Old Town Crier- November 2016 Full Issue

Since 1988 • Priceless

November 2016

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

Road Trip

CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS Visit a Memorial Dining Out

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE CLASSICS RT’s Restaurant Business Profile

UP, UP AND AWAY! Pax River Naval Air Museum Chef Profile

SUCCOTASH RESTAURANT’S EDWARD LEE

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A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 703. 836.0132

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5

18

office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month.

Worth waiting for!

PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Schultz

A Bit of History After Hours

Alexandria Events DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink Art & Antiques 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703.669.5502 Chris Anderson Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker Dan Bramos Frank Britt Bonnie Browning F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Jimmy Deaton Doug Fabbioli

CONTRIBUTORS Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Sarah Liu Jeff McCord Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown

Behind the Bar

8 13

Financial Focus

6

Pets of the Month

17 16

First Blush

45

Points on Pets

Fitness

40

Publisher’s Notes

15

From the Bay…

22

Road Trip

28

From the Trainer

41

Social Media Message

4

3

5

2 20

Gallery Beat

14

Spiritual Renaissance

43

Caribbean Connection

18

Go Fish

42

The Last Waltz

12

Chef’s Special

34

Grapevine

36

The Last Word

10

Civil Discourse

9

High Notes

11

… To the Blue RIdge

24

Dining Guide

32

National Harbor

47

Urban Garden

Dining Out

30

On the Road

1

Exploring Virginia Wines

39

Open Space

46

Business Profile

7

© 2016 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas as well as St. John, USVI.

On the road with OTC Old Town Crier loyal reader and friend, Charlie Lanham, visited Eyre Square in Ireland where JFK made his famous speech in June of 1963 just five months before his assassination. The flags in the background represent the original 14 tribes of Galway which were merchant families that dominated trade with Europe in the 1600s.

After checking out some history he had to make a trek to Garavans’ Irish Pub and participate in an Irish whiskey tasting.

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

Old Town Crier

November 2016 | 1

PUBLISHER’S NOTES BOB TAGERT

STEFAN M., LAKISHKA R., TE’NESHA M., WILLIE H., TITUS H.

VALISA M.

IT’S NOT A SMART WATCH, IT’S A STRONG ONE.

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Old Town Alexandria

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2 | November 2016

A

s we were putting the finishing touches on the November issue, our designer’s computers crashed, which set us back three days. However it did give us the chance to attend the Halloween party at Stoney’s Broomes Island. Here I am with Jeannie Stone, or more affectionately, Puss in Boots. It was a great way to end the season and welcome Fall.

As November approached, I was pleased to see that Halloween weekend the sky was clear and the high temps were in the mid 70s…one last sail before putting up the boat for the Winter.

As the changing colors of the leaves reach their peak in the early weeks of November, it is a great time to make a final trip to the Virginia wine country and enjoy the clear crisp air and a glass of Virginia’s fine wines. Our spread on the Wineries of Northern Fauquier County shows you the best wineries to visit. It is also an excellent opportunity to try a few wines before making your choices for Thanksgiving dinner and consumption over the holidays.

Now is also a good time to pick a getaway to kick off the holiday season. Most kickoff events in this area occur during the first weekend in December. Check out the ad for Tula’s in Little Washington for a very special event. The holiday festivities begin in Culpeper on November 20. Check out the ad in this issue as well as the shopping and dining available. Our very own Alexandria will be starting up the season with the tree lighting after Thanksgiving.

Remembering Veteran’s Day this month, I took a road trip to the different War Memorials in the metro area. Hop the Metro and see these impressive works of art for yourself.

Check out this month’s Dining Out and the consistent RT’s on Mount Vernon Avenue. Doug Coleman keeps digging up little known facts about the Civil War in Civil Discourse. This month the Confederates attempt to cut off shipping to Washington, D.C. Please be sure to get out and vote! This is a pivotal presidential race as are several local seats. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Old Town Crier

4 ART ON TAP 7-10 p.m.

Admission: $35 until October 21; $45 afterwards The Art League Gallery Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union St. 703-683-2323 www.TheArtLeague.org Craft beers from local breweries have been artfully paired with a work of art from an Art League instructor. Local restaurants have chosen a brew/artwork coupling to serve as their muse to create the perfect complementary appetizer. Enjoy the brew, bite and artwork trifectas on Friday, November 4 at The Art League’s Art on Tap event. Sample the creative combinations while drinking from a takehome Art on Tap beer tasting glass, and then vote for your favorite at the end of the event.

6 BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR: CARLYLE HOUSE ARCHITECTURE 10-11 a.m.

Admission: $10 Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax St. 703-549-2997 www.CarlyleHouse.org Guests will have a personalized, behind the scenes tour of the mansion with the site manager, discussing the architecture of Carlyle House. The tour will last about an hour and will take place rain or shine.

Please do not bring large purses or backpacks.

10-13 10TH ANNUAL ALEXANDRIA FILM FESTIVAL Admission: TBA AMC Hoffman 22 Theater and Beatley Central Library www.AlexandriaFilm.org Now in its 10th year showcasing independent films from around the world, the Alexandria Film Festival offers an enriching cinematic opportunity for filmmakers and film lovers alike by bringing high quality, diverse and

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

Old Town Crier

Alexandria NOVEMBER TOURS, EXHIBITS, EVENTS

10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Admission: Free Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site 4301 West Braddock Rd. 703-746-4848 www.FortWard.org An interpreter portraying a Union veteran reminisces about his military service at Fort Ward during the Civil War. Learn about Civil War veterans organizations, the history and construction of Fort Ward, and soldier life in the defense system. Tours begin in the museum and last about 90 minutes each. Program is weather dependent.

ages 13-21: $15 online, $20 raceday; 12 and under: $5 or $10 race day Starts at George Washington Middle School 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. www.VisitDelRay.org A Thanksgiving morning tradition, the 40th annual Alexandria Turkey Trot is the Mid Atlantic’s premiere Turkey Trot. With over 6,000 runners, and some of the fastest elite runners on the east coast, as well as stroller and dog divisions, the Turkey Trot is a great way to start your Thanksgiving morning.

24 41ST ANNUAL DEL RAY TURKEY TROT 9 a.m.

Admission: adults: $20 online, $25 raceday; thought-provoking short and featurelength films to historic Alexandria and the Washington, D.C. metro area. The festival highlights the talents of local, national and international filmmakers and provides numerous opportunities for audiences to ask 11 FREE VETERANS DAY TOURS 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: Free Gadsby’s Tavern Museum 134 N. Royal St. 703-746-4242 shop.AlexandriaVA.gov/Events.aspx Gadsby’s Tavern Museum was saved from destruction thanks to the efforts of American Legion Post #24. To honor this special connection, tours of the museum on Veteran’s Day will be free for all guests.

12 SOLDIER-LED TOURS IN HONOR OF VETERAN’S DAY

OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

MARKET SQUARE • 301 KING ST SATURDAY 7 A.M. – NOON, YEAR ROUND Free parking in Market Square garage during market hours

People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town Alexandria’s Market Square is thought to be one of the nation’s oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians. George Washington

sent his produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today, the market offers folks a way to reconnect to the past, while participating in an ongoing local and national tradition.

DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET

CORNER OF EAST OXFORD & MOUNT VERNON AVES SATURDAY 8 A.M. – NOON, YEAR ROUND The Del Ray Market is producer grown, with fresh vegetables and fruits in season. All year round, this market offers meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces, Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs, jams and jellies, fancy nuts and bakery goods.

NORTH MONTGOMERY PARK FARMERS MARKET

NORTH MONTGOMERY PARK • 901 NORTH ROYAL ST THURSDAY 3-7 P.M., YEAR ROUND WEATHER PERMITTING The market will feature local growers, bakers, and other area providers of wholesome foods including Twin Springs, Grace's Pastries, Bread & Water, and Relay Foods.

November 2016 | 3

W NE NT ER EME D UN NAG MA

SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE ASHLEY SCHULTZ

SERVICE MANAGER CHARLIE BROWN AND HIS CREW EAGERLY WAIT TO SERVE YOU! • Complete Auto Repair & Maintenance • Foreign and Domestic • All Repairs Guaranteed • VA Safety & Emissions Inspections • Towing Available

OLD TOWN SHELL

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Mention this ad for 10% off labor of an repair or maintenance service.

Shop Early.

Ship Early.

East Coast Internet Outrage … Yikes!

Were you not able to access some popular sites on October 21st? Many sites were unavailable for usage due to a cyber attack.

These sites included Amazon, Spotify, Twitter, Netflix, and PayPal. This attack is known as an DDos attack.

What is DDos? Distributed Denial of Service, it is an attack when a web service is intentionally overwhelmed by traffic from many sources.

It is a common method for digital assaults.

This assault was on DYN an Internet Traffic Company. According to CNBC, the attacks

were “well planned and executed, coming from tens of millions of IP addresses at the same time.” The attack was waged from devices infected with a malware code that was released on the web in the past month, this includes DVR’s . The attack was curbed within two hours, yet, how many devices do we have that can be used for such an attack? Is this attack due to the current election? Take time to make sure that your webcam and DVR’s have the latest firmware and software updates strictly from the manufacturer.

Old Town Pack & Ship Service, Inc. • In-house packing • Wooden crates for delicate items • Small and large items • Shipment anywhere using UPS, FedEx and others • Free pickup service in Old Town Alexandria

822 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.549.7167 [fax] 703.549.7168 www.vatopservices.com Haircuts $15

A Very Good Price!

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Old Town Crier

BUSINESS PROFILE DAN BRAMOS

George Hill, president of the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association

A

fter much anticipation, the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum opened its doors to the public during a celebration last May on Memorial Day weekend. The museum complex is open to all ages interested in discovering the heritage of naval aviation’s research, development, test and evaluation at Patuxent River, Maryland.

Oscar Falco and Hank Caruso

“From its roofline reflecting the shape of an aircraft, to its state of the art environmental controls, this building is a source of pride for St. Mary’s County and all of Southern Maryland.”

First opened in 1978, the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum (PRNAM) now spans three buildings and includes a flight line of [14 different] one-of- a-kind aircraft and aircraft

PAX River Naval Air Museum The 20,000 square-foot new exhibit hall, located next to the main entrance to the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, is arguably the most recognizable structure on Three Notch Road.

“As many know, design and construction of the museum have been ongoing for several years,” said George Hill, president of the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association.

Old Town Crier

configurations unique to the Naval Test Center here at NAS Patuxent River.

Visitors to the museum will witness a range of test and evaluation-centric artifacts including a replica A-1 Triad, the U. S. Navy’s first aircraft; the X-35 prototype of the Navy latest aircraft; galleries of aircraft engines and ejection seats; and much more. No visit is complete without a stop at the flight

MEET OSCAR FALCO A six foot tall osprey has been spotted in Southern Maryland, and it’s even wearing a flight suit. Oscar Falco, named after its area namesake, the Osprey Falcon, was designed by world renowned aviation artist Hank Caruso in his signature “aerocature” form.

Caruso originally had the idea for the mascot after a Cub Scout pack toured the museum and asked some very intelligent and perceptive questions, leading to discussions on how to engage younger visitors. He went on to talk about the concept of the character, “An Osprey seemed like the perfect choice; they represent our area better than any other raptor… but he did need to have a look that reflected the aggressive personality associated with flight testing”. Hank credits his wife Amy Houle Caruso with the idea and drive and effort that brought Oscar to become a “real bird.”

simulators [key message here about flight simulator] followed by a trip to the Flightline gift shop, which offers our latest and greatest aviation souvenirs.

The museum complex is open six days a week. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission to the museum complex is five dollars for adults and three dollars for children, seniors and active duty personnel.

“Our board of directors, museum staff and dedicated volunteers are truly excited to welcome visitors to this unique landmark and historic collection,” Hill said. “We hope you’ll join us as we journey to preserve our heritage, educate future generations about science, technology, engineering and math programs and inspire our community to never stop pushing the limits.”

The PRNAM is operated by the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

OUR MISSION PRESERVE – EDUCATE – INSPIRE PRESERVE significant artifacts of naval aviation research, development, test and evaluation history and technology.

EDUCATE the public about the historic and social significance of the work of the U.S. Navy that is uniquely carried out in St. Mary’s County.

INSPIRE and encourage excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and embrace its future promise as a pathway to advanced innovations and an improved quality of life.

Association, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization. For additional information please contact them at association@paxmuseum.com or 301.863.1900.

November 2016 | 5

FINANCIAL FOCUS CARL M.TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN M. BEARCE

Challenges of Fixed-Income Investing

Y

our parents and grandparents may have known better about lots of things when you were younger. But you probably shouldn’t be following their example when it comes to managing your money in retirement.

“Most retirement income for [our] parents’ and grandparents’ generation came from Social Security and a defined-benefit pension plan,” says Drew Denning, Senior Vice President and Retirement Strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors.

No longer. Defined-benefit pensions, which pay a fixed amount, are fading into history. Social Security is seeing minimal, if any, yearly increases. And interest rates have been at historic lows for years.

Prioritization as a beginning “Your expected returns in fixed income [investments] are lower than they have been in the past,” says Brian Rehling, Co-Head of Global Fixed Income Strategy and Managing Director at Wells

Fargo Investment Institute.

Therefore retirees, and those preparing to retire, may need to rethink their investment strategies.

Every investor is different, Rehling and Denning say, so every strategy will be different. Of the most important considerations — risk tolerance, the income needed in retirement, total assets, and long-term financial goals — the last one could be especially critical. Some retirees focus on maintaining a lifestyle. Others may want to leave a significant inheritance, make charitable contributions, or help children or grandchildren with college.

Depending on your goals, it may be prudent to keep a slightly more aggressive strategy for a longer period of time to try to continue building wealth.

“I think investors need to have a diversified portfolio of equities, bonds, and cash, and the percentages are going to vary,” Denning says. “The No. 1 variable in how they’re going to invest is their risk tolerance.”

Coleman Law Group Attorneys at Law Serving Virginia and DC for over 20 years (703) 739-4200 coleman-lawyers.com 602 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314

6 | November 2016

Risk and return usually are correlated. Bump up the risk and your returns might be higher — or dramatically lower. Clamp down on risk and you might minimize losses, but you may also reduce your returns.

Bad assumptions

One of the biggest mistakes investors make, Denning says, is assuming they can use a withdrawal rate — the rate at which they liquidate their assets to cover expenses — that’s actually too high.

Although an appropriate withdrawal rate for most investors will differ, the traditional rate is 4% per year, he says. That’s enough to provide someone with $1 million in invested assets potentially a $40,000 a year income stream (on top of Social Security or other sources of retirement income).

“Most clients assume they can withdraw higher than the 4% withdrawal rate,” he says. Financial Advisors often have to tell clients, “You can’t support a 7 to 8 percent withdrawal rate.”

Inflation can also drain your spending power.

That’s why fixed-income investments, which have lower risks but also typically earn less, shouldn’t be the only type of asset in most people’s portfolios — even those already in retirement.

Risk reduction

Rehling says there are other ways to potentially reduce risk in your portfolio without relying too heavily on fixedincome investments. For qualified investors, alternative investments, such as private equity funds, and real assets, such as commodities and real

estate, may serve a similar purpose.

“Alternatives have historically been used to help reduce volatility in portfolios,” Rehling says. “You may give up a little of the upside, but then you may give up some of the downside, too.”

Commodities and real estate may act as a hedge against inflation because their value — and therefore the income an investor earns from them — has historically tended to go up as inflation rises.

Bear in mind, while investors may benefit from the ability of alternative investments to potentially improve the risk-reward profiles in their portfolios, it’s important to remember the investments themselves can carry significant risks.

Government regulation and monitoring of these types of investments may be minimal or nonexistent; returns may be volatile and present an increased risk of investment loss.

Rehling and Denning both say that as important as it is to find the right investment mix, it’s just as important to actually start putting money aside. The biggest problem for many people doesn’t end up being how their projected lifestyle impacts their need for retirement income or whether they have the right combination of assets. It’s simply that they haven’t invested enough. Starting early, even with a small amount, can let you take advantage of compounding interest.

However, if an investor reaches retirement and finds that he or she doesn’t have enough money to support the

lifestyle wanted, there are still options, such as cutting some living expenses or perhaps going back to work part time.

But putting all your money into bonds and certificates of deposit — as your parents or grandparents might have done — may not be able to fund your golden years.

Risk Factors

All investing involves some degree of risk, whether it is associated with market volatility, purchasing power or specific security.

Alternative investments, such as private equity funds, are not suitable for all investors. Any offer to purchase or sell a specific alternative investment product will be made by the product’s official offering documents. You could lose all or a substantial amount investing in these products.

These funds are speculative and entail significant risks that can include losses due to leveraging or other speculative investment practices, lack of liquidity, volatility of returns, restrictions on transferring interests in a fund, potential lack of diversification, absence and/or delay of information regarding valuations and pricing, complex tax structures and delays in tax reporting, less regulation and higher fees than mutual funds and risks associated with the operations, personnel and processes of the advisor.

Real assets are subject to the risks associated with real estate, commodities and other investments and may not be suitable for all investors.

The commodities markets are considered speculative, carry substantial risks, and FINANCIAL FOCUS > PAGE 15

Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN JIMMY DEATON

I

t seems every year we get the shipment of limes and Meyers lemons into the garden center and folks go into a buying frenzy.

And you know what? They have every right to do so. There is nothing like a fresh picked lime or lemon to use in food preparation or making your favorite beverage. The taste and amount of juice you get from your homegrown citrus trumps store bought ten-fold. Tip: Limes are not ripe until they are pale yellow. What you’re buying in the grocery store are “unripened” limes.

So….you bought that lime or lemon back in the spring and it’s time to figure out what to do with it while Ole’ Man Winter gets ready to make an appearance. Bring it inside of course.

Growing citrus indoors is possible and easy as long as the key elements are adhered to.

