John Eric Home - December 2013

JOHNERICHOME

®

Magazine

Real Estate and Lifestyle Magazine December 2013, Volume 18 DC | VA | MD

The Dance of the Cavalier The Nutcracker Jackson Hole, A Winter Wonderland

Septime Webre COVER STORY

The Man Behind The Washington Ballet

Private Chef Jocko Fajardo Shares His Innovative Recipes Using Simple Items to Spread Holiday Cheer.

Tech’s Hottest Holiday Gadgets for 2013 Dressing Picture Perfect for the Holidays

JE JOHN ERIC R E A L E S TAT E

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John Eric 1206 30th Street, NW | Washington, DC 20007 C: 703.798.0097 | O:202.333.1212 | E: john@johneric.com | www.johneric.com

CONTENTS

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COVER STORY Meet Septime Webre. He is the man behind The Washington Ballet who keeps Washington on its toes.

20 DESTINATIONS

FOODIE

Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A wonderland of the winter season.

Explore sleigh rides, dog-sled rides and, of course, skiing.

Private Chef Jocko Fajardo gives his take on Kabocha squash and fennel soup along with spiced chicken thighs and Hazelnut brown-butter cake.

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MONEY & FINANCE Marc Schliefer brings our readers the next installment of his Castles and Moats series. This month he explores ownership strategies for assets.

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74 PREMIUM LISTINGS John’s current inventory of spectacular properties in all price points.

THE SCOOP News from around Washington, Arlington, Northern Virginia and Montgomery County

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HOME TRENDS

THE NUTCRACKER

Edith Gregson brings home fruit from the supermarket … how to use simple items to spread holiday cheer.

The Dance of the Cavalier - A history of The Nutcracker and The Washington Ballet’s new take on this classic treasure.

94 TECH Looking for a tech gift this holiday season? Kristina Messner explores the industry‘s top holiday gadgets for 2013.

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VINEYARD Are you dreaming of a red Christmas? David-Michael Shott and John Gjika show us a new respect for Italian Reds.

MIXOLOGY

MEN’S STYLIST James Cornwell offers his advice on what to do and what not to do when shopping for your mate.

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62 Charles Tappan and Luca Giovaninni share holiday cocktails to keep all in good spirits.

102 WOMEN’S STYLIST ‘Tis the season to sparkle!

James Cornwell shares secrets on how to best dress for the holiday entertaining scene.

NEXT MONTH In our January issue, John Eric Home introduces David Brown to our readers. David will be the magazine’s new Home Trends contributor.

We at JEH are looking forward to bringing his feature to our pages.

CONTRIB EXPRESSIONS

FOODIE

HOME TRENDS

STYLIST

Kim Ward has worked in a variety of roles and for different organizations in the visual arts, from the Corcoran Museum of Art, as the Executive Director of the Washington Project for the Arts, to various advisory roles with the Arlington Commission for the Arts.

She chaired the Arlington County Public Art Committee for five years.

Kim serves as an arts consultant in the region.

Joaquin “Jocko” Fajardo, a native Arizonan, has been in the Capitol area for over 12 years. Through educational scholarships provided by The Careers Through Culinary Arts Program, Jocko was educated at the London Cordon Bleu and The Culinary Institute of America. In late 2004, he completed a certificate program from The Guild of Professional English Butlers.

Working in the homes of celebrities, politicians, CEO’s and American elite, Jocko combines a flair for the creative in his cooking. “I live for fresh, delicious, colorful and hearty cooking.

Shopping local, mindful of organics, is essential.” He currently resides in Silver Spring where he is employed as an estate manager, cooking Kosher daily.

Joe Ireland and Julie Weber are the directors of the Dupont Circle design firm J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture and Design. Named House Beautiful’s “Next Wave” of top national design firms, they design residential and commercial spaces nationwide. They have transformed some of the area’s most desired homes, restaurant spaces and retail shops into timeless works of art and architecture.

Critics have described their work as “elegant and comfortable,” “soothing,” “fresh,” “hip,” “clean” and “a blend of contemporary with traditional.” The creative duo has been described as “innovative thinkers concerned with form and function” who “take care to weave the client’s taste in seamlessly with their own keen eye.”

Joe Ireland followed the traditional transition from apprentice to master.

He brings unique and desired elements to every design. Julie trained as an interior architect and emphasizes comfort, functionality, and classic beauty in her design style.

James Cornwell’s experience in fashion is vast. He boasts an impressive client portfolio, including Neiman Marcus, Mango, Bloomingdales, Sabring Soto (HGTV), Will Thomas (Fox 5), Angie Goff (News 9), Arch Campbell, Ted Koppel, Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals), Santino Quaranta (DC United) and Brian Orakpo (Washington Redskins). He has worked with Instyle Magazine, Washington Life Magazine, Today’s Health and Wellness, Jaci Reid, Ford Models, Elite, Next, T.H.E., Americas Next Top Model-Smart Water, Adeler Jewelers and JJ Singh Designs. James is, also, proprietor of Cornwell Styling, the Art Director for PR at Partners and Tim Coburn Photography, Co-Host of Fashion BS and Stylist and Art Director for Washington Life Magazine fashion shoots.

