December 2015 Old Town Crier Full Issue

Since 1988 • Priceless

December 2015

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

Road Trip

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA Home for the Holidays!

Business Profile

ALLY & INDY

A Pet Lover’s Paradise Dining Out

CHADWICK’S OF OLD TOWN A Bit of History & A Bite to Eat Grapevine

DRINK NAKED! NAKED MOUNTAIN WINERY Markham, Va

Across the River

NATIONAL HARBOR HOLIDAY FUN

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december ’15 45

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phone: 703. 836.0132 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month.

Worth waiting for!

PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Schultz DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 Chris Anderson Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker Frank Britt Bonnie Browning F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Jimmy Deaton Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan

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

16 A Bit of History After Hours Alexandria Events

8 11 3

Exploring Virginia Wines

38

On the Road

1

6

Open Space

45

First Blush

43

Pets of the Month

17 16

Financial Focus

Art & Antiques

15

Fitness

40

Points on Pets

Behind the Bar

28

From the Bay…

22

Publishers Notes

4

From the Trainer

41

Road Trip

20

Caribbean Connection

18

Gallery Beat

14

Spiritual Renaissance

44

Chefs Special

34

Go Fish

39

The Last Word

13

Civil Discourse

9

Grapevine

36

To the Blue Ridge

25

Dining Guide

32

High Notes

12

Urban Garden

Dining Out

30

National Harbor

46

Virginia Wine Trails

Business Profile

© 2015 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to selected Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas as well as St. John, USVI.

About the cover On the road with OTC The Old Town Crier family wishes you and those you hold dear a safe and happy holiday season and a peaceful 2016.

The Old Town Crier traveled to the Freixenet Winery outside of Barcelona, Spain with, from left to right: Michele Cumberland, Lynne and Jack Rhoades, Marty Yeager and Cathy and "Brad" Bradford.

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.

Old Town Crier

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December 2015 | 1

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PUBLISHER’S NOTES BOB TAGERT

A HOLIDAY

TRADITION

W

ell, here it is the end of another year, which also marks the end of our 28th year publishing the Old Town Crier. It hasn’t always been easy, but it certainly has been interesting. Along the way we have met a lot of people and made some wonderful friends. We have enjoyed bringing you information about the great area in which we live, the interesting personalities we have met, and places to dine and shop. We are most indebted to those of you who advertise with us. Without your support none of this would have been possible. In return, we are here for you.

Doug Coleman continues his examination of the Civil War with a look at how Alexandria took care of the sick and wounded during the war and the Mansion House Hotel, soon to be featured as the setting for the new PBS series Mercy Street.

As is tradition around here, December’s Road Trip is staying home for the holidays, a look at Old Town Alexandria.

Since 1988–Priceless

December 2014

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

Dining Out and Behind the Bar feature Chadwick’s and Union Street Public House bringing it home with two Old Town icons.

Sarah Becker explores steps taken to protect works of art during times of war from the days of Hitler to the Middle East today in her A Bit of History column.

Lori Welch takes on ISIS and the terrorists’ activities with her mind and heart in her Open Space column this wonderful holiday season, and she is right on point. The world may be in disarray, but this is the time of year to promote peace and love. Quite frankly I can’t think of a better time than right here and now.

No matter how you celebrate the holiday season please accept this very sincere wish: Merry Christmas, everybody and a very Happy New Year!

About the photo: Make it a point to go see this year’s production of ICE at the Gaylord — it won’t disappoint!

get your ! monthly fix

Dining Out

MACKIE’S BAR & GRILL New Kid on the Block

Business Profile

KING’S JEWELRY

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Hunter, Fisherman, Songwriter, Musician Road Trip

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN OLD TOWN

VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Holidays

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Old Town Crier

Through December 27 “A Broadway Christmas Carol” at MetroStage Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m.

Friday, 8 p.m.

Saturday, 3 & 8 p.m.

Sunday, 3 & 7 p.m.

MetroStage 201 N. Royal Street 703-548-9044 $50 www.metrostage.org Created by Kathy Feininger and directed

by Michael Sharp, this MetroStage holiday tradition is a delicious cross between the classic Dickens’ tale and uproarious song parodies of 33 Broadway show tune favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim and many more.

Alexandria dec events

Through December 20

Mount Vernon by Candlelight Dec. 4-5, 5-8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20, 5-8 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 $22/adult, $15/child 11 and under www.mountvernon.org Join “Mrs. Washington” as she hosts an

enchanting evening of candlelight tours, fireside caroling and festive treats. Timed tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for children 11 and under. Tickets available October 27th at 10 a.m. at the Ford Orientation Center or at MountVernon.org.

Through January 6 Christmas at Mount Vernon Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon,

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 $18/adult ($17 online) $8/child, 5 and under free www.mountvernon.org Holiday visitors will enjoy themed decorations, chocolate-making demonstrations and 18th-century dancing, plus a rare opportunity to tour the third floor of the Mansion. In 1787, George Washington paid 18 shillings to bring a

camel to Mount Vernon for the enjoyment of his guests. Today, visitors can meet Aladdin the camel on the grounds.

December 4-19 The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s “A Christmas Carol” Thursday-Friday, 8 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday 3 & 6 p.m.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria 600 Wolfe Street 703-683-0496 $15 www.thelittletheatre.com The family-favorite classic by Charles Dickens, equipped with special effects, Victorian carols and Tiny Tim returns to the Little Theatre of Alexandria.

The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Victorian humbug, who travels with ghostly guides through Christmas ALEXANDRIA EVENTS > PAGE 5

Local Farmers Markets Old Town Farmers Market

Market Square • 301 King Street 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 avenues Saturday 8 a.m. - Noon, year round The Del Ray Market is producer grown, with fresh vegetables and fruits in season. All year round, this market offers meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces, Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs, jams and jellies, fancy nuts and bakery goods.

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December 2015 | 3

business profile BOB TAGERT

ally&indy A Pet Lover’s Paradise

Owner Tom Schantz

J

ust as folks are embracing the concept of farm to table with human dining, so is the pet food industry. People are becoming more concerned about what they are feeding their pets. That is one of the

4 | December 2015

a rescued DC cat. ally & indy Although 321 S. WASHINGTON ST Ally is no OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA longer alive, 571-232-8683 I am sure his spirit runs allyandindy.com through reasons the store. that local Indy currently lives with a Alexandrian Tom Schantz neighbor. recently opened his new pet The opening of Ally & Indy store, Ally & Indy Pet Supplies enables Schantz to continue & Wellness Center. Located at his service to his furry friends.

321 South Washington Street Not only does he carry protein in Old Town Alexandria, it rich natural foods but also is a welcome addition to the offers a wellness center for south side of town. dogs and cats.

Schantz has had a life long He and his staff provide love affair with dogs and cats. information on nutrition and In 2002, he started For The how to make your own food.

Love of Dog, a dog walking, There are also upcoming training, sitting and boarding presentations by veterinarians, company for people and their holistic vets and information best friends. Taking it a step about lost dog tracking. further, he also established a Schantz will be giving talks cat sitting service. on basic training, behavioral Schantz began his love training and several other pet of animals when he started concern-based topics. These volunteering at the Humane sessions will be held at 7:30 Society in 1990. Since then on Thursday nights and only he has adopted and rescued run for about 20 minutes with many dogs and cats. a question and answer period The business’s logo is a dog with a cat perched on its back. afterwards. Reservations are required.

The dog is Ally, a rescued Schantz has hand picked huskie and the cat is Indy,

the foods that he sells in the store with a particular interest on locally made foods. For example, his treats come from Woody’s Goodys, which are made in Fairfax. Some of the dog foods are local as well. They carry the Orijen, Welruva and VeRus brands.

They also have World’s Best kitty litter — a personal favorite of our office cat Buddha!

In addition to healthy food and treats, Ally & Indy has a fun selection of pet related inventory including locally handmade cat and dog collars, fun coats for your furry friends and a large selection of special treats that are targeted for what may ail one of your pets. This is a great place to find some one of a kind gifts and stocking stuffers for those furry pals in your lives!

Like the home page of their website says, “ … a pet center with everything from collars to kibble, toys to training, bones to behavioral training, and everything in between.”

Ally & Indy will also be hosting upcoming adoption events along with the weekly seminars mentioned above.

Old Town Crier

ALEXANDRIA EVENTS FROM PAGE 3

past, present and future to find the true meaning of the holidays.

December 4–20 Del Ray Artisans 20th Annual Holiday Market December 4-6 December 11-13 and December 18-20 Fridays, 6 - 9 pm, Saturdays, 11 am - 6 pm, Sundays, 11 am - 6 pm Del Ray Artisans 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-838-4827 Free to browse www.thedelrayartisans.org/holidaymarket Del Ray’s annual Holiday Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists (including pottery/ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts and glass). All artists donate a percentage of their sales back to Del Ray Artisans to help support future programs. Different artists each weekend!

December 4-6 45th Annual Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade Old Town Alexandria 703-549-0111 Free for parade, holiday marketplace and heather & green sales; $110-290/ Taste of Scotland; $35/Designer Tour of Homes; $20-$35/Deck the Halls with Santa www.scottishchristmaswalk.com Don’t miss Old Town Alexandria’s most spectacular holiday weekend. In 1749, the City of Alexandria was officially established by three Scottish merchants and named after its original founder, John Alexander, also of Scottish descent.

Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with a weekend of festivities.

The iconic Scottish Christmas Walk Parade takes place on Saturday, December 5th at 11 a.m., when dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans will parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region, as well as terriers and hounds. More weekend events include a Taste of Scotland (12/4), Heather and Greens sale (12/4 and 12/5), Holiday Marketplace (12/5), the Campagna Center’s Holiday Designer Tour of Homes (12/5), and Deck the Halls with Santa (12/6). The Campagna Center partners with Mazda North America, the Government of Scotland, the St. Andrews Society, and the City of Alexandria to host the annual parade. Consistently ranked by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the South, this event has grown from a small informal parade to an entire weekend filled with events and festivities.

The Art League presents Artfête Open House and Holiday Party Friday, 6-9 p.m.

Holiday Ceramics Sale: Friday, 12-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

Holiday Jewelry Sale: Friday, noon-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Art League’s Madison Annex

Old Town Crier

Alexandria dec events

305 Madison Street 703-683-2323 Free www.theartleague.org The Art League helps kick off the holiday season with an annual art celebration and open house featuring exhibits, live music, artist demonstrations, and refreshments, as well as a weekend-long ceramics and jewelry sale of handmade wares by Art League students and associates.

December 4-23

Alexandria’s Holiday Market Friday-Sunday, December 4-6, 11-13, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Wednesday, December 18-23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday, December 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

John Carlyle Square 300 John Carlyle Street Free www.alexandriaholidaymarket.com While shopping for unique art and craft items for loved ones, at this unique holiday market, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, traditional European food and sweets, wine and beer. Also present will be a children’s corner featuring kids’ activities that help little ones learn more about European traditions and culture.

December 5 16th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 5:30 p.m.

Alexandria’s waterfront at the foot of Cameron Street near the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. 703-746-3301 Admission: Free www.visitalexandriava.com/holidays At sundown on the day of the Scottish Christmas Walk parade, Alexandria’s harbor lights up as dozens of illuminated boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront, led by Alexandria’s fireboat The Vigilant and Washington, DC’s fireboat John Glenn. DC media personality Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM will be the parade announcer. At the marina before and after the parade, stop in to the “Holiday Festival: Take a Walk in the Woods” at the Torpedo Factory Art Center between 4 and 9 p.m. to enjoy musical performances plus gift shopping in open artist studios. Santa will visit the Torpedo Factory until 7 p.m.

A Soldiers’ Christmas at Carlyle House 1 - 4 p.m.

Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax Street

703-549-2997 Free Admission; Suggested Donation $1 carlylehouse.org The “Soldiers’ Christmas” event will feature re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, who will highlight colonial life in Alexandria during the holidays at the time of the American Revolution.

Some of the activities visitors will see include demonstrations of military drill, fife and drum music, gaming, cooking, and more. The Regimental surgeon will be discussing Continental Army medicine and demonstrating 18th-century surgical instruments in the museum. There will be activities and colonial games for children.

The program takes place immediately following the annual Scottish Walk parade in Old Town Alexandria.

Holiday Festival: Take a Walk in the Woods 4 – 9 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union Street 703-838-4565 Free www.torpedofactory.org Give the gift of art this year. The Torpedo Factory Art Center will transform into an enchanted winter forest this December.

During the Holiday Festival, more than 140 artists will keep their studios open late for patrons to find special handmade gifts. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Alexandria Choral Society and the Braddock Brass Quintet will perform seasonal favorites throughout the evening.

Santa will visit and hold court on the 3rd floor until 7 pm. Stop in before and after the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the waterfront to buy one-of-a-kind presents for one-of-a-kind loved ones.

Holiday on the Avenue in Del Ray 6 p.m.

Del Ray Farmers Market at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Oxford Avenue 703-683-2570 Free www.visitdelray.com Discover your holiday spirit with a visit to Del Ray for the annual holiday tree lighting and a special appearance by Santa Claus, who will lead carols and sit for photos with children. The celebration continues with an evening stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of candles called “luminarias.” In the true spirit of the holidays, the community will be collecting items such as canned goods, diapers and towels for the Carpenter’s Homeless Shelter. We also have 12 Christmas Trees along Mt. Vernon Avenue—each one decorated by a local non-profit or business.

The public can vote on their favorite one between Dec. 5 and Christmas day.

Winner receives $500!

December 12 Civil War Christmas in Camp at Fort Ward Noon-4 p.m.

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site 4301 W. Braddock Road 703-746-4848 Suggested donation $2/adult, $1/child apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/ Visitors meet a Civil War-era Santa at this family-fun holiday event exploring how Christmas was observed during the Civil War. The program features living-history interpreters, a Victorian Christmas tree, refreshments, readings of The Night Before Christmas and a patriotic Santa Claus inspired by a Thomas Nast illustration for Harper’s Weekly newspaper. Guided tours of the fort, weather permitting.

December 12 & 13 Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours Saturday, 6-9 p.m., Sunday, 3-6 p.m.

Please allow 1.5 - 2 hours to tour all four sites.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum 134 N. Royal Street Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax Street Lee-Fendall House 614 Oronoco Street The Lloyd House 220 N. Washington Street $25 for adults, $20 for active military and seniors (65 and older), and $5 for children (ages 6-17). shop.alexandriava.gov or 703-746-4242 for tickets Bring three centuries of Holiday Cheer to your celebrations this year! Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours, the city’s premier historic holiday event, blends history, food, and drink through special tastings, seasonal decorations, period music and tours highlighting festive traditions. Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Carlyle House, The Lloyd House and LeeFendall House. Special seasonal libations may be purchased along the tour! Free shuttle service between sites is available.

December 13 Holiday Favorites with the Colonial Handbell Ringers 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.

The Lyceum 201 S. Washington Street 703-746-4994

Free (reservations required) www.alexandriahistory.org The Colonial English Handbell Ringers return with their annual concert at The Lyceum, featuring performers from across the Maryland/D.C./Virginia area clad in colonial attire, bringing a 5-octave set of nearly 80 handbells from the worldfamous Whitechapel foundry in London.

Be our guest at their upcoming “Silver Bells” 25th Anniversary Celebration. Our concert this year features several new exciting holiday pieces, music from around the world, a sing-a-long, classics and showstoppers you are sure to love! We thank you for our 25 years of patronage and support. Identical FREE performances at 2 PM and 4 PM, and seating capacity is limited, so reservations are required.

Donations gratefully accepted.

December 18 & 19 Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon 5:30-9 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 $30/adult, $20/youth www.mountvernon.org Mount Vernon will open its doors for an evening of holiday-themed fireworks and special programs. Before the fireworks show begins at 8:45 p.m., watch colonial artisans make chocolate, meet re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, enjoy cider by a bonfire, and learn 18th century dance moves from costumed guides.

“General and Lady Washington” will be on hand to greet Mount Vernon’s holiday guests, who can learn more about the Washingtons’ Christmas traditions in a tour of the first and second floors of the mansion. Visitors can also look forward to performances by local choirs and musicians playing 18th century tunes, with the evening culminating in a sparkling fireworks display set to holiday music and overlooking the Potomac River.

December 31 21st Annual First Night Alexandria Afternoon activities: 2-5 p.m. including Seventh Annual Fun Hunt Performances: 7 p.m.-midnight; Venues throughout Old Town and one at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Midnight Fireworks: Potomac River at the foot of King Street 703-746-3299 $20/before December 14, $30/after, children 12 and under, active military and volunteers are free! www.firstnightalexandria.org; This annual New Year’s Eve bash takes over Old Town Alexandria with more than 175 performances at 29 indoor venues, with live music, dancing, children’s face painting and games. The afternoon’s Seventh Annual Fun Hunt is accompanied by all-new activities for families and pets. There’s an old fashioned carnival at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray. First Night’s fireworks finale returns with a spectacular display over the Potomac River at midnight.