First of you should inspect your plant from top to bottom. Top and underside of leaves, branches, main stems and the trunk. Look for those unwanted pests that are not invited to share the warmth of your home. Scale, mealybugs, aphids, spider mites. Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. I would do it at least twice at 4-5 day intervals and if you do bring the plant in before doing this, keep it in quarantine until you’re sure Old Town Crier

GROWING CITRUS INDOORS it’s pest free. I would also get a product called Azamax — which is organic — and do a soil drench on the same schedule to kill off any unwanted pests that may be living in your soil. You can make your own soap mixture if you wish. Get some Murphy’s oil soap and use 2 tbsp. per gallon of water and you are good to go. Do NOT use Dawn or other soaps. They have a tendency of removing the protective coating from leaves leaving them open to all kinds of problems.

So now what? Well let’s make sure the plant’s need are being met:

Light

To be healthy and productive citrus needs 8-12 hours per day of direct sunlight. A south or southwestern facing window would be ideal. Citrus can tolerate some lower light levels but they never go dormant in winter.

While florescent lights can be used to give the additional light a plant needs if you really want to keep production going consider a Metal Halide or HPS. I personally use a 400 watt HPS which has Angie and I picking lemons and limes all winter. And to walk down to the family room and get hit with the citrus flower fragrance is pure heaven.

Temps

They prefer to be in the 55 to 80

degree range. They can tolerate being down to around 32 degrees for a few hours and upwards of 11 if kept watered. I did make the mistake last spring of leaving our lime out one night and it went down to 29. The plant survived but don’t think they all will. Be safe and not like Jimmy and bring it inside when temps start to dip below 50.

Soil

A good draining soil is a must.

Espoma has a cactus soil which can also be used with citrus. If you wish to do your own, mix some redwood or cedar shavings into the mix to help aerate and provide proper drainage.

Pine and spruce have a tendency of breaking down quicker. Do not add gravel or other material to the bottom of the pot as it affects the drainage over time. Japanese bonsai artists have proven this.

Water

On average your plant should be watered every 5-7 days. Take a dowel, chopstick or bamboo skewer and insert it at different levels into the pot. This will help you judge moisture levels and give you an idea when your plant needs a sip of H2O. Fill a container with water and let it sit out for at least 24 hours before watering. This allows the

chlorine to dissipate as well as bringing the water up to room temperature reducing shock to the plant.

Humidity

Citrus likes it humid and unfortunately the drier air in the winter home is not sufficient. A tray with pebbles and water will help raise the humidity level as well as grouping your plants together. A spray bottle can be used to mist the plants. Some folks use a humidifier but be careful where you use it because mold/mildew can become a problem especially with older homes.

Fertilization

I love Espoma Citrus-Tone. It’s specifically designed to meet the nutritional requirements of citrus plants. If you want to use a water based fertilizer Sea-Mate is the way to go. You can find both at your local garden center.

So there you have it. Provide the essential key elements and you’ll have a fragrant houseplant that will provide you with fresh fruit.

Questions or comments about Urban Garden or a garden question for Jimmy: office@oldtowncrier.com. Write “Urban Garden” in the subject line.

November 2016 | 7

A BIT OF HISTORY SARAH BECKER©

Law of Coverture

“B

y marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law,” British jurist Sir William Blackstone said in 1765,” that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband: under whose wing, protection and cover, she performs everything.” As Martha Custis Washington learned a woman’s “legal status, wealth, children, place and manner of life were controlled” by her husbands.

“The history of marriage is one of both continuity and change,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in Obergefell v.

Hodges. “Changes, such as the decline of arranged marriages and the abandonment of the law of coverture, have worked deep transformations in the structure of marriage…

Changed understandings of marriage are characteristic of a Nation where new dimensions of freedom become apparent to new generations.”

Hening’s Collection of the Laws of Virginia refers to femes covert, “orphans, femes covert and persons of unsound mind,” beginning in 1657-8. In 1789, President George Washington’s inaugural year, former First Lady and Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton would have been a feme covert; the property of her husband, unable to vote or hold elective office.

“I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors,” Abigail Adams wrote husband John in 1776. “Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticular care and attention is not paid to the Laidies, we…will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” The Declaration of Independence declared “that all men are created equal.”

English-American common law, gender hierarchy, separate spheres, and marital ‘unity’ defined the rules of engagement. In New York, in 8 | November 2016

1832, bridegroom and newspaper editor Robert Dale Owen, of Scotland and Indiana “wrote a bold” marriage contract: “Of the unjust rights which in virtue of this ceremony an iniquitous law tacitly gives me over the person and property of another, I cannot legally, but I can morally divest myself. And I hereby…declare that I consider myself…utterly divested, now and during the rest of my life, of any such rights….” New Yorker Elizabeth Cady Stanton took note. The State of New York passed its model Married Women’s Property Act in 1848. “[Man] has never permitted [woman] to exercise her inalienable right to elective franchise,” Quakers Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote in their 1848 Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention Declaration of Sentiments. “He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice; made her, if married, civilly dead; taken from her all rights in property, even to the wages she earns; and usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself, claiming it as his right to assign for her a sphere of action, when that belongs to her conscience and her God.” Marital rape, a discussion topic in 1848, did not become a crime until 1976.

“In 1868, when the 39th Congress was debating and ultimately proposing the 14th Amendment, I don’t think anybody would have thought that equal protection applied to sex discrimination, or certainly not sexual orientation,” former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said in 2011.

Amendment 14, Sec. 1 states: “No State shall…deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Sec. 2 refers only to “male inhabitants” when the “right to vote

at any election…is denied.” Margaret Brent, an unmarried landowner and attorney, a feme sole asked the Maryland colonial Assembly for the right to vote in 1648.

Two women sought the Presidency in the late 1800s. Equal Rights Party candidate Victoria Woodhull, a divorcee, did so in 1872. She was vilified, in part for having previously “placed a bill in the hands of Gen. Butler and Senator Anthony…in regard to woman suffrage.” Washington, DC attorney Belva Lockwood, the first woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, accepted the Party’s nomination in 1884 and 1888.

“We shall never have equal rights until we take them,” Belva Lockwood said, “nor respect until we command it.”

“The law relating to married women makes the family a barony, a monarchy, a despotism, of which the husband is the baron, king, or despot, and the wife the dependent, serf or slave,” The Washington Post wrote in 1896. “The English common law in all its harshness and inflexibility, brought by our forefathers across the sea to this country, had been but little modified by statute, as affecting the marital relation and especially property rights incident thereto.”

“By the common law the identity of the wife in relation to her civil status was almost entirely swallowed up in the personality of her husband,” The Post continued. “In the eye of the law she was entirely irresponsible.

She could enter into no contract or engagement. The law classed her with idiots, lunatics, and infants, as persons

under disabilities, with this distinction in favor of idiots, lunatics, and infants that while their contracts and engagements were for the most part only voidable, hers were entirely void.”

“In but few of the States have the disabilities of women been entirely removed,” The Post concluded. “The primal doctrine that woman by marriage loses her legal individuality remains almost entirely intact.”

“Why should any married woman be given the privilege of suffrage, as she, being one with her husband, can only vote as he does?” The Alexandria Gazette asked. Enter suffragist Alice Paul and the 1913 National Women’s Party. With the Party’s help the 19th Amendment was ratified in August 1920, but not before Lucy Burns and others did jail time in the Occoquan Workhouse.

Amendment 19, Sec. 1: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Alice Paul extended her women’s campaign to include the now defunct Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

The Amendment died with the 1980 election of President Ronald Reagan, former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort’s one-time boss. Manafort opened his international consulting business in Alexandria in 1984.

Ronald Reagan, the oldest man to successfully run for presidential office, opposed the ERA. On his command, the 1980 Republican platform “reversed its 40 year tradition of support.” Reagan, in lieu of, nominated the first woman U.S. Supreme Court A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 15

Old Town Crier

CIVIL DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

Blockading the Potomac

O

n of the immediate problems presented to newly seceded Virginia was to secure her waterways from Federal incursion. The first shots fired in Virginia were at the littleknown battle of Gloucester Point on the York River. The Confederates were in the process of constructing a fort there, which when completed would command the river channel. On May 7, 1861, the Federals sent a steamer to stop further construction. The USS Yankee approached within 2000 yards to discover a battery of six pounder field artillery protecting the point. The Confederates fired two shots across the steamer’s bow and were answered by six shots, all of which fell short in the river.

The Confederates responded with ten shots, all of which missed. With all these misses, one wonders if the combatants were really trying to hurt one another. A couple of weeks later, the Yankees would invade Alexandria and people would die on both sides.

The Potomac had its batteries as well. On May 8, 1861, the Confederates began construction of a battery on Aquia Creek to protect the rail terminus there. It soon mounted 13 guns and then was reinforced with a second battery on higher ground. On May 29th, the gunboat Thomas Freeborn showed up to duel the batteries, slightly wounding one Confederate gunner. Thomas Freeborn returned the next day, backed by the Anacostia and Resolute, shelling the Confederates for several hours, again with little effect. On June 1st, these three gunboats were joined by the Pawnee. They hammered the shore for five hours, firing 500 rounds.

No Confederates were hurt, though they did lose a horse and a chicken.

Thomas Freeborn and Pawnee were hit and required repairs, but no sailors were injured. The Confederates would add an additional two batteries there.

Other batteries would follow. Sited on river bluffs from Freestone Point on the Occoquan to Marlborough Point on Potomac Creek and down to Mathias Point, these were offensive batteries intended to deny the Yankees river access to Washington and Alexandria. The gauntlet consisted of Old Town Crier

14 batteries mounting perhaps 37 guns

by December of 1861.

The most important of these batteries were at Cockpit Point, Evansport, Shipping Point and Freestone Point, all near modern Quantico. A correspondent from The New York Herald describes the earthworks after they were abandoned in early 1862: “At Cockpit Point there are four heavy guns, one of which, a Parrott, was found to be in fragments.

The magazines are most ingeniously contrived. On entering one of them you descend an inclined plane, and after advancing about four feet you find yourself in a passage barely wide enough to admit a man. You turn within to the right or the left, still going underground, to the distance of from fifteen to twenty feet, when you come to the magazine itself, which is filled with shelves of cedar plank, on which shot and shell and other ammunition are stowed. The passageway is lined with cedar planks, to prevent the earth from caving in.”

There are also references to an 80 pounder Whitworth. These “heavy guns” would wreck anything short of an ironclad — and there were no Yankee ironclads in 1861. In July the Confederates began deploying mines as well, with an 80 pound charge sufficient to kill a gunboat.

Were the batteries effective? Yes from October 1861 to March 1862 the batteries shut down a good portion of river traffic, forcing shipping to divert to Baltimore to deliver cargo to Washington by rail. Fuel prices rocketed. Hay for horses became scarce. On November 14th, an imprudent schooner carrying firewood upriver took three hits, was abandoned by her crew and then set on fire by Confederates. The Navy forbade civilian traffic on the river. But most boats willing to take a chance passed by without damage. Confederate marksmanship was apparently pretty bad, possibly because of poor powder.

One witness estimated that perhaps one shot in 200 hit wood. The worst casualty was Yankee pride - the capital of the United States was cut off from its shipping lanes.

Washington pushed back, of course. In December and January

Sneden Cockpit Point

the Union ships Yankee, Anacostia and Pensacola engaged the batteries sporadically. An engagement on January 3rd involving the Anacostia and Yankee is elevated to the battle of Cockpit Point. This was a probing action to assess the true strength of the batteries. Four shots were fired by the Confederates, resulting in slight damage to one gunboat from the 80 pounder and a Yankee sailor slightly wounded. The gunboats hit back with 40 shots, dismounting a gun. The gunboats retired with the knowledge that the batteries could be shelled with impunity if they took up the right position at the right range.

Additionally, counter-batteries were constructed by the Union on the Maryland shore at Budd’s Ferry.

These batteries mounted Parrott and Whitworth rifles and sometimes engaged in artillery duels across the river lasting hours on end. Generally marksmanship on both sides was bad, with the shots passing over the target.

By March of 1862, Richmond appreciated that the security of these batteries was in jeopardy from a land attack, not to mention being shelled by gunboats and artillery in Maryland.

On March 8th, Lincoln issued an order making destruction of these batteries the first priority for his army and navy. The next day, gunboats moved in to shell the batteries again. There was no reply. The Confederates had quietly withdrawn with the supplies and artillery they could move on muddy roads, spiking or bursting the remaining guns. The

Yankees dismantled what was left as best they could.

Today, traces of the earthworks at Cockpit Point are still evident and suggest a rich archaeology. A generous land owner has donated 16 acres of the site to Prince William County for preservation. At Aquia, there are remains of the Walker and Brent’s Point earthworks. The works at Freestone Point are still there. But many of the batteries have been lost to development, as at Evansport, now downtown Quantico.

On a related note, I had pointed out the “Boot Battery” on Jones Point in “Defending the Potomac.” Three of Robert Knox Sneden’s maps depict such a battery there. I love Sneden’s maps because they are usually very accurate and filled with information. However, I am assured by experts that no such work ever existed. Why Sneden would depict the battery on three different maps is a mystery which begs further investigation, but I will take their word for it and beg forgiveness for my “historical malpractice.”

Sources

Study of the January 1862 Battle of Cockpit Point, http://eservice. pwcgov.org/planning/documents/ Archaeology/CockpitPointBattlefield_ FinalReport.pdf Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria; comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@coleman-lawyers.com.

November 2016 | 9

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

The Year of Voting Dangerously

V

eterans Day is sacred to both veterans and their family members who sacrificed for our country, to those who served to defend our way of life. Let us now consider the diffuse phrase “way of life.” We consider voting in elections deemed free and fair according to the standards of liberal democracy as a part of our cultural identity and “way of life.”

This 2016 presidential campaign has seemingly turned our usual electoral routines into a surreal bar-room brawl, testing and twisting them in a contest between a tough, long-time pol with ethical baggage and a trumpedup business mogul and reality TV star. Through her New York Times writings, the sharp-tongued Pulitzer Prize−winning columnist Maureen Dowd has closely observed eight other presidential elections as a reporter.

Her recently released collection of mostly 2015 and 2016 columns, The Year of Voting Dangerously, is a palate cleanser for the noxious three-ring circus that this election has become.

If you know and adore Maureen Dowd’s writing, you will already want to buy the book. Her caustic observations of former Secretary of State Hillary and former President Bill Clinton come from closely observing and writing about them over decades.

Take-no-prisoners Dowd includes her insights on the conflict of interest between foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation and Clinton’s State Department position, along with skewering the Clintons’ weaknesses, secrecy, jaded sense of dynastic entitlement, and ethical lapses over the years, including their money grabs in making pricey Wall Street speeches and writing books preceded by huge advances.

As I read these Clinton columns, I could almost see the acerbic Ms. Dowd throwing barbs at a Clinton dartboard, with the former Secretary of State in dead center. When you feel like you’re drowning in Clintonian platitudes and focus-grouped negative ads, you can take a refreshing dip into Dowd’s quick-reading reality checks.

She never writes hagiographies for either side, and always has a glinting 10 | November 2016

eye for human peccadilloes and foibles in contenders along the political spectrum.

In 2015 columns Dowd takes on Donald Trump mostly as the flamboyant New York figure with whom she crossed paths at parties.

She partially enjoys his scorchedearth swing through the Republican primaries, knocking over mediocre toy-soldier candidates with entertaining, simplistic quips, while noting his irrepressible vulgarity, childishness, and sensitivity to criticism. A Democrat in a family of staunch Republicans, she also opens her column several times to let her siblings hold their own and share varied views on the building impresario. Dowd still comments on him here as a Republican unloved and distrusted by his own party for inconsistency, untamability, and the blatancy of his racist, sexist, and offensive xenophobic remarks, particularly because many in his party would rather use his attitudes more subtly to manipulate voters.

As Dowd’s writing progressed in 2016, she inevitably offended and lost access to the Donald, an extremely thin-skinned extreme narcissist once banned access for the Washington Post, among other news sources he felt covered him negatively in this campaign. (In addition, he has recently attempted to sue the New York Times for libel against women accusing him of sexual assault, and threatened to expand libel laws if he achieves office.

This newspaper of note said, in other words, “Bring it on.”) Facing his wall of wounded ego and distractibility, she sometimes simply threw bitesized topics at him to get grade-school responses from the Twitter Troll par excellence.

With her razor tongue, Dowd discusses his vengefulness, unreliability, paper-thin understanding of domestic and foreign policy, rabblerousing talents, and frightening ability to hold a grudge. With a verbal flensing knife, she lays open his ignorance, internal contradictions and serial lying, helping us wash down the bitter pills from this Bataan Death March of a campaign with her

spoonsful of satire.

The Year of Voting Dangerously is only partially devoted to Secretary Clinton and Donald Trump. I found the title somewhat disingenuous for that reason. That being said, her columns on previous presidents enrich her current observations in going back through the past twenty years or so.

She hammers home cogent points about President Obama’s presidency and his ring of advisers, examining his professorial love of the Presidency and theoretical issues to improve the country combined with his disdain for down-and-dirty politics: the horse-trading and schmoozing that makes Congressional opponents vote your way. As she keenly notes, his reluctance to get down in the muck has probably undermined his ability to enact certain meaningful policies.

Dowd also illuminates the Bush dynasty, as she examines familial psychological reasons that caused President George W. Bush to go to war, and internal family dynamics that caused Dubya to push brother and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush out of the way but use his Floridian influence to help grab the ultimate prize of the presidency in 2000. She also casts a rapier-like eye on Jeb’s lost chance at the presidency as he fizzled among the sixteen Republican primary candidates and under Donald Trump’s bullying taunts.

Perhaps my favorite, and certainly the most positive, section of this compendium contains Dowd’s columns on her long-time frenemy, former President George H.W. Bush. His reluctant appreciation of her despite her insights of him as a wanna-be red-blooded blue-blood, her descriptions of their occasional enjoyable meetings, and her account of the goofy, quirky notes they sent back and forth after his presidency shine a different light on his personality and character. Dowd portrays a man who, despite his reality-removed WASP privilege and faults, showed a common decency and belief in the moral imperatives of the presidency, a man

who stands as a stark contrast both to his son, the former President George W. Bush, and the candidates we must now consider.

Dowd’s book ends with her column on July 31st. Since a horrifying media bomb seems to explode in this presidential race every couple of days, I also read her subsequent columns in the New York Times. She has focused more recently on the self-destructive candidate she calls the “highchair king,” mocking his “motley crew” of advisers who cannot do the following: control him, prep him for debates in which Secretary Clinton baits him and presents herself presidentially, control his constantly changing policy stances, or effectively deny his hot-miked comments on his ability to grope and kiss unwilling women because of his celebrity.

As an increasing stream of Bill Cosby–like assault accusers starts to come forward, Dowd sardonically comments that he has no idea how offensive his “defense” is, which is that the purported victims of his sexual assaults were not attractive enough to attack. She also reminds readers that Trump’s recent series of late-night Twitter attacks on the former Miss Universe 1996, a Latina whom he called Miss Piggy and Miss Housekeeping for gaining weight, are consistent with his multiple Twitter wars and dashed-off 140-character opinions about various “losers” over the years. These include his flurry of 2012 tweets on the relationship between the young Twilight movie stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, in which he opined that Robert should drop Kristen for cheating on him. As she pointedly penned, “We should have known then that Trump was really a 13-year-old girl.”

Dowd has referred to herself as the court jester who reports all she sees at court in the most satirical and amusing way possible. In her most recent post-book writings, she has presented Trump as “a mad king.” She might now portray him as the mad, paranoid King Aerys from George THE LAST WORD > PAGE 13

Old Town Crier

HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON

Marillion: F*** Everyone And Run

On their 19th studio album, Marillion continues to stand in a class all its own.

Few bands ever get over the loss of their lead singer — Marillion not only got better for it but here we are, some 27 years (and fifteen albums) later, and they are creating some of the most vital work of their career. Their latest album, which is also known as F E A R, is a biting, often terrifying statement on the current world, a world that is in the midst of some sort civilization-shifting turn of events. This album, over the course of six tracks, works out some of those scenarios, both ideal and otherwise. The arrogance of governments, the random acts of violence that have become commonplace, the bewilderment of the rationalminded citizen, as well as an idealized, hypothetical, peaceful world — these are all topics at the forefront of this album, delivered with grace and aplomb by Steve Hogarth, one of the finest and most emotive vocalists in all of rock.

The five-part suite, “El Dorado”, opens up the album, and is a treatise on greed and money as a motivating factor in the basis of civilization, while “Living In F E A R” turns the tables and envisions a world where “we’ve decided to risk melting our guns…as a show of strength”, a world where violence and greed is no more, a world where peace is put into play, if for any other reason than to prove a point, to show that we as a species are above anything else (if only humankind could get over itself long enough to try and pull this off…but that is better saved for a different conversation). Much of this album is centered around an “every man for himself ” mentality, versus a “we’re all in this together” one, and that is spelled out in the exquisite five-part suite, “The Leavers”, while “White Paper” describes a bleak, totalitarian world. This is a world that is explored more fully in the four-part “The New Kings”. These “kings” are driven by money and power and will gladly risk security to continue buying and controlling the world. “Greed is good”, they say. “We’re too big to fall/ we’re too big to fail” they say. Sound familiar? As it does, this soon gets all too real and we end up thinking back to greener times, to times when you “thought that you mattered”, when you belonged to “something bigger than you”, Old Town Crier

MARILLION& WEIR in a country with “a national anthem that you could sing without feeling used or ashamed”. This is heavy stuff, but given the times we are in, none of this is particularly far fetched.

Hogarth gives the performance of his career, both as a singer and a lyricist on this album. Unlike much of what is considered “prog”, where the oftmuddled point is to create clever music with lyrics that fill in the gaps, the emphasis here is on the lyrics, and the meaning behind the words. That is the most important point of this album. The music, as crafted and as sophisticated as it is, exists to support the lyrics and their sentiment. In places, this music is tender; in others it is majestic; sometimes it’s catchy, sometimes it just flows. Whatever it does at any given time, it makes perfect sense and is the result of a band that knows precisely what it is doing. While Marillion still has a good 10-15 years left in them, at the end of the day this album is going to go down as one of the most important works of their career, and it will most certainly top my list of albums of this year.

Bob Weir: Blue Mountain

While Bob Weir has maintained a solid and extremely busy career with the Grateful Dead, and its various offshoot bands, he has never been a prolific solo artist. In fact, there are only two other albums that have his name on the front cover – 1972’s Ace, which is basically a Dead album in disguise, and 1978’s Heaven Help The Fool, a slick, overproduced pile of yacht rock that is best left forgotten. Uneven albums with side bands like Bobby & The Midnites and Ratdog did very little to up the ante, which is why this album comes as such a surprise, and a welcome one at that.

A chance meeting with singer/ songwriter Josh Ritter and members of The National, a couple of years ago, sparked an idea to collaborate on an album of “cowboy” songs and the result is one of the freshest, yet most logical records you could imagine coming from this legend.. Most of the lyrics were supplied by Ritter, who also co-wrote all of the music on this set (along with producer/guitarist Josh Kaufman), and these songs really sound like they could be sung by him as well. They just feel like Josh Ritter songs. Adding Weir’s voice, however, takes them to a whole new place, and adds further legitimacy to them.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are not Dead songs and there is a good chance that these may never become Dead songs. These are folk songs, as American as music could be, and while that of course was the underlying factor in the songs of the Grateful Dead, I don’t think that is the point of this album. This is an album that sets Weir apart from what might generally be expected of him, while not sounding too far fetched. One thing that separates these songs from a typical Weir song is the simplicity.

Bob always liked to inject some kind of complex musical equation into his songs that would make them sound simple while being almost maddening to play.

The complexity of these songs, however, is found in the years of experience behind these melodies, and in the haunting palette that these band arrangements offer. Much like Johnny Cash’s “American Music” series, this album is a late-period masterpiece.

November 2016 | 11

THE LAST WALTZ PHOTOS AND WORDS BY © CHESTER SIMPSON

T

hanksgiving Day, November 25, marks the 40th Anniversary of “The Last Waltz” concert that happened in 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The Last Waltz was billed as The Band’s “farewell concert appearance.” The Band decided to disband as a group and have a farewell concert in San Francisco. Band members Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson performed along with Bob Dylan and guests. It became one of the most momentous events in music history.

As a young photography student at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1976, I knew I had to photograph this historic musical event.

All photographers had to arrive at 5 pm and hold their position 50 feet from the stage while director Martin Scorsese filmed the concert. By 7:30 pm all of us photographers were thirsty 12 | November 2016

and tired of standing on our feet, so one photographer offered to get everyone drinks if we held his position. He returned and handed out drinks. I drank half of my Dr. Pepper and placed it between my feet for later. Fifteen minutes before the concert started, I realized, like all the other photographers that I had been dosed with LSD, so no more soda for me. This was history and I wanted to capture everything in focus.

The Band started the concert at around 9 pm, opening with “Up on Cripple Creek” followed by “The Shape I’m In,” “This Wheel’s on Fire” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Joining The Band onstage during the course of the evening were more than a dozen special guests, including Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, Bobby Charles, The Staple Singers, and Eric Clapton.

Scorsese admitted that he was using cocaine heavily and drugs were present

“WE WANTED IT TO BE MORE THAN A FINAL CONCERT. WE WANTED IT TO BE A CELEBRATION.”

ROBBIE ROBERTSON

in large quantities during the concert. A bit of cocaine on Neil Young’s nose was edited out of the movie.

The concert ended around 2:15 am with The Band performing an encore, “Don’t Do It.” It was the last time the group performed under the name “The Band.”

For me, “The Last Waltz” was the best concert I have ever photographed and the film is one of the greatest music documentaries ever made.

One of my photos of this epic event is in the November issue of Vanity Fair and four of my unpublished photos will be released November 11, 2016 in ‘The Last Waltz’ Box Set, The Collector’s Edition, limited to 2,500 copies worldwide. It includes remastered audio, Martin Scorsesedirected concert documentary, and a 300-page book highlighting the 40th anniversary reissue campaign.

Send comments or questions to chester@chestersimpson.com.

Old Town Crier

THE LAST WORD FROM PAGE 10

R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series and A Song of Ice and Fire books, since she liberally sprinkles references to Martin’s universe throughout her columns. Those who have immersed themselves in Martin’s beloved, cynical series on realistic political strategy in a fantastic world might easily come to that conclusion. Or perhaps she might find the impulsive, teenaged King Joffrey Baratheon a more realistic and aptly cruel Trump comparison.

As we go to press approximately two weeks before the 2016 presidential election, I return to our celebration of Veterans Day. In speaking with my friend, an experienced, proud diplomat who served in Vietnam as a fighter pilot and continued to defend the United States overseas during the Cold War, I discovered that he might not vote this year. A former member of the military, he has been a registered Republican his whole life. He is also a long-time Clinton opponent disgusted by the former President Clinton’s sleaziness, Secretary of State Clinton’s foreign policy errors, and her entitled, unethical use of a private e-mail server when serving in the State Department.

Yet he is also incredulous at seeing Trump as the Republican nominee, dismissing him as a poisonous, dangerously inconsistent ignoramus who threatens the First Amendment by trying to clamp down press freedoms while cannily turning this election into a reality show. He told me that he had decided not to vote after finding out that Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate he briefly considered, has no knowledge of or interest in international affairs.

I believe in voting. For me it is close to a religious belief, although I see the defects in our primarily two-party system. I said to my friend what I would say to other veterans: “You fought to defend this country. You put your life in danger to defend the American Experiment.

Our very democracy and ‘way of life’ depends on free and fair elections and using the Constitution as our guide. Why would you

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Old Town Crier

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not participate in this fundamental, essential process that you risked your life to defend?” I hope he reconsiders his stance.

As Americans, we also honor our veterans’ sacrifices through voting. Here is another reason to do so, even if we vote reluctantly and for a candidate we find tainted or jaded. If one flawed candidate could potentially govern the country while the other menaces his own party’s existence, democracy, freedom of speech, foreigners, women, and potentially world stability, it is even more imperative to vote.

These candidates are not created equal, however unsavory they both may seem. Few adults ever say that life is fair, but bizarrely we often believe voting must be hopeful, exciting, or fun enough to participate. This year it will be a wrenching process for many Americans. It may have to be our civil responsibility in 2016, the way we view jury duty.

Not voting is also really inadvertent voting.

It can potentially swing the election towards a candidate you find completely incapable of ruling the country, one who indirectly affects crucial political and judicial decisions that concern citizens directly. I urge anyone reading this column, not just veterans, to use your voice to participate in your democracy. We undermine our own power when we refuse to vote for President and any other candidates for office on either ticket.

People in other parts of the world yearn to be American citizens able to cast a vote in an electoral process proven free and fair. For years women and African-Americans in our own country either could not vote or fought severe obstacles against voting. For the most part we have overcome those hurdles in our progress as a nation. Our elections, although featuring overly similar parties influenced by lobbyists, are not rigged. We make decisions based on our own values and beliefs. As Winston Churchill famously quipped, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”

Those reading Maureen Dowd’s The Year of Voting Dangerously would probably agree.

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November 2016 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

A

good exercise for all practicing artists should be to make an end-of-year favorite top 10 art shows that you saw during the year. That is important, because a key part of being an artist is to attend multiple and diverse art shows.

This is not only good networking, and good for information-gathering and kibitzing, but also great for getting one’s artistic juices flowing.

Once you make a list, examine it… that list says something about your own persona.

If you included more than three shows by artists who are also bloggers... then you must be either a blogger or stuck in 2005.

If more than six of the shows on your list are museum shows, then you have been seduced by our great DC area museums and need to get around more often to galleries, Artomatic, art centers, embassies, pop ups, etc.

If three or more of the shows on your list are from the same gallery or museum, then you’re not getting around as much as you should be before making any lists.

If your list has more than three video shows, then you must be a Hirshhorn Museum or Whitney

Biennial curator.

If three or more of the shows on your list are from the same commercial gallery, then you are a hidden nepotista or a nepotista wannabe. A nepotista is someone who owes or wants something from or to someone in the art world, and all art opinions and experiences are based on that.

If all ten of your shows are from the same three or four spaces, then you don’t have a clue.

If your list includes more than one show from a library or restaurant, then you’re definitely getting around more than I do, or you have no idea where the galleries are.

If your list only includes shows that were within walking distance of a Metro stop, then you don’t have a car.

If the list includes more than one show in Bethesda, Reston, Rockville, or Arlington, then you live in one of those areas.

If all the shows in your list are located inside the Torpedo Factory, then you live in Old Town Alexandria and get to see really good artwork.

If your list includes more than three embassy gallery shows, then you’re going there mostly for the good food (or the great entertainment).

If your list only includes

photography shows, then you are Louis Jacobson (photography critic for the City Paper).

If your list is based on which shows has the best food, then you are a grub.

If it’s an Artomatic year, and you list does not include Artomatic, then you’re either a DMV museum curator or one of six people in the DMV who hasn’t heard of Artomatic.

If your list includes more than three artist open studios, then you probably give art as Christmas presents.

If all the shows on your list are by non-Hispanic white male dead artists... well, you know what you are.

If your list does not include a single DC area gallery show, then we know that you’re a curator for one of the DMV museums (except the Katzen).

If your list includes a show in Richmond, Virginia, (or any place more than 75 miles from the DMV), then you’re either a close friend of that artist, or family.

I also have a separate list that I keep, and update regularly. It comes from a different perspective, as you will see:

Wish List for the Art Scene in the DMV

1. For The Washington Post to do as promised (I have the emails from their past editors) and hire a second

freelance art critic and return the Galleries column to its previous weekly format.

2. For most of our area’s museum curators to realize that the Greater Washington, DC area is actually part of the United States of America, and for them to take a cab to a DC area art show or artist studio once in a while.

3. For the National Gallery of Art to give Manon Cleary a retrospective.

4. For the Hirshhorn to give Joe Shannon a retrospective.

5. For the Phillips Collection to give Lida Moser a retrospective.

6. For the WPA/C to work with a connected art fair organizer and bring a major art fair to the DMV. 7. For Washingtonian magazine to add a regular gallery review column to its monthly format.

8. For one or two of our local TV stations to add one minute a week to their local news hour programs on the subject of area visual arts exhibitions.

9. For some of our area’s huge corporations (Marriott, Lockheed Martin, Giant Foods, etc.) to follow Carol Trawick’s example.

10. For a documentary filmmaker to do a documentary on Artomatic.

A Wish List 14 | November 2016

Old Town Crier

presidential nominee of a major political party, or Republican businessman Donald Trump?

Trump claims “Crooked Hillary lacks political stamina.” Hillary decries The Donald’s “locker room banter.”

“I have few illusions and no money, but I’m staying for the finish,” presidential candidate Margaret Chase Smith exclaimed. “When people keep telling you, you can’t do a thing you kind of like to try.” Senator Margaret Chase Smith (R-ME) tried and failed in 1964, as did African-American Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (D-NY) in 1972. Anti-abortion candidate Ellen McCormack ran for president in 1976 and 1980.

Martha Custis Washington realized legal individuality only when widowed. Never was she able to vote.

A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PAGE 8

Justice and signed a congressionally mandated proclamation commemorating Women’s History Week (P.L. 97-28).

“As volunteers, women have provided invaluable service and leadership in American charitable, philanthropic and cultural endeavors,” President Reagan said in 1982.

“And, as mothers and homemakers, they remain instrumental in preserving the cornerstone of our Nation’s strength—the family.”

After seven years in office President George Washington, of no political party, was weary of divisive politics. When he declined a third presidential term others were encouraged to compete. Today we stand ready to welcome the first woman President in 227 years. Or do we?

On November 8 voters will go to the polls and elect America’s next President. Will it be Democrat Hillary Clinton, the first female

Email: abitofhistory53@gmail.com

FINANCIAL FOCUS FROM PAGE 6

have experienced periods of extreme volatility.

Real estate investments have special risks, including possible illiquidity of the underlying properties, credit risk, interest rate fluctuations, and the impact of varied economic conditions.

Investments in fixed-income securities are subject to market, interest rate, credit/default, inflation and other risks. Bond prices fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a general rise in interest rates can result in the decline in the bond’s price. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will default on payments of interest and/or principal. This risk is heightened in lower rated bonds. If sold prior to maturity, fixed income securities are subject to market risk. All fixed income investments may be worth less than their original cost upon redemption or maturity.

Wells Fargo Investment Institute (WFII) is a registered investment adviser and whollyowned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and provides investment advice to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Advisors and other Wells Fargo affiliates. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Opinions represent WFII and WFA opinion as of the date of this report and are for general information purposes only and are not intended to predict or guarantee the future performance

of any individual security, market sector or the markets generally. WFII and WFA does not undertake to advise you of any change in its opinions or the information contained in this report. Wells Fargo & Company affiliates may issue reports or have opinions that are inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from, this report. This report is not intended to be a client-specific suitability analysis or recommendation, an offer to participate in any investment, or a recommendation to buy, hold or sell securities. Do not use this report as the sole basis for investment decisions. Do not select an asset class or investment product based on performance alone. Consider all relevant information, including your existing portfolio, investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs and investment time horizon. This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice President- Investments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. Investments in securities and insurance products are not FDIC-insured; not bank-guaranteed; and may lose value. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2016 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

Celebrating 25 years together!

Our first and still foremost silk painter is Leni Hoch from Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. Leni is constantly experimenting with new types of silks and ways to color them. Her multicolored, hand-dyed, iridescent silks become beautiful jackets, shawls, pins and scarves—lots of scarves. Pick out your favorite colors and shapes and learn how to wear your scarf in multiple ways at a special event on “Small Business Saturday.” Or find the perfect jacket or accessory for the Holidays.

We hope you can join us when Leni Hoch visits Imagine Artwear on

Saturday

November 1026, 2016 am to 4 pm

Come see our entire line of amazing American-made clothing, jewelry and crafts.

1124 King Street | Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 548-1461 | www.imagineartwear.com Holiday Hours begin December 1st

Old Town Crier

alidaanderson

•

Mon – Sat 10 am – 9 pm

•

Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

The Batman Brooding From the Naked Superheroes series Charcoal on Paper, 20x16 inches ©2015 F. Lennox Campello Represented by Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC Washington, DC For more information or images of other works from the Naked Superheroes series, email us at info@alidaanderson.com

ART&ANTIQUES ANTIQUES

GALLERIES

Spurgeon-Lewis Antiques 112 N. Columbus Street

Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union Street

BW Art, Antiques & Collectibles 108 N. Fayette Street

Principle Gallery 208 King Street

Imperfections Antiques 1210 King Street

Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery 105 N. Union Street

The Antique Guild 113 N. Fairfax Street

St. George Gallery 105 N. Alfred Street

Silverman Galleries 110 N. St. Asaph Street

The Art League 105 Union Street

Red Barn Mercantile 1117 King Street

Local Colour Old Town 218 N. Lee Street

Washington Square Antiques 425 S. Washington Street

Icon Galleria 101 N. Union Street

Susquehanna Antique Co. 608 Cameron Street

B&B Art Gallery 215 King Street

Old Town Antiques 222 S. Washington Street

Gallery West 1213 King Street

Verdigris Vintage 1215 King Street

Enamelist’s Gallery 105 N. Union Street

Cavalier Antiques 400 Prince Street

Printmakers, Inc. 105 N. Union Street

Sumpter Priddy III 323 S. Washington Street

Kelly’s Art & Frame 510 N. Washington

Henry Street Antiques 115 S. Henry Street

Oerth Gallery 420 S. Washington Street

Curzon Hill Antiques 108 S. Columbus Street

Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus Street

The Hour 1015 King Street

Johnston Matthew 105 N. Union Street

A Galerie 315 Cameron Street

Huddy Studio 105 N. Union Street

Random Harvest 810 King Street

Mezzanine Multiples 105 N. Union Street

Acme Mid-Century + Modern 128 S. Royal Street

Silverman Galleries 110 N. St. Asaph Street

Van Bommel Antiek Hous 1007 King Street

Cochran David 105 N. Union Street

Lloyd’s Row 119 S. Henry Street

Betty Grisham Studio 105 N. Union Street Imagine Artwear 112 King Street

November 2016 | 15

POINTS ON PETS SARAH LIU & CINDY McGOVERN

KING STREET CATS ADOPTION CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2016 FOR DETAILS & MORE INFO website: www.kingstreetcats.org email: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email for our Kitten Fostering FAQ at: contact@kingstreetcats.org KING STREET CATS 25 Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday & Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 pm PRO FEED Bradlee Shopping Center 3690 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 Every Saturday & Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 pm PETCO UNLEASHED AT PENTAGON ROW 1101 S. Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 Saturday, November 5 Saturday, November 19 Sunday, November 20 1:00 - 4:00 pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, November 12 1:00 - 4:00 pm ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW FREE DURING WEEKDAY MORNINGS? King Street Cats is looking for weekday morning caregivers and vet taxis to transport our cats to the vet. Email contact@kingstreetcats.org for details.

16 | November 2016

End of Life Decisions

I

f a basic principle of medicine is “First, do no harm,” then a basic principle of pet ownership may be, “First, don’t let them suffer.”

Knowing if and when to consider euthanasia for an ill or elderly pet is one of the most difficult decisions you will make as a pet owner. However, your pet is depending on you to make that decision for them because they can’t. No animal should suffer unnecessarily and responsible pet owners know that better than anyone.

Just like humans, all animals react differently to pain, old age and illness.

Senior cats can develop arthritis and hyperthyroidism, which causes weight loss and increased appetite. They are notoriously good at hiding pain until an injury or illness is so advanced it’s too late to do anything. Dogs can be equally stoic and hide their pain and suffering because it is a life-preserving instinct. With dogs, know your breed, as some are prone to have specific health problems. Golden Retrievers and large breeds, for example, often develop arthritis in their back and hips as they age.

Even a pet that enjoys overall good health will eventually show signs of

aging. The following are some signs to look for that indicate age or illness is catching up to your pet: • Is your pet irritable, restless or confused?

• Do they drink water excessively?

• Have they lost their appetite?

• Do they avoid favorite activities?

• Is your pet picked on by other animals in the home? This can happen when a sick or elderly dog becomes the weakest member of the “pack.”

• Do they seek out unusual places to sleep or hide?

• Do they want to be alone?

• Do they turn their back on you?

• Most importantly, are they in pain?

If you’re unsure if your pet is suffering, keep a daily record of good days and bad days. It’s also important to ask your vet for the exact signs of suffering or behavior associated with your pet’s condition or disease.

When your pet’s quality of life begins to deteriorate, it’s time to have that difficult conversation with your vet about next steps. What, if any, extraordinary measures are you willing and financially able to take to keep your pet alive? If

your pet is in pain, focus on options that minimize their suffering. At what point does the animal’s suffering become untenable and euthanasia appropriate?

Euthanasia

Euthanasia provides a peaceful and humane end for a pet who would otherwise continue to suffer. Your veterinarian has special training to provide that death. During the procedure, your vet will inject your pet with a sedative, followed by a special medication. The animal experiences no awareness of the end of their life and the procedure only takes a few minutes.

Ideally, such a visit should be planned in advance, but there are local emergency practices that are there to help such as the Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Springfield. Learn more about the care they provide to both pets and their owners, (vetreferralcenter.com/ emergency-critical-care.htm) Some pet owners prefer to have the procedure done at home to allow the pet to be in familiar and comfortable surroundings. Many mobile vet practices perform this service and POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 17

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POINTS ON PETS FROM PAGE 16

one local resource is the NOVA mobile vet: novamobilevet.com/

Pet Cremation

Not every veterinarian that performs euthanasia performs on-site cremations. Most vets outsource this role to an independent crematory which handles the cremation and makes arrangements for the body. The crematory could be either located nearby, or up to several hundred miles away.

If you choose home euthanasia, you may also have to make arrangements for the cremation or disposal of your pet’s remains. In any event, you may prefer to research and make your own decision on which pet cremation service you want to use.

One local resource is Sunset Pet Services: sunsetpetservices.com/ The following site provides more options as well as a national registry of cremation services: cremation.com/pet-cremation-search/ pet-cremation-directory/

Bereavement

Once you’ve made the difficult end of life decision or experienced the pet’s death, then what? The loss of a beloved pet can be one of life’s most difficult experiences. Further complicating the grieving process is the stigma associated with grieving for a pet. After all, it’s just a dog, cat, etc. — just get another one. This type of thinking minimizes the bond formed between the pet and their owner making it even harder to come to terms with the loss.

For almost 35 years, Kathy Reiter has helped pet owners cope with their loss through Pet Loss Support Group meetings at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. (alexandriaanimals.org/) Reiter is a psychiatric social worker with a specialty in grief and bereavement. After dealing with the illness of a valued pet, she

realized there were no groups or places to go to share her concerns and grief, so she started a support group. The group meets at 7:00 pm on the first Wednesday of the month in the shelter’s community room. There is no charge to attend and the meeting is open to anyone anticipating or dealing with the loss of a companion animal.

Reiter said attendees tend to be people who have lost their soulmate, that one companion animal who held a special place in the owner’s life. “Many of the attendees think there is something wrong with them,” said Reiter.

“While they may have the support of family and loved ones, they still lost a loved one and may feel alone.”

The meetings may have only two or three individuals or as many as 10-15. Reiter said attendance can pick up seasonally as the pet’s absence may be felt the most around the winter holidays. Others return to the group on the anniversary of the pet’s death, and many return to share their experience with others.

Reiter said it helps the grieving process to have some event to mark the animal’s passing, a funeral or memorial of some sort. It may be as simple as sharing happy memories about the pet or a formal acknowledgement that includes the pet’s remains. This event is particularly important with children. “It helps bring closure and can help the caregiver get through the grieving process. And, it shows the children that it’s okay to grieve,” said Reiter.

Death is an inevitable part of owning a pet.

Preparing yourself for when the time comes will help make the process easier for both you and your pet. Finding support and closure can also help let you know that it’s okay, when you’re ready, to open your home to another pet in need.

Experience

the Art of Jewelry

EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF HANDMADE JEWELRY Open every day and evenings 113 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.549.8530 • www.silverparrot.com

Sarah Webber Liu resides in Alexandria and is a long-time volunteer at King Street Cats. She is devoted to her cat, Mrs. Huggins, and loves animals of all kinds.

PETS OF THE MONTH

The DC stands for Dog and Cat For more info: www.dcPawsRescue.org

COCO (A045510) With fall weather finally here, who doesn’t love a cup of hot coco? Coco needs a little bit of time to bond with you, but once she does she’s sweeter than chocolate and will melt your heart! We believe this beautiful girl is a Pit Bull/Australian Cattle Dog mix, estimated to be about seven years old. Coco is an incredibly smart, driven, and energetic dog who will need to be the only pet in the home. If you’re in need of a fun new best friend, come meet Coco today!

HOPE (A067827) Hope is a gentle kitty still learning to be affectionate, but has come a long way since her arrival at the shelter in May. If you go slowly and let her come to you, Hope will show you how sweet she can be.

She especially loves chin scratches! Hope is FIV+ which means she will need to be kept completely indoors and can only have brother/sister cats if they are also FIV+.

During her time at the AWLA, Hope has been successful in making friends with both cats and dogs! She is a spayed female Domestic Shorthair, about three years old.

THANKS TO A GENEROUS SPO NSO MY ADOPTION FE R E HAS BEEN PAID!

SAWYER (A068752) Say hello to Sawyer! Sawyer is a neutered male Domestic Shorthair, estimated to be about 11 years old. He purrs like a motor as soon as you enter his cage- it’s impossible not to smile when you’re around this sweet guy! Sawyer is a loyal kitty who will stick with you through thick and thin- whether you’re whitewashing a fence or binge-watching Netflix, Sawyer will be there by your side!

CHANGE A LIFE.

ADOPT

4101 Eisenhower Avenue • Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm • Closed Wed • Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm Old Town Crier

November 2016 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFF McCORD

F

or more than one thousand years, the palm-fringed beach and abundant forest have attracted human visitors. First they came in the hundreds by dugout canoe for religious ceremonies and seafood feasts. Now they come in the thousands by airplane to St. Thomas and ferry to St. John for rest and recreation.

Resort, eco-tents will soon offer beds — king size and twins — linens, power, storage and sitting decks. Plans call for new cottages with kitchenettes, ample living space and even sleeping lofts to be built early in 2017.

Upgraded restaurant, bar and beach food services will make the resort more self-sufficient. Visitors can also choose from a variety of water sport

fascinating historic sites beginning at Cinnamon Bay visitors’ doorsteps.

Prominent on the beach is one of the oldest buildings in the Virgin Islands.

Dating to the late 1600s, this Danish colonial sugar plantation structure now houses an archeological museum and laboratory established as a joint venture between the National Park and its non-profit partner the Friends of

Eco-Camping Amid Palms and Artifacts Boasting the longest beach in the Virgin Islands National Park, since 1956 Cinnamon Bay has welcomed generations of modern visitors. Under a tropic forest canopy, camp ground structures built in 1970, including concrete cottages (some beachfront), erected canvas tents and platforms, restaurant and camp store, are now being modernized in phases to serve today’s more discriminating ecotourists. Re-named Cinnamon Bay 18 | November 2016

rentals including paddle boards, Hobie cats, snorkeling gear and kayaks. The initial phase of renovation will be completed and the resort reopened in November 2017. Renovation of the resort is being managed by Adrian Davis who is well-known to Virgin Islanders for his work running the pioneering Maho Bay eco-camp. He will manage on-going operations.

What isn’t changing is the extraordinary natural beauty and

the Virgin Islands National Park.

Running in front of the museum and along the beach is an un-paved road built by Danish planters who had no idea that it would preserve for posterity the remains of pre-Columbus Native American ceremonial grounds located a few feet under the sand, reports National Park Service archeologist Ken Wild. Artifacts from the Taino people found there include a gold disk, pottery devotional bowls,

a head carved from stone, fragments of Mayan-style stone belts worn by ceremonial ball players, a dagger and ax and votive statues. They speak of an advanced society enabled by successful agriculture, abundant seafood and a culture of peace.

Radio carbon dating of the artifacts indicate the Cinnamon Bay site was in use at least as early as 1,000 A.D. and into the 1400s. Just over the mountain, and off the Park’s popular Reef Bay Train, faces carved in stone (known as petroglyphs) are accompanied by a geometric carving that may be as old as the first century BC. When Columbus met the Taino people in the Bahamas in 1492, he was impressed by their generosity and friendliness. “They will give all that they do possess for anything that is given to them, exchanging things even for bits of broken crockery,” he said in his voyage log. “They were very well built, with very handsome bodies and very good faces … they do not carry arms [weapons] or know them.”

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 19

Old Town Crier

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 18

Sadly, within a few years, European diseases and abuse by Spanish conquerors would all but wipe-out the Tainos. In the years that followed their disappearance, Cinnamon Bay has no evidence of human habitation until the Dutch and English buccaneers and Danish sugar planters arrived in the Virgin Islands in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Rum bottle necks, “pieces of eight” coins and cannon balls have been found on shore and in nearby waters from this era. Indeed, standing on Cinnamon Bay beach, one can see a number of islands including the British Virgin Island of Jost Van Dyke, which was named for a Dutch pirate and slave trader who established a village and fort on nearby Tortola in the late 1600s — just across Sir Francis Drake Channel from St. John.

It’s impossible to miss the buildings and ruins of the sugar plantation era that commenced a few years later in the early 1700s. Just across the National Park’s North Shore Road from Cinnamon Bay Resort’s entrance can be seen the picturesque ruins of stone buildings in which sugar cane grown on terraces up the surrounding hills was processed and refined by enslaved Africans into crude brown sugar known as muscavado, molasses, rum and crushed, dried sugar cane stalks used for fuel and fertilizer known as bagass.

A half mile, self-guided loop trail with explanatory NPS signage leads Cinnamon Bay visitors through the ruins and up a short nature trail. Just beyond the sugar factory grounds, the trail leads past a small Danish cemetery where the graves of an early 19th century plantation owner and his wife can be seen.

The trail then follows a water course known as a ghut into the forest, passing through an aromatic stand of bay rum trees, under ancient mango trees and by cocoa trees from which chocolate is made, among other botanic wonders.

Nearby, a more rigorous mile-long trail (the Cinnamon Bay Trail) leads visitors up the mountain where majestic views can be found.

A short distance up the trail, a spur leads hikers to the ruins of the America’s Hill guest house built to accommodate visitors in the late 1800s. Located on a knoll, the remains of the main house and nearby cookhouse overlook spectacular views of Cinnamon Bay, Maho Bay and the British Virgin Islands.

For hundreds of years, Cinnamon Bay has successfully hosted humans in a natural wonderland. It will do so for many, many more. For more information, please visit cinnamonbayresort.com and the Virgin Islands National Park site.

Jeffrey R. McCord is a freelance journalist whose work on international economics and consumer protection has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Gannett newspapers and Truthout. org, among other publications. For more than 20 years, he’s called Northern Virginia his home.

Jeff is the author of two fact-based Caribbean novels: “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” which was a quarter-finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest; and, “Santa Anna’s Gold in a Pirate Sea,” a finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book contest.

He now divides his time between Virginia and St. John, USVI.

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Old Town Crier

November 2016 | 19

ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT

VETERANS DAY&DC’S

Iwo Jima

Korean War Memorial

PHOTOS © CHESTER SIMPSON

T

his month we decided it would be a great opportunity to revisit the war and military memorials in our Nation’s Capital area. The crisp fall weather is perfect for a brisk walk around D.C. and most of the tourists are gone or certainly in smaller numbers. Also, with the election happening and the conflicts in which we are engaged, I thought it a good time to reconnect with the past.

We begin our journey on the National Mall adjacent to Constitution Gardens. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a 2-acre national memorial that pays tribute to the brave members of the United States Armed Forces who fought in the Vietnam War and were killed or missing in action (MIA). The memorial

consists of three separate parts: The Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall or simply, the “Wall.” the most popular feature.

The memorial is free and open to the public 24 hours a day, with rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 am to 10 pm daily.

Perhaps the Memorial Wall’s most defining characteristic is a visitor’s ability to see his or her reflection at the same time as the engraved names, connecting the past and the present like few other monuments can. Of all my years in this area the only other places that demand this level of respect are Arlington Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.

Just south of the wall is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, which serves to commemorate the 265,000 women that served in the Vietnam War, many of whom worked as nurses. The 2,000

pound bronze structure stands 15 feet tall and depicts three women attending to a wounded soldier, reflecting the unity required during the struggle of the war.

The Three Soldiers (also known as the Three Servicemen) make up the third part of the Memorial. The bronze statue that is another moving reminder of the disparate groups that had to come together during the Vietnam War. Each of the soldiers stands seven feet tall, situated on top of a one-foot granite base. One is European American, one is African American and the other is Hispanic American, with the statute arranged as if to show the three soldiers gazing upon the Memorial Wall at the names of their fellow comrades.

At the other end of the reflecting pool you will find the World War II Memorial, which honors the 16 million who served in the armed

forces of the United States, the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home.

Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people.

The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis.

The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004 and was dedicated one month later on May 29. The memorial is open to the public 4 hrs a day, seven days a week.

The memorial consists of 56 granite pillars, each 17 feet tall, arranged in a semicircle around a plaza with two 43-foot triumphal arches on opposite sides. “Two-thirds of the 7.4-acre site is landscaping and water. Each pillar is inscribed with the name of one of the 48 U.S. states of 1945, as well as the District of Columbia,

World War II Memorial

20 | November 2016

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MEMORIALS

Navy Merchant Marine Memorial

the Alaska Territory and Territory of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The northern arch is inscribed with “Atlantic”; the southern one, “Pacific.” The memorial includes two inconspicuously located “Kilroy was here” engravings. Their inclusion in the memorial acknowledges the significance of the symbol to the American soldiers during World War II and how it represented their presence and protection wherever it was inscribed.

The Freedom Wall is on the west side of the memorial, with a view of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial in the distance. The wall has 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in the war.

In front of the wall lies the message… ”Here We Mark the Price of Freedom.”

On the other side of the Reflection Pool you will find the Korean War Veterans Memorial. All of its components, including its walls, stainless steel statues and Pool of Remembrance, are dedicated to the armed forces that served and sacrificed during the Korean War. The memorial is free and open 24/7.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial consists of multiple structures that honor those who sacrificed during the three-year struggle. The memorial’s Mural Wall measures 164 feet long and eight inches thick, and from a bird’s eye view, the Wall appears as an isosceles triangle, with the tip

Old Town Crier

intersecting a circle over the Pool of Remembrance.

Images of troops moving by sea, land and air are sandblasted onto the surface of the wall, while a squadron of 19 stainless steel figures, including members from each branch of the armed forces, is situated in the center of the memorial space. When the 1,000-pound statues are reflected on the granite wall, there appears to be 38 soldiers, which, represents the 38th parallel, the dividing line of North and South Korea during the conflict. The popular TV show MASH, although a comedy, depicted the harsh realities of war.

A visit to the memorial is not complete without a look at the Pool of Remembrance, which has inscriptions that list the number of soldiers killed, wounded, missing in action and held as prisoners during the Korean War. Trees positioned so that the sun beautifully reflects off of the water surround the shallow pool, which is only 30 feet in diameter.

The Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center in Washington honor and commemorate the sailors of the United States Navy. The memorial is an outdoor public plaza and the Heritage Center serves as a place to learn about the history and heritage of the sea services.

The circular outdoor plaza, located in the heart of D.C., features a “Granite Sea” map of the world, surrounded by fountains, pools, flagpole masts, and sculpted panels depicting historic

Vietnam Memorial, The Wall (detail)

achievements of the United States Navy. A statue of the Lone Sailor represents all people who ever served in the sea services. The memorial is located at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 7th and 9th streets.

The final three memorials that I will lightly touch on are on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. The NavyMerchant Marine Memorial is located in Lady Bird Johnson on Columbia Island and is a monument honoring sailors of the United States Navy and the United States Merchant Marine who died at sea during World War I. It was designed in 1922 and dedicated on October 18, 1934.

Nicknamed “Waves and Gulls,” the memorial depicts seven seagulls above the crest of a wave. It is cast from aluminum and the base is made of green granite. It stands 35 feet tall and 30 feet deep. The monument can be seen between the G.W. Parkway and the Potomac River just north of 395.

The United States Air Force Memorial honors the service of the personnel of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. The memorial is located right off of I-395 in Arlington, Va., on the grounds of Fort Myer near the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.

The memorial is an iconic image on the Washington skyline. The three memorial spires range from 201 feet to

270 feet high and appear to be soaring; its array of stainless steel arcs against the sky evoke the image of “contrails of the Air Force Thunderbirds as the peel back in a precision “bomb burst” maneuver.” Only three of the four contrails are depicted, at 120 degrees from each other, as the absent fourth suggests the missing man formation traditionally used at an Air Force funeral fly-over.

The final memorial is probably the best known. The Marine Corps War Memorial, or the Iwo Jima Statue, is located in Arlington, Va. Just off of the G.W. Parkway. The United States Marine Corps War memorial represents this nation’s gratitude to marines and those who have fought beside them. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775.

To get a real feel for the Marine Corps, take a drive south on I-95 or Route 1, Jeff Davis Highway to Triangle, Virginia and visit the Marine Corps Museum. Plan to spend a lot of time here; it is a very impressive museum.

This month’s road trip is close to home, however, these sites will transport you all over the world. Have a respectful Veterans Day and a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy November.

November 2016 | 21

FROM THE BAY… MOLLY WINANS

The Pre-Loved Vessel

T

o shop for used boats, you have to have an active imagination.

If it’s wintertime, a particularly vivid one. The April boat shopper may walk down a dock under sunny skies, to the tune of chirping birds, to look at a 38-foot sloop with freshly washed decks. Even if it were 60 degrees, imagining the freedom of throwing off the lines, while wearing shorts and a widebrimmed hat, is not a big mental leap.

Now back up six or so months and subtract 30 degrees. Under gray skies and layered wool, you carefully trudge down the dock, while eyeing the ice on the creek. Boarding that 38-footer may be treacherous due to ice or slush.

Hoping the deck would look nice if hosed down, you go below thinking it may be warmer down there. It’s not. You open and close drawers and lockers, as boat shoppers do, and pause to blow on your fingertips for warmth. When you can see your breath, those shirt-sleeve, straw hat, mix-me-a-margarita sailing day images take more creativity to muster.

A few winters ago, I captured a glimpse of this tough process, as a friend searched for a used, costeffective, 35- to 40-foot sailboat to live aboard. Liveaboard sailors on the Chesapeake Bay lead interesting, 22 | November 2016

surprisingly normal lives that are not as ruled by winter heating issues as much as we dirt dwellers may believe.

My soon-to-be liveaboard friend shared his Excel spreadsheet of specifications he sought in a preowned vessel. Electric heat was number 18 on the list, preceded by draft, beam, sail inventory, roller furling, engine, and other sailing and docking considerations. Cockpit size and exterior canvas were also priorities as added living space, especially with a bimini and dodger setup fit to be wrapped in eisinglass to create a sunwarmed “porch.”

When it came to cabin space, my friend’s specification list was fairly predictable, with some of it rated on a one-to-five scale. The galley would have to be sufficient for day-to-day cooking. A separate shower, rather than just a nozzle over the head, would be a bonus. A comfortable saloon with elbow room for reading, movie night, and dinner with close friends was a must, as was ample storage, since the boat would become his only closet.

The more I looked at the spec sheet and agreed and disagreed with my friend on certain necessary aspects of boats — shoal draft keels and cuddle room among them — the more I realized that I, like every sailor he

had talked to, had my own sailboat owning fantasies I was trying to project on him. More than half of what I considered crucial to boat buying was not quantifiable or spreadsheetfriendly.

The snob scale. Even if we don’t have the money to back up the attitude, many of us have one. Most sailors I know have snubbed their noses at certain boat brands. One of my friends joked that he wouldn’t mind rafting his J/40 alongside a Bristol 35.5, but the O’Day 40 guy would have to fly solo.

I advised another friend to reconsider buying an ugly boat he was ready to write a check for. “To attract women,” I told him, “you need a sexier boat.”

Your future boat must be acceptable on your own snob scale.

Then, there’s the wish-I-had-known factor. No matter how many experts’ opinions you gather or how hard you try to predict future annoyances— such as the step you will stub your toe on, the ledge that will repeatedly bruise your forehead, or the boat sailing like a pig downwind—you may not figure out what’s to dislike about your boat until you own and sail her.

The knowledge that you will swear at her later and have pangs of regret keeps you up at night and fits nowhere on a spreadsheet.

And where on that electronically shareable Google document does love fit? Can you quantify the warm and fuzzies? Really, if a friend tells you he or she is in love, do you ask, “On a scale from one to 10, how much?”

Does a je ne sais quoi feeling fit under the “equipment/item” column?

In any season, there are two terrible truths about love and sailboat buying.

The first is that the more money you have to spend, the more je ne sais quoi stardust you can conjure up in a boat.

The other is that all sailboats are labors of love. You must love your boat in the beginning. You must get a little giddy and feel that this boat, this means of escape and joy, is destined to be yours.

You have to see it. Then later, when times are tough, and you discover her weaknesses, when the engine breaks down and you find yourself dishing out three times your budget for unsavory items related to bilges, heads, and rust, you can remember the beautiful beginning. That, too, may require a healthy imagination.

Winans is the editor of SpinSheet and PropTalk magazines based in Eastport, Md. This piece first appeared in the February 2011 issue of SpinSheet.

Old Town Crier

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…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR ANIMAL’S WELFARE

J

ust when you thought you were safe from politics, my column, normally focused on rural life, has a political hot potato this month. But this is not liberal vs conservative politics; it’s city vs country. As the percentage of us that grew up and/or still live on, or who have family who live on farms in rural areas shrinks, the animal rights movement continues to grow and shape attitudes about animals. So let me make an important distinction: Animal rights is not about what is best for animals, not wildlife and not domestic animals, including farm animals and your pet cat or dog. Animal welfare groups do seek to ensure all animals have humane treatment and basic needs met; animal rights and the activists that push that agenda, have very little to do with caring for animals in a humane manner and everything to do with humanizing them and insisting they need to be treated as the equals of people.

Those of us that own, and make our 24 | November 2016

living from, the raising, training or breeding of animals, do so because of our love for them. It’s hard work for very low pay to provide them with the best possible care, including seeking professional advice when needed.

And that advice, including their housing, land requirements, nutrition and veterinary care, does not come from the ranks of the animal rights activists. Indeed, few if any have actual experience or knowledge of animal husbandry. As more and more people grow up with only Walt Disney’s portrayal of animals, the animal rights movement has gained enormous foothold and influence over how we think of them. Indeed, the very notion that we should be the guardians and not the owners of our cattle, chickens, horses, pigs, dogs and cats would’ve been laughable 20 years ago, but now it’s become the norm, along with the ridiculous ideology that all animals should have equal or greater rights than humans.

Because their influence has become so insidious, the agenda of animal

rights activists has gotten bigger, bolder and more ambitious, even in rural areas. Last month, a notorious radical animal rights activist who holds the position of humane investigator in my area, trespassed onto my farm and left a note about two old retired horses, one of whom looks thin from a distance. She tried to make a case for neglect under the guise of “I’m just doing my job.”

This investigator has zero training in animal care or husbandry and worse, operates a lucrative pet shop that sells seized animals to wealthy local residents. And with the rise of people moving here from cities, she has a captive pool of buyers more than willing to open their pocketbooks and assuage their consciences in order to appear politically correct.

Publicly available information shows her operation nets a cool seven digits annually, tax free; and is incorporated in Delaware. Despite a court ruling in 2003 that it was a conflict of interest for humane investigators to sell or profit from seized animals, this

one not only held her position, she continues to seize and sell. Indeed, after that ruling most investigator positions were scrapped — except here. And here she was, taking a bead on my farm.

Horses, at any stage of their lives but particularly as they age, are not cheap to keep; I’m very fortunate to be able to retire mine at my farm. The ones in the crosshairs of the pet shop owner’s agenda are living a peaceful retirement on my farm. One is 26 and the other is 27 years old — ancient by equine standards. I’ve owned them since they were 3 and 5; over 20 years. The older one has an old age condition called Cushings disease, which among other symptoms caused him to lose muscle mass on his back and hindquarters although elsewhere he’s well padded. In other words, like a lot of old men, he’s got a bony ass but a big belly. The horses live on 30 acres of lush, well-tended pasture with two spring fed ponds plus a large run in barn for shade in summer and shelter BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 26

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BLUE RIDGE FROM PG 24

in winter. They’re fed twice daily, fly sprayed in summer and blanketed or brought into the stable in winter and they receive regular veterinary and dental care. A neighbor who heard of the accusations, remarked that if she died she’d like to come back as one of my animals; no one that knows me has ever questioned their care. After responding to the investigator’s inquisition and politely explaining about their age, infirmities and care, she lost interest, perhaps realizing the horses wouldn’t be worth seizing as they might be hard to sell at her pet shop. She did inform me that, no, the one horse did not have Cushings. Seriously? As if I should choose to believe a trust fund scion who’s only seen the horse from a distance over my regular veterinarian who knows him.

Political correctness permeates all facets of our lives, from the words we say to the things we buy, to the pets we share our lives with. Don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. Don’t waste energy. Buy green. Recycle. Animals deserve the same rights as people. Let’s think about that for a minute: should a wharf rat or a cockroach have the same rights as a human child? Not in my world.

Then there’s the wildly successful “adopt, don’t shop” myth.

Don’t buy from an evil breeder, adopt from a shelter, because for every dog purchased from a breeder, a shelter dog dies. Really?

Will the young woman who impulsively bought a fluffy dog to carry around in her purse and is now tired of it, not discard it because you adopted your dog from a shelter? What about the family who got a puppy for their son hoping to get him away from the computer? The son didn’t want the puppy, the parents are tired of taking care of it, and it’s destroying the yard. Will they drop it off at a shelter or all of a sudden grow a spine, accept responsibility, socialize and train the puppy and keep it for life? The sad reason shelters stay full is because people buy animals on impulse with no knowledge of how to raise, train and care for them. And, sadly, anyone who breeds animals or even simply buys a purebred from a breeder, is portrayed as an evil, deranged monster engaging in criminally suspect activity.

It’s become a badge of political correctness to flaunt rescued animals, the more abusive past they've had (even if it’s a madeup lie), the better.

An increasing number of rescues are not only entering the breeding business themselves, they’re doing mass importation of unvaccinated animals from foreign countries to sell. Importing dogs from mostly third world countries puts all, including our own pets, at risk of disease. Far too many rescues, and even some animal shelters, make a tidy profit from selling pets; they simply call the sale price an adoption fee. Not all, of course—we have many local shelters that operate through mostly volunteer labor and donations and do a very good job. These shelters, many of which have humane or SPCA in the name, have no affiliation and receive no funding from national groups with similar sounding names. The Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA and PETA do not operate a single shelter; in fact PETA euthanizes nearly 100 percent of animals turned over to it. These three giants are lobbying groups that like you to think they’re involved in sheltering stray or homeless animals for fund raising purposes. And they’re good at fund raising, disingenuously leading you to believe donations go to actual animal care. But nearly all their billions are spent on salaries and perks for their executives and on lobbying to pass laws making it hard if not impossible for people to own animals.

If you’re in the market for a pet, it’s vital to be honest about what you want and what best suits your lifestyle. Nothing precludes a shelter dog from becoming a perfect pet — many end up there, through no fault of their own or their owners, not because they were untrainable, unhealthy or old. The best way to get a dog with predictable looks, temperament and health is to research and pick a good breeder, one who will be available for help or with questions.

Learn about diseases and genetic conditions common to the breed you’re interested in, and what kind of screens for these conditions the breeder performs on her dogs.

In sum, recognize that any animal is a commitment for its lifetime, so buying one should be researched as carefully and thoroughly as any other major purchase. More animals end up in shelters from bad owners than bad breeders.

Julie Reardon has a horse farm where she boards horses. She also hunts, trains and competes with purebred Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and can be reached directly at hopespringsfarm@gmail. com about this article.

26 | November 2016

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BEHIND THE BAR

Andy Gillies Andy concocts her signature cocktail, The Andy! She is behind the bar Monday through Friday, days.

How did you get started in the bartending business?

I got started out in the business through my Dad — best known as “Russian Mike.” He owned a few joints back in the day including the Quarter Deck in Arlington and Jonathan’s Place in Crystal City (he was partners with Bill Bayne Sr.) and Michael Anthony’s in Maryland. This was the 70s, early 80s. When it was time to get a job — I was 17 about to turn 18 — I started waitressing at Champions in Falls Church which

28 | November 2016

later became Broadstreet Bar and Grill. I’ll never forget it! My first night started out as a disaster! I was thrown to the wolves! LOL! The first table I waited on was members of a band called The Road Ducks. Some of you might remember them, they were very popular in NOVA back then. Anyway, the lead singer, Mike McCormick (who is gorgeous, by the way), and his girlfriend (who was wearing a fur jacket — white at that) were at the table and I spilled my whole tray of drinks on them! Needless to say,

ANDY GILLIES IS BEHIND THE BAR AT PUBLIC HOUSE BAR & RESTAURANT 199 FLEET STREET NATIONAL HARBOR 240-493-6120 publichousenationalharbor.com my money went to dry cleaning that night. My dad’s best friend, Bill Bayne

photos: Bob Tagert

Sr., and his son Billy Bayne Jr., along with Arty Dourty and Jimmy Madden opened the Crystal City Sports Pub in August of 1994. That was really the bar I can say I grew up working in.

What is your biggest bartender pet peeve?

Don’t ever come to my bar and say “Can you hook me up?” and then proceed to tell me you are “in the industry” and my tip will be better if I do. I will then take you aside and BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 29

Old Town Crier

BEHIND THE BAR FROM PAGE 28

politely school you in bar etiquette. I never went anywhere, in my day, and expected a hook up from anyone. We still tip the hell out of them, no matter what.

What is the most clever line anyone has used to get you to spring for a free drink?

Ahh … Someone told me, There is a bug in my drink, can you make me another for free?” I said, “No, that will cost extra since that’s additional protein!” I have said that as a joke and the reaction from people is hilarious. Here’s another one: “Can I get another drink? This one didn’t taste right.” I said, “Sure, where is it? I’ll chuck it for you.” “Oh, I drank it already!” OK, buddy. I wasn’t born yesterday!

What is the best/worst pickup line you have heard at the bar?

I have heard a quite few but there isn’t any one that stands out.

OMG, and I know I’ve heard some good ones too! Back in the day, I had a few tell me “Has anyone told you that you look like Christy Brinkley or Cheryl Tiegs?” To which I said, “Are you high?” LOL! Give this man another drink.

Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a customer?

It’s a small world after all, especially in this business for some reason. Haha! Do you mean jumping over the bar encounter?

We won’t go there! Or someone you met out of the blue? I was working downtown during President Obama’s first inauguration.

Initially, I said you couldn’t pay me enough to be in the city on that day! Well a friend called in dire need of bartenders so I agreed. Actually, it was not what I thought it would be. It was an awesome experience. The vibe in DC was like nothing I had ever experienced. You talk about all walks of life, all together, it was really awesome to be working in DC that weekend. Anyway, I struck up a conversation with a guy from Germany and he looked familiar to me for some reason. Long story short, he used to jam with my cousin in Germany along with the Famous Scorpions, back in the day. I have had quite a lot of interesting encounters — its crazy. I guess I will save them for the book — haha!

Alexandria’s Finest Dining • Veteran-Owned Brunch • Weddings • Private Events

If you could sit down with anyone – past or present – and have a drink, who would that be?

Past, it would be my late husband, Stephen Gillies, and my father, Russian Mike. They were always a riot to party with — always fun and never a dull moment for sure!

Present, it would be Ozzy Ozbourne, Nikki, Six, Robert Plant, Miles Kennedy, Lita Ford, and Grace Slick. I could go on and on.

If you would like to see your favorite bartender featured in this space, send contact information to office@oldtowncrier.com.

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November 2016 | 29

DINING OUT BOBTAGERT

RT’S Restaurant

T

his months’ restaurant takes us away from Old Town and out of the heart of Alexandria to the wilds of Arlandria on Mount Vernon Avenue. RT’s is a short distance from the ever popular Birchmere Music Hall and is pretty much the only place to fine dine in the immediate area. RT’s will also take us back in time. In order to understand RT’s you have to know a little about the legendary founder and owner, Ralph Davis. I first met Davis in the early 80’s when I first discovered Old Town. Davis had finished college and had taken a job as a bartender at the Wharf Restaurant…something to do before graduate school.

Davis enjoyed what he was doing and took an interest in the restaurant business and was thrust into management by owner Cliff Cline.

Cline also owned the 219 Restaurant at the time, and soon Davis was running that restaurant as well. His interest in the business grew and when the city announced plans for the revitalization program for Mt. Vernon Avenue, Davis jumped at the chance to start his own restaurant, and RT’s was born.

In September of 1985 RT’s opened its doors and soon the restaurant was one of the most popular in the area. It was the first restaurant to open in that end of town and is

30 | November 2016

the highest rated restaurant in the Capitol Hill. Clinton and Gore were DelRay area and one of the highest the first presidential types that graced rated by most Alexandria web sites.

RT’s during their stay in the White When food critic Phyllis Richmond House. of Washington Post fame visited On the night I went with two early on and gave the establishment friends I was famished. I usually can’t rave reviews, their reputation was eat both an appetizer and an entrée complete. Since then, RT’s has been a but I am a big grits lover, so I tried fixture in Washingtonian Magazine’s the Cajun Crawfish & Grits. The “Top 100 Restaurants” Andouille-Cheese Grit list in the metropolitan Cake was wonderful area and is one of the and absorbed enough RT’S RESTAURANT highest rated seafood of the roux from the 3804 MT. VERNON AVENUE restaurants in the Creole sauce to make ALEXANDRIA, VA nationally acclaimed everything work well 703-684-6010 “Zagat Survey”. together.

RTSRESTAURANT.NET It had been many For my entrée I years since I had eaten ordered the Crawfish at RT’s so we decided Etouffee from the list of to make a trip to Arlandria and see RT’s Specialties. Maybe it was a little what has changed. The only thing that overkill on the crawfish side, but these appeared different was that Davis, as I plump little shellfish were firm and have, has grown older and his young tender and the taste was true creole. son, Matt, is now grown and actively The rice was cooked just perfect and involved with the restaurant.

I did finish the whole dish. One RT’s menu is unique in this area companion ordered the Pan seared in that it serves authentic old school Crabcake. As advertised, it was mostly Creole and Cajun dishes. They also lump back fin meat that was seared to serve extensive seafood dishes, a light crust but left the crabmeat light sandwiches and bar food. The and tasty. This dish is served with the restaurant is down home style with a prerequisite fries and cole slaw. The large bar with booths for patrons as third diner in our party is very partial well as two adjacent dining rooms. to red beans and rice so couldn’t pass Their patrons include locals, tourists up the Spicy Crawfish version served and the occasional visit from folks on

DINING OUT > PAGE 44

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November 2016 | 31

Dining Guide AMERICAN ASHAR RESTAURANT AND BAR 116 South Alfred St. 703-894-6356 BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 571-982-3577 BURGER FI 111 N. Pitt St. 703-746-9242 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com An Old Town tradition since 1979 and an original Georgetown pub and restaurant since 1967.

CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com USA City inspired menu choices that bring together traditional American and global cuisine with their own personal touch. Casual dress. $30 and under. Lots of free parking. Open 7 days a week with brunch on Sat & Sun 11-3.

AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HUNTING CREEK STATION 801 King St. 703-684-8969

INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 LIVE OAK 1603 Commonwealth Ave. 571-312-0402 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011 MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Old-world Irish pub featuring a roaring fireplace, serving a variety of imported, domestic and non-alcoholic beers in a friendly atmosphere. Serving robust American-Irish meals at fair prices.

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

NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922 NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

32 | November 2016

PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 RAILSTOP GASTROPUB 901 N. Fairfax St. 703-683-8793 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com

THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 ASIAN ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. (in Hoffman Ctr.) 703-329-1010

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

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

REYNOLDS STREET CAFÉ 34 S. Reynolds St. 703-751-0830

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com

STREETS MARKET AND CAFE 3108 Mt. Vernon Ave. 571-431-6810

FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998

ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122 SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com American cuisine with libations from around the world. Bar specials Mon-Fri, 4-7 pm. Brunch served Sat & Sun. TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap and grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour.

VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890

THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 SANG JUN THAI 300 King Street 571-312-3377 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 CONTINENTAL BRABO

by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 BRABO TASTING ROOM 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Northern Italian, French provincial and American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, meats and pasta served in a contemporary, romantic atmosphere.

FRENCH BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661

dinner. Choice of dessert included.

Lunch 11:30 am - 4:30 pm for $20.07; dinner 4:30 pm - close for $30.07. Eat a little, drink a little, have a lot of fun!

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

ITALIAN

GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant.

With entrees from $14, there is no reason not to enjoy a selection from their Wine Spectator award-winning list, while being attended by the friendly staff of seasoned professionals. Reservations recommended and casual attire welcomed.

HANKS PASTA BAR 600 Montgomery Ave. 571-312-4117 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com Elegant, classical Italian cuisine served in a lovely historical setting. Fresh veal, homemade pastas, and fresh fish are some of the daily choices. An extensive list of wines and champagnes served in a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere.

LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086

TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com

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

DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. Alexandria, VA 703-329-0006 BISTRO DU SOLEIL 1116 King St. 571-312-2754 SEAFOOD HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK RTS RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com Internationally known and locally owned! We serve shrimps, a few crabs, tall people and lots of nice people, too!

Live music and lively food!

ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 wharfrestaurant.com "Its All About the Seafood," traditional and creative coastal cuisine.

FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900 INDIAN

PARADISO 124 King St. 703-683-5330

BOMBAY CURRY COMPANY 2607 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-836-6363

PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796

DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd.

703-660-6085

RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873 TRATTORIA DA FRANCO 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 MEDITERRANEAN

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

CHICKPEA 529 East Howell Ave. 571-970-1006

LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854

LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 Offering unlimited tapas at lunch and

MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 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)

Old Town Crier

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November 2016 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

Edward

C

hef Edward Lee is a Brooklyn-born chef and restaurateur currently based in Louisville, Kentucky. He has been a multiple finalist for the James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southeast.

He has made numerous television appearances on shows including season 3 of The Mind of a Chef on PBS, a contestant on the ninth season of Top Chef and is a guest judge on MasterChef. He has written a cookbook, Smoke & Pickles, that celebrates his cooking honoring Southern cuisine with Asian flavors.

When did you first become interested in cooking and what made you choose a culinary career?

I don’t think I chose a culinary career, I think a culinary career chose me. I’ve been interested in cooking since I was a young boy. I don’t know why or

photo: ©2016 Chester Simpson

LEE

how or when but I remember telling There’s not a single person or my parents at 8 or 9 that I was going event. I’m influenced by the people EDWARD LEE to be a chef. I really didn’t know I meet along the way. Every chef I IS THE CHEF OF what it meant and they didn’t either meet influences me; every book I SUCCOTASH RESTAURANT and they thought I’d outgrow it like read, and every article I read. To me, 186 WATERFRONT STREET everything else. I never outgrew it. it’s not one single influence, it’s a NATIONAL HARBOR The older I got, the more interested I million little ones and I think those 301-567-8900 got and the more research, the more are actually more important than SUCCOTASHRESTAURANT.COM I found. I started working and here I “the one.” am. I just knew I wanted to do this.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration during Which of your “Southern Fare with Asian Accents” your career?

CHEF’S SPECIAL > PAGE 35

Fried Chicken & Waffles, Collards, Kimchi and Country Ham, Slab of Baby Back Ribs with House Rub, and Shrimp’N’Grits.

34 | November 2016

Old Town Crier

CHEF’S SPECIAL FROM PG 34

culinary creations have you been most anxious to see how it is received by Succotash diners?

I think it’s the Collards and Kimchi — it’s the one dish that you’d just love. We serve it at Milkwood in Louisville and we sell it like crazy. It’s one of the things that people really sort of remember and go nuts over. It’s a very simple dish and in its simplicity it says a lot. Thankfully we’re selling a lot up here too.

What do you feel sets your cuisine apart from others in

your field?

That’s not for me to say, so I don’t judge my cuisine. I just do what I do and I don’t think it’s any better or worse than any other cuisine.

If any chef in the world (past or present) could prepare a meal for you, who would you want that to be?

Again, I don’t answer questions like this because I find it to be weirdly hypothetical. There are some incredible chefs in the world and if you really want a meal prepared by them, you go to their restaurant

and get a meal … prepared by them. And that’s what I do. Everyone from Daniel Humm in NY, David Kinch at Manresa, to Willie Mae’s Scotch House to Frank Stitt in Alabama. These are chefs who are my heros and I make a special point to journey to their restaurants to have a meal and keep that meal in my memory as a catalogue.

That’s a really huge part of

learning as a chef. When you deal with hypotheticals, you don’t really understand the world around you. I try not to deal in hypotheticals.

I go out there to eat and spend money and travel and learn!

I really don’t feel guilty about eating anything. Having said that, it’s cold fried chicken with hot sauce and a squeeze of lime juice. That’s what I eat in the morning when I’m hung over.

What is your guilty food pleasure?

I don’t know if I have a guilty food pleasure because

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

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November 2016 | 35

GRAPEVINE FRANK BRITT

DEL FOSSE VINEYARDS & WINERY 500 DelFosse Winery Lane 4649 Old Roberts Mountain Road (GPS) Faber, Virginia 22938 434-263-6100 delfossewine.com

DEL FOSSE VINEYARDS & WINERY U EXPERIENCE THE BUCOLIC BEAUTY OF THE VIRGINIA COUNTRYSIDE

Owners Adrienne and Mike Albers

36 | November 2016

niquely situated in a secluded valley at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, DelFosse Vineyards and Winery offers serene elegance and intimate charm in an idyllic setting. The winery in Faber is a short distance from Charlottesville, just a brief 30-minute drive. Owners Adrienne and Mike Albers invite you to visit and explore this scenic location where you will experience the solitude of the Virginia countryside. The rural setting is unique, hugged between the hills, but with elevation that ensures both rich wines and spectacular views.

The winery site is classically elegant, yet informal. There are opportunities to relax and picnic by the lake or take a hike or bike ride along the five and a half miles of trails. Take a tour of the terraced vineyards and historic buildings. Enjoy a tasting of awardwinning wines in the Tasting Room or on the Lawn. Whatever your pleasure, the bucolic setting and the wines of DelFosse Vineyards & Winery promise an experience that will bring you back time after time. Wine dinners, food and wine pairings, BBQs, concerts and the very popular French Crepe days are among special events that draw visitors to DelFosse year round.

The perfect venue for special events, both large and intimate, DelFosse is a popular choice for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, anniversaries, birthdays and holiday parties, among others. Choose the setting for your event from the Log Cabin overlooking terraced vineyards, the Lakeside Lawn, the Pavilion on the Plaza and the Vineyard Deck. The experienced staff will coordinate with your individual needs to ensure total success for every occasion.

Established in 2000 in the Monticello AVA wine region, DelFosse Vineyards and Winery covers 330 acres.The Europeanstyled terraced terrain provides unique wine-growing conditions, and the team of viticulturists and winemakers approach the challenges of the terrain with creativity, experience and passion. There are eleven varietals planted including Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Chambourcin. Most are aged in French oak barrels, though the Viognier and Petit Manseng are aged in stainless steel to preserve the aromatic flavors of the grape.

Also on the property are a

functional spring for the bottling of spring water and historically preserved buildings. Treat yourself to an overnight or weekend at the 100+ year old Historic Chestnut Log Cabin, a peaceful respite overlooking the lake.

The Cabin, initially used as the winery tasting room, was completely restored in 2005 with all the modern amenities.

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery is a wine lover’s favorite. Whatever your pleasure, the bucolic setting and award-winning wines promise a memorable experience! We invite you to visit.

Frank Britt is the publisher of the Official Virginia Wine Lover, an online newsletter that promotes the Virginia wine industry. He was the co-founder of Virginia Wine Lover Magazine and consults with a number of wine festivals. Britt can be reached at frank@ brittmarketing.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO THE OFFICIAL VIRGINIA WINE LOVER E-NEWSLETTER www.vawinelover.com Old Town Crier

Discover the Wineries of Northern Fauquier

Wine for Your Holiday Celebrations!

A unique, family-owned winery where you can enjoy a variety of award-winning wines around the horseshoe bar, embellished with western decor depicting the roots of the owners.

Enjoy Fall by our pond or on the porch and patio!

13726 HUME ROAD • HUME, VA 22369 540.635.3200 DESERTROSEWINERY.COM

DISCOVER THE FOUNDING FAMILY OF AMERICAN WINE

Our History isWine

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VINEYARD TO TABLE, SUPPORT LOCAL WINE

Old Town Crier

November 2016 | 37

NOVEMBER

WINERY EVENTS DESERT ROSE WINERY

13TH, 2 - 5 PM Live music in tasting room w/Robbie Limon 19TH - 20TH, NOON - 6 PM Wine & Pizza – need we say more?

THE MICHAEL

PHELPS OF

VIRGINIA WINES

12TH Chili Day, $15 per person includes chili, fixins, cornbread and a glass of wine

NAKED MOUNTAIN WINERY & VINEYARDS

12TH Last Winemakers Dinner of the season.

Chef Eric Stamer will pair his delicious cuisine with our wonderful wines for an evening to remember. $95

THE MICHAEL

PHELPS OF

VIRGINIA WINES

PHILIP CARTER WINERY

5TH Harvest on the Half Shell – 9th Annual Virginia Wine & Oyster Roast featuring wine from 5 wineries; reservations required $49.95/person 25TH Black Friday Discount packages of wine 26TH Paint and Sip party with Creative Mankind

FOX MEADOW WINERY 5TH & 6TH 8th Annual Fudge Apalooza 5TH Crys Matthews Entertaining 6TH Acoustic Soul Entertaining 12TH Mike Bowers Entertaining 19TH Bryan Elijah Live 20TH Pat Anderson Live

BARREL OAK WINERY

4TH, EVERY WEEKEND, 11:00 AM Fauquier FISH Canned Food Drive 4TH, EVERY FRIDAY, 6:00 PM Locals Night Pot Luck & Game Night

AWARDED

AWARDED MORE MEDALS THAN ANYMORE OTHER WINERY

MEDALS Pearmund Cellars made one-third of the Daily 10am - 6pm gold medal-winning wines of theCellars state’s 275 wineries.

Pearmund made 1/3 of the gold medal THAN ANY 6190 Georgetown Rd Broad VA 21037 OTHER winning wines of 275 wineriesRun,in the state.

6190 Georgetown Road | Broad Run, Virginia 21037 WINERY 540.347.3475 pearmundcellars.com Awarded more |medals other winery.

540.347.3475 | pearmundcellars.com Open Dailythan 10a - any 6p

AWARDED

MORE MEDALS

THAN ANY OTHER

WINERY

VINT HILL CRAFT WINERY We are located at “The Listening Post” (aka, Monitoring Station

#1) on one of the nation’s most covert Army bases. Our building Daily 10am - 6pm originally served as a dairy barn for more than 100 years before

becoming a secret Army post. Cold War history and boutique craft

wines are served here 6190 Georgetown Rdevery weekend. Our 100-barrel capacity allows us to produce small quantities of a wide variety of vintages – thereVA is always something new and unique on the tasting menu!

Broad Run, 21037 VINT HILL CRAFT WINERY

7150 Lineweaver Road 540.347.3475 Vint Hill, Virginia 20187 540.351.0000 pearmundcellars.com

vinthillcraftwinery.com

5TH Horseback Riding

TASTING ROOM Fridays 11am - 7pm Saturdays & Sundays 11am-6pm Federal Holiday Mondays 11-6pm

5TH, 1 PM Reserve Tasting of Special Wines 6TH, 9 AM Horseback Riding 6TH, 10 AM Sparkling Sundays 11TH Devin Thistle live

Pearmund Cellars made 1/3 of the gold medal winning wines of 275 wineries in the state.

Awarded more medals than any other winery.

Stay in the heart of Northern Fauquier wine country

12TH, NOON Jimm Lee rocks the BOWhouse!

12TH, 1 PM Reserve Tasting 18TH, 5 PM Ryan Jewell: Acoustic Country 19TH 2nd Annual Fall Vineyards & Forest Hike 20TH Live Music with Leon Rector

3310 Freezeland Road • Linden, Va 22642 540-636-6777 • foxmeadowwinery.com

27TH The Amazing Robbie Limon solo

5024 LEEDS MANOR ROAD | HUME,VA 22639 VINEYARDSCROSSING.COM | 540-364-2466 38 | November 2016

Monday - Friday 11 am - 5 pm Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 6 pm Old Town Crier

EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI

Act the Part!

Winemaker of the Year

A

t the Loudoun Wine Awards last month, some of us were recognized for our efforts in the local wine industry. Bonnie Archer is the tireless co-owner of Zephaniah Vineyards and was acknowledged for her hospitality and leadership in the tasting room. Quintin Garcia, my compadre, learned vineyard management from me many years ago and was recognized for his efforts at Sunset Hills Vineyard as well as the many other vines he has touched over the years. As for me, the acknowledgement was because my feet are big enough that I can float on top of the grapes rather than sink.

Seriously, I could give a big shout out to those that voted to bestow this honor on me, but I prefer to give a nod to those that worked to build us up to where we are today. It all starts in the vineyard with the workers learning and working to give attention to each vine from the day it is planted, continuing through the training and on to working each vintage to help that vine produce the best it can. The key is the leadership from my foremen to keep consistency from the team even as the vines don’t all grow the same way.

We make a plan for a wine long before we harvest the grapes. I sit with Sevi, Meaghan and Ben to review the types and quantities of grapes coming in, and we make the processing plan for each to turn them into the wines we are looking to make. The execution of that plan happens with specific timing as the wine progresses from the grape, through fermentation and on into aging. As we begin blending our wines, I work to use the vision of what these wines should be in the future. I also work to share this vision so Old Town Crier

my team sees what I see, but also they can develop their own ability to see the wine future. Finally the tasting room staff, or front of house, continues to work to present our wines in a way that shows them as the unique and stylistic wines that they are. I share my thoughts with the team on how and why we made what we did. They pass that knowledge and vision on to our customers in a welcoming and hospitable way.

I have realized that being awarded Winemaker of the Year for Loudoun County is really about leadership.

Winemaking has always been a group effort. Even as a home winemaker, I built a great team for picking, crushing and bottling. But I have worked over the years to build a region in northern Virginia of vineyards and wineries as well. As a consultant, I have helped numerous vineyards get planted and wineries open their doors.

But reaching beyond that has been encouraging the other farmers to expand their products, niche farming, other rural businesses and constant collaboration to feed each other’s businesses.

So with our other rural businesses thriving and more on the way, are we creating a community where “Live, Work and Play” is possible?

Certainly many folks will live in the country and travel into the cities to work. That won’t change, but the effort to create agriculture based jobs and businesses in the rural areas make this land productive and valuable for generations to come. Helping people see that, promoting governmental policy to encourage that and enjoying our accomplishments in this culture shift is what I have been tasked to do. As an industry leader, this all seems to fit well for the greater

good. We may not get filthy rich from what we do, but life is good, the bills usually get paid and we have some pretty terrific views from the office. We even get some great

recognition every once in a while.

Doug is the proprietor and winemaker of Fabbioli Cellars in Loudoun County and has

been penning this column for several years. He has been instrumental in the success of many of the Commonwealth’s vineyards and wineries.

n THREE FOX VINEYARDS NOVEMBER EVENTS n

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Tasting Room Hours - Open Year Round Thursday-Saturday, & Monday 11-5 pm • Sunday 12 pm (noon)- 5 pm

Mention or bring this ad for a complimentary tasting for two through 12/23/2010 10100 Three Fox Ln. • Delaplane, VA • 540-364-6073

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November 2016 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

W

ith fall comes brisk mornings, followed by cooler days, not to mention the beautiful foliage and delicious fall foods. Now is the time to get that workout into your schedule so that it becomes part of your routine before things get hectic for the holidays. Here are just a few reasons why you should use this fall to make fitness part of your life.

Enjoy the year’s most beautiful season.

Its time for the weather to cool off and for the leaves to

Fall & Fitness change into their fall colors Get outside and enjoy the season by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, and playing golf and tennis. Explore parks in your area; find a new bike path through the woods, take a walk around a lake. The time spent out in nature will do as much good for your mind as for your body.

Get back to the club.

As I have said before, it takes 30 days to make a habit, and supplementing your outdoor activities with a regular gym workout will help keep you on track. While

cardio exercise is good for your heart, it is important to add some resistance training to your program as well. If you are looking for something new, sign up with a personal trainer for a few sessions and have them come up with a new program for you. This is especially a good idea if you are looking for a program specifically suited to help you improve your running or hiking.

Take advantage of what fall has to offer.

Fall makes me think of

Practice yoga.

apple picking.

Turns out that this awesome fruit has incredible health benefits.

Apples contain pectin, which has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and can help with managing diabetes. The antioxidants found in apples have been found to lower the risk for asthma and lung cancer. In addition to that apples also provide us with a bout 8mg or vitamin C. This is not a sufficient amount, but considering that every bit counts and cold season is around the corner we’ll take what we can get. With that being said, head out to the nearest orchard this weekend for some apple picking!

Make your workouts social.

Nothing kills a workout routine faster than boredom.

Find a friend and use your 40-minute walk to catch up with each other. If you have a workout partner who you know is going to meet with you then you are more likely to stick with it. If that doesn’t seem to fit into you or your friend’s schedule, get a trainer. A trainer will help to motivate you to want to come in and workout, and also hold you accountable for reaching your fitness goals. It’s a good way to get back in the workout groove.

40 | November 2016

The first time I ever did yoga, I thought to myself, “This is crazy.” It seemed so slow, no sweating (well not really), no breathing hard, just what was the point of these excruciatingly slow exercises? I kept doing it and I actually started to enjoy it once I allowed myself to relax and do something gentle for a change. The very things I hated at first became the things I appreciated most having a gentle, slow activity that was more about feeling good than pushing myself to the limit. Yoga is the perfect way to balance out your routine, especially if your workouts are heavy on the cardio and strength, light on the flexibility and relaxation.

A well-rounded program touches on all different areas of fitness — pushing hard as well as pulling back. If you haven’t tried yoga I strongly recommend heading into your local health club or nearest yoga studio to check it out.

Take these fitness ideas and put them to some good use.

Get outside for a hike and some apple picking, run with a friend, try a workout with a trainer and do some yoga.

All of these should help you to build a good foundation for your fall fitness routine.

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

❶

T

his month’s exercise is the FitBall Leg Curl. This exercise focuses on the hamstrings, but also involves the glutes, low-back, and spinal extensor muscles. Begin by lying flat on your back with your legs straight. Position the center of the FitBall underneath your heels. Lift the hips up by contracting your glutes and low-back. You should form a straight line from your shoulders to the feet. Arms can be parallel at your sides or out perpendicular (like a “T”) for better balance. This is the start and finish position.

FITBALL LEG CURL Slowly roll the FitBall toward yourself using your hamstrings while maintaining the bridge position. Do not let your hips drop during the exercise. Keep the movement controlled as you roll the ball back to the start position. The slower you go, the more difficult the exercise.

An advanced move is to perform this exercise with a single leg. From the bridge position, lift one foot off the FitBall a few inches while the other leg does all the work! This simple maneuver takes much more effort and focus. You will appreciate how much balance is required even though you are lying down!

I hope you are keeping up with your exercise routine going into the holiday season, will make it a lot easier to justify eating your way through Thanksgiving! Have a good one.

Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Old Town Crier

❷

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November 2016 | 41

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

Go Fish columnist Steve Chaconas with his Small Mouth Bass

My Fly Is Open

T

he best thing about an annual fishing trip is that it takes place every year. After fishing 200 days a year on the Potomac River, venturing to new water is always exciting and a new challenge.

The Upper James River winds its way through southwest Virginia, within a few minutes of Lynchburg. Several institutes of higher learning are in the area: Liberty University, Randolph Macon, Lynchburg. River guide Capt. Matt Miles says it’s because smart people come to Lynchburg.

The mighty James begins its majestic journey in Botetourt County, winding through the

Bassing IN NOVEMBER POTOMAC RIVER

One of the best times for crankbaits. Mann’s Baby 1-Minus covers shallow water with wood or grass remnants.

To go a bit deeper, try Lucky Craft 1.5 crankbaits. Shad patterns in clear water and craw in stained. Find hard cover like riprap, as it gets a bit warmer on sunny days. Also try lipless cranks like Lucky Craft LVR D-7 to crawl along gravel

42 | November 2016

Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. The pristine beauty of the river is accessible through the Upper James River Water Trail. Paddlers, anglers and families can commune with nature and enjoy the sights and sounds of 45 miles of the Upper James, including 14 miles designated as a Virginia Scenic River. The Upper James River Water Trail provides spectacular mountain views.

This is my one time of the year to whip out my fly rod. Forgetting all I know about my bass fishing routine with spinning and bait casting GO FISH > PAGE 44

bottoms or to find isolated grass clumps. For moving lures, I like GAMMA 12-pound Edge fluorocarbon line.

One of my favorites this time of year is the Lucky Craft Pointer 78, Gold, clown and baitfish patterns. Develop a cadence including pause length to trigger bites.

Mizmo tubes on Mustad 3/0 Mega Bite hooks and 3/16-ounce weights can be pitched to visible cover. Using Maui Jim HT lenses helps locate isolated cover. Carolina rigs with GAMMA Torque braid and Edge leaders cover large areas. Slowly drag green pumpkin Mann’s HardNose lizards with pauses. Soaking in Jack’s Juice Bait Spray will keep fish holding on longer.

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SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

2016: A Year for Making Room

2016

is finally winding down and what a year it’s been!

I like November for the opportunity to look back at what’s happened so I can start to plan my new year with new wishes, dreams and goals. I say thanks for what’s come along in the year to teach me to be a more loving person.

I say good riddance to some learning opportunities that I’m glad are over (can you say presidential election politics?)

This year has taught me that I’m stronger than I thought.

Some of you may know that my husband, two dogs and I moved across the country to sunny Tucson at the end of the summer. (I highly recommend Tucson but not necessarily during monsoon season!) That process taught me so much about trust. At least once a week leading up to the move I panicked – afraid of making a huge mistake by leaving everything I’ve known for the past 50 years to start over again in a foreign territory. Hindsight being what it is – I couldn’t be happier with the move and even with the hiccups along the way, I’m still certain that following my inner knowing and not my ego’s fears pointed me in the right direction.

Personally, it’s easy to see that 2016 was a year of letting go, breaking down and starting over, but you’ve probably had a share of that too. 2016 was a universal 9 year in numerology. That means everyone in the entire world has dealt with some

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level of loss, breaking down and big change. Depending on what your personal year was it may have been more or less profound. No doubt you mourned along with the world at the loss of some major icons of movies, TV and music. Go ahead google “celebrity deaths in 2016” and take a gander.

It’s not all about celebrities though; in “9” years we tend to face personal losses on a greater scale – this year my friends have lost parents, siblings, jobs, grandparents and beloved pets. They moved across the country or around the world and they quit jobs and sold businesses that they thought they’d keep forever. Yes. I agree these things happen every year but not with the intensity that’s happened this year. If you’ve managed to make it through the year without a major upheaval in or around your life, I’d love to talk!

As we go from October to January we’re in a veil period as we transition out of the year of 9 to the year of 1. This is the perfect time to look back on what’s come to a head. When you are in a personal Nine year it is a great time to review the previous 9 years and what’s been completed that you set in motion in 2007. In a Universal 9 year you may want to reflect on how your world has grown, expanded or changed from 2007 to today. This can be the world around you in your community and your family as well as the world and planet at large. What experiences have you had as a member of society that have changed your view?

Before the New Year begins, give yourself a couple of months to reflect on what you may be holding onto that no longer serves you.

Are you dealing with a toxic relationship or two because you look nostalgically at how it was in the beginning? Did you know you were outgrowing your job as long ago as 2007 but are holding because of a fear of not being certain about what comes next?

Whether you’re holding tight to a relationship, wardrobe, career or even dream that no longer serves you, see if you can give yourself permission to let it go before the year comes to an end. When you create space you’re more likely to bring inn what you want in your life than if you try to cram it in with everything else taking up mental, emotional

The

and spiritual bandwidth.

Clear your shelves of books that don’t serve you any longer! Turn down dates that you would normally accept just “because” and let go of limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck in a rut!

These are your opportunities in a 9 year!

As you prepare to enter into a Universal 1 year, make sure there is plenty of room to begin a new cycle of life experiences. You’ll notice the world around you going in new and perhaps perplexing direction — but trust that the gift of the coming year is a world-wide opportunity to see the world with new eyes. As a member of the world during Universal 1 year, you are asked to be open to change and go forth for the good of all! Open your mind to new ways of being and see what happens.

Just a quick reminder your personal year may be different from the Universal year. To find your personal year add together the month and day of your birthday with the year 2017 and reduce it to a single digit. For instance if your birthday is July 7, your incoming personal year will be 7 + 7 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 7 = 24.

To reduce 24 you will add 2 + 4 = 6. Six (6) will be the personal number in 2017 for someone born on July 7.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, take time to let the past go gently so you can make room for the new!

Peggie Arvidson is a mentor who uses ancient and modern tools to help people clear blocks that keep them stuck so they can truly live in prosperity, joy, and peace.

Pragmatic Palmist PEGGIE ARVIDSON

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November 2016 | 43

DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30

here. The crawfish is sautéed with Tasso ham, garlic, spring onions and Cajun spices. She is a bit of a Cajun snob and thought that the sauce had more of a barbeque taste than a spicy creole but that it was very pleasant in any event. The red beans and rice were pretty much spot on. All in all it was a good choice and she said she would order it again.

Desserts were in order even though we were all pretty full. We opted for the pecan pie and the Creole bread pudding. Both were very tasty and easy to share. That would have been enough but I couldn’t resist ordering the Cajun Nightgown! While it is actually an “adult” beverage, I’m not going to tell you what it is comprised of….you have to go to RT’s and see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

While I could rattle off everything that is offered on the menu (you can check the whole gamut by logging on to their website), I think touching on the highlights is best. The prices at RT’s are pretty reasonable - $22+- range - and the selection covers all of the bases.

Clearly they specialize in the Cajun/Creole but there are substantial offerings for the “meat and potato” lovers out there.

The most popular items at RT’s have always been their She Crab Soup, Creole Alligator Stew, Red Seafood Chowder and Chicken and “Comeaux” Andouille Gumbo. Available by the cup or bowl, these are perfect for the chilly GO FISH FROM PG 42

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tackle, I rearrange the fishing part of my brain (pretty much my entire brain) and focus on a totally different angling device. Fly-fishing is all about mechanics. Rods, line and angler must work in unison otherwise the very light lures cannot be delivered to strike zones. For late summer on the Upper James, light high floating surface lures must be presented into crystal clear water only about 2 feet deep.

Fortunately for me, casts only need to travel about 30 feet.

Casting is key. Here’s the catch. You don’t cast lures, you cast line. Fly line is heavier in order to carry the light lure back out of the water and then forward to the fish. A clear GAMMA Frog Hair leader is connected to the fly line and tied to the lure. If the lure isn’t where the fish are, there’s no chance of catching one. The back cast is a gentle backward motion beginning with lifting the line with the rod, easing it backward and with line fully extended behind the angler, a forward motion propels lures to the fish. Just when I think I have it figured out, Capt. Matt crosses over to the other side of the river where I have to backhand the cast to avoid hooking him.

My only piece of advice, never hook the guide.

Once a fish bites, a hookset is achieved by pulling the line with your line hand and holding the line against the rod with your rod hand. To clarify, if you are right handed, your right hand is your rod hand and your left is the line hand. Once the hook is set, the rod hand locks the line against the rod and the line hand strips (that’s fly talk for pulling line) line until the fish is at the boat. The reel is pretty much just for line storage unless the fish makes long runs. Sounds simple enough.

Standing for 8 hours as the small but comfortable boat glides down the water allows for an observational advantage. Floodwater remnants still dangle from overhanging trees,

days ahead.

The wine list is sufficient and has something for everyone at reasonable prices. We opted for a Horton Viogner since we are big Virginia wine supporters. It fit the bill. They have a fun specialty cocktail list and plenty of beer selections to satisfy those palettes. The bar is extensive and they have Happy Hour every day (not just Monday through Friday) from 4-7:00 pm - cocktail and food specials daily!

As I mentioned before, RT’s is a neighborhood style restaurant…nothing pretentious; just, as they say,”It is all about the food.” They serve an excellent lunch in the $14 range and serve special cocktails at the bar by Mark and Kat. To continue with the early history, after RT’s had been opened for a few years, Davis returned to his roots and bought The Wharf and the Warehouse Restaurants in Old Town which he also ran successfully for a number of years. One of the first things he did was incorporate some of his popular dishes at RT’s and they remain today. Last February, Davis sold his Old Town restaurants and began to work closely with his son Matt, as they plan to up tick RT’s a bit and begin work on new menu additions.

What began as a thought and a project by one of Alexandria’s pioneer restaurateurs is now the go-to place on upper Mount Vernon Avenue. Swing by for a drink, lunch or a great Cajun experience. looking like nature’s clotheslines. Unspoiled scenery with river rock etched by billions of gallons of flowing water is framed with occasional river grass. Birds of prey announce our presence, as they show off their angling skills just downstream of our attempts.

It’s all about small mouth bass fishing.

Catching bronze acrobats in close quarters is an adrenaline rush. In an instant, the cast results in a slight splashdown and then screaming line and a bent rod follows an audible slurp. Hooking and fighting 3-4 pound smallies is incredible.

Controlling the big fish while the boat drifts downstream adds to an already challenging experience. Once landed, a quick photo and release and then the quest renews.

There are other noteworthy challenges, such as not standing on fly line and having it wrap around sandal straps or anything else in the boat. There’s also the new lingo; backing, beadhead, butt section…double haul, double taper, drag…Back Cast, Forward Cast, False Cast, Roll Cast, “S” Cast, and Shooting Line. While the learning curve is a long and winding road, the path to trying something new expands the fishing experience. Even bass anglers could learn a few new things. Learning to cast a bait-casting reel or to pitch, flip or skip will enhance fishing opportunities. Try using your opposite hand. Whatever the “new” experience might bring, grip the 6-weight rod with weight forward floating line and a tapered leader tied to a conehead nymph dropper hopper for a jumping rise with a dead drift over a redd. And, don’t forget, when you come to a fish ladder in the stream, cross it.

Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide and contributing writer for BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.

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FIRST BLUSH DR. DALE ISAACSON & DR. MARILYN BERZIN

Five Fall Fundamentals

O

ut with the old, in with the new — skincare regimen, that is. What worked for warm, summer days you spent at the beach, could cause major damage to your skin in the bitter winter months. The combination of salt water from beaches, chlorine in pool water and overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to dry, damaged skin.

The humidity in the summer months tends to cause more oil production which means you need oil-free cleansers and moisturizers in the fall. During the cooler months, there is less humidity triggering our natural oil production ultimately putting your skin in danger.”

It’s time to put away your summer skin products and fall into these five skincare tips.

Cream Cleansers

Although gel based cleansers may have “done the trick” in the summer, they can cause your skin to flake and dry-out in the colder months.

We highly recommend tossing

the gel-based cleansers and purchasing thicker cream products. Cream-based products pack in moisture to protect you from the dreaded winter cold. Fragrancefree cream cleansers that have Vitamin C are ideal for protecting and moisturizing sensitive and dry skin.

Vitamin E-based Lotions

You may have taken cooler showers in the summer to beat the heat, however, in the winter hot showers may be your guilty pleasure.

Unfortunately, the hotter the water temperature, the drier your skin may become.

Although it keeps you warmer before stepping into the fierce winter cold, it might be best to lower the water temperature to save your skin the trouble. After your shower try using Vitamin E based lotions and make sure you are moisturizing your skin daily to prevent flaking or drying out.

Oil-based Facial Scrubs

For years people have been marketing oil-free facial

cleansers and scrubs.

Many beauty companies have opposed oil-based cleansers due to clogging pores, etc. However, purchasing an oil based facial scrub for the cooler months can help naturally protect and heal your skin while keeping it moisturized. Some of the best fall/winter scrubs for drier skin are made of thick/ greasier oils like coconut, olive oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil. These oils are very rich in Vitamins A, D, E & K, known for moisture and healthy hydration.

Hydrate

Managing your skin also includes preventing your lips from chapping and cracking due to harsh winds. Although

Petroleum Jelly may be the easiest to find in local drug stores like CVS, petroleum provides a false sense of hydration and can often irritate the skin if used too frequently. This season, a beeswax based lip balm will work wonders on your lips in hydrating and making them softer.

Sun Protection

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure.

During the winter, snow reflects up to 80% of UV ray light from the sun exposing us to harmful rays.

Sunscreen is not just a summer staple. Using sunscreen during the colder months can protect your face from this winter’s weather.

Sunscreen facial moisturizers can keep your face hydrated and nourished and prevents skin irritations. Also try using sunscreen products with glycerin or lanolin to pack in the moisture.

Follow these five fall skincare tips closely to keep your skin feeling refreshed, hydrated and beautiful as the leaves change!

Drs. Isaacson and Berzin are fondly referred to as the “DC Derm Docs.”

Experience the Difference IT’S OUR 5 YE ANNIVERAR SARY!

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Product of the Month Arabica Coffee Scrub by artnaturals, $18 from artnaturals.com What It Does Dead Sea salts combine with Kona coffee, shea butter and sweet almond oils to create a scrub for the reduction of cellulite and deep exfoliation.

Caffeine in coffee is a rich source of antioxidants which fight the free

radical process. A powerful aid for improving the appearance of age spots, acne, rosacea, varicose veins and eczema.

Our Thoughts We used Arabica Coffee Scrub for a month and have to say that it pretty much lived up to the hype other than none of us were sure that it really did much for our cellulite However, we only used it for a short time. Our skin did feel fabulous after use and the coffee scent was uplifting in the morning!

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November 2016 | 45

OPEN SPACE LORI WELCH BROWN

S

ince we last spoke, my husband XXL and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.

And, they said we’d never make it! I turned the big 5-0. And, they said I’d never make it! To commemorate both these extraordinary accomplishments, we spent two weeks in la bella Italia — which tops the charts at #1 on my bucket list. All of these events are the stuff of life — my perfect life, aka la vita perfetta.

My cup over-floweth. I skipped right over grande life and said “Supersize me, please. Make mine a Venti!’ (Interestingly enough, there are no Starbucks in Italy). Anyhow, XXL with his exquisite Adonis-like body, even temperament, and perfectly aligned, brilliant white sparking smile and I (with my perfectly coiffed hair, effortless grace and poise, perfectly small waist, not to mention happy disposition and constant smile) decided to whisk our perfect selves away for a perfect vacation.

We packed our designer luggage, climbed into the back of our shiny black chauffeurdriven sedan, said goodbye to our perfectly behaved furbaby children, and waved arrivederci as we pulled away from our beautifully-appointed waterfront mansion on our quiet cul-de-sac. I know what you’re thinking — Italy was an odd choice for us, right?

I mean, really. Every day is a vacation for my beloved and I — we are like a page from a Harlequin romance or like Brangelina, the good years (circa People 2004).

Whew. I’m exhausted, but my Facebook life is off the charts. That picture of me delicately sipping a flute of 46 | November 2016

La Vita Perfetta Prosecco in front of the Trevi fountain got 98 likes. That’s what it’s all about, right? My life looks ‘perfect’ as far as social media is concerned.

Well, maybe not as perfect as Alicia’s who has the PERFECT husband. XXL is pretty darned close to perfect except for those Trump posts and political rants (Note to self: post pics of those roses XXL sent you last year. Or was that two years ago?). Or maybe Linda with her beautiful home and meticulous yard, with not one, but two fire pits! (Note to self: ask XXL to scoop dog poo so you can post pic of pumpkin on porch before it decays). Or maybe Annie who has the perfect career and appears to be just raking in the business over there. Where is she putting all that money?! Clearly into her hair which is frickin’ amazing. I mean really. I haven’t had my roots done

in months. And, then there’s Susan with that phenomenal body — look at those biceps.

Are they Photoshopped? Is there a surgery to tighten those? (Note to self: make appointment with personal trainer and buy baseball cap to cover roots. Take selfies that convey athleticism — wrist only shots). OMG. Is that a picture of Brooke with yet another frickin’ marathon medallion? Look at those legs!

Once this arthritis loosens up a bit, I’ll lace up and head out!

In the meantime, I’ll post a pic of my new Saucony treads.

It is fun to be a voyeur.

Not gonna lie. You perfect people are perfectly enviable, except for those of you who don’t comprehend that social media is for boasting about your perfect life so please stop posting about your lost jobs, bad hair days and relationship issues. It is such a downer.

If you don’t have anything

glowing to report, post a picture of what you’re eating, for God’s sake.

Facebook may have given me a skewed perspective of what I imagine your life to be, but my idea of a perfect life hasn’t really changed. It is the life you live on vacation — sans the AMEX bill and jet lag. I’m not just talking about day drinking either.

I’m talking about unplugging, relaxing, and realizing that the fact that you are living, breathing and have people who love you is about as perfect as it gets. Facebook be damned. Whatever my real life is — rest assured that in between the passports and Prosecco, there are long lines at DMV, hairballs on carpets, cramps, misunderstandings with XXL, flat tires, aching joints and late fees. Yes, it was just weeks ago that I was sitting outside an idyllic cafe in Florence sipping

my afternoon Espresso and contemplating whether it was too early for a glass of wine (it’s never too early when you’re on vacation). I decided not to post anything about the heated conversation I had with a hotel concierge who wasn’t quite grasping the concept of customer service (warning — don’t call me in the middle of a hot flash).

Nor did I post a picture of the very large vein that popped out of the left side of my head when XXL questioned me for the 38th time about where our driver for the evening was picking us up. You would have been too distracted by my tent-like shirt expertly selected to disguise the Texassize bloat that beseeched my body when my friend Matt Menopause went on vacation the same time I did and invited Aunt Flo for a visit. La vita perfetta.

Hot flashes and cramps aside, my life is pretty frickin’ perfect. I’m not even going to feel guilty about it, but I also don’t want to brag because I’m old enough to know it can change with one phone call.

I’m convinced that God gave us vacations to remind us to throw open the windows, inhale deeply, smile with your whole body and enjoy the hell out of the days that no one is in ICU or awaiting the results of a biopsy. Seriously.

Enjoy these moments — even the ones without the idyllic view, tan lines and cocktail umbrellas. Gratefully embrace your imperfection, but go ahead and post that picture of your steamed broccoli before the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie gets cold.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Let Us Give Thanks!

E

very November I The photo of General find it harder and Dwight D. Eisenhower is harder to stick to a one of many of the bronze theme for this column statues that grace American that doesn’t involve Way. He stands very near talking about the Christmas “Rosie the Riveter” that I holidays. Every year it seems wrote about last month! He

BY LANI GERING like the holiday “stuff ” is on is a good reminder that we display in stores even before need to take some time this Halloween is over as is the month to thank those who serve our country. There are several case as I write this on October 28.

I took a stroll along American Way a restaurants in the Harbor that are couple of days ago and took the photos offering special rates and/or free meals to any active member of the military. that appear here and promised myself Also along American Way are the that, other than a calendar listing for new clay pots surrounding the tree the tree lightings, I wouldn’t touch on any holidays other than Veterans Day wells. This is a very nice addition to and Thanksgiving. the local scenery. Planted to the brim

with assorted pansies, they really do stand out. Many of the storefronts and display windows are decked in fall finery. My favorite window is the one at Stonewall Kitchen. I just love that store! Speaking of which, please see the calendar listing for their Thanksgiving Prep event. They are having a free drawing for a $100 gift basket that day — be sure to drop in and fill out an entry form.

November is also a good time to take a deep breath and treat yourself to a nice dinner and a casual walk along the waterfront as well as American Way before you dive in to the Christmas holiday hullabaloo. If you don’t feel like cooking Thanksgiving

dinner, check out the offerings at Old Hickory and the Pienza in the Gaylord Hotel. You won’t be disappointed.

It will really be crazy over here come December 8 when the much anticipated opening of the MGM Grand Resort and Casino takes place.

This will really add another dimension to the Harbor. There is already plenty of conversation about how its opening is going to affect the traffic pattern around this joint! Stay tuned for more information about the MGM in upcoming issues.

Thank the men and women you encounter in uniform for their service, count your blessings this Thanksgiving and be kind to one another!

NATIONAL HARBOR NOVEMBER EVENTS

Visit NationalHarbor.com for more information and holiday itineraries SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS THRU NOVEMBER 13 Farmers Market American Way 10 am - 5 pm Miller Farms Farmer’s Market returns to National Harbor with their wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, beautiful flowers and plants including poinsettia, and much more holiday fare.

SATURDAYS THRU DECEMBER 17 Holiday Performances On the Plaza, 1 pm, FREE! Musical entertainment provided by area musicians and groups.

HARBOR HOLIDAY MOVIES 2 pm, FREE! Holiday movies on Saturday afternoons!

Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining

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establishments, and meet us at the Plaza screen for a FREE afternoon of fun for all ages! Film runs “snow” or shine!

13th: Prancer 19th: The Santa Clause 26th: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 13TH STONEWALL KITCHEN THANKSGIVING PREP 170 American Way Noon - 3 pm Stop in and enjoy special samples and tips to inspire the perfect Thanksgiving meal. Enter to win a chance at a Thanksgiving gift basket with a retail value of over $100!

NATIONAL HARBOR TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY On the Plaza, Noon Enjoy live music, card-making for troops, street performers, Santa, fireworks, and more! Bring a non-perishable food item

to fill the DarCars trucks for the Capital Area Food Bank.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 10 am - 2 pm The Capital Wheel giveaway: 1 ticket per car parked in our three garages 12 pm Marine band performance, Plaza stage 2 pm - 4 pm Card making for deployed troops, East Pier Tent 3 pm - 5 pm Santa at The Black Dog 4 pm - 5 pm Victorian carolers, roaming 5 pm Santa at the Carousel 5:30 pm Holiday band performance: Radio King Orchestra 6:30 pm Tree lighting ceremony starts 7 pm Tree lighting

7:05 pm Fireworks 7:30 pm Santa at the Capital Wheel 19TH CHRISTMAS ON THE POTOMAC OPENS, GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT ATRIUM 6 & 8 pm Very Merry Atrium Show

lights all centered around the resort’s 55foot suspended Christmas tree.

ICE! Returns with a “Christmas Around the World” theme this year. Please check the website for all details and times (as well as the ad in this section).

ChristmasOnThePotomac.com

7 & 9 pm Rock’n Around the Starlight Tree Two free nightly laser fountain shows during its Christmas on the Potomac celebration. Guests can enjoy classic Christmas melodies, leaping water fountains, colorful laser lights and a magical indoor snowfall during the resort’s Very Merry Atrium show.

The hotel also offers a more contemporary Christmas show, Rock’n Around the Starlight Tree Atrium Show, with 60-feet high water jets, indoor snowfall and a kaleidoscope of laser

November 2016 | 47

Experience the Holidays at the Capital of Christmas Just Across the River At Gaylord National Resort Starting November 19, 2016 ICE! Featuring Christmas Around the World Enjoy more than TWO MILLION pounds of hand-carved colorful ice sculptures kept at a chilly 9 degrees as you celebrate cultural holiday traditions from the United Kingdom, Germany and more!

Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends Breakfast is served! This one-of-a-kind, interactive character breakfast includes a delicious breakfast buffet with Peanuts-themed dishes. Hang out with the Peanuts gang when you enjoy tableside visits from Lucy and Charlie Brown.

Cookies with Mrs. Claus Join Mrs. Claus and enjoy milk and cookies as she reads a classic Christmas Story. Kids get to take home a special book autographed by Santa’s favorite lady.

Gingerbread Decorating Corner Gather your family and friends for one of the most delicious holiday traditions around! Enjoy fun for all ages with this fun, sticky interactive holiday tradition!

Choose from a traditional house, Santa’s sleigh or even decorate your own ugly sweater cookie.

Cask & Cocoa: International Wine Pairing Chocolate and wine lovers can experience the best of both worlds during this unique interactive tasting experience.

Chocolate and Mint Seasonal Spa Treatment Celebrate the holiday season with our decadent Mint Chocolate & Mistletoe seasonal treatment.

www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com

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CMYK

| (301) 965-4000

ICE! PRESENTED BY

Located in National Harbor, Maryland, minutes from Old Town Alexandria and D.C.

ICE! PRESENTED BY

*Events and activities listed may involve additional fees and subject to change without notice. Reservations recommended. FUJIFILM and INSTAX are trademarks of FUJIFILM Corporation and its affiliates. ©2016 FUJIFILM North America Corporation. All rights reserved. PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. Peanuts © 2016 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. PEPSI_H1_NB_MEDIUM_4C (FOR USE 1.5" TO 4") CMYK

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NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE AC LOUNGE 156 Waterfront St. 301-749-2299

FIORELLA PIZZERIA E CAFFE 152 National Plaza 301-839-1811

BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445

GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788

BREWS & BITES Capitol Wheel Pier 301-749-1300

GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY 200 American Way 240-493-3900

BROTHER JIMMY’S BBQ 177 Fleet Street 301-909-8860 CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL 158 National Plaza 301-749-2016 CRAB CAKE CAFE 140 National Plaza 240-766-2063 ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014

McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com

10/20/16 4:44 PM

OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com

Potomac RiveRboat comPany

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SightSeeing – Private CharterS – Water taxiS

PIENZA ITALIAN MARKET Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS 146 National Plaza 301-686-1160 PUBLIC HOUSE 199 Fleet Street 240-493-6120 publichousenationalharbor. com

alexandria – national harbor Water taxi

National Harbor is a waterfront destination across from Alexandria. Round-trip and One-way service provided.

Enjoy our nation’s monuments and historic landmarks on a narrated cruise between Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown Washington D.C.

FALL HOURS NOW IN EFFECT!

REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330 ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640

NANDO’S PERI-PERI 191 American Way 301-567-8900

THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022

NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com

WALRUS OYSTER & ALE HOUSE 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100

george WaShington’S mount veRnon by wateR cRuise Arrive by boat and spend the afternoon exploring the 45-acre estate, grounds, Museum and Education Center.

Water taxi to the national Mall

Arrive in style at the National Mall to view the Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and more!

For additional information, visit our ticket booth located in the Alexandria City Marina, behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

703.684.0580 48 | November 2016

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Old Town Crier

national harbor company store 170 American Way | National Harbor, MD | 301.749.6902

STONEWALLKITCHEN.COM | Like us on Facebook ing and Open Film t r r e o c o Outd ” Con Free awks h t h Nig “The

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2016 The Majestic - Chef Gaby Hakman MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 Vaso’s Mediterranean Bistro - Chef Vaso MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017 Carluccio’s - Chef James Lassiter MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2017 Hank’s Pasta Bar - Chef Nick Flores MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2017 Magnolia’s On King - Chef Andrew Revere Chef demonstration includes a tastingTASTING of each demonstrated CHEF DEMONSTRATION EVENTS dish.

Chef demonstration a tasting of each demonstrated dish.

THE includes PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT!

Register NOW! Advance reservations required. $42 per person | $80 couple | Pick-Any-Three $115 per person $42 perAdvance person | $80 couple required.

Register NOW! reservations Advanced registration required.

Pick-Any-Three $115 percouple person $42 per person | $80 Visit store or call 571-312-8505 to register.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Create a 3-pack $115 per person ®

The Spice & Tea Exchange ® The Spice & Tea Exchange

320All King Street&| Learn Alexandria, VA |held 571-312-8505 | Taste events at The Spice & Tea Exchange

® alexandria@spiceandtea.com

Monday 6 p.m. -| 8alexandria@spiceandtea.com p.m.

320 King Street | Alexandria, VAevenings 22314 | 571-312-8505

The Spice & Tea Exchange®

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Join us as we mark a decade of celebrating independents

November 10-13 AlexFilmFest.com #AlexFilmFest | @AlexFilmFest

Food & Ambience Befitting Its Waterfront Address Sunday Brunch 11A-2P Happy Hour 4-6:30P Tues-Fri Lunch 11A-2P Thurs-Sat Dinner 5-9P Tues-Sun

9030 Lucia Lane Alexandria, Va 22308 703-780-3665 cedarknollva.com Reservations@CedarKnollVA.com Contact Us for Private Event Information

Now Taking Reservations for Thanksgiving Dinner Family-Style Platters Call or Email for Details!