to get started.

Half of winning the battle with exercise is getting into the habit. Remember that it takes about four weeks for the body to adapt to lifestyle changes. Try to stick with your new program for a month. After that, behavior patterns will have adapted and your program will be much easier to stick with.

Good Luck!

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

❶

❷

The cable row

S

eptember is another one of my favorite months because the first day of fall is near which means cooler weather, football season, bean harvest (on the family farm) and getting reacquainted with the gym. This month’s exercise is the Cable Row. This is a machine resistance exercise which targets the back and spinal muscles, mainly the rhomboids, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rear deltoids, and biceps.

There are many variations of the cable row because of the different handle attachments that you can use. In this example, I chose a narrow-grip handle.

Before you begin, select an appropriate weight in which you can pull through a full range of motion without the need to lean backwards. Most cable row machines will have a flat bench to sit on with an angled foot-plate to position the legs and feet. Others might have an adjustable seat and chest-pad to lean against without a foot-plate. The start position for this exercise is shown in Figure 1.

What I do first is grab the handle with both hands and then place one foot on the plate to help scoot back on the seat. The handle will be too far forward to reach if you sit down

Old Town Crier

in position and then try to grab it. Once you secure the handle and pull it away from the machine, both feet should be placed on the foot-plate, knees slightly bent, arms extended straight in front of you, and seated in a good, tall posture without leaning backwards. Now you’re ready to begin.

Pull the handle toward your abdomen using your upper back muscles (not just your arms) until the shoulder blades come together and your elbows are slightly behind the torso. Stay in the upright position (Figure 2) throughout the row. You can pause for a moment before controlling the weight stack back to the start position by extending your arms straight.

Remember to keep breathing too, exhale on the pull, and inhale while lowering the weight. Try 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps.

Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is an active member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

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Keep a Beautiful Smile September 2014 | 41

CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PG 9

A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PG 8

On September 23rd, the day after the battle at Fisher’s Hill, Yankee cavalry capture six of Mosby’s rangers near Front Royal. Four of the men are shot, the other two hang when they refused to reveal Mosby’s whereabouts. One of the men executed is a 17 year-old from Front Royal who had joined Mosby that morning; he is shot in a field in front of his mother as she begs for his life.

Mosby, of course, is outraged and vows reprisals. In November, Mosby chooses seven Federals by lot to be executed, “measure for measure” (Custer has hanged a seventh guerilla in the interim by the bizarre method of bending a tree to the ground and catapulting the prisoner skyward). These executions are preapproved by Lee and the Confederate government. Two of the condemned Yankees escape, three are actually hanged, and the two who are shot survive their wounds. Mosby then writes a letter to Sheridan explaining what he had done and why, promising to hang one Yankee for each ranger executed. The executions stop.

By October Sheridan has laid waste to almost 100 miles of the Valley, from Winchester to Waynesboro and beyond, burning granaries, houses, barns and bridges, and tearing up railroad track.

As Sheridan withdraws, 3,500 of Early’s cavalry shadow him. On October 9th, at Tom’s Brook, two Yankee cavalry divisions suddenly wheel and hit the pursuing Confederate troopers hard, utterly routing them and sending them galloping off to safety at Woodstock.

Yankee cavalry has established complete dominance over their counterparts for the duration of the campaign.

The campaign does not last much longer. Ten days after Tom’s Brook, Early attempts to salvage the situation by hitting the Federal forces camped at Cedar Creek, near Middletown. At 5:30 a.m., Early’s forces achieve total surprise in the dark and fog. By 8:00 a.m. the Yankees are routed, abandoning artillery and wagons and falling back to Middletown where some make a stand at the town cemetery. Early pounds them with all his batteries.

Sheridan himself is a few miles

away in Winchester. As it becomes clear that his army is engaged, he leaves Winchester at 9:00 for his famous ride, turning back his retreating troops and arriving at the fighting at around 10:30. Early has won a stunning victory, hurling back seven Federal divisions, capturing 24 guns and 1,300 prisoners. But Early’s attack stalls as his men plunder the Union camps and supply trains.

Sheridan counterattacks at 4:00. As Early’s lines begin to crumble, Yankee cavalry gets into his rear and the Confederate infantrymen panic as they see their retreat being cut off.