December 2015 | 5

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

Coping with Market Volatility

G

lobal market volatility ramped up last summer as worries about the tenuous state of the Chinese economy shook virtually all major financial benchmarks, indicating once again how interrelated the world’s economies and investment markets have become.

Widespread uncertainty has not only heightened anxiety among investors, it was also a likely contributor to the Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates near zero when the Central Bank’s decision-makers met in September. Indeed, despite the continued strengthening of the U.S. economy, there are many signs that indicate that this turbulent period for stocks may linger indefinitely.

Five Investing Strategies for a Volatile Market For long-term investors, dealing with volatile markets can be taxing. Here are some points you may want to consider while riding out the storm. None of these should be new to you, but they are

particularly important in a turbulent environment, which is where their true value is realized.

Don’t Panic

When markets become volatile, the gut reaction for most of us is to panic — to buy when everyone else is buying (and when prices are high) — and panic sell on the downside (when prices are depressed). Panic selling also runs the risk of missing the market’s best-performing days. Consider, for example, that missing just the five topperforming days of the 20year period from July 1, 1995, through June 30, 2015, would have cost you $21,780 based on an original investment of $10,000 in the S&P 500.

Missing the top 20 days would have reduced your average annual return from 9.79% to 3.58%.1

Take Advantage of Asset Allocation

During volatile times, riskier asset classes such as stocks tend to fluctuate more, while lower-risk assets such

as bonds or cash tend to be more stable. By allocating your investments among these different asset classes, you can help smooth out the shortterm ups and downs.

Diversify, Diversify, Diversify

In addition to diversifying your portfolio by asset class, you should also diversify by sector, size (market cap), and style (e.g., growth versus value). Why? Because different sectors, sizes, and styles take turns outperforming one another.

By diversifying your holdings according to these parameters, you can potentially smooth out short-term performance fluctuations and mitigate the impact of shifting economic conditions on your portfolio.

Keep a Long-term Perspective

It is all too easy to get caught up in the stock market’s daily roller coaster ride — especially when markets turn choppy. This type of behavior is natural, but can easily lead to bad decisions. History shows that

holding stocks for longer periods has resulted in a much lower chance of losing money. For example, from January 1, 1926, through June 30, 2015, stocks have never had a period of 20 years or longer where returns were negative.1 The lesson here?

Don’t get caught up in dayto-day or even week-to-week variations in stock movements in either direction. Instead, focus on whether your longterm performance objectives, i.e., your average returns over time, are meeting your goals.

Consult with a Financial Advisor

He or she can help you develop a long-term investment strategy and can help you put short-term events in perspective.

No one is certain what impact current drivers of volatility will ultimately have on the economy and financial markets. But as an investor, time may be your best ally.

Consider using it to your advantage by sticking to your plan and focusing on the future.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth 1

Headquartered in Alexandria, VA

serving members nationwide for more than 45 years.

Management Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content. © 2015 Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved. This column is provided through the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community, and is brought to you

by Carl M. Trevisan, a local member of FPA and Stephen M. Bearce.

McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC and their employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any tax-related statements are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, by any such taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Tax-based statements, if any, may have been written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the transaction (s) or matter(s) addressed by these materials, to the extent allowed by applicable law.

Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Securities offered by McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and investment advisory services offered by McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC. or marketing of the transaction (s) or matter(s) addressed by these materials, to the extent allowed by applicable law. Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

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

ChartSource®, Wealth Management Systems Inc. For the periods indicated. Stocks are represented by the total returns of Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks, an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Copyright © 2015, Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Coleman Law Group Attorneys at Law Serving Virginia and DC for over 20 years (703) 739-4200 coleman-lawyers.com

(800) 336.0284 cumail@signaturefcu.org SignatureFCU.org Facebook.com/SignatureFCU Twitter.com/SignatureFCU Federally insured by NCUA Equal Housing Lender

6 | December 2015

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Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN JIMMY DEATON

Take Your Green Thumb Indoors

T

his month we are going to switch things up a bit. Rather than talk about veggies, herbs, microgreens, etc., I want to touch base on houseplants. The winter months can wreak havoc on your inside plants due to the harsh conditions in which they are forced to survive. Let's talk about how to maximize the conditions under which your plants will flourish indoors.

I know many feel that their plants are doing great while others are say “I can’t grow houseplants.” “I kill every one, I don’t have a green thumb.”

Well, by following some very simple guidelines and understanding the needs that each plant has, anyone can be successful.

Most folks, even those that work in nurseries/garden centers, think that plants only need a few things to thrive: light, water and food. However, there are a few other factors that are critical and can take a plant from being a show piece to one headed for the compost pile or garbage can. Those critical factors are humidity levels, proper placement in the home and air movement. So how do all these factors play a part in your success? Let’s take a look.

Old Town Crier

Light

With too little light, your plant will struggle to survive and usually will stretch to the nearest light source to meet its needs; whereas too much light can leave your plant with sun burnt leaves. I grow a majority of my houseplants in the family room on a wire rack with T-5 grow lights. These house my mame bonsai’s, succulents, cacti, and spider plants. Meanwhile next to it are my larger plants that need a lot of light like the lemon tree, bougainvillea bonsai, hens and chicks, black rose succulent, Anjelica, and a tomato plant. These are all illuminated by a 400 watt Metal Halide in a 6500k spectrum. The dining and living rooms have southern exposure and are housing snake plants, Janet Craig, ferns and pothos. All my plants receive the proper amount of lighting required for them to be healthy.

Water

Water plays a big role with a majority of plants usually killed from over watering. Another aspect a lot of folks don’t consider is the chemicals that are in the tap water that most use.

Chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals can harm plants and many are very

sensitive to them. For instance, spider plants are sensitive to fluoride which is found in many municipal water systems and this shows up as brown tips on the leaves. (although brown tips are also a sign that a plant is being over watered which can very well lead to root rot). The best thing one can do is let the water sit out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine evaporate. You can speed up the process by adding a simple air stone attached to an aquarium air pump and bubble the water. This is great since it brings in extra oxygen which the root zone will love. Bottled water is another alternative although this can be costly.

Collected rain water will do wonders for your houseplants and is the best water source you can give them.

Remember it’s better to be on the drier side than to keep your soil too wet.

All my plants are treated in a bonsai manner with my soil which is 50% coco coir or regular potting mix and 50% course grade sand. This allows for quick drainage and more open space for oxygen to enter the root zone. I water most of my plants on Wednesdays and Sundays except my cacti which get water once per week and my bonsais which are watered

every day due to the substrate in which they are grow.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer plays a big role as well.

Each plant species has a time period when they are in active growth.

For some that can be in spring and summer, but for others that can be fall and winter. It’s best to research your plants growth cycles and fertilize accordingly. I like to use Neptune’s Harvest fish and seaweed to feed my plants. It’s a complete organic fertilizer with all major and minor nutrients, trace minerals, amino acids, growth hormones, etc. And unlike salt based chemical fertilizers such as Miracle Grow, Osmocote and the others, Neptune’s will not burn your plants or leave a salt build up in your soil which can eventually kill your plants.

I especially love to foliar feed. Studies have been done and after spraying only one-third of a plant’s leaves (make sure you get underneath), within 10 minutes the fertilizer has been found to be evenly distributed throughout the plant. Not only is this better for the plant but also saves you money in the URBAN GARDEN > PAGE 24

December 2015 | 7

a bit of history sarah becker©

“T

he art of a nation is one of its most refining influences, and is the highest expression of its civilization and culture,” The New York Times wrote in 1918. “Artistic endeavor must be preserved, for the history of a nation cannot be written without due regard to its artistic attainments: in many cases the art of a nation is the only thing that has come down to us.” In 1918 the First World War still raged.

Tomb robbing is sometimes described as the world’s second-oldest profession and experts suggest the profession has grown “steadily” for the past 100 years.

Cultural racketeering is on the rise and conflict antiquities fetch big dollars.

Sultan Al-Aziz Uthman did not apologize for partially demolishing Egypt’s Pyramid of Menkaure in the 12th century. Neither did the United States after its 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The U.S. invasion of Baghdad resulted in a net loss of 10,700 Iraqi museum

Art

pieces. Iraq’s National Museum, which finally reopened this year, suffered irreparable damage. The American bungle was topped only by the Islamic State’s summer destruction of artifacts in Mosul. In all, at least 28 Iraqi buildings have been destroyed including Shiite mosques, tombs and shrines.

American history offers several examples of cultural destruction, including the British burning of Washington in 1814. Sadly America watched the District of Columbia’s public buildings, the White House and Capitol burn. Alexandria warehouse plunder was observed floating down the Potomac River.

“A kingdom that has once been destroyed [by fire] can never come again into being,” Sun Tzu wrote in his 1st2nd century The Art of War. Thankfully war-President James Madison proved Sun Tzu’s supposition wrong. A later

Destruction of

“Who has not heard the world cry out against the German destruction of art?”

The New York Times continued. Belgium was one of the first countries to complain, on August 25, 1914 for the destruction of the historical library in Lovain. Whether the loss is associated with World War I, China’s Cultural Revolution, or ISIS it is often permanent.

8 | December 2015

example Union General William T. Sherman’s 1864 capture of Confederate Atlanta, his March to the Sea, supports Sun Tzu’s theory.

In 1905, consistent with the outcome of the Russo-Japanese War, British Army Captain Everard Calthrop translated The Art of War from Japanese to English, the first ever English edition. Lionel Giles published his English version—the now standard—in 1910. Chinaman Sun Tzu’s The Art of War was introduced in Japan in the 8th century.

Whether cultural antiquities are defined as art and or architecture; drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, monuments and or buildings, theft and destruction inevitably follow war. In June 1914, the outbreak of Europe’s Great War, “fifty-two American institutions of art, learning, and humanity signed a memorial addressed to the President of China urging means for the protection of Chinese monuments and antiquities from vandals.”

“The high material value put by Western civilization upon antiquities and products of art showing the progress of mankind, has lately resulted in the commercialization, plunder and destruction of antiquities in China beyond the power of ordinary influences to control,” The New York Times reported. “Furthermore, such plunder and destruction not only are despoiling China of some of the garments of her ancient civilization, but actually tend to break down Chinese society by depriving the Chinese people of their heritage, besides crippling research and education.”

Eleven years earlier American art institutions lamented Northern Arizona and Southwest Colorado’s loss of “fast vanishing relics of prehistoric people.”

The United States entered World War I in 1917 and President Woodrow Wilson presented his Fourteen Points, his principles for peace on January 8, 1918.

The Points included a general association of nations, The League of Nations. The United States never joined the association; still the League of Nations Committee on Intellectual Cooperation was worthy.

In 1922 the Committee on Intellectual Cooperation established an International Museums Office [IMO]. Germany’s power was again on the rise and in October 1936 the IMO issued a Convention for A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 10

Old Town Crier

civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

A

lexandria was truly the hub of the American Civil War in the East.

It was a major port in those days and a railhead for central Virginia and the Valley. Almost every soldier in the Army of the Potomac spent some time here, whether in camp, building fortifications, in hospital or in transit to places like Fort Monroe or City Point. Logistically, Alexandria was far more important than Washington — it was no accident this was the first city seized in May 1861.

Many of the invaders never left.

Hardy Yankee farm boys, used to harsh New England winters, were taken by surprise by Virginia’s damp winters.

By December of 1861 they found themselves cold, wet and standing in a foot of mud in their campsites up on Seminary Ridge. Firewood ran out early; there is an account of one sick soldier who left the Convalescent Camp in the clear cold of a winter night to grub tree roots for fuel. Many of these same farm boys had never been exposed to childhood diseases such as measles.

In the camps, they were exposed to everything. One regimental chaplain of a Massachusetts regiment buried eleven of his Bay Staters at the Seminary in one day in November 1861.

Twenty or more of Alexandria’s largest buildings were used as hospitals. These included hotels and private residences such as the Mansion House Hotel, no longer standing, but located in what is now the front yard of the Carlyle house; Clarens, a fine mansion on Quaker, still standing; and two large brick Italianate mansions at the corner of Wolfe and St. Asaph, one of which remains. The first successful blood transfusion took place in the Lee-Fendall house, which was an adjunct to the larger Grosvenor Hospital. The Grosvenor Hospital at 414 North Washington fell to urban renewal in 1960. The cotton factory on Washington Street held Confederate prisoners and their sick.

Churches were not exempt; they included Washington Street United Methodist Church, still standing; the Fairfax Seminary complex with over 1200 beds on Quaker Lane, plus Episcopal High School next door; St. Paul’s Church;

Old Town Crier

hospitals

the Methodist Episcopal Church; Grace Church; and the Baptist Church on Washington Street. Appreciate the residual karma of them empty of pews and filled with hospital cots, stoic young

men, and earnest nurses.

In an era of segregation, Blacks and Indians had their own hospitals, notably the 717 bed L’Ouverture Hospital, dedicated specifically to the

U.S. Colored Troops and occupying the entire block bounded by Duke, Payne, Prince and West. Colored troops also had the large brick house at the corner of Washington and Wolfe, and Claremont, south of Cameron Run with 164 beds.

There was a separate hospital for the “contrabands” not in uniform but still serving the army in Alexandria.

Additionally, the tents of Camp Convalescent served the “walking wounded” too sick for the field but too well for the hospitals. This was located on Shuter’s Hill near Fort Ellsworth and the modern Masonic Temple, growing in time to 200 acres as it expanded to hold paroled POWs, disciplinary cases and stragglers.

The soldiers called it “Camp Misery”; housed in wedge or Sibley tents without flooring, with poor clothing and few blankets, deep mud everywhere, they faced short rations and scarce firewood. The commander of Fort Ellsworth complained that his abattis had been carried off for firewood. Clara Barton described it as “a sort of pen into which all who could limp, all deserters and stragglers, were driven promiscuously” until they were fit for reassignment or discharge from the army. In October 1862, James Chadwick, recently discharged from hospital, lasted there one day before hiking out to better accommodations CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 10

December 2015 | 9

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the Protection of Historic Buildings and Works of Art in Times of War. The report asked that “for the protection of art, competent authorities everywhere put their national art on a war footing.”

Among the IMO’s recommendations: the building of bombproof shelters for portraits and restoration of the medieval sanctuary system for statues; protection measures to insure, in the event of serial bombardment, the safety of architectural monuments more fragile parts [stained glass windows, bas-reliefs and other sculptural features], and shelters or depositories to which movable objects can be protected, sites declared strictly neutral to “serve as a last asylum for humanity’s laws.”

On October 22, 2015 President Barack Obama awarded the country’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal to 345 World War II Monuments Men. Alexandria’s Duncan Library recently remembered them with a lecture.

During World War II the U.S. Army worked hard to locate lost property, especially art. In the 1940s Chancellor Adolph Hitler—a former painter and self-proclaimed art critic—was determined “to assemble for Germany the greatest treasure of European art.” Northern Europe’s Old Masters were highly prized; modern painters, “degenerates” like Matisse and Picasso were either traded or sold.

Under the German law of July 22, 1941 the pro-Nazi Vichy government set as its objective the elimination of “all Jewish influence in the national economy.” The seizure of property— gold, bank accounts, insurance, and art— followed. Tracking was not straight forward in part because the IMO gave way to the United Nations, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums [ICOM] in 1946.

Today the art world is focused on the Middle East. Like Nazi Germany, the Islamic State CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PAGE 9

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at Fort Blenker: “There are about 12,000 or 15,000 men at that “Convalescent Camp” —some stragglers — recruits — paroled prisoners — convalescents — and deserters.

It is a horrible place to stay, being very dirty, filthy and infested with vermin. Such a set of fellows as those prisoners from Richmond you never saw — ragged, dirty — LOUSY and without money.” The camp moved in the winter of 1862-1863 to more substantial and sanitary barracks near Four Mile Run. Between the Convalescent Camp and the Seminary was a veterinary hospital for horses, resting in lush pasturage on the slopes of Clover.

However, this was probably nothing compared to the more than 2600 capacity of the horse hospital at Giesboro Point across the river.

One of Alexandria’s Civil War hospitals is about to become the setting for the new PBS series Mercy Street, due to air in January and set in the Mansion House Hotel. This large hotel was built by James Green, who made his fortune building furniture in Alexandria — the Appomattox surrender was probably signed on a Green desk. He built a luxury hotel with over a hundred rooms in the front yard of the Carlyle house on Fairfax Street, incorporating the old mansion and its gardens into the design (hence the name “Mansion House”). The hotel also incorporated the failed Bank of Alexandria next door on the corner of Cameron Street. As the war progressed, the Union Hospital Corps

is involved in cleansing. Unlike the Nazis, many of ISIS’ military tactics are decidedly East Asian. Whether it is “the use of military weapons or wholesale decapitation, the end in view is to get rid of wicked people and to give comfort and relief to the good...,” Sun Tzu said.

In 2015 Iraqi officials told the United Nations that “ISIS militants seek to sell [using forged documents] what art they cannot destroy.”

Cultural antiquities are irreplaceable assets and as such buyers, sellers and states are bound by certain international rules. ISIS however falls through the cracks. ISIS is not a sovereign state.

It is a transnational body with a political, if not religious cause. The body’s parts include ousted Iraqi Ba’ath Party officers, Al Qaeda remnants, disaffected Sunnis, and foreign fighters.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, known also as Security Council resolution 2199, on May 28, 2015. It was presented jointly by Germany and Iraq, and co-sponsored by 91 member states. Said UNESCO: “The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage is a war crime—it is used as a tactic of war, in a strategy of cultural cleansing that calls on us to review and renew the means by which we wish to respond and to defeat violent extremism.”

For more information, visit UNESCO’s #Unite4Heritage social media campaign.

“The attacks on the cultural heritage of Iraq are a test case for all of us,” Germany’s Minister of State Maria Bohmer concluded.

ISIS has also settled in Syria. It beheaded a Palmyra antiquities expert upon arrival.

The November 13th ISIS-claimed terrorist attacks in Paris, including the Jewish-affiliated Bataclan Concert Hall, were in response to the French bombing of ISIS radicals in Syria. ISIS’ next stated target: Washington, D.C. Peace this holiday season! abitofhistory53@gmail.com offered to rent the hotel as a hospital for 1000 patients, with the Green family to retain the old mansion; however, the Yankees “forgot” to pay rent in Green’s lifetime.

There was indeed an actual Emma Green, just as there was a Frank Stringfellow. The slightly-built Stringfellow was an Episcopal High School Old Boy who had joined the cavalry and quickly became a spy and scout for Jeb Stuart. His slight build allowed him to pass as a woman, allowing him to attend parties where he could dance with loose-lipped Yankee officers. He is famous for having concealed himself under the hoopskirt of a sympathizer as the Yankees searched high and low for him.

He would slip in and out of Alexandria as a spy, sometimes assisted by Emma in his espionage.

With her help, he carried news to Manassas of McDowell’s planned advance, contributing to the Yankee rout at First Manassas. Stringfellow spent many months undercover in Washington collecting intelligence from sympathizers in the War Department, consoled no doubt by the proximity of Emma. With a $10,000 bounty on his head, he nonetheless counted these days in the shadow of the gallows as the happiest of his life; he and Emma would later marry and produce five children. They are buried next to one another in Ivy Hill Cemetery on King Street.

There was also an historical Mary Phinney, who recounts being driven to the Mansion House by Dorothea Dix, and being most CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 11

Old Town Crier

CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PAGE 10

unwelcome by doctors she describes as being ‘the most brutal men I ever saw.” One was a drunk and none of them proved competent surgeons.

The operating ward was a “sea of blood.” Wounded fresh from Cedar Mountain were being offloaded at the wharves at the foot of the street when she arrived. She received a crash course in nursing, working until overcome by exhaustion, sleeping next to the wounded or in the corner of a room. She was appalled at the bad cooking (she ended up cooking for the soldiers herself), food theft, dirtiness and political corruption and profiteering that overshadowed the place.

And there was unconcealed hostility by the staff towards the sole female nurse. She had to watch young men die and was especially horrified at the lockjaw cases. She saw her hospital filled to overflow from casualties of Fredericksburg, with the wounded laying on the sidewalks of Fairfax Street.

Chancellorsville repeated the horror. She stayed until July of 1863, when a bad case of dysentery necessitated her own furlough.

Mary Phinney may have thought she was the only female nurse at the Mansion House, but one of the “male” nurses turns out to have been Emma Edmonds, who enlisted in a Michigan regiment as a man. She spied behind enemy lines “disguised” as a woman and as a male slave stained black with silver nitrate. She served through most of the war until illness

Old Town Crier

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forced her to desert — the doctors would have uncovered her secret. Previously she had broken a leg scouting at Second Manassas and had forgone treatment to prevent discovery, the untreated leg troubling her for the rest of her life. Generous and afraid of nothing, she naturally gravitated towards nursing and ended up at the Mansion House for a time.

Her desertion later forgiven, she became the only female soldier to receive a military pension. If she is not a character on Mercy Street, she ought to be.

In conclusion, it is important to note that many of these hospitals were wellrun, humane places of refuge.

Among the best was the Seminary Hospital, which featured its own bakery, purpose-built wards and special diets suited to the diseases being treated. If one

really seeks to explore what a well-run Federal hospital was like, one could do no better than nursing superintendent Woolsey’s autobiography, Hospital Days.

Sources

Nurse and Spy in the Union Army, S. Emma E. Edmonds; Hospital Days: Reminiscence of a Civil War Nurse, Jane Stuart Woolsey; Emma Green: The Making of a Southern Identity, http://sociallogic.iath.virginia. edu/node/196; Civil War Letters of James D. Chadwick, http://sites.allegheny.edu/ civilwarletters/tag/convalescentcamp/; Historic Alexandria: An Illustrated History, Ted Pulliam; Adventures of an Army Nurse in two Wars, James Phinney Munroe

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

December 2015 | 11

HIGH NOTES CHRIS ANDERSON

DAVE T IHMELS The Severe Angels

12 | December 2015

he DC-area music scene is an odd one. Sure, we have Go-Go and Hardcore, and we had the Arlington “Teen Beat”/”Simple Machines” bands of the 90s, but we’ve never really had that trademark stamp like New Orleans, Austin, Athens, Nashville, Seattle, San Francisco, etc. That’s not to say that our scene doesn’t thrive — in fact, it’s phenomenal — it’s just more scattered and stylistically diverse, and you really have to put in some legwork to discover local music. While I can’t claim to be an expert on our scene, I have seen a fair number of artists perform and have heard many of their albums. Some are quite pleasant while others are…not so. Every so often, however, my ears come across something otherworldly, something that makes me immensely proud to be from this area, something that tells me there is hope in this vast eclectic musical landscape.

I first met Dave Ihmels at an open mic, back in 2007. Like many performers at open mics, Dave played an acoustic set with a hard lean towards folk music, offering a mix of old chestnuts as well as a few original songs. Unlike many performers at open mics, it was clear that there was some sort of visionary spirit at play. Dave’s songs were subtle but very clever, and he is a hell of a singer. I recall having to take a couple of deep breaths when it was my turn to play. Over the years, we’d occasionally bump into each other and I’ve seen him play from time to time. He’s always on-point, always inspiring.

Like me, Dave is a ridiculously prolific songwriter. Unlike me, he doesn’t release much of his music, The Severe Angels being his second album, after 2008’s Expandable. I knew this album was on the way and, while I was looking forward to hearing it and perhaps writing about it, I’ll admit that

I was probably expecting something pleasant, at best. I had no idea....

Simply put, this record is outstanding. Even more than outstanding….it is astounding. It’s a sly, layered piece of work, the kind of record that hits you like a suckerpunch when you first hear it. And then, as you continue to replay it, the different layers slowly reveal themselves. The first time I heard this was through headphones (the recommended method of hearing this) and my initial reaction was the same as it was the first time I heard Kid A by Radiohead, or the new Beauty Pill album. My mind was blown.

Dave said he was going for “art”, and this album certainly confirms that.

Conventionally-structured songs sit alongside quirky, left-field numbers, all of which are accentuated by the sort of spaced-out synths and ambient cacophonies that bands like Gong and Hawkwind made entire careers of.

Kicking off with the celestial overture, “Walk Out”, Dave quickly proclaims that he has “many demons to fight, in my head” — and then proceeds to spend the next ten songs fully engaged in that war. By the time we reach the closing track, it’s not entirely clear who is victorious, but that’s not quite the point. It’s more about the journey and, in the end, this battle between peace and madness is one hell of a ride.

The album’s undisputed highlight comes early on, in the form of “Sulamith”, one of the best tracks I’ve heard from anyone all year. With a feel that is reminiscent of a cross between Burt Bacharach and Tsunami, and featuring a spine-tingling vocal appearance by the exquisite Celeste Starchild, this is a song that never fails to elicit goosebumps. I could listen to “Sulamith” all day. But then I would miss out on the rest of this album.

Sooo … onward!

“A Murder Of Crows” sounds like what you would get if Leonard Cohen made a record with Robert Pollard — it’s one of the weirdest songs I have ever heard, and I say that with the highest of praise. And then there’s

the Neil Young-meets-Automaticera-REM of “Rubber Mask”, a perfect “track four”, if there could be one.

“High Voltage Touch” manages to do, in three and a half minutes, what U2 spent the entire 1990s trying to accomplish, and pulls it off spectacularly. Closing out “side one” is the tripped-out “I Am The Moon” which calls to mind, at times, Prince… if Prince happened to come from the same planet as Ash Ra Tempel.

Continuing the pattern of light/dark, “side two” opens with the beautiful “Look Through My Eyes With Me”, a track that My Morning Jacket would kill to have written. Next up is “Otto”.

Now, when you have a song called “Otto”, you know you damn well better deliver. The gritty, folky blues of this track does not disappoint, the chaos of the story perfectly accentuated by producer Dave Mallen’s frantic guitar solo. Next up, Dave gets funky on “Prince Eugene” which reminds me of what would have happened if “Lunatic Fringe” had been a Talking Heads song. Yeah….it’s that cool.

Next up is “Wires”, the sort of freakfolk that calls to mind Devendra Banhart, and has a great, sleepy, late night feel, a breather after such an auditory whirlwind. This is one of three songs to feature the violin wizardry of Todd Baker, one of DC’s greatest talents, who lays down a haunting solo overtop of this spacedout waltz. “I’m Not Not Tryin’” closes the album on a semi-detached psychedelic note, as the war with the demons concludes with peace in madness.

Indeed!

Often when you have a super experimental album, it is at the expense of actual songs. I saw Dave’s album-release show at the Evening Star and, having heard these songs performed by just Dave and Todd Baker, they really hold up on their own. In fact, it would be neat if Dave were to also release an acoustic version of this album …or, you know, just burn me a copy of the demos ;) Hear this album for yourself at http://daveihmels.bandcamp.com.

Old Town Crier

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

The Books Were Read by the Chimney with Care

A

s the holiday season arrives, certain books about to be published will grab your eye like Bill Clinton targeting a nubile young thing with teased hair, scarlet lips, and as many curves as Gio Gonzalez pitches during a regular season with the Nats. If you read this column, though, you know that I have many favorites that I’ve found over time. Please think about a handful of them as holiday gifts for the right person. As someone who reads every day, I hope that the

quality of my preferred titles (out of many) will please a discerning reader and the considerate giver. Some are newer and some have been around a while, but they are guaranteed to entertain.

If you enjoy a humorous screwball comedymystery with an ecologically expedient edge, one of my favorites is Carl Hiassen’s Skinny Dip. It has one of the best-written and funnier introductions ever for drawing a reader into a story. Set in South Florida, the plot involves Chaz Perrone, a marine biologist who hates ecology and preservation, loves making deals with corrupt developers, his resourceful, soonto-be-ex-wife, Joey, and ex-cop Mick Stanahan who lives in the Everglades, fishing and relaxing far away from his six ex-wives. As Joey plots against Chaz with Mick’s help, Hiassen’s usual crazy crop of characters crawl like alligators out of foreclosed Florida home pools to help move the plot along. Like Hiassen, this novel has a serious edge to it when it comes to arguing for environmental preservation, particularly of the Everglades, but it is mostly Old Town Crier

just very funny.

Anyone who has read Bill Bryson, whether a travelogue such as A Walk in the Woods or his science book A Short History of Nearly Everything, knows him as a very amusing raconteur who takes his storytelling equally seriously. His newest book, One Summer: America 1927, makes many readers want to be living at that point in the twentieth century.

The United States before the depression was wealthy, on top of the world, and full of fascinating characters and the profound, criminal,

or truly eccentric goals they realized.

Al Jolsson had just released the first talkie, The Jazz Singer. The stories of the early aviators such as Charles Lindbergh are completely compelling, as are tales of Babe Ruth when he was on his streak to win the home run record in baseball. There are also lesser-known characters such as Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelley, whose stunt was to sit on a flagpole for twelve days. Al Capone was tightening his hold on bootlegging in Chicago, and in Bryson’s view, our national leaders such as Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover were some of the least effective of the people who were beginning to take their outsized accomplishments and turn the twentieth century into the American Century. History and Bryson buffs are sure to relish this pageturner.

Last year I stopped in Savannah for the first time and read, for the second time, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Made into

CaribBean Mystery and intrigue

Jeff mccord A dead Marine washed ashore on a Caribbean island leads investigators to otherworldly perpetrators in historic pirate waters and high level abuses in Washington. An intrepid maritime historian working the case for U.S. Naval Intelligence discovers a 60-year record of extraterrestrial activity in the Caribbean basin. History and national security politics meet science fiction in this mystery based on exhaustive factual research and informed conjecture by Virginia author Jeffrey Roswell McCord.

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THE LAST WORD > PAGE 26

December 2015 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

P

erhaps the crown jewel of the Greater Washington DC visual arts scene, and easily one of the top museum art spaces in the nation, is the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center – the subject of last month’s Gallery Beat. Under the brilliant leadership of Jack Rasmussen, who will forget more about regional DC area artists than all other DC art museum curators put together will ever learn, the museum has forged a singularly unique presence in a capital city full of museums and art centers.

Rasmussen has crafted an intelligent array of national, international and regional art exhibits that manage to cover such a wide area that AU’s Museum is hard to paint into a corner. This is not easy to do, and thus why most museum curators avoid it like the plague, and instead flood the DC art scene with either “hand me downs” exhibitions curated by other museums (like the Morris Louis exhibition a few years ago, which should have been a DC-museum based initiative), or “safe” exhibitions of second tier blue chip artists.

I headed to the Katzen recently to look at the exhibitions there and to meet Ms. Carolyn Alper (I introduced her last month as well), an AU alumna who has established the Alper Initiative for Washington Art. The Alper Initiative will support the creation of a space on the museum’s first floor for display of work by DC artists and for a digital archive of Washington art. The initiative will sponsor lectures, films, and other events as well.

However, once I got to the museum, I got distracted.

Another jewel of the area’s visual arts tapestry is Transformer, a nonprofit art space located on P Street, NW. For the past 12 years Transformer has been conducting a fund raising art auction, and when I arrived, a small army of professional art hangers, decked out in black T-shirts and black jeans was in the process of installing the donated artwork on the hall walls of the center, as it was

DC ART SCENE JEWELS

GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 17

14 | December 2015

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THE ANTIQUE GUILD 113 N. Fairfax St. 703-836-1048 ARTCRAFT 132 King St. 703-299-6616 ARTS AFIRE GLASS GALLERY 1117 King St. 703-548-1197 THE ATHENAEM 201 Prince St. 703-548-0035 AUBURN ARTS GALLERY 110 South Columbus St. 703-548-1932 BANANA TREE 1223 King St. 703-836-4317 BELGRAVIA FINE ART 411 Cameron St. 703-549-2011 BIRD-IN-THE-CAGE ANTIQUES 110 King St. 703-549-5114

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

Suite E Bethesda 301-718-9651 FRENCH COUNTRY ANTIQUES 1000 King St. 703-548-8563 GALLERY G 215 King St. 703-836-5400 GALLERY INDIGO 1607 King St. 703-838-8098 GALLERY LAFAYETTE 320 King St. 703-548-5266

BROCKETTS ROW ANTIQUES 277 South Washington St. 703-684-0464

GALLERIE LA TAJ 1010 King St. (Gadsby Arcade) 703-549-0508

THE CLASSICAL GALLERY 110 S. Columbus St. 703-836-7736

GALLERY WEST 1213 King St. 703-549-7359

CURZON HILL ANTIQUES 108 S. Columbus St. 703-684-0667

GOSSYPIA 325 Cameron St. 703-836-6969

DIEHL ANTIQUES 614 N. Washington St. 703-706-8191

IMAGINE ARTWEAR 1124 King St. 703-548-1461

Old Town Crier

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

SPURGEON-LEWIS ANTIQUES 112 N. Columbus St. 703-548-4917 STUDIO ANTIQUES & ART 524 N. Washington St. 703-548-5188 STUDIO BIANCO 220 S. Henry St. 703-299-0662 TIME JUGGLER 411 Cameron St. 703-836-3594

MARIS ELAINE GALLERY 178 Waterfront St. National Harbor 301-686-0323

TORPEDO FACTORY ART CENTER 105 N. Union St. 703-838-4565

MINDFULL HANDS GALLERY 211 King St. 703-683-2074

TRASTEVERE 303 Cameron St. 703-683-9555

OLD COLONY SHOP 222-B S. Washington St. 703-548-8008

VAN BOMMEL ANTIEK HAUS 1007 King St. 703-683-4141 703-629-6521 by appt.

Steve Young, Proprietor

P & C ART 212 King St. 703-549-2525 PAUL McGEHEES GALLERY 109 North Fairfax St. 703-548-7729

THE VON BRAHLER LTD./GALLERY 1437 Powhatan St. 703-798-8686

POTOMAC WEST INTERIORS & ANTIQUES 1517 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-1911

WASHINGTON SQUARE ANTIQUES 689 S. Washington St. 703-836-3214

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

Frida Kahlo

by F. Lennox Campello, circa 1981 limited edition of 10 signed and numbered etchings, 8 x 6.5” available from Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC Washington, DC e: info@alidaanderson.com p: 301.437.1054

feast your eyes. feed your soul.

THE PRINCIPLE GALLERY 208 King St. 703-739-9326 SCULPTURE GALLERY 115 S. Patrick St. Studio 303 703-683-5056 SILVERMAN GALLERIES ANTIQUES 110 N. Asaph St. 703-836-5363

visit a museum.

December 2015 | 15

POINTS ON PETS Sarah liu

King Street Cats Adoption Calendar DECEMber 2015 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, December 5 1:00 - 4:00 pm Saturday, December 19 Sunday, December 20 1:00 - 4:00 pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, November 14 1:00 - 4:00 pm DOGMA 2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 Saturday, December 12 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Tempting Trappings & Forbidden Feasts

T

he weather’s getting colder and the holidays are upon us! As you enjoy this season of sharing, it’s important to be mindful of the unique set of circumstances presented to your animal companions. The following is a list of considerations to help you and your pets make the most of your time together.

Decorations

Whether glimmering candles or tempting trees, there are some decorative items that few pets can resist.

When it comes to Christmas trees, climbing cats and wagging tails are the biggest threat. Prevent toppling by securely anchoring your tree and placing it in a corner.

Avoid breakable ornaments, or hang them out of reach.

Clean up needles frequently, and prevent your pet from drinking water from the tree stand. Both can be toxic, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid tinsel, angel hair, garland, and ribbon.

When ingested these can lead to intestinal obstruction and require surgery. According to Dr. Anne Mixson Williams, veterinarian with Del Ray Animal Hospital, if a pet does ingest these items, check to see if the material is lodged under

16 | December 2015

the tongue, but never pull from the mouth or the rear as this may damage your pet internally. Dr. Mixson Williams also cautions pet owners to be mindful of electrical cords and to watch for ulcerations in the mouth that could indicate electrical burns. It’s a good idea to frequently check hanging or decorative lights for signs of fraying or chewing, and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution. As for candles, make sure these are placed high out of reach, and never leave them unattended. Be mindful that a candle on a shelf is a great curiosity to an agile cat, and can be a serious hazard to your pets and your home if knocked over. Finally, while holiday plants are popular, many are poisonous to cats and dogs. These include poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe. For a more complete list of potentially poisonous plants, visit the ASPCA’s list at http://www. humanesociety.org/animals/ resources/tips/plants_ poisonous_to_pets. html

Holiday Food

Another great thing about the holidays, is delicious abundant food. However, it’s never a good idea to let your pets over indulge. Dr. Mixson Williams particularly advises against sharing spicy, rich food, such as ham, or allowing meats that might contain bones such as turkey or chicken wings. Dogs and cats should never be allowed chocolate, candy, certain fruits & nuts such as grapes, raisins, and macadamias, or sugary sweets including those made with artificial sweeteners. For a more complete list of dangerous foods, see the Humane Society’s page at http://www. humanesociety.org/animals/ resources/tips/foods_ poisonous_to_pets.html.

And of course, holiday celebrations often include special beverages.

While many pet owners wouldn’t consider them

interesting to cats or dogs, beer, wine, and liquor, including egg nog, can make your pet quite ill or even be life threatening. All in all, while we want to share holiday feasts and treats with our companions, it’s always better to stick with foods designed for pet consumption or opt for pet appropriate toys such as balls that are too big to swallow and catnip stuffed mice.

Pets as Gifts

The holidays are a wonderful time to welcome a new addition to your family, but before you make that commitment, each member of your household must be willing. The American Humane Association recommends, rather than gifting your family with a new pet, putting together an adoption kit with a new collar, leash, toys, and other pet appropriate items. After gauging the acceptance of your household, the whole POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

GALLERY BEAT FROM PAGE 14

POINTS ON PETS FROM PAGE 16

family can visit a rescue shelter to select the new member.

And of course, as a general rule, it’s never a good idea to give a pet to someone outside your household. That cute puppy or fluffy kitten might seem like a great gift idea for your grandson or niece, but can often end tragically. A successful adoption requires care and thought. Many people don’t want or aren’t ready for a pet, and can’t afford the time and financial commitment. When the person is ready, it’s a better that he or she choose their own pet, to ensure a proper bond and a good fit.

the day before the auction.

The temptation was too much! Here was a chance to view and write about a show without any labels, any artists’ names, any information; the reactions would be purely triggered by the artwork.

This is somewhat futile, as I’ve been writing about area artists for over two decades now.

This means that I can recognize many of them via their artwork.

The gorgeous drawing by Ben Tolman is Holiday Stress one of the first things that you saw when you Finally, with all the festivities, excitement, holiday music, and started looking at the walls, and Tolman’s general hub-bub of guests and gifts, it’s important to be mindful magic with the black line steals this show of your pet’s stress tolerance and comfort. When entertaining almost right away. His obsessive attention to visitors, it’s crucial to provide your companion with a quiet place the minutest of details fools the eye in the sense for privacy and solitude. Establish good rapport between guests that Tolman actually tricks your perception of and pets by discussing your pet’s personality and preferences. what is reality by atomizing the subject into Prevent potential injury by making sure small children are his tiny handwork to deliver exceptionally and attended while petting, playing, and interacting. Take time out super busy realistic drawings. Five gets you ten to comfort your pet and dedicate some alone time every day. that his work was one of the ones at the top of As well as relieving stress, this will provide an opportunity to the bid scale the next night. observe behavior and monitor health. Take dogs for an extra Any donated art auction is a bit like a mini walk to relieve holiday stress for both of you. As possible, Artomatic: You usually see work by the area’s maintain your pet’s routine by feeding them at the same time blue chip artists, lots of work by emerging as usual and taking walks according to a familiar schedule. If artists who are relatively unknown, and a lot you observe signs of extreme stress or anxiety, consider trying a of really bad, amateurish work (in this case home diffuser product such as Feliway or Adaptil. These come maybe by “well known” artists? Oh Dear!). in wall plug- in varieties that can help calm your pet by releasing But it is all original artwork, and the worst a scent that replicates stress relieving pheromones. original work of art is always better than any As we all know well, the holidays can be both wonderful reproduction. and stressful. Following these tips can help ensure a healthy The Transformer auction was no exception. fun-filled season for you and your pets. As always, keep your The artists whose work I recognized (unless veterinarian’s number close at hand, and seek guidance in someone is channeling them) were Margaret concerning situations. Finally, in a season of giving and sharing, Boozer (again: I think it was her work, unless take time to appreciate these valuable members of your family. someone is channeling her) as there was one Remember the greatest gifts are your extra love and attention. of those gorgeously black and organic wall tar pieces that Boozer debuted at the old Strand on Volta Gallery in Georgetown in 2004, a super Sarah Webber Liu resides in Alexandria and is a long-time busy print, elegant as always, by Linn Myers, volunteer at King Street Cats. She is devoted to her cat, Mrs. the usual sexy boots by Carolina Mayorga, Huggins, and loves animals of all kinds. a haunting photo by Holly Bass (one of the

few good photographs in a sea of mediocre photos), a superbly elegant piece by Rania Hassan continuing her reinvention of what painting + sculpture + knitting is… Hassan has invented a whole new art genre all by herself!

I recognized Matt Sesow’s frenetic work, a cool piece by Anne Marchand, Jessica van Brakle, a superbly minimalist and elegant piece

by Irene Clouthier (whose work has matured into one of the region’s coolest work), and someone possibly channeling Dean Kessman (I wasn’t sure if it was DK).

Also noticeable was work by Adrienne Gaither (whom I mentored a while back), and a cute piece by Akemi Maegawa’s of her very famous pet Chikkun, I suspected possible work by Dan Steinhilber (there was a couch on the wall)… or was it Cory Oberndorfer (it looked like a giant ice cream sandwich).

When I first got there none of the videos were running, but by the time I finished walking through the exhibit for the third time, a very circa 2002 wall of TVs was playing a series of multiple videos like you used to see at the entrance of the major art fairs a few years ago.

This was a really good exercise to prove that art is in the eyes of the beholder. At the risk of possibly insulting some well-known artists, the images for this piece are of those pieces that would even be considered at the low end of the scale, even by Artomatic free-for-all wonderful policy. Whoever was the member of the Artist Nominating Committee who recommended these guys/gals… ahhh…

By the way, Artomatic (the planet’s largest group art show) is on through December 12 — do not miss it! Details at www.artomatic.org.

Pets of the Month

The DC stands for Dog and Cat For more info: www.dcPawsRescue.org pepe (A065484)

This handsome Chihuahua may be 8-years old, but he hasn’t lost any of his spunk. He is a special guy who will need a lot of love and attention in his forever home. Pepe has intervertebral disc disease, but he does not let that get him down! He is a big attitude in a little body and will never fail to make you laugh. If you’re looking for an older gentleman to spend your days with, come by and meet Pepe!

WEBSTER (A064599)

Webster is a 2-year old Domestic Shorthair who is not short on personality! Though he can be shy, once he warms up to you he is a cuddly purr machine. Webster would love to go to a quiet home that allows him come out of his shell on his own time and provide some much needed stability. If you’re looking for a laid-back cat to spend your days with, Webster might be your guy!

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

December 2015 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFFrey R. Mccord

I

was recently talking with an older gentleman driving a cab on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas. With the holidays approaching, the conversation turned to Christmas many years ago when he was a young man.

“We’d go house-to-house in the city of Charlotte Amalie singing carols. At each door, we’d be given sweet bread and glasses of guavaberry wine. By end of night, we’d be fairly lit up!”

Strong drink and the raucous singing of holiday songs, of course, have also been centuries old traditions in Virginia.

Colonial villages would designate a Lord of Misrule to act as a sort of master of ceremonies and court jester to lead men through the town singing and making merry.

Dating back to Danish colonial days, an annual Christmas Festival on the U.S. island of St. Croix starts December 26 and runs through New Year’s Eve (locally called “Old Year’s Night”) and into New Year’s Day. The festival slogan is “Kill Ting Pappy” meaning “have a good time.”

The festival song has this refrain: “A time to be merry, a time to be gay.

A time to celebrate and have fun all day.

18 | December 2015

Lords of Misrule and Killing King Pappy So come on out and make it snappy Cause we’re going to have a grand time and kill ting pappy.”

The “kill” may refer to the old name for rum (“kill devil”) while “ting” means “thing” and “pappy” is likely the old year.

Kill ting pappy may mean “kill the old year” with rum.

It was guavaberry wine, however, that gave my wife and me our first taste of Christmas in the tropics when we moved to the island of St. John several years ago.

The wine, made from the small purple and orange/red fruit of the guavaberry tree, can’t be purchased in stores. Island families compete with each other on the taste and strength of their home-made beverage, which is given away or sold person-to-person.

Fermented guavaberries, dashes of ginger, cinnamon, sorrel, cane sugar and, most importantly, the most aged Cruzan rum available are all mixed with secret ingredients to produce a liqueur that is tasty sweet and surprisingly potent.

“Every year, we’d take a jimmy john, a big jug, and put the guavaberry and rum in it, and put the jimmy john under the bed, not touching it for a year, until

the following Christmas, then bring it out,” explained former Virgin Islands agriculture commissioner Arthur Petersen during a recent Christmas Eve presentation (as reported by St. John Source). Quelbe (folk) singers and bands would be paid with guavaberry wine, the commissioner said.

In Cruz Bay, St. John, Ms. Andro Childs told the St. John Historical Society of holidays in the 1930s and 40s.

“Thanksgiving signaled the beginning of preparations for Christmas. Special liqueurs had to be prepared, not only bottles of the traditional guavaberry, but also guava and sea grape liqueur.

My Mama was a master at blending and creating these drinks from native berries and rum.

During the same period out in St. John’s Coral Bay, Mr. Guy Benjamin recalled (in his book “Me and My Beloved Virgins”): “How we savored the [Christmas] ham as it steeped in our big iron pot. The water was used for cooking fungi, the skin for our Kallaloo, and the meat for our teeth.”

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 19

Old Town Crier

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 18

Fungi, a very popular island side dish is boiled corn meal stirred to a thick consistency with butter, salad oil, lard and salt. It is then rolled into balls. Kallaloo is a mixture of “edible leaves cooked together with fish, crab meat, pig’s tail and flour droplets seasoned to taste and eaten with a ball of fungi,” Mr. Benjamin explained. Kallaloo is popular at Old Year’s Night parties.

My wife, Martha Toomey, found a way to celebrate the tropical holidays and fulfill a community need. Back in Virginia, in 2002 she had started a Commonwealth-wide disability advocacy group called Mary’s Family. Every month dozens of children with special needs would participate in a day of crafts, music and 4-H activities. It was great fun, especially at Christmas. Children could make presents for their families, bake cookies and sing carols.

And, of course, Santa would always visit.

When we moved to St. John, Martha transplanted her work with special needs children by becoming “Christmas Tree Martha” (CTM). For the past four years, CTM has served St. John by providing a Santa’s workshop for island children including special education classes at our elementary school. She also rents artificial Christmas trees to young people who come to work on the island during the winter high season. In addition, she designs decorated trees for vacation villas and businesses.

“Everybody on St. John can have a tree — even people who live on boats in our harbors,” Martha explains. “I even import fresh Virginia boxwood so people can make their own kissing balls. All these holiday activities help support Mary’s Family.”

Christmas Tree Martha can be found during the holiday season on the second level of Star Fish Marketplace opposite the Chelsea Drug Store in Cruz Bay, St. John.

At the other end of our sparkling island, on December 12 the non-profit Coral Bay Community Council, the group spearheading the campaign to save pristine Coral Bay from an environmentally destructive mega-yacht marina, is holding its third annual Bizarre Bazaar. Located in the field beside the Pickles in Paradise deli, the holiday Bazaar features the works of many local artists, island crafted beers, musicians, tropical plants and trees and, no doubt, curious donkeys, chickens and goats wandering through the crowd. The event also brings out some of the most colorful human characters St. John has to offer. They include your loyal reporter who will be signing his books “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” and the long awaited sequel “Santa Anna’s Gold in a Pirate Sea.” Coral Bay knows how to “Kill King Pappy”!

Jeffrey R. McCord is a free-lance journalist and media relations consultant who has called Northern Virginia his home for more than 20 years. The author of “Undocumented Visitors in a Pirate Sea,” a quarter-finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest, Mr. McCord’s articles on international economics and consumer protection have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Gannett newspapers and Truthout.org, among other publications. He now divides his time between Virginia and St. John, USVI.

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December 2015 | 19

ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT

Holidays

Home for the

20 | December 2015

Old Town Crier

F

or those of you who read us regularly, you know that each month I visit a different area in our region as a road trip. Each December I always stay home and write about our hometown, Old Town Alexandria.

Since last year there has been a lot of activity in our town particularly along the waterfront. The old Inter Arms warehouse has been torn down in the 200 block of South Union Street and the Carr Companies are in the process of building the Hotel Indigo. This is the first step of the revitalization of the waterfront. In the future, the Robinson Terminals will be redeveloped with town homes, shopping and more. The Old Dominion Boat Club property will be taken over by the city and relocated along the river.

The first settlement was established in 1695 a half mile down the Potomac River at the mouth of Hunting Creek.

The ground was not well suited as a harbor as the shoreline was very shallow, so the settlement was reestablished at its present site where the channel came closer to shore.

Oronoco and Duke streets extended into deep water, but between the two

Old Town Crier

lay an arc of swampy flatland backed by bluffs. Beginning in 1759 the filling in of this marsh and flatland began and a wharf was eventually constructed. This was the beginning of Alexandria’s future as one of America’s leading seaports.

Soon warehouses were built to store all of the commerce that was coming to, and leaving, Alexandria. These same warehouses standing today make up the shops and restaurants of Old Town. By the end of the 18th century Alexandria was among the ten busiest ports in America and had been designated an official port of entry.

The town derives its Scottish Heritage from Scottish merchants John Alexander, William Ramsay and John Carlyle. The celebration of that heritage continues today with the 45th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and parade, which is held the first Saturday of every December. This year the Scottish Weekend is December 5th and 6th and is consistently ranked by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the South and regularly draws 30,000 visitors.

The weekend kicks off Friday with the Heather and Green sales at the Campagna Center. The

proceeds benefit the programs of The Campagna Center that serve over 2,000 children and families daily in Alexandria. Later that evening is the Taste of Scotland held at the George Washington Masonic Temple. There is a Patrons hour from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, General Admission 800 – 10:30 PM and a Scotch Seminar at 8:30 PM. Taste some of the finest Scotch and spirits; enjoy light fare, beer and wine.

There is a cost to attend.

The Christmas Walk Parade will begin at 11am and originates at Wilkes and South Saint Asaph streets and ends at Market Square with massed bagpipes …a thrilling event. The Walk has more than 100 Scottish clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, reenactment groups, service bands and of course, Santa. This is a great day in Alexandria but can be a bit chilly.

The evening of the 5th at 5:00 will feature the 16th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade. Dozens of brightly lit boats will stretch along the Potomac River during the colorful parade at Alexandria’s historic harbor. The parade is usually led by Alexandria’s fireboat Vigilant and Washington, D.C.’s fireboat John Glenn.

The boats are decked out to impress a panel of judges who will award prizes

in a dozen categories including Best in Show. Dockside festivities begin at 3pm with the parade passing in review at 5:30. This is a fun event - I know because I entered my sailboat a number of years ago and won a prize with my “All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan” theme. For those of you who don’t know, this is a Kenny Chesney song.

All of these events are on the 5th and 6th of December, but don’t forget the rest of the month. From the “Waterfront to the Metro,” Old Town has unique retail shops, antique shops, furniture stores, restaurants and much more encompassing its entire 18 blocks. This is the place to find a one of a kind outfit, piece of jewelry, or artwork at the internationally known Torpedo Factory Art Center.

A free trolley runs every 15 minutes from the waterfront to the Metro for your convenience. Even though King Street is the main drag in Old Town, there are a lot of other stores spread throughout town. Make the advertisers in this publication your first stops.

Take some time in December and come discover my town, Old Town Alexandria. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

December 2015 | 21

FROM THE BAY… MOLLY WINANS

DOckside Digs

W

ith the Farmers Almanac prediction of a “hard” winter in our area this year, we thought it prudent to relay some tales from the blizzard of 2009. Following are some really good tips to make riding out the storm easier or maybe just a little fun!

FROM THE BAY > PAGE 24

A liveaboard at Annapolis City Dock, Sarah shovels her deck with a dustpan.

22 | December 2015

photo: Molly Winans

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December 2015 | 23

URBAN GARDEN FROM PG 7

FROM THE BAY FROM PG 22

long run. I still root feed the plants twice a month to keep the microherd in the soil fed.

You wake up snug and warm under a down comforter. The wind is gusting, probably up to 20 knots, you think, based on the whistling sound, the rock of the boat, and the squeak of fenders against the side when you rock. It’s dark in here, darker than usual. You’ve slept in, as you do on Saturdays, and in this warm nest, you have no concept of time. As you awaken, the memory comes back to you — a weather forecast, a storm, a real whomper. The snowcovered port holes and hatches tell the tale. The blizzard had begun.

Hundreds of liveaboard sailors in Chesapeake country woke up to this scene on December 19, 2009. By 10 a.m., it had snowed nine inches in Annapolis, and the steady dump of snow would go on all day and deep into the evening accumulating another foot. Freelance writer Cindy Wallach woke up in “what felt like a cave” on her St. Francis 44 catamaran with her husband Doug Vibbert and five-year-old son Zach. She was thrilled that their makeshift tarp over the cockpit worked well enough that they could open the companionway door.

The first step to escaping the cave is to shovel your way out of the cockpit “very carefully,” says Vibbert. “Gingerly,” notes his dockmate.

Liveaboards use shovels — preferably plastic so as not to scrape the deck — or dustpans (and we heard one rumor of a “southern-bellestyle” shovel act with a pewter serving tray).

Some shovel the whole deck; others, such as a couple of the cruisers living at Annapolis City Dock this winter, only shovel a path out of the cockpit and let the sun do the work. A few noted that the difficulty arises when the path you’ve cleared freezes. Going into the icy drink, especially when you’re alone, “lifejacketless”, and lacking easy access to a swim ladder is beyond uncomfortable; it’s deadly.

Some liveaboards at the Annapolis Landing Marina have an ingenious solution to the traction issue: YakTrax. These strappy contraptions of woven rubber and metal slip over your shoes, as old-fashioned roller skates or crampons would, and act as “snow tires for your feet,” according to Wallach, who is convinced that YakTrax should be as mandatory for winter dock safety as lifejackets and the buddy system.

Once the decks and docks are shoveled and salted, and a few extra space heaters are in place, what’s left to do in a blizzard? “A lot of baking,” says Wallach, who admits that a full blizzard day at home in a cave with no natural light was making her “a little kooky.” She and her family filled their day melting chocolate, baking muffins and bread in the shape of a sun

Humidity

Believe it or not, humidity plays a very big role in a plant’s survival. A majority of plants are from a semi- tropical or tropical regions and they like high humidity. The average home in the winter has about 10-15 percent humidity. This is way too low for a plant to be happy and at its peak of health; although cacti do prefer the drier air they actually thrive in those conditions. There are various methods to accommodate a plant’s love of humidity. One solution is misting the plants leaves every couple of days. The drawback, however, is that this can bring on fungal attacks to plants with a tight leaf structure and/ or short inter-nodal spacing. A simple tray filled with pebbles and then adding water can raise the humidity level enough around the plant. I prefer this method. Just make sure that the water is not so high that the plant is sitting in the water. This will result in root rot for sure. Some folks like to use a humidifier to keep the levels up but not something I would recommend in an enclosed environment. Not only can this result in fungal issues but can be a launching pad for mold, mildew and other nasties growing in your house. By keeping the majority of my plants in a centralized location the humidity there ranges from 45 to 58%. I keep a thermometer on the wall next to the plants that also measures the humidity level. If you can keep the average humidity level at about 30% your plants should be fine.

Placement

Proper placement in the house is important. Sure, that plant next to the southern exposed window gets the light it may need but when you factor in the draft and cold chill that can possibly be felt there it may soon become unsuitable. Also, a plant that is too close to a heat source — especially if you have forced air heat — can dry a plant out in no time and really lower the level of humidity in that vicinity. Take into consideration the area and how it may or may not benefit the plant’s chance of being happy and overall survival.

Air Movement

Both carbon dioxide and oxygen are critical to good plant growth. By using a fan to help the air circulate around the plants carbon dioxide and oxygen are then freely available to the plants. It is also an effective way to keep insect pests and fungal diseases in check. Try not to have the fan blowing directly on the plants unless it’s on a gentle setting. Your goal here is to maintain good air flow like a nice tropical breeze, not having the plants feel they are in a hurricane.

These two books are worth reading to broaden your knowledge: The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual by Barbara Pleasant, and What’s Wrong with My Plant? And How Do I Fix It? by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth.

Happy Holidays from those of us here at Lynnhaven Greens and don’t forget those who are less fortunate than us — not just this holiday season but throughout the year as well. It only takes one to make a difference. Peace.

If you have any questions or comments about Urban Garden or have a garden question for Jimmy, please email him at office@oldtowncrier. com. Be sure to write “Urban Garden” in the subject line.

for the solstice, burning candles, and drinking tea, maybe with a dash of rum.

Carrie Gentile, another writer and sailor who lived on a trawler with her boyfriend, Chris Sullivan, cross-country skied through Eastport, made chocolate and peanut butter buckeyes, napped, and shared homemade soup and hot buttered rum on her neighbor’s boat in celebration of the storm. “Chris is from Michigan, and I’m from Vermont, so we love the snow,” she says (the couple has moved to New England). With two big dogs to walk, Gentile is no stranger to slippery docks in foul weather. For traction in footwear, she’s partial to Salomon snow clogs.

Tony Ireland, another liveaboard sailor and charter captain, says, “I thought Saturday was going to be a day of books and pay-per-view, but while I was at CVS buying milk, the guy in front of me in line was buying a long Santa hat and shared his plans to participate in the Speedo Run.” Ireland had to check out this quirky, humorous charity event, involving about 40 Santas in Speedos from various running (and drinking) clubs, who run up and down Annapolis’s Main Street to the cheers of the crowd, which was rather slim, as the blustery blizzard did not let up for a moment.

Ireland enjoyed the spectacle and the pub crawl following the event with a bunch of other friendly neighbors (santaspeedorunannapolis. com).

With the exception of a few of them noting how stepping off a boat to a skinny finger pier is daunting in snow, I tried and failed to get Ireland and the other liveaboards to give me negative nuggets about their life onboard, even during a blizzard. I asked, “Isn’t it tricky to shovel the slippery deck?” I pushed on, “Must have been a rough day… It’s got to be cold down there.” It’s not that bad, they tell me. You figure it out. Plug in more space heaters. Throw down some more salt. Bake cookies. Party with your slip mates. Even Wallach, who despises winter and is counting the days before she can visit family in Hawaii, had a happy blizzard weekend.

If you’re looking for lighthearted company with someone who likes to talk about sailing, invite a liveaboard sailor to share hot toddies and stories by your fireplace one night this winter. Your hospitality will be greatly appreciated — and maybe reciprocated with a day sail come spring.

Winans is the Editor of SpinSheet and PropTalk based in Eastport, Maryland. This article first appeared in the February 2011 issue of SpinSheet.

NORTH BEACH HOLIDAY EVENTS December 4, 7 pm Light Up the Town Gather on the pavilion as we enjoy Christmas carols and light up the town for the holiday season!

December 5, 12 pm Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade Watch the annual holiday parade from the boardwalk and await the arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus!

December 5, 1 pm Santa & CHRISTMAS on the Beach Santa & Mrs. Claus will meet with each child and listen as they share their wish lists. Roast marshmallows on the beach!

January 1, 1 pm Annual Polar Bear Plunge Net proceeds go to Calvert Meals on Wheels.

24 | December 2015

Old Town Crier

…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

I

f you finished your Christmas shopping before Labor Day and your tree is already up, you probably won’t need any motivation or new ideas. Some of us, however, become paralyzed as soon as December rolls around: we need a jump start, we want something different, we want something unique for someone special. Even if we’ve spent hours wandering aimlessly in stores or online, we might be facing increasing panic that we’ll never get it all done, and no better ideas now the holiday is upon us, even though we’ve been bombarded with advertisements since Labor Day. Of course plenty of us, including me, are habitual procrastinators and haven’t put much if any thought into it, but there’s nothing like the ubiquitous ads that seem to start earlier every year, in some cases right after Labor Day. They’re online, on the radio, TV and in our heads. All week, my brain’s been replaying a certain annoying jingle that goes with the ad for the car topped by a Old Town Crier

Middleburg Hunt photo: Karen Moore, Middleburg Photography

giant red ribbon—and I don’t even know anyone who’s given or gotten a car for Christmas! Sure, we smile and nod about those Facebook memes about how all we all need less as we get older. But for most of us, giving and receiving at this time of year is a deeply-ingrained tradition so whether we feel good, bad or indifferent about that, we shop.

A few years ago, I staged my own “Big Box” protest and since then have bought or made everything for holiday gift giving at local stores. I haven’t set foot in a mall or big box store for Christmas shopping in at least seven years. Although I haven’t seen it much this year, I love the advertising campaigns for small and local businesses. “First, there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now, there’s Small Business Saturday, the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement. It’s a day to support small businesses, the heartbeat of our communities. Shop Small. It’s going to be huge.”

Now granted, I probably won’t head

to Old Town Alexandria, Middleburg, Warrenton or Culpeper or any of the other quaint towns loaded with unique gift shops on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, any more than I’d ever get up at O Dark Thirty to wait in line at a Big Box on Black Friday. But I, and others I hope, will do my best to patronize local businesses for the rest of this season and in the future. While I’m loathe to cave to the dollar, those Big Boxes sell the things we need and use on a daily basis for the lowest prices so it’s hard to avoid them entirely. But the price we pay is the homogenization of our very communities. Our small towns are becoming Anytown, USA as the boxes change our communities and even our lifestyles, certainly our holiday shopping.

Instead of a welcome sign, the first thing you see entering nearly any small town these days are acres of parking lots ringed by rows of huge, boxy beige buildings with red and blue lettering,

HAVE YOURSELF

SOME CHRISTMAS MAGIC

BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 26

December 2015 | 25

BLUE RIDGE FROM PG 25

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

Trip Advisor

www.hopkinsordinary.com Sperryville, Virginia 540.987.3383

with chain restaurants and the smell of greasy fast food liberally sprinkled in. And although we may have initially vowed not to patronize them because we know they’re killing local businesses and eateries, it’s hard to be noble when the cost savings are so significant: these huge chains can sell goods cheaper than local businesses can buy them wholesale.

But for giving gifts, think of the benefits of shopping small—in addition to helping your local economy, perhaps even a neighbor; your gift is more likely to be unique, one of a kind and made in the USA, instead of one of a billion mass produced in China.

Speaking of small businesses, sometimes a trip out of town is just the jump start you might need to get in the spirit. Many of the small towns in the Blue Ridge have their own quaint celebrations and parades as well as an array of unique shops. Warrenton, the county seat of Fauquier, kicks off the holiday season on Friday, December 4th with a small town parade and the lighting of its Christmas tree beginning at 6 pm at the court house in Old Town Warrenton.

The crown jewel is the award winning GumDrop Square and Santa’s Secret Shop where Santa will be on hand for those lists, complimentary photos (one per family) and where all gifts are $2 and will be gift wrapped. Stroll down Main Street on Friday night December 5th and every Friday until Christmas enjoying carolers, orchestras, choirs, merchant open houses, a live nativity, food trolleys with hot cocoa and warm snacks and take a ride with the beautiful Clydesdales with their horse-drawn hayrides. Come and experience Christmas in true Old Town fashion. Festivities begin Friday, December 5th at 6pm with the Christmas Parade, the arrival of Santa, the lighting of the Old Town Christmas tree and the opening of GumDrop THE LAST WORD FROM PG 13

a mediocre movie starring the impeccable Kevin Spacey, the book was a huge hit when it was first released, for good reason. When New York writer John Berendt ensconced himself in Savannah, he traversed the many squares that composed downtown Savannah, designed by James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia. Upon visiting for the first time, he had no idea that he would find a home in a city of eccentrics who loved to throw parties, an African-American drag queen friend named Chablis and her colleagues, an invitation to the African-American debutante ball, a widow who took him to visit the dead at the Spanish moss-draped Bonaventure Cemetery, voodoo practitioners, and a genuine true-crime scandal involving a refined society antiques dealer and a young male hustler living with him. The latter involved interviewing other Savannah luminaries for or against historic preservation and with or without grudges against the dealer.

Berendt waited, not unlike Truman Capote during In Cold Blood, until the trial was over to finish his book. Although Savannah has become a spot on the tourist map in large part because of this true-crime/travelogue, the book is still accurate in portraying its cloistered Southern mystique and remains an incredibly entertaining read.

Lastly, for the literary types who have not yet read Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov, I recommend The Annotated Lolita

26 | December 2015

Square, a Top 20 event in the Southeast. For more information call (540) 349-8606, or visit www.partnershipforwarrenton.org.

If you’ve never been to Christmas in Middleburg on the first Saturday in December, it gets better every year. This year Christmas in Middleburg falls on December 5th and features a full day of family friendly activities.

The day begins with Breakfast with Santa and is followed by the iconic Middleburg Hunt review at 11 am when the hunt ‘s horses, riders and hounds parade right down the center of town.

The Christmas parade begins at 2 pm, featuring foot beagle hunt clubs, polo clubs, animal affinity groups (corgi owners, Great Pyrenees owners, llama and alpaca owners, etc.), community groups (VFDs, schools, scouts, churches, clubs), enthusiasts groups (MG cars, old fire trucks, Mini Coopers, muscle cars), business floats, reenactment bands (Civil War, Revolutionary War, Scots highlands), high school bands, and Santa on his coach drawn by matched Shire draft horses closing the parade.

All day long there are special events including Breakfast with Santa and a silent auction at Middleburg Community Charter School; a craft fair at the Community Center; a greens show and sale at Emmanuel Episcopal Church parish hall; children’s activities throughout town; food and drink indoors and out and a progressive wine crawl. The town’s many unique shops are open for business as well.

And for the very freshest, most local Christmas tree, pack up the family and drive out to one of the area’s Christmas tree farms and cut your own. All sell roping and wreaths, too. Arboria, 10699 Ada Rd., Marshall; (540)364-3166; JB’s Christmas Tree Farm, 11192 Rogues Road, Midland; (540)788-4035 and/or Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm, Christmas Tree Lane, Round Hill; (540)5548623. (annotated by Alfred Appel, Jr.). I never encountered this book in school and was uninterested, since it sounded like the glorified story of a nasty pedophile that somehow had become a bestseller because it was sensational.

It is anything but. The annotated edition is essential, since Nabokov constantly makes puns, allusions, references and subreferences to popular and classic literature. His sly writing has brilliant charm. It serves to play a game with the willing reader rather than just serving up a straightforward story of Humbert Humbert, who marries Charlotte, the mother of his pre-teen obsession, Dolores Haze, to get at her rather vacuous daughter. Nabokov, writing in pitch-perfect English, describes this pathetic obsession as the widowed Humbert takes Dolores on a frantic tour of 1950s motels to get away from his nemesis, Quilty, who may or may not be a figment of his imagination.

Lolita is only very superficially about a pervert’s lust: it is about America in the Fifties, the art of reading, and much else besides. In the end it was so moving I was in tears for an hour. This work escapes its literary game with the reader (or does it?) and finds a way to pierce your heart.

Having not reviewed these books before, I hope you compare them with the newer offerings from publishers. They may also be available on order at a less-expensive rate in brand-new condition, so consider these options as you make merry over the Hanukkah candles and in front of the Christmas tree.

Old Town Crier

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Old Town Crier

December 2015 | 27

BEHIND THE BAR

Hans Schultz

hans schultz IS BEHIND THE BAR AT oyster bar union street public house 121 south union STREET old town, alexandria 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.COM

How did you get started in the bartending business?

I was thrown into the position as many bartenders are. I was working at Ruby Tuesday’s and we were short-staffed. Since I was 21, the management decided I would bar tend. At first, I thought “I got this,” pouring beer and wine no problem, but then the cocktails came. I was trying to make Long Islands, Bahama Mamas, Sex on the Beach, Tequila Sunrises (which I am almost positive I made with vodka and orange juice and no grenadine). I felt like the Titanic, sinking quicker and quicker, but presented every drink with confidence and made it through BEHIND THE BAR > PAGE 29

Hans serves up his Old Town Shuffle. He is behind the Union Street Bar Friday and Saturday nights and Sundays at the Oyster Bar.

Yes,Virginia,there is a…

Single Malt Hand malted and applewood aged right here, one barrel at a time.

This is where your new favorite whisky comes from.

Visit us in Sperryville. Tours daily. www.copperfox.biz

28 | December 2015

Old Town Crier

G

® Book Your Holiday Party with Us Today!

Celebrate with Us New Year’s Eve! Reservations Only 6 PM - 1 AM $40 4-Course Meal Party Favors Midnight Champagne Toast Music by Pat Carroll & Ronan Kavanagh Open 5 PM Christmas Day with Dinner Specials & Music Open New Year’s Day for Brunch 11 AM - 2 PM

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

722 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.548.0088

713 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.548.1717 • murphyspub.com

www.geranio.net BEHIND THE BAR FROM PG 28

the shift. Surprisingly, the relationship you have with guests is just as important as the quality of the drink.

What is your biggest bartender pet peeve?

I am sure there is more than one for all bartenders. Allow me to name a few: “Make me something good … and hook it up!”

“Whoa … this is my tab? I didn’t order all these drinks!”

“She is 21 … I swear!”

What is the most clever line anyone has ever used to get you to give them a free drink?

Free drinks are always awesome; yet, when you try to trick me into a free drink, I tend to notice. One time someone tried to convince me that a homeless guy came in and “ninja’ed” their drink. Yet, I know the patron never left for a single second. I almost wanted to give them a free drink just for using the word, “ninja’ed.”

been: “I heard you like bonfires. I can supply the wood.”

“Do you like my pants? Want to test the zipper?”

“Babe, are you a hipster?

Cause you make my hips stir.”

Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a customer(s).

I had a couple come in one day, talked about football until the bar closed ; compared lives and fought about sports teams, and since then got a little disconnected. Just recently, they got reconnected and now I get pictures of their

child and am still getting heat for my football team choice.

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

I sound like a dork, but George Lucas. I would like to know what happened with Episodes I, II, III. Then close with a martini with Spielberg.

eat like a local!

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

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

I’ve been bartending for a while, so I have heard plenty, but some of my favorites have Old Town Crier

December 2015 | 29

DINING OUT BOBTAGERT

Chadwicks A local favorite

W

development phase. ith all of the A long time favorite watering demolition taking chadwicks hole of locals (including me), place along the 203 The Strand Chadwicks has always offered Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria the right combination of friendly we thought 703-836-4442 folks, lively spirits and good that we would visit one of chadwicksrestaurants.com Alexandria’s iconic restaurants food and a fair price. As are that has been there since 1979 most stores and restaurants, Chadwicks is located in a 200and will still be there after the year old warehouse. The stone and brick new waterfront is completed. Located on walls give the restaurant a certain old world The Strand along the waterfront Chadwicks character to go along with the dark woods has endured high water and hurricanes over and center staircase. A long wooden bar the years and will be one of the buildings that is grandfathered in throughout the

DINING OUT > PAGE 35

30 | December 2015

Old Town Crier

Ring in the new year with a local fine dining experience Old Town Crier

December 2015 | 31

Dining Guide american BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300

HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HUNTING CREEK STATION 1106 King St. 703-836-5126 INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372

BITTERSWEET 823 King St. 703-549-2708 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 571-982-3577 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

JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 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

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

MANCINIS 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-838-FOOD

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

Mason Social 728 Henry Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-8800 mason-social.com

THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444 FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700 FINN & PORTER AT MARK CENTER 5000 Seminary Rd. 703-379-2346 FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200 FLAT IRON STEAK & SALOON 808 King St. 703-299-0777 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342

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

ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

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

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

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

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

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

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

REYNOLDS STREET CAFÉ 34 S. Reynolds St. 703-751-0830 RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122 SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247 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 TRADITIONS (Holiday Inn) 625 First St. 703-548-6300 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap and grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour.

asian

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

32 | December 2015

LA BERGERIE 218 N. Lee St. 703-683-1007 labergerie.com ITALIAN BERTUCCIS 725 King St. 703-548-8500 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant.

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

IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833

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

LA STRADA 1905 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-2592

RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450

SAPORE DITALIA RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA 1310 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-683-9680

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.

CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 FRENCH BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151

VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669

LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854

VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669

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

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

BISTRO ROYALE 1201 N. Royal St. 703-519-9110 bistroroyal.com YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. (in Hoffman Ctr.) 703-329-1010

GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288

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

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

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

and 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!

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 DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd.

703-660-6085 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN AUSTIN GRILL 801 King St. 703-684-8969 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) CASA FELIPE 835 N. Royal St. 703-535-7868

MEDITERRANEAN LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 “Spring into Spain and Feast Like a King.” Offering unlimited tapas at lunch

Old Town Crier

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

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

Join Us Sunday, December 20 for Our 1st Anniversary Celebration!

Drink & Food Specials All Day Long!

Great Steaks

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Late Night Menu Available Every Night

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Old Town Crier

December 2015 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

Mauro MOLINO

photo: ©2015 Chester Simpson

M

Chef Mauro Molino with a peperoni pizza.

auro Molino, brings 22 plus years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry to his new role as executive chef of Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap in Alexandria, Va. Molino served as executive MAURO MOLINO chef of Il Posto IS THE CHEF at Restaurant, LENA’S WOOD FIRED Ospedale PIZZA & TAP Molinette, and 401 E. BRADDOCK ROAD Eataly Torino alexandria, Va Lingotto, before 703-683-5330 relocating to the LENASWOODFIRE.com nation’s capital in October 2010. Over the past five years, Molino has worked at several of Washington’s top establishments including Rustico Restaurant & Bar, The Hamilton, T.J Stones and Lia’s under chef/owner Geoff Tracy where he most recently cooked before being named executive chef of Lena’s WoodFired Pizza & Tap.

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

I became a chef because I was raised in Italy in a family where my grandmother cooked from morning ’til night. When I was young, four or five years old, I stayed with her on the weekends and all summer long. She had a large garden and thus all her own fresh produce. I always helped her in the kitchen and this inspired my excitement for cooking.

Who is the biggest inspirations for your career?

I am my own greatest inspiration.

True creativity requires you compete with yourself and grow from within.

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

The gnocchi with mushroom ragu.

Gnocchi are eaten as a first course, as an alternative to soups or pasta.

Nobody has a recipe like this!

CHEF’S SPECIAL > PAGE 35

Left to right: Lena’s Giant Meatball, Kale Salad, Vegetable Antipasto, and an Italian dessert: Bunet, traditional piedmontese chocolate terrine with amaretti cookie.

34 | December 2015

Old Town Crier

CHEF’S SPECIAL FROM PG 34

DINING OUT FROM PG 30

dominates the right side of the first floor with table seating to the left.

The huge staircase in the middle takes you to the second floor where there is another bar, dining and large windows that look out on the Potomac River.

The overall ambiance of Chadwicks is casual … no white tablecloths here. I had wanted to get back to Chadwicks and try their Chicken Virginia. Many years ago I had chicken with crabmeat at The Summerhouse Restaurant in Rehoboth, Del. and loved it. Chadwicks version did not disappoint. Two succulent chicken breasts covered with lump crab and country ham in a sherry cream sauce. The combination was a taste treat. The sides of fresh green beans If any chef in the world could prepare and jasmine rice made for a very you a meal, who would it, be? pleasant meal. The rice was placed French Chef Paul Bocuse would be on the plate with a scoop which gave that chef. He is famous for the high quality of his restaurants, and known for it a cafeteria appearance, but once I dug into it the shape disappeared introducing a lighter style of cooking. and the rice was very good…a great His style emphasizes lightly cooked addition to the sherry cream sauce. vegetables, spare use of dressings and The green bans were cooked just sauces made from ingredients low in right and had a nice crispness to fats, with a simple presentation. them. At $21, I thought that the meal was spot on.

What’s your guilty food pleasure?

My dining companion opted for All food is my guilty pleasure! Well, a starter and ordered the Arugula it’s really Meatballs! & Roasted Beet salad — adorned with feta cheese, spiced walnuts, If you would like to see your favorite dried cranberries and dressed with a chef featured here, send contact info to chester@chestersimpson.com.

What do you do to ensure the quality of the food going out to customers?

I always use fresh produce to ensure that my product is of the highest quality. We stress the importance of fresh ingredients by ordering day by day and don’t stock anything in the walk-in cooler. It’s very important to know the history of food and the cultural, economic, environmental, and sociological impacts of food. Legend has it that Pizza Margherita, a pizza garnished with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, was created in 1889 by a famous pizza maker in Naples, Raffaele Esposito, to honor Queen Margherita of Italy. His original recipe featured the colors of the Italian flag basil (green), tomatoes (red) and mozzarella (white).

Meyer lemon vinaigrette. It’s a good thing I didn’t opt for a starter since this salad was plenty for two people.

It is a fantastic combination of all of the aforementioned ingredients in perfect proportions. I can see it being ordered as an entrée alone and they do give you the option to add a protein. The Pecan Crusted Rainbow Trout came next. This dish is made with maple bourbon butter and as the name indicates is “crusted” with chopped pecans.

While the combination itself is very good, they are a little heavy handed with the crusting and it takes away from the delicate flavor of the trout.

After removing one side of the crust, the flavors and texture was very good. She said she would definitely order it again but make sure to ask for a very “light” crusting. The trout is normally served with green beans and mashed potatoes but she substituted them for the Jasmine rice. At $17, this is a great value as well.

Other favorites at Chadwicks are the Herbed Ribeye Steak, Jumbo Crab Cakes, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Black & Blue (Blackened Petite Tenderloin with melted blue cheese), sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes. This food is down home cooking with no frills… great on the palate and easy on the wallet.

They offer a special each day that they refer to as Comforts on the menu. These specials include Beer Can Chicken, Turkey Platter, Meatloaf and Spaghetti and Meatballs on Sunday. Chadwicks has a large selection of desserts as well.

We opted for the Mudpie, whipped Kona coffee ice cream with Kalua on an Oreo cookie crust with gobs of chocolate over the top. Plenty for two people to share.

Chadwicks has also always been a popular destination for Sunday brunch, which is also offered on Saturday. They have all of the brunch classics…Three Egg Omlette, Eggs Benedict, French toast, Buttermilk Pancakes and Eggs Chesapeake, as well as an assortment of sandwiches and Chef Specials.

All items are reasonably priced and a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning gazing out at the Potomac River.

While the wine list isn’t extensive it has plenty to offer with something for everyone’s palate. They do, however, have a pretty extensive beer list and just about any adult beverage you want in the spirits department.

While you are home for the holidays or just taking a break from your holiday shopping, enjoy a meal at one of Old Town Alexandria’s restaurant icons.

MerryChristmas Happy New Year

Book Your Holiday Parties Now!

New Year’s Eve Five Course Dinner $75 per person, includes Champagne Toast

$35 additional for Wine Pairings Light Fair available at the bar

Seatings at 5:30 and 8:00

Old Town’s Favorite Santa & Mrs. Claus

Tax and gratuity not included in price.

is coming to Union Street Public House on December 22, 23 & 24

Visit UnionStreetPublicHouse.com for details & reservations.

121 South Union Street Alexandria, VA 703-548-1785

Old Town Crier

7966 Fort Hunt Road Reservations Required: 703-347-7545

RiverBendBistro.com Closed Dec.25 and Jan. 1 December 2015 | 35

GRAPEVINE FRANK BRITT

Drink Naked‌Wine, That Is naked mountain winery & Vineyards

F

The Morgan Family

36 | December 2015

or more than forty years, Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyards has been serving some of the finest wines Virginia has to offer. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fauquier County, the winery is just shy of an hour west of Washington, DC, the perfect destination for award-winning wines and bucolic views of the countryside. Surrounded by peach and apple orchards, Naked Mountain is not naked mountain only a destination winery & vineyard for wine lovers, but 2747 Leeds Manor Road for families looking Markham, VA 22643 to make a day trip 540-364-1609 to the country as nakedmountainwinery.com well.

Despite being one of Virginia’s oldest wineries, Naked Mountain actually has a very youthful presence. The proprietors, Randy and Meagan Morgan, are not typical winery owners. It was after a tasting with friends in 2010 that

the Morgans, then in their late 20s, decided to take a run at purchasing the well-known and established vineyard. Bob and Phoebe Harper, the founders of Naked Mountain, saw some of the same spark in Randy and Meagan that they had when they planted the property in the 70s, and decided to entrust the Morgans with the future of their winery.

Since 2010

To Randy and Meagan, wine was always something their friends were uncomfortable talking about, and that was something they wanted to change. The staff at Naked Mountain has made it their mission to make Virginia wines more approachable and to talk about wine in terms both novices and oenophiles can understand. They strive to pair their wines with every-day foods and explain the process of wine making in both a fun and instructive manner.

The Vineyards

The vineyards at Naked Mountain have undergone renovations in the past few years, with the replanting Old Town Crier

of two acres of Chardonnay as well as the replanting of almost an acre of Riesling. A separate vineyard just down Leeds Manor Road has also been planted with Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, a grape varietal making a robust Virginia red wine.

Additional plantings are also in the works for 2016 on that same vineyard site as well as another in Delaplane, Virginia.

Visit Naked Mountain

Randy and Meagan Morgan will host the first annual “Light Up the Mountain” event on December 12 from 5 to 7 pm. The featured wine that evening will be Mistletoe, a medium bodied red wine with hints of spice. The holiday celebration will include mulled wine, live holiday music, illumination of the winery grounds, and lighting of the seasonal yule log. The $20 per person fee includes a tasting of Naked Mountain wines, a commemorative glass, and seasonal snack plate. Reservations are required.

The winery tasting room is open from 11 to 5 daily, with longer weekend hours starting in the spring.

Visit and enjoy the ski chalet style tasting room for a tasting, or indulge in their Lasagna Lunches, catered by Chef Eric Stamer, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from January through March. The winery also

hosts Winemaker’s Dinners, where Chef Stamer works with the winery to create an evening of delicious wines and fine foods.

And don’t forget, Drink Naked!

Frank Britt is the former copublisher and co-founder of Virginia Wine Lover magazine and current publisher of the Official Virginia

Wine Lover E-newsletter, the source for Virginia’s wine news, and complimentary to Old Town Crier readers. He also consults with several wine festivals. Britt can be reached at frank@brittmarketing.com; vawinelover.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION to the OFFICIAL VIRGINIA WINE LOVER E-newsletter www.vawinelover.com

MULLED WINE Ingredients

Preparation

• 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks • 5 cardamom pods • 3 black peppercorns • 4 whole cloves • 1 cup sugar • 1½ cups water • 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine such as Côtes du Rhône • 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise • 1 small orange, thinly sliced • 1 small lemon, thinly sliced • Special equipment: a 6x 4" piece of cheesecloth; kitchen string

Wrap cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, peppercorns, and cloves in cheesecloth and tie with string. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 5-quart heavy pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then add spice bag, wine, vanilla bean, and fruit.

Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes.

Old Town Crier

December 2015 | 37

EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI

n PLEASE VISIT OUR NEWLY OPENED CIGAR & RED WINE BAR n

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

Seeking Balance Tasting rooms, such as this one at Fabbioli Cellars, are an example of rural investment in Loudoun County, Va.

A

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

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

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

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

Botetourt County Wine Trail botetourtwinetrail.com The Botetourt County Wine Trail features three wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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

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

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

38 | December 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Virginia Wine Marketing Office

bout 12 years ago, I got involved in my community by joining the Rural Economic Development Council for Loudoun County. I did this mainly because I recognized that if the county continued to build houses at the explosive rate they were going, many farms would be gone.

Our business and many others need an agricultural community to survive. This group has been given the task of advising the county board of supervisors on how to build the rural economy through agriculture, tourism, and other rural businesses that will feed the tax base and increase the value of the land without residential development. Even with a major recession and a number of new supervisors elected over the years, this process and effort has been on a steady and successful course. Unfortunately, it seems we have a new challenge in our midst.

Our challenge stems from the new law allowing farm breweries in rural zones. Last year, the state of Virginia passed a law allowing farm breweries to open, similar to the way that farm wineries have. The county had to do some work to define how these fit into our rural areas and the performance standards that needed to be met. We have three farm breweries approved in the county but the fourth one has run into a bit of a snag. A handful of very vocal neighbors have raised a fuss over a new farm brewery moving in down the road from them claiming that it will disturb the “peace and quietude.” Needless to say, these vocal neighbors hired a lawyer to amplify and add to their concerns. The target, according to the lawyer, has widened to not just include this farm brewery but all alcohol licenses in the rural zones, current and future. I’m glad that this lawyer has pushed his goal so blatantly, as it invites all of the current farm wineries and farmers to oppose this effort. As the saying goes, “Don’t let the camel get his nose in the tent, or soon you will have to remove the whole camel.” We will work hard to continue the growth of the rural economy.

As an industry and community leader, I hope we can find some sound balance and not use the scare tactics that are frequently employed in all political realms these days.

Between the increase in the tax base from the businesses, the conservation easements used to protect the land from residential development, the employment increases in the area and the higher value of the land due to ag investments, we have had little or no resistance to our rural plan. It has been great for me to not feel like we have had to go to battle to save our land or businesses. The Virginia lawmakers are looking at Loudoun County as a model as to how to navigate these citizen concerns while promoting rural development and tourism. That adds some pressure to the issue because we do not want others to have to fix this after we finish. I am unsure how this will all shake out, but I hope we can disagree agreeably and find some common ground that will continue to make our rural lands a great place to live, work and play. More to come.

Old Town Crier

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

Fishing for Holiday Gifts? providing neck, head and ear sun protection. Awardwinning Sunbandits are constructed from breathable, lightweight 100% microfiber polyester, wicking moisture and drying quickly. Cool in summer and warm in winter, they offer protection from wind and sun. One size fits all in dozens of cool patterns. flyingfisherman.com Smartphones ring and the gloves come off. Not anymore! NEW Tap-KnitTM Technology from HANZ

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hopping for anglers is frustrating; but for the person on the receiving end, there’s a guaranteed stint in the return line! Choose gifts for on and off the water.

TEVA’s OMNIUM unites sandal comfort with shoe stability and foot protection!

On deck, in the water, or on the street, these all weather sport sandals can be worn with comfort even with socks!

Microban® zinc-based antimicrobial treatment keeps them fresh! Rubber bumpers protect toes. A Shoc Pad™ maintains comfort. Spider Original Rubber outsole keeps

OMNIUM from losing its grip. Teva.com Award winning outdoors writer, with 50 plus years experience, Keith “Catfish” Sutton brings one of America’s most popular fish to the pages of his latest book. “Hardcore Catfishing” is packed with details Sutton gathers from recognized cat experts on every known conceivable fishing method and bait.

Fishing for fun, food or trophies, Sutton also reveals his succulent catfish recipes.

For autographed copies, visit catfishsutton.com Who doesn’t need another pair of jeans? Wrangler

Bassing IN DECemBER Potomac River

Target hard cover near drops as fish prepare to stay in winter holes. Use spinning rods and downsize to GAMMA 6-pound test Edge fluorocarbon either as a main line or use 15-pound test GAMMA Torque braid with 6-pound test leader. Reels with smooth drags are important, like the Quantum EXO. Drop shot, shaky head, and split shot are the best bets.

Old Town Crier

Extremity Wear, known for waterproof socks and gloves, answers the call with a grip on smart phones. NEW HANZ WATERPROOF TAPKNIT TOUCHSCREEN GLOVES also work with touchscreen fishing depth finders! In addition, functional gripper dots facilitate grip. Comfortable and breathable, HANZ gloves are ideal for fishing, golf or everyday wear! hanzusa.com Fishing clothing maker GO FISH > PAGE 42

takes the heat out of classic American blue jeans. New Premium Performance Cool Vantage Cowboy Cut Regular Fit breathable jeans are perfect for cool mornings becoming warm afternoons.

Breakthrough sweat-control technology wicks sweat five times faster than other jeans by pulling moisture to the outside where it dries faster.

Cool Vantage jeans keep you on the move, leaving you cool, calm and unrestricted by sticky pants! wrangler.com Tubular bandanas are versatile. Flying Fisherman Sunbandits are the perfect unisex stocking stuffer,

Use a Mustad 1/0 Mega Bite hook along with a 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BullShot weight for drop shots and split shots.

MIZMO makes a BarbWire head that keeps baits in place and increases hooks ups with 5-inch Doodle worms. MIZMO also makes great 3-inch grubs and tubes. Use 1/8-ounce heads for both. Use slow horizontal presentations.

Also time to break out Silver Buddy lures. Use ½ ounce on 10-pound test GAMMA EDGE on casting reels like very light QUANTUM EXOs on KVD Quantum spinnerbait rods with enough tip flex for casting and hook-setting backbone.

Mann’s Loudmouth II cranks on 10-pound test EDGE work along warmed surfaces. Go deeper with Lucky Craft LC RTO 1.5 DD. Use shad patterns in clearer water or sunny days, craws otherwise.

December 2015 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

Working Out Through Winter W Old TOwn denTisTry FrinetKasper,DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Crowns & Bridges Invisalign • Sealants Fillings • Whitening

ith the cold weather rolling in and the days getting shorter it seems like we all have less time on our hands. With an already jam-packed schedule we tend to skip out on workouts (or stop exercising entirely) and by the time we get to the New Year we all feel compelled to get back to that pre-holiday shape. This year lets try to do things a little different. Instead of slowing down on the exercise routine and abandoning your diet completely, keep up the good work and by the time the New Year gets here you will be starting off on a positive foot. Pay attention to what you eat at your holiday parties and keep your butt moving through the last leg of the holiday season. Here are just a few tips to keep you looking and feeling your best!

Keep Moving

Without realizing it we sometimes slow down on our exercise routines. This time make a steadfast commitment to workout.

Just like you make your work schedule, take time to pencil in a workout. If you end up missing a workout make it up as soon as possible. Remember it is easier to stick to a fitness program than it is to start one after months of inactivity.

Take Your Workout Outdoors

Most people will bring their workouts inside when the weather starts to get chilly. Instead, take advantage of what the weather has to offer. Bundle up a bit and take a walk, you’ll have to walk a bit faster to keep yourself warm while also burning more calories.

Travel Smart

1203 Prince Street Alexandria, Va. 22314

703.683.0800

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Don’t abandon your workout because of traveling for work or family holiday parties. If you are on a business trip try staying at a hotel that has a gym. You don’t need a whole room full of exercise equipment to get a workout done. If gym access is not available get yourself moving with a light jog around the block and some AB crunches and push-ups. It is always better to do something than do no exercise at all.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

You won’t drink as much water because you don’t feel as thirsty. Remember that dry indoor air can be more dehydrating that running outside. Make sure to keep drinking plenty of fluids during the day and especially during and after a workout.

FITNESS > PAGE 42

40 | December 2015

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

THE GIFT OF HEALTH

W

ow! It’s hard to believe that 2015 is almost over. This year has gone by way too fast, but December is a great time to find that perfect gift for the holidays. If you are one of those people who struggle to think of gift ideas, you should consider something fitnessrelated. Here are a few things that I recommend:

Heart Rate Monitor

This is a tool that I think everyone should own.

Heart rate monitor prices can vary anywhere from $30 to well over $300 depending upon the brand and type.

The best thing about having one is that it will track the intensity of your workout no matter where you exercise!

You don’t need to rely on a cardio machine at the health club to check your heart rate.

It’s also easier than stopping in the middle of your workout to feel your pulse and count while watching the clock.

Exercise Ball

(aka Fit Ball, Swiss Ball, or Stability Ball) I’m talking about the big ball you can sit on at the office or perform multiple exercises for the “core.” However, you can do much more than abdominal exercises with a Fit Ball such as squats, stationary lunges and pushups. Every

Old Town Crier

ball should have an exercise sheet included to show you how to use them. They also come in different sizes and colors, so which one should you buy? Most manufacturers will have a size chart printed on the side of the box. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends these sizes for height: 4’8”-5’5”: 45 cm ball 5’6”-6’0”: 55 cm ball (most common size in stores) 6’1”-6’5”: 65 cm ball (most common size in stores) Taller than 6’5”: 75 cm ball Prices for exercise balls vary from $20 (typical) to $45 (burst resistant quality).

Kettle Bell

You might be wondering, “What the heck is a kettle bell?”

I can give you a visual.

It basically looks like a cannonball with a handle on top. Kettle bells have been used for centuries in Russia, but are now becoming popular fitness tools in the U.S. Sizes typically range from 5lbs to 25lbs in stores, but can be ordered much heavier. Some kettle bells will be listed in kilograms (kgs), have a cast iron look and feel, or have some sort of covering or coating for a better grip.

Kettle bells can be a bit pricy, ranging anywhere from $25 to over $180 for a single one.

Kettle bell training does take more practice and skill than traditional weight training, so you should seek guidance from a fitness professional before diving into this type of training.

Health Club Membership/ Personal Training Sessions

This gift can be a tricky one because the recipient might be offended at such an offer thinking, “What are you trying to say!” However, if you have heard someone talking about joining a gym or thinking about personal training, this might be the gift to help them take that next step toward a healthier life.

I hope these ideas will be helpful in your quest to find a great holiday gift this season!

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). Ryan is also a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Staying HealtHy witH eSSential OilS Learn how essential oils can help you stay healthy during the holiday season eSSential OilS O w RKSHOP

FRee!

Naturally safe, purely effective therapeutic-grade essential oils

Join us for this fun event to explore the beauty and power of essential oils. We will explore the benefits of essential oils in depth, and learn different ways to use them to nourish the mind and body. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes. Essential oils are highly concentrated natural oils extracted from plants, flowers, roots, wood, bark, or seeds.

They are known for their healing and purifying benefits. Join us to learn more about the many uses and benefits of essential oils.

twO DateS: Sunday, December 6 • 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. OR tuesday, December 29 • 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

COSt: Free! Registration is required: www.MarcelasyogaBoutique.com

GIFTS TO NOURISH THE MIND, BODY & SOUL

317 S. WASHINGTON ST. OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA MARCELASYOGABOUTIQUE.COM

December 2015 | 41

Experience the Difference December special Purchase a $100 or

more LuLu sage gift card and receive 20% off aLL Product.

Offer must be used at time of purchase.

610 Madison Street, Suite100 Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.894.0709 • LuluSageSalonAndSpa.com Don’t forget about our rewards program!

be blown away

GO FISH FROM PG 39

AFTCO introduces a NEW Samurai hooded performance long sleeve fishing sun shirt!

100% polyester breathable stretch fabric is QuickDry and blocks 98% of UV rays. The hood allows more or less sun protection, depending on the weather. AFTCO’s Brush logo on the front chest adds to its good looks.

Comfort in any outdoors activity! aftco.com Don’t reflect upon the suns glare! World famous Maui Jim Polarized Plus sunglasses are available with Blue Flash mirror coating .

Blue Hawaii capitalizes on recent marketplace fashion trends with a premium, polarized Maui Jim lens combining blue flash and glare protection. Available in frames for any activity Blue Hawaii Maui Jims are the clear style and UV protection choice. mauijim.com On the go doesn’t mean packing a cold lunch! Klean Kanteen double-wall vacuum insulated canisters keep food hot up to 4 hours, and cold to 12. Dry goods remain fresh. Foodgrade stainless steel doesn’t absorb flavors or odors. Reusable canisters are good for the environment. Healthy alternative to plastic!

Co-branding available! kleankanteen.com Working up a sweat stinks. Sitka Gear airs out their apparel utilizing Polygiene® Odor Control Technology to permanently stop odorcausing bacteria. Sitka’s CORE Lightweight long sleeve low profile crewneck breathes comfortably and wicks moisture away from skin for extended outings. Textiles treated with Polygiene don’t need to be washed as often, saving water, energy, time and money. Better for the environment. Fewer washings also

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

FITNESS FROM PG 40

Eat Hot and Healthy

Most people throw out those diet guidelines for the winter and fill up on home made chili and beef stews. Start your meals off with a bowl of chicken and vegetable soup instead.

Not only is chicken soup good for you, studies have shown that people who ate it as an appetizer consumed less calories throughout the entire meal.

Go Nuts!

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At the office holiday party instead of pigging out on the baked goods, candy and chips grab a handful of mixed nuts and munch on it slowly.

Nuts are loaded with protein and healthy fat which makes you feel more full and therefore less likely to fill up on empty calorie foods.

Drink Better

Eggnog is a diet disaster. Instead of consuming half your day’s calories in one drink go for a glass of red wine or a rich tasting dark beer. Drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic drink. This will keep you hydrated and reduce your calorie intake.

Eating Out

When eating out try to avoid that “too full” feeling that usually comes at the end of a meal.

One pasta plate at a restaurant is enough to easily feed two people. Instead of devouring everything yourself, offer to split a low fat appetizer, a salad and a meal. By doing this you will eat less and also save a couple bucks.

Stay Healthy

One of the biggest set backs during the winter months is getting sick. Catching a cold can set

you back a week depending on how sick you get. Work toward improving your immunity by keeping up on your cardio. A recent study at the University of South Carolina in Columbia found that adults who get regular moderate exercise have significantly fewer colds. If you already have a cold, moderate exercise probably won’t make it worse, but consult your doctor if you have possible flu symptoms such as fever, muscle aches or heavy coughing.

Go to Sleep

Missing out on sleep as stress and time demands grow can result in lower virus fighting “natural killer” cells in our bodies.

Sleep gives your body the recovery time it needs to stay healthy and to keep your immune system working at its best.

Eat your Vegetables! Eat plenty of carotenoid rich vegetables like winter squash, carrots and pumpkin. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, a diet high in carotenoids can raise your immune-cell count by a third, which will help ward off illness and keep your fitness level intact Trying to stay healthy through the holidays can be tough, especially when everyone brings out their favorite pies and dessert goodies.

Remember that the holidays come around once every year so its not like you are going to miss out on something if you don’t stuff yourself like a Christmas goose. Focus on keeping your fitness a priority and you will be able to start the New Year with a lot more pep than everyone else who decided to take the last three months off of exercise. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season by staying healthy and fit!

Old Town Crier

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HolidayGlam!

Y

ou’ve trimmed the tree, hung the stockings, decorated the house, and bought the gifts, but what about you? With invitations to holiday parties abound, make sure you sparkle for every occasion. Consider these trendy make up looks for any possible holiday festivity that may come your way.

The Office Party

Your normally conservative office look is still the best course of action even though it is a holiday party. Keep your makeup light, but fresh.

Freshen and awaken your look with a dab of concealer to the corner and outer edges of the eye. Dab on a sheer lip gloss. And, to lend some festive sparkle, add a dab of shimmer to the apples of the cheek and to the corner of the eye. So as not to compete with the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, be sure not to overdue the shimmer. Be light, be strategic and be discreet.

Drinks with the Girls

Think girly fun, think pink, think glossy, and think fresh.

Glossy, sheer lips with a dab of dazzle are best. Pink tones on the eyes and cheeks make for a fresh and flirty look appropriate for an exclusively girls only fete. To ensure a fresh and dewy look, choose cream based products for the cheeks and eyes. Finish the look with a light coat of black mascara on your upper and lower lashes.

Cocktail Party

Take subtle to new heights with heavier eyeliner and metallic tones. Try heavy eyeliner over subtle eye base colors for a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” look. Layer generous eyeliner along the lash line on the top eyelid only, choosing from rich tones such as navy blue, black or chocolate brown. To pull off this look correctly, be sure to keep the eye shadow a neutral shade swept over the eyelid and all the way up to the brow.

Keep cheeks bare and choose a sheer or light colored lip gloss.

You could also choose to sparkle at your next cocktail party. Metallic tones in all shades of gold, pewter and bronze are very in style and festive for the holiday season.

Sweep the appropriate shade for your tone (golds for blonds, pewter for dark hair, bronze for brunettes) over your eyelid only. Pair with a generous amount of eyeliner and mascara making sure to pump up the volume to add drama to the eyes. Next sweep a bronzer over the face and add a neutral lip gloss.

Black Tie Event

This is the event to add some drama to your normal makeup routine. Try a few different looks depending upon your mood and the scene. The smoky eye is still the way to add drama to your evening look. Be sure to pair it with neutral, but glossy lips to avoid looking vamped out.

Shimmer is still in too! You can’t go wrong with bringing a little sparkle to your face.

As I’ve always cautioned though, be sure to reach for the shimmer, not the glitter … you don’t want to apply your makeup like you’d do an art project. Be strategic with the shimmer — try sweeping it across the cheeks, pressing it along the brow bone, and applying to the center of the lips.

Another option for the black tie event is a look I like Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)

to call the festive look. Try a pale face matched with ruby red lips. In order for this to resonate over the holidays, be sure to match the red of your lips to the red of your outfit.

Clashing reds will make everyone else seeing red. The rest of the makeup should be light and subtle. Only the lips can take center stage with this look.

Have fun with your makeup and enjoy the Holiday season in style!

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December 2015 | 43

SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

’Tis the Season for Peace on Earth, Right?

Y

et things are feeling anything but peaceful in the world lately. It’s a bit of a cliché to say that the only way to create peace is to be peace, but what if it’s true?

I know we live in a world that rewards action and doing, but my experience shows me that everything that happens in the world around us is a reflection of us.

This does not mean that I believe that anyone deserves anything bad to happen to them. Which means that I don’t believe some people deserve good things and other people bad things, because who am I to judge what’s really going on in the universal perspective.

If we’re going to have a spiritual renaissance I say let’s just do it. There’s a new

The

year barreling down on us and there’s no time like right now to start focusing on our spiritual real estate. This is not me preaching to you about saving your soul from fire and brimstone. In fact, I’m not even saying I believe in fire and brimstone (because I don’t). What I am advocating from my sort of comfortable seat at my messy desk is that we each set an intention to get clear with our true selves. When we clean up our own house and check our foundation it’s an infinitely better use of our time than worrying about what our neighbor (or the fellow across the world) is doing with his own house, isn’t it?

Take that to the next level and I can guarantee you that if you spend your time diligently pursuing yourself — at your

truest and deepest level you will see an uptick in each area of your life that is ailing you now.

How do I know?

It worked for me.

Many years ago I was newly divorced, broke (I ended up losing the house — that broke) and suffering some serious health challenges without health insurance. The only area of my life that felt positive was my relationship with my dogs and my closest friends.

No matter what I tried I couldn’t seem to get out of the hole I’d landed in. I was angry at the people who had money and I was angry at the people who were worse off than I was because I knew my own situation could not be compared to theirs. If you can believe it, I was angry that people didn’t realize how

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44 | December 2015

awful things were and I was also constantly afraid of what would happen if anyone found out how bad things were.

This was not a great place to be.

You can imagine how easy it was to blame everyone and everything outside of me. I constantly blamed — my exhusband, my ex-husband’s girlfriend, the client that changed her mind right when her payment was due, the coach that I hired that I couldn’t afford for telling me to do things that weren’t helping me and on and on.

And at the end of the day I was always blaming myself.

I tried everything from mantras and affirmations to coaches and meditation.

While some days seemed to be a step forward there would be twenty days in a row of screening calls for collections agents and avoiding invitations from friends because I couldn’t afford to join them in their outings.

The good thing about this period was that it brought home the fact that I can’t change anyone who doesn’t want to change themselves. Whether or not I agree, or even like the stance they have on guns, drugs (legal or prescription) or God doesn’t make a bit of difference to them. They will not change their opinion and I respect that now.

Once I started thinking about why I wanted to change other people’s opinions or beliefs, I realized that in every way my life was in the crapper, I had made a choice (or a series of them) to get me there. I had a set of beliefs that were holding me in place! And I recognized that

I’d been busy arguing beliefs with other people because that seemed clearly more logical than trying to dig in and clean up some of my own beliefs.

You see, I was looking outside of myself for beliefs to eliminate in other people, when really, that energy could be better spent toppling down beliefs that I was carrying that were destroying my quality of life.

Within the year from that aha moment, my business was stabilizing, I was falling in love with the man I now share my life with and I was a reformed right vs. wrong debater.

The process of going within and spelunking for your light is pretty involved. It’s not very pretty and it takes the time it takes — day by day.

But at the end of the day, it’s worthwhile to live a life that’s focused on joy and happiness, because when you do that, you become the role model and the beacon for someone else. When you do that, you tip the scales in favor of the light and nothing can beat that for igniting your Spiritual Renaissance!

Peggie Arvidson, the Pragmatic Palmist is a healer, teacher and soul coach as well as the founder of The Profitable Alchemist Academy. She’s helped thousands of people connect with their life purpose and put it to work for them through private readings, small group classes and individual coaching programs. You can learn more & sign up to receive your free mini-reading at PeggieArvidson.com. She’s also available for private sessions at Rising Phoenix Holistic Center in downtown Manassas, Va. Old Town Crier

OPEN SPACE LORI WELCH BROWN

Y

ou could fit what I know about politics on a cocktail napkin. You could fit what I know about international affairs on the toothpick holding the olives and still probably have room for everything i know about physics, aerodynamics and economics which rules me out as the most intelligent person in pretty much every cocktail party situation, unless, of course, it’s TMZ trivia night. All I’m saying is that I’m probably not going to be asked to moderate a debate or pen a political essay any time soon—even if it’s for eighth grade student body elections. When XXL starts talking politics, I quickly do a brain scan for knockknock jokes for my rebuttal.

Right or wrong, I stopped watching the news a long time ago. XXL lives for the news and I subconsciously tune it out when I walk into the room and he’s watching — almost like when I see golf being played on TV. I can stare at the screen, but in my head, I’m wondering if I remembered to thaw the pork roast and making a mental note to shave my legs before I go get a pedicure. I guess it’s some sort of self-protection mode—except for the shaving my legs part which is purely for the nail tech. I, of course, am a concerned citizen (see nail tech comment), but I just don’t think watching story after story about tragedy and conflict is going to do anything to help the situation.

Feel free to revoke my adult card.

But, there is no taking a

Old Town Crier

Joie au Monde et Paix sur la Terre pass when there are terrorist attacks like what happened in Beirut and Paris last month.

It’s one thing when a tsunami takes out a village or a hurricane ravages a town. We are saddened by Mother Nature’s destructive force, but we realize there was nothing we could have done to have prevented it. When terrorism strikes, however, we are numb. We question everything. We shake our heads, wring our hands and look differently at our neighbors. We ponder what we could have done to prevent it, and we wonder what is next, who is next, and if we will ever feel safe again. We jump in with acts of solidarity, but we do so while looking over our collective shoulders.

We worry about the next generation and say things like, “the world isn’t a safe place anymore” or “we should have learned our lesson after 9/11” or “this is what happens when you don’t protect your borders” or we just broadly curse ‘the administration.’

At this point, someone really should take away my adult card because I truly don’t know what to say beyond what I know which is “may peace be with you” which I kept repeating over and over in my head.

I don’t know squat about politics or ISIS or even French (thank you Google translator)

so I’m left to the subjects close to my heart: peace and joy, which I believe we are all (every living being) entitled to and deserve.

Unfortunately, you can’t buy them or demand them or wait for them to come on Netflix. Of course, if there is a heaven and Steve Jobs is there, we will probably be able to pre-order iPeace sometime in the near future.

Maybe, one day we will teach it in classrooms. Instead of learning about war, we will teach our children about inner peace and conflict resolution. Maybe that makes me a tree hugger or just an uneducated idiot or whatever other label you want to put on me, just make sure it is PC. The real lesson is that peace and joy are only found within, and even through darkness and tragedy, we still have access to them. No terrorist can take that away.

As you’re rushing around this holiday season jockeying for parking spaces at Tysons, filling your holiday weekend calendars, grocery shopping for the masses, and searching for that perfect black cocktail dress, don’t forget to stop and breathe in some joy and while you’re at it, say a little prayer for peace. If anyone takes away your peace and joy — even that evil witch who just stole your parking space — they win. As Gandhi so eloquently stated, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Change up your

norm. Instead of rushing past the guy with the bell, stop and chat for a moment and toss in a dollar or two. Actually take a moment to look that homeless guy in the eyes. Smile and give the evil parking witch the peace sign (vs. that ‘other’ sign you have at the ready) and go on your merry way.

Get your kids to pack up some of their toys and drop them off at the Salvation Army.

Write a letter to someone

serving our country. You know what’s funny? In years past, seeing retailers pull their holiday stuff out the day after Halloween used to irritate me.

This year I was happy to see it.

I was grateful for the reminder that at least for a season, we can turn our attention to why we are all here to begin with — to be joyful and peaceful.

Joy to the world and peace on Earth.

Experience

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ExtEnsivE CollECtion of HandmadE JEwElry Open every day and evenings 113 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.549.8530 • www.silverparrot.com December 2015 | 45

A

The Tree Is the Thing!

46 | December 2015

s most of our regular readers play off both the natural lighting in the know, we have enjoyed the hotel’s atrium and evening light show.

65 foot glass Christmas tree The tiers are decorated with four-foot, in the Atrium of the Gaylord vertical stars that can alter colors and Resort for the past several effects. years and to be honest, I was a little Starlight Christmas Tree also sad when my friend Rachel at the features a unique aluminum garland hotel told me it was being replaced that illuminates to give the tree an

By Lani Gering this year. I was a little suspect animated effect that changes from day about what they could do to top to night. that beautiful piece of art. Well, they definitely “The garland was designed to be the star made a great choice when they picked the of the show,” said Todd Nordling, Concept Starlight Tree. At first glance, it sort of looks Designer at Hotopp Associates. “It features like something that the Jetson’s (for those of 2,100 video nodes that produce infinite you that aren’t old enough to remember them, possibilities of lighting.” use your google app) would have in their Hotopp collaborated with both TenFab house. I will admit that until I saw all of the on the fabric and Chicago Scenic Studios on “tricks” that it does I was a little disappointed the construction to build and assemble the at it’s far from “traditional” appearance. Those Starlight Christmas Tree. It took them at total thoughts quickly dissipated when the light of five weeks and 50 employees to complete the show began. It is fantastic! The photos featured tree in Chicago, Ill. here don’t do it justice by any means but will The new Christmas tree will be the star hopefully encourage you to go check it out. You of the hotel’s nightly holiday fountain show, won’t be disappointed!

Sounds and Songs of Christmas, at 6, 7, 8 and The Starlight Tree is a 55-foot suspended 9 p.m. during its “Christmas on the Potomac” Christmas tree located in the 19-story atrium. celebration through January 3rd.

The tree was custom-designed by Hotopp As always, the ICE production is another Associates, the same designers of the resort’s hit this year. The “Santa Claus Is Coming To famous ICE! attraction. It weighs nearly 4,000 Town” theme is another good one. I really am pounds and is comprised of 50 five-point stars, a sucker for this kind of stuff and only wish my inspired by Washington DC Americana and is 6 year old great nephew lived closer so I could representative of the 50 states of America. The take him for the experience! I finally figured tree topper displays one large star – signifying out the trick to going down the ICE Slide this the Capital – a small cluster of stars pay year – lean way back and lift your feet up!! homage to the deco liberty coin.

We are very lucky to live in an area that The body of the tree consists of 11 star tiers has such unique things to do throughout wrapped in altering handmade texturized Christmas and the holiday season! Please see green fabrics, finished with a metallic shine to the Gaylord ad on the inside back cover for Old Town Crier

information on all of the “Christmas on the Potomac” events. They are offering all sorts of fun packages that make the experience a little easier on the wallet than in the past.

Also, lots going on around the Harbor from no until New Year’s.

Check out the calendar in this section.

One of my favorite things are the firepits located throughout the harbor that offer up a warming flame and a place to sit outside and enjoy the season.

Don’t forget to stop in to Stonewall Kitchen and sample their wares and pick up the perfect hostess/host gift for those parties you will be attending as well as just great things for the foodies on your shopping list.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

HappyHolidays

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Old Town Crier

December 2015 | 47

national harbor DECEMBER EVENTS Visit www.NationalHarbor.com for more information and holiday itineraries.

Saturdays Through December 19 Ho-Ho-Holiday Carousel Rides with Santa 12 pm - 2 pm $7 per child for unlimited rides (plus tax); adults ride free when accompanying a paid child Enjoy a festive carousel ride with Santa at National Harbor’s Carousel.

Photos with Santa at The Capital Wheel 2 pm - 4 pm Photos available for purchase with admission to The Capital Wheel.

Get your photo taken with Santa before you ride The Capital Wheel in enclosed, temperature-controlled gondolas Ongoing Holiday Programming 12 pm - 6 pm National Harbor Plaza Warm up at one of National Harbor’s fire pits and enjoy live holiday entertainment and holiday movie screenings every Saturday during the holiday season.

1 pm - 2 pm: Musical performances and holiday entertainment

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

Dec. 12: Frosty’s Winter Wonderland Dec. 19: Frozen Sing-a-Long 3:30pm: College Football on the jumbo screen at the Plaza Toys for Tots Toy Drive on Dec. 5 with WJLA and Dec. 12 with Fresh FM Saturdays and Sundays Through December 20 The Harbor Holiday Market on American Way 12 pm - 5 pm Shop the seasonal Farmer’s Market, now with Christmas trees, wreaths, holiday greenery, and more. Warm up with hot chocolate, winter treats and seasonal goodies from National Harbor’s retailers and have fun making your own “Smeeps.”

2 pm - 4 pm: Holiday movie on the jumbo screen at the Plaza: Dec. 5: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Through January 3 Gaylord National’s ICE! Hours vary, please visit christmasonthepotomac.com for times and ticket prices.

The region’s must-see holiday attraction ICE! is back with an exciting new theme featuring Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town© – brought to life with more than two million pounds of colorful ice.

Walk through seven individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town©, slide down ice slides over two stories high and watch artisans as they create frozen marvels in The Frostbite Factory, a live ice-carving zone.

AROMA DITALI 156 National Plaza 301-839-3492 BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445 CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014 FIORELLA PIZZERIA E CAFFE 152 National Plaza 301-839-1811 GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788 GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY 200 American Way 240-493-3900 Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspubandkitchen.com McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224

48 | December 2015

McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Resort 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com 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 REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330 ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 Walrus Oyster & Ale House 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100

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Experience the Capital of Christmas located just across the river At Gaylord National Resort November 21, 2015 – January 3, 2016 Two Million Pounds of Carved Ice • Attractions • Dining • Seasonal Spa Treatments • Nightly Indoor Fountain Show Experience it all with an overnight package starting at $199 PEPSI_H1_NB_SM_4C (FOR USE .25” 1.5" ) CMYK

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A Tradition of

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