When I initially sat down to pen these notes late last week, the daytime temperature was in the mid 70's and it looked like we were headed into fall even though the first official day isn’t until the 22nd of the month. Well, we all know that was short-lived. The last couple of days have hit the 90’s and it looks like it will round out the first week of the month with some pleasant mid-80 days. The 80 degree days don’t exactly exude fall vibes but the 60 degree nights are a step in the right direction! I started wearing long pants a few days ago but still haven't put the shorts away. We have another great issue in store for you in these 48 pages. Our cover sets the mood with our Cover Girl, Ethel, setting the stage for the transition into the new season with her combination of summer sunflowers and fall pumpkin vines. Check out the “About the Cover” on page 6 for her bio.
We are happy to celebrate our very own Little Theatre of Alexandria’s 90th Anniversary this month. Many thanks to Flash aka Fred Lash for contributing to the write up. You will find this special feature in tandem with Mark Edleman’s On Stage Old Town column. In Gallery Beat, Lenny Campello takes a peek at ‘Gallery Season 2024’ with insight to two DMV artist who are "Comin' In Hot”! Rounding out the Arts & Entertainment section, Ron Powers reviews Hotel Yorba by The White Stripes in High Notes and Miriam Kramer revisits Matthew Perry’s last book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing in her Last Word column.
Our Road Trip took us back to Fells Point along the Patapsco River near Baltimore. Actually, it is kind of a suburb for B’More around the corner from the Inner Harbor. Both very fun places to visit and close enough for a day trip!
In From the Bay, Kristin Goodhue relates to the success of Restored Oyster Sanctuaries and we return to Virginia's Oldest Juried Crafts Fair in To the Blue Ridge. Going beyond, Alex Brittel writes about two new resorts in Jamaica you might want to consider for your next island vacation in Caribbean Connection
Our Dining Out foray this month took us to the Hummingbird Restaurant in Hotel Indigo. The main entrance is on South Union but the restaurant is located on the Potomac River side near the new River Walk. We opted for a Sunday summer brunch as opposed to dinner and it was the perfect day for it. Sunny with a bit of a breeze and a good day for people watching. On the other end of the dining spectrum, Chef Glenn dug into the fall recipe section of his cookbooks and went full on fall with three of his Crockpot favorites in Let's Eat
The Virginia Wine Industry is gearing up for the Fall. The growing season has been challenging this year and now we look toward Harvest.
In Exploring Virginia Wines Doug Fabbioli discusses the vintners "Playoffs." Matt Fitzsimmons’ Grapevine takes a look at ‘Virginia Women in Wine’. This is a group founded by longtime Virginia wine promoter and writer, Nancy Bauer. Many of you may recognize the name since she penned Grapevine for us for several years.
Tim Long rounded out the eats and drinks section with his first 2024 encounter with pumpkin beer in his Let’s Get Crafty column. I’m on the same page with Tim – it wasn’t even the end of August and the promoters are hawking the stuff.
Our two veteran lady writers continue to provide us with stellar columns. In her A Bit of History column, Sarah Becker explores Women's Equality in 2024 while Lori Welch Brown takes us down memory lane with her “Sex and the City” rewind in Open Space. This and much more await within these pages.
Have yourselves a fantastic Labor Day weekend as you wind down the summer of 2024 with some fun in the sun don’t discount the fact that you may have to dig out those jeans and real shoes just in case some really cool fall weather sneaks in!
Sitting on the dock of the bay in front of the USS Constellation in Inner Harbor, MD.
Nick Hoover –
ON THE ROAD WITH OTC
Thanks to our faithful reader, Colorado resident Annie Ruller, the August Old Town Crier took a trip to Georgetown, Colorado to visit the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Mining Park and ride the train, tour a silver mine and pan for gold. Along the way, we met some fantastic new friends and potential new readers. If you ever find yourself in this area of this western state, put this on your list of to-do’s!! www.georgetownlooprr.com
If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.
Tess – The andwell-versed master of
Minejokes, Guide and Mine Lead
Annie
Conductor, narrator, brakeman and jack of all trades
Wesley and his Mom visiting his Colorado grandparents from California.
Meet Ethel – the Queen of E-Spear Farms – who is located in Lingle, Wyoming. This beauty was inspired by a similar sculpture Aimee Unverzagt saw on Pinterest. Her husband, Dave, who prior to farming full time, worked at a welding shop in his younger years. He has created some very impressive pieces with his welding torch in hand during the off months from farming.
The Unverzagt’s are the parents of our “From the Trainer” column contributor, Ryan Unverzagt and the younger sister of our very own Lani Gering. This photo was taken in late August while Lani was visiting the farm for a few days. The ladies decided to dress her up a bit with some fresh “lipstick”, a few live vines from the pumpkin and squash in the garden and sunflowers here and there to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall. We asked the artist what Ethel is composed of, and he said she is made from many different parts. The top off of a propane bottle for her head. A funnel for her body. Electric fence posts for hair and legs. Cultivator points for her feet. A disc for the base. Dinner forks for her hands. Also, electric fence posts for her arms. Her earrings and necklace are made of chain from a chopper flap controller. All of these things just happened to be lying around the E-Spear Farms shop.
The wreaths on the barn wood fence were made by Aimee using rusted barbed wire and attaching different treasures she has run across on the farm over the years as well as “treasures” found at random farm sales.
We thought you might want to see Ethel in progress. These photos are courtesy of E-Spear Farms.
We had a winner last month! That is three months in a row that we didn’t stump you all. This month’s snippet might be a bit too easy but it is a beautiful new addition to the mural scene in Alexandria in any case.
Remember, if you are the first person to respond with the correct location, you will receive a $50 gift certificate to one of our amazing restaurant advertiser’s eateries.
In order to participate, Like and Follow us on Facebook @oldtowncrier and Instagram @otcregionalmag
Send a PM with your guess and we will contact the winner each month via PM to arrange for prize delivery.
Congratulations to Josh Jenks who correctly identified the grain mural located on one of the buildings that line the walkway between The Strand and Union Street.
Mural photos by Lee Moody.
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
September Events
Fall into the season with bright-hued foliage, favorite art events, outdoor festivals and Halloween haunts this autumn in Alexandria, Virginia, voted one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S 2024 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2023. Art festivals add to the seasonal spirit as locals load up at farmers’ markets and fall festivities crop up in Old Town, Del Ray and beyond. Sip local cider, stroll King Street for seasonal finds and Halloween treats, explore historic homes and take advantage of the September activities listed below:
14th & 15th
22nd Annual Alexandria Art Festival artfestival.com/festivals
The 22nd Annual Alexandria Art Festival returns to John Carlyle Square. Alexandria is recognized as one of the country’s premier artistic hubs. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality, 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.
19th
Taste of Old Town North 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street oldtownnorth.org
The Taste of Old Town North is a free, family-and pet-friendly event featuring an artisans’ market, gourmet restaurant tastings, children’s improv with Alexandria Children’s Theater and other activities for all to enjoy, including music from two local bands. Participating Old Town North restaurants include Jula’s on the Potomac, the Perfect Pita, Hank’s Oyster Bar, MacMillan Spirit House, Hotel AKA Alexandria’s a.lounge+bar, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub and Royal Restaurant.
On street parking is available in the Old Town North neighborhood or public parking located at 625 North Washington Street. The rain date is September 26th. For more information visit www.oldtownorth.org.
21st
82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Admission: $45 per person
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria thetwig.org/homes-tour
The 82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour will showcase some of Alexandra’s finest homes. This year’s event will include a bonus tour of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Presented by The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of INOVA Alexandria Hospital, the Historic Alexandria Homes Tour is a ticketed tour with proceeds benefiting INOVA Alexandria Hospital. Their designated Tour Book serves as a guide to the homes and will be accessible to ticket holders via mobile device. Hard copies of the Tour Book are available for purchase in advance for $5 each.
26th through October 6th
Old Town Cocktail Week
Old Town Cocktail Week will feature spirited events, workshops and activities at shops and restaurants around Old Town. The Art on the Rocks festivities kick off at the Heron Hotel located at 699 Prince Street on the 26th from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Guests can sample up to ten unique cocktail and appetizer pairings and vote for their favorite pairing while enjoying imaginative artwork, live music and more. Tickets to Art on the Rocks are $70 and are available via Eventbrite.
Cocktail week takes place at various locations throughout Old Town. Check the website for updated locations. www.oldtownbusiness.org 28th
Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square
11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Rain or Shine
Admission: Free
300 John Carlyle Street
Get ready for a day filled with traditional music, lively entertainment, a beer garden, shopping, and the unmistakable spirit of Bavarian merriment. Traditional German music and Bavarian performances, Beer Garden Bliss and Bavarian foods with an Arts and Crafts Market for you shoppers.
Bring your friends, family, and your best Oktoberfest spirit as we transform John Carlyle Square into a Bavarian haven. This is your invitation to experience the joy, flavors, and traditions of Oktoberfest right here in Old Town Alexandria! This event is pet friendly. #OldTownOktoberfest #BavarianJoy
About Alexandria, VA
Alexandria is a welcoming weekend escape on the Potomac River, minutes from Washington, D.C. Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel. As it celebrated its 275th anniversary in July, the port city has played a major role in the nation’s story and reflected its progress toward inclusivity. Stroll Old Town Alexandria’s King Street mile to find more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques plus intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. Explore vibrant neighborhoods beyond Old Town, trace George Washington and the Founding Fathers’ footsteps and follow the stories of Black Americans who shaped the history of Alexandria and the United States.
Connect with us!
Web: VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA
Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA
Instagram: Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS
OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET
Market Square
301 King Street
Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round
The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.
DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET
Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues
Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round
This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh 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.
Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) On Display Through November
Admission: Free Waterfront Park 1A Prince Street visitalexandriava.com/public-art
Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) was unveiled late last month. It is the sixth annual temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park and will be on display until as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series.
eCreated by Brooklyn-based, artist/architect duo Jason Klimoski (left) and Lesley Chang (right) of STUDIOKCA, the installation explores the impact of an asteroid that hit the earth 35 million years ago near what is now Alexandria. Interstellar Influencer uses metal, water and light to create a 1:1000 scale representation of the asteroid and the 85-kilometer wide, 1.5-kilometer-deep crater it left behind, that shaped the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed and the flow of water through its rivers and tributaries.
Covering the Cost of College without Breaking the Bank
College is expensive. Just tuition and books can add up to $108,000 for a four-year degree, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. With costs like that, there are bound to be gaps between what a student can get in scholarships and grants and what is left to pay every term. Here are some ways you can help pay for college, including some loan options. Choose a School or Program That’s Right for You. Do your research. Be sure to explore tuition exchange or reciprocity programs—some states will allow residents to attend a college in a nearby state without having to pay out-of-state tuition rates.
A Coverdell Education Savings Account Can Make a Difference. Even if you’re just starting to save now, a Coverdell Educational account can help you set money aside for a future college graduate. As long as the student is 18 or under, anyone can make contributions to their education expenses. There are contribution limits of $2,000 a year per child, but the money grows tax-deferred with tax-free withdrawals. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or close family friend, you can help a child pay for college.
Fill out the FAFSA Form.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is found online and is super easy to fill out. The earlier you fill out the form from the U.S. Department of Education, the more money will be available to you if you qualify. This is a great way to get grants for college and become eligible for federal student loan programs.
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federally guaranteed and offered by the U.S. Department of Education. These loans allow students to borrow thousands with and without making payments while in college. Additionally, some loans do not accrue interest while the student is in school. Finally, some federal student loans may qualify for forgiveness programs.
It is always worth the time it takes to fill out the form. Too often, assumptions about FAFSA have parents and students leaving potential money on the table. Do any of these sound familiar?
Assumption #1: It’s Only For Straight “A” Students
Grades are important, but they’re not considered on the initial FAFSA application. That being stated, some schools do require specific grades (GPA) to maintain federal aid.
Assumption #2: We Make Too Much Money
There are no income maximums to qualify for federal student aid. The actual requirements include U.S. citizenship, a valid Social Security number, enrollment or acceptance as a student at an accredited program or institution, and access to your (and your parent’s) federal tax return.
Assumption #3: If I Don’t Qualify For Grants, It’s Not Worth My Time
Filling out the FAFSA could make you eligible for federal student loans and work-study programs, which are on-campus, sometimes career-focused jobs that help pay for school. Federal student loans allow you to borrow money for school at a lower interest rate and avoid making payments until you leave school. Additionally, some loans do not accrue interest right away.
Learn more about your FASFA loan options at www.studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Private Student Loans are Available.
Be aware that many private student loans, without the backing and rules of the U.S. government, may require immediate monthly payments and may not be deferred during times of hardship. Additionally, most private student loan interest begins to accrue the minute you accept the loan.
Scholarships .
Keep applying to scholarships throughout your years at school. They are not just for high school seniors! Free money is everywhere – and scholarships are available for just about anything. Don’t underestimate the scholarship opportunities available to you.
Get a Side Gig.
There are plenty of ways to earn money on your schedule. Can your hobby become a side hustle? Have a talent for math, languages or other school subject? Consider online tutoring. Do your research to find what will work best for you while providing time for studying and fun.
Important: Don’t Use Variable-rate Credit Cards for Tuition (or books)
It’s important that you only use credit cards for everyday purchases, not tuition. With variable rates and the chance to overspend, you could end up with a monthly payment you cannot afford.
This column provided courtesy of Transportation Federal Credit Union. Looking for a lender that offers private student loans as well as other financing options? Visit Transportation Federal Credit Union at www.TransFCU.org/Student today!
Women’s Equality in 2024
The American Equal Rights Association [1866-1869], an organization founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, worked hard to “secure Equal Rights to all American citizens, especially the right of suffrage, irrespective of race, color, or sex.” The AERA won the black man’s bondage battle, his right to vote [Amendment 15, Section 1, 1870], only to lose the war for women’s equality.
Today’s woman values the vote. In June 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade 6-to-3. Since then abortion has been on the ballot in seven States: Ohio, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Vermont and Kansas. Each time anti-abortion advocates have lost the popular vote. Not only do the dissenting Justices hold sway, but also female voters.
Another of women’s articulated wants: Equal Pay! “Underpaying women and undervaluing their work not only hurts women and their families, it damages the entire U.S. economy,” the American Association of University Women [AAUW] said. “In 2021, when comparing full-time, year-round workers, women were paid just 84 cents for every dollar paid to men,” the AAUW continued. “When the calculation included all workers, the earnings discrepancy was substantially larger. Women took home only 77 cents on the dollar.”
The data-aggregate “demonstrates that there is not just one pay gap, but rather many pay gaps—in earnings, benefits and wealth,” the AAUW concluded. Asian-American women, for example, earn 99 cents on the dollar; White women 82 cents, Black women 69 cents, Native American women 59 cents, and Latinas 57 cents.
The AAUW’s solution: Congressional passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act of 2023 [H.R. 17, S. 728], “an update which would strengthen the [61 yearold] Equal Pay Act of 1963.” The two bills were simultaneously introduced —in March 2023—then left to linger in Committee.
“When President [John F.] Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963, our country codified the basic idea that all workers should earn ‘equal pay for equal work regardless of sex,’” U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA3) argued in 2021.
According to the Department of Labor the Equal Pay Act of 1963 “protects against wage discrimination based on sex…All forms of compensation are covered, including salary, overtime pay, bonuses, life insurance, vacation and holiday pay, cleaning or gasoline allowances, hotel accommodations, reimbursement for travel expenses, and benefits.”
If Major George Washington could advocate for equal pay in 1754 [the French and Indian War], then why cannot the 118th Congress act on behalf of today’s working woman?
“Giving up my commission is quite contrary to my intention,” Washington wrote Virginia Lt. Governor Robert Dinwiddie. “[B] ut to be slaving dangerously for the shadow of pay, through woods, rocks, mountains,—I would rather prefer the great toil of a daily laborer, and dig for a maintenance, provided I were reduced to the necessity, than serve upon such ignoble terms; for I really do not see why the lives of his Majesty’s subjects in Virginia should be of less value, than of those in other parts of his American dominions; especially when it is well known, that we must undergo double their hardship.”
“We can’t conceive, that being Americans should deprive us of the benefits of British Subjects; nor lessen our claim to preferment,” Washington added in 1757. “We are defending the Kings Dominions, and altho the Inhabitants of Great Britain are removed from (this) Danger, they are…equally with Us.”
Subject, as defined by the American Heritage dictionary: “one who is under the rule of another: especially a government.” To what extent are today’s women ruled by men: husbands and the Law of Coverture; religious leaders, politicians and or justices. Only 28% of today’s popularly elected 118th Congress is female: the highest percentage in U.S. history.
Said Victoria Woodhull [1838-1927], a member of the Equal Rights Party and the first female candidate for President [1872]: “There is something wrong with a government that makes women the legal property of their husbands. The whole system needs changing, but men will never make changes.”
“In discussing the rights of woman,
we are to consider, first, what belongs to her as an individual,” Stanton suggested in 1892. “If we consider her as a citizen, as a member of a great nation, she must have the same rights as all other members.”
Women are not cultural subsets of American society. They are individuals who in the collective seek gender equality!
Lucy Randolph Mason [1882-1959], the daughter of Episcopal minister Landon Mason—born at Clarens on Alexandria’s Seminary Hill—tells of many “instances where milltown preachers, invoking the authority of the church, collaborated with millowners and local police to deny civil rights.” A dedicated activist, Miss Mason died four years prior to the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963.
“Equal work deserves equal pay,” Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA8) said in 2015. “This isn’t simply an issue of fairness, it’s about strengthening our middle class— putting food on the table, gas in the tank, and ensuring moms, daughters and sisters are not cheated out of their paychecks.” Beyer “believes it ever more deeply now.”
Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter [2015-2017] was the first to “open all military occupations to women.” There is no gender pay gap, even if there are fewer women because “at every rank, men and women are paid equally.”
In 2017 the non-profit Contentedly Foundation found that “although women hold half of all state and federal service jobs, they make 10% less than men. Also in 2017: former President [2017-2021] now presidential candidate Donald Trump (R-FL, NY) “froze an equal pay wage data rule.” The EEOC was ordered “to halt pay data collection.” Compliance, Trump said “imposed an incredible amount of burden” on business. Soon after, the White House removed the Equal Pay Pledge from its website.
The Equal Pay Pledge as of December 16, 2016: “The White House launched the Equal Pay Pledge in June at the first-ever United State of Women Summit [USOW], encouraging companies from across the American economy to take action to advance equal pay…Equal Pay has been an Administration priority since
President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law in 2009….”
Lucy Randolph Mason a direct descendant of George Mason, author of the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, supported state labor laws that would ensure safer workplaces, end child labor, raise minimum wages and shorten work hours. In 2019 the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that “women accounted for 51.8% of all workers employed in management, professional and related occupations.”
Also in 2019: the McCrain- Palmer study “found a substantial pay gap between male and female congressional staff.”
Today’s “wage gap cannot be dismissed entirely as the inevitable by-product of "women’s choices" in education, career and family matters,”
The American Bar Association said. “Even when all relevant career and family attributes are taken into account, there still is an unexplained gap between men’s and women’s earnings.” Working women collectively lose out on more than $500 billion a year.
Working women, women generally need to rethink the status quo. To cast their hard-earned November votes prudently. In 2023 the Equal Pay Act was not only DOA, the disunited Senate scrapped the Equal Rights Amendment [S.J.Res.39, 2023].
"To the horror of hundreds of millions of American people, women in America have far fewer rights today than they did even a year ago," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer [DNY] then said.
About the Author: 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
Hotel Yorba by The White Stripes
The other day I was out test driving a jet black, 1957 Ford Thunderbird and wanted to get a feel for the quality of its speaker system. As I played some of my favorite songs through the custom Bluetooth connection, one song stood out among the rest: a 2001 charmer by The White Stripes called “Hotel Yorba”. As the day went on, I found myself repeatedly listening to all two minutes and ten seconds of the upbeat foot stomper. Marveling over the staying power of this twodecades-old hit, I felt the irresistible urge to write about it. So, without further ado, let's dig into a song by a band that helped define rock-n-roll in the early 2000s and continues to inspire us to this day.
Jack White gets things started with some brief noodling on a rare vintage acoustic guitar made by Gibson during World War I called the Army Navy Special. After plucking away for a few moments, Jack is joined by Meg White with a stomping drum beat composed of kick drum, floor tom, and snare. Along with Meg’s drum beat, Jack begins belting out the first verse beginning with the lines, “I was watching / With one eye on the other side / I had fifteen people tellin' me to move / I got movin' on my mind”. Limited to a single guitar, drums, and vocals, the verses of “Hotel Yorba” rely on clever lyrics, catchy melodies, and minimalist charm to pull the listener in.
For the chorus the band increases the energy with flurries of lyrics delivered on every downbeat of the first four measures. Each blast of words is followed by a pause which is then followed by the song’s central lyrical hook, “All they got inside is vacancy”. Additional lift is added to the chorus section by way of Meg White’s charming vocal harmony further supporting the song's down-home feeling. A final energetic touch is added by Meg as she smashes away at the crash cymbal throughout the chorus.
After a couple of verse and chorus sections, Jack and Meg mix things up a little with some musical variation for the third verse. Here we hear simple and hushed strums of the acoustic guitar delivered at the top of each measure. Additionally, gentle taps on the ride cymbal fill the stereo field. Halfway through the third verse the band picks up the pace with a shuffling strumming pattern and upbeat drumming. This leads to a final chorus and simple outro chords giving the song a satisfying finish.
The White Stripes disbanded in 2011 leaving behind a legacy of outstanding garage rock songs. They are still one of the most popular rock bands in the world and are streamed by tens of millions of people every month. The band’s leader, Jack White, has gone on to release several solo albums featuring stand out tracks like "Lazaretto", "I'm Shakin'", and "Sixteen Saltines". If you would like to listen to “Hotel Yorba” or any of The White Stripes other fine music, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you’d like to learn more about The White Stripes, you can find information at Wikipedia, whitestripes. com, or read their biography Fell in Love with a Band
About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.
AFTER
Birchmere
703.549.7500
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com
The Blackwall Hitch
571-982-3577
5 Cameron St. theblackwallhitch.com
Chadwicks
203 S. Strand St.
703.836.4442
Evening Star Cafe
703.549.5051
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.
The Fish Market
703.836.5676
105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com
La Portas
703.683.6313
1600 Duke St.
The Light Horse
703.549.0533
715 King St. lighthorserestaurant.com
Murphys Irish Pub
703.548.1717
713 King St. murphyspub.com
O’Connell’s
703.739.1124
112 King St.
Rock It Grill
703.739.2274
1319 King St.
Shooter McGees
703.751.9266
5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com
Southside 815
703.836.6222
815 S. Washington St. St. Elmos
703.739.9268
2300 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Taverna Cretekou
703.548.8688
818 King St.
TJ Stones
703.548.1004
608 Montgomery St. tjstones.com
The Study
703-838-8000
116 South Alfred
Two Nineteen
703.549.1141
219 King St.
Alexandria Bier Garden 710 King St. 703-888-1951
Augie's Mussel House
703.721.3970
1106 King St. eataugies.com
Mason Social
703.548.8800
728 N. Henry St.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria Presents:
90 Years of ‘Breaking Legs’
The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA), located at 600 Wolfe Street in Old Town, was founded by Mary Lindsay in 1934. Originally known as the ‘Peacock Players,’ the community theatre has since staged more than 350 productions.
The theatre has welcomed numerous dignitaries throughout its colorful past, including President George W. Bush, who attended his first cultural event at LTA after occupying the White House, along with First Lady Laura Bush. They were in the audience to see a relative, Margaret Bush, perform in a leading role in Neil Simon’s Proposals on June 28, 2001.
LTA is the oldest award-winning theatre in the Washington Metro Area and one of the few community theatres in the country with its own building and an ambitious seven-show season. Located in the heart of Old Town, LTA has been providing a variety of musicals, dramas, and comedies to local and regional audiences for nine decades and is proud to have produced shows throughout the COVID period, employing reduced audience size, realistic masking, and strict immunization protocols, together with enhanced safety guidelines for the casts and crew of each show. In short, protection for everyone within the building before, during, and after each performance.
theatrical experiences that entertain, educate, and build community pride and spirit. LTA also joins with the Alexandria community as a participant in the annual George Washington Birthday and Scottish Walk parades, as well as volunteering its spaces to service organizations for events.
Having been a landmark at Wolfe and Saint Asaph Streets for nearly a century, LTA continues to present the plays that the community flocks to see. A typical comment from a theatre goer posted on Trip Advisor reads: “We saw the play Mary Stuart yesterday, and our entire party gave it five stars. Excellent acting and Scottish dialect, along with superb costumes and makeup.”
Just like the old Bailey Brothers Savings and Loan Building in It’s a Wonderful Life, LTA kept its doors open and floodlights lit during the entire four-yearperiod!
The Little Theatre seeks to create a vibrant and thriving artistic space, where its members, volunteers, and greater community can engage in rewarding
Additionally, now in its 16th year, LTA’s Education Program offers a comprehensive year-round schedule of classes, camps, and workshops attended by students of all ages, with the youngest ‘Thespians-in training’ being just three years old.
Proud of its heritage and role in Northern Virginia, LTA is pleased to celebrate its past and looks forward to staging first-rate theatrical productions far into the next century.
A review by DC Theater Arts of LTA’s most recent production Memphis well sums up the theatre’s philosophy when it comes to its selection of shows for any one season. “There may be no theatre better suited to tackle as moving, yet racially charged a musical as Memphis, than one that has lived through the era that the show depicts. The Little Theatre of Alexandria, announcing its 90th anniversary (1934-2024), likely experienced a level of segregation like that of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee. This production, combined with the theatre’s historical context, serves to remind us of just how far we’ve come in music and theatre arts.”
ONSTAGE, OLD TOWN: SEPTEMBER
September marks the beginning of Theater Week-an even better reason to get out there and save on more than thirty productions scattered across the DMV. Check in at www.theatreweek.org beginning Sep 9 to find companies offering tickets for as low as $20. It runs September 26 to October 13—plenty of time to enjoy the great theater our area has to offer, including some of these:
Though the 15th
SOFT POWER
Signature Theatre
Signature kicks off its 2024-25 season with a daring piece by Tony® Award winners David Henry Hwang (M Butterfly) and Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Kimberly Akimbo). After a true-life street mugging that nearly killed him, Hwang returned to the dilemma that informed his life—what does it mean to be an “other” (in his case, ChineseAmerican) in contemporary America? He was inspired to come to grips with that question in this quirky new musical which features the playwright himself as a character—a new one on me.
Ably directed by Ethan Heard, Daniel May as a Chinese producer trying to mount a show on Broadway and Grace Yoo as a hard-nosed Hillary Clinton tackle a sometimes madcap, other times touching tale about, of all things, governance. It’s 2016 and the run-up to our presidential contest (and you know how that turned out). Though a tough year to defend majority rule, May and Yoo still manage to sashay Fred and Ginger style thru a show tune-filled polemic that pits our democracy against Chinese totalitarianism. If that sounds too complicated, go see it for Broadway vet Danny Troob’s gorgeous orchestrations. Tickets at www. sigtheatre.org
Through the 21st
THE EXPLORERS CLUB
Alexandria Little Theatre
Deadly cobras, bad bartenders and the occasional airship populate this wacky comedy about a brilliant, beautiful woman’s quest to lead a heretofore males-only institution out of its musty
old past. Sound familiar? Grab your safety goggles for the merriment. Tickets at www.thelittletheatre. com
5th - 29th
THE 22+ WEDDINGS OF HUGO Gala Hispanica Theatre
Why in the world does Hugo, a simple postal clerk, get married so many times? In Gala Hispanica’s season opener—in Spanish with English supertitles—we find out in this hilarious tale of love in times of hatred penned by Gala Hispanica’s artistic director Gustavo Ott. Tickets at www. galatheatre.org
5th - October 6th
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Atlas Theatre
It’s 1959 and Billie Holiday is on a bender. Still, as embodied by DC actress and chanteuse Roz White, Lady Day—purveyor of wonderful songs like God Bless the Child, What a Little Moonlight Can Do and the tragic Strange Fruit-- remains an incandescent talent to behold as portrayed in this Mosaic Theatre production. To add to the atmosphere, the Atlas will be transformed into Emerson’s for the run. Tickets at www. mosaictheater.org
6th - October 13th
JA JA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Arena Stage
This Tony® Award nominated Best Play takes us inside a bustling West African salon in Harlem where, every day, a lively and eclectic group of hair braiders create masterpieces on the heads of the neighborhood women. During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed. Tickets at www.arenastage.org
6th - November 10th
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Charles Addams’ dark but delightful New Yorker cartoons get the Broadway treatment following in the footsteps of the film. When Uncle Fester explains to Gomez, Morticia and the rest of their ghoulish clan that daughter Wednesday has invited her new (normal) boyfriend and his folks to dinner, all hell (and fun) break loose. Tickets at www. tobysdinnertheatre.com
8th – October 6th
THE COMEUPPANCE
Woolly Mammoth
Hot playwright and Tony ® Award nominee Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (Appropriate) penned this piece about a “multi-ethnic reject group” celebrating their 20th high school reunion in Prince George’s County. Amid the chatty reminiscing, an otherworldly presence appears, forcing these former classmates to face the past head-on and reckon with an unknowable future. Tickets at www. woollymammoth.net
10th – October 6th
COMEDY OF ERRORS
Shakespeare Theatre Company
STC Artistic Director Simon Godwin returns to the Folio for this silly comedy about two sets of twins, topsy turvy love and the all-too human desire to belong. With Alex Brightman and David Wynn, who kinda look alike and starred in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical School of Rock —Brightman on Broadway, Wynn in the West End. Expect some rock and roll in this adaptation, too. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatre.org
10th – October 20th
PRIMARY TRUST
Signature Theatre
Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, this touching story takes us to Wally’s Tiki Bar, which serves the sweetest mai tais in town. Kenneth never misses a happy hour with his best friend until a job loss upends his static existence. Now he must discover the courage to open a new door and change his life
– even if it means facing the past and letting go. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
11th – October 6th
SOJOURNERS
Roundhouse Theatre
A Nigerian couple living in Texas in the 1970s welcomes the promise of America but remains homesick for the Old Country. Pregnancy, the demands of work and school, isolation and frequent separation challenge Abaisma and her husband Ukpong until the inspiration of an unexpected community teaches her to forge her own path. Tickets at www.roundhousetheatre.org
12th – 15th
OVO
Capitol One Arena
Those amazing Cirque du Soleil folks lend their story-telling talents and mind-boggling acrobatics to the world of insects as a gang of athletic arthropods tumble, fly, flip and soar through the cavernous confines of Capitol One. Tickets at www.cirquedusoleil. com/ovo
12th – 22nd
HOW TO BE A KOREAN WOMAN
Theatre J
Back by popular demand from its January DC premier, Sun Mee Chomet’s genesis tale incorporates text, music and movement to tell the poignant story of her search for her birth family in South Korea after growing up in her adopted Jewish home. Tickets at www. edcjcc.org/theater-j.org
17th – October 6th
CLUE
Kennedy Center
This hit musical is loosely based on the story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s. A mixture of soul, blues, jazz, and rock ‘n roll, surrounded by racial tension and rivalries.
out at www.kennedy-center. org
18th – October 27th
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE
Studio Theatre
Six Black high school students get stuck in after- school detention, waiting on a teacher to sign them out. Flirting, fighting and forming plans for their long weekend, they anxiously await their release. But something’s wrong here; where are all the teachers and how do they get out of this place? Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org 20th – October 13th
MR LINCOLN Ford’s Theatre
TV heartthrob Scott Bakula takes one more quantum leap into the shoes and hat of our beloved 16th president, “Mr. Lincoln” as he preferred to call himself. From prairie lawyer and anti-slavery advocate to war-time leader, the Great Emancipator’s own words are employed by Bakula and company to reveal surprising aspects of the life of one of our nation’s greatest presidents. Nice to have him back at Ford’s. Tickets at www.fords.org
21st – October 29th
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN
Adventure MTC
With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life’s big questions through the eyes of the Peanuts gang as they play baseball, fly kites, struggle with homework, swoon over crushes, and celebrate the joys of friendship. Growing up is serious business! Tickets to the theater in Glen Echo Park at www.adventureintheatremtc.org
About the Author: Mark Edleman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter.
Set in 19th Century London, this delightful farce depicts the chaos that ensues when a woman tries to gain entry to a fictional club of explorers. Lots of silly gags, tricks, and physical comedy.
The Broadway musical based on the Gothic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, follows a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange events involving his friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde.
DEC. 7 – 21,
The delightful musical tale of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.
Shakespeare’s
Much Ado AboUT NOTHING
A comedy by William Shakespeare, this play revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrives in town. The play relies on tensions created by a paradoxical use of deception by its characters.
During the performance of a play-within-a-play, a plethora of disasters befall the cast and crew, including doors sticking, props falling, and floors collapsing. Cast members misplace props, forget lines, break character, and experience hilarious situations.
The ultimate whodunit started life as a board game, then a Paramount film and now a live theater experience. Will Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum vie for Miss Scarlet’s attention. Find
Gallery Season 2024
Many times over the last few decades I’ve used this column to send a shout out to hard working artists who do not wait to be “discovered”, but who are always on the move, taking advantage of opportunities both around the DMV and elsewhere – they follow the maxim that the best place for art that one creates in on someone else’s walls.
One such hard-working artist is Anna U. Davis, who is one of the most active artists in our region, and whose solo exhibition “And Still We Rise” opens on September 6 and runs through the 29th at International Arts & Artists, located at 9 Hillyer Court NW, Washington, DC, 20008, behind The Phillips Collection.
From the news release, we learn that “And Still We Rise features a monumental colorful mixed-media painting with a selection of Anna U Davis’s black and white wall sculptures exploring the perpetual misogynistic behavior that has been indoctrinated within society, while investigating the physical and emotional impact it has had on the artist. Davis’s Swedish roots are central to her brand of feminism. She remembers growing up in an environment where notions of gender justice were firmly embedded in the legal framework and norms of the community. Her struggles with inadequate childcare and family leave as a young mother in the United States, then, formed a strong undercurrent shaping her critical perspective.”
Born in Lund, Sweden, Davis is a tornado of artistic
activity! Her recent solo shows include the Swedish American Museum (Chicago), Galerie Myrtis (Baltimore), the Embassy of Sweden (Washington, D.C.), and Davis Gallery (Copenhagen). Her work has been shown in additional solo and group exhibitions in the United States, Europe, Cuba (13th Havana Biennial) and Qatar and is held in public and private collections. She will also be featured at Art Vilnius 2024 (with Davis Gallery) this coming 6-8 October.
September usually marks the beginning of the “gallery season” in the DMV, and as such, after you go to Anna’s opening reception on the 6th, you can then attend Nancy Sansom Reynolds’ opening at Addison/Ripley on Saturday, September 7 5-7PM.
The gallery notes that “Glimpsing this new collection of works by Nancy Sansom Reynolds, based upon a broad spectrum exploration of the artist’s signature forms, one cannot help but be reminded of the great Japanese artist, Hokusai, in particular his “Great Wave”, from the 36 Views of Mt. Fuji. The intricate dance that these forms make in treading their way from powerful shapes to graceful forms, from intricately fabricated layers of shop grade plywood to weightless, wall mounted flows resembling still lives of fabric, is medium defying. The crests of breaking waves, the hushed drape of fabric on skin or the invisible waves that make up light itself seem almost impossible to achieve. These sculptures are all created from
multiple layers of plywood made fluid with an artisan’s skill and an artist’s imagination. Each one begins with a complex working drawing, several of which are included in this exhibition, that serves as a template for the finished work. Each has a palette which has been carefully chosen for its harmony with the overall composition. And expanding on the fabric theme, the artist has included several of her “wearable” sculptures.”
This will be her 7th show at Addison/Ripley Fine Art, which is located at 1670 Wisconsin Avenue in Upper Georgetown at the intersection of Reservoir Road.
In addition, many times over the last few years I have discussed why it is so important for both galleries and artists to participate in art fairs. From September 25-29, the Affordable Art Fair Fall edition takes place at the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street in Chelsea, New York City. Go check it out and see about 75 galleries from all over the world showcase a few hundred artists.
About the Author: F. Lennox Campello's art news, information, gallery openings, commentary, criticism, happenings, opportunities, and everything associated with the global visual arts scene with a special focus on the Greater Washington, DC area has been a premier source for the art community for over 20 years. Since 2003, his blog has been the 11th highest ranked art blog on the planet with over SIX million visitors.
Anna Davis and Nancy Sansom Reynolds Are Comin’ In Hot!
WAVE 4, 2024, laminated plywood, latex & lacquer, overall 11"h x 45"w x 8"d.
AllOne, 2023; acrylic, ink pen and hand cut paper collage on canvas, 72 x 144 inches, Artist: Anna U Davis, image credit: Peter Duval
Devil with the Blue Dress
There is lots of new inventory in the shop and you can order online. Choose your style, your size and color, including the tie dye blue (but no brushstroke). From Christopher Calvin. Jane Seymour Hat by Walleroo. Jewelry by Sarah Cavender Metalworks. Handmade in Oxford, Alabama.
Monday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm 1124 King Street l Alexandria, Virginia 22314 703-548-1461 l www.imagineartwear.com csimagine@aol.com
Photo by Bev Dietz
WAVE 8, 2023, laminated plywood, latex & lacquer, 25"h x 14"w x 7"d
Queeny, 2018; ink pen and acrylic on cut-out birch plywood, 34 1/2 x 46 1/2 inches, Artist and photo credit: Anna U Davis
The One About Matthew Perry
“Could you be any more brutally honest?” Matthew Perry got his big break in 1994 when he and his four costars became television superstars with the advent of Friends, one of the most beloved sitcoms in TV history. With the publication of his recent memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing; Perry bares his soul and life-long trauma. This extraordinarily raw memoir recounts not only the story of his life as a Generation X emblem and beloved actor, but also his terrible battle with addiction and the ways in which he has come to terms with it.
Matthew Perry grew up in Canada with his mother until age fifteen, a nationally ranked tennis player who felt a huge hole inside that was
partially a result of his parents’ early divorce. His father, John, an American musician, separated from his mother, Suzanne, a beauty contest winner. His father became an actor who lived in California. His mother, a respected journalist, served as press secretary for Pierre Trudeau, former prime minister of Canada.
Perry marked his childhood and adolescence with a longing for the stability and security that he had never experienced. Known for his tennis prowess, he never found it a means to establishing a sense of identity and self-worth. As a result of his mother’s high profile job traveling with the Canadian prime minister, he often felt abandoned and on edge. He moved to live with his father in Los Angeles when
he was fifteen. In hindsight, as an adult, he views his parents with love and respect for doing the best they could as very young people raising him, and for sticking by him during his stints in rehab and in the hospital.
To get attention and please his mother on the occasions she was at home, Perry became an entertainer who joked, did pratfalls, and made witty remarks. When she remarried and had more children, he loved his siblings, but felt as if he were on the outside looking in. His arguments with his mother progressed when he was a teenager, so he left to live with his father in Los Angeles. When Perry first had a drink of alcohol at fourteen, everything changed for him. For the first time in his life, nothing bothered him.
He felt whole and peaceful. He had encountered one of the BandAids that would initially help him but eventually heed his progress in life, if not in his career. Perry describes himself growing up as someone with an inability to enjoy anything while at the same time an excitement addict, one who was perfectly primed to experience the progression of alcohol and drug dependence. He even says that had he not had substances to alleviate his emptiness and anxiety, he might not have survived his twenties, regardless of how much they have damaged him.
Acting also allowed him to feel the adrenaline of excitement, of hearing people laugh when he was on stage. In some ways it was another drug, albeit a harmless one. It allowed
him to become another person, since he felt inadequate. He thought that if he became rich, famous, and successful, all his problems would be solved, so he worked as hard as he could to get there.
When he auditioned for Friends and got his dream job, he received everything that he had wished for, and then found that it was not enough. At a wonderful workplace with colleagues he cared about and respected, he was still profoundly dissatisfied with his personal life. When he injured himself accidentally while working, doctors prescribed him pain pills, which gave him the kind of bliss that he felt while drinking. Taking the medicine started his on-and-off dependence on opioids. Smoking rounded out his addictions.
In his second season on Friends he was dating Julia Roberts and was on the top-ranked show on TV. He explains that his self-worth was so low that he broke up with her, this “perfect woman” and box-office star, to prevent her from seeing him who he really was and rejecting him. This became a pattern for him with almost all his girlfriends, whom he still praises in his retelling of their histories together.
Matthew Perry speaks relatively little about his acting in this memoir. Obviously acting and drugs both helped him, if you can use that word, from having to look at and abate his own insecurities. He mentions that he stayed sober on the job at Friends, although he often came to work hungover. How did he do this when his addictions were so severe? Was it a tribute to his costars and the support he received from them? He was never kicked off the show, so somehow, he functioned. Perhaps this show of resilience is a tribute to Friends and the chemistry that prevailed among the actors, who really did become lifelong friends. Or perhaps he knew that he needed this job to prevent going into a fatal tailspin.
Although a beloved character, Perry notes that the one nomination he received for Friends as Chandler Bing was during one of the few years in which he was sober. I saw his weight fluctuate dramatically during the series, going down when he was on opioids and up when he shifted to alcohol. Despite his perfect comic timing, Perry has even received more Emmy nominations for dramatic acting than comedic acting, perhaps in part because he finds his demons so accessible. He creates cynical, calculating, and negative characters as perfectly as he did the harmless, charming Chandler.
In short, this book is mostly about a horrifying level of addiction to drugs and alcohol. In that way it is valuable for understanding this
phenomenon better, or at least gaining inspiration from his ability to survive.
It is surprising that he never turned to heroin. Yet as a wealthy Hollywood star, he had ample access from hangers-on, dirty doctors, and flunkies to access drugs like Vicodin or Oxycodone, along with the means to buy them. So he did not need to go a cheaper route. Although he is wealthy, when house-hunting, he would go into people’s medicine cabinets and take any painkillers he could find. Such is the overwhelming craving of drug dependance.
The memoir starts and comes back to his account of a recent trip to the hospital from a rehab facility, in which his colon exploded and his family was told that he had a two percent chance of survival. Perry spent two weeks in a coma. He now tells the tale of his prolonged battle with his chemically maladaptive brain, one in which he has fought terrible battles in which his body and mind have suffered greatly. During his multiple detoxes, Perry has been to Hell, he proclaims, with a capital H. He knows all the twelve steps of AA and NA backwards and forwards. He talks about the auditory and visual hallucinations he has experienced. Subsequently he tends to free-associate at times rather than follow a linear path in recounting his history. He estimates that he has spent about seven million dollars on rehab, counselors, and related cures.
Perry talks, rants, and complains, with free-floating anger, sorrow, and a newfound sense of spirituality coming to the fore. His self-pity and self-centeredness are evident, but probably unavoidable. He could not pay much attention to others when he was fighting for his own life against an invisible enemy. At least he wants to be a better friend, a better lover. He wants to help other addicts work twelve-step programs and beat their disease. Luckily, he does not make excuses for himself, for the most part, and shows who he wants to be as he figures out how to accept himself and move on.
At this point, Perry wants simple pleasures: to settle down with a wife and children, to connect to his other family, and to appreciate himself for who he is, along with what he has accomplished in his career and against his demons. He says he would trade places any day with actor friends who never had success, fame, or money if he could be rid of his addictions. I believe him. I certainly would never want the life I read about in these pages.
As a twenty-something I became a fan of Chandler Bing on Friends. Perry’s role as the charming, neurotic jokester in the ensemble became an indelible part of TV history. His dramatic appearances on the unfortunately short-running Aaron Sorkin series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, the sitcom Go On, and his recurring roles on the Good Wife, for example, have also been exemplary. He rises to the occasion as an actor with range every time I have seen him. Would I want him, the person acting one of the five “Friends,” as a friend? That is a different story. I might want the sober person with wisdom he desperately strives to be these days. Addiction and detox are hell. After reading this memoir, I dearly hope that he stays clean and gets what he wants: a simple, happy life and the career satisfaction he hopes for in his future.
From the Vault:
Popular TV actor Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, was found drowned in a hot tub after an overdose of ketamine in October of 2023, a little less than a year after this review was published. He had been
assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and the doctors Mark Chavez and Salvador Plasencia. Prosecutors alleged that the physicians learned of Perry’s request for more in September 2023 and upsold him doses that his untrained assistant injected. Per court documents, Plasencia wrote to Chavez “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” A Los Angeles party girl and dealer named Jasveen Sangha, also known as “The Ketamine Queen”, allegedly gave Hollywood director Erik Fleming extra doses for which Iwamasa paid.
As I said in my review, “A wealthy Hollywood star, (Perry) had ample access from hangers-on, dirty doctors, and flunkies to access drugs like Vicodin or Oxycodone, along with the means to buy them.” This situation sadly continued. Although we will never know, it is probable that Perry would have continued to struggle to combat his predilections, having spent so many years fighting them in rehab. His battle was terrible, but ultimately winnable for anyone currently in this situation.
Photo collage courtesy of Daily Friends Facebook page.
If you or someone you know
In the campaign to restore Chesapeake Bay, oyster sanctuaries rank among the most hotly contested strategies. But new research suggests these no-harvest areas are working, and not only for the oysters. In a new study published July 4 in Marine Ecology Progress Series, Smithsonian biologists discovered oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life—and the presence of two common parasites is not preventing that.
Oysters form the backbone of Chesapeake Bay. Besides injecting millions of dollars into the regional economy each year, they also act as vital habitat and filter feeders that clean the water. But their populations have dwindled to roughly 1% of historic levels. Disease, overharvesting, habitat loss and pollution have all whittled down their numbers.
Over the past two decades, Maryland and Virginia have worked to restore their oysters by creating vast networks of sanctuaries where oysters are protected from harvest. This has led to a rebound of oyster growth, habitat quality and biodiversity within the sanctuaries, the new study reported.
“The sanctuary programs appear to be working and facilitating oyster reef regrowth after so many decades of overharvesting,” said lead author Zofia Anchondo, who did the research as part of her graduate fellowship with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
But at the same time, the resurgence in marine life went hand in hand with a rise in oyster parasites. The study looked at two parasites in particular: the boring sponge and the mud blister worm. Boring sponges drill holes through oyster shells to find shelter. Blister worms form U-shaped burrows inside the
Restored Oyster Sanctuaries Host More Marine Life
shells. The presence of either can render oysters unsightly or even unmarketable. Both are considered likely native to the bay, and neither are harmful to people. For this study, the researchers did not look at dermo or MSX, two non-native parasites responsible for some of the worst oyster crashes, though they collected data for a follow-up study.
Parasitism is the most common lifestyle on Earth, so a parasite’s presence is not necessarily a sign that the environment is out of joint, the authors pointed out.
“Parasites have been ignored as an important component of biodiversity,” said Allison Tracy, a co-author from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “But they’re a natural part of ecosystems….The way ecosystems naturally function depends on parasite effects.”
“They’re not preventing high oyster densities,” said Matt Ogburn, a coauthor and senior scientist with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. They may even be good for the oysters’ long-term evolution, Ogburn added, though that question needs more definitive research. “Restoring the oyster reefs is likely to be helping the oyster population become more resilient to the parasites that are out there now, compared to what would be possible if everything was harvested all the time.”
The new study focused on three Chesapeake tributaries: the Choptank River, the Great Wicomico River and the James River. Each had its own oyster sanctuary and another harvest area for comparison, where watermen and -women could freely catch oysters. The scientists used footage from underwater GoPro cameras to give each reef a habitat “score” (one through four, based on the percentage of oyster cover and vertical structure).
The GoPro videos also enabled them to record other animals visiting the oyster reefs. Working under state research permits, divers later collected some of the oysters from each reef to estimate oyster density and search for parasites.
Overall, oysters fared better in the sanctuaries. All three tributaries had higher densities of legal, harvestsized oysters in their sanctuaries than in their harvest sites. In two tributaries—the James and Great Wicomico rivers—oysters of all sizes, including juveniles and baby oysters, were more abundant in the sanctuaries.
Sanctuaries also scored higher for habitat quality, and the videos captured plenty of underwater animals taking advantage of them.
Blue crabs, rockfish and summer flounder were just a few of the species that flocked to the sanctuary reefs. In the James and Great Wicomico rivers, the researchers estimated sanctuaries hosted 10 times as many animals, and nearly double the number of species, as the harvest reefs. The one exception was the Choptank River, where animal life was low in both the sanctuary and harvest sites.
Yet as the oysters flourished, so did the two parasites. More than
half the oysters in all six sites— sanctuary and harvest—had the telltale holes of a boring sponge attack. However, the boring sponge was more prevalent in sanctuaries than harvest sites within two of the three tributaries. Mud blister worms were far less abundant—infecting 2–10% of oysters—but still higher in sanctuaries than harvest sites for two of the tributaries.
Neither parasite, the authors pointed out, is dangerous to humans. Both parasites only infect oyster shells, not the oyster tissue that people eat.
“It’s more of a concern for the fishery, because they can make the shells less attractive,” Tracy said. “It can decrease the value of the oyster for the half-shell market. But they have no effect on our health.” In the unlikely event that a person did accidentally slurp up one of these parasites with their raw oyster, Tracy said, it would simply pass through their system without impact. “There’s no shell that it can find to bore into in your stomach. So basically, it would be uninterested.”
About the Author: Kristen Goodhue is a science writer/media relations coordinator from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland.
Above: Clumps of oysters nestle in a sandy underwater floor, surrounded by pale turquoise water in Harris Creek. Photo Credit: SERC Fisheries Conservation Lab. Right: Two oyster shells, each with a deep brown hole near the top. The smaller shell on the right also has bluish-black bumps on its side and a crack across the middle. Photo Credit: Zofia Anchondo.
When you stroll the streets of the Waterford National Historic Landmark in Waterford, Virginia, you’ll step back in time. First settled in 1733 by Quakers from Pennsylvania, it is an extraordinary collection of 18th- and 19th-century buildings set within 1,420 acres of rolling farmland located just one hour from Washington, D.C. Since 1943, the Waterford Foundation and the historic village of Waterford have welcomed visitors to experience one of the country’s most unique fall crafts and arts fairs and tour some of the historic homes in the charming village. The Waterford Fair takes place on October 4-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with an early bird ticket available for entry on Friday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. This historic village provides an opportunity to step back into history and is the perfect setting for a fall outing.
The weekend features 79 of the finest American artisans, many from Loudoun County and the MidAtlantic (many nationally known), that will demonstrate their crafts and sell their beautiful, handmade pieces. In addition, there will be lively performances of traditional music and dance; historical interpreters and Virginia-specific talks; and a fine arts exhibit. A tour of the village will offer guests a look into restored historic homes
and buildings with more than eleven buildings and gardens on the tour (different places open daily) and will include a walk-through Civil War and Quaker cemeteries. On Friday, a special reenactment of a day in an 1880’s classroom will take place in Waterford’s one-room schoolhouse. Check the website for specific artisans, homes and gardens on tour, the daily entertainment schedule and other activities (www. waterfordfairva.org).
New this year is an exciting collaboration, and new tradition, with neighbors and friends John and Bonnie Branding of the nationallyrecognized estate brewery Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery. For the first time ever, the fair is offering attendees a beer created especially for the fair, the “80th Anniversary Waterford Fair Beer”.
The fair’s entertainment lineup this year includes The Danny Knicely Trio, The Plate Scrapers, Fiddlin' Dave Van Deventer and Morgan Morrison, and the popular duo of Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small, from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. All performances are included in the fair ticket.
Other exciting features of the fair include three floors of juried handcrafts and home baked goods by 68 artisans for sale in a restored brick
OldestVirginia’sJuried Crafts Fair Returns for its 80th Year!
Children’s activities, historic homes tours, juried fine crafts, original art, entertainment and more!
mill; vintage barns full of fine art and dried flower arrangements & wreaths for sale, traditional music and dance, and historical interpreters.
There are lots of children’s activities throughout the weekend that include the chance to earn a Waterford Explorers badge upon completion of a village scavenger hunt. Children can also help to make a penny rug, a stenciled floor cloth or try their hand at the potter’s wheel and make a clay pot. There’s a magic show, a chance to play in a jug band and an opportunity to see a real one-room schoolhouse and learn what school was like in the 1800s.
Food is available throughout the fair including at the Old Mill Shop that will offer homemade baked goods along with candles, tote bags, ornaments and more. Throughout each day, there will be samplings of fine and faire food. A Farmer’s Market will also provide an array of food products. “Talbott’s Tavern” will feature the best in Loudoun County wines and craft beers from Wheatland Springs Farm + Brewery—including the “80th Anniversary” beer.
The Waterford Fair takes place throughout the historic village. Waterford is one of only three villages in the U.S. designated a National Historic Landmark District. Many of the village homes and
structures, and the surrounding farmland have been preserved thanks to the residents, friends of Waterford and annual proceeds from the Waterford Fair that have helped preserve and protect this unique place. The fair provides a once-a-year opportunity to fully experience this community which is brimming with history and character.
Tickets for the Waterford Fair are on sale now at www.waterfordfairva. org or by calling 540-882-3018
Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Purchase in advance and save up to 35%. Tickets at the gate are $25 per adult per day, $20 for seniors, military and students per day, and free for Waterford Foundation members and children 12 and under. Early Bird tickets, threeday passes, and group rates are also available. All musical performances are included in the ticket price.
Saturday evening of the fair offers a separately ticketed event, “Waterford on the Rocks”, an intimate cocktail party held in the picturesque garden at the Braden House. Tickets are $80 per person and are available at waterfordfoundation.org/event/ waterfordontherocks
Photo above courtesy of the Waterford Foundation. All photos below courtesy of Jennifer Jule Studios.
Like our home town of Alexandria, Virginia, which was founded by Scotsman John Alexandria, Fells Point has its own ancestry. The story of Fell's Point begins with the tale of two brothers: Edward Fell who first landed near "Baltimore Town" in 1726, and his brother, William Fell, who followed shortly thereafter in 1730.
The brothers arrived in a time marked by speculative land sales, where large areas of land were divided and sold to settlers and investors. They acquired 3,000 acres which is now Fells Point. With the deep-water Patapsco River and the close approximation to the Chesapeake Bay, and access to large tracts of timber, the land was ideal for shipbuilding.
The riches of the Fell family were eventually passed on to William's only son, also named Edward Fell (after William's brother). Young Edward and his wife, Ann Bond Fell, developed the land in 1761, creating a grid of streets and selling sub-divided plots along them to the general public. The street names were largely inspired by two common themes: family and British heritage. Many of these streets still have their original names, including Ann Street, Bond Street, Fell Street,
Thames Street and Shakespeare Street. In 1773, Fells Point was annexed into Baltimore, joining Baltimore Town and Jonestown as the pillars of the city, just before the start of the American Revolutionary war.
Just like the old warehouses of Alexandria, the buildings of Fells Point today house restaurants, shops, and pubs. Unlike like Old Town, the Patapsco River creates a harbor in Baltimore whereas the Potomac River runs through Alexandria. There the difference ends. With Thames Street being the main street running parallel to the harbor, King Street in Alexandria runs perpendicular to the Potomac.
When we visited Fells Point some years back the area was in a revitalization mode. Today some swanky hotels have moved in - think the Sagamore Pendry that occupies the old depot and the setting for Homicide: Life on the Street
From my first visit some thirty years ago when I crewed on the Alexandria in the Great Chesapeake Schooner Race, my favorite place is the Cats Eye Pub...it has not changed. Good food, great drinks and lively music. At the other end of Thames Street is The Horse You Came in On. This place has
Fall Into Fells Point!
gentrified a bit. When I first went there, they still had the wooden bars along the bar to keep folks on their side. The bars are gone now. Much to our dismay, one of Fells Point’s icons, Bertha’s Mussels, has closed up shop while some of the other pubs have been given a new makeover. Bottom line, however, change is constant but the raw seaport town does, indeed, still exist.
The Admiral Fell Inn is still there for a reasonable night’s stay in the harbor but appears to be losing a bit of its luster. Across the street is the Admiral's Cup for some good drinks and dining along with some good live tunes. Although these two have not changed some other dining spots have new owners who have up ticked the properties nicely. The Oyster House on Thames Street is rumored to be exceptional, however we didn’t get a chance to check it our...there was a two hour wait on the Saturday night we were there. We made a second choice and picked a relatively new place... Prima Dopo. They were also busy but we secured two seats at the back-room bar. The build out of this property is beautiful. The bar we chose was small but beautiful. There were only about six seats and two of the others
were occupied by locals which made for great conversation.
Fells Point was our destination, however over the years this area has grown. Adjacent to Fells Point is the Baltimore Inner Harbor which houses the National Aquarium and other nationally known restaurants and the enclave of Federal Hill. There is a water taxi service that will take you to different destinations in the harbor with stops along the way. We parked in Fells Point and hopped on the water taxi and enjoyed the narrated tour into the Inner Harbor – this is the third time we’ve done this and we think this is the most convenient and relaxing way to take in all of the nuances of the waterfront. You can hop off and hop on so you have the opportunity to visit the shops and restaurants in Inner Harbor as well. The drive to Fells Point is easy, except for the potential of traffic. The beltway to Baltimore Washington Parkway and into the harbor is the route we take but you have other options that keep you on the beltway longer with one exit into Baltimore. Check your Maps app or consult Waze and hit the road.
Taking a “Road Trip” to Fells Point won’t disappoint...spend the night, and enjoy the people and the sights.
Jamaica’s Two Newest Resorts Now Have an Opening Date
You may not be familiar with Green Island, set off the highway between Montego Bay and Negril on the western corner of Jamaica. But a pair of new resorts mean the area will likely soon be on the radar of travelers in a big way.
That’s the thinking behind Jamaica’s two newest resorts, both under a brand that is new to the destination: Princess Hotels and Resorts, which has 12 hotels in the Caribbean spread across Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Rivera Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
The new Princess Senses, The Mangrove and Princess Grand Jamaica, which will combine for more than 1,000 rooms, are debuting soon, now with an official opening date: Sept. 15, Caribbean Journal has learned.
So…what do you need to know about them?
Princess Senses The Mangrove is an adults-only all-inclusive: the rooms are all either suites (with ocean views or swim-out options) or a collection
of overwater villas with their own private pools. That’s along with 14 eateries and 15 bars and lounges.
As for the Princess Grand, the resort is a family-friendly property, with a kid’s club for the little ones, a teens center, the option for hire nanny service and a host of sports options. Amenities include everything from three pools to eight bars to nine restaurants. In the mood for international fare? The culinary program has a multi-cuisine approach, from Mexican to Jamaican to Asian fusion. And yes, there is a water park.
What about the cost?
Rates for the Princess Grand start at about $505 (if you book direct) for stays starting Sept. 15. That gets you a Princess Junior Suite on an all-inclusive plan. Prices at the adults-only resort start at $579 per night starting the same date. That gets you a “Deluxe Junior Suite.” A swim-out room will run you $661 per night, an amenity that is always worth the splurge.
The debut of the new Princess resorts marks the first major opening of the year for Jamaica, which says it has several more hotel rooms in the pipeline across the island (at varying stages of development).
The most anticipated of that group is almost certainly the first-ever UNICO resort in the English-speaking Caribbean, following the Uber-popular one in the Riviera Maya. The opening date for that resort, though, is not yet known.
Want to learn more? Visit Princess-hotels.com.
CJ Expert Take: This is a huge new addition to an area that has largely been devoid of tourism, between the two major poles of Montego Bay and Negril Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal(CJ) and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.
Green Island
This tropical oasis is a small town in northwestern Jamaica, located on the west coast between Negril and Lucea in the parish of Hanover. It is located close to Orange Bay
History of the Island
Green Island was once a thriving market town in the days when sugar was king. It was supported by sugar plantations such as Harding Hall, Prospect, Saxham, Winchester, Rhodes Hall, Haughton and Glasgow. Sugar and other produce were exported in small schooners from the five or six wharves (such as Dixon Wharf) which were located in the harbor. Very little remains of these wharves today.
Saturdays were always bustling with activity as fishermen from as far as Negril, local rice farmers from Santoy and Westmoreland, and corn growers from St. Elizabeth selling their produce. Tobacco farmers would roll their dried leaves into a shape resembling rope, thus earning the name "Jackass Rope", and sell it by the yard for smoking in chalk pipes. Since the development of Negril and easy access to public transportation, commercial activities have dwindled. Tourism is now on the rise and is revitalizing this part of Jamaica.
Now that we're all working remotely Wouldn't you REALLY rather work from the beach?
NAPLES FL TOPS THE LIST FOR BEST
BEACHES IN USA
BEACHFRONT SEASONAL RENTAL AVAILABLE
Naples has again claimed the top spot by Travel and Leisure and several other groups for best beach town in the US. The jewel of SW Florida’s Paradise Coast has sugar sand beaches, turquoise clear waters and every amenity worthy of a world class resort town. Seasonal lease of well furnished 2BR 2BA condo in the very best beachfront location is available this winter (90 day minimum lease term). No ner view from inside and better beach access at any price and most rentals in area start at twice the price. Includes carport parking, heated pool, elevators and privacy; uncrowded beach and, onsite management. Photo is the view from inside!
Call (no texts), email or visit our Facebook page @NaplesOceanfrontCondo. 540-364-9480 • hopespringsfarm@gmail.com
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
and enjoy every issue of the Old Town Crier at home. Fill out this form, enclose a check for $35 (12 issues) and drop it in the mail to: Old Town Crier • PO Box 320386 • Alexandria, Va. 22320
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
DINING GUIDE
AMERICAN
1799 PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD
110 S. Pitt Street
571-404-6001
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
BOB & EDITHS DINER 1743 King Street
703-664-0043
JULA'S ON THE POTOMAC
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
EDDIE'S LITTLE SHOP & DELI
1406 King Street
571-312-8615
EVENING STAR CAFÉ
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.
703-549-5051
EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE
1400 Duke Street
703-299-0894
FOSTERS GRILLE
2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342
FRANKIE'S KITCHEN & COCKTAIL BAR
823 S. Washington St. 703-512-2118
GADSBYS TAVERN
138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288
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
703-436-0025
KILN - HOTEL HERON
699 Prince St. 703-662-1900
KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street
571-319-0794
LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313
THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533
LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545
LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
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
MYSTIC BBQ & GRILL
220 N. Lee St. 703-565-9808 mysticbbqandgrill.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 DanielOconnells.com
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. 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com
ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274
ROYAL RESTAURANT 730 N. St. Asaph St. 703-548-1616
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
SWEET FIRE DONNA'S
510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960
THE STUDY 116 South Alfred Street
703-838-8000
T.J. STONES
GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com
TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909
UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com
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
INDOCHEN 1625 King Street (571) 404-6050
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
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878
CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800
ZUKI MOON 1909 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212
SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154
RAILBIRD KITCHEN 804 North Henry St. 703-577-9023
CONTINENTAL
CEDAR KNOLL
GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665
OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361
ALEXANDRIA BIER GARDEN 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com
FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776
bastillerestaurant.com
BRABO 1600 King St. 703-894-3440
LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661
FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151
LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854
JOSEPHINE 109 South St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776
TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141
ITALIAN
ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue (behind the building) 703-888-2243
ANDY’S PIZZA 107 N Fayette St 571-319-0497
BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313
FRANK PEPE NAPOLETANA PIZZERIA 3231 Duke Street Alexandria Commons 703-719-2035
HANDOVER BY THE SLICE 728 King Street 571-319-0794
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 ON KING 703 King Street 703-838-9090 Michaelsonking.com
PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287
RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873
THOMPSON'S ITALIAN 1026 King Street alexandria@thompsonitalian.com
MEDITERRANEAN
BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100
ELAINE'S 208 Queen Street 571-970-0517
NANDO'S PERI PERI 2462 Mandeville Lane 571-473-5500
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 818 N St. Asaph 703-739-HANK
FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com
THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834
WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533
INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085
DIYA
218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338
KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507
NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615
MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312
CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438
DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144
LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918
LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290
LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167
TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226)
TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203
URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148
Hummingbird Restaurant & Bar It’s the Little Things!
Like most of you, we are creatures of habit and sometimes it’s hard to step outside of that box! But....we did just that on an early Sunday afternoon on one of those “warm” late August days and treated ourself to brunch at Hummingbird Restaurant and Bar. We definitely aren’t strangers to Hummingbird or “brunch” but we have never really considered combining the two. It has always been cocktails and snacks on the patio or celebrating a birthday lunch or two during the course of the year.
Hummingbird is the brain child of Alexandria’s Eat Good Food Group (creators of the former Restaurant Eve) and is under the extremely creative wings of Meshelle Armstrong and her very capable staff. In describing the cuisine, they say it best on their website: The menu follows the rhythm of the seasons and celebrates the seafood pride of favorite coastal waters from the Chesapeake Blue Crabs to Dublin Bay Prawns. Rest assured, there are also lots of “landlubber” offerings at
Hummingbird as well. We will leave you to your own devices and ability to tap into their full menu on their website via your communication devices.
We were there for brunch, so let’s talk about that. The brunch menu is very diverse without being overbearing. It is evident that they want you to have an enjoyable meal. At the top of the menu there is the following suggestion: For your delight and to ensure prompt kitchen timing for service, we recommend sharing the “Happy Beginnings” prior to the main courses. We are happy to substitute potatoes for salad or fruit. There are six shareable “Happy Beginnings” ranging from their popular Cinnamon Rolls and Avocado Toast to the Old Bay Poached Shrimp Cocktail and the Hummingbird’s Salad and Heirloom Tomato Salad - salads are available with add on’s of grilled chicken or chilled cocktail shrimp. Followed by eight “Happy Brunching” offerings. These range from a standard Farm Breakfast (two eggs, choice of meat, etc.) to Hummingbird French Toast. In between these two you will find Crab Hash, Salmon & Grits, Steak & Eggs, Huevos Rancheros, three different “Friends with Benedicts”classic w/Virginia country ham, lobster and barbeque - and classic French Toast. All are prepared with a Hummingbird “twist” and served with a choice of red bliss potatoes, or fruit. Rounding out the menu are the Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Hummingbird version of the latest fad – the Beastly “Smash” Burger. There were four teenage boys sitting at a table next to us and between them we witnessed the chicken, the burger, and the steak and eggs. The sandwiches are large to say the least and the steak and eggs would have fed both of us.
Before getting around to ordering our “Happy Beginnings”, we ordered cocktails. Our beverage choices were a Bloody Mary and an R&R - one of their specialty cocktails consisting of rye whisky, Appleton rum, orgeat and
pineapple juice. The Bloody was very good but they were out of pineapple juice so we asked them to substitute orange juice and it worked out fine. They have several specialty cocktails and a couple of non-alcoholic offerings along with a nice selection of wines by the glass. Sparkling Mimosa’s by the glass and by the flight piqued our interest but we decided to save them for the next time. Full bar service and beer is available as well.
Our “Happy Beginnings” consisted of the much talked about house cinnamon rolls. Just like the description – three big squishy rolls – they are nothing short of amazing. Once they appeared on the table, we had to order a cup of coffee to share because we just knew it would make them taste
even better. We split one and took the other two home to enjoy with our coffee the next morning. For the record, the coffee at Hummingbird is amazingly good – not sure exactly was set it apart from other good coffee we’ve had but it did.
Moving on to “Happy Brunching”, the classic eggs benedict and Hummingbird French toast were our
choices. Both of these dishes were very good but neither hit it out of the park like the cinnamon rolls did. The eggs, the Virginia ham and the hollandaise on the benedict were all prepared well and tasted amazing but the dish arrived room temp. The Hummingbird French toast caught both our eyes when we looked at the menu. Both of us are partial to island flavors and this dish with caramelized pineapple, rum and banana maple syrup and candied nuts wasn’t to be ignored. Beware that it is really sweet but it is worth checking out. We weren’t sure what the nuts were but they appeared to be candied pecan pieces tossed in powdered sugar. A few of these go a long way and we would suggest that switching them to toasted pecans might be the way to go. In either case, we would order them again. The Sunday we were there may have ended up being temperate enough to sit outside on the patio but we weren’t taking chances so opted to eat in the dining room. We are very partial to the décor here since we are very fond of the water, sailing and all things nautical. Meshelle has a very discerning eye and when it comes to interior-decorating, she excels. The look here is both rustic and chic with clean lines and bursts of color. Hummingbird’s signature royal/ navy blue and white checked shirts and dresses that the servers wear is a refreshing change to the seemingly standard black pants and black shirts or black pants and white shirts donned by the majority of eateries in the region. While we are on the subject of servers, our service was spot on without being intrusive. The main dining room area was very busy in addition to two private events going on in both spaces to each side of the room but it didn’t appear that any diners were lacking in attention.
The restaurant is located in the Hotel Indigo at 220 South Union Street and operates with that address and you can walk through the lobby to the entrance, but we think the best way to get there is walking along the waterfront on The Strand and entering from the patio side. It isn’t directly on the new River Walk, but it is still situated close enough to the water to be considered water front dining.
When we left, the patio had several people enjoying cocktails and eats. There was a bit of a breeze coming off of the water and the umbrellas were doing their job. We spent our fair share of time on this patio while all of the waterfront construction was taking place and the view was not exactly desirable but that isn’t the case today. Whether inside or out, there is a nice view of the water and if you are there for an early morning breakfast (they open at 6:30 am Monday – Friday and 7 am Saturday and Sundays) you might be able to catch a sunrise! September is a primo month for dining al fresco and this patio is a grand place to be.
For those of you who have yet to visit Hummingbird, don’t be put off by it being situated in a hotel. While it does provide room service to Indigo’s guests, it is more of an independent restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch to tourists and locals alike.
Crock-toberfest: Savoring the Magic of Slow Cooking in September
Ah, September! That season of Fall when the air is crisp, pumpkin spice lattes abound and our crockpots are working overtime that would make a personal trainer cry out in envy. As we say goodbye to barbecues and embrace the comforting warmth of home-cooked meals, nothing beats the trusty crockpot. So let’s jump into some crock recipes that will have you saying “Crock yeah!” all month long!
Harvest Vegetable Medley
As leaves start to change colors and farmers’ markets begin to overflow with seasonal produce, we should get ready for fall. Throw some root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips into your slow cooker, add a little vegetable broth, sprinkle with thyme and let it do its thing. Not only will your kitchen smell like an autumn daydream but you’ll also feel smug about your five-a-day. Who said healthy eating couldn’t be tasty and easy?
Chili Con Caramelized Onions
When temperatures drop, nothing is more satisfying than a warm bowl of chili in which caramelized onions can bring it up a notch or two up. Bring them together with rich beans, tomatoes and whatever meat (if any) you want for an astonishing combination that will make you look like cooking guru extraordinaire. Sour cream on top? Check! And how about sprinkling some cheese over it? Remember: Chili’s aftermath tastes even better.
Slow-Cooked Pumpkin Curry
It’s time to get into Halloween spirit as October draws nearer! However, instead of our usual pumpkin spice let us try something different and go savory. Mix a can of pumpkin puree with one can of coconut milk, some curry paste and any veggies you happen to like for a delightful creamy
dish that will warm your soul. Set it on low in your crockpot and watch this season’s hit show on TV while occasionally stirring it. Your mouth will thank you for this and now you’ve got a good excuse to put on that pair drawstring pants.
Crock-Pot Beef Stew: The Classic Comfort Hero
Every September would be incomplete without the traditional beef stew which is just like being wrapped in a cozy blanket while sitting by the fireplace during winter nights although in food form (culinary equivalent). Take chunks of beef, hearty vegetables plus add a splash of red wine then put them inside the slow cooker so it can do its magic slowly but surely—more cooking makes it more saucy so much so that even if September was at its coldest point, it would still feel like a cozy getaway. Dip with crunchy bread slices or rolls plated next to each serving bowl is perfect for satisfying everyone present including children who may not have tasted such flavors before thus making them ask for seconds!
Crock-Pot Apple Crisp
With apples at their peak this month break out your crockpot for Grandma style dessert. Slice several tart apples removing cores then cover them with cinnamon-sugar mixture and add nutmeg pinch while at it too; after that prepare crumbly topping from oatsflour-butter-brown sugar, layer it all into your crockpot. Let the apples cook until they are tender and the topping has turned golden. Bring out vanilla ice cream to enjoy when warm and watch your folks turn happy zombie apple people.
Wave goodbye to summer’s inferno and welcome the tastes of autumn while your kitchen stove takes a rest. These
tasty, simple-to-make meals will make you ready for any September party or cozy family dinner. So just set it and forget it as your buds will thank you forever and there will be enough time to sip that pumpkin spiced latte while your dinner cooks. Enjoy using this!
About the Author: Glenn Morel is a producer turned chef. His website is www.ifihadachef.com. With experience in restaurants from Florida to Manhattan, he specializes in bringing his clients their very own personal chef for any special event. In addition to private parties of 12 (or more-orless), he also offers catering for small and large groups. Chef Glenn works with you to create a customized menu and first-class event. He brings culinary professionals with him that dress appropriately and are experienced in handling food. They are also often trained mixologists and fine dining servers.
The Playoffs Have Begun…
Jim Law, our vintner guru on the hill at Linden Vineyards, once described the fall season for vintners as “the playoffs”. The growing season has its ups and downs just like a sports season, but you have to stay focused on the game or you may have nothing to harvest. We need to keep our vines healthy and the leaves and fruit disease free. The perfect weather condition is dry with warm sunny days and cool nights. That’s what we are hoping for so we have quality grapes and hopefully, with a lot of work, outstanding wines. This season has been very challenging. The early heat and drought put tremendous stress on our vines. Both heat and drought are not good for the vines and the people who tend to them. At my vineyard, we have rather rich soil and the vines were able to get enough water to support the fruit. But, younger vines needed supplemental watering as the root systems are not fully developed. Manually watering is not always needed, but it should be an option especially with young vines.
In our new planting across the street, the vines have struggled a bit this year. Last year, even though we had some drought conditions, the vines were able to carry fruit and produced some quality wine. This was possible because it rained last year at the right time and the vines did not suffer. This season, the summer splashes
of rain seemed to go either North or South of us leaving a very dry spot in the middle of Luckettsland. We were forced to drop fruit on some vines in order to save the plant, and watered the whole vineyard numerous times.
The watering method we use is our 150-gallon sprayer modified to pump water on the ground along the vines as we drive past. Younger vines and thinner soils up on the hill forced us to manually water.
We are considering adding irrigation to this vineyard and others with the thinner soil conditions. For decades, drip irrigation was seen as an unnecessary expense on the East Coast, but as we continue to have unpredictable climate conditions, we need to manage this change and make good decisions, both short term and long term.
The grapes are getting closer to ripeness now, and our decisions on when to pick the different fruit will have a big impact on the wines and their styles. When we pick for sparkling wine, we pick a bit earlier than for still wines. These grapes have higher acid that will add to the crisp structure folks appreciate in a classic bubbly.
As we move into picking decisions with our red grapes, we look at the color and ripeness of the seeds as well. Those seeds will stay with the juice through the fermentation process and if the seeds are not ripe the greener tannins can be
extracted during fermentation and give the wine a harsher character. Just one more thing to consider…
I like to tell people “You can make bad wine from good grapes, but you can’t make good wine from bad grapes!” Finishing out the season well in the vineyard creates the opportunity to make an outstanding wine in the cellar. Our “playoffs” are built around the many harvest decisions including when to pick, ensuring we pick clean fruit, good handling of that fruit to the crush pad and teamwork to make it all flow through the season. This is my 41st harvest season and I try to keep my cool, make good decisions, and help others to keep cool as well. Be sure to visit us or another local winery during this season. The excitement is in the air! About the Author: Farmer, winemaker, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Doug Fabbioli has been accelerating the growth and quality of Virginia’s wine industry since 1997. With his wife Colleen, Doug is the owner/operator of Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VA. He is the founder and director of The New Ag School, which focuses on teaching the next generation of farmers and agriculture-related leaders. No wonder they call Doug Fabbioli the Godfather of DC's Wine Country.
OPEN THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY 11-5
PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS FOR GROUPS OF SIX OR MORE
“Virginia Women in Wine” Takes Aim at the Gender Gap
On August 9th, the “Virginia Women in Wine” (VWW) professional organization launched its inaugural event at Eastwood Farm Winery in Charlottesville. The soiree was equal parts an award ceremony for a trio of women trailblazers, a networking event, and a celebration of the hundreds of women who work in Virginia’s wine industry.
The group traces its beginning to the unlikeliest of places; a movie night for a small group of women who share a passion for Virginia wine but might otherwise may never have met.
In explaining the origins of VWW, founder Nancy Bauer told the audience of 160 attendees, “What started five years ago at a movie night at Glass House Winery is now hundreds of women across the state. Since then, an ever-growing passel of wine women – most of whom hadn’t met each other before - has been getting together at informal wine dinners. That movie was awful but the company was amazing. It was just for fun – but when women get together, electricity happens.”
Nancy was initially reluctant to turn these casual gatherings into a professional organization. After all, the local wine industry already has a number of industry associations, albeit ones focused on marketing or research.
Yet none of these organizations focus on the ‘human capital’ side of the wine industry, much less one specifically for women.
The dearth of such an organization seems especially ironic considering two-thirds of the workforce at Virginia wineries are women, yet this demographic has traditionally been underrepresented in leadership positions.
Nudged on by her friends, Nancy slowly explored the idea. As she wrote on the group’s website, “Buzzing from each of those memorable evenings, the group asked: How to capture this energy? How to channel it? Make it meaningful and lasting?”
Even a quick look at the wine industry shows the need for organizations such as VWW.
Understanding Why “Virginia Women in Wine” Is Important
According to 2021 data from the Zippa career website, only 17.8% of winemakers nationwide are female, and there’s a significant pay gap between male and female winemakers. Not only that, female entrepreneurs who might otherwise enter the wine industry are less likely to find support, for reasons ranging from a lack of networking opportunities, difficulty securing bank loans, or outright discrimination.
Even finding a full-time position in the wine industry is difficult. Most Virginia wineries are small, family-owned businesses with slim profit margins. While this makes landing a job difficult for both men and women, female talent faces additional obstacles to stay in their chosen profession.
Winemaker Chelsea Blevins of Fifty Third Winery shared her own observations on these challenges: “On top of the financial difficulties of getting into this industry, there are very few local wineries that can afford to offer real benefits to their employees. This is a dangerous job; I’ve gotten hurt multiple times and without insurance, it’s just too risky.
The wine industry also needs to learn how to handle pregnancies. I’ve known many talented women leave the industry because they wanted to start a family and the winery just couldn’t afford to handle the maternity leave or function without them being out for that long.
Add in tasting wine, climbing ladders, and running industrial equipment, this job isn’t ideal for expectant mothers.
If we want to bring in more women and keep them in the industry, we really need for more wineries to be able to offer a real career level position.”
The Mission of Virginia Women in Wine Chelsea was able to obtain the support of fellow winemakers during times of injury and pregnancy, but not all are so lucky. Scenarios like these are
most comes in handy.
According to their website, “The mission of Virginia Women in Wine is to strengthen the Virginia wine industry by creating women-led media and marketing ventures, by providing networking opportunities that lead to improved winery operations and career advancement of its members, and by funding projects that generate important discussions and raise the bar for the continued advancement of Virginia wine.”
Fundraising has already gotten off to a strong start. Twenty-six wineries and businesses have contributed as Patrons and Founders to the launch of Virginia Women in Wine, raising $52,000 thus far.
The organization has a few upcoming initiatives, including:
1. The VWW Trailblazer Award, which so far has recognized Lucie Morton, Emma Randel, and Felicia Warburg Rogan for their work in viticulture and founding some of Virginia’s first wineries.
2. Drafting a white paper, Closing the Gender Gap in Winemaking
3. A number of retreats, wine dinners, and social events, including a “VWW Weekend” running from November 1stNovember 3rd
4. Coming up is the VWW Leadership Institute; an all-expense paid learning retreat for ten of the industry’s next generation of wine women leaders.
Membership is open to all in the Virginia wine, wine-tourism, and wine retail industries. To join, go to https://virginiawomeninwine.com.
Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia –most of them twice. Track his progress at https:// winetrailsandwanderlust.com.
Oktoberfest or Pumpkin Beer? To Me, The Choice Is Easy!
Did you ever think about where inspiration comes from? What causes an idea to pop into your head? For me, it’s often in the oddest places, and at the oddest times.
I was walking through Whole Foods looking to buy lunch. I decided on sushi. As I was headed to the selfcheckout, a store display stopped me in my tracks. It was a pumpkin beer display. Now, pumpkin beer displays in the fall are not uncommon. But the date was July 29th I know that for a fact because the first thing I did was pull out my phone to check the date. Yep, July 29th And I had already just had a pumpkin beer sighting. I immediately looked around to see if they had any Christmas displays up as well. They didn’t. But August was still two days away.
I was raised Catholic. The priests used to teach us that God was ubiquitous. Pumpkin spice is now giving God a run for his money. It’s unavoidable in the fall, and now, evidently, in July. It appears in almost every consumable product imaginable: beer, coffee, cake mix, cookies, cocoa, protein shakes, bacon, and even hemorrhoid cream. Alright, I made the last two up to emphasize the point. I associate pumpkin with October, as most people do. I just can’t fathom anything with pumpkin in it being marketable in July. But it must be. Or
that display would not be sitting on my path to the checkout. Even Linus would not be looking for the Great Pumkin yet. He doesn’t go to the pumpkin patch until Halloween. I want to make it clear that I don’t hate pumpkin beer, but I don’t love it either. If it’s a well brewed beer, and the pumpkin flavor isn’t
breweries are releasing Oktoberfest beers early this year. I can’t disparage that. In fact, I’m all for it. Fest Bier or Marzen, it doesn’t matter, I love Oktoberfest beer.
I decided to stop by one of my favorite haunts, Port City Brewing Company. I sidled up to the bar and started chatting with Justin, the bartender.
we have released our German Pilsner and Oktoberfest.” (I didn’t even try to mask my delight.) Both are good, but the German Pilsner is one of my alltime favorites.
The Port City Oktoberfest is a Marzen-style lager. It’s brewed with German hops and malts in the Keller style, meaning it’s naturally carbonated and unfiltered. It has a delightful malt flavor with hints of toasted bread. The German Pilsner is superb. A light refreshing true pilsner also brewed in the Keller style with lightly sweet malt flavor and a crisp finish. This beer won a gold medal in 2019 at the Great American Beer Festival.
overwhelming, a pumpkin beer can be enjoyable. But riddle me this Batman: why would I choose to drink a pumpkin beer, when I can have an Oktoberfest beer? Many of the local
Justin is an institution at Port City. He informed me that they did not have pumpkin beer yet. (I worked hard to mask disappointment.) Then Justin pointed to the board and said, “But
I then had a chance to chat with Ryan Pederson, Port City’s Tasting Room General Manager. Ryan has worked all over the country; he has an impressive amount of experience. He informs me that they do have a pumpkin beer coming out on October 25th , the time of year that a pumpkin beer should be released. It’s Belgian style with autumn and pumpkin spices, Virginia grown wheat, and local honey. I’m sure it’ll be good. He also informs me that their German Schwarzbier is about to be released, and that the Oktoberfest Rauch beer will be released on September 23rd. I look forward to both every year and highly recommend them.
Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations
Blade and Bow Bourbon
Yes, I recommended it last year, but I don’t care. As fall approaches, I always recommend Blade and Bow Bourbon. You’ll detect peaches, honey, and hay on the nose. But then the white pepper, vanilla, oak, and spice on the palate make for a fantastic smooth experience. I must admit that I love this bourbon. There is always a bottle of this distilled delight on my shelf. But it never seems to be there for very long. At $50 a bottle and 91 Proof, it’s a perfect Oktoberfest match.
Buffalo Trace Toro
Yes, it’s a gimmick. But it’s a well-done gimmick. I had to try this cigar. And I was quite pleased with it. This is a medium cigar. There are a lot of flavors up front when you first light it; spice, white pepper, and leather. As you get into the cigar, chocolate comes through. You also start to get some caramel and coffee notes. The spice picks up toward the end of the smoke but doesn’t overwhelm. Dark fruit also comes into play as you finish.
This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.
Ryan then goes behind the bar and pours me a Franconian Kellerbier, a German Lager, from a Lukr Faucet, a tap that many refer to as a side pull. Originally created to pour Czech pilsners, this different-looking draft faucet features a ball valve handle that you pull horizontally to pour beer from and a spout that you insert into the glass to fill it. These taps better aerate the beer and create a thicker creamier head. With its light amber color and notes of herbal hops, this beer is fantastic.
Here are a couple of other local fall releases you may enjoy. Aslin Beer Company has their Festbier out now. It’s a great German Golden Lager. They’re also releasing Pumpkin Spice Stout in September.
Denizens Brewing Company has released their Hike the Alps Marzen, an amber lager that showcases a sweet bready malt profile balanced by floral hops. In late September, their Hike the Alps Rauchbier is coming out. It’s brewed with European smoked malted barley and a unique lager strain. This redcolored lager has an aroma of wood-fire smoke. I look forward to both. Denizen’s Brewing does a great job.
There will be releases of Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers throughout our area. It’s a great reason to visit your local brewery and give them a try. Yes, I prefer the Oktoberfest beers. But everyone’s palate is different. There are some good pumpkin beers out there. For me, again, the key is that the pumpkin taste doesn’t overpower the beer. It should be mild, not heavy. It should add flavor but, not be the only flavor.
I was back in Whole Foods recently and saw a display for Pumpkin Spice Hard Tea. I had to laugh. Will the madness ever end?
As for the Oktoberfest beers, taste and enjoy them all season long! You won’t be disappointed! Prost!!
About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com . Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com
In Case of Emergency: Are Your Pets Prepared?
Did you know that September is Disaster Preparedness Month? This is a great time to take action to protect yourself and your pets. Being ready can reduce your stress and worry and make it easier to make decisions in the frantic time leading up to and during an emergency or disaster.
According to Ready.gov, the federal government’s comprehensive resource for preparing for disasters and emergencies, all of us should take the time to know what disasters and hazards could affect our area, how to get emergency alerts, and where we and our loved ones would go if we needed to evacuate. Each household should have an emergency plan. In addition, households with pets should make a pet plan, build a pet emergency kit, and know how to stay informed.
First, have a pet-friendly evacuation plan. Some public shelters and hotels may not allow pets inside. Decide on a safe place, maybe a friend’s or family member’s home, where you can take your pets if a disaster or emergency occurs. If you think you might have to travel far from home, you might even consider keeping a list of hotels and motels outside your immediate area that accept pets.
Develop a buddy system where you and neighbors, friends, and/or family
members agree to care for or evacuate each other’s pets if the owner can’t. In addition to giving your buddy a key, tell them about your pets’ feeding schedule, medications, habits, etc., and show them where everything is located in your home.
Several things that pet owners should do routinely – having your pet microchipped, keeping them current on their vaccinations, and maintaining medical records – are even more important in the event of an emergency. Having your pet microchipped increases your chances of being reunited if they get lost or if you’re separated. Make sure the microchip registration is in your name, keep your address and phone number up-to-date, and include an emergency contact outside of your immediate area. In addition, dogs should wear collars with up-todate ID tags, including your cell phone number. Not all cats will wear collars, but if yours does, the same recommendation applies.
Nobody likes paperwork, but pulling together your pets’ documents is a great idea, whether in hard copy or electronically. Make sure all your pets are current on their vaccines and have copies of those records handy. Some of the shelters, rescues, hotels, clinics and boarding kennels that might temporarily house
pets during disasters will require vaccination records.
While you’re pulling that info together, jot down your pets' feeding schedules, medical conditions, and behavioral issues along with the name and number of your veterinarian. Finally, include photos of your pet and of you and your pet together; if you become separated from your pet during an emergency, the photos can help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
you’ll need to keep your pets under control at all times.
To ensure your pets can’t escape, make sure you have easy access to sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers or crates. Because your pet might have to stay in their carrier for hours at a time, the carrier should be large enough that they can stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down.
The second key part of being prepared is to build a pet emergency kit; this is in
as described on Ready.gov. Remember to review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially food and medicines, are fresh.
Obviously, food and water are most important components. It’s recommended that your kit has five days’ worth of food for each of your pets. If you’re including kibble, be sure it’s in an airtight and waterproof container. The amount of bottled water you have in your pet’s emergency kit will vary depending on
pet, but plan to have several day’s supply. And don’t forget bowls for food and water.
All pets have sanitation needs. Your kit should include whatever’s appropriate for your pet: cat litter, litter box, and litter scoop; “poop bags”; garbage bags; “pee pads”; paper towels; and a disinfecting spray.
You’ll want to include a copy of the information you pulled together during your planning: registration, medical records, info on your pet’s feeding schedule and medical conditions, your vet’s name and number, and photos of your pet and the two of you
together. It’s recommended you put these items in a waterproof container, along with a supply of any medicines your pet takes on a regular basis.
And last, put some familiar items in your emergency kit, like one of your pet’s favorite toys, some treats, and a familiar blanket or bedding. You and your pet will be in a stressful situation, and having a few reminders of home can help reduce stress for your pet.
Emergency plans and emergency kits are important tools to safeguard people and pets. And Ready.gov recommends one more thing:
stay informed about current conditions. Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts sent by state and local public safety officials for local alerts and warnings. Get weather alerts through the FEMA app, NOAA Weather Radio, and your smart speaker. Listen to local officials when told to evacuate or shelter in place and respond ASAP.
About the Author: Jane Koska is a well-organized person who recently realized, thanks to a boil water advisory in her neighborhood, that she isn’t all that well-prepared. Her two cats heartily endorse including lots of treats in their emergency kit.
PETS OF THE MONTH
4101 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA
703-746-4774
alexandriaanimals.org
Mon-Tu-Th-Fri, 12-7 pm Wed- Closed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm
Tyson
Tyson is a 2-year-old, 47-pound male dog.
He can be a smidge shy at first, but warms up quickly. He has done exceptionally well with other dogs he's met at the shelter. He often has playdates with his canine friends and loves to wrestle and chase. We know from his previous guardian that he has lived harmoniously with cats, but we always recommend slow introductions of course. His previous family also reported that he is house trained. If you're looking for a playful, canine companion, Tyson may be the perfect fit.
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304
703-838-4774
www.alexandriaanimals.org
Animal Welfare League of Arlington 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 703-931-9241 www.awla.org
Fairfax County Animal Shelter 4500 West Ox Road Fairfax, VA 22030
703-830-1100
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter
King Street Cats 25 S. Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-231-7199
www.kingstreetcats.org
Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. (Dog rescue for VA, MD, DC, and south central PA) P.O. Box 90813 Alexandria, VA 22309 703-344-7320 ophrescue.org
Friends of Rabbits www.friendsofrabbits.org
Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary (1300 animals and 22 species on 450 acres) P.O. Box 1357 Orange, VA 22960 540-854-0870
By appointment: tours@rikkisrefuge.org events@rikkisrefuge.org www.rikkisrefuge.org
Lenny is an 8-year-old male cat that is looking for a special someone to take care of him. He is a bit shy and not always up for visitors. However, when he's comfortable with you, and greatly enjoys being petted and receiving attention. His favorite treats are Temptations and he usually can't turn down a bit of catnip. Lenny has hyperthyroidism, so he needs a family that will commit to keeping him on the proper food and medication to ensure he stays happy and healthy, but promises he's worth the extra effort and attention!
and Clover
Bigwig (white) and Clover (black) are bonded female shorthaired rabbit sisters looking for a home where they can stay together. This pair loves to zoom around their playroom, chasing each other. They are five months old, incredibly smart and love treat puzzles. The two love to be around each other and often snuggle and groom each other. They both enjoy getting pets here and there. If you're searching for companions that provide hours of entertainment and affection, Bigwig and Clover might be your bunnies!
Lenny
Bigwig
Beauty FAQs
How do I choose the right moisturizer for my face?
Believe it or not, the most important thing about choosing a moisturizer is the weight, not the fancy ingredients. The wrong weight of moisturizer can actually cause as many, if not more, problems than the ingredients. If too heavy, it can clog your pores and cause breakouts. If not heavy enough, the lack of moisturizer can lead to premature aging.
In choosing the right weight, apply a normal amount to your jaw line. Wait a few seconds and check the area. If the moisturizer feels sticky or greasy, it means that it hasn’t absorbed into your skin and is too heavy for your complexion. If the moisturizer soaks in and still feels dry and your skin feels taught, then the moisturizer is not heavy enough. Look for a moisturizer that soaks in to your skin, but your skin feels relieved and looks plump.
Everywhere I look, all the makeup has shimmer and glitter. How do I embrace it without looking like a teenager?
Shimmer can actually be your friend. Glitter, not so much. Leave glitter to stage performances. A bit of shimmer can actually make old skin look young. And, it is the easiest and cheapest way to freshen up your skin and bring about a youthful glow.
But, if you overdue it, you could end up looking like an over-aged teenager. Keep in mind, dry and dull looking skin exacerbates looking old. So, the best thing to do is be strategic about your placement and amount. The best place to get the most bang for your buck is to apply a bit of shimmer along the base of your eyebrow along the brow bone. It gives the illusion of an instant lift to a sagging eye (which happens to all of us as we approach 40).
Another good place for a bit of shimmer is along your cheekbone. Again, it gives the illusion of an instant lift to the face but it also gives a punch of glow and dewiness that is associated with youthful skin. It is okay to go for broke and put a bit of shimmer along the brow bone and the cheekbone. You’ll be amazed at how your friends will compliment your new youthful appearance. Do I need a lip liner with my lipstick?
Most of the time lip liner is a personal preference. For some, they do not feel complete without lip liner. The only time lip liner is absolutely necessary is if (1) your lipstick tends to bleed, no matter the color and (2) if you are wearing a deep and dark color like red, which bleeds on everyone.
I would not recommend lining your lips when wearing lip-gloss. What you can do, however, is use a lip liner to fill in your lips to add more color and staying power to your lip-gloss.
I’m 40, should I be wearing foundation?
Not necessarily. Determining when to wear foundation has nothing to do with how old you are. In fact, I would argue, that if your skin looks good, you should avoid
foundation because it can make you look older than you are. Using foundation has more to do with the condition of your skin. If your skin is blotchy and uneven, you may want to consider wearing foundation. If not, skip it all together and apply a good moisturizer.
Remember, foundation’s primary goal is to even out your skin tone to create a monotone surface in which to apply color. Think of foundation as the canvas before applying the artwork – eye shadow, cheek color, lipstick, etc.
What is triple milled soap?
A triple milled soap is actually three soaps milled into one. The process of milling three soaps into one is a lengthy process taking months to produce a single bar of soap, but it provides users with a soap that lasts much longer than its counterparts. A triple milled soap usually lasts a month or more.
Also, the French have the oldest and best-known milling process which is why triple milled soaps are often known as French triple milled soaps. What are hair powders or dry shampoos?
Hair powder and dry shampoo are actually the same thing but referred to differently. These are essentially talcum powders that have been colored to match your hair color. By applying the hair powder/dry shampoo to your scalp, the powder will soak up the excess oils and freshen up your hair as if it was washed. Basically, the powders give life to second day hair without having to wash your hair. For answers to additional beauty questions, email us at office@oldtowncrier.com and please put “First Blush” in the subject line.
A Workout That Works!
If someone told you right now what the absolute best exercise to lose weight was, would you do it? Of course you would. Guess what that exercise is...the one that you will do. The biggest things that stop people from exercising are boredom and injuries. If you can find an exercise, or some type of workout that you enjoy doing, it is much easier to stick to it.
The truth is that weight loss is about creating a calorie deficit, in other words, burning more calories than you take in. While running at an 8-minute-mile pace might be a great calorie burner, if you're not going to do it, it's not going to help you. Instead, start with something you can do, like walking or working out on an elliptical machine or exercise bike. You will burn more calories by doing cardio than you will with strength training alone. Strength training itself will not lead to an appreciable amount of weight loss because it just doesn't burn enough calories. A combination of cardio and strength is going to be the best approach to sustainable weight loss. That's not to say that strength training isn't important for the overall health of the body. But when it comes to burning the most calories, go for cardiovascular exercise. And vary the intensity.
Cross training is another key that will help amp up your workouts. Doing a range of different activities during your workouts helps you keep from getting bored and it's better for your body. Doing different activities recruits different muscle groups. You're also less likely to develop an injury, since doing the same thing day after day creates wear patterns on your joints.
Keep in mind that exercise is just one portion of a successful weight loss program. Eating and exercise are not separate issues. They're intimately connected. Too many people think these large doses of exercise are an excuse to eat whatever you want. Unfortunately, food is everywhere and portions are far more than what is needed. It's so much easier not to eat calories than it is to try and burn them off.
So how much exercise is needed to lose weight? You need to burn 3,500 calories to lose a pound. So, if you're burning 300 calories in one workout, it will take you nearly 12 workouts to lose one pound. If you cut your calorie intake by 300 calories in addition to burning 300, it will take you half as long to lose a pound. If you want to lose weight, shoot for at least 200 minutes (more
than three hours) a week of moderate intensity exercise with everything else consistent. If you cut calories and exercise, you can get away with a minimum dose of 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) a week. If you're a beginner, start with 50 minutes of exercise a week and work up to 200.
Here are a few tips to keep your workouts consistent:
1. Have an exercise buddy or partner Having accountability to someone else, even if it's your Labrador, keeps you honest. It's much easier to say no to yourself than to someone else.
2. Schedule your workouts. Keep a calendar that lists specific times for your workouts. Make an appointment with exercise ahead of time, and you won't have the excuse of running out of time.
3. Weigh yourself. This is one of the best tools to see if you're slipping up. Weighing yourself once a week can keep you on track so that you don't let 300 extra calories a day or one missed workout set you back.
4. Don't do too much, too fast. Don't get over-motivated. Lifting weights that are too heavy or starting out with six days a week of aerobic exercise is a mistake. People end up hurting themselves in the first week and then they give up.
5. Log your steps. Logging the time that you work out will help you achieve your weekly goal, even if you get off track one day. It will also inspire you at the end of the week, when you can look back and see what you've accomplished.
6. Cook more often. Portions, and calories, are out of control when you eat out. You'll almost always consume fewer calories in a meal cooked and eaten at home. Save restaurants for special occasions, and get together with friends for a walk instead of a meal.
7. Don't turn water into wine. Not only does a glass of wine or beer add a couple hundred extra calories, after a few glasses, you're not as conscious of consuming more calories in your meal. You don't have to give up drinking, but do cut back.
The best way to reach your exercise goals is to set something that is reasonable and put together a plan that makes it attainable. It is a good idea to set long and short-term goals, that way the ultimate goal does not seem so far off. Remember to start with something that you enjoy and don’t over-do it. Fitness can be fun!
The Benefits of Bodyweight
Bodyweight training is nothing new, but I would like to discuss how you can integrate this type of training in your fitness routines. For centuries, man utilized his own bodyweight as a means to get stronger for battle which is one reason why our military still uses this type of training today. Bodyweight training uses the forces of gravity as a means of resistance without the need for barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc.
If you are searching for a change in your exercise routine, just try using your own bodyweight. The best thing about training this way is that you can do it anywhere and you can remain socially distanced. No more excuses of why you didn’t get to the gym this week. Below is a sample bodyweight workout:
Jumping Jacks…………….. 3 x 50 reps
Squats……………………... 3 x 25
Mountain Climbers………... 3 x 50
Pushups……………………. 3 x 20
Situps……………………… 3 x 25
Front Hover (Plank)………. 3 x 30 seconds
Alternating Forward Lunge... 3 x 24 reps
Squat Jumps………………... 3 x 15
Let me explain a few of the exercises above. Mountain climbers are performed in the pushup position by bending your hip and knee with one foot forward and underneath you while the opposite leg is straight. Bodyweight should be evenly distributed through each hand and foot. Next, switch foot positions rapidly by “jumping” and alternating the landing position. Try to keep your hips level with the rest of your body. Arms stay straight as your feet do the work. Each alternation counts as a repetition. Make sense? I hope so because that’s a hard one to describe on paper. The front hover or plank is similar to the pushup position except that you will support your upper body with the forearms (elbows directly under the shoulders) and your feet together. Try not to let your hips drop toward the floor by contracting your abdominals and avoid holding your breath. The object of this exercise is to hold this “plank” position for a thirty-second count.
A squat jump is simply a squat finished off with an explosive jump up. Remember to always land softly by bending your knees and hips.
There are only eight exercises with this routine,
but the goal is to perform each one without rest in between. Once you have completed the circuit, allow yourself a rest break anywhere between 2-5 minutes before starting another round. In this example, I have a total of 3 rounds.
Here is another way to incorporate bodyweight training into a normal weight lifting routine. Execute your lift then follow it up immediately with a body weight exercise. Examples: Bench Press followed by Pushups, Leg Press followed by squat jumps, or an Abdominal Crunch Machine followed by the Front Hover. You might be surprised on how difficult the bodyweight exercises can be when performed in this fashion. Never underestimate the value of bodyweight training because it can be a great addition to any fitness routine.
About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
URBAN GARDEN
Rabbits and Voles and Deer… Oh My!
As the seasons change, we adjust our gardening tasks and plantings to match. Animals also make changes this time of year, often changing their eating habits and dining locations. Protect your landscape from hungry deer, rabbits, and voles this winter. Start preparing in fall before their winter dining habits begin. If you are vigilant and persistent, you can coexist with these creatures and still have a beautiful landscape.
These adjustments can impact your gardens. Reduce the risk of damage by starting in fall to protect your landscape from hungry animals this winter.
Take a walk around your landscape to evaluate plants and plantings for their susceptibility to animal damage. Look for pathways that animals use to access your landscape and areas of potential damage. Note new plantings, animal favorites and those special plantings you would hate to lose. Make sure these are protected.
Check mulch around trees and shrubs. Deep layers of mulch and mulch piled around the trunk of trees and the base of shrubs provides shelter for mice and voles. These rodents like to gnaw on the bark of trees and shrubs in winter. Pull mulch off tree trunks and stems and spread out deep mulch so it is only two to four inches deep.
Protect young trees and shrubs with a four-feet-tall fence of hardware cloth sunk several inches into the ground to prevent vole damage at ground level and most rabbit damage. Mature trees are usually only bothered during years where the vole and rabbit populations are high and food is scarce.
Fencing around garden beds filled with animal favorites is another option. Make sure your fence is high enough, tight to the ground and gates are secure. You will need a four-feet-high fence for rabbits and at least five- to
six-feet-high fence to keep deer out of small gardens. A fence of several strands of fishing line has proven to be successful for some gardeners.
Repellents are another less obtrusive option. These use smell or taste to discourage animals from dining in your landscape. Check the label to see if the repellent works on the animals and rodents you are trying to manage. Apply repellents before animals start feeding for best results. Then reapply as recommended on the label. Look for one, like organic Plantskydd (plantskydd.com), that is rain and snow resistant, lasting up to six months on dormant plants over the winter so you will need to apply it less often.
Scare tactics may be effective depending on where you live. In urban and suburban areas animals are used to human scents and sounds. Gardeners often hang old CDs and shiny ribbons in tree branches to scare hungry animals. If you opt for scare tactics, be sure to employ a variety of options and change their location to increase your chance of success.
Constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used and check all plantings for damage. When animal populations are high and hungry, they will eat about anything. Be willing to change things up if one method is not working. Using multiple tactics will help increase your level of success.
About the Author: Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise to write this article. For more by Melinda, visit her website at www. MelindaMyers.com. MELINDA
Tackle Transition
With heads tilted, todays’ techno-anglers maintain a constant gaze focusing on screens showing fish and angler lures. Video game fishing is on the rise as pro anglers rig boats with up to 6 video monitors.
Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) has changed fishing tactics and tackle. Spinning rods line bass boat decks, each with similar line setups, lead head jigs, and minnow imitators. Tackle and lures of bygone angling days are overlooked. While trends are not specifically attributed to FFS, tackle tendencies appear to lean in that direction. Spinning rods are the preferred delivery tool of light jig/minnow set ups.
Kipper Sticks Custom Rods pro staffer Scott Favors has seen an increase in demand for 7’ or 7’2” medium moderate action spinning rods, replacing 6’6” versions, for casting distance for lighter baits. While not specifically designing FFS rods, many anglers are requesting these rods for FFS. Favors says show and online spinning rod sales have dramatically increased, outpacing casting rod sales.
Ranger/Mercury pro Stephen Browning used to have only 2 spinning rods when leaving the ramp, one drop shot, one shaky head. With FFS he’s using more spinning than casting rods. Braided line, with monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders, has become the finesse fishing
standard. Braid offers strong line with thinner diameters which puts out less vibration that might alert fish and allows a more natural presentation. But it’s casting distance the pro says is a real advantage when targeting pressured fish. When fishing in deeper water with jig/ minnow baits, Browning gets away with thinner line with nothing to get hung up on. He uses the lightest line setup that doesn’t put him at a disadvantage when hooking up. He beefs up when fishing around heavier cover. Leaders compliment this line matchup with either 6, 8, or 10 pound GAMMA EDGE fluorocarbon depending on how he wants baits to fall. Thicker diameter leaders slow the fall, thinner makes baits more reactive. Watching the screen, he dials in on the presentation that looks the most natural, noting how fish react. He equips 3 or 4 rods with different sized line for varying presentations, with the same baits. His leader length is between 10-12 feet to keep knots in the reel when fish are close to the boat.
Watching the FFS movement closely, GAMMA Fishing owner Dale Black says it’s hard to determine how FFS is affecting line sales, but notes he sells a lot of GAMMA EDGE and TOUCH faluorocarbon used as main lines or leader, covering even and odd finesse fishing line sizes, ranging from 2 to 10 pound test. Black has also noticed sales increases
in thinner diameter Gamma Torque braid.
Finesse fishing is expanding and FFS is spawning a broadening use of existing tackle. Winchester-based Jake’s Bait & Tackle Store Manager Jenny Myers is seeing a lot of sales of jig heads and minnow baits but adds these cross over to river smallmouth fishing. Myers adds that new FFS specific baits are selling. She also confirms that longer spinning rod and finesse baitcasting gear sales have seen an uptick.
As anglers demand, companies are creating FFS baits. Rapidly expanding ZMan introduced their exclusive FFS bait system. After working with highly decorated Bridgford Foods bass pro Luke Claussen for over 2 years, Z-Man’s Graph Shadz was unveiled. Created from the bottom up, Claussen had two goals in mind, a fast fall rate and, when the line was tightened, a horizontal presentation. Teaming up with one of the industry’s top bait developers Jose Chavez, a lot of prototypes were tested. Chavez sought to avoid a copycat or repackaged FFS bait.
FFS allows anglers to put baits in front of fish, but fish get a very good look at what is being presented. Chavez says they started with a natural profile, creating a jig head narrower at the top with the same profile for every weight. Different metals allow
different sink rates. A soft plastic body mates seamlessly to the head, enhancing the natural profile and producing FFS returns with better screen visibility. A custom 3/0 hook with a line-thru tie under the head presents baits horizontally. A plastic sleeve insert protects line. Dual bait keepers, a friction and wire keeper, eliminate sliding.
There’s no afterthought in Z-Man soft plastic bodies. A hook channel allows perfect rigging alignment. A hollow chamber accepts worm rattles and enhances FFS visibility.
A bulbous tail creates subtle action, moving continually to interest the most finicky fish.
Photos of shad were used to design realistic eyes.
Extensively tested prototypes caught fish but had flaws.
Claussen says adjustments resulted in an ideal body roll and appearance. He also sought a bait that wouldn’t helicopter when casting to enable accuracy and distance.
Potomac River Bassing in SEPTEMBER
It’s cooling, but fish are still in grass. Punching mats with 50 pound Gamma Torque braid and up to 1.5 ounce tungsten weights. Attach small craw imitators with a strong hook. Frog fishing is still a solid option.
The Graph Shadz pendulums horizontally when slack is taken out of the line and Claussen simply shakes the rod, watching his Lowrance Active Target FFS. Claussen says the Graph Shadz can be fished vertically as well. Around for 6 years and recently dominating pro bass fishing events, FFS use is expanding to the weekend angler. Cost is a prohibitive factor restraining widespread use and angler reluctance to engage in “video-game” fishing is slowing the growth. However, as evidenced at this year’s ICAST show, many companies are branding many new and generic products as FFS, as they are betting on the increased acceptance and demand.
About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass. com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.
As days cool, fat bodied
crankbaits on 14 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line can be cranked over and at grass edges or remnants or any hard cover. Pitch soft plastics like green pumpkin Mizmo tubes to grass at any tide. When calm and cloudy, try popping baits around cover.
Secrets Uncovered
Tiring of my usual Dateline routine, I recently tapped into some old, familiar friends—namely—Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. It had been a while—a long while—since I watched the sex’capades of the single New York women of Sex and the City fame. When it originally aired (late 90s) on HBO, I was like Carrie—in my 30s and single. Unlike Carrie, I was poor. Too poor to afford the extravagance of HBO let alone a closet full of Manolo Blahniks. So—years later, I treated myself to the box set of DVDs and a friendship was born.
I was still single—I remember being on a first date with a handsome man and feeling very Carrie’ish in my kitten heels. Until, that is, that I happened to mention that I was a fan of the show at which point he visibly recoiled. “You watch Sex and the City?,” he asked seemingly mortified. I affirmed and watched my second date option disappear as Captain Conservative sped out of the parking lot. Oh well. Easy come; easy go. Maybe because I was single and 30-something or maybe because it was cutting-edge HBO, but all of the nudity and sex didn’t make me raise an eyebrow. Watching it now as a married 50-something woman, I’m like, “Wow. Is she going out in that?!,” and “Holy cow—did he just say that?!,” and “OMG—did I just see what I think I did?,” and “Dang— that’s a lot of you know what before noon.”
Maybe I am morphing into Captain Conservative in my later years. Shifts are definitely occurring. For years, I was a Mr. Big fan; Aidan, not so much. I couldn’t get past the big silver rings and sheep doggish mannerisms. Big, however, with his power suits, sly smile, tastefully decorated condo, and commitment issues out the wazzooo—he was the man of my dreams.
Now I find myself pulling for Aidan. He loves Carrie. He wants to marry Carrie and take care of her. He’s a good guy. And now, I see Big for who he is—a selfish player with perhaps a tinge of narcissism.
God—what has happened to me? Did I grow up when I wasn’t looking? When Aidan moves into Carrie’s apartment, the wheels begin to fall off the wagon. She has never shared her space. And, to her credit, it’s a tiny space. While she wanted a relationship—the gold standard to which we are all groomed to want and stretch for and feel incomplete
without—she finds herself longing for her pre-Aidan days when she could indulge her SSBs—otherwise known as her Secret Single Behaviors. “That stuff you can do when you’re totally alone,” says Carrie, i.e., the stuff you’d never want your boyfriend to see.
“I like to make a stack of Saltines. I put grape jelly on them. I eat them standing up in the kitchen reading fashion magazines,” Carrie explains. Charlotte confides that she likes examining her pores in a mirror for an hour before bedtime, and Miranda’s SSB involves Vaseline, moisturizing gloves, and infomercials.
While I’m no longer single, I can still relate. Back in the day, I had my own SSBs which were similar to Carrie’s except mine involved Ritz crackers, a tub of peanut butter and People mags eaten standing up at the kitchen counter in my underwear after a night out with friends. Weird? Maybe. But don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Luckily, there is no photographic evidence.
My SMBs (Single Married Behaviors) are probably too numerous to list here, but mostly involve tweezers and Ben Gay. Occasionally, I get crazy and bring in the big guns—Etsy and Ebay—my late night porn fix. Perusing vintage designer scarves and handbags is my dirty secret, but ssshhhhh. I rarely, if ever, buy; my kink is trolling and hearting my faves.
Just because we enter into a relationship doesn't mean we have to share everything. I mean for God’s sake—I already gave up my collection of self-help books and Beanie babies. How much can one possibly be expected to give and still retain their sense of self?
I haven’t even begun to uncover my Secret September Behaviors which may or may not include hiding under the covers with my pals Zappos and Nordstrom. Planning my fantasy fall wardrobe has never felt so decadent. And while I’m at it—who knows… maybe I’ll treat myself to a birthday present or two. Did I mention how much I love September?
About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 25 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.
Adios Heat Wave… I Hope!!
It has been a way hot summer in and around the DMV and not in a good way! Much of the normally “summertime” green areas took on a dry khaki hue and the plants in the pots in front of our building almost stroked out even with regular watering. Participating in outdoor activities was an invitation to heat stroke and dining al fresco was kind of a joke. In any case (full disclosure, I haven’t checked the Farmer’s Almanac), I am counting on this month being a really nice segway into a full-blown temperate fall. You know the kind where you still have the option to wear shorts during the day but you need a sweater or sweatshirt at night during these next couple of weeks. As the month goes on, it gets cool enough to bring out the jeans and ditch the sandals and flip flops and don “real” shoes or maybe even a pair of boots. This also means sitting by a firepit with a beverage in hand and maybe a ‘smore’s kit nearby.
As summer makes its way out, so do some of the events and activities that aren’t conducive to cooler weather. Make plans to take advantage of them while they are still happening.
Still running through the 30th of the month, are the FREE weekly fitness classes – Monday Boot Camp, Tuesday Dance Fitness and Saturday Yoga. All of these “get in/stay in shape” classes take place at the foot of the Plaza Stage. Boot Camp and Dance run from 7-8 pm and Yoga is a 10-11 am event. They are all weather dependent so you might need to consult the Harbor website to see if there are cancellations. www.nationalharbor.com
The weekly live entertainment is also coming to an end this month. The Salute to Sunset Saturday
Evenings winds up the season with only two performances this month. The Navy Concert Band performs on the 7th on the Plaza and the Navy Band “Country Current” ends the season with a grand send off on the 11th performing in Spirit Park. You are welcome you to bring a folding chair for the concert on the plaza. Seating is available at Spirit Park. All performances start at 7 pm.
One of the most popular summertime happenings that is coming to an end are the Movies on the Potomac. Date Night on Thursdays and Family Night on Sundays officially ends this month but we are betting that there will be a few movies on the big screen as we go into holiday mode next month. I’m hoping they show “Hocus Pocus 2” again on Halloween this year or maybe…Beetlejuice!
September Schedule
1st – Parent Trap
5th – Now You See Me
8th – Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
12th – Top Gun
15th – Dora & the Lost City
19th – Top Gun: Maverick
22nd – A Million Miles Away
26th – Inside Out 2
29th – My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
Capital Wheel. I haven’t been out there much this summer mainly because of the heat so I am really excited to make up for lost time this month. If the weather cooperates, I may even be able to score some time around one of their gas fire features with one of those aforementioned adult beverages in hand – there are always some interesting concoctions going on behind that little bar. They begin fall hours this month after Labor Day on the 2nd. Starting on Friday the 6th, they will be open Fridays from 4pm-10 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 Noon-10pm. Be sure to check out their website and social media pages for deals and specials running throughout the month. More information on this can be found at ww.capitalwheel.com
September is a good month to take a mid-week break from working from home and/or dropping off and picking up kids to do something for yourself. There is plenty of parking (yes, it isn’t cheap, but it is plentiful and you are treating yourself). You can pretty much walk the entire Harbor in under an hour but I suggest you take your time to do some recon of the shops and restaurants and go back to the one(s) that caught your eye. Lots of dining options in the Harbor both on and off of the beaten path aka waterfront. My favorites are Bond 45 and Fiorella but we have been known to spread the love around on many occasions.
Our regular readers know that one of my very favorite activities in the Harbor is having an adult beverage on the Flight Deck under the
In the meantime, as we await cooler temps, let’s not jump on the pumpkin spice wagon! It is still margarita and cold beer season and you have plenty of time to show off your summer glow!