Then a bridge collapses, forcing the Confederates to abandon the guns and wagons captured earlier, plus many of their own guns and caissons. Night brings an end to Sheridan’s pursuit.

While the Yankees take heavier casualties, about 5,600 to Early’s 3,000, Cedar Creek is a crushing defeat for the Confederates. Numerous and skilled Yankee cavalry render further defense of the Valley untenable.

Early’s men rejoin Lee at Petersburg, leaving the Valley in Sheridan’s hands.

Mosby’ guerillas fight on, but the “bread-basket of the Confederacy” is in ashes. The Valley will no longer serve as the invasion route into Maryland and Pennsylvania; secure in this knowledge, Sheridan joins Grant in March of 1865 for the final weeks of the war.

GO FISH FROM PG 39

Bruce Ingram as one of the few people who has floated the entire lengths of the freshwater James, the New River, South Fork of the Shenandoah and Shenandoah and upper Rappahannock, the South Branch of the Potomac, and the Main Stem of the Potomac above Great Falls! He’s covered more than 500 waterway miles. One roadblock to fishing wonderful waters is often lack of access. Ingram details where to launch, where to stay, how to get there and even on-the-water landmarks to identify fishing areas or photo opportunities! Ingram starts the tour at the headwaters where river life flows. A brief history lesson, and then it’s on to fishing!

42 | September 2014

Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria; comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@coleman-lawyers.com.

Captures or Condemnations of vessels and other property” seized during the Revolutionary War, and “entirely perfect Liberty of Navigation and Commerce...except as specified.”

To southerners’ dismay, Negro slaves were not on the property list. Cotton cargo was conditional, and American access to the British Islands and the West Indies was limited to ships of seventy tons or less. Impressment was not addressed.

Secretary of State Edmund Jennings Randolph, the former Virginia Governor who succeeded Thomas Jefferson on January 2, 1794, disliked the terms; advised delay, then paid the political price. Randolph, like Jefferson, favored France. Because of this he became the subject of scandal.

The United States Senate passed Jay’s Treaty on June 24, 1795 by a controversial vote of 20 to 10.

“Party disputes are now carried to [such] length, and truth is so enveloped in mist, and false representation that it is extremely difficult to know through what channel to seek it,” President Washington wrote to the Secretary of War on July 25, 1795. “This difficulty to one, who is of no political party, and whose sole wish is to pursue, with undeviating steps a path which would lead this Country to respectability, wealth and happiness is exceedingly to be lamented. But such (for wise purposes it is presumed) is the turbulence of human passion in party disputes; when victory, more than truth, is the palm contended for.”

Federalist Alexandria appreciated planter Jefferson’s good work. When Thomas Jefferson, Minister to France, returned to the United States in 1789 to become Secretary of State, the city celebrated his arrival. “As a commercial town, we feel ourselves particularly indebted to you for the indulgences which your enlightened representations to the Court of France have secured to our trade,” the Mayor said.

But Alexandria was also George Washington’s hometown. Local merchants supported the President’s

policies, Hamilton’s bias, and Jay’s Treaty. “Perfect Liberty of Navigation and Commerce” was critical to their success.

Alexandria in the 1790s—George Washington’s Presidential years— was America’s tenth largest city, the country’s seventh largest seaport, and the third largest exporter of flour. Trading partners included Spain, Great Britain, Portugal, the West Indies and the Caribbean. By 1795 Alexandria’s grain exports— grain grown in Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties—totaled $948,000. Great Britain’s political and maritime practices were at least if not more important than France’s.

“It would not be frank, candid, or friendly to conceal, that your conduct has been represented as derogatory,” President Washington wrote Thomas Jefferson on July 6, 1796. “If Mr. Jefferson would retrace my public conduct while he was in the Administration, abundant proofs would occur to him, that truth and right decisions were the sole objects of my pursuit.”

It was an embattled George Washington who birthed the notion of executive prerogative; a qualified communications privilege upheld in U.S. v. Nixon 418 U.S. 683 (1974).

President Washington, weary of the on-going north-south two-party rancor, refused to surrender Treatyrelated documents to the House of Representatives for review.

“Why,” Washington asked Jefferson in 1792, “should…you be so tenacious of your opinions as to make no allowances for those of the other?”

Former President George Washington died at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. Thomas Jefferson, at home at Monticello, did not attend his funeral. Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican Party assumed the Presidency on March 4, 1801. Jay’s Treaty expired in 1805, on President Jefferson’s watch.

Fishing solo is always an option but most angler outings are shared outdoors experiences. Ingram’s are as well! In just about every river section segment, Ingram credits close fishing friends or longtime outfitters in memorializing his adventures.

Nothing is left out, including specific tackle and tactics not only for species but also for specific areas along the way. Ingram vets guides and outfitters and provides their contact information as well as places to stay and tourism resources.

As Virginia is flooded with fishing opportunities, nearby West Virginia provides a get away. Petersburg, WV is about two hours from Northern Virginia, an easy drive out Route 66 and across to Route 55 to Petersburg,

for the South Branch of the Potomac River. Welton Park is an easy putin with several miles of “park and walk” access. Along the river Eagle’s Nest Outfitters (eaglesnestoutfitters. com) comes highly recommended

by Ingram. The fishing along this stretch is awesome! The state record smallmouth, rainbow trout, and 4 other state records were caught in the South Branch. Hundreds of citation trout and other species have been caught in this area too! A quick inquiry call to the Grant County CVB and to Eagle’s Nest Outfitters reveals a very nearby bed and breakfast. The Judy House (judyhousebnb.com) is about a mile up the road.

Whether by foot or by float, all of Ingram’s waters are easily accessed and

accommodate every skill and age level.

Float fishermen, paddlers, birders, and wildlife watchers will find their escape into the outdoors away from planes trains and automobiles and closer to nature’s sites and sounds with scents of fresh air. Jump in the car, take a short scenic drive, grab your rod and plan your angling destination with Ingram’s latest River Guides. Ingram will lead you to the waters; it’s up to you to drink up the outdoors.

Sources

Harper’s History of the Great Rebellion; J. Wukovits, John Mosby and George Custer Clash in the Shenandoah Valley; http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/ thirdwinchester/third-winchesterhistory-articles/john-mosby-andgeorge-custer.html; C. DeHaven, Cavalry in the Fall 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, http://www.nps.gov/ cebe/historyculture/cavalry-in-the1864-fall-shenandoah-valley-campaign. htm.

Email: abitofhistory53@gmail.com

Capt. Steve Chaconas, Potomac bass fishing guide, BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (http://myboatus.com/askexperts/ bassfishing/); Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass. com.

Old Town Crier

Experience the Difference

FIRST BLUSH

WELCOME RONNIE aNd jEaM Lulu Sage is proud to welcome stylists Ronnie and Jeam to our team.

With many years of combined experience and talent, they make great additions to our team!

Beauty FAQs How do I choose the right moisturizer for my face?

Believe it or not, the most important thing about choosing a moisturizer is the weight, not the fancy ingredients.

The wrong weight of moisturizer can actually cause as many, if not more, problems than the ingredients. If too heavy, it can clog your pores and cause breakouts. If not heavy enough, the lack of moisturizer can lead to premature aging.

In choosing the right weight, apply a normal amount to your jaw line. Wait a few seconds and check the area. If the moisturizer feels sticky or greasy, it means that it hasn’t absorbed into your skin and is too heavy for your complexion. If the moisturizer soaks in and still feels dry and your skin feels taught, then the moisturizer is not heavy enough. Look for a moisturizer that soaks in to your skin, but your skin feels relieved and looks plump.

Everywhere I look, all the makeup has shimmer and glitter. How do I embrace it without looking like a teenager?

Shimmer can actually be your friend.

Glitter, not so much. Leave glitter to stage performances. A bit of shimmer can actually make old skin look young. And, it is the easiest and cheapest way to freshen up your skin and bring about a youthful glow. But, if you overdue it, you could end up looking like an over-aged teenager. Keep in mind, dry and dull looking skin exacerbates looking old.

So, the best thing to do is be strategic about your placement and amount. The best place to get the most bang for your buck is to apply a bit of shimmer along the base of your eyebrow along the brow bone. It gives the illusion of an instant lift to a sagging eye (which happens to all of us as we approach 40).

Another good place for a bit of shimmer is along your cheekbone. Again, it gives the illusion of an instant lift to the face but it also gives a punch of glow and dewiness that is associated with youthful skin.

It is okay to go for broke and put a bit of shimmer along the brow bone and the cheekbone. You’ll be amazed at how your friends will compliment your new youthful appearance.

