Since 1988 • Priceless
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
September 2021
oldtowncrier oldtowncrier.com
Setting the Standard In Old Town Since 1979
september’21 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Rosson DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703. 669. 5502 Stephen Bearce Sarah Becker Alexander Britel Cheryl Burns F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Carolyn Cockroft Scott Dicken Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Christina Hitchcock Tom Horton Miriam Kramer
CONTRIBUTORS Genevieve LeFranc Timothy Long Cindy McGovern Meg Mullery Melinda Myers Billy Phibbs Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Ashley Rosson Ashley Stimpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown
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26
36
A Bit of History................................................................ 9
From the Trainer............................................................40
Pets of the Month.........................................................19
After Hours.......................................................................13
Gallery Beat.....................................................................14
Points on Pets.................................................................18
Alexandria Events............................................................ 3
Go Fish...............................................................................42
Business Profile................................................................. 4
Grapevine.........................................................................36
Caribbean Connection...............................................22
High Notes.......................................................................12
Dining Guide...................................................................34
Let’s Eat..............................................................................32
Social Media Message................................................... 2
Dining Out.......................................................................30
Let's Get Crafty...............................................................35
Special Feature: Volunteer Program......................20
Exploring Virginia Wines............................................38
Local Farmers Markets................................................... 3
Financial Focus.................................................................. 8
National Harbor.............................................................44
First Blush.........................................................................41
On the Road with OTC................................................... 1
Fitness................................................................................39
Open Space.....................................................................43
To the Blue Ridge......................................................... 29
From the Bay...................................................................24
Personality Profile............................................................ 6
Urban Garden.................................................................21
© 2021 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas and St. John, USVI.
Publisher’s Notes.............................................................. 2 Road Trip...........................................................................26
Take Photos, Leave Footprints.................................16 The Last Word.................................................................11
Jeffrey in their hotel room in Sete’, a maritime town in Southern France on the Mediterranean. “The town has a strong cultural identity. It has been the seat of Provencal jousting using boats for over 500 years. Each boat has 8 or 10 oarsmen, a couple of musicians aft, a a few jousters on the prow, waiting to take turns. On each pass of the boats past each other, the jouster on the prow tries to knock the other jouster into the water. You root for the red team or the blue team. Over years the town has had to reinvent itself economically. Now, there are oyster beds and deep sea commercial fishing mostly for tuna.”
about the cover Nature is alluring and the wild animals in Great Falls, VA are abundant and sometimes unnervingly friendly. “The least I could do is provide proper seating,” says Mary Ann Redmond, singer-songwriter gone rogue as an amateur photographer. El Chipo (pictured here) likes tunnels & peanuts. Instagram: @maryannredmond Twitter: @MaryAnnRedmond0 www.maryannredmond.com Photo cards: etsy.com/shop/MaryAnnRedmond Mary Ann’s latest video “Be Mine”: youtu.be/riCbIvZXlQQ
Old Town Crier
Jeffrey and Joanne in front of and about to ride the Giant Mechanical Elephant in Nantes and checking out the OTC while waiting in line.
On the road with OTC
“You can ride an elephant in Nantes. Not a real one, mind. The forty-foot-high, moving, mechanical beast can carry forty-nine people, and is one of the city’s most famous attractions. The Grand Elephant, as it’s known, is one of several robotic animals who roam at the Machines De L’Île, a project founded by French artists François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice, which opened in 2007 and occupies old shipyards. It has been significant in building Nantes’s contemporary cultural image. France’s sixth-largest city lacks Paris’s sophistication and Marseille’s edginess, but since the 1990s, a campaign for cultural regeneration has reimagined it as the seat of surrealism, proudly embracing the words of André Breton who famously declared the city a place “where I have the impression that something worthwhile may happen to me””
One of the many Old Town Crier favorite traveling couples, Jeffrey and Joanne Fisher took their OTC on their latest trek through France. Many thanks to Jeffrey for providing such informative captions. If you would like to see your photograph in this space, take a copy of the OTC with you and snap a high resolution image and send it along with information for the caption to office@ oldtowncrier.com. Your photo will appear both online and in the print version. Please include your mailing address so we can make sure you get a hard copy.
September 2021 | 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
BOB TAGERT
The end of summer occurs this month and fall begins. I don’t think we will miss the heat, humidity and endless rain. Fall is a lot of people’s favorite time of year. Both the mountains and the shore are more inviting. Speaking of mountains and the shore, our Road Trip this month took us to the Shenandoah Valley. It is a pleasant article with a little bit of romance thrown in. With COVID cases on the rise again Caribbean Connection recommends how to go to the Caribbean without the hassle! As our Dining Out article continues its comeback, we went outside of Old Town to Aldo’s Italian Kitchen. In Business Profile Lani Gering visited Harbor Wines in Maryland. Our Personality Profile features the one and only Tim Bauckman...of Tim’s Rivershore fame! In A Bit of History, Sarah Becker remembers 9-11, a day we will never forget and it seems odd that it has been 20 years already! In Let’s Get Crafty, Timothy Long teaches us about “Oktoberfest” the way he learned to celebrate it. Speaking of German beer check out the ad in this issue for Village Brauhaus. VB is the place to be for Oktoberfest in Old Town. Scott Dicken takes us on a trek to Oman in the Arabian Peninsula in Take Photos/Leave Footprints. Scott and his wife Ashton take all of the photos that accompany his column. They both have a great eye! All of this and much more await in this issue. As COVID increases again, I am perplexed. Being from the days of the polio vaccine, I don’t understand the reluctance of many to get vaccinated for this deadly virus. The first round nearly put us out of business. Like everyone else, we made adjustments but kept on truckin’. We still haven’t regained what we lost but are trying so we can continue to bring you interesting content and promoting Old Town and the metro area businesses. Lots going on in Alexandria this month-see the many events in the Calendar Section. If you are around Old Town on Sunday the 5th, stop by the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style taking place at Market Square! Lots of fancy cars…. We honor American workers on Monday the 6th – the 127th Anniversary of Labor Day! Take advantage of that three day weekend by taking a break! Good bye summer…..
Having some big fun at The Summit Lodge!
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE
ASHLEY ROSSON
Friends Don’t Let Friends Post While Driving
T
his past January, Virginia joined the rest of the Washington region in banning handheld personal communications devices while behind the wheel. A first violation of the handsfree law is punishable by a $125 fine. If you are caught holding a cellphone a second time while operating a motor vehicle, you will a $250 fine. Is all that really worth posting a status update at that specific time? Well apparently a lot of Virginians think so! A recent poll of over 3,100 drivers, shockingly found out that over 1 in 3 (38%) people in Virginia admit to using social 2 | September 2021
media while behind the wheel, which compared to the national average of 26%. This is a form of distracted driving. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,000 people are injured each day in the United States as the result of distracted driving. Drivers may be distracted in three different ways, according to the CDC: Visual distractions, which cause you to divert your eyes from the road and look elsewhere while driving; Manual distractions, which SOCIAL MEDIA > PAGE 5
Old Town Crier
Alexandria ` EVENTS & INFORMATION
Photo" Matt Chenet for Visit Alexandria
5TH The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free 200 to 400 blocks of King Street festivalspeedstylealex.com
The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, presented by Burke & Herbert Bank, is a spectacular, high-sensory event held annually on the unique lower blocks of King Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Featuring over 100 rare and exotic supercars and motorcycles from around the world – combined with dazzling and glamorous fashion elements and events – the festival celebrates the heart and spirit of the community and highlights the elegance and style of Old Town. It is free to spectators and open to all.
Creation & Libations at The Garden 2 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free (Donations recommended) The Garden at Building Momentum 5380 Eisenhower Ave. Suite C 703-566-9000 thegarden.net
Celebrate local this September at The Garden at Building Momentum. Browse 10+ artists set up throughout the event space for an end of summer bash. On the patio, enjoy live music from Yellow Door Concert Series, food trucks and local libations from Lost Boy Cider and Aslin Beer Co.
10TH – 19TH Old Town Cocktail Week
Admission: Varies per event Various locations throughout Old Town oldtownbusiness.org Old Town Alexandria has a vivacious and growing craft cocktail community that has caught the eye of the press and locals alike. To celebrate and honor the talent of the bartenders and businesses that support such cocktail innovation, the Old Town Business Association established Old Town Cocktail Week. This fall, celebrate all things cocktail with outdoor activities, cocktails to-go and more.
10TH Art on the Rocks
5 to 8 p.m. Admission: $55 per person Waterfront Park oldtownbusiness.org Experience the exciting kick-off to Old Town Cocktail Week. Join the Art League in tasting cocktail Old Town Crier
creations and small bites crafted by competing bartenders from favorite local establishments. Find out who will win Judges’ Choice and cast you own vote for the People’s Choice award.
16TH
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET
The Taste of Old Town North 4 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street 703-836-8065 oldtownnorth.org
The Old Town North Community Partnership will host the 2021 annual Taste of Old Town North with wellness demonstrations, shopping at the Thursday Farmers Market, Art in the Park and wine and food tastings with local businesses followed by a concert at the Montgomery Park Gazebo from 5 to 6 p.m. with local favorites Sally and the Mander, followed by Three Man Soul Machine from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Taste of Old Town North is a free, kid-friendly, dogfriendly event.
18TH Discovering Alexandria Architecture Tour
10 a.m. Admission: $20 per person Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax St. 703-549-2997 novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join Carlyle House for a tour of Alexandria looking at the various architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this one-anda-half hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.
Cinema Del Ray
Film starts at dusk Admission: Free Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields 2701 Commonwealth Ave. facebook.com/cinemadelray The Jen Walker Team presents an outdoor screening of Raya and The Last Dragon at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields. CALENDAR > PAGE 7
Market Square 301 King Street Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.
DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-profit is featured each weekend.
OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European flair and much more.
FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to reflect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, all guidelines suggested by the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health and the City of Alexandria are followed by the market managers and the vendors at these markets. September 2021 | 3
BUSINESS PROFILE
LANI GERING
The Moldova Countryside
From Moldova to Marlboro Pike
Brian and Cristina
The Marlboro Pike Warehouse. Below: Brands imported by Harbor Wines
4 | September 2021
I
t was a pleasure to meet Cristina Tufts and her husband Brian at the Harbor Wines warehouse on Marlboro Pike on a hot afternoon in late August. I was greeted with a very refreshing glass of Italian Prosecco and they proceeded to tell me their story. It is a good one. Harbor Wines isn’t exactly the typical business that we profile since they are an importer and distributor instead of a retail or service based entity but I was very taken with Cristina’s story after “texting” with her making arrangements to donate some cleaning materials for the warehouse. She and Brian live in the Harbor and I met her virtually through a mutual Facebook page. She is an amazing person. Cristina is from a small village in the equally small country of Moldova in Eastern Europe. While it is a relatively poor country, it is known for its fertile soil that is perfect for growing grapes. Thus, making wine is a large industry. In fact, Moldovans have been producing wine for literally 50 centuries. That is a longggg time. Cristina
Christina Tufts grew up drinking wine on a daily basis - a custom of most European countries. It was at a very young age when she grew to appreciate wines and the nuances they all have. You could say it was “in her blood”. She is a very well educated young woman with two Masters Degrees and she speaks 5 languages fluently. Her initial career path was in linguistics and she was headed for a job with the Federal government when it was discovered she couldn’t pass the top security clearance requirements because she had daily contact with a “foreign national”…
her mother lived with them. Even though they both had been through the rigors of immigrating from Moldova to the USA and jumped through all of the hoops, her mother was considered a threat. “In retrospect,” she tells me, “it was probably meant to be as it was a catalyst to changing my career path.” Her husband and “partner in wine”, Brian, is a Lt. Colonel stationed at Fort Belvoir and is the one responsible for getting Cristina to make the a career out of importing and marketing the wines of Moldova. They told me a fun story that they refer to as “the popcorn story”. On one of Brian’s visits to Moldova to see Cristina, he took her on a date that ended up in noshing on popcorn and wine! See, I told you they like their wine in Moldova. Anyway, the bottle of wine that Cristina opened was a 1989 vintage. Brian, even though he didn’t consider himself as a wine connoisseur, thought it unusual to open such an old vintage thinking that since it was well aged, it would be expensive. Cristina looked BUSINESS PROFILE > PAGE 5
Old Town Crier
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE | FROM PG 2
cause you to remove one or both hands from the steering wheel; Cognitive distractions, which take your mind off the task of driving and increase the amount of time required to respond to changes in traffic condition surrounding your vehicle. Taking selfies with your cell phone and posting them to social media involves all three forms of distraction. A 2015 study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions found that two popular photo and video sharing sites —Snapchat and Instagram — headed the list of apps that most distract teen drivers. An Instagram search revealed an alarming number of posts related to the following hashtags: • #drivingselfies: over 6,500 posts • #drivingtowork: over 20,000 posts • #drivinghome: over 96,000 posts The single, one-word hashtag #driving reveals a shocking 4.4 million posts
from people who endangered themselves, their passengers, and others on the road by taking selfies while driving. When it comes to distracted driving, you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. According to the www.Distraction.gov website, taking your attention away from the road for even five seconds can equal the entire length of a football field when traveling in a car going 55 miles per hour. Help prevent injuries and save lives caused by distracted driving by doing the following: Share information concerning the dangers of Smartphone use, texting, and taking selfies behind the wheel with your family and friends; Educate yourself on other types of distracted driving behaviors, such as checking email, setting GPS systems, switching radio stations, and eating or drinking while driving; Take the pledge at Distraction.gov to drive safely yourself and to speak out when you are a passenger in a vehicle in which a driver is engaging in distracted driving. Follow these tips and don’t let that last post be…your last!
BUSINESS PROFILE | FROM PG 4
at him and just laughed and asked “what’s the big deal?” It turns out that the local currency exchange rate to US dollars was about $2.89. The wine was very good and Brian saw some merit in what it could be marked up to and sold on U.S. soil. The plan was soon set in motion. After getting through all of the red tape required to import from a foreign country and opening a business in Maryland, Harbor Wines was operational in 2016. After finding the perfect sized warehouse on Marlboro Pike, the business was fully operational in 2019. They were on a roll when the pandemic hit but she has managed to maintain her clients and is looking forward to expanding the list. Harbor Wines is classified as a “boutique” distributor and that lends to having unique product. While she concentrates on the wines
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Top: Moldova Right: Moldovian Stamp of Moldova, she also handles vintages from several boutique wineries throughout Europe, Africa and New Zealand as well as here in the USA. I asked who her clientele was and was pleasantly surprised to hear that the MGM Grand in National Harbor is her main client. She also supplies wines to other outlets in Maryland and DC and is looking to tap into the Commonwealth soon. Cristina is a one-woman show in every sense of the phrase. She is the CEO, CFO,
COO, VP of Marketing and Distribution and head forklift driver. Brian told me that, “She came to the US with two suitcases and 13 years later she has a closet full of shoes!” With great pride and a beautiful smile she says, “I am living the American dream!” If you are in the market for an importer/distributor in the area and want to work with this wonderful company, log on to harborwines.com. I am pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.
As they say in Moldova. . .
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September 2021 | 5
PERSONALITY PROFILE
BOB TAGERT
The One and Only
Tim Bauckman
Timbuktu Sign
T
his is a story about a local guy who didn’t go west (except for his recent trip to Sturgis, South Dakota), but instead, stayed in Virginia and created the iconic Tim’s Rivershore and Crabhouse on the Potomac. I had not been back to this riverside escape until recently when we went to hear our friend, George Brown’s band... Gottaway. As we arrived at 2:30 on a crowded Saturday and hoped for a parking spot near the restaurant, here comes Tim directing and he found me a spot. That is the kind of guy he is, “Whatever it takes”. After 28 years and three more restaurants, Tim is losing his lease. The restaurant sits comfortably on the shore of the Potomac River with the waves gently washing the rocky beach and the VRE and Amtrak trains speeding down the tracks on the other side. He has to vacate the property by 5:00 pm on September 30th. We have one more month to enjoy this classic get-a-way. Tim grew up in the Woodbridge area not far from 6 | September 2021
his current restaurant. He attended Woodbridge High School and was a couple of years ahead of Lori Welsh Brown, our Open Space writer – small world. While furthering his education, Tim took an engineering internship at Georgetown University building new dorms. Unfortunately, while climbing down a ladder, that he didn’t realize had a rung missing, he fell through it and ended up hanging upside down. This incident was probably exacerbated by the fact that he was checking out the topless co-eds sunbathing on the roof of an adjacent building, but nonetheless, the accident blew his knee out and he spent the rest of the year on crutches. During that year he just hung out at the restaurant that his dad was building in Lake Ridge...Charlie Brown’s. One day as he was watching his uncle, a lifelong carpenter, building the bar he noticed that the bulkhead was crooked and pointed it out to the 70 year old craftsman. “See, I had to
open my mouth”, Tim tells me. His uncle told his observant nephew that he was “nuts” but, on further measuring, indeed, it was off by 6 inches. “What they had done was measure down from the roof which was set at a slant,” Tim remembers, “My uncle got pissed and quit so my dad came over and said ‘looks like you have a job!’” From that day forward Tim became the general contractor on the job. When computer systems hit the market he had to train the staff who apparently could not grasp the concept from the presentation by the vendor, so on opening night his dad asked, “You know how to work these?” “I replied yes and he said “Just do it”. The next thing he knew, thirteen years had passed with Tim running the restaurant. Ironically, his father sold the restaurant to Mr. Ray the then owner of the Fish Market Restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria – more small world. After managing other restaurants and some construction jobs Tim ran
into some friends who were opening the Bar J Steakhouse in Woodbridge and they asked if he would manage the place. He told them he had a day job but would manage it at night. Living in Fredericksburg, he would get up early, go to the Nokesville Virginia day job office and then to the job site and try to get out by 3:30 and go to Woodbridge to the restaurant and then leave for home around 10:30. The next day he would do it all over again. “It was a lot of hours and a lot of miles,” he laments. Change was on the horizon. One day a friend noticed that Tim was dragging and invited him for a day on the river. “I said ‘sure’, I hadn’t been out on the water in a long time,” he remembers. At the end of the day they all wanted to get some crabs, but the group wanted to bypass The Rivershore Restaurant because of its’ “seedy” reputation. “Wait, I know these people,” Tim admitted, so they tied up at the restaurant. It was in pretty bad shape so they decided to leave but an old friend of his dad’s told Tim that he should buy the restaurant. By the way, crabs cost $35 a bushel back in 1993. A short time later Tim borrowed $10,000 from a
friend and they took over the place. “It started slow but every day business grew,” he said, “and this has been the best little place that I have ever known.” After 28 years the march of progress has caught up to this neat little property. It is sad. Before the development of Potomac Shores, the only road to Tim’s River Shore was Cherry Hill Road. You felt like driving in the mountains on a narrow road that crossed the railroad tracks and arrived at this little oasis on the Potomac. Today Cherry Hill Road has been cut in half by the development and its’ own roads. The last part of Cherry Hill Road is intact and still leads you to the river and Tim’s. Although this was the first Rivershore, Bauckman did not sit still. Next came Tim’s II down the river at Fairview Beach. He took over the restaurant at Coles Point Marina farther down the Potomac a few years ago and he opened Tim’s Restaurant and Crabhouse on Lake Anna. “This is the one my wife and I call our “real” restaurant...it has 300 seats,” he brags. It’s hard to believe that Tim has any down time, but he does
PERSONALITY PROFILE > PAGE 7
Old Town Crier
OLD TOWN Mini-Mart
PERSONALITY PROFILE | FROM PAGE 6
love his motorcycles – lots of stories about their virgin trip to the popular rally in Sturgis, SD last month - and the women in his life. His wife Jamie, his three daughters and his niece are the light of his life. His blue eyes twinkle when he talks about them. The girls are all grown and “out of the house” leaving he and Jamie to their own devices and that brings a big smile to his face! Spare time is spent on the road with likeminded motor heads, a little time on the water and time with the family. It is true that sometimes “out of sight, out of mind” is sadly CALENDAR | FROM PAGE 3
18TH & 19TH Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $28 per adult; $15 per youth; free for children five and under and for members George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org Take in the sights and sounds of the marketplace on Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field. Chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares, hear live music from the colonial era and watch as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. Plus, see General Washington in the General’s Tent. Colonial Market & Fair is included with general admission.
19th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free 300 John Carlyle St. artfestival.com/festivals/19thannual-alexandria-old-townart-festival
The 19th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival is heading back to John Carlyle Square in 2021. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality,
Tim and Jamie Headed to the Rally true. With the traffic around here, Tim’s Rivershore is closer to Alexandria by boat than by car. I am kicking myself for not thinking about this great escape more often. If you go this September you may find
Tim parking cars, bringing in last minute supplies from a local purveyor or visiting with his many regulars. He is always doing something. He is also very easy to talk to and he has quite a story.
diversity and creativity of art on display, exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. The show is rated as one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine. Please be mindful and follow all CDC guidelines.
The TWIG’s 79th Historic Homes Tour, “Garden Glimpses,” will include 14 addresses located in the southeast quadrant of Old Town, the majority of which are new to the tour. The tour will include gardens and backyard areas, with docents narrating information about the property. Tour maps can be picked up the morning of the event at the Alexandria Visitor Center, TWIG Thrift Shop, Boxwood and Old Presbyterian Meeting House.
24TH Tell Me Your Name
5 p.m. Admission: $10 per person Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax St. 703-549-2997 novaparks.com/parks/carlylehouse-historic-park Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and John Carlyle’s plantations. The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18th-century Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Reservations are required as space is limited.
25TH 79th Historic Homes Tour, “Garden Glimpses”
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $30 in advance; $35 day of tour Old Town Alexandria 703-683-5544 thetwig.org/homes-tour
822 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.549.7167 Open 5:00 am-Midnight
Hollin Hills House + Garden Tour
12 to 6 p.m. Admission: Regular: $50 per person; VIP: $80 per person Registration at Hollin Meadows Elementary School 2310 Nordock Place hollinhillsmodern.com This self-guided walking tour will showcase stunning examples of mid-century modern architecture, landscaping and interior design. New this year, participate in special activities throughout the day such as morning yoga, a furniture showcase and more. All ticket holders are required to check in at registration to receive a wristband and program that includes a listing and map of all the homes and gardens open during the tour. The tour will take place rain or shine. Sponsors and VIP ticket holders can register beginning at 10 a.m. and access the tour early at 11 a.m.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA Named a Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2020 for three consecutive years by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities 2020 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked into 18th- and 19th-century architecture still intact from the city’s days as George Washington’s hometown ignite historic and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy. Learn more at VisitAlexandriaVA.com.
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September 2021 | 7
FINANCIAL FOCUS
CARL TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN BEARCE
What is behavioral finance … and why should you care?
I
nvestors may like to think they’re completely rational in their decision-making, but that’s highly unlikely. We don’t stop being human beings when it comes to investing, so psychology and emotions are apt to play roles—sometimes large ones—in the choices we make. Behavioral finance studies investors’ real-life behavior and common biases. It considers the roles emotions and psychology play in making financial decisions and aims to identify factors that cause investors to sometimes act irrationally. A key concept in behavioral finance is “prospect theory,” which describes how investors make decisions involving risk and gain. Studies have shown people frequently consider losses far more undesirable than they find comparable gains desireable. For example, take the following scenarios: Given the first scenario, most people will avoid the risk and take option one (the sure $3,000 gain). On the other hand, when presented the second scenario, most favor option two (the 75% chance of losing $4,000) because it offers the possibility of avoiding the pain of a loss. Keep in mind – and this is important – all four
choices are mathematically equivalent. This means individuals’ responses were based primarily on their emotional reactions to fear of loss vs. enjoyment of gain, not rational decision-making.
The psychology of risk and reward If you ever wonder why markets sometimes act in ways that defy logic, behavioral finance helps explain it. For example, bubbles can form when prices rise based on investors’ emotional reactions rather than the fundamentals. Once their sentiment eventually changes, a precipitous sell-off can follow. Take what’s come to be known as the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s. Soon after the internet’s introduction, investors realized its potential to transform our everyday lives (which it clearly has). What they were over-optimistic about were internet-based companies’ abilities to quickly create profitable businesses. In response to investors’ enthusiasm, the NASDAQ Index, where many of these companies’ stocks were listed, rose 189% during the two years leading up to its
PROSPECT THEORY 100% CHANCE OF GETTING $3,000 SCENARIO 1 75% CHANCE OF GETTING $4,000 (25% CHANCE OF GETTING $0)
100% CHANCE OF LOSING $3,000 SCENARIO 2 75% CHANCE OF LOSING $4,000 (25% CHANCE OF LOSING $0) peak in March 2000. Perhaps more significantly, the price/ earnings (P/E) ratio—a measure commonly used to determine how expensive stocks are (the higher the ratio, the more expensive stocks are considered to be)— was 175. By comparison, it was only approximately 24 at the end of 2020.
That suggests many investors were caught up in the furor over the New Economy and ignored the fundamentals. When investors realized it would be a long time before many of these companies became profitable, the bubble burst and stock prices plummeted. The lesson for investors
is the importance of being diversified and investing primarily based on fundamentals—not on emotion and the fear of missing out on the next “big thing.” Of course, diversification strategies do not guarantee investment returns or eliminate the risk of loss.
This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice PresidentInvestments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2020-2021 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved. 8 | September 2021
Old Town Crier
©2021 SARAH BECKER
A BIT OF HISTORY
S eptember 11, 2001 _
TWENTY YEARS LATER
_
I
n October 2001— twenty years ago in this column—I wrote: “On September 11 a group of hateful terrorists turned commercial airplanes into weapons and bombed The Pentagon and the World Trade Center. More than six thousand Americans are missing and the death toll continues to rise. The FBI has code named the egregious episode PENTBOM. Alexandrians are well aware of the disaster. Phone service was interrupted. F16s fly overhead, and the Coast Guard defends the Potomac River. The Capitol is vulnerable and so are we!” Although the day’s events are behind us still we remember those who died: at the Pentagon, in New York City, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I watched the Pentagon burn; from my front stoop. The smoke, the airborne particles darkened an otherwise blue sky. “The Arab perpetrators did not act on behalf of nationstates,” my 2001 column continued. “They are selfdetermined hijackers who belonged in terrorist cells in as many as 50 countries. Retaliation is inevitable and as Americans we must now ask ourselves, at what cost does good overcome evil?” On September 11, 2001, America seemed unassailable. The Soviet Union had fallen and the millennial mood was optimistic. President George W. Bush [R-TX] was settling into office. His arrival was
Old Town Crier
controversial, his focus mostly domestic. Bush considered treaties “as counter to U.S. self-interest.” “The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom,” President Bush forewarned in his January 20, 2001, Inaugural Address. “We will defend…our interests. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve.” When President Bush first heard news of the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy his advisors assumed the crash was “a tragic accident.” When the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center 20 minutes later he got it. “Terrorism against our nation will not stand,” the President exclaimed. “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundation of our
biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America,” Bush said in his later 9/11 television address. “These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” Soon after, in the fall of 2001, the U.S. moved into Afghanistan and “crushed the Taliban government that had supported the al-Qaeda terrorist forces.” Many of the 9/11 hijackers were trained in Afghan camps. “In four short months, our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New York and the Pentagon… captured, arrested, and rid the world of thousands of terrorists, destroyed Afghanistan’s terrorist training camps, saved a people from starvation, and freed a country from brutal oppression,” President Bush explained in his 2002 State of the Union message.
The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. And terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are running for their own. Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition, and to the might of the United States military… And tonight we are winning the war on terror. “States like North Korea, Iran and Iraq constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world,” Bush continued. “By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. America will work closely
with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction…[A] ll nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation’s security.” The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was founded on November 25, 2002 [Public Law 107-296]. A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 10
September 2021 | 9
A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 9
In the spring of 2003, despite global opposition, President Bush “launched arguably the first preemptive war in American history.” Charging that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein held weapons of mass destruction Bush then convinced Congress to authorize an invasion. Operation Iraqi Freedom began on March 20, 2003: ended on August 31, 2010. Yet on May 1, 2003— while speaking on the USS Abraham Lincoln—Bush declared the “major combat operations” over, the Mission Accomplished. America’s excitement was short-lived. Why? Because Saudi-born al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden—chief architect of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States—had yet to die. “Every day bin Laden was alive was a symbolic al-Qaeda victory,” The Washington Post inferred. Bin Laden died on May 2, 2011, in what U.S. officials described as a surgical raid on his luxury hideout in Pakistan. Said newly-retired, 20year, USMC veteran Major David Romley after receiving
news of bin Laden’s death: “In general, I believe there will be a monumental—albeit gradual—shift to the way in which our citizenry thinks about the current war. I believe history will remember it as being 10 years long— from 2001 to 2011.” “Of course, that won’t be exactly true,” Romley continued. “We will always battle terrorism. Yet this single event gives us, our government the political capital to reduce the financial and human resources we currently apply to military operations, weapons and domestic security.” Romley, an Alexandrian “was at sea on the USS Pelelieu on 9/11 and was one of the first conventional forces on the ground in Afghanistan in November 2001,” the May 5, 2011, Alexandria GazettePacket explained. Now President Joe Biden [D-DE] has ordered an August 31 end to America’s longest allied war: the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. President Donald Trump (R-NY), as per his administration’s Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan, hoped to withdraw all U.S. troops by the
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November 2020 election. Trump’s February 29, 2020, Agreement, Part One, B: “With the commitment and action on the obligations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is not recognized by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban…the United States, its allies, and the Coalition will execute the following: 1) The United States, its allies, and the Coalition will complete withdrawal of all remaining forces from Afghanistan within the remaining nine and a half (9.5) months. 2) The United States [et.al] will withdraw all their forces from remaining bases.” Contrary to others Bush backed nation-building: the freedom of the Afghan people, women especially. Biden has long believed “rebuilding is beyond our capacity.” “We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build,” Biden confirmed on July 8. “[I]t’s the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run their country.” “The longer we stay in Afghanistan the stronger the Taliban gets: the weaker, less stable the government becomes,” U.S. Senator and Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Chris Murphy [D-CT] said recently. “President Biden’s decision is a bow to reality.” The Taliban, since the withdrawal announcement, “have captured” more Afghanistan’s districts than not. As of August 16 the Taliban have seized Kabul; the Afghan President has fled the country and Afghan citizens are praying for a reprieve. “The events of 9/11 demonstrate how severe economic hardships and social alienation can provide a breeding ground for extremist ideologies and terrorism,” United Nations Senior Policy Analyst Randy Rydell penned in 2010. “Confronting such challenges is not easy, particularly given that the primary actor remains the nation-state. While the nation-state has proven its versatility, it has also revealed its limitations. [W]e grapple with security concepts developed in a pre-atomic age.” “America is not only a nation with deficits it also carries the imperial burden,” London School of Economics
Department of International Relations professor Michael Cox noted. “Plus, Americans have an even stronger sense that changes taking place globally—especially the Middle East—are fast undermining the country’s ability to shape what is taking place around it…We live in a trans-global age, internet and all.” “Twenty years will have passed since our nation was attacked,” The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum Board Chairman Michael Bloomberg said on March 11. “We suffered a great tragedy that day and for the weeks and months that followed. We mourned the victims of the attacks and promised never to forget.” The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum was dedicated in 2011 and occupies eight of The World Trade Center’s 16 acres. The American Heritage Dictionary defines terrorism as “the political use of violence or intimidation,” to terrorize as “to coerce by intimidation or fear.” How, I ask myself, does today’s January 6 Capitol violent extremist compare? Donald Trump, in an interview with Carol Leonnig and Phillip Rucker, described the January 6 Capitol insurgents as a “loving crowd.” Yet more than 600 protesters have been charged with individual crimes. “It is not possible to examine the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol without an understanding of the overall terrorism threat picture leading up to that day,” FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on June 15, 2021. “In 2020, the FBI assessed the greatest terrorism threat to the homeland was from lone actors or small cells who typically become radicalized online and look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons.” “The FBI sees these threats manifested within both domestic violent extremists (DVEs) and homegrown violent extremists (HVEs)— two distinct threats—both of which are located primarily in the United States and typically become radicalized and mobilized to violence on their own,” Wray continued. “Individuals who commit violent criminal acts in furtherance of social or political goals stemming from domestic influences—some of which include racial or ethnic
bias, or anti-government or anti-authority sentiments—are described as DVEs, whereas HVEs are individuals who are inspired primarily by global jihad, but not receiving individualized direction from foreign terrorist organizations.” Millions watched as New York’s World Trade Center events unfolded. Others followed American Airlines Flight 77 as it crashed into the west side of the Pentagon. One hundred twenty-five Pentagon personnel were killed as were all who traveled aboard the airplane. “For an entire generation, at home and abroad, the United States has waged a war on terror,” Spencer Ackerman wrote in his newly-released book Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump. “Fighting it has produced neither peace nor victory, but it has transformed America. [It has] turned the war on terror into a cultural and then tribal struggle….” Said Alexandria Quaker Edward Stabler in 1814: “We cannot therefore but desire the advent of that glorious day, in which the ‘people shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks,’ when ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation.’” Thankfully September 11 is also a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The National Day is described as a historic, enduring compassionate legacy honoring 9/11 victims and their families: first responders, rescue and recovery workers. Please volunteer! Vaccinations and masks included. Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email: abitofhistory53@ gmail.com Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD
R
ecently I have gone on a medieval British historical fiction journey, in which I turned to a master of the genre for entertainment and enlightenment. Sharon Kay Penman wrote the Welsh Trilogy, including the books Here Be Dragons, Falls the Shadow, and The Reckoning. Based on real historical figures and set in thirteenth-century England, they focus on a period of upheaval between England, Wales, and France, Old Town Crier
MIRIAM R. KRAMER
featuring battles and political machinations that will attract fans of a TV series like House of Cards, or the multitudes tired of waiting for George R.R. Martin’s next Game of Thrones installment. Penman named Here Be Dragons her favorite of all her novels. She was fascinated to introduce her readers to a Welsh noble known as Llywelyn (Llewelyn) Fawr– Llewelyn the Great. This self-styled Prince of Wales, a strong-willed leader and
negotiator who understood his tenuous position as England encroached on his lands, married Joanna, the illegitimate daughter of King John, Henry Plantagenet’s son. A political match became personal as the two fell deeply in love. Penman paints Wales as a place of fiercely independent people with advanced views of women’s rights, where male or female illegitimacy does THE LAST WORD > PAGE 13
September 2021 | 11
HIGH NOTES
A
friend of mine introduced me to Dawes’ music a while back and I was immediately impressed by the band’s thoughtful songwriting and rootsy rock vibe. They deliver melodies and musical arrangements that are second to no band in their niche and since they’ll be in our area playing a show at the Warner Theatre on September 15th, I thought I would give my thoughts on their latest single, “Fisherman’s Blues”. The lyrics for “Fisherman’s Blues” express a longing for freedom, love, and inner peace. Dawes communicate this longing through symbolic lines about the open sea and untouched countryside. The lyrics of the chorus further express this longing as vocalist Taylor Goldsmith–singing about the object of his yearning–delivers the lines, “With light in my head / You in my arms”. There is a hopeful and honest tone to “Fisherman’s Blues” as well. It
12 | September 2021
RON POWERS
Fisherman’s Blues by Dawes
gives expression to heartache yet at the same time has an inspirational feel that expresses the belief that things will get better. The song begins with slowly strummed guitar chords processed with heavy tremolo and reverb effects. A laid-back drum groove is also added which is composed of kick drum, rim shots, and the subtle use of hihat and tambourine. Under the guitar chords and drum pattern, we hear a smooth synth pad supporting the mellow feeling of the verses. Finally, the topline of the verse is delivered with a soft yet sturdy melody sung with a falsetto register. As the verse ends, keyboardist Lee Pardini adds a rising filter effect to his synth which gives a gentle lift to the music as the song transitions
into the chorus. For the chorus, bass guitar is added along with drums played with added intensity giving the song increased weight and power. Harmonies are layered under the topline for a full and thick vocal sound that contrasts nicely against the verses. We also hear a faint syncopated melody line from the synth giving the music increased dimension and shine. Additionally, the guitars continue their slow strummed pattern except with added overdrive for color and increased energy. After delivering subtle yet significant musical variations for the second verse and chorus, Dawes delivers a swaying and dreamy instrumental. The central element of the instrumental is the lead guitar. Heavy distortion and reverb are applied along
with a tight vibrato effect which combined to create a lively electricity sort of sound. The syncopated melody line of the keyboard is also accentuated on the instrumental and the band adds more velocity to their playing in general. Dawes is currently on tour and has concerts booked well into 2022. As mentioned above they’ll be making a stop in DC at Warner Theatre. You can find tickets for the show in DC and any of the other tour dates at dawestheband.com. If you’d like to learn more about Dawes you can find them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. If you’d like to listen to their music, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant, and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.
Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD | FROM PAGE 11
not disqualify anyone from inheriting money or land. In this way she continually emphasizes a nascent feminism that took root in a country whose people resisted oversight. In her books the Welsh people’s fatal flaw is fighting with each other over territory, thus weakening their ability to resist the much more heavily populated England. As King John maneuvered to make Wales more English and a vassal state, Joanna found herself torn between a husband she adores and a father who loved her but acted ruthlessly towards those from her adopted country. Falls the Shadow becomes the story of Simon de Montfort, a driven, clever Frenchman whose silver tongue earned him an earldom and the hand of Eleanor, also known as Nell. Nell was the sister of King Henry III, an irresolute, temperamental man who could be vindictive but loved his family. Many of Penman’s characters come in shades of grey, rather than black and white, making them relatable even in novels that are about battles and political rivalries. In time the deeply Christian Simon made an enemy of the king by pushing reforms that would lessen the power of the monarchy while giving more to the nobility and even commoners in the trade guilds in London. Like Joanna, Nell was torn between family members, since her brother eventually wanted to destroy her husband, Simon. In particular, Simon wanted to use his native leadership abilities to create a slightly more democratic society. A woman equally strongminded as her husband, Nell supported him in the face of her brother’s enmity. Simon’s story is one of a flawed, admirable man, one whose implacable will made inroads into the political development of England. The Reckoning continues the story of Llewelyn Fawr’s descendants. Llewelyn lost his most cherished links to his family and looked for a successor. His illegitimate son, Gruffydd, was too impulsive and anti-British to unify Wales and keep England at bay, so he looked to Davydd, his son by his English wife, Joanna, to carry his mantle. Old Town Crier
Wales did not have the strength to battle King John or his successor, King Henry III, so he needed a wily maneuverer who could bend the knee when necessary, but also battle to keep the English from Anglicizing Wales through colonizing its land and imposing its system of laws. Henry III, a feeble king who often made disastrous decisions regarding battles with France and Wales, became weaker and even more irrelevant as his canny, treacherous son Edward I takes control of the country. Llewelyn’s grandson, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, had the leadership abilities to rule the country as the selfstyled Prince of Wales. He consolidated his internally warring peoples to a level not even seen in his grandfather’s time. In Penman’s books the Welsh engaged in a constant struggle to retrieve territories from British nobles who have seized those on the border, and then British attempts to burrow further into the Welsh way of life. The Welsh regained them, and then the British took them again. Llewelyn battled Edward I, the predatory, tough warrior who became king after his father. Edward I was much more dangerous than Henry III. Llewelyn must also keep tabs on the brother he loves who constantly betrays him, the whimsical, treacherous Davydd. In marrying Ellen, the daughter of Nell de Montfort, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd achieved happiness despite the many concessions he made to Edward I to release her from his confinement. Penman sometimes temporarily turns her stories into bodice-rippers when she writes the romantic relationships of the Welsh princes, but they are very engaging. There is an end to the combined tales of these Welsh rulers, and I will not spoil the details. Penman writes a ripping yarn with verve, pathos, and humor. She brings her portraits of nobles to life with vivid descriptions of battles, political parleys, and romance, along with violent, fair-minded, pitiless, and charismatic characters. Penman describes the casual cruelties of medieval punishments with ease and does not neglect the sad stories of the Jews of London and other urban areas, blamed for usury while restricted
from practicing trades. As is the traditional case in history, they were the scapegoats who paid for the vagaries of Londoners’ fortunes. When they had to charge high interest rates because some people would not pay them back, Londoners and others attack them, while rulers constantly consider expelling them from the country. Penman repeatedly includes the theme of women’s rights and prejudices against Jews throughout these stories, hoping to portray them as fully fledged humans in a time that did not consider them as such. I also recommend Penman’s trilogy to those who enjoy Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, or anyone who relishes a lively story of that time frame replete with glittering character studies. These novels are less literary than the works of Hilary Mantel, for example, and appropriate for a more casual and fun read. Enjoy visiting medieval England, France, and Wales, and breathe a sigh of relief when you return.
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September 2021 | 13
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
GALLERY BEAT
Porcelain Decor by Jennifer McCurdy
Ceramic vase by Jake Johnson
I
first proposed a slightly different version of this art fair model to all the organizations mentioned in this article about a decade ago, when there was (even then) a sense of art fatigue brewing in the art world. Result: zip, nada, nothing! No one even answered my letters (remember letters?). In a post-Covidian world, I suspect that a lot of people will still be a little leery of large group gatherings, and art fairs based on preCovidian standards may be a bit antiquated in the Brave Chickenized New World. Herewith a revised Campello Art Fair Model. The important thing to remember, as I mull, chew, and refine a “new” post-Covidian art fair model to replace the existing pre-Covidian art fair model, which in its American incarnations seemed to work well only in Miami and New York, but not so well in the West coast (and as we DMVbased folks have seen with (e) merge and artDC, not at all in the capital region), is the marriage of a legitimate art entity (a museum) with an artfor-sale process as a means to raise funds. The seeds for this model already exist in the DC region 14 | September 2021
with the Smithsonian Craft Show, now in its third decade. Considered by many to be the finest craft fair in the world -- and from the many artists that I have spoken to over the years -- one of the best places to sell fine crafts as well, this prestigious and highly competitive juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft usually takes place each April for four days. It takes place at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC and it includes one-of-a-kind and limited-edition craft objects in 12 different media: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood. There were 120 exhibitors in their last show, including emerging artists and master craftsmen, over 30 of whom were first-time participants. Twelve of those selected were also first-time applicants to the show. All were chosen by a panel of expert jurors from a highly competitive field of close to 1,400 applicants. So, we have a model for crafts in DC which has been working for over 30 years. See where I’m going? Can we envision the
THE CAMPELLO WAY… Smithsonian American Art Fair? Or... The Smithsonian American International Art Fair? The SAIAF would dramatically expand the business model of the Smithsonian Craft Fair to a National Mall-wide - outdoors - or even a citywide art fair anchored and guided by the Smithsonian Institution, and possibly either: (a) spread throughout the various accommodating outdoor spaces at the various SI locales around the National Mall or even… (b) in temporary art spaces, booth, or containers on the open spaces of the National Mall itself! The latter is not as big of a deal as it sounds. The National Mall already hosts a spectacular variety of outdoor events on the Mall spaces where complex display spaces are temporarily built, secured and just as quickly dismantled, grass re-seeded, and by Monday the Mall is back to normal. Boom! For art, all we need is protection from the weather and security. Perhaps even a combination of “free” (to the
public) set of exhibitors (maybe out on the Mall) coupled with a paid admission set of exhibitors inside SI spaces -- or just make them all free to the public? Details... details... This new fair model would be open to both commercial art galleries and art dealers, as well as to art schools, and (and here’s the key “and”) to individual artists and cooperative artistowned galleries. Size matters… just ask Salvador Dali, who once said: “If you can’t paint well, then paint big!” Would 1200 galleries, dealers, schools and artists in a mega, new-model art fair raise some interests from art collectors to come to DC for a long weekend in May? It would if it attracted 100,000 visitors to the fair instead of 10,000 (like the looooong gone art fair artDC once attracted). Are you aware that in May the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival in nearby Bethesda attracts 3040,000 people to the streets of Bethesda for this artist-only street fine arts fair? or that also in May the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival attracts the same number of people to the streets of the Reston Town Center to buy art from
individual artists? Both Bethesda and Reston have two of the highest median household incomes in the US. And I am told that the Greater Washington, DC region has the second highest concentration of multi-millionaires in the world. The money is here - the key is to get the disposable income crowd in touch with the art. Both Bethesda and Reston manage to accomplish this one weekend each year. Do not, under any circumstances assume that these are “street fairs” where teddy bears, country crafts, and dried flowers are sold. These are both highly competitive fine arts outdoor fairs where artists from all over the nation come to and compete for spots because artwork sells well. I have seen $80,000 worth of sculptures sell to one collector in Bethesda and a painter with a price point of $17,000 sell out in Reston. Do not let the snobby attitude of the high art world affect your preconception of what these two street art fairs are like; go visit one this coming (and hopefully post Covidian) and open your eyes. In 2021 the fairs slipped from May to later months… but I am sure that GALLERY BEAT > `PAGE 15
Old Town Crier
Basket Acorn pendant by Stephen Zeh
Ceramic Bowls by Teresa Chang
GALLERY BEAT | FROM PAGE 14
aligning the weekends so that both Reston, Bethesda, and the Smithsonian American International Art Fair all take place on the same weekend! Offer free bus service between Reston and Bethesda and the National Mall for collectors to hop around during the fair weekend, and a public buzz alignment will begin to happen. The Smithsonian American International Art Fair starts on a Thursday through Sunday and both Reston and Bethesda continue to run on Saturday and Sunday. And the Smithsonian American International Art Fair is focused as a major fundraiser for the cash-hungry SI. A formula of booth prices + perhaps a 5% commission on all sales (both tax deductible for American galleries) would take care of temporary Mall booth construction, re-seeding of grass, and booth construction inside SI venues and still yield a nice chunk of cash for the SI. If there’s commercial success and high public attendance, soon we’d see some satellite hotel fairs popping up all over DC and its easy-to-get-to suburbs; the Phillips will jump on the bandwagon right away. ABMB had 26 fairs all over Greater Miami last December. Another DC-unique element to the above model, and an important element that only a Washington art fair weekend can add: include the
Woven Rug by Dana Fisk Williams
they’ll be back to May in 2022. And because of them, and because of the success of Art Basel Miami Beach, we know that given a certain critical mass, people will come out to an art fair. The primary key for art dealers to have interest in an art fair is sales (and also exposure to new collectors, museum curators, etc.), but mainly sales. If you are a British gallery, by the time you get yourself and your artwork to Miami Beach, you’re in the hole a whole bunch of Euros and British pounds; if you don’t sell anything (like it happened to a British gallery in artDC and an Israeli gallery at another fair), chances are that you won’t return to that fair. But increase the public attendance numbers exponentially, and Economics 101 tells you that sales will also increase exponentially. And unlike the hoteldeprived artDC location at the Convention Center, I am told by DC’s tourist gurus that the National Mall is already a magnet location where visitors, regardless of where they are staying around the Greater DC region, flock to during their visits to the capital. Since two major Greater DC area street art fairs already exist in May in the Greater DC area, we can even consider
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Fall is Coming ... Really
That crisp bite in the air is on its way and we are ready with the colors of the season! You’ll want transitional pieces and jackets that can move from autumn into winter with ease. We have many one-of-a-kind pieces and some lovely new jackets in all sizes from our favorite designers and friends. Make a day of it in Alexandria! Bring a friend for lunch at one of our charming restaurants and some splendid shopping in the Historic District–and especially–at Imagine. Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Syreni Caledonii (Northern Atlantic Mermaid). Watercolor, charcoal and Conte. 2019, 12x36 inches.
Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC, Washington, DC www.alidaanderson.com / info@alidaanderson.com
Old Town Crier
Embassies! In addition to all the above events taking place, the fair could also align with shows at 15-20 embassy galleries around DC. The embassies would showcase one (or a group) of their national artists, and then the fair would really have an international flavor, and the beginning seeds of an American Venice in the DMV. DC is a small city; it’s fairly easy to set up transportation between the embassies and the Mall. In fact, some embassies could probably set that up themselves. I think that this “new” super model could (and eventually when someone delivers and implements it -- it will) challenge Miami Beach -- and yes, I am aware that DC in May is not Miami in December -- but I also think that the District’s own museums and public attractions trump Miami’s anytime, so the DMV has something different to offer the potential collector who may be considering attending a new art fair in a city (like DC) that also offers him/her some other cultural and visual attractions besides good weather, and nice beaches… and Calle Ocho. DC art commissioners... Smithsonianos... DC city fathers and mothers.... call me!
1124 King Street • Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 548-1461 • imagineartwear.com
September 2021 | 15
TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
SCOTT DICKEN
Photos: Scott Dicken
F
rom the bustling Arabic marketplace of Mutrah Souk where fragrant frankincense wafts through the air, to the beauty of the country’s forts, mosques and turquoise sheltered waters of the Musandam Peninsula, Oman caters to all tastes. It’s capital Muscat, once a pivotal Middle East trading port, is often overlooked by tourists opting for the glitzy opulence of nearby Dubai and Abu Dhabi, completely missing Oman’s timeless Arabic charm. Heading out of the capital city offers a chance to experience 16 | September 2021
a traditional Bedouin way of life in small villages tucked into the base of the Hajar mountains or dotted amongst the country’s many wadis. If you’re looking to visit a country steeped in mysticism that is cultivating a dynamic new market for tourism then you’ve come to the right place. Here are my top 5 reasons for visiting the beautiful country of Oman:
Diversity of Landscape For photographers, Oman truly is the land of plenty. From the never-ending red
sands of the ‘empty-quarter’ that spans Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE, to the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) range, Oman has a dizzying diversity of landscapes that capture the imagination and will enliven any holiday slideshow. In just a few days you have the opportunity to visit deserts, mountain ranges, sparkling seas, towering fjords, otherworldly canyon wadis, and the deep oceanside sinkhole; Bimmah. The Middle East automatically conjures images of Bedouin tribes crossing vast deserts by
camel, but Oman’s lush green valleys and rolling mists of the Southern Dhofar region stand in stark contrast.
Culture Muscat is the perfect place to get acquainted with the culture of Oman. Muscat Old Town houses the opulent ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos, the Al Alam Palace in addition to the surrounding Mirani and Jalali 14th Century Forts. For a taste of commercial life head to bustling Mutrah souk; the city’s oldest traditional
Arabian market. This is where you’ll be able to buy your souvenirs including leather shoes, gold and antiquities whilst taking in the smells of frankincense that linger in the air. However, the real cultural highlight of Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Here, you’ll be able to learn more about Islam whilst partaking in the customary kahwa - cardamom coffee and sugar-glazed dates at the on-site cultural center.
Nature Although Oman has its fair Old Town Crier
share of land-based fauna (including the desert Oryx and Arabian Leopard), what it is renowned for is its aquatic-based wildlife. Put simply, Oman is a scuba-diving and snorkeling paradise. Its coastline, including the capital Muscat, is teeming with dolphins, whales and brightly colored reef ecosystems. Elsewhere, the Fjords of the exclaved Musandam Peninsula provide a natural shelter that attracts an abundance of aquatic wildlife. Unfortunately, because of the strong currents and the sheer size of wildlife (most notably whale Old Town Crier
sharks, rays, barracuda, and tuna), scuba diving in the fjords is reserved for more advanced divers. For those who aren’t accomplished divers, the good news is the many dhow cruises departing from Khasab offer snorkeling options in shallower waters where the killer fish don’t lurk.
Authenticity Oman has carved a distinctively different path than its Gulf neighbors; UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. Where the latter has opted for overblown glass
skyscrapers and extravagant shopping malls full of Pottery Barn stores, Oman is focusing on its heritage and authentic ‘Arabness’; attracting tourists with the promise of ruins, mosques, souks, wadis, mountains, and traditional Bedouin villages. Strict building codes ensure that Muscat, Oman’s capital city, retains its middle-east charm. Muscat also has a definitively more laidback style than the big regional cities of Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Manama. A week exploring Oman from one of Muscat’s resort-like hotels is definitely worthwhile if you’re
searching for the quintessential Arabian experience.
Adventure In addition to the thrill of scuba diving in waters filled with killer fish, Oman, like other countries in the region, offers the exhilarating and timeless thrill of desert adventure. If you’re feeling particularly ‘brave’ then you can jump in a 4x4 and head out in to the Wahibi Sands for some
dune bashing, sand boarding, trekking and camel safaris. Of course, if you’re prone to a little car sickness, then dune bashing probably isn’t the best choice for you. Whilst it’s pretty exhilarating for the first ten minutes, it can pretty quickly feel like you’re on a small boat in rough seas. In that case, stick to the camel treks which more closely align to the languid pace demanded by the soaring heat.
If you’re looking for more reasons to visit Oman then make sure to check out takephotosleavefootprints.com! September 2021 | 17
POINTS ON PETS
CAROLYN COCKROFT
Enjoying the Pleasures of Autumn with Your Pet
I
n the early days of autumn, just as most of us welcome the cool relief from the heat of summer, furry animals also enjoy what it has to offer. Moderate temperatures are a boost to outdoor activity with our pets; however, this increase in outdoor activity can create safety concerns. To keep your pet free from sickness or injury, keep these tips in mind.
Supervise Exercise in Reduced Daylight As the days grower shorter, owners who walk their pets in the early mornings and evenings could find it more difficult to see other animals, people, and cars in driveways, sidewalks, and roads. People working in emergency veterinary practice have noticed an increase in the cases of dogs and cats suffering injuries from being hit by a car during daybreak 18 | September 2021
• difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing (these respiratory issues are often symptomatic of allergic bronchitis or feline asthma); • chronic ear infections— distinguishable by head shaking and red, waxy ears;
or twilight hours. If you exercise your pets during these hours, wear reflective gear and keep control of them with a leash or harness. Always make sure they are microchipped, and that their tags are current in case they go missing.
clothes, brush your pet weekly, if not daily. Excessive shedding, however, is not normal, and can be a sign of an allergic reaction. If you suspect your pet is suffering from an allergy, consult your veterinarian.
Keep Shedding at Bay
Watch for Signs of Allergies
Shedding is natural process, especially in the fall due to an animal ridding itself of old hair to make room for its winter coat. To minimize pet hair on furniture and
The fall’s refreshing relief from summer’s heat is an ideal time to increase outdoor exercise for your pet. Open air activity also creates
unavoidable exposure to trees, grasses, and pollens which are the major source of allergens. The following are signs that your pet may be suffering from seasonal—and often painful— allergies and should be treated by your veterinarian: • obsessive paw licking and face rubbing, caused by chemicals in the immune system triggered by allergies; • scratching or biting, a natural reaction to itchy and inflamed skin;
• excessive shedding, hair loss, and dandruff, which can be treated with prescription medications; and • inflamed skin or lesions—a serious side effect of allergies and more common in cats. While some of these symptoms, such as the skin lesions or itching might be temporarily relieved with applications of witch hazel, cool tea bags or coconut oil, be sure to seek treatment from your veterinarian as soon as possible. POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 19
Old Town Crier
POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 18
Avoid Harmful Autumn Plants Cooler weather encourages mushroom growth and other fall vegetation. Most mushrooms are not poisonous to animals, but a few species, difficult to distinguish from the nontoxic ones, can cause life-threatening problems. Other plants, such as chrysanthemums, autumn crocus, clematis, red maple leaves, and ginkgo seeds can be highly poisonous to some animals, causing gastrointestinal bleeding, severe vomiting, kidney and liver damage, and respiratory failure. The ASPCA provides a list of poisonous plants at: Hazardous or Harmless? Discover Which Fall Plants Are Toxic to Pets | ASPCApro. Symptoms might not be evident for several days, so contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 4264435 immediately if your pet has ingested any plants.
Use Rodenticides with Caution During the cold season, homeowners may use rat and mouse poison to destroy rodents seeking shelter indoors. Rodenticides, if ingested by pets, can cause
kidney and liver failure, muscle weakness, seizures, and death. Avoid using these products altogether or, if necessary, keep them in places your pet cannot reach. Likewise, engine coolant is highly toxic, so if the fall is your time to change your car’s coolant, take care to clean up any spills. Again, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at once if your pet has ingested any substance you know could be harmful.
Provide Fresh Water
such urinary tract infections. Make sure a bowl or two of fresh water is always available, consider getting a pet water fountain, offer hydrating food options, and check with your vet to see if your pet could benefit from electrolyte solutions.
Keeping your pet hydrated is extremely important all year round and not just during warm summer months. Dehydration can impact the flow of oxygen to the brain and cause health problems
The fall season is ideal for getting plenty of exercise and fresh air—a healthy habit for human and beast alike. Just be sure you practice moderation, close observation and, when necessary, make a visit to
and mold growth which, if ingested by your pet, could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. The safest course is to keep your pets confined indoors, away from your yard work
the veterinarian to keep any symptoms in check. After all, safeguarding the well-being of our pets is a year-round activity! About the Author: A volunteer at King Street Cats, Carolyn Cockroft is supervised by two indoor cats, Marigold and Butterbean, who enjoy watching the outdoors from their window perches in their home.
Watch out for Wildlife As temperatures begin to cool, wild animals are preparing for their winter hibernation. If you live close to wooded area, keep a close eye out for creatures such as skunks, raccoons, or bears. Especially beware of venomous snakes and while outside keep your pet on a leash.
Keep Fall Leaf Cleanup at a Distance Loud and sudden noises from leaf blowers can frighten some pets and cause them to hide or run from home. Animals may lick up fuel and oil that sometimes leak from these devices and become poisoned. Over time, leaf piles on your lawn quickly accumulate bacterial
PETS
OF THE MONTH
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm
BOOTSIE
REY
ACADIA
6-year-old Bootsie is loving life in his foster home. He’s made friends with children, adults and even other cats. He’s mastered the art of cuddling and perfected his napping skills; he can nap anywhere, anytime, even in the sink. While Bootsie can be a bit shy at first, give him some time in his new environment and he thrives. Is this handsome house panther the guy for you? Email adopt@ alexandriaanimals.org to schedule time to meet him in his foster home!
If a picture tells a thousand words, 102-pound Rey might need a few pictures...and they’ll all be handsome! This 8-year-old American bulldog will steal your heart - and a lot of your couch - but you won’t mind at all. His foster “mom” says that he’s a cuddler, a drooler, the absolute star of her virtual morning staff meeting and an instant conversation starter, who goes out of his way to meet everyone on their regular walks. What’s not to love? Learn more about Rey by emailing adopt@alexandriaanimals.org.
Striking Acadia got all the best bunny genes. Her vibrant white fur stands out in startling contrast to her beautiful eyes. In her foster home, she’s working on her decorating skills, making sure her foster “mom” arranges all of her toys just so...or she’ll have to redo it herself. She’s also an avid news follower, consuming several newspapers a day - by chewing them up. She has some visual limitations, but she is not letting them stop her from living her best bunny life. Find out how to meet Acadia by emailing adopt@alexandriaanimals.org.
The AWLA has a lot of amazing adoptables at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter and even more in foster care throughout the community. Meet some of our foster favorites and schedule time to meet them by emailing adopt@alexandriaanimals.org. Old Town Crier
September 2021 | 19
SPECIAL FEATURE SUBMITTED BY AWLA
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Announces New Junior Volunteer Program
T
he Junior Volunteer experience kicks off with an eight-part program led by the AWLA’s Humane Educator. Through this program, Junior Volunteers – ages 16 and 17 years old - will learn all about the AWLA, shelter operations, fundraising and social media, animal body language, training and more! Each eight-session semester will consist of a mix of virtual and hands-on elements. In-person sessions will be held in small buddy groups at the AWLA in order to give Junior Volunteers a safe and personalized experience. Upon completion of the program, Junior Volunteers will be able to volunteer at the AWLA during regularly scheduled shifts during a variety of days and times
TION A R T S I G RE DETAILS All participants must be 16 or 17 on the date that their session will start. The registration fee for the Junior Volunteer Program is $125. This fee helps us offset the costs of the training sessions, educational materials, supplies, a volunteer t-shirt, name badge and a closing celebration event. Any remaining funds assist in the care of animals in need.
with a program partner. We ask Junior Volunteers to commit to at least four hours of regularly scheduled volunteering per month. After the age of 18, Junior Volunteers are also eligible to participate in the standard volunteer program. Junior Volunteers will start with an eight-session training course in September that will run through
December and offer a mix of in-person and virtual trainings. Trainings will teach animal safety, body language and handling, as well as other facets of animal sheltering like social media and fundraising. Volunteers who complete the program will then be eligible to volunteer regularly at the AWLA in a variety of roles. Participants will be
expected to attend all of the scheduled training sessions, and we will offer new training courses every fall and spring semester. Whether your student is looking to meet a service requirement or just wants to learn more about animals, the AWLA’s Junior Volunteer program has something for everyone. Space is limited, so register today!
A limited number of scholarships are available for families who demonstrate financial need. You may apply for a scholarship at alexandriaanimals.org/ junior-volunteers/. The application for our Fall 2021 program is due by September 1. Junior Volunteers are required to attend all sessions of their scheduled program. Please see the program schedule outlined on the website. alexandriaanimals.org/juniorvolunteers/ Registration fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to other sessions.
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20 | September 2021
Old Town Crier
URBAN GARDEN
A
utumn is approaching – here are some tips to ease the gardener into that time of mists and mellow fruitfulness. September 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 welldrained shady bed where cuttings 10-12 inches long are lined out, with Old Town Crier
ROSEMARY VEREY
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 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-me-nots. 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 ‘go-between’ 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. September 2021 | 21
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION ALEXANDER BRITEL
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O 4th Annual Caribbean Rum Awards Nov. 2nd through 7th Where: Rhum Room in St. Barth Info: rum@caribjournal.com Presented in conjunction with the St. Barth Rum Festival, this competition of a blind-tasting of the most elite field of rums of any festival on the planet is sponsored by WIMCO Villas, Tradewind Aviation and Accutron. “We’re so excited to be back for another edition of the Caribbean Rum Awards, following what was one of the world’s only in-person rum events last year,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal and co-founder of the Caribbean Rum Awards. “This year’s event has an exciting lineup of some of the world’s leading rum producers. If you love fine rum, this is an event not to be missed.”
22 | September 2021
ne of the Caribbean’s leading resort companies has announced a significant update to its travel rules: all guests over the age of 12 will be required to show proof of Covid vaccination upon
arrival. Elite Island Resorts has a broad portfolio of some the most popular all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, with nine hotels across destinations including Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Grenadines, Barbados and Panama. The new rule will take effect Sept. 1, according to a statement from the company. “With hospitality at the core of what we do, compassion lives deep within our souls, so it has always been our duty to protect the health and safety of our guests and our employees, first and foremost. Further, we have a commitment to our communities and the destinations in which we operate,” said Elite Island Resorts Founder and CEO Robert A. Barrett. “Current science tells us that if you’re vaccinated, you are less likely to become seriously ill, or end up taking up a hospital bed in a fragile medical environment such as the Caribbean where local resources cannot afford to be overburdened. It’s imperative for us to protect the hospitals of these smaller island nations, and while they have had a good track record so far with COVID-19, we must remain vigilant, and all do our part to become part of the solution.” It’s the first move by a major resort company to add the protocol. “While we understand that news of our vaccine mandate may be disappointing to select
Galley Bay, Antigua
Hammock Cove in Antigua
travelers, it will be uplifting and encouraging to others. Travel breeds tolerance and with this decision, we don’t seek to divide, because as hoteliers, we bring cultures and people together. Yet, in today’s world, we must consider so many more variables to do that, all while respecting the integrity of these beautiful islands and the people who work in them,” Barrett said. “After weighing all the choices, issues, and concerns, mandating vaccines was the wisest option in protecting the critical tourism industry of these beloved destinations which are so crucial to the survival of so many employees, and the only way we will be able to keep travel and tourism going strong throughout the fall and winter. People rely on us for work—to support their families and their livelihood—so in making this choice, we work for them, too.” The company’s Caribbean resorts include Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Hammock Cove, St. James’s Club & Villas, Pineapple Beach Club and The Verandah Resort; St. James’s Club Morgan Bay in St. Lucia, The Club Barbados, Palm Island, The Grenadines, and Los Establos Boutique Inn, Panama. The celebrated portfolio includes Hammock Cove, named this year as the number one all-inclusive in the Caribbean by Caribbean Journal. For more, visit Elite Island Resorts.com
Turks and Caicos Islands ROAD TRIP > PAGE 22
Old Town Crier
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 22
The Turks and Caicos Islands recently announced that, beginning Sept. 1, the destination would require all visitors 16 years and older to show proof of vaccination. And in an update to that protocol, the destination has announced that it will accept
both digital and paper vaccine records. That includes the typical vaccine cards issued by the CDC, either handwritten or otherwise. Turk sand Caicos accepts vaccines including Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Comirnaty, Spikevax, and Vaxzevria. All travelers must also
show proof of a negative PCR, NAA, RNA or Antigen test taken within three days of travel to Turks and Caicos. That’s along with a requirement for medical or travel insurance that covers medevac and a completed health screening form. For detailed info log on to turksandcaicostourism.com
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September 2021 | 23
FROM THE BAY
TOM HORTON, BAY JOURNAL NEWS SERVICE
‘God’s Engineers’
F
aithful readers know that I have become a beaver believer. For most of the time that the Chesapeake Bay has existed, beavers by the millions inhabited every nook and cranny of the six-state watershed (and most of North America). By damming, digging and ponding, the rodents controlled the continent’s hydrology and shaped the landscape in ways that delivered profoundly cleaner, clearer water to streams and rivers and estuaries. Their work also created rich habitats for a host of other denizens of the air and swamps. So the premise of a forthcoming Bay Journal film, Water’s Way: Thinking Like A Watershed, is that more beavers — virtually trapped out by the 1750s — could significantly and cost-effectively boost Bay restoration. But humans have expanded their presence in the region since the beavers’ heyday, from an estimated 165,000 Native Americans to some 18 million moderns, and that obviously precludes rebeavering to the max. Still, there is immense potential. Beavers are adapting to even highly developed locales; we have filmed wonderful wetlands complexes they have built behind a Royal Farms in the pavement-clad heart of Baltimore’s White MarshMiddle River urbanization. And they are relentless, bundles of instinct and compulsion, constantly expanding their projects up and down every stream, always exploring around the next bend, and the next, and the next (kind of like humans). So what ecologists term “carrying capacity” — physical habitat — for 24 | September 2021
beavers to return abounds. The real question is “cultural carrying capacity”: the willingness of landowners and governments to accommodate a critter who chews trees and plugs drainageways and floods landscapes for a living. The Bay Journal film I’m working on with Dave Harp and Sandy Cannon-Brown aims to expand that cultural carrying capacity, to show why we must champion beavers (and emulate them) and to show that there are relatively simple, cheap ways for humans and beavers to coexist. (If you can’t wait for the film, search the web for “Beaver Institute for beaver conflict resolution.”) But the journalist in me cautions the believer in me against overselling beavers or portraying them as quick and easy solutions to the Bay’s health. Beavers don’t give a damn about restoration goals or coexistence with humans. They are too busy being beavers. Being our salvation doesn’t mean being our buddies. When beavers move in, their flooding and chewing can initially degrade forests, creating a more open, sunny complex of braided stream channels and weedy vegetation — which to many people looks messy. More ecologically sophisticated folks than I (The Nature Conservancy) have trapped out beavers that were ruining nesting trees for great blue herons. Post-trapping, the herons moved anyhow, for reasons known only to herons. The beavers that Ken Staver, an ag research scientist and farmer, initially welcomed on his farm undermined a dirt roadway, causing a hauler to flip over and spill several tons of corn into the water. Ken still likes beavers, but now more guardedly and with some trapping to keep them
A beaver works on the branches of a beech tree it felled the previous night near Thurmont, MD.
Bay Journal photo by Dave Harp
in check. Allie Tyler, with a large property near Easton, has made a game of it in retirement, letting his beavers plug a pond outlet every night, then during the day removing it with his backhoe. He showed us a massive pile he has made of mud and sticks, estimated at several tons — representing the work of a couple beavers for just a few months. “No doubt who’s gonna win in the long run,” Tyler said. One of our main filming areas is a severalacre beaver complex behind Boordy Vineyards in northern Maryland, where the landowners have used a simple pond-leveling device to keep flooding in check while allowing enough depth for the beavers to feel safe. But beavers have kids (kits), and kids mature and seek to build their own ponds, moving upstream and downstream, encountering other landowners and land uses. To date, that has resulted in more trapping and removal than acceptance. Outdoorsman and naturalist Kai Hagen, an atlarge member of the Frederick County Council in Maryland,
is as big a beaver believer as you’ll ever find and has welcomed generations of the creatures on his acreage in the county’s Catoctin Mountains. He has happily spent years building fences out of fallen forest limbs around trees to a height (about 4 feet) that beaver-proofs them. But, he acknowledges, “There are limits.” Biologists who work for state and federal governments with cold water species of fish like brook trout are highly skeptical of re-beavering. They worry that the ponds slow the flow and let water warm too much for trout, already beleaguered by other environmental problems. Beaver dams may also block fish migration. There’s a lot of evidence with salmon and beavers in the West that such fears may be largely misplaced, but no such research has been done in the eastern U.S. On one of our filming sites, Bear Cabin Branch in Harford County, MD, neighbors were horrified at the look of a restored stream where beavers have moved in and prospered. Then their kids began playing in the pond and catching bass, and folks mostly got used to
the shaggier look of the beaver landscape. Similarly, some farmers have become aware of the superb duck hunting where beavers move in, and they see potential for their own acreage for sport and income from waterfowlers. Sometimes I have been surprised at the tolerance for beavers. I was stopped by a farmer as I snooped around his creek looking for evidence of beavers. He had a bolt action rifle lying on the front seat of his pickup. When I told him what I was doing, he chuckled, “Oh, yeah, they’re in here. Some people say get rid of ’em, but you’ll never do it ... those animals are God’s own engineers.” Tom Horton, a Bay Journal columnist, has written many articles and books about the Chesapeake Bay. He currently teaches writing and environmental topics at Salisbury University. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the Bay Journal. This commentary first appeared August 23, 2021, on BayJournal. com and was distributed by the Bay Journal News Service. Old Town Crier
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ROAD TRIP
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his month’s Road Trip was a first….we invited guests to join us for a two night stay at The Summit Lodge at Riverbend Farm in Bentonville, Virginia. The Todhunter’s and the Condon’s were the perfect pals to extend the invitation to. Lots of good eats, drinks and laughs! Bentonville is halfway between Luray and Front Royal along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. The Lodge is a magnificent five-story escape nestled on 64-acres along a bend in the river. There is more to this property than a getaway, it was formerly the home of Tom and Bettina, a couple who started out in the cabin up the hill where their love story began and the concept for the Lodge was born. As I write about our adventure I will write some excerpts from a book we found at the property called The River Oak Suite by Tom and Bettina’s friend, Tony Baker. The excerpts will tell the story from the beginning. “For years and years, in the minds of those who were privileged to visit there, River Oak was the small hunting cabin, which sits high on a hill above a wide turn in the Shenandoah and the lovely river meadow that runs alongside it. But always the plan had been to build a big fine house, just down the hill from the cabin. In May 2010, we few friends met at River Oak to celebrate the opening of this new house. On the river side of the 26 | September 2021
View from the Top
BOB TAGERT
house rises a fifth-story enclosed tower, which Tom and Bettina dubbed the Skybox. It would be, for the short time left him, the place where Tom would take Bettina and the dogs of an evening to drink wine, watch families of deer emerge from the trees to play beside the river at sundown, and celebrate married love.” There are some fun back roads to Bentonville - through Warrenton, by Sperryville, over the mountain toward Luray and then take 340 north, however, we chose Route 66 because it was early and traffic was still light. We also stopped in Marshall and had lunch at the Old Salem Café. This downhome café is an icon in Marshall and has been around forever. This is country food at its finest and lots of it. If you are out that way make a point to stop in. After about an hour on Route 66 we picked up Route 340 south toward Bentonville taking a right onto Rt. 621 and followed it across the Shenandoah. It seems like you are in the middle of nowhere but eventually we drove up the hill, past the cabin and into the driveway of the Lodge. With wrap-around porches this structure is immense – 5 bedroom with baths and many inviting spaces to just chill. As you walk into the great room you notice the glass paned wall with a huge stone fireplace centered in the middle. ROAD TRIP > PAGE 26
The Book
Back Bar at Old Salem Old Town Crier
The Condons and the Todhunters
Beautiful view from the porch ROAD TRIP FROM PAGE 26
Glancing to the left you notice the railing for the second floor that is open and where our bed room was for the two nights and the executive office space which is totally equipped for a board meeting. The bedroom was bigger than my apartment and had its own dressing room complete with ceiling fan and a shower that all six of us could have fit in. As you rise higher in the building (there is an elevator) the whole valley opens up as you get above the tree line. From here you can see the bend in the river and the river bottom fields. “Tom phoned me, excited by an experience he’d had in the skybox, wherein he’d gazed out and down upon the backs of predatory birds as they circled above the river. It made him think of his life as a fighter pilot. I took the idea a step further, into a consciousness of viewpoint, and how a spiritual being may change viewpoint at will. Very soon after, Tom, age 55, died in his sleep, Bettina beside him.” The huge kitchen is off of the great room and leads out to the porch with a covered dining area. The kitchen is amazing and made to prepare food for a group. The appliances are commercial grade and the cupboards and drawers contain pretty much everything you need to prepare a feast. The lower level is home to the party and game room. This expansive room opens onto the patio and fenced in yard complete with a Solo wood burning stove and an outdoor gas fireplace. The lounge is complete with overstuffed leather chairs and a couch, complete bar setup (you bring your own refreshments), a Ms. Pac-man game, a small basketball free throw setup and huge flat screen television. There is a bedroom, bath and a work out room on this level as well. Good place for teenagers to stay! “Bettina is now a youthful seventy, but her sixtieth birthday was of sufficient import that I again found myself on the phone with her, getting her feelings on the matter. More than one person, upon hearing Bettina’s Song, has expressed the desire to know the person described therein. Once more I traveled to Washington to perform the song in a group of friends.” In addition to the room we had on the second floor, the main floor has two bedrooms and the third and fourth floors house two more. The 5th floor is an enclosed “Skybox” topping off the tower. The Skybox offers a 360-degree view of the valley. There have been many times I have seen the Shenandoah Valley from Skyline Drive, but it is awesome to sit in a rocking chair in the Old Town Crier
Heards Market Produce valley and watch the sun set over the Blue Ridge Mountains. This property is truly beautiful and has plenty of room. One of our friends brought up the movie The Big Chill while we were all chipping in on the cooking on our second night. It is that kind of place. Folks can gather in the great room or on the veranda and there is plenty of room in the kitchen for everybody. You can also find several places to experience true solitude. There is a place for everyone. The town of Front Royal is only about fifteen minutes from the Lodge. In Front Royal you can find restaurants for dining and *Martin’s Grocery has just about anything you would need for the homemade meals. *Get the fried chicken. If you are looking for a little river action, right before the bridge crossing the Shenandoah River is Downriver Canoe Company which offers tubing, rafting, kayaking and canoeing. They bus you up river for a lazy paddle or drift back. If you want to stay a few extra days or like the idea of camping, a short distance on route 340 is Shenandoah State Park. A very short drive south on 340 will bring you to Heard’s Market where you can find fresh vegetables and an impressive array of other local products. They even have valley made guitars – yes, guitars. If you want to do some exploring, Luray Caverns are only a half hour away. These are the largest caverns on the east coast and definitely worth a visit. There are numerous outlets for outdoor activities since you are close to Skyline and parks. "A million, a thousand, a hundred years ago, warriors and hunters had stolen among these trees in ambush for one another, and for the shy gray deer, those hard little feet now kicked noisily through all the scattered ashes, where one day his own ashes would also surely sift. By the last light, as overhead the first pinholes of galactic light perforated the blackening sky, he rounded the last turn above the gate, and his eye mined from the darkness his great treasure, standing patiently beside the car, fetching him back from his lonely reflections. And as wind across coals of wood, the love flamed in him anew, and he apprehended the perfection of his life in this eternal moment. A hundred, a thousand, a million years hence, this love would rise again and again in a twilight wind from off the river, stirring the oaks into motion." Come make your own memories at The Summit Lodge at Riverbend! Detailed information about the property and reservation information can be found by logging on to www.stayriverbend.com.
Greeter at Downriver Canoe Company
Down River Kayaks September 2021 | 27
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Old Town Crier
TO THE BLUE RIDGE
JULIE REARDON
FROM COW PATTIES TO HORSE APPLES Virginia Tech studies the ins and outs of pasture grazing at research farm in Middleburg
F
rom cow nutrition to diapered horses, Virginia Tech has quietly been conducting agricultural experiments in Middleburg for almost 75 years. Surrounded by some of the highest priced real estate in the area, the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center lies one mile south of the quaint town of Middleburg. It’s one of 13 agricultural research farms maintained by the cooperative extension program throughout the state. In 1949, the late local landowner and philantropist. Paul Mellon of Upperville, VA, made a gift of 420 acres of farmland to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University along with financial support to help establish the Virginia Forage Research Station. Mr. Mellon envisioned forage systems that would promote animal productivity and, at the same time, maintain the integrity and fertility of the soils and the livestock they supported. Research activities began in July 1949. For the first 40 years, research at the Virginia Forage Research Station focused on cattle nutrition derived from grazing Virginia pastures. Part of the charter of Virginia’s land grant universities Virginia Tech and Virginia State University tasks them with educating Virginians and helping them improve their lives by providing research based educational resources through a network of campuses, research farms and educators at county offices. Virginia Cooperative Extension is a product of cooperation Old Town Crier
among local, state, and federal governments in partnership with tens of thousands of citizens. Throughout the first 40 years of the Virginia Forage Research Station, the number of cattle farms decreased while the number of horses and horse farms in Northern Virginia steadily increased. Mellon, a horseman as well as philanthropist, began discussions with a panel of distinguished scientists about areas of future study. Horse nutrition was a natural for the hunt country farm, so Virginia Tech agreed in 1986 to convert the cattle farm to begin studies of pasture based equine nutrition. Mr. Mellon endowed a professorship to lead the research and donated funds for new buildings. By October 1988, fescue pastures developed for the cattle were converted to bluegrass and clover, which is more appropriate for horses. An appeal through the Virginia Thoroughbred Association in 1990 was rewarded with the donation of 45 mares and three stallions as initial study subjects. A nutritional survey was conducted on horses and pastures in central and northcentral Virginia to determine
initial research focus. The MARE Center found pastures in this region deficient in several key minerals: copper, zinc and selenium throughout the year and phosphorus and vitamin A in the winter. This led to new findings on feeding supplements and a study of vitamin A depletion and supplementation in 1991. A new research and conference building, with a dependent stable, was dedicated by Mr. Mellon in 1992. A name change in 1993 deemed all of Virginia Tech’s “Agricultural Experiment Stations” as “Agricultural Research and Extension Centers.” Hence, the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center gained a new acronym, “The MARE Center,” which seemed fitting. Numerous surveys of horses, as well as research at the MARE Center on foals born there, indicate that the first year and a half of growth is not continuous, but is affected by seasonal changes. Detailed records of conditions that are less amenable to management are kept to examine what effect these may be having on growth. Examples of some of these conditions include day length, temperature, and pasture
nutrient composition. Seasonal fluctuations in these factors are important modulators of growth. Growth is closely monitored at the MARE Center with detailed records kept of the foals, weanlings and yearlings. Years of records provide researchers with a robust database of growth characteristics that are helping scientists and horse owners understand how changes in the environment that the foals are raised in may affect growth and development One of the studies conducted at the MARE Center developed marker methods to determine pasture intake in mature horses. A marker is an indigestible substance that is fed to the horse in known amounts. By knowing the amount of marker fed to the horse, the total amount of manure produced per day, and the concentration of the marker in the manure, pasture intake could be monitored. Horses used in these studies wore “nappies,” horse-sized diapers, which were emptied four times a day to obtain total manure production. Though they presented an odd sight, the horses could walk, trot, canter and roll without displacing the
nappies. They did not appear any more inconvenienced than if they were wearing a horse blanket. Research from the diaper product helped dispel an old rule of thumb previously published in textbooks; that a horse eats approximately 2% of its body weight daily, more or less, depending on life stage and performance demands. The MARE Center horses obviously did not read the textbooks: they ate a whopping 3.3% of their body weight in pasture dry matter per day. That translates to 33 pounds of pasture dry matter for a 1000 pound horse. Since pasture is only 25-30% dry matter (and 70-75% water), the horses actually consumed approximately 100 pounds of fresh pasture per day! It is no wonder that pasture management is so important, both for the health of the horses and optimal use of land, a diminishing resource in this rapidly developing area and the MARE Center is continuing studies with broodmares and growing horses. Additionally, the marker methods are used to estimate fecal and urine outputs, and the loads of nitrogen and phosphorus placed on the soils and streams. The mission of the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center is to develop an ideal pasture system in which superior care and nutrition of horses not only ensures their buoyant health and promotes their performance but also protects and enhances the land. The mission is accomplished through research, graduate training and outreach activities. September 2021 | 29
DINING OUT
THE GASTRONOMES
ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 EISENHOWER AVENUE 703-888-2243 ALDOSITALIANKITCHEN.COM HOURS M-F 11AM-8PM SAT 4PM-8PM CLOSED SUNDAY
I
have been in Old Town for a long time and during our monthly delivery of the Old Town Crier we passed Aldo’s Italian Kitchen but never stopped in. Situated in on the back side of a commercial office area off of Eisenhower Avenue, it just never fit my vibe of dining in Old Town. My mistake! Recently we stopped in for dinner on a Tuesday night. I was surprised. Their covered veranda hosting about 30 seats had some folks enduring the humid evening with a nice breeze helping to cool things down. Except for the light coming through the glass side wall this place reminded me of A.V. Ristorante Italiano in D.C., now long gone. There were green checkered table cloths instead of the red checkered and there was no jukebox with Italian opera music like at AV’s but it did bring back memories. Although a relatively new build out, Aldo’s has a traditional vibe about it. As you 30 | September 2021
walk in you will find Emanuele Cognetti aka Aldo, the owner, busy behind the counter answering the phone, filling out to-go orders while greeting customers as they enter. On this particular Tuesday night the restaurant wasn’t packed but there were a number of seats taken in the dining room where we sat and the flurry of activity was enhanced by the numerous Take Out orders they were processing. After we were seated our rather shy waiter brought us our water and took the wine order. He was soon back with the wine and then took our order. I am a big fan of fried calamari and while my dining partner doesn’t particularly like it, I had to have it. However, she changed her mind once it hit the table. The squid was exceptionally tender and the coating was amazingly light and flavorful – she ate half of it. I was torn between my “go to” linguini with clams and a white sauce and the veal
marsala with pasta on the side - I chose the veal. This entrée is accompanied by fresh cooked mushrooms and lots of sauce...I love the sauce. The veal was tasty and cooked just right. My only disappointment was that the dish was lacking capers. I am a big capers fan. Otherwise, the veal was excellent and a lot of it. The linguine was prepared perfectly and this too was a good amount. Upon the recommendation of our Chef friend, Caroline Bruder Ross from River Bend Bistro, my partner ordered Aldo’s lasagna. It was a great recommendation. This dish was good old fashioned traditional Italian lasagna. The marinara is exceptional. Accompanied by some very tasty garlic toast, it filled the bill. We rounded out our meal sharing the dessert cannelloni. The mascarpone filling and strawberry sauce were was a nice end to a great meal. As mentioned about, there were a lot of takeout orders
leaving this restaurant. I wish I had counted the number of pizza’s that went out the door. This is a good indication that we need to revisit Aldo’s and see what that pizza is like – it must be fantastic! Aldo’s on the backside of 2850 Eisenhower Avenue so be sure to slow down as you approach
that block so you don’t miss the turn. A good way to get there is to turn left at the light by the Marriott and stay right into the parking area for the buildings. Proceed through the area until you see Aldo’s sign on the right. There is plenty of free parking. They close between 3 & 4 pm daily.
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September 2021 | 31
LET’S EAT CHRISTINA HITCHCOCK
DISCOVER THE BEST OF TIMES! Apple Pie Moonshine That Packs a Punch
This Apple Pie Moonshine Packs a Punch!
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his easy Apple Pie Moonshine recipe is an incredibly delicious cocktail. It’s always the hit of the party and everyone goes crazy for this easy moonshine recipe. Plus, you won’t believe how easy it is to make! This recipe is crazy good! It goes down very easy but really packs a punch. It’s a really easy recipe that doesn’t require a moonshine still or any complicated steps. This is really a flavored moonshine recipe. It uses grain alcohol that you purchase so it’s fairly simple to make. Make sure, though, you make it a few weeks before you plan to drink it. It needs time to sit and mellow out before you can enjoy it. I usually make several batches at one time. The hardest part is finding the grain alcohol. I use an entire bottle of 190 proof Everclear for each batch, however, 190 proof grain alcohol can be hard to find. Some states don’t sell it. If you can’t find it, you can easily use a lower proof (151 proof grain alcohol is much easier to find) vodka or moonshine purchased from a liquor store. This is truly the best Apple Pie Moonshine recipe you will ever try. Remember to let it sit and mellow, though. If you try this moonshine too soon, it’s like drinking rocket fuel. Or, at least I’m assuming that’s what rocket fuel would taste like. I’ve never really tried it. This stuff is VERY potent, but oh, so good!
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Ingredients 64 oz apple juice 64 oz apple cider 3 cups sugar 14 cinnamon sticks divided 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 750 ml 190 proof Everclear grain alcohol or the highest proof vodka you can find
Instructions Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 1 hour Total: 1 hour 5 minutes Bring the apple juice, cider, sugar, nutmeg, ground cinnamon and 8 cinnamon sticks to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add alcohol to mixture. **CAUTION: Do not add alcohol near a flame or heat source. It is highly flammable. Make sure mixture is completely cooled before adding alcohol. Strain the cinnamon sticks out and pour into jars. Divide remaining 6 cinnamon sticks among jars. Place lids on jars and allow to sit in a cool, dry place for 8 weeks before enjoying. Christina Hitchcock is the chief cook and bottle washer behind “It Is a Keeper”. She scours the internet, recipe boxes & cookbooks to bring you only the BEST recipes & products that earn her seal of approval. It Is a Keeper is your source for quick, easy and simple recipes for busy families. Check her out at itisakeeper.com 32 | September 2021
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DINING GUIDE AMERICAN
ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400 AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 CAFE 44 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 GRATEFUL KITCHEN 727 N. Henry Street HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria 703-436-0025 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533
34 | September 2021
LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 mackiesbarandgrill.com MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEETGREEN 823 King St. 571-319-0192
Please Contact your favorite restaurants for updates on their "Social Distancing" policies. SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794 KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458 STREETS MARKET AND CAFE 3108 Mt. Vernon Ave. 571-431-6810 THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154 THE SUSHI BAR 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue 571-257-3232
CONTINENTAL
CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com VILLAGE BRAUHAUS 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BISTRO SANCERRE FRENCH 1755 Duke Street BRABO 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141 ITALIAN
ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue (behind the building) 703-888-2243 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 HANK & MITZI'S PIZZA AND PASTA 600 Montgomery Ave. 571-312-4117 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 MICHAEL’S LITTLE ITALY 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873
MEDITERRANEAN
BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD
HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533 INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148
Old Town Crier
LET'S GET CRAFTY
TIMOTHY LONG
Local Oktoberfest Celebrations!
“G
rab the Yank!!” I hear from behind me. It’s September 2004, Oktoberfest. I’m in Munich, Germany at the festival with my friends. And yes, Octoberfest does begin in September, not in October. Modern tradition is to have the festival in the last two weeks of September so that it can end on the first Sunday in October, close to October 3rd, German Reunification Day. We are in the Ochsenbraterei (Ox Roast) Tent sponsored by Spaten. There are two huge oxen roasting on spits in one corner of the tent. Each major brewer in Munich erects a tent at the festival. These socalled “tents” are nothing of the sort. They are enormous structures that are more like warehouses than tents. The larger ones hold approximately 6000 people. Imagine a Walmart that has been stripped bare, a band stand placed in the middle, then the rest of the space filled with picnic tables, that would be one tent. This trip is a religious experience for any beer drinker. It’s the world’s biggest kegger. Over 16 million people from all over the world will make the pilgrimage to Munich during the two weeks of the festival. This is my first of my five trips to Munich for Oktoberfest. I’m a rookie. And I’m not paying attention to the Australian and Irish group behind me. We had been laughing and joking with them earlier. I'm too busy dancing on the bench of our table and slaughtering German drinking songs at the top of my lungs with my buddies while trying to maintain control of the giant oneliter stein of beer in my hand. I should be paying attention. “Grab the Yank!” I hear again. And what I stupidly do not realize is that I am the Yank. I’m suddenly grabbed from behind and lifted into the air. I crash onto the tabletop behind me, my beer spilling all over me. I look up to see the Aussies and Irish laughing at me. “We have decided that you are drinking with us!” one Irishmen shouts as he raises his glass and spills part of his beer on me. A big Aussie points at me and bellows, “There’s only one rule! No shagging my sister!” The others roar
Old Town Crier
in laughter. He didn’t actually say “shagging”. His sister then strikes him several times for his indiscretion. She’s hitting him hard. He’s a big guy. I can tell that she’s hurting him. Which means that she could hurt me. I will very much obey his rule. Someone else is now shouting at me again, but this time it is in German. “Nein! Nein! Nein!” There is a security guard now towering over me. He begins to lecture me in German. I do not speak German. This is one of those situations where one does not need to speak the language to understand. You’re not allowed to sit, stand, or, evidently, lay on top of the table. I had learned this lesson the night before at the Hofbrau Tent when a friend told me that we were allowed to dance on the tables. She was wrong. The security guards there reacted the same way. If nothing else, I was learning the culture of the place. The Irish and Aussies pull me up. I spend the next hour partying at their table. The festival in Munich began on October 12th, 1810. It was a celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von SachsenHildburghausen. The celebration was originally an agricultural fair with horse races. In the 20th century it developed into the huge beer tent festival we know today. Approximately 2 million gallons of beer are consumed during the festivities. It is truly the world’s biggest kegger. The beers we drink in the tents in Munich are different than most of the Oktoberfest beers you will find here in the States. Our Oktoberfest beers tend to be Marzen style. Marzen was the original style of Oktoberfest in Germany as well. Marzen is a dark, rich, malty beer that the Germans would brew in March, Marz in German, and then age throughout the summer. It would be ready to drink in September or October, just in time for the festival. Starting in the 1970’s, German brewers began brewing a pale, lighter tasting lager, as the
traditional Oktoberfest beer, or Festbier. The change was initiated by Paulaner originally, but all the others had made the switch by the 1990’s. The reasoning was simple. The lagers were less filling, lighter in alcohol content, and therefore easier to consume during a long day of drinking. Does that mean that the American Oktoberfest beers are actually closer to the traditional beers the Germans produced for the festival? The answer is no, not really. Although Marzen was the traditional style, the American brewers are not held to the strict standards of the German Purity Laws, or Reinheitsgebot. These laws limit the ingredients for beer to just barley, hops, yeast, and water. And tradition dictates Oktoberfest beers must use Munich malt, noble hops, and Bavarian lager yeast. American brewers are free to use whatever ingredients they want. And many use caramel malt in addition to, or instead of, the Munich malt. This makes the American Festbeirs sweeter and more caramel-like in flavor than their German cousins. The American brewers have the advantage of experimenting with flavors and techniques that the German brewers do not. Many local brewers in America will brew both styles, and a few different types, for Oktoberfest. Try both styles. See which one excites your palate. Oktoberfest is a time of joy and merriment. It’s a time to gather with friends and hoist a pint, or liter, to health and good times. And it’s a great opportunity to expand one’s palate. These beers are only brewed once a year, so jump on the opportunity. As for me, my Oktoberfest chops were honed in Munich. When September comes around, my preference is that beautiful German lager. Prost! Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog:What Is That Fly Doing In My Soup? https:// whatflyinmysoup.com/ Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com.
Port City Brewing, Alexandria, VA Port City offers a great line of German beers for Oktoberfest. Among them, their Great American Beer Festival Bronze Medal Award winning Oktoberfest Marzen Style Lager, made with both Munich and Vienna Malt. One of my personal favorites is returning; the Swarzbier is a black lager that is deep brown in color and smooth in taste, with notes of coffee and toasted malt. Other offerings: German Pilsner, Hefeweizen, and the Rauch Marzen, a smoked version of their Oktoberfest bier. Port City will also be teaming up with Haute Dogs and Fries Restaurant for an Oktoberfest Party at their Brewery on October 2nd. The event will include both a Stein Hoisting Contest and an Oktoberfest Costume Contest.
Village Brauhaus, Alexandria, VA Village Brauhaus will begin Oktoberfest with the traditional keg tapping on the weekend of September 17th and will continue weekend celebrations until mid October. Get ready for German oompah bands from all over the country, traditional Oktoberfest dining and of course Munich imported Oktoberfest beers. Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Paulaner Wies’n, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest are just some of the traditional beers being imported! Come celebrate with us, Prost and O’Zapft is!
Aslin Beer Company, Alexandria and Herndon, VA Aslin will celebrate Oktoberfest from September 30th until October 3rd at both their Alexandria and Herndon locations. They will feature a Festbier, along with Doch Marzen, Belligerent Attempts Pilsner, Bird Leaf Dry Hopped Pilsner, and Fragile Kind – Pilsner. Aslin will also feature German-style food along with specialty stein glassware and merchandise. Plus, on Sept. 29th in Herndon, and September 30th in Alexandria, they will screen the movie “Beerfest”!!
Try these fun craft Festbiers while enjoying Oktoberfest around the DMV! 1. Center of the Universe Brewing Company, Ashland, VA. Oktoberfest: Marzen style, malty, clean, refreshing festbier. 2. Flying Fish Brewing Company, Somerdale, NJ. Oktober Fish: Marzen style festbier with a great light toasted malt flavor. 3. Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Roseland, VA. Oktoberfest: Marzen style, malty flavor with notes of bread. Great taste. 4. Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH. Oktoberfest: Marzen style lager, Crisp, with a good mouth feel. Great malty flavor. 5. Calvert Brewing Company, Upper Marlboro, MD. Autumn Oktoberfest: Malty, light, and dry. Very good beer.
September 2021 | 35
MATT FITZSIMMONS
GRAPEVINE
Virginia Wineries Raising the Bar With Premium Experiences
V
irginia offers wine lovers casual, comeas-you-are wine experiences which are rarely found in other wine regions. Patrons are usually walk-ins who partake in a self-guided wine flight or (more rarely during COVID) enjoy a tasting at the serving bar. Unless you’re planning to stay for a picnic or open a bottle, visits usually take no more than an hour and costs $10-$20. But local wineries are increasingly embracing Napalike luxury experiences, which usually include samples from older vintages, vineyard tours, and educational events. Many include comparison tastings of estate wine against high quality bottles from California or France. Others offer heavy bites made by farm-to-table chefs which compliment or contrasts the wine they are paired with. Until recently these premium experiences were rare, usually only found at older wineries that could showcase their extensive wine library. But as the Virginia wine industry matures these experiences are increasingly available. Wineries founded a decade ago have come into their own, boasting not only top notch talent but picturesque venues that compare well to famous estate wineries elsewhere in the world. These experiences come at a price, often ranging from $50-$125. But for those who 36 | September 2021
want to spoil themselves with the best Virginia wineries have to offer, here are a few recommendations.
Jim Law, one of Virginia’s premiere winemakers. It also includes blending master Eric Boissenoit. Wine
Napa Cabernet. Also included is a paired charcuterie presentation.
Stone Tower Winery
Estate Experience ($125) SOMMinar Series ($75+)
RdV
RdV
The RdV Experience ($120) Owner and namesake Rutger de Vink practically wrote the book on how to operate a premium Virginia winery. Many would argue it’s the most famous Virginia winery in the United States; it’s certainly among the most expensive in Virginia. But put this into context; RdV provides a curated experience with wines that easily match expensive bottles from Bordeaux or California, so you’re getting what you paid for. Visitors start with a personal tour of the grounds with a guide who explains why this location is so special for viticulture. A great deal of thought went into the location’s design, be it the long underground passageway or the tower/lightwell in the middle of the building. The RdV team is top notch. Both Rutger and winemaker Josh Grainer were mentored at Linden Vineyards by
connoisseurs may recognize this name because he decides the blends of 4 out of 5 “First Growth” Bordeaux châteaus, the premiere wineries of Bordeaux’s Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Left Bank. While the crew richly deserves their many accolades, perhaps the key to RdV’s success is…rock. The winery sits on a large granite hill. This is perfect for a vineyard; granite minimizes water retention and soil nutrients, forcing the vines to struggle. It’s a counterintuitive way to farm. ‘Happy’ vines don’t produce good wine grapes, but vines that struggle put all their effort into ripening their fruit – which results in great wine. After your tour you will be offered a glass of prestige cuvee champagne and a comparison flight including their Left Bank-style Lost Mountain, a Second Growth Bordeaux, and a quintessential
Stone Tower occupies over 400 acres just north of Middleburg. Open since 2013, it’s expanded beyond the original family-friendly Harvest Barn to include an adults-only tasting facility and soon will also have its own building for sparkling wine events. The drive up Hogback Mountain Road is a study in contrasts. The forested road is often unpaved and dusty, yet when you arrive you are rewarded with one of the grandest wineries in the state. The sweeping views of the `vineyard from their deck is equally impressive. While they have their own estate wine, saying Stone Tower sources fruit from around the world is an understatement. Their Pinot
Noir is from a project in Burgundy. They’ve had West Coast Rieslings. Their Wild Boar series includes California Cabernets. It’s like they’ve picked the best wine regions from around the world and decided to use their grapes to make wine alongside their Virginia counterparts. While visitors can sample flights at either tasting room, Stone Tower recently upped their game with an expanded Estate Experience, in addition to their SOMMinar series. The Estate Experience is a two hour event which takes you on a golf cart ride where you will do a tasting amongst the vines and chat about viticulture. You finish at their wine library where you’ll sample a paired three course meal with older vintages. Stone Tower’s “SOMMinars” are a series of wine comparisons designed to be both educational and fun.
GRAPEVINE > PAGE 37
Stone Tower Winery
Old Town Crier
GRAPEVINE FROM PAGE 36
Each event focuses on a single style or variety of wine, with estate bottles sampled along with examples from the Old and New World. In 2021 alone they’ve had SOMMinars focused on Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling, Rosé, and Bordeauxstyle wines. Attendees can look forward to a history of the varietal and where the guest producers come from.
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Reserved guided Wine Experience ($100) Cooking Classes ($125)
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Inset: Wine Tour Pippin Hill is located just outside Charlottesville. Owners Dean Andrews and Lynn Easton know a thing or two about five-star hospitality; both have an extensive background in event planning and hospitality management. They also know how to find the
best talent, since winemaker Michael Shaps and vineyard consultant Chris Hill are two of the biggest names in the Virginia wine industry. Not only is Pippin Hill one of the largest wineries in the Charlottesville area, it’s one of the few with its own farm-
to-table restaurant. Seasonal menus include a range of sharable plates designed to go with their estate wine. Pippin Hill may also be the only winery in the area which has its own cooking school, with classes led by Executive Chef Ian Rynecki. Upcoming events include a Columbiana cooking class and lessons on how to shuck, season, and serve mussels. These events include a tour, hands-on demonstration, and dinner with the chef afterwards (private classes are also available). The Reserved Guided Wine Experience is 90 minutes of sipping, strolling, and savoring. Guests are greeted with a glass of sparkling wine followed by
a walking tour of the vineyards and gardens. After your tour, it’s all about cheese and wine. Michael Shaps is called “Virginia’s most award-winning winemaker” for a reason, and the pours here are generous. You’ll try an assortment of barrel tastings plus a flight of current and reserve vintages, concluding with a charcuterie picnic. Have you tried any of these events? If so, let us know! Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https:// winetrailsandwanderlust.com/.
The Pearmund Farmstore and WineBar located at the entrance of the grounds of Pearmund Cellars
• Wines from Pearmund Cellars, Vint Hill and Effingham Manor • Wines available by the flight, glass, bottle or case • Picnic seating in the vines • Steps from Pearmund Cellars Winery • Goods, crafts, snacks and dog treats(!) from local VA producers • Family Friendly • Parlor rooms for rent—good for groups of 2—20. Featured purchase of the month
Trio of Best In Class Wines…$99 Effingham Manor Tannat BEST at Southeastern Wine Competition Pearmund Cellars Ameritage BEST at Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition Vint Hill Petit Manseng BEST at San Francisco International
Scan to make a reservation at the Pearmund Farmstore
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PearmundFarmstore.com | PearmundCellars.com 6190 Georgetown Road, Broad Run | 540.347.3475 | info@pearmundfarmstore.com VA Farmstore open Fri—Sun | Pearmund Cellars open 7 days a week
Scan to take a virtual tour of the Pearmund Farmstore
September 2021 | 37
EXPLORING VA WINES
DOUG FABBIOLI
Y
es, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: the grapes are ripening, and the harvest has begun! Harvest time is more than just picking what you’ve grown. Processing the crop to preserve it is a key part of success for a farmer. Most vegetables will last for a bit of time, some longer than others, but eventually they need to be frozen or canned to be useable later. Some sturdier vegetables like onions or potatoes can be dry packed for storage. The method used all depends on the crop and how hardy it is. Although grapes are our “bread and butter,” so to speak, at Fabbioli Cellars we have more than just grapes to pick and process. Harvest season for us usually starts with our hops sometime in mid-to-late August. We have been growing hops for eight years now and have gotten the program down to a pretty smooth operation. To preserve them we first have to separate the cones from the leaves and stalks, and then dry and vacuum-pack them. We use the picking and drying equipment at Vanish Brewery to protect the hops until they are used in our Attitude Adjuster cider or in one of our neighbors’ beers. Grapes are our focus though, and there is not much time to spare once they begin to ripen. Each grape variety from each of the farms that we work is sampled and evaluated so that when we decide to pick it we can make sure we have all the pieces in place to process it. Wine grapes have very little flexibility in time and temperature parameters. Unlike pears, apples, or tomatoes, grapes will not ripen once picked, so we have to make sure they are as perfect as they can be. We often pick our fruit in the cool of the morning and process it as soon as it arrives at the winery. If it is coming in from a ways away, we may store it in our cooler overnight and process it in the morning. Every crop has its own program and plan. I have learned a lot over the years from the garlic, asparagus, pears, raspberries, and grapes that I have grown. As I talk with other farmers, I learn even more about growing, processing, and selling produce, in whatever form it might be. There is a culture that exists among the agriculture community: we all know about working until the job is done, often for weeks or months at a time. And there is a joy among the winemaking folks that the harvest and fermentation process pretty much happens only in September and October, filling the air with the unique aromas and sounds of the season. There is also joy in anticipating the wines that eventually will come from the effort we put in now. Be sure to stop into a winery or three this harvest season. There is a good chance you may see or smell some of what makes this season so special for us, and a definite chance you can enjoy the labors of past years! Cheers…
‘Tis the Season…in September!
real people. earth friendly. fabulous wines. HOLD YOUR ‘FABB’ EVENT AT FABBIOLI CELLARS! WEDDINGS • CORPORATE OUTINGS • GRADUATIONS • CELEBRATIONS
email us at info@fabbioliwines.com 15669 Limestone School Rd • Leesburg, VA 20176
703.771.1197 • fabbioliwines.com A Family Legacy of Virginia Wine Excellence
4366 Stillhouse Road, Hume, Virginia 22639 540.364.1203 pcwinery.com Hours: Sun - Fri: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A Family Legacy of Virginia Wine Excellence
38 | September 2021 4366 Stillhouse Road, Hume, Virginia 22639 | 540.364.1203 | pcwinery.com | Hours: Sun - Fri: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sat: 11:00AM to 7:00PM Please check website and social media for seasonal hours
Sat: 11:00AM to 7:00PM Please check website and social media for seasonal hours
Old Town Crier
FITNESS
W
e all have mental hurdles that we need to jump before getting into workout mode. For some of us it’s just getting up and out of bed and making it to the gym first thing in the morning. Sometimes it’s the end of the day exhaustion that you have to convince yourself will go away once you get on the elliptical. Whichever problem you may be having here are a few ways to rethink a pre-workout hesitation.
Don’t think: “The scale doesn’t budge, why bother working out”
Do think: “Keep up the good work and it will pay off” Stick with the scale: Love it and you’ll probably lose pounds. In a study at the
NICOLE FLANAGAN
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, of 3,026 adults who were watching their waistlines, those who weighed themselves more frequently lost more weight over two years or regained fewer pounds. Plateaus are part of the process, Stay motivated in the meantime by giving yourself credit for how much better your clothes fit and for improving your overall health. Fix the problem by changing up your routine. As your metabolism changes to accommodate your smaller size, you are going to have to change what you’re doing to keep your body responding and shedding fat. If you’re eating light already (around 1,500 calories a day), don’t cut back more; turn up the intensity and/or increase the length of your workout session a smidge. This will not only burn more calories but also increase your
RETHINK YOUR EXERCISE cardio capacity, meaning that everything feels easier to do, so you can keep exercising. Crank the resistance on your stationary bike, push the pace of your walk or run for one-
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minute intervals, or add stepups or jumping jacks between sets of toning moves: The cardio-strength mix of circuit training burns 512 calories per hour, more than double that of lifting alone.
Don’t Think: “Run a mile? No way”
Do think: “If I can walk a mile I CAN run a mile” Split your run into walking and running parts at first. Jog a quarter of a mile, walk for half a mile, and finish by jogging another quarter. As you improve, stretch out the jogging and shrink the walking segment before jogging that final quarter mile. Do this three or four times a week and you’ll be able to run the whole distance in about six weeks.
Don’t Think: “I hurt my knee, I will be out of the gym for a few weeks”
Do Think: “There has got to be another type of exercise I can do” Your body starts to lose conditioning within three days of your becoming a couch potato. Depending on your injury, moderate elliptical training, cycling, or jogging in water can be an appropriate alternative. As with any injury, be sure that your doctor clears you
for exercise and follow his recommendations.
Don’t Think: “Classes like Spinning and boot camp seem too intense for me.”
Do Think: “Any exercise can be done at my pace” The great thing about Spinning is that you control your experience, If the instructor tells you to turn up the resistance, go to where you feel you can keep up; then if you get tired, lower it. In any group exercise class, your main goal is to get the hang of it, so aim for form over speed.
Don’t Think: “I simply can’t shake the after-work energy slump to exercise.”
Do Think: “Just 10 minutes.” There’s a difference between being mentally tired and being physically tired. Doing something physical will actually help combat some of the mental fatigue. Tell yourself that you’re not going to do more than 10 minutes of exercise. Often this leads to extending the time once you get into it. If you do make it to 10 minutes and still feel completely exhausted then you probably do need the rest. In that case missing one day at the gym is not going to do any harm. September 2021 | 39
nt
l
FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT
Back to Exercise Reality!
T
oday’s lifestyle seems busier than it was this time last year now that we are able to return to work, are taking our kids to school and headed to many activities we couldn’t participate in last year due to the pandemic. You might find yourself saying, “I don’t have enough time to exercise.” But the reality is everyone has 24 hours in a day, and it’s just a matter of prioritizing your schedule to fit in some daily exercise. I know that getting to the health club is half the battle, but wouldn’t it be nice to know what to do when you finally get there? As a result, you need to find ways to help maximize your time at the gym. There are a few ideas I would like to share to help get you going.
Develop a plan of action Your individual goals will determine a plan of action. Since the majority of us are seeking to lose weight, try to burn at least 500 calories per day through cardiovascular exercise (i.e. treadmill, bike, rower, or elliptical machine) at least five days a week. Two of those days, you should add 10 to 12 resistance training exercises that work the entire body. Perform two sets of 15 to 20 repetitions for each exercise. This will help increase your total energy expenditure.
Superset your exercises Pair up two exercises that work opposing muscle groups. Perform these back-to-back without rest in between. For example, the bench press could be followed by lat pull-down. By doing this, your chest and triceps (bench press) will be getting a break while you’re working your back and biceps (lat pull-down). This will eliminate the time spent resting between sets that work the same muscle group.
Add cardio between resistance training sets This is a great way to keep your heart rate up if you are looking to increase your stamina. Instead of waiting for the next set, add three to five minutes for higher-intensity cardio, then lift anywhere from three to six weight-training exercises. Keep alternating cardio and weights, and you will definitely find yourself sweating. You can get a great workout in less than 30 minutes doing this.
Hire a qualified personal trainer This is the best way to make sure you are getting the most out of the time that you spend at the gym. Let a fitness professional take all the “guess work” out of your workout routine (or lack of routine). Even if you’re a regular at the gym, a trainer can provide great variety to keep workouts fun and exciting. Most importantly, workout intensity will determine how much your body will change. Trainers can ensure the correct intensity for you, depending upon your fitness goals. Unverzagt holds Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 40 | September 2021
Old Town Crier
FIRST BLUSH
KIM PUTENS
The Eyes Have it Fine Lines…Dark Circles…Puffiness! “HOW CAN I GET RID OF THE FINE LINES, DARK CIRCLES, AND PUFFINESS AROUND MY EYES?”
T
he eye area is the most delicate and where the first signs of aging begin to creep up on us. Most often, it is the area that is most neglected until we see that first wrinkle. The most important thing to realize is that prevention is the best defense against the inevitable aging process. Choosing to use an eye cream at an early age is the best defense against those fine lines creeping in before we’re ready. There are also a few other remedies to weaken the defenses of those fine lines and to address other eye concerns. Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)
Aging When we begin to age, the eye area is the first to show those signs. That is why it is the most important area to take care of. Taking care of our eyes is quite simple – moisturizer. Keeping the eye area moisturized is key to maintaining its elasticity and keeping the crows feet and wrinkles away. Choosing an appropriate moisturizer is important. Too light
A Very Good Price!
Good Haircut! Beautiful Perm!
Long Lasting Color!
of a moisturizer won’t be effective and too heavy of a moisturizer will just make your make-up a runny mess. To determine the right weight of a moisturizer, look for a moisturizer that absorbs into the skin just enough to still provide relief and still be a little slick. Furthermore, the right moisturizer must not be too intense. The eye area is the most delicate skin on our face and requires that we take great care to ensure it is treated accordingly. A moisturizer designed specifically for the eye area is the best choice. Choosing any facial moisturizer isn’t appropriate because they often contain too many active ingredients that are too much for the eye area to handle. It’s also important to recognize that, for most of us, our eyes are more sensitive than the rest of our skin. A moisturizer should be delicate in addition to being the appropriate weight.
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Puffiness Puffy eyes come in two forms: chronic and circumstantial. Chronic
puffiness is typically a condition in which pockets of fluid (or bags) have collected under the eye area. Aside from surgical methods to treat this, there are some eye creams available to address these issues. Circumstantial puffiness is the result of a lack of sleep, hay fever or an allergic reaction. These types of puffy eye conditions are easily treated with cold compresses to the eye area when there is an occurrence. Using something - like a bag of peas - that can mold to the eye area will be the most effective. In both circumstances – chronic or circumstantial – there are eye creams loaded with an antiinflammatory to help regulate the puffiness. To know if a particular eye cream will work for you, test-drive it in the store. Most of these eye treatments have immediate results that can be seen from the moment they are applied. Try this – apply the eye treatment to one eye and leave the other untreated. Check in the mirror to see if it has made a difference. Continued use of these eye treatments will improve the continued puffiness over time and help to enlighten the eyes area.
Dark Circles As a life-long dark circle sufferer, I have particular sensitivity to these concerns. I also understand what it is like to try every eye cream under the sun to attempt to deal with my dark circles. I’m here to tell most of you – put down the eye cream, walk away and grab a concealer. The reality is that eye creams formulated to combat dark circles do not address most dark circle concerns. Eye creams that claim to fight dark circles are designed for dark circle conditions involving broken capillaries. These broken blood vessels create a darkening under the skin that these dark circlefighting creams work to disintegrate. Unfortunately, for the majority of us (myself included), our dark circles are the result of discoloration or excess pigment around our eyes. This is a function of the way we are built and no eye cream can change that. But, there are ways to reduce them and hide them. Most effective is making sure to get good sleep because those dark circles will only get darker from the lack of sleep. September 2021 | 41
GO FISH
STEVE CHACONAS
NEW TOYS, NEW MODIFICATIONS
T
here’ve been many new devices to make bass fishing more effective and enjoyable. A few stand out. Many were met with resistance by fishing’s rank and file. “I don’t need that” or “I’ve always done it this way” or “Just wait to see if they really work” were common excuses for not embracing the new and disposing the old. One of the first was the gas foot pedal. In early years of boating, a hand throttle was standard on every bass boat. Left hand on the steering wheel and the right on the throttle. Boaters operated their throttle by hand with one hand on the wheel. Along came the foot pedal, allowing complete boat control with both hands on the steering wheel. Better for boat handling and safer too. About a decade ago, shallow water anchors were becoming available for bass boats This enabled remote control of two anchor spikes deployed into the lake bottom. Prior to these devices, anglers used trolling motors to keep boats in position. Along came Power Pole and anglers stayed put with the touch of a button, especially handy in current or windy conditions for fishing specific target fishing. Trolling motors wouldn’t be used, making it quieter near fish hangouts. Effective while fishing and for taking a break to change tackle or retie 42 | September 2021
without losing boat position. In addition, these anchors made docking a piece of cake, allowing boats to be safely away from the dock to avoid damage. Fishing electronics have truly changed fishing. “Seeing” underwater to find fish hangouts or fish themselves, these minicomputers with big screens eliminate unproductive fishing time. In the last few years, Garmin released the most innovative advancement since Humminbird released side imaging. LiveScope allows anglers to aim a transducer to see fish and the cover they hide in. A special transducer attached to the trolling motor can be aimed by moving the trolling motor. This was a game changer, allowing anglers to see fish and target the biggest fish around. Anglers with sponsorship deals with other manufacturers did not have these advantages. Some even dropped sponsors to jump on board with Garmin’s innovation. This year, manufacturers introduced their versions of Garmin’s LiveScope, forward scan, and it’s becoming widely accepted as a musthave for competitive anglers. However, one big disadvantage is using trolling motors while trying to aim the transducer, since they move in unison. It’s cumbersome to use forward scan with trolling motors especially with the trolling motor anchor feature called
Spot Lock. The trolling motor does its job in deeper water, keeping the boat in position, but using the trolling motor to aim the transducer disengages Spot Lock and is not a seamless operation. Angler innovations created the concept of adding separate poles, many homemade for a few dollars, mounted to the boat deck or gunnel to keep the transducer aiming independent from the trolling motor. However, these devices had to be deployed and retrieved. They also took up deck space and were not very stable. Enter RM Industries, specializing in fishing, marine and other outdoor-related products. A small but focused company with over 50 years experience
in designing products and machine parts world-wide, RM has created Rite Hite gear to make forward scan more effective and easier to use. The Rite Hite Turret attaches to the trolling motor, but operates independently of the motor shaft, allowing anglers to use trolling motors while aiming the transducer with a small foot pedal. All the advantages of the pole add-on, but without the issues of having to aim by hand. The Rite Hite Turret, allowing fishing with both hands, is catching on with anglers who are catching more fish. It stows and deploys with the trolling motor to eliminate taking up deck space and drilling holes in the boat. Quiet and durable, it’s become the seamless answer
for forward scan useability. The company has built quite the following, selling thousands. RM has also added other products to enhance and protect this technology. A cable protector saves the costly transducer. A removable kickstand stabilizes the Turret shaft during trailering and boat rides. Their recent addition of the Perspective mount is also innovative. Not only does it eliminate the factory mount offset, but also allows more horizontal adjustments, enabling more options according to different depths. It won’t be long for manufacturers to realize they’ve missed the boat when it comes to forward scan electronics and start supplying their versions of these accessories to enable anglers to expand the use and effectiveness of this technology. For those waiting, they aren’t maximizing their substantial investment. Those who have the Turret are finally utilizing their gear to catch more fish.
Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.
Potomac River Bassing in September Hit the mats. Grass beds are getting thicker now, and fish are in them. There are two solid techniques for getting them to come out. Hollow bodied frogs are effective as they cover water. Gamma Torque braid in 50-60 pound test is a must! At least a 7 foot medium heavy to heavy rod and a fast casting-reel are required for effective hook sets and for winching fish out of thick grass. Also bend the hooks open just a bit for better hook ups. Cast over grass and twitch the frogs to entice bass to bust through the grass to eat them. Once the fish has the bait, do not count to ten! Set the hook straight up. The other technique is a bit more tedious but very effective. Punching mats refers to a heavy tungsten weight, 1 ounce or more, pegged to a stout hook with a small plastic crawfish. These are pitched to either small openings or shaken to drop to the fish below the grass mats. Either method produces big fish. But don’t forget to use swim jigs and bladed jigs on 16 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon.
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OPEN SPACE
LORI WELCH BROWN
: N O I T U A C H T I W D E E PROC
E V I R D T ’ N A C I
I
t’s my birthday month! Get all your, ‘I can’t drive 55’ jokes out of the way now because I am turning the double cinco. I know. Hard to believe based on my outward youthful appearance, razor sharp wit, and hipster ways, but it’s true. And, our wedding anniversary falls the week before my birthday. Against all odds, and perhaps a few bets, looks like XXL and I are going to make it to lucky number seven. I married later in life so I compare it to dog years. In my book, XXL and I are actually on Year 49. Not gonna lie, some days I feel like I’m turning 85 so this is a distinct possibility. Luckily, those days are flanked by the days I think I’m 24. Gifts to mark the occasion of a seven-year anniversary are copper and wool which represent warmth. XXL said he fancied the idea of presenting me with copper knitting needles so I could knit him a wool scarf. Me thinks he needs to head back to the drawing board. Given the unprecedented year we’ve all experienced, I’m running unabashedly toward these milestones. I’m ready to blow out some candles, wave my arms in the air like I don’t care. It’s good to have a milestone to celebrate, but it’s also a good reminder that regardless of what’s going on, there’s always cause for joy and celebration. XXL and I were married at
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The Tides Inn in Irvington, VA. It’s one of our fave spots, and we try to get back there as much as possible. The Inn exudes southern hospitality. Over the years, we have grown to think of the staff as friends. Due to COVID-19 and other conflicts, it’s been a few years since we’ve been, but we are planning to celebrate lucky number seven with a few days of R&R there. It will be wonderful to see our friends, and I cannot wait to stand in the lawn where we exchanged vows. I can practically feel that dessert menu in my hands. When I think of all we’ve missed out on thanks to COVID, our capacity to make memories is what has hit home the hardest for me. Not to take away from the memories we made around our own backyards and
dining tables, but most of our memories are of things that transport us to another time and PLACE. So, let the memory making begin. In addition to our anniversary get away, I’m treating myself to another trip for my birthday. I’m splurging on a creativity retreat in Santa Fe which has me excited—like Christmas morning excited. I’m going to attend a workshop with one of my idols, Julia Cameron. I’ve long been a fan of Julia’s. Her classic book, The Artist’s Way, has been a mainstay for me over the years, my go-to resource whenever I need a creative pick me up. Visiting Santa Fe has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I’ve heard such good things, and I am so excited to immerse myself in the beauty of that part of the world. Hopefully, it will still
be safe to travel, and I can go take in some new sights, eat some great food, and meet some cool people. The view outside my own window is lovely, but this girl is ready for a change of scenery. I’ll be doing this trip solo. I was nervous at first, and actually extended the invite to a few writer/artist friends whom I thought might enjoy exploring Santa Fe with me. Although there was interest, no one was able to pull the trigger. I’m taking that as a sign. I’m going to use the trip as a time to reflect, restore, and rejuvenate. I’ve always found that when I’ve traveled alone that I return home with a renewed sense of selfconfidence. Bonus: I’m sure XXL will appreciate a break from me…absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Maybe I’ll learn to knit while I’m away so I can work on that copper scarf.
As I’ve made a few trips around the sun, I’ve begun to put more value on the gift of time with the people I love. Rather than opening a present, I’d rather a friend invite me to coffee or go on a road trip with them. I’d rather travel or go to a concert for an experience vs. opening a gift. Unless of course it’s books or art supplies or paper of any sort. Now you know all my addictions. Heck—who am I kidding? Bring on the gifts! September has me feeling very blessed with loads to celebrate and commemorate. I’m wrapping myself in a blanket of gratitude—just not a copper or wool one. But enough about me. What gifts are you giving yourself this month? Help me celebrate by doing something kind for yourself. Practice some self-care. Take yourself on a day trip. We all need a change of scenery every once in a while, and we need to find things to celebrate. Important milestones like birthdays and anniversaries aside, it’s important to celebrate the little wins too. Were you able to stick to your exercise goals this week? Cause for celebration! Did you make it through your first week of classes? Celebrate! Find something to celebrate this month. Raise a glass on my behalf, and I’ll raise one back atcha from wherever I am. Happy birthday to all my fellow Virgos and Libras! September 2021 | 43
NATIONAL HARBOR
LANI GERING
T
he heat and the rain that we have had in this area during the last part of August has me over the edge! I can’t wait until fall rolls in. I can only hope that it is a true fall with a little bit of Indian Summer at the onset and then consistent cooler weather all the way up to the holidays. I know I am probably asking for pie in the sky but it doesn’t hurt to dream. As in years past, September marks the last month of the Salute to Sunset Concerts, the free fitness classes and the other live entertainment that has been taking place during the summer. I guess September in the Harbor is sort of like a dining establishment closing between lunch and dinner so they can clean up from one shift and gear up for the next. The break in September allows the Harbor retailers to push those summer styles and goods out the door to make room for Halloween promotions, Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Restaurants get rid of their summer menus and bring out their fall offerings. Gone is the Froze’ and in comes the spiced cider! Something that does stay consistent during September is the Capital Wheel, The Flight Deck and the Carousel. These guys have all sorts of promotions going on at any given time. Check them out at thecapitalwheel.com for the latest. The impressive statuary along American Way remains year round and one of my favorite things to do at the Harbor is starting at the bottom of American Way with the Awakening and walking up to Fleet Street and seeing tourists reactions to all of fantastic sculptures. My two favs are Marilyn Monroe and Rosie the Riviter and they both make great backdrops for your “selfie”. We honor American Workers and Rosie on Labor Day on the 6th. Plan a relaxing day at the Harbor with a stroll around the campus, take a spin on the wheel or ride the carousel and grab something good to eat and drink at one of the many eateries. Feel free to check out the new shops that are popping up as well. NOTE: At the time of this writing the mask mandate inside public places was put back into place in early August. 44 | September 2021
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH 12th Annual National Food and Wine Festival “A World Class, Waterfront, Culinary Event!”
12:00 PM-6:00 PM
ON THE WATERFRONT AT SOUTHPOINTE • 802 National Harbor Boulevard Join in the excitement of the 12th Annual National Wine and Food Festival in DC; bringing together world-renowned chefs, artisanal craftsmen, and culinary pioneers with thousands of Metro DC’s foodies.
NEW FOR THE NEW DECADE… • Over 100 Different INTERNATIONAL and LOCAL Wines, Craft Beers, and Craft Spirits in an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE affair. The title says wine but there are all types of adult beverages offered, sampled, and compared. • BEAUTIFUL WATERFRONT FLOORPLAN. • This year’s show is returning to the Potomac Waterfront with a great Vista. The Lawn will offer more tables and chairs for seating and enjoying the day. Enjoy the view.
SPECIAL VIP BENEFITS…12pm-6pm ($99) • A full VIP area with sampling from 10+ restaurants and many specialty wine, beer and craft spirit tastings. • Expanded umbrella seating • A Champagne Lounge NOW in the VIP section. Get bubbly! • Dance The Afternoon Away with The VIP DJ’s spinning your favorite tunes • Special VIP Washrooms
ENJOY THE FEST WITH FRIENDS! WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WITH YOUR ADMISSION ($49) • A Souvenir Glass to take home. • The Rose’ Garden. Wear your best PINK CHIC and taste all the rose’. • Great Live Music all day. • Great food to buy from some of DC’s hottest restaurants and Food Trucks. • Craft Beer Experience. Taste and savor special craft beers at the show … something you don’t usually get at other local wine festivals. Ticket Information and purchase opportunities: https://www.drinkeatrelax.com/event/wine-food-festival-national-harbor/
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