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BUTORS MIXOLOGY Luca Giovannini and Charles M. Tappan Jr., form the team that creates our mixology section. Luca discovered his passion for food and drink in his hometown in the north of Italy. After working in Europe, he landed in Washington and perfected his skill of combining European and American styles of drink. Charles is a founding member of VenerĂ te Group LLC. He launched the company, leaving a career in capital markets, to elevate cocktail culture through creativity, classical knowledge, craft dedication and teaching.

MONEY & FINANCE

TECH

VINEYARD

Marc Schliefer has been in the financial planning business since 1978, when he joined Equity Planning Institute, Inc. He became President of Equity Planning Institute, Inc. in 1996. With over 33 years of practicing financial planning, Marc has worked mainly on individual financial planning and counsels clients on all aspects of their financial life. Marc was a frequent guest on the WRC radio program, Your Money Show, and has written many articles for local associations.

He has conducted Financial Planning seminars for companies and government agencies and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Kristina is a writer and award-winning communications professional who works with clients in an array of technology markets, from emerging technology to consumer electronics, government IT, defense and homeland security. As senior vice president of public relations and social media for Focused Image, a leading branding firm based in Falls Church, VA., she supports top federal contractors, fast-growing private companies, associations and nonprofits. Each issue, Kristina will share insights on some of the latest and most fascinating technology products and trends that are changing our world.

David-Michael Shott has resided in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for over a decade. A creative and energetic leader, he has always embraced innovation while seeking new business opportunities.

The Local Vine Cellar signifies a culmination of David’s extensive experience in myriad fields ranging from radiation oncology to real estate development and investment. He was a co-partner of a successful restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, which gave him the opportunity to develop and refine his palate and passion for wine. A lover of port and Italian reds, he believes wine should be enjoyable and accessible to all, regardless of knowledge or expertise.

With a background in Economics and GIS, John Gjika is a thoughtful entrepreneur who values a good bottle of Amarone and believes wine is as good for the mind and building communities. An Albanian native who grew up in Portland, Maine, John always offers an independentlyminded approach and has a soft spot for anything Mediterranean.

John Eric Home would like to introduce our readers to the contributors who provide both informative and interesting articles to the magazine on a monthly basis. These are the voices that bring to you the most current trends within their individual industries. We would like to thank our contributors for providing their insight to the magazine and its readers.

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JOHNERIC

December ushers in parties and celebrations. We at John Eric Home wish you the very best this Holiday Season. We hope this time of year brings you much joy and happiness with family and friends.

In this edition of John Eric Home, we feature some amazing stories and articles to make your holiday season the very best. Our cover story is on the legendary and gifted Septime Webre of The Washington Ballet. His genius guides this talented group of professionals and provides Washington with one of its most culturally significant institutions.

Our second feature is a companion piece on The Washington Ballet’s seasonal gem, The Nutcracker. This magnificent production brings the holiday season to life here in our nation’s capital. We also have some amazing drink and food recipes in our “Mixology” and “Foodie” sections that we guarantee will brighten up your life and your table. And, just to top things off, we highlight some amazing reds from Italy in “Vineyard.”

In “Destinations,” we whisk you off to Jackson Hole for a wonderful getaway, offer you great gift ideas in “Tech” and share important money planning in “Finance.” Holiday home decorating tips make up “Home Trends” and, finally, we give you the ins and outs of fashion in our Men’s and Women’s “Stylist.”

We also get to take stock of 2013 and our accomplishments. For me, 2013 brought many challenges, changes, and successes with my real estate practice and I’m so thankful for the phenomenal growth in the readership and reach of John Eric Home. We even made the ticker in New York’s Time Square for our growth!

While professional success is crucial, nothing shapes my world more than the important people and relationships in my life. I’m so fortunate to have an exceptional partner, a wonderful family and great friends. We also were privileged to welcome a new addition to the family, our lovable rescue dog, Adele.

So, as I look back at 2013, I want to thank the staff and contributors that made John Eric Home such as tremendous success each and every month. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. For 2014, we have some exciting additions to the magazine and I look forward to sharing those with you next month. Until then, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Best, John Eric Publisher, Principal and Realtor

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Publisher JOHN ERIC Managing Editor ANGELA CASEY Senior Editor-at-Large LK Creative Director HILLARY BROADWATER Photography AM & SEAN SHANAHAN

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Septime Webre

The Man Behind The Washington Ballet

Septime Webre is a powerhouse in both the national and international worlds of ballet. He has transformed The Washington Ballet into a serious and well-respected company. He has tripled its annual budget, doubled student enrollment and founded The Washington Ballet Studio Company. He is a dancer. He is a choreographer. He has a unique and interesting perspective of life, of ballet and the life centered on the ballet.

CHOREOGRAPHING A WORK IS THE ULTIMATE COLLABORATION “I was attacked by a baboon while traveling in the Cote d’Ivoire when I was 15,” says Septime Webre.

That noteworthy statement begins the exploration of Webre’s life. A life rich in experience, travel, and, of course, a love of the ballet. The ballet “is my mother tongue,” he remarks.

Webre was appointed artistic director of The Washington Ballet in June 1999 after six years as artistic director of American Repertory Ballet in New Jersey. His choreographic skill is always in demