Alexandria Living Magazine - May/June 2021

OUTDOOR DINING

EXPLORING CAMBRIDGE, MD.

Sailing Into Summer Get Out on the Potomac

Splish Splash Create a Backyard Oasis

ALEXANDRIALIVINGMAGAZINE.COM May / June 2021

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SUMMER READING

Living, Loving, Listing Old Town Lauren Bishop, McEnearney Associate

Now more than ever, your home is your retreat... and finding that special place, whether for office space, a playroom for the kids or an entertainment room, takes creativity in Old Town. This past year I have seen my community do incredible things with their spaces and I loved helping my clients think differently whether recommending renovations or expansions, or helping them find a better space to call home.

Connect with me to learn how we can reenvision your next move.

Lauren Bishop, Realtor® Tel. 202.361.5079 I LBishop@McEnearney.com I www.LaurenBishop.com Old Town Alexandria 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 I tel. 703.549.9292 Equal Housing Opportunity

Appraisal required for eligibility and subject to conditions.

Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact Guaranteed Rate for current rates and for more information.

Ask me about our Red Arrow Approval Express today.

Christian Hartung

Branch Manager/SVP of Mortgage Lending

O: (703) 659-1903 C: (202) 360-8773 rate.com/christianhartung christian.hartung@rate.com 211 North Union Street, Suite 240 Alexandria, VA 22314 NMLS ID: 483527, LO#: DC - MLO483527, DE - MLO-483527, FL - LO84049, GA - 483527, MD - 37586, NC - I-192773, VA - MLO-36461VA Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply DC - Lic #MLB2611 DE - Lic # 9436 FL - Lic# MLD1102 GA - Residential Mortgage Licensee #20973 MD - Lic #13181 NC - Lic #L-109803 VA - Guaranteed Rate, Inc. - Licensed by Virginia State Corporation Commission, License # MC-3769 DC - Lic #MLB2611 DE - Lic # 9436 FL - Lic# MLD1102 GA - Residential Mortgage Licensee #20973 MD - Lic #13181 NC - Lic #L-109803 VA - Guaranteed Rate, Inc. - Licensed by Virginia State Corporation Commission, License # MC-3769

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY ALEXANDRIA IS STRONG, WE LOVE ON APRIL 28 RESILIENT AND GENEROUS.

ACT for Alexandria thanks the companies and funds that partnered Start giving today! with us to give backforto Visit www.Spring2ACTion.org a the community we love through FRPSOHWH OLVW RI SDUWLFLSDWLQJ QRQSURÀWV Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day.

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To learn more about ACT for Alexandria, please visit www.actforalexandria.org.

CONTENTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF LENA'S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP

9

There are plenty of opportunities to learn to sail on the Potomac River including lessons, camps and rentals.

PHOTO BY JILL JASUTA

32

51

Start making plans for your summer with our events guide.

16

HISTORIC HOMES

18

SUMMER READING

23

PETS

25

THE SMALL THINGS

29

FOOD & DINING

32

HEALTH & FITNESS

56

THE LAST WORD

Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap is one of several restaurants that offer outdoor dining in Alexandria.

PHOTO BY C. DAVIDSON FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

29

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Founded in 1749, Alexandria is home to some amazing historic houses. Here’s a look at five of the city's oldest known homes.

Looking for a little light reading poolside? Be sure to order local author John Wasowicz’s latest in his Mo Katz mystery series. Read an excerpt here.

Planning a vacation but worried about your pooch while you’re away? We’ve got some suggestions that will make your life easier.

Local writer Stuart Perkins takes us back to his childhood days with a life lesson from grandmother Nannie.

Many of Alexandria’s restaurants offer spectacular outdoor dining spaces. Here’s a sampling you’ll have to try this summer.

Alexandria’s waterfront is the perfect spot to try your hand at sailing, kayaking, canoeing and other water sports.

We talk to Mount Vernon-area podcaster Love Rutledge about her popular podcast FedUpWard for federal employees.

Be sure to make time for a stop at the Blackwater Wildlife National Refuge if you're visiting Cambridge, Md. this summer.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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FEATURES

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN & COUNTRY POOLS

36 Wonderful Water Design a backyard oasis with a swimming pool, fountains and more.

A pool by Town & Country Pools completed the look of this Oakton backyard with help from Groff Landscape Design.

PHOTO BY REGIS VOGT

45 Porch Life Alexandria residents show us how to achieve stylish additional outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing.

ON THE COVER

SOCIALIZE WITH US

Boats bob in the Potomac River along Alexandria's waterfront at sunrise.

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER

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711 Prince Street Old Town Offered at $4,995,000 Shown by appointment…Call Babs to preview this exceptional residence!

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A Letter from Our Founders

PUBLISHER

Beth Lawton EDITOR

Mary Ann Barton ADVERTISING

Cleo Chitester Teal Griffey Lora Jerakis DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION

Jessie Leiber

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Susannah Moore INTERN

Rachel Kiser Alexandria Living Magazine is published six times per year by Alexandria Living, LLC ©2021. 201 N. Union St., Suite 110 Alexandria, VA 22314. For newsstand or distribution locations or to subscribe for home delivery, go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/subscribe.

CONTACT US

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Alexandria Living Magazine fully supports the local business community and offers several unique ways to partner with the publication.

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PRESS RELEASES & TIPS

Send news releases and story tips to

maryann@alexandrialivingmagazine.com.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

If you’re like us, you’re beginning to exhale and becoming more optimistic about our chances for enjoying 2021. With warm summer days and nights just around the corner, many of us will be making plans big and small to make the most of the season.

We’ve got you covered in our events calendar, starting on Page 8, with a variety of activities that take advantage of our balmy seasonal temperatures — from shopping for flea market finds and competing at trivia nights to enjoying nature hikes with your pup and fireworks with the family at Mount Vernon.

Speaking of George Washington’s home, he was known to visit Old Town often and surely paid a visit to some of Alexandria's oldest homes, documented on Page 16.

And nothing says “Alexandria” like a Mo Katz mystery. If you’re starting to compile a summer reading list, be sure to include the latest in the mystery series, set right here in Alexandria. You can read an excerpt starting on Page 18 and order your copy on Made In ALX. (Be sure to ask for an inscription by author John Wasowicz!)

You may have summer travels in your future and to truly relax, you’ll want to be sure your pets are in good hands. Take the stress and worry out of wondering how they’re doing while you’re gone — we’ve got the lowdown on what to look for in a pet sitter and an important reminder about your pet’s microchip, starting on Page 23.

Summer days are on writer Stuart Perkins’ mind as well, as he takes us back to the days of his childhood, learning important life lessons in his grandmother Nannie’s garden, on Page 25.

Gardens and greenery are a part of some of Alexandria’s most exciting outdoor dining spots. We’ve highlighted a sampling of them for you to try, beginning on Page 29.

Alexandria’s waterfront beckons at all times, but especially during the warmer months. If you’ve always wanted to get out on the water and try your hand at sailing or other water sports, be sure to check out ”Sailing Into Summer“ where we talk with longtime sailing school owner Amy Zang, on Page 32.

You don’t have to head to the Potomac River to get your fix of calming waters. Writer

Subscribing to Alexandria Living Magazine is easy! You can go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/ subscribe to pay securely online by credit card, or mail a check with the subscription mailing address to Alexandria Living Magazine, 201 N. Union St. Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Subscriptions are $14.95 for one year or alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021 6 for two $24.95 years.

Beth Lawton, publisher, and Mary Ann Barton, editor

PHOTO BY MATT MENDELSOHN, TAKEN AT VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN.

Susannah Moore spoke to Alexandria residents about how to make a splash — with a pool or smaller water features — to create a relaxing backyard oasis starting on Page 36.

We also take a look at adding more outdoor living space to your home with stylish takes on decks and screened-in porches, on Page 45.

When you’re ready for a change of scenery, look no further than Cambridge, on the western side of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It’s the perfect weekend getaway during the summer months with a quaint downtown, plenty of water sports and great dining options. Check it out beginning on Page 51.

We talked with local resident Love Rutledge about her popular podcast, FedUpward, for The Last Word. Read how she juggles her podcast, family life and full-time career as an analyst for the Defense Department.

Thank you for being a loyal reader of Alexandria Living Magazine! We appreciate all of you as well as the support from the local business community. When you aren’t reading our print issue, please be sure to visit our website at alexandrialivingmagazine.com and sign up for our email newsletter to keep up with everything Alexandria.

We’ll see you back here in July!

Mary Ann Barton and Beth Lawton Founders

Our Team Meet some of the contributors to this issue.

AUDREY ALESSI Contributor

SARA DINGMANN Contributor

LUCINDA JENNINGS Illustrator

RACHEL KISER Contributor

A University of Missouri grad, Sara is a former ALM intern who is currently a supervising editor for her alma mater. A multimedia journalist, she has also been published in newspapers and broadcast platforms. She also has experience in community outreach including social listening, social media, analytics and email newsletters.

Lucy lives in Woodstock N.Y., where she’s been drawing since she could hold a crayon. She is self-taught and known to spend hours filling her sketch books with elaborate drawings of eyes and lips. When she isn’t drawing and painting, Lucy spends her free time playing tennis, running track and swimming. She loves playing with her British shorthair cat Genki and her Australian Shepherd Auggie.

Rachel is a recent Virginia Tech graduate where she studied fashion and journalism. She has written and edited for multiple college platforms before joining Alexandria Living Magazine. Even though she has only lived in Alexandria for a year, she looks forward to exploring the city like a local. When she isn’t writing, she bartends in Old Town, and works as a librarian in Del Ray. She is a connoisseur of thrift stores, strong coffee and a good dive bar.

CHRIS MILITZER Photographer

SUSANNAH MOORE Contributor

STUART M. PERKINS Contributor

REGIS VOGT Photographer

Chris is a Virginia photographer whose work has been featured

by USA Today, the United States Department of the Interior, Visit Virginia and Visit Alexandria. As a travel photographer, Chris has shot album covers in New York and performances in Paris. As a consultant and photographer, he has aided brands in their social media outreach. Chris has lived in Alexandria for 20 years and recently moved to Leesburg, where he resides with his wife and two daughters.

Susannah has called Alexandria home since 2015. After traveling the world as an Army brat, she graduated from the College of Charleston as a double major in Political Science and Jewish Studies.

She has worked in the political and legal fields but is excited to rekindle her interest in writing. In her free time, she can be found practicing yoga, singing, running along the Potomac with her husband and spending as much time as possible with her golden retriever, Rosie.

Stuart is originally from Richmond and has called Alexandria home for nearly 10 years. He enjoys relating observations and the inherent lessons found in everyday situations. Some of these stories have been shared in publications such as Virginia Living and Chicken Soup for the Soul. When not writing about special moments in daily life, Stuart works at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Regis loves capturing the people and places of his hometown Alexandria, from weddings and events to beautiful homes and historic spaces. An alumnus of UVA and the Institute for Documentary Filmmaking at GWU, Regis has been entrusted to create images and visual stories for many leading performing artists, civic leaders, home builders and interior designers. Follow him on Instagram @regis_vogt.

Audrey Alessi is the communications specialist at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

When she isn't sharing news about the amazing work the staff and volunteers do each day at the AWLA and cuddling the array of animals who come through its doors, she enjoys running, hiking and spending time with her cats George and Rosie.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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EVENT K E Y Arts Food & Dining Family-Friendly Film Historic/Educational Literature Live Music Nightlife Pet-Friendly Recreation & Outdoor Shopping Theater A view of the Torpedo Factory Art Center along Alexandria's waterfront. PHOTO BY RUSTY KENNEDY FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

Workshop

SPRING 2021

Calendar of Events PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

May ‘Those Spaces Between Us’ Through May 23 Target Gallery presents a digital and in-person exhibition, “Those Spaces Between Us.” This all-media group exhibit contemplates spaces and how we occupy them or, conversely, how we do not. This exhibition will present an introspective view on how spaces can offer a physical embodiment of ambiguity and transition, creating a narrative how we as people move through them. A virtual reception will be held May 14 at 7 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Studio 19, torpedofactory.org

‘The Belle of Amherst’ April 24 – May 15 | various times The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents William Luce’s one-woman play celebrating and exploring the eccentric and obscure life of American poet Emily Dickinson.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., thelittletheatre.com

Blood and Strikes: American Labor in the 20th Century May 1 | 2 p.m.

From deadly mine explosions to wartime strikes, the history of the 20th century American labor movement is full of violence and controversy. On International Workers’ Day, learn about the struggle for workers’ rights at the home of one of its most powerful spokesmen, John L. Lewis.

For your safety and for those around you, face masks are required. The tour is limited to eight participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Members of Lee-Fendall House are admitted free but must call or email

Due to ongoing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, some of the events listed here may move online, be postponed or be canceled. Keep an eye on alexandrialivingmagazine.com for an updated events calendar or check in with event organizers before heading out!

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

CALENDAR OF EVENTS STARTING to make a reservation 703-548-1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

MAY

1

58th Annual Needlework Show and Sale May 2 – 31 The theme for this year’s show and sale at the Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House is “Hindsight 2020: Needlework Expressions of a Historic Year.” The show showcases over 500 diverse pieces which highlight the artists’ flow of emotions and reactions throughout this unprecedented time. From COVID-19, isolation, social justice movements, economic stresses, political unrest, to the deepening need for connection and community, the need for craft as an outlet has been paramount.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for students K – 12 and children under 5 are admitted free.

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, 9000 Richmond Hwy., woodlawnpopeleighey.org

‘Flourishing Forms’ May 3 – May 30 Spring is in the air, flowers are flourishing and a legion of various forms fill the Scope Gallery this month to showcase their beauty. Mothers everywhere will receive flowers and what better way to present them to her than in a handcrafted vase.

The gallery features the Kiln Club through the end of May. Scope Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., scopegallery.org

PHOTO BY AMANDA ROPER

Pillars to Pavers: Preservation in Alexandria May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 | 10 a.m.

Since the 1960s, the City of Alexandria has seen older buildings and spaces being restored, preserved and reused in different ways. In honor of National Historic Preservation Month, explore the streets of Alexandria with stops to highlight how buildings have been preserved and adapted for future generations to enjoy. At two stops, Carlyle House and Lee-Fendall House, you will be able to enter spaces that are usually closed to the public. Tours begin at the LeeFendall House at 10 a.m. every Saturday in May. This tour includes walking over many city blocks, stairs and access to confined spaces. Face masks and social distancing will be enforced and tours are limited to eight people. Please dress appropriately for the terrain and weather. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, please call 703-548-1789 or email contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

delivered to your door. The class will go live on Instagram and be posted on Youtube for future reference.

• Lilacs – May 5 | 7 p.m. $100

Floral Workshops at Helen Olivia

• Fruit and Flowers – May 26 | 7 p.m. $100

Various dates / times

• Peony – June 9 | 7 p.m. $125

Helen Olivia Floral Design is offering a number of virtual workshops in May and June. When you register for a workshop, you can pick up supplies at the Helen Olivia studio, 1519 Leslie Ave., or have them

• Spring Bridal Bouquet – June 16 | 7 p.m. $150 • Blues – June 23 | 7 p.m. $100 Helen Olivia Floral Design, 1519 Leslie Ave., helenoliviaflowers.com

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Art of Nature May 7 – 29 For centuries, nature has been an influential factor in the creation of artwork.

As more national and international discussion has centered on environmental concerns, The Art of Nature is an exhibit that reminds us of the gift Mother Earth has given us, the beauty of nature. Artists in this exhibition share their interpretations of the natural world around us, whether it be on the animals who make their homes in nature, water that brings life to riverbeds or beaches and the vegetation, plants and trees that add color to our world.

Regular gallery hours are Thursdays 12 6 p.m., Fridays 12 - 6 p.m. and Saturdays 12 - 4 p.m. Participate in special events related to the exhibit throughout the month of May. Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., delrayartisans.org

MAY

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PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon Historic Plant and Garden Sale

Virtual Mother’s Day Tea: ‘Bringing Up Baby’

May 7 – 8 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

May 9 | 2 p.m.

The same plants grown at George Washington’s Mount Vernon can now adorn your garden. Plants include a selection of perennial and annual flowers, shrubs, trees and vines. Estate admission is not required to shop. The sale will take place in the overflow parking lot.

Take an entertaining look at parenting throughout history as Green Spring Gardens staff discuss child-rearing advice of times past. Hear surprising advice dispensed by early “experts” that both shock and amuse us today. Lecture is $12 with the option to add a tea box for $24 total. For more information call 703-941-7987.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market May 8, June 12 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring/mothers-daytea/050921

Find a hidden treasure at Del Ray’s popular open-air market that takes place the second Saturday of every month from April to December.

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour May 15, June 12 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join Carlyle House for a tour of Alexandria and explore the various

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St., novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

‘Under the Same Roof: Enslaved and Free Servants at the Lee-Fendall House’ May 15, June 19 | 2 p.m.

Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market, 1900 Mt. Vernon Ave., delrayvintageflea.com

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architectural styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID-procedures will be in place during this tour. All COVIDprocedures will be in place during this tour. Wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5-hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.

Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org

Explore the Lee-Fendall House from the perspectives of the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home as domestic servants, both before and after the Civil War. Hear the stories of how they built and shaped the Lee-Fendall House over the course of its history. For your safety and for those around you, face masks are required. The tour is limited to 8 participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Members of Lee-Fendall House are free but must call or email to make a reservation 703-548-1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

m ak e you r move i n 2 0 2 1 W I T H J A N E T C AT E R S O N P R I C E , R E A LT O R “We have had a wonderful experience throughout our packing, moving, renovating, staging, listing and finally closing on our home of 30 years in Alexandria. Having Janet Price for the last YEAR answer all our questions and get action items accomplished was exceptional. I have only had a handful of real estate transactions in my lifetime but using Janet made me realize what a winner we had found in her compassion and ability in getting a house sold.”

- Molly and Jim S.

Call me to discuss how I can help you achieve your 2021 goals!

NVAR Lifetime Top Producer | Licensed in VA 703.622.5984 | JanetPriceHomes.com | Janet@JanetPriceHomes.com 109 S Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.549.9292 | McEnearney.com | Equal Housing Opportunity

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Fish Harmonics in Concert May 20 | 7 – 8 p.m.

Alexandria Office of the Arts is proud to

JUNE 11 & 25

present Fish Harmonics as part of its “Arts at Home” series. This Philadelphia-based band’s music is a blend of Celtic, old time and modern bluegrass sounds featuring piano, accordions, strings and drums.

Watch the performance live on the Fish Harmonics YouTube Channel.

Virtual, apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail. aspx?si=34946

PHOTO BY SUSANNAH MOORE

Trivia Nights at Historic Sites PHOTO BY MATT BRINEY

Hindsight is 2020: RevWar Symposium May 22 | 8:30 a.m.

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of 1776, explore topics with public historians during a one-day virtual symposium in partnership with Emerging Revolutionary War. Cost is $40, or $20 for Office of Historic Alexandria members and students.

The day includes the following speakers:

June 11, 25 | 7 p.m.

Staff members at Carlyle House Historic Park and the Lee-Fendall House Museum combine their knowledge to create biweekly trivia nights throughout the summer in the beautiful Lee-Fendall gardens. With a different theme each night, test your knowledge on everything from pop culture to history. Registration must be done in advance. Tickets are $5 per person and include one drink ticket. Additional drinks can be purchased at the bar. Teams are limited to six people, ages 21+ only.

Attendees should wear face masks when not seated at their tables. Tables will be spaced to allow for social distancing.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

• Vanessa Smiley: “American Revolutionary War from the Bottom Up; Southern Theater Misconceptions” • Michael Harris: “General John Sullivan and the Battle of Brandywine” • Travis Shaw: “Disaffected and Dangerous Persons: Loyalist Resistance in the Mid-Atlantic” • Mark Maloy: “Drunk Hessians and Other Myths of the Ten Crucial Days” • John Rees: “They Were Good Soldiers: African Americans in the Continental Army” Virtual, shop.alexandriava.gov/EventPurchase.aspx

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Dog-Friendly Nature Hikes May 22, June 26 | 9 – 11 a.m.

What makes a morning hike in the park even better? Having your dog tag along!

Join an environmental educator on the fourth Saturday of each month and explore Dora Kelley Nature Park. Each guided hike will focus on a different theme. Light refreshments will be provided, and all dogs must remain on-leash at all times.

Registration fee required for each person.

All physical distancing guidelines must be followed.

Dora Kelley Nature Park, 5750 Sanger Ave., alexandriava.gov/NatureCenter

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May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

learn about James Green and his family’s life here in Alexandria. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALEXANDRIA FILM FESTIVAL

Alexandria Film Festival Submissions Through July 31 The Alexandria Film Festival, now in its 15th year, is accepting entries. Filmmakers from all over the world are invited to enter short and feature-length films of any genre on the digital platform filmfreeway.com. The four-day film festival is set for Nov. 11 – 14. The program will ultimately feature more than 50 free and ticketed films, including many premieres.

“Over the past 15 years, the Alexandria Film Festival has grown in stature and reputation because of the caliber of the submissions we receive, and the quality of our curated films, including from Oscar winning filmmakers,” said Dara Sanders, Chair of the Alexandria Film Festival.

This year, the festival is being planned as a hybrid event that will include both virtual and in-person screenings and panel discussions.

For submission rules and information, visit AlexFilmFest.com.

Entries will be considered on a rolling basis until August. alexfilmfest.com

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St., novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

We, Too, Sing America May 29 – July 18 Target Gallery’s 2021 solo exhibition recipient is artist Ọmọlará Williams McCallister who will presenting a multisensory installation, “We, Too, Sing America,” which will include visual, sound and interactive elements including durational performance. The installation is a continuation of the artist’s ongoing fiber-based series “Domestic Work,” which confronts the extraction of emotional labor, caretaking and other domestic work from Black women that is expected, depended upon, normalized and then erased in public and private spaces.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Studio 19, torpedofactory.org

Twilight Boardwalk Stroll May 29 | 8 p.m.

May 23, June 20 | 3:30 – 5 p.m.

In the early 19th century, William Green started the Green Furniture factory in Alexandria and by 1823 his son, James, would take over. James expanded his father’s factory and established himself as a prominent Alexandrian through building and operating Green’s Mansion House Hotel. Join Carlyle House staff on a tour to

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Various locations around Alexandria, cbf.org/events/ clean-the-bay-day/index.html

Atmospheres: Gas, Salt, Wood, Soda, Raku May 31 - June 27 Scope Gallery artists use a variety of firing techniques to create their ceramic art. Each technique offers its own beauty, challenges and surprises. This show will demonstrate the differences that gas-, salt-, wood-, sodaand raku-firings bring to a given work.

Featuring the Ceramic Guild.

Scope Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., scopegallery.org

June Martha Washington’s Birthday Celebration June 2 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

In honor of her 289th birthday, wish our nation’s First Lady, Martha Washington, a happy birthday at her beloved home! Lady Washington will greet guests and pose for photos on the Mansion’s piazza. Cost included with admission.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

Join a Huntley Meadows park naturalist for a guided walk along the forested paths to the wetland and experience the park as it transitions from day into night.

Watch and listen for beavers, owls and other nocturnal residents. This activity is appropriate for ages 6 and older. Tickets are $10 per person.

Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows

Clean the Bay Day 2021 Legacy of the Green Family Cabinetmakers Walking Tour

with others on social media using #CleantheBayYourWay.

May 31 – June 5 This year, Clean the Bay Day will be a sixday event which gives participants flexibility to do a litter clean-up anytime and as much as you want during that six-day period.

Clean-up can be done at any public or private property where permission has been given. A list and map will be listed on the event website. Registration is required to participate. Participants must adhere to all Virginia COVID-19 guidelines and sign a waiver. Share your experience

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON

“The Naked and the Newt: Humans and Herpetons” Art Exhibit June 4 – 26 Come see the “The Naked and the Newt: Humans and Herpetons” art exhibit to see how artists explore the human body and reptiles / amphibians / herpeton — their anatomy, interactions and intersection.

Regular gallery hours are Thursdays 12 6 p.m., Fridays 12 - 6 p.m. and Saturdays

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

12 - 4 p.m. Del Ray Artisans is ALX Promise certified and is committed to the health and safety of their visitors. Please wear a face mask and maintain 6’ of personal space. There will also be special events in conjunction with the exhibit throughout the month of June.

JUNE

19-20

Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., delrayartisans.org

Chalk It Up June 5 | 1 p.m.

Want to share your artistic and creative side with your community? Join Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities around Charles Houston Recreation Center and enter in a sidewalk challenge. The theme will be “Spring in 2021!” Use DIY chalk paint to create your interpretation of the theme on the center sidewalk.

Dress accordingly, this could get messy!

Registration is $5 for Alexandria residents.

Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., alexandriava.gov/Recreation

Edible Garden Tour June 5 | 10 a.m.

Explore the bounty of Green Spring’s edible garden. A master gardener will showcase food plants – from vegetables to fruit trees – suitable for home landscapes. See how edibles can grow in containers and small spaces, and discover their ornamental value in the garden.

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

Ripcord June 5 – 26 | various times This comedic play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire tells the story of two very different women thrown together by cosmic forces. Full of both slapstick comedy and heartfelt moments, this is entertainment you won’t want to miss.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., thelittletheatre.com

Experience Mount Vernon after hours at Summer Escape. PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON

Beyond the Battlefield: A Walking Tour of Civil War Alexandria

Independence Fireworks at Mount Vernon

June 12 | 9 a.m.

Enjoy an evening of family fun and fireworks along with patriotic music to celebrate our nation’s founding. Food from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will be available for purchase. Tickets are available with and without Mansion tours.

This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation. For your safety and for those around you, face masks are required.

The tour is limited to 10 participants and lasts approximately an hour and a half.

Walking tours take place rain or shine so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $15 per person.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

Summer Escape at Mount Vernon

June 25 – 26 | 6 – 9:45 p.m.

With Mansion Tour:

Adult Member: $36, Adult Non-Member: $45 Youth Member: $26, Youth Non-Member: $35 Without Mansion Tour:

Adult Member: $30, Adult Non-Member: $39 Youth Member: $20, Youth Non-Member: $29 George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

June 19 – 20 | 6 – 9 p.m.

Experience Mount Vernon after-hours and taste craft beers from across the region.

Learn how beer was brewed in the 18th century. Cost is $40 for members and $48 for non-members. The event will take place rain or shine. The Mansion will be closed during this event.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

15

HISTORIC HOMES PHOTO COURTESY OF MCENEARNEY

Where Are Alexandria’s Oldest Homes?

BY SARA DINGMANN

Alexandria is fortunate to have many historic properties. Here are five of the oldest known historic homes in Alexandria.

PHOTO BY BETH LAWTON

Colonel Michael Swope House 210 Prince St.

Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax St.

John Carlyle purchased the most expensive lots for sale in 1794 when Alexandria was first being formed. These lots, located between the Potomac River and Market Square at 121 N Fairfax St., are the site where Carlyle built his stone mansion.

Carlyle, one of the founders of the town, moved in on the building's completion in 1753 and the same night his first wife, Sarah Fairfax Carlyle, gave birth to their first son, according to a NOVA Parks History of the Carlyle House.

During the Civil War, high-ranking Union officers lived in the house.

A hotel on the property, which has since been torn down, served as a hospital.

Much like the Ramsay House, the Carlyle House was in rough shape in the mid-1900s. Restoration of the property by NOVA Parks began in 1970, and the house was opened for the public in 1976 in honor of the country’s 200th birthday.

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This home at 210 Prince St. is named for Colonel Michael Swope, who was a Revolutionary War Battalion Commander. Swope, along with almost 3,000 others, was taken prisoner by the British on November 16, 1776 at the battle of Fort Washington.

Eventually released, he and his family moved to Alexandria in 1784 when construction on the house began.

The house is said to be haunted by Swope’s ghost. Stories of Swope’s appearances are chronicled in The Ghosts of Alexandria, by Michael Lee Pope. Pope documented sightings from tour guides and tales from house guests. The ghost was reportedly spotted in full Revolutionary War uniform going into the music room on the third floor, Swope’s favorite floor of the house. This spirit is reportedly friendly, unless you are British.

For more information on these plus five more homes, go to alexandrialivingmagazine.com/ home-and-garden.

PHOTO BY M. ENRIQUEZ FOR VISIT ALEXANDRIA

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA

Ramsay House 221 King St.

Murray-Dick-Fawcett House 517 Prince St.

The Murrary-Dick-Fawcett House is famous locally for being the oldest unaltered house in Alexandria, and possibly in all of Northern Virginia. The house was built in three separate parts, in 1772, 1784 and 1797.

“With roof trusses fastened with handwrought nails, the original pine floor and batten doors, privies and a smokehouse, all showing the wear and tear of people living lives mostly out of the limelight of celebrity,” according to city records.

Some notable features of the house include five chimneys, gas powered light fixtures and a bell system to call servants.

The house is named after the first owner, a blacksmith named Patrick Murray, and a later owner, physician Elisha Cullen Dick. Dick was the doctor who saw to George Washington at his death.

The house was later sold to John Douglass Brown in 1816, and stayed in possession of Brown’s descendants for 184 years. During this time, very few alterations were made to the property.

Lewis Fawcett is the descendant of Brown who opened the house in 1936 to be documented in the Historical American Buildings Survey.

The oldest home in Alexandria is the Ramsay House located at 221 King St. which is now home to the Alexandria Visitor Center. The Ramsay house was the residence of William Ramsay, one of the Scottish merchants who founded Alexandria in 1749. The Alexandria Historical Society suspects the house was built between 1695 and 1751.

The house was expanded throughout the years, and was once used as a cigar factory. Most controversial, it served as a brothel during World War II for the workers at the torpedo factory.

A destructive fire in 1942 and subsequent deterioration from the weather left the house in shambles.

Eventually, the home was renovated in the style of a Williamburg Colonial home and designated as the Visitor Center in 1973.

Benjamin Dulany House 601 Duke St.

This house, located at 601 Duke St., has the claim to fame that Marquis de Lafayette used this doorstep to address the town when he visited Alexandria in 1824.

He was staying in a house nearby, but the steps at this location were much higher.

Benjamin Dulany, who built the house in 1785, was a close friend of George Washington. Dulany hosted George and Martha Washington at the residence, according to Historic Alexandria.

Other notable owners of the house included Edward Stabler, who operated a town apothecary, and a notable town attorney, Robert Taylor.

PHOTO BY BETH LAWTON

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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Summer Reading

“Roaches Run,” Book Four of the Mo Katz series by John Wasowicz set in Old Town, will be published this spring by BrickHouse Books, Maryland’s oldest literary press.

This abridged excerpt combines threads of text woven throughout the book concerning a young child, Katie Fortune.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSIE LEIBER

Signed copies of “Roaches Run” can be pre-ordered through Made in ALX. The Mo Katz quartette of mystery novels (including “Daingerfield Island,” “Jones Point” and “Slaters Lane”) are also available at MadeinALX.com. Order yours today!

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021



MO KATZ, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia leaned back in a chair in the postage stamp-sized backyard of his townhome on Harvard Street and listened to the sounds of Old Town awakening.

A delivery truck rumbled by tiny retail stores sandwiched together along the city’s main thoroughfare. A Metro train sped into the nearby King Street station.

Around the corner, a city bus labored down Diagonal Drive toward Gardens Park.

As the COVID-19 pandemic receded, the sounds of the city had returned. Restaurants and retail businesses were springing back to life. People were still cautious and wary, but more pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists now filled the streets and sidewalks.

A slice of moon hung in a sky sprinkled with vanishing stars. With each passing second, the night’s illumination was erased by dawn’s light as the milky gray of morning emerged. Katz enjoyed the early morning and savored his coffee, brewed an hour ago: eight ounces of water and five scoops of Misha’s Arabian Mocha Java beans, coarsely ground.

The patio door slid open. His girlfriend, Abby Snowe, lithe and blonde, appeared in jeans, a long-sleeve cotton shirt, and rubber boots.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I told you last night about Maggie Moriarty’s relapse,” she said. “If that woman doesn’t straighten up, she’s going to lose her little girl, which would be tragic for both of them.” She stared at the steaming hot coffee. “Maybe Katie should be placed with Child Protective Services.

I don’t know.” She looked up. “Anyway, I have to go.

Maggie’s living in a tent village somewhere down in the Eisenhower Valley.”

Katz pictured shrubs and bushes along the shallow riverbed hiding a camp of homeless people. “It’s no place to raise a little girl,” he said. ················· SNOWE PARKED her car on the gravel shoulder of Eisenhower Avenue, climbed over the guardrail, and headed down to Cameron Run. In her rubber boots, she waded across shallow water that trickled down the channelized stream to the Potomac River. Ahead of her, buried in the bushes and newly budding trees, a brown and green camouflage tent came into view.

She donned her protective mask to guard against the spread of COVID-19. As she approached the tent, smoke wafted up into the sky and she smelled burning wood and leaves. Maggie sat by a campfire, dressed in soiled jeans, a tattered flannel shirt, and unlaced hiking books. In front of her, a pot of coffee balanced between two logs. She stared vacantly at the low-burning fire and poked the embers with a stick that she held in her shaky hand.

“How are you doing?” Snowe asked.

Maggie looked up. “What’s it to you?” Then, recognizing Snowe, she snarled. “Don’t you have better things to do than badger parents about their kids?”

Snowe ignored the hostile tone. “Mind if I sit?”

Moriarty removed the stick from the fire. The tip was burning. She twirled it around like a wand. “There’s plenty of room,” she said.

Snowe sat on a rock. “This camp lacks the physical infrastructure and emotional support systems that a child needs,” she began. “No sidewalk to ride a tricycle or place to color with crayons, no….”

Maggie poked the air with the stick. “Don’t talk to me about infrastructure and support systems. I don’t need any of your social welfare talk. Go back to where you came from and take all your textbooks with you.”

Snowe looked around. “By the way, where is Katie?”

She got up and walked to the tent. Peeking inside, she saw Katie lying fully dressed on top of a grubby sleeping bag. Her long blonde hair was stringy and her clothes were wrinkled and dirty.

“You go away!” Maggie hollered from her post at the campfire. “You’re no good. You’re just going to cause trouble.” ················· KATIE FORTUNE raced down King Street like a spring breeze, stopping to stare in store windows, weaving in and out of the crowds, and dancing merrily along the brick sidewalk. Looking at her, no one would have thought she was lost, alone, vulnerable, and frightened.

She looked like an average precocious four-year-old whose family was trailing behind her.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

19

SUMMER READING

another Katie sighting three blocks further up Henry Street. A third report placed the little girl on Prince Street. Katie had become a whirling dervish. ················· AN EMPLOYEE at Meggrolls on Fayette Street spotted a bundle of clothes in the alley. Upon closer examination, there were legs and hands curled under the clothes. It was a little girl, probably around four years old. Beside her were scraps of food fished out of the dumpster.

The employee alerted the owner, who rushed outside, picked up the little girl, and brought her inside the restaurant. The child placed a tiny arm over the woman’s shoulder, embraced the warm body, and uttered an exhausted breath.

“Call the Alexandria police,” the storeowner said. “This must be the girl they’re looking for.”

"Perhaps it’s none of my business, but there’s a little girl running unattended in the 200 block of King Street."

A patron stepped out of the Principle Gallery and watched as Katie skipped by, heading toward the river.

A moment later, the girl ran up the opposite side of the road. The woman noticed that Katie’s golden hair was unwashed and matted, her complexion was waxen, and her clothes didn’t quite fit. The woman quickly pulled out her phone and dialed 911. “Perhaps it’s none of my business, but there’s a little girl running unattended in the 200 block of King Street,” she said.

The dispatcher asked for a description. It matched Katie’s. He asked for the woman’s location and the direction in which the little girl was headed. Then a message went out to the police that the little girl they were searching for had been found.

The closest officers were on the upper end of King Street near the Masonic Temple. They drove down to the river and began searching on foot. Streets, stoops, alleys, and stores were inspected to no avail.

Abby Snowe accompanied the police. At times, she seemed to lead the effort. She created an air of anticipation among the search team; it was only a matter of minutes before Katie would be found.

Then a report came about a blonde-haired waif at the intersection of Cameron and Washington Streets. And

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A policeman arrived in ten minutes. He was a father of four and he’d never stopped looking for Katie, even when others had called it a night. Once he got her safely to the station, he would be able to go home. ················· KATZ AND SNOWE returned to their townhouse a little after 10. Snowe went to the kitchen to get something to drink while Katz went upstairs to change. When he came back down, he found her hunched over her phone typing a response to an email.

“What’s going on?”

“They found Katie outside Meggrolls on Fayette Street.

She’s in family care overnight.” She put down the phone.

“Maggie’s nowhere to be found. The police went back to the camp, but it’s deserted. I’ve got a bad feeling, Mo. I’m afraid she might do something stupid.”

“There’s nothing to be done tonight.” Katz poured himself a glass of wine. He turned on the television in the kitchen.

Snowe walked to the back of the townhome and opened the French doors to the slate patio. “Mo,” she called. Piled against the wooden fence was a fleece jacket, a wool blanket, and a crumpled piece of paper.

The jacket and blanket smelled of outdoor fires and body odors. The crumpled note was written in longhand, in large, oval letters composing short sentences. Snowe picked it up and took it inside. It read: No one but me to blame.

If something happens, you and Mo raise my little girl.

You’ll know what to do. I don’t have a clue.

Snowe found herself shivering. Katz put down his glass of wine and held her. “We should notify the police and see if they can redouble their efforts tomorrow.”

SNOWE TUCKED a blanket around Katie. “I like it here, Miss Abby,” the little girl said, looking at her with trusting eyes.

Katz called the commonwealth attorney and the sheriff. Snowe contacted Child Protective Services, the city attorney, and a local nonprofit that provided 24-hour service to the homeless. Then Snowe sat and reread the letter. Her eyes welled with tears.

Snowe hugged her and said, “No one is going to hurt you or leave you alone tonight.”

“We have to go look for her tonight,” Snowe said. “I’ve got a bad feeling.”

Snowe’s eyes welled with tears. The thought of becoming a mother to Katie overwhelmed her. “I don’t know, Katie,” she said. “I don’t think so, not permanently.

We’ll see.”

They drove to the edge of Old Town near the location of the makeshift camp and parked on Duke Street below the Masonic Temple. They got out of the car and took opposite sides of the street checking bushes, front stoops, parking lots, dark corners, and deserted alleys. At Daingerfield Street, Katz crossed over to Snowe’s side and together they walked down the narrow brick sidewalk along Hooff’s Run to Jamieson Avenue and the cemetery.

A thick mist floated through the beams of their flashlights. A myriad of tiny winged creatures danced in the light as though auditioning for a fairy’s play. In the distance, the rectangles of house windows glowed yellow and white in the night. To their left was the Wilkes Street Cemetery complex and ahead of them the Grave of the Female Stranger.

“This way,” Snowe said, pointing her beam straight.

They walked past gravestones dating back to colonial days. The moon cast shadows across the stones, some of which stood upright while others tilted to the side, finding their natural place in the soil, like trees. They spied the silhouette of a person slumped beside a gravestone.

A hood covered the face and a blanket was wrapped around the body’s legs.

Snowe focused her light on the lump. The light was intense in the dark, as though it was coming from a spacecraft landing in the cemetery. A head appeared.

Snowe recognized the face. “That’s the guy who was with her this morning,” she said.

“I want to stay here,” Katie said. “Can you take care of me?” Again, she gave Abby that trusting look.

After she put Katie to bed, Snowe went downstairs. The house was quiet. The only sounds were those that houses make when they think they’re unoccupied, when the soul of the structure sends out the music of the spirits that inhabit it.

Snowe sat in the living room, engulfed in darkness. If some voyeur saw her, he would have been reminded of the mysterious woman in the burgundy dress in Edward Hopper’s “Western Motel” painting.

Her mind wandered. She walked to the kitchen, found her phone, and called Katz.

“We have an angel in our home,” she said. “Child Protective Services asked if we could keep Katie until they locate her mom.”

“Wow,” Katz said.

“Wow is right,” she laughed. “A big wow! What do you think?”

“I think, yes, it’s wonderful. Maybe Maggie is going to need some help with her daughter, and maybe we can help her on an ongoing basis.” ·················

The man shivered and pulled the blanket up to his chin. His breath formed clouds. “She might have gone to city,” he said, slurring his words. Then the man dozed off.

A WOMAN darted across 29th Street between K and M. Cars were parked tightly along the curb, bumper to bumper. Crowds were thin along Georgetown’s streets.

Lamplights shined down on nearly deserted sidewalks.

Trees in open spaces bent their twisted limbs over the urban landscape.

Snowe lowered the flashlight to her side. “I’ll check to see if there are any leads first thing in the morning.”

They wended their way through the cemetery. Then they walked up Jamieson Avenue to Holland Lane and back to the car. It was 1 a.m. by the time they returned home.

The driver of the car bearing down on her barely had time to react. The driver slammed on the brakes, but that was after impact. The body had already hurtled through the air and landed by the curb, one arm extended onto the brick sidewalk.

Within a few hours, Katie would be placed with Snowe on a temporary basis.

The driver stopped, jumped out of her vehicle, and ran to the motionless body. She called 911 and waited for help. Within seconds, the sound of sirens filled the otherwise quiet night.

Kneeling beside him, Snowe asked, “Where’s Maggie?”

·················

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

21

The accident occurred along a stretch of street that went over the C&O Canal.

The spot was about 1,000 feet from where Tony Fortune was gunned down four years earlier.

BREAKING NEWS The body of the woman hit by a car in Georgetown has been identified as Margaret Moriarty of Alexandria. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has been ruled as accidental.

No charges have been filed against the driver, whose name was not released by police. Alcohol is not believed to have been a contributing factor. Moriarty leaves behind one daughter. Her husband, Anthony Fortune, died four years ago a short distance from where the accident occurred.

················· KATZ left his car in front of Stone’s townhome and walked home. The air was chilly. Streetlights stood sentry over the stillness of the night, spewing light over deserted sidewalks. He walked further up Prince Street than he needed, all the way to Daingerfield Road, where he made a right onto Diagonal and then another onto King before turning left on his street, Harvard.

He found Snowe asleep in bed with Katie nestled beside her. He grabbed a blanket, went downstairs, and settled on the living room sofa.

“Hey,” Snowe said a moment later. She sat on the side of the sofa.

“Hey.” “Welcome home.”

They kissed.

“I didn’t want to disturb you,” he said.

“I wasn’t really sleeping. Did you hear?”

Her eyes were filled with tears.

“Yeah, it was on the news.”

“I’d like to seek custody,” she said. She clutched his hand.

“It’s what Maggie wanted,” Katz replied. “It’s in her note.”

“What do you want?”

“I want it too.” ················· STARS TWINKLED in a black sky.

Somewhere a card game was still being played. Aces ran wild.

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

Pre-order John Adam Wasowicz’s new book “Roaches Run” through Made in ALX today!

MADEINALX.COM

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

PETS

Dog Days of Summer

BY BETH LAWTON

It was a pet owner’s worst nightmare: We left our beaglelab mix, Chloe, with a colleague while we jaunted off to the West Coast (pre-pandemic). Just hours after we left, Chloe bolted from the unfamiliar-to-her home in Arlington and was lost for nine days.

Much of our vacation was spent on the phone coordinating search-and-rescue efforts from afar. Someone found her hiding in their backyard and called Arlington Animal Control, and although she was dehydrated, tired, dirty and scared, she went on to live a long, happy life with us.

But every time we went on vacation after that, we either took her with us or had a pet sitter come to our house, where we knew she was comfortable and safe. ················· An increasing number of resorts, Airbnbs and vacation spots are pet-friendly, but sometimes it’s just not possible to bring your dog or cat on the road with you.

When that’s the case, you have a few options — primarily boarding your dog somewhere or hiring a pet-sitter.

Your goal should be to spend your vacation relaxing, confident that your best furry friend is happy and cared for. Your pet-owning friends or neighbors may be able to give you some initial recommendations for your pet, but you should still do your own research and preparation.

If you choose to board your dog at a kennel, doggy day care or another boarding facility, there are a few critical things to look out for (aside from price), according to the American Kennel Club: • Be sure to schedule a tour in advance so you can see the facilities, including, especially, where your pet will be sleeping and spending most of their awake time.

• Find out what certifications or memberships the facility has, and how recently the facility was recertified.

• Check online reviews and ask for references.

• Make sure the facility seems clean, sanitary, securely fenced and that there is enough staff on site.

• Find out what happens if your dog has any unexpected needs, such as a medical emergency.

• Try to observe staff interacting with animals on site.

• Consider letting your dog do a trial night at the facility before your trip.

If you choose to hire a pet sitter to come to your home, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters has these tips: • Try to develop a relationship with the pet sitter before you leave, including having them visit your home to meet your pet. Make sure the pet sitter knows where all relevant supplies are and what to do in an emergency.

• Check online reviews, the pet sitter’s website (if they have one) and ask for references.

• Make sure the pet sitter has a back-up system in the event that an emergency makes it hard to care for your pet. (You may want to set up a back-up system with a neighbor or friend, for extra security.)

• Ensure that the pet sitter has, at a minimum, liability insurance.

• Sign a contract in writing so both you and the pet sitter understand the requirements, payment terms and communication expectations.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

23

PETS

and a free registry database at FoundAnimals.org. Microchips will sometimes have a one-time cost associated with registering, but after that, pet owners only need to keep their contact, address and emergency information up to date.

Now you ask yourself: Does my pet have a microchip? Animal hospitals, animal shelters or rescue organizations and even many pet supply stores have microchip scanners, so if you didn’t receive microchip information with your pet, you can easily find their chip number.

The AWLA recommends that at annual veterinary check-ups, you have your pet scanned to make sure the chip is still functioning properly.

Happy Returns

BY AUDREY ALESSI, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

With the wave of a wand, Spot can go from being a lost animal to a pet who is returning home to his family. It’s not magic.

It’s microchipping.

Community Programs Joanna Fortin. “We are proud to offer monthly microchip and vaccination clinics to our community at an affordable rate to ensure that financial barriers don’t keep lost pets from making their way back home.”

As a pet owner, you have probably heard of microchips, even if you aren’t familiar with how helpful they can be. Pet owners often don’t consider their pets’ microchips until a pet goes missing. Hopefully, your best friend will never slip out of their harness or dart out the front door, but if they do, a microchip — in addition to a collar with identification — is a simple way to help reconnect pets with their families. Now the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is making it easier than ever for pet owners to have their pets microchipped.

Microchipping can be one of the best and most universal ways of connecting pets with their families. A microchip is a glass-enclosed chip as small as a grain of rice that is embedded under your pet’s skin. When scanned, the microchip it reveals a unique number, that, when looked up, can provide contact information for the owner.

“We want to make sure that every pet owner has access to the benefits a microchip provides so their pet can be reunited with their family in the event they become lost,” says AWLA Director of

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Depending on how you met your best friend, they might already have a microchip. Dogs, cats and rabbits adopted from the AWLA all have microchips, but pet owners still need to register those chips with their own information, and make sure to keep their contact information up to date. More resources for pet owners include a universal microchip lookup tool at PetMicrochipLookup.org

If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, the AWLA offers an easy and low-cost solution. On the first Wednesday of each month, you’ll find the shelter’s parking lot full and dogs on leashes and cats in carriers being transported to and from the building by AWLA volunteers.

These drive-up vaccination and microchip clinics are the AWLA’s solution to providing rabies and distemper vaccines to pets in the community by appointment, while keeping everyone at a safe physical distance.

“Since we’ve begun offering microchipping at our monthly vaccine clinics,” Fortin says, “we’ve seen an enormous amount of interest in this service.

Alexandrians love their pets and are very grateful for the added safety net a registered microchip offers.”

If microchips seem like a simple safeguard for you pet, it’s because they are. By keeping them registered, up to date and checked annually, pet owners can have peace of mind knowing that if their best friend goes missing, with a quick scan, they’ll be able to find their way home.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria hosts low-cost rabies, distemper and microchip clinics on the first Wednesday of every month at their location at 4101 Eisenhower Ave. Learn more and schedule your appointment at AlexandriaAnimals.org/RabiesClinic.

THE SMALL THINGS

DR AW

ING

BY L UCINDA JENNIN GS

Sometimes, You Have to Look at How Far You’ve Come

BY STUART M. PERKINS

During a virtual happy hour earlier this year, one more in a COVID year of socializing over the computer, friends and I discussed impending vaccinations. Several of us have received our first and are eagerly awaiting our second. One in our group, however, had yet to get an appointment and it weighed on him.

I could only speak to my experience in Alexandria, which involved pre-registration, then waiting not too many weeks before receiving the appointment email. A few more days of waiting, a quick trip into Old Town and my first shot in the arm was complete.

“Wait,” she asked me. “Is this another Nannie thing?”

“It is,” I confirmed.

My grandmother was a master gardener — not certifiably, but instinctually. Nannie used one green thumb in her flowerbeds and the other in a massive vegetable garden. It was no garden for the weak as it fed her and her children’s families. Any summer evening you might see some combination of aunts, uncles, and cousins pulling, picking and weeding somewhere along its lengthy rows.

“Lucky,” our anxious friend said.

One year, Nannie planted more tomatoes than usual. It was work enough to keep them picked on a good year, but that was a very good year. Somebody was going to have their work cut out for them.

“Not so much luck, just following steps,” I responded.

“Somebody” that year was my cousin Jan and me.

“Maybe,” he continued. “What a year. No going out. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. And sadly, the awful deaths.

Finally, vaccines are out there but I’m still waiting. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel, but what a tunnel.

The end is so far away.”

He stared out from the computer expecting a response.

“Well,” I said. “It’s like those tomatoes.”

He didn’t get it, of course. Another friend spoke from the square just below his on my screen.

I don’t recall volunteering, but we were on the front lines the morning Nannie called to say the first tomatoes were ripe. We walked casually toward the long rows, empty buckets swinging from our hands, not bothered in the least by a few silly tomatoes. This would be over soon.

“We’ll never finish,” I moaned several buckets into it.

Sweat dripped from Jan’s nose as she bent over to pick.

She was handling this well. Then again, she always did love tomatoes.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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THE SMALL THINGS

“I hate tomatoes,” she said as she held her back to stand.

With so many rows, the picking would continue for weeks.

We weren’t alone, though. Nannie picked, too, and if she didn’t it was because she was shelling beans, pulling corn or canning one ripe thing or another. Weeks into the season and Nannie never slowed. Each morning she grabbed a bucket, hummed a favorite hymn and methodically walked down row after row.

Jan and I limped after her.

Each row was so long I believe green tomatoes at the other end ripened before I got to them. Jan and I whined about the long rows but Nannie never complained. How could she be so happy? How could she stay so happy during a time that seemed never-ending?

We asked her.

“Well,” Nannie said. “Sometimes you need to look at how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go.”

That was it?

She picked up two full buckets, hummed, and headed back to the house.

I looked at the quiet faces on my computer screen and wrapped up the story by saying while Jan and I continued to wish for an early frost, we did put Nannie’s advice to use

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

that season. Our muscles stayed sore and our backs still cramped, but the burden seemed lighter by looking at how far we had come, not how far we had to go.

I didn’t think our friend got it, but he thanked me for the Nannie-ism and vowed to keep trying to get an appointment. Before signing off, we all made plans to get together online again the following week. That week passed quickly and as I logged on, the first face I saw was that of the victim of my storytelling.

“What’s the latest with your appointment?” I asked, instantly wishing I hadn’t.

I feared he would sink back into negativity. I knew he, like millions of us, was beyond frustrated and saddened by the past year. I didn’t think he’d gotten much out of my Nannieism, so I waited for him to vent, expecting his upset frown.

He smiled.

“I don’t have an appointment yet,” He said. “But soon, I’m sure.”

I nodded. “Sorry. It seems like the end will never get here.”

“What? Don’t you know?” he grinned again. “Sometimes you need to look at how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go.”

He got it.

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FOOD & DINING

Take It Outside!

BY RACHEL KISER

While some of us may have borne the brunt of cold weather earlier this year and gathered near heat lamps to sit outside at Alexandria restaurants to avoid catching the COVID-19 virus, outdoor temperatures in May and June make it more-than pleasant to grab a patio seat outside.

While millions of Americans are getting vaccinated, the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention recommends continued vigilance against the virus and detected highly contagious variants. That means wearing masks while not eating and drinking and maintaining at least a sixfoot distance from others.

Many of the city’s restaurants offer charming outdoor seating and with average temperatures hovering in the 70s this time of year, it’s the best time to take it outside!

Here are some ideas for your next outdoor dining experience in Alexandria.

The rooftop deck at Blackwall Hitch, 5 Cameron St., offers beautiful views of Alexandria's waterfront. PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACKWALL HITCH

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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of the few places in Alexandria that offers unobstructed, panoramic views of the Potomac. They were named the “Single Best Outdoor Restaurant in Virginia” by Eat This, Not That! and the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award for “Ambience, Outdoor Dining, Scenic View, Brunch & Cocktails.” They have also rebranded their rooftop terrace, Bar 44, complete with a new walk-up bar and a private party section.

Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden 1106 King St. eataugies.com

Inspired by The Patron Saint of Brewers, St. Augustine, Augie’s offers a multitude of fresh mussels in unique flavors, like green curry and spicy grapefruit. In their outdoor space, The Beer Garden, guests can sit at intimate patio tables and try one of the 70 beers available alongside other Belgianinspired dishes.

Barca Pier and Wine Bar 2 Pioneer Mill Way barcaalx.com

Constructed out of shipping containers overlooking the Potomac River, Barca serves up al fresco dining featuring Mediterranean, Moroccan, Greek and Italian flavors. The eatery is a modern take on chiringuitos, traditional Spanish beach bars, with seating for 200 guests, a lounge with awnings and a bar. A neighboring spot dubbed the Barca Wine Bar offers up an intimate space with small plates, craft cocktails and unique wines.

Cedar Knoll

9030 Lucia Lane, Fort Hunt cedarknollva.com

fresh seafood dishes and American cuisine. Fire pits and couches line the back patio where guests can enjoy a great selection of local oysters, fresh seafood and river sunset views of the Potomac River. At night, the front patio, complete with an outdoor bar, offers a scenic view of Old Town and the Capital Wheel at National Harbor.

Located on the edge of the City of Alexandria Marina boardwalk next door to the Torpedo Factory, Blackwall Hitch offers beautiful patio views with classic,

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar 112 King St. danieloconnells.com

When you walk into O’Connell’s, you see the Irish antiques and the comfortable, relaxed atmosphere that makes any guest feel at home. The rooftop patio is a solace of its own, with a colorful garden where guests can enjoy good beer, good company and good Irish cuisine, shielding tables from the hustle and bustle of King Street below.

Blackwall Hitch

5 Cameron St. blackwallhitchalexandria.com

A fine dining experience perfect for every occasion, Cedar Knoll is an extraordinary culinary experience with historic ambience, seasonal cuisine and serene waterfront views just off the George Washington Parkway. Their garden patio, covered in greenery and historic charm, will make every event feel calm and chic.

Café 44

44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401 cafe44.com

An American eatery nestled away from the bustle of King Street, Café 44 is one

FOOD & DINING

Northside 10

Taverna Cretekou

The sister restaurant of Southside 815, Northside 10 is an Arlandria neighborhood favorite for Southern cooking, such as po’ boys and chicken fried steak and summer fun. Guests can enjoy 22 hand-selected beers, as well as a wide variety of cocktails on their outdoor patio beside the restaurant’s iconic compass. Pull up your truck, order some grub and watch sports under the stars on their projector.

Take a trip to Greece without the passport! Nestled into the streets of Old Town, Taverna Cretekou is a hidden family gem, serving traditional Greek cuisine since 1973. Once spring arrives, their tucked-away outdoor patio, like a secret garden, blossoms. Guests can dine in a tropical paradise, where tables are set against luscious greenery and picturesque vines scaling the walls like a Greek villa.

10 E Glebe Road northside10.com

Evening Star

2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. eveningstarcafe.net

Evening Star, a neighborhood gem nestled in Del Ray, has been serving fun and farm fresh American cuisine since 1997. Outside the cozy, warmtoned interior, The Front Porch and spacious Back Yard serve Edith’s famous Bourbon Slushies and summer picnic vibes. Both spaces are open Wednesday through Sunday, weather permitting.

818 King St. tavernacretekou.com

Sonoma Cellar

207 King St. mysonomacellar.com

Experience the palate of Sonoma County wineries in the heart of Old Town with this unique food and wine tasting experience. With over 180 Sonoma, Calif. wines and 20 Virginiabased wines offered, guests can explore and take home West Coast wines.

Their outdoor space, The Wine Garden, replicates a luxurious California wine garden with community tables, firepits and live music.

Hummingbird

220 S Union St. hummingbirdva.net

Chef Cathal Armstrong at Hummingbird (at Hotel Indigo) is serving coastal nostalgia with local seafood, fresh oysters and water views from their outdoor patio. Accents include rustic wood and a white and navy accented décor, fire pits and lounge chairs are scattered among its blooming garden to keep guests cozy in the cool summer nights.

Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap 401 E. Braddock Road, Del Ray lenasoasis.com

Lena’s serves the local community wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta and a plethora of craft beers. Now, a 5,200 square-foot tent transports guests to an exotic oasis with a Moroccan motif. Socially distanced tables are flooded with greenery, colorful tiles, and at night, blue and purple lighting set the mood for a home-awayfrom-home happy hour.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RESTAURANTS

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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Sailing into Summer in Alexandria

BY MARY ANN BARTON

PHOTO BY FRITZ EASTMAN

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

HEALTH & FITNESS

PHOTO BY JOHN SIMPSON

One of the landmark water sports familiar to many Alexandria families is the Washington Sailing Marina Sailing School. Amy Zang purchased the school in Alexandria in 1994, when she was 27 years old. More than 30 years later, the business is still going strong.

The New York native and now-Alexandria resident moved to the area for a teaching job in Prince George’s County, Md., across the river from Alexandria.

boats that are used for the sailing school and she hires all of the staff, which numbers about 40 during the summers.

“I offer a service, I don’t have an office,” she said, noting that her office is a picnic table under a tree at the park.

“That’s my office. I come with the whole package. I have my own insurance, my own boats. I’ve had a really good relationship with the National Park Service.”

The school offers a variety of boats to choose from for rent and for lessons, including one and two-person dinghies (also known as a Sunfish); a Flying Scot that holds four people; catamarans and two-person dinghies that are racing boats, as well as keel boats and wind surfers.

“When I went away to sleepaway camp in Massachusetts, it became my thing,” she said. “I loved it.”

Lessons are available for all age groups.

“We teach adults ages 16 and older on weekends and evenings — we’re open to everybody,” Zang said, noting that many adults who take lessons are those who went to camp as a kid and now want to learn at a recreational level.

At the marina, which sits on National Park Service property, she owns 70

The school also offers team-building activities for companies and supervised

She combined her love of teaching with sailing, which she picked up during sleepaway camp summers in Massachusetts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY ZANG

With the Potomac River lapping at our city’s shores, Alexandrians have plenty of opportunities to enjoy summertime fun on the water, whether it’s sailing, kayaking, rowing, wind-surfing or canoeing.

Amy's Favorite Sailing Boat "Probably the Sunfish. They're fun, fast, they're responsive and they are really at the most basic level; not that they're easy. You're really sailing. I could take somebody who has sailed a 70-foot yacht and they'd be a little bit lost for a few minutes. The bigger the boat, it takes some of the feel away. You're feeling what's happening."

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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HEALTH & FITNESS

PHOTO BY JOHN SIMPSON

sailing, after people take lessons, where instructors are out in safety boats helping those who are renting boats.

“We start with kids who have never sailed before all the way up through advanced sailing,“ she said.

“We want to make sure they’re in good shape,” she said.

Last year, the camp did not close down during the pandemic. “We were fortunate that we were able to operate,“ Zang said.

“We had zero COVID cases.“

New this year at the school is a program that offers free sailing for underserved youth, thanks to the school being named one of six Sailing Centers around the country, with donations for the program made by the U.S. Sailing Association, the governing body for the sport.

“Sailing still has that ‘white rich man’s sport’ aura,” Zang said. “I was selected to do the program in the spring, summer and fall at no-cost to designated underserved youth between ages 10-14.” The school is working with the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority to identify students for the program.

“It’s amazing,“ Zang said. “We’re already three-quarters full.“ Some of the staffers who teach sailing are former campers she’s known since they were 9 years old.

“They stay with us through college.“ What is the future of the sailing school?

“My hope is that everything just con-

“I feel really, really lucky,“ she said. “Last year, we were putting modifications in place to be open; luckily the modifications didn’t change our program.“

tinues on,“ Zang said. “We don’t have a

The camp teaches more than 100 children each week during summer camp.

there anymore. I really do love it, it’s been

whole lot of room for getting bigger, but we continue to build on programs in the spring and fall. I’m there until I can’t be really good for me in so many ways.“

“The Potomac River is in their backyard,” she said. “Sailing has so many benefits, so many life skills that you learn.”

The school will open the first weekend in May starting with weekend classes and then weeknight classes. Summer camp will begin in June and continue for 11 weeks of one-week sessions.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Members of TC Williams Girls Freshman Eight row in 2018, after winning gold in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.

PHOTO BY PAUL FILIOS

Water Sports in Alexandria Alexandria Community Rowing, offers competitive and recreational rowing opportunities. 1 N. Madison St., rowalexandria.com Blue Octopus Scuba, offers introductory scuba diving lessons, certifications, equipment rental, dive trips and more. 4154 Duke St. 703-461-3483, blueoctopusscuba.com Mariner Sailing School offers sailing classes, camps and boat rentals including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats.

Located along George Washington Memorial Parkway at Belle Haven Marina, 703-768-0018, saildc.com Washington Marina Sailing School, offers sailing lessons and camps and boat rentals at 1 Marina Dr. 703-548-9027, boatingindc.com

Boats bob on the Potomac at sunrise in Alexandria. PHOTO BY CHRIS MILITZER

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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HOME & GARDEN

C R E A T I N G B A C K Y A R D

B Y

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

S U S A N N A H

A

O A S I S

M O O R E

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA MARIE VAN BLARCUM

This fiberglass fountain is a wonderful addition to a backyard.

Alexandrian Anna Marie Van Blarcum had been wanting to install a water feature in the backyard of her family's North Ridge home since she and her husband bought it nine years ago. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they found themselves spending a lot more time at home and decided it was the perfect time to redo their outdoor living space.

Van Blarcum chose to use Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape to install a fountain because she had used them for landscaping over the years and knew they did good work.

Amanda Hamilton, a designer with Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, came out to look at their yard and help them decide the best way to proceed.

The Van Blarcums selected a fountain from the website Blue Thumb.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

37

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HOME & GARDEN

“It was much more budget-friendly than we expected,” she said. “I had sort of approached the fountain idea with my husband like, ‘Let’s just see how much it costs, and if it’s not too crazy let’s include it.’ Then when we got the price on it and it was not nearly as expensive as I anticipated — it was an easier sell.”

They went with a classic style fountain that looks like stone but is made from fiberglass which is much lighter and easier to move for maintenance.

She admitted that there was a bit of a learning curve when it came to maintenance but she said Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape and Blue Thumb were very good at explaining what needed to be done, like removing the pump in the winter and storing it in a bucket of water in their basement.

Van Blarcum said she is so glad that they chose to add the fountain and that it really brings the patio area together. “We’ve got lights on it at night so we can use it day or night and it’s just nice to have the ambient noise.

You know everybody is out in their

Water from a stone fountain spills into a small pond. PHOTO COURTESY OF KINGSTOWNE LAWN & LANDSCAPE

backyard right now because everybody needs the extra space. It’s kind of nice because it provides almost like a white noise machine so you don’t necessarily hear your neighbors or feel like your neighbors are just listening to you talk.”

The Van Blarcums are not the only homeowners who have taken advantage of the pandemic to update their backyards, and oftentimes a water feature is part of that. The sound of running water is known to help with relaxation and provide mental and physical health benefits.

There are a number of options when it comes to outdoor water features.

Hamilton said that Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape specializes in masonry basins and self-circulating water features like the fountain the Van Blarcums installed, which features a pump that recycles water.

Basalt Columns Fountain. PHOTO COURTESY OF KINGSTOWNE LAWN & LANDSCAPE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPBELL & FERRARA

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

39

HOME & GARDEN

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPBELL & FERRARA

Benefits of a Water Feature • Adds four-season interest to the landscape • Adds color, texture, sound and movement • Provides an opportunity to introduce aquatic plant material into the landscape • Pollinators can be attracted, using select aquatic plants • Provides soothing and relaxing sounds • Sounds of a waterfall can diminish noise pollution • Offers a tranquil retreat for reflection and meditation • Visual movement of the water adds another dimension to the landscape • Live fish in the water are entertaining as well as beautiful • Attracts wildlife • Enjoyable into the evening, with the proper low-voltage lighting • Aesthetically pleasing • Provides diversity in the landscape Source: Campbell & Ferrara

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Water from a wood screen spillway splashes onto polished black pebbles. PHOTO COURTESY OF KINGSTOWNE LAWN & LANDSCAPE

Recently Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape has seen less demand for more natural-looking ponds and waterfalls due to the higher maintenance associated with these types of features. Traditionally, ponds are built using a liner which is more prone to leaking and if the water is still, it encourages the growth of algae and must be cleaned regularly.

Hamilton said there is still some maintenance involved with fountains. While the self-circulating feature means that the fountain can be used year-round if constantly running, oftentimes people choose to winterize them. This involves removing the pump and storing it in water in a garage or basement to keep the gaskets wet. Some owners also purchase a cover to help prevent any buildup of leaves or other debris.

In the summer, when temperatures in Virginia can be in the 90s for weeks, water needs to be added to replace what evaporates. This can be done manually or by connecting the fountain to an existing irrigation system which uses a float valve to automatically refill the fountain when it gets below a certain level.

Homeowners who are interested in putting in a self-circulating water feature don’t always realize that the pump requires electricity nearby, which means installing electricity and running wires to the water feature through a deep trench.

This is an additional expense and can often determine where a water feature is placed in the yard.

A simple self-circulating water fountain without electricity starts at around $2,500.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPBELL & FERRARA

Almost anything can be turned into a water feature by drilling a hole and adding a pump. Hamilton noted some examples such as a large rock or a decorative planter and even a sump pump.

“I’ve had a few clients who, their sump pumps go off really frequently, and they kind of made a little water feature out of it,” she said with a laugh.

For homes with small outdoor spaces like those found in Old Town, Hamilton recommends a wall fountain. Just keep in mind that most water features will have some kind of splash so this should be considered when placing outdoor furniture, especially in tight spaces.

Despite the trend towards more modern, self-circulating water features, homeowners looking for a traditional koi pond, babbling stream or other natural-looking water feature can contact Campbell & Ferrara. The company is locally owned and operated and has been in business since 1945. In addition to water features, they specialize in all aspects of outdoor living from landscaping and hardscaping to outdoor kitchens. They also operate a garden center off of Richmond Highway.

Campbell & Ferrara offers biofilter ponds which help reduce some of the maintenance traditionally associated with ponds. Biofilters keep ponds clear and balance the pond ecosystem by using bacteria to break down pond waste which is important for water plants and fish. Less expensive mechanical filters are also available but require cleaning once a month. Ponds without plants or fish can be purified using chlorine.

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McHale Landscape Design added the finishing touches to this pool by Town & Country Pools in Great Falls.

janetbertin@decoratingden.com janetbertin.decoratingden.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN & COUNTRY POOLS

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

41

HOME & GARDEN

Alternative angle of Great Falls pool. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN & COUNTRY POOLS

Last summer, public pools were shut down due to the pandemic. Some local HOAs have chosen to keep pools closed this year too. That, combined with limited travel, inspired many homeowners to install backyard pools of their own.

Inground pool installations are expensive and are a large construction project. Pools rarely provide a return on investment, especially in areas that experience cold weather like Virginia. Homeowners should install pools because they want them for personal enjoyment, not necessarily to boost home values. They also have significant maintenance costs which on average are well over $1,000 a year for basic upkeep.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

There are three types of materials used to build inground pools – vinyl liners, fiberglass and gunite/concrete.

Liner pools range from $35,000 to $65,000 while fiberglass will cost between $50,000 to $90,000.

Town & Country Pools is a local, family-owned company based out of Springfield that has been designing and building high-quality pools since 1977. They build pools exclusively from gunite/concrete and the starting price begins at $150,000.

President and owner of the company, Burton S. Gray, started working at Town & Country in 1986 and purchased the company from the founder (and a longtime neighbor) in 2000.

Town & Country prides itself on attention to detail, low employee turnover, quality subcontractors and full service for customers. They are already sold out for the 2021 season and are currently taking requests for 2022, a testament to their stellar reputation in the area. In addition to design and construction, Town & Country offers regular pool service and renovation.

Gray thinks it is important that homeowners know what they are getting into when they install a pool.

“You get what you pay for and with a swimming pool, you have one shot at it,” Gray said. “It’s ‘big construction.’

People don’t realize how large it is until they get into it. We’re not just matting grass down, we’re creating a road to get into your backyard.”

THE LOCAL LENDER PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN & COUNTRY POOLS

This Reston hot tub and spa pool was built by Town & Country Pools with help from McHale Landscape Design.

Why Use a Local Lender?

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN & COUNTRY POOLS

Town & Country Pools and Fine Landscapes, Ltd created this modern rectangular pool in DC.

Town & Country offers a variety of pools in different sizes including rectangular, freeform, infinity edge, Grecian and Roman as well as hot tubs and spas. Rectangular pools are the most popular for safety reasons because they are the easiest shape to find a cover for.

The City of Alexandria requires that all pools be fully enclosed by a fence or equivalent barrier at least six feet high. In Fairfax County, a fence or barrier is also required but a powered safety cover can be substituted for the fence. In both municipalities, spa pools and hot tubs that have lockable safety covers do not require a fence.

Utilities, easements, historic trees, yard size and topography must all be considered when a pool is designed. After design is finalized and the homeowner obtains permits from the city or county, most pools take six to eight weeks to build and often require an additional two weeks after being filled with water before they can be used.

According to Gray, pool electronics, interior finishes and features around the pool area have changed over the years. Right now, glass tiling and decks are popular. Most of the newer pools are also automated using iAquaLink which allows owners to operate the pool from their smartphone or tablet.

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May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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205 S. Union Street

|

Alexandria, VA

|

www.markswoods.com

703.838.9788

HOME & GARDEN

According to the Alexandria-based Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), homeowners are taking a new look at their yards as places to create more living space for entertaining or relaxing.

A step above the standard deck or patio, some homeowners are splurging on a screened-in porch.

ALL PHOTOS BY REGIS VOGT

These two homeowners created new areas of their homes that merged high-end design with practical space.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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CONVERTED CARPORT

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Just a few blocks west of Fort Hunt Elementary School, the Lough family asked the design team at Marks-Woods Construction Services to create an outdoor living space with a West Coast feel that allowed in plenty of natural light. They wanted the space to have a quiet and private feel while providing them with access to both the house and the side yard.

HOME & GARDEN

The perfect spot to create this indoor-outdoor living space was the home’s existing carport.

It was demolished to create a new covered patio with steps into a screened-in porch with skylights. Combined with new landscaping, a new walkway and a new driveway, the space tied into the existing home’s style and entryway seamlessly.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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A DECKED-OUT DECK In the Waynewood neighborhood, the Nurnbergers sought a more usable outdoor space that included a deck and screened-in porch with easy access to their backyard. Marks-Woods Construction Services removed the old deck and replaced it with a new, larger deck — part of it was used for a screened-in porch. New stairs led to the backyard below. A new backdoor on the home and exterior lighting made the space welcoming day and night.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

HOME & GARDEN

The new screened-in porch features skylights, a shiplap wall and ceiling, and an oversized fan. The three black-framed glass panel double door entries were added for contrast against the white shiplap. The new deck featured a unique cable railing to give the space an open feel.

May / June 2021 • alexandrialivingmagazine.com

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

TRAVEL

Eastern Shore SUMMERING ON MARYL AND'S

BY BETH LAWTON

Blue Heron, Cambridge, Md. PHOTO COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY CHESAPEAKE BAY

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Lights over Poplar Street, downtown Cambridge, Md. PHOTO BY JILL JASUTA

With a cute and quaint downtown, industrial roots and significant history, the small city of Cambridge, Maryland is a great retreat for a long weekend this summer.

Located about 95 miles away from Alexandria on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Cambridge sits on the Choptank River, just slightly east of the Chesapeake Bay and just north of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Here’s what we found in Cambridge and nearby Easton, St. Michaels and Oxford — all great for history buffs and nature lovers alike.

Cambridge was founded in 1684 and is one of the oldest Colonial cities in Maryland. It was incorporated as a city in 1793 and developed as a hub of food processing and canning in the late 1900s.

In the 1960s, as the local food packing industry declined, Cambridge became a focal point in the Civil Rights Movement.

In the past 20 years, Cambridge’s downtown has seen significant revitalization,

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

with a thriving food and arts scene.

Historic tours, water sports, bird watching and hiking opportunities abound.

HISTORIC SELF-GUIDED TOURS In the pandemic era, Dorchester County has launched a variety of self-guided walking tours. One of the more popular tours focuses on Harriet Tubman, who was born in Dorchester County and was considered a hero for leading people out of slavery through the Underground

Railroad. A scenic driving tour points out dozens of Civil War-era and Tubmanfocused sites in Dorchester County and nearby Caroline County. Learn more at harriettubmanbyway.org. Of course, don’t miss the Harriet Tubman Museum, 424 Race St. in Cambridge.

A variety of guided and group tours are also available in the spring and summer months. Chesapeake Ghost Tours offers tours in Cambridge

TRAVEL

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. PHOTO BY JILL JASUTA

and nearby St. Michaels and Easton. (chesapeakeghosts.com).

In addition, the Dorchester County Office of Tourism offers guides for tours of the Chesapeake Mural Trail and dozens of local historic sites. More information is at visitdorchester.org/see-and-do/tours.

For those into architectural history, the Dorchester County Office of Tourism also has suggestions for a church tour that includes the Christ Episcopal Church (built

in 1883) and a drive out scenic Route 16 southwest to the Old Trinity Church, the oldest Episcopal church in continuous use in the United States (built in 1675). Just a bit further on Route 16 is Bethlehem M.E. Church, the oldest Methodist church in the county. Yet a few more miles south is St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church (built in 1872). The drive passes through lush wetlands just west of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, about 20 miles south of Cambridge, is a popular stop for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway. Across 45 square miles, the refuge has forest, marsh and shallow water areas and is home to the East Coast’s largest breeding population of American bald eagles outside of Florida. The refuge is also popular for ducks, including mallards, black ducks, wood ducks, and blue-winged teals.

For those interested in more birdwatching, start at the Dorchester County Visitor’s Center at Sailwinds Park in Cambridge and walk along the old U.S. 50 Fishing Pier from the waterfront boardwalk on the Choptank River. (The Visitor’s Center is at 2 Rosehill Place in Cambridge.) You may see Great Blue Heron and Osprey from there.

Left: Harriet Tubman Museum. PHOTO COURTESY OF DORCHESTER TOURISM

Right: Historic Bucktown General Store. PHOTO BY JILL JASUTA

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TRAVEL

Water sports are also in abundance in and around Cambridge, including fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Blackwater Adventures offers paddle trips through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge or along the Choptank River, plus Jet Ski and powerboat rentals. See the options at blackwateradventuresmd.com.

Clockwise from top: Blackwater bakery Soul of Shore. PHOTO BY JILL JASUTA. RAR Brewing beer sampler and RAR Brewing tacos. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DORCHESTER TOURISM

WHERE TO EAT There is no shortage of worthwhile restaurants right in Cambridge. From cozy restaurants with outside dining downtown to dockside dining with great water views, here are just a few recommendations.

For breakfast, head downtown to Black Water Bakery, 429 Race St., which has generous yogurt parfaits and a variety of gourmet baked goods, coffee and hot breakfasts.

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alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

Lunch can include a stop at Jimmie & Sook’s, 527 Poplar St., in downtown Cambridge, where crab and Southern BBQ rule the menu.

Nearby, check out RAR Brewing, 504 Poplar St., for its pub menu or Portside Seafood Restaurant, 201 Trenton St., overlooking Cambridge Creek. Lil’ Bitta Bull BBQ, 520 Race St., is also worth a try for its ample portions and full-page menu of signature cocktails.

If you’re looking for pizza, few places will beat Ava’s Pizzaria & Wine Bar at 543 Poplar St. After dinner at Ava’s, wander down to the wine bar Vintage 414 or to DocoVino Wine Bar — they are close to each other on Race Street in downtown Cambridge.

For dessert, consider Maiden Maryland Sweets & Treats (conveniently located midway between Ava’s and the wine bars).

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CAMBRIDGE

Hyatt Regency. PHOTO COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY CHESAPEAKE BAY

WHERE TO STAY

While in Cambridge, take the opportunity to visit some of the quaint neighboring towns:

Cambridge is nearly as dog-friendly as Alexandria.

The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina is a 342acre waterfront resort with an 18-hole golf course, marina and full-service spa. Add in the on-site restaurant, outdoor and indoor pools, fitness center and it may be hard to leave. The hotel will also help you book crabbing and fishing expeditions. Learn more at hyatt.com/chesapeakebay or call 410901-1234 for reservations. The resort allows leashed well-behaved dogs.

There is no shortage of Airbnb or VRBO rentals in Cambridge, including some of the area’s most beautiful historic Victorians. Some come with fenced-in backyards for Fido.

H BONUS H According to entomologists, Dorchester County is NOT on the list of places where trillions of cicadas are expected to emerge in 2021. If you really dislike cicadas and want to escape them, Cambridge seems like a safe bet.

Choptank River Lighthouse. PHOTO BY JILL JASUTA

1. EASTON The historic town of Easton, Maryland, is located just 15 miles west of Cambridge. With blocks of small boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and historic architecture, Easton offers plenty of entertainment. Pick up a gift for the kids at local toy shop Crackerjacks. Stop by the Tidewater Inn for a drink on the outdoor patio next to a roaring fire. Learn more at eastonmd.org.

2. ST. MICHAELS With a population of just more than 1,000 people, St. Michaels is an adorable town with museums, art and historic homes (a self-guided tour is available). This summer (from May 29 through September), stop by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to see the 18th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists art show. Information about the town, events, tours and more is available at stmichaelsmd.com.

3. OXFORD The port town of Oxford is one of the oldest small towns in Maryland. Historic homes add to its quiet charm. Take the ferry to Bellevue for a scenic trip — the privately owned ferry company may be the oldest running in the United States, as it started running in 1683. Learn more at oxfordmd.net.

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THE LAST WORD

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVE RUTLEDGE

Love Rutledge

Love Is On the Air

BY MARY ANN BARTON

Public Service Recognition Week is May 2-8, and in addition to Alexandria's local public servants, there are many state and federal employees who make their home here.

In fact, Virginia ranks third in the nation for its number of federal employees, at more than 150,000, just behind Washington, D.C. and California.

Thousands of them tune in to hear what Alexandria resident

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Love Rutledge, host of her podcast FedUpward, has to say. A water cooler of sorts, it’s where federal civil servants can find inspiration, motivation and practical tips to survive the bureaucracy.

Rutledge has been a public servant herself for 21 years, currently working as an analyst at the GS-15 level at the Department of Defense.

She has lived in Alexandria since the summer of 2000.

Originally from Stockton, Ala., near the Gulf Coast, she graduated from Tulane University with a degree in communications.

alexandrialivingmagazine.com • May / June 2021

“I was hired into a federal jobs program as a GS-7,” she said. “I came in as a ‘newbie’ and had to work a part-time job to cover my bills and worked my way up over time.”

She got the idea for her podcast “during my pregnancies to find resources for leave planning, doctor’s visits, parking and all of the things that go with being a first-time mom and mother of two,” said Rutledge, who makes her home in the Mount Vernon area with her husband Josh Drumwright and their two children, who are now ages 3 and 5.

Although “everyone at work was super supportive, I needed a one-stop practical resource for everyday problems,” she noted. While other federal employee resources are out there, “they don’t hit on the practical day-to-day stuff that federal employees might need.”

In 2019, knowing “absolutely nothing” about creating a podcast, she listened to “a lot of podcasts about podcasting," she said. She learned the basics, and with help from her “more tech-savvy” husband, she launched her first podcast in the fall of 2019. By January 2020, she started airing weekly podcasts, added sponsors and now has more than 85 episodes under her belt.

Where does she get her ideas from? “When I started, it was things that drove me crazy and it was very selfishly motivated.

And now, thankfully, enough people listen and I get a lot of suggestions from folks.”

Each podcast is about 15 to 20 minutes long and listeners can find her at FedUpward.com or on Apple, Spotify and iHeartRadio. She records her podcasts in a guest bedroom

FAV O R I T E S P O T S I N ALEXANDRIA:

Mischa’s, Fibre Space and Penny Post. There's nothing better than a new notebook.

WHERE IS YOUR DREAM T R AV E L S P O T ?

We’re dreaming about travel a lot these days, but anywhere with a bright and sunny beach.

Y O U 'D B E S U R P R I S E D T O L E A R N T H AT I :

Used to take belly dancing classes.

I 'M M O S T P R O U D O F :

My children

M Y FAV O R I T E WAY T O REL AX IS:

With a good book and a great cup of coffee.

FAV O R I T E P O D C A S T:

I love listening to NPR, their whole suite of podcasts is really great.

T H R E E P E O P L E I 'D L I K E T O H AV E O V E R F O R D I N N E R :

My dad passed away several years ago and having both my parents together at dinner with me would be the most amazing thing, along with my daughter, who he didn't get to meet.”

in the late afternoons, before it gets too hectic with dinner and the kids’ baths. A freelance editor adds an intro and the sponsor messages.

The most popular topics so far have been about performance management, “always a hot topic in federal government,” she noted, and resume writing.

And we couldn't let Love Rutledge get away without finding out about her interesting moniker. “It’s a family name, it’s actually my middle name,” she said. “My full name is Augusta Love Rutledge. People usually ask if my parents were hippies or were bad at tennis!”

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