I’m 40, should I be wearing foundation?

Not necessarily. Determining when to wear foundation has nothing to do with how old you are. In fact, I would argue, that if your skin Old Town Crier

Ronnie

looks good, you should avoid foundation because it can make you look older than you are. Using foundation has more to do with the condition of your skin. If your skin is blotchy and uneven, you may want to consider wearing foundation. If not, skip it all together and apply a good moisturizer.

Remember, foundation’s primary goal is to even out your skin tone to create a monotone surface in which to apply color. Think of foundation as the canvas before applying the artwork – eye shadow, cheek color, lipstick, etc.

What is triple milled soap?

A triple milled soap is actually three soaps milled into one. The process of milling three soaps into one is a lengthy process taking months to produce a single bar of soap, but it provides users with a soap that lasts much longer than its counterparts. A triple milled soap usually lasts a month or more.

Also, the French have the oldest and best known milling process which is why triple milled soaps are often known as French triple milled soaps.

Do I need a lip liner with my lipstick?

Most of the time lip liner is a personal preference. For some, they do not feel complete without lip liner. The only time lip liner is absolutely necessary is if (1) your lipstick tends to bleed, no matter the color and (2) if you are wearing a deep and dark color like red, which bleeds on everyone.

I would not recommend lining your lips when wearing lip-gloss. What you can do, however, is use a lip liner to fill in your lips to add more color and staying power to your lipgloss.

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SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

The Inner Experience “If you cannot trust your inner experience, how can you expect others to confirm it for you?” –Animal Voices by Dawn Brunke

I

read this quote first with a strong “HECK YEAH!” and now that I’m re-reading it with the intention of writing about it I’m thinking a little

differently.

My first, gut, (intuitive) reaction definitely comes from my inner truth. That truth, which is yours too, is about our connection to the Divine.

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It’s inherent. It doesn’t change no matter how silly, stubborn or mean-spirited I am. (Not that I’m ever mean spirited, this is hypothetical of course.)

If, in my finer moments I can recognize the truth of myself, why is it that I go around looking for validation in my less than stellar moments?

You, of course, don’t waste your time and energy asking your husband if your hair looks okay after you got it cut into that new, flirty ’do.

Nor do you spend excessive energy checking with your sister, mother, and BFF before you respond to that ridiculous email from your co-worker, do you?

When I second-guess myself it’s because I don’t trust myself. It’s because I’m afraid and hanging out in fear in some area of my life.

The examples about hair and emails are pretty benign, but they can be indicative of a deeper pattern. The first time you had a mean kid in kindergarten make fun of what you were wearing, or how you did your hair, was likely the first big hit to you believing in your innate goodness and truth. It hit hard.

You were way too young to understand the fact that the mean-girl was really in a lot of pain and probably had a ton of people at home who were putting her down on a regular basis. Of course she had to lash out at you to make

herself feel better. Knowing that NOW doesn’t change the habit of second-guessing yourself.

Between kindergarten and today you’ve had plenty of opportunities to figure out where you’re a rock star and where you don’t live up to someone else’s standards.

Whether it’s a colleague at work, a professor who dumped on your writing style or a roommate who constantly reamed you for your inability to stay organized – these beliefs started to seep in and take over, keeping you in a constant state of doubt.

That is, if you’re like me.

There are areas that I feel pretty confident and there are areas where I feel like I will never fit in or “get it.” You’d think that one of the cool things about being my age is that I wouldn’t give a hoot what other people think about me. You’d be wrong. I envy the heck out of the people who tell me that they never pay attention to what anyone says about them. While I’ve gotten better at ignoring the trolls on social media, and the wildly hilarious “hate e-mail” I get every now and again, I’d be lying if I told you I never asked for someone’s opinion or cared what they thought.

So I aspire to live in allegiance to this quote. It’s a daily practice for me to show up, to tap into what I know to be true, spiritually, physically and mentally and to let those truths lead me through my

day. When I’m in alignment like that, the day goes well and I believe that I make a positive impact. There is a spiritual tenet that says, and I’m paraphrasing here, “If you want to heal the world, heal yourself.” When I first heard that, I thought it was a crock.

I mean, how can taking care of my pain and BS stop the wars around the world? How can focusing on ME change the devastation of man’s inhumanity to man? Honestly, I don’t consciously know.

Still, my inner experience says that it’s so and it’s translated to my outer experience too.

For just this day I’m going to focus on trusting my inner experience and I hope you will too.

Peggie Arvidson, the Pragmatic Palmist, is a contemporary thought leader whose message of joy and self-empowerment has drawn hundreds of people from around the world to have their hands read, and to attend her seminars and workshops. Her mission is to help thousands of people world-wide love themselves without hesitation and live their hearts desire. If you want to glimpse how your hard-wiring and truth shows up in your hands, visit her website (PeggieArvidson. com) and attend her classes and workshops throughout Northern Virginia.

Old Town Crier

SINGLE SPACE LORI WELCH

Dear Lani, Bob & Single Space Readers,

I

t’s been a good run, but as of September 13, I’ll be retiring from Single Space so please consider this my two weeks’ notice. On September 13, XXL and I will exchange our vows at the Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia in front of 120+ friends and family members. Why is Etta James suddenly playing in my ear: At Last my love has come along.

My lonely days are over and life is like a song…

Seriously speaking, I’ve been very blessed to be able to share my journey over the last decade here on these pages of the Old Town Crier (OTC) and for that I will be forever grateful. This column has captured a lot of joy, sorrow, foibles, and humor throughout the years—not to mention some questionable dating choices. I’ve been compared a lot to Carrie Bradshaw, but in reality, I was probably more like Bridget Jones.

Hopefully some of my dating disasters and blunders resonated with you and/or made for a few moments of laughter. Thank you, velour track suit guy! Maybe you even experienced an occasional epiphany as we were all in this crazy thing called life together.

When Single Space debuted in 2004, I thought it would be a resource for singles—what to do, where to go, etc., but somehow I hijacked it into being about what I was doing and where I was going in my journey as a single professional woman. That’s a lot of columns to be about me, 129 to be exact. If I only had a dollar for every time I mentioned Ben & Jerry’s or George Clooney, I’d be writing this column from aboard my 50+ foot yacht, Lori’s Destiny, in the French Riviera. Instead I’m writing from my little office in the home I share with XXL, Dozer and Macey on a quiet cul de sac in the ’burbs, and I couldn’t be happier. When I sat down to write what was to be the end of Single Space, I couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy—like I was saying goodbye to a former life—my single, pre-XXL life. While I love my new life with XXL, saying goodbye has never been my strong suit and required a night alone with a bottle of Toasted Head surrounded by a decade worth of back issues, aka the ghosts of single life past.

One thing is for sure—the OTC and I have been through a lot together. My stroll down memory lane stirred up a plethora of memories—mostly fond, but some achingly sad. There were a few break ups, a couple of stand ups, one or two falling outs, and a lot of lessons in moving on. The recurring theme threaded throughout almost every page was the importance of family and friends in my life. In the absence of a life partner (or even a reliable date), they were the people at my side—in the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health. I was dealt an awesome hand—a royal flush—with my biological family. And Kim, Holly, Carol and Rock have been the foundation of my family of friends I’ve built throughout my lifetime and have shown up on the pages of Single Space, along with many others, quite frequently. Those four taught me everything I know about having fun, not getting caught while having

Old Town Crier

too much fun, and lifelong friendship.

During the darkest moments of my life—when my mom died in 2006, when I had my emergency open heart surgery in 2011, and a few others that involved unbearable loss—I felt the most loved and supported. When mom was in the ICU, Holly was among the first to show up bearing platters of food. Peggy broke into my house to get me clean undies for the hospital vigil; Kim swooped me up and rescued me after she passed; and Carol brought the wine. Debbie, Rock, Kelley, CCG, Lisa, Kathy … they all showed up. When I had my surgery in 2011, Kim and her husband were the first responders racing up 95 to meet the helicopter at Washington Hospital Center. Vikki, Dad, and Debbe were the first faces I saw through the foggy veil of anesthesia.

Lisa and Jason were the first to see me sit upright and they bought Dad and Johanna toothbrushes— they didn’t have time to pack in their mad rush to the hospital! Kelley brought the People magazines and Kath, Lisa and CCG watched me take my first post-surgery steps. Susie called with medical advice and Annie with loving support. Vikki and Lisa took turns staying with me when I got home. Jen, Aviva and many more walked through my door to put healthy food in my fridge. I’m forever grateful for Peggie and Michael who sat with me through a few late night scares, and thank God for Cathie who lent me her pool pass to use during my month of recovery. Holly called me every day without fail to ask me if I was doing my lung exercises. She was in nursing school at the time—number 48 of her 50+ chosen careers (we counted). Of course, Rock was there at every moment of every life event cracking jokes at Holly’s expense to make me laugh and keep me sane. Bonus points—I also inherited their awesome spouses!

I am so blessed that all our loved ones will be with us at The Tides Inn as we begin this new chapter of our lives. While XXL didn’t keep journals of his life to chronicle the ups and downs, I’m slowly learning who all the key players are, and I’m excited that they will now be a part of my life and extended family as well. Single Space, no more! Double Space?

Probably more like Tribal Space!

What I also saw in those columns was me growing up—I’ve always said I was a late bloomer. One of my close friends (and a loyal reader) recently said, “You know—I’ve been reading Single Space for a long time, and it’s really changed. You’ve changed—you’ve gotten softer.” And that’s what I saw in those 129 columns. All the lessons and the challenges and the tough times softened me. They gave me the wisdom to appreciate what matters.

And, interestingly enough, it was right about the time when I was going through some of the worst pain I thought my heart could endure in March 2012—when Holly died—that I met XXL, aka George Alexander Manning Brown, the man I’m marrying. At Last, my love has come along…

It was quite a journey, but here we are—George

It’s a Wonderful– Soon to Be Wedded—Life aka Amazing Grace and I—and you, our extended family. We couldn’t have done it without your love and support, and we are looking forward to blending our lives and our tribes into a wonderful wedded life together. We joke that it was amazing grace that brought us together, but I think it may have been our amazing angels aka Shirley, Holly, Debbe, Betty, Mike and Irwin. No matter the ’how’, we are grateful our paths crossed again after all these years.

XOXO, Lori P.S. Annie, you win!

P.S.S. Cath—I’ll be thinking of you as a young bride about to marry Richard Robert aka Dicky Bob those many years ago as XXL and I embark on this new chapter. [TRIPLE bonus points for using ’Dicky Bob’ in print…I can’t believe it took me ten years to think of that!]

September 2014 | 45

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SEPTEMBER EVENTS Through September 21st CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S AMALUNA In the Heart of the Harbor Diane Paulus production inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest takes place on an island governed by goddesses.

Tickets and info: cirquedusoleil.com Movies on the Potomac: Neverland Sundays at 6 pm 7th: Finding Neverland 14th: Peter Pan (1953 version) 21st: Peter Pan (2003 version) 28th: Hook Bring your lawn chair but leave the coolers at home!

Josh Winston,

Director of Tourism From ’Hello Sunny’ to ’Waterfront Wonderful’

12th: Air Force Band – Max Impact

26th: Vote for your favorite band on Facebook

W

hile I usually dedicate of National Harbor and all of this space to what its collective partners to the is happening in tour and travel industry. He will the Harbor and lead all sales initiatives to drive information about both domestic and international new business openings, after I leisure travelers to the got a press release from my pal destination. Winston comes to Molly that announced National National Harbor from his role

By Lani Gering Harbor’s hiring of a Director as Director of Domestic Sales of Tourism I decided it may for The Greater Fort Lauderdale be a good idea to check him out! Josh Convention & Visitors Bureau. There, Winston and I met at the Public House he facilitated and developed key —one of the Old Town Crier’s favorite strategic industry relationships for one spots in the Harbor—for a beverage one of the country’s largest leisure travel late afternoon and got to know each destinations. Winston has received other. Our meeting turned out to be one numerous awards for excellence in sales of those situations where you just know from The National Association of Career you are going to hit it off from almost the Travel Agents (NACTA), Professional beginning of the conversation.

Travel Agents of North America National Harbor attracts approximately (PTANA), and Destination Marketing 11 million visitors each year, and was Association International (DMAI).” recognized for the first time in Cvent, I wanted to know a little bit about Inc.’s “Top 50 Meeting Destination in the his personal life since that can give you United States” 2013 list as the 26th most good insight to where people are coming popular meeting destination in the from on a professional footing as well. country. With these figures and the He was very forthcoming. Josh was born continued growth of the Harbor—Tanger and raised on Cape Cod, Mass. and went opened the outlets last fall; the Capital to school at American University in ´ Wheel was erected this spring; and the Washington, interning for the late Sen. upcoming opening of the MGM National Edward M. Kennedy. He met his partner, Harbor in 2016—Peterson Companies Mike, while in DC at the now closed DC decided it may be a good idea to bring on Eagle. They moved to Fort Lauderdale in a tourism professional.

2003. Mike works for American Airlines According to the press release, “In and Josh sold government and leisure his new role as Director of Tourism tourism for a cluster of Hilton properties for National Harbor, Winston will be NATIONAL HARBOR > PAGE 47 responsible for heightening the awareness

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Friday Night Live Every Friday night on the Plaza Stage from 7-9 pm 5th: Vote for your favorite local band on Facebook 19th: Vote for your favorite band on Facebook

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NationalHarbor.com

Waterfront Fitness Free classes sponsored by Willpower Functional Fitness In front of the Jumbotron on the Plaza 7-8 pm Tuesday: Yoga Wednesday: Zumba Thursday: Kickboxing

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12th -14th Star Spangled Banner Bicentennial Get our your red, white and blue as National Harbor commemorates our national anthem’s 200th anniversary! A concert series will honor the bicentennial of the poem famously penned at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814.

12th: Max Impact at 7 pm 13th: Celtic Aire at 12 Noon, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm 13th: Airmen of Note at 7 pm 14th: Airmen of Note at 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm 14th: USAF Concert Band and Singing Sergeants at 5 pm counterclockwise: Josh Winston, Millie, and Gia and Milania

46 | September 2014

Old Town Crier

C S

C S

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D S

W S

Loc Riv Wil from and Ale Mt. from

FAC

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Mo Fri

Sou Fri there, before transitioning to his best known role as Director of Domestic Sales for The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. There, he spent many years as the face of Fort Lauderdale, traversing the US and Canada to promote the destination to the travel industry.

I discovered Josh is a major animal lover. That is always a good indication that someone is a solid person! He and Mike adopted their large, pit-mix dogs, Gia and Milania (names of two of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Theresa Giuduce’s daughters!) from Abandoned Pet Rescue in Fort Lauderdale.

The pups were raised by Josh’s self-proclaimed “very large” tabby, Millie, who runs the household to this day.

After many years in the sunshine, they decided it may be a good idea to make a change. For those of you who are dreaming about retiring to the sunny state of Florida, this may seem like an odd choice, however, both are excited about their transition back to Maryland for some Fall weather and the change of seasons.

After our two hour gab session, I have no doubt that he will more than exceed the expectations of this new position. He has pretty much hit the ground floor running and has been making every effort to meet those people in the metro area who will be key allies in the future, the Old Town Crier included.

We here at the Crier remain dedicated to helping make National Harbor the success story Milt Peterson is hoping for and helping Josh in his transition is another step in doing so.

New Executive Pastry Chef Joins Gaylord’s Culinary Team

By Rachel Dinbokowitz

ohan De Silva has been named the new executive pastry chef at the Gaylord National Resort here in the heart of the harbor.

De Silva, who has more than 30 years of pastry experience, leads a team of 20 pastry chefs to produce premium desserts for the resort’s restaurants and meeting and convention business.

“I am honored to join Gaylord National Resort and look forward to working with its talented culinary team to produce one-of-a-kind pastries for its leisure guests and large events and convention business,” said De Silva.

De Silva previously held positions as the executive pastry chef of the New York Marriott Marquis, Philadelphia Marriott

M

and Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, D.C. He founded Simplicity Desserts in Voorhees, NJ and was the pastry chef at the Sofitel Philadelphia.

With a passion in sugar and chocolate art, De Silva has won numerous awards through different culinary pastry competitions including 11 medals in the International Culinary Olympics since 1992. He also was recognized as one of the best pastry chefs in America by the James Beard Foundation.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have this gifted, award-winning chef on our team and leading our pastry kitchen,” said Vipin Khullar, food and beverage director.

“He brings many years of experience and expertise with him and will continue to make Gaylord National’s culinary offerings unlike any other resort.”

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Old Town Crier

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48 | September 2014

Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspub andkitchen.com Enjoy traditional Irish fare and more!

McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com

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REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330 ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 COMING SOON Walrus Oyster & Ale House 152 Waterfront Street

Old Town Crier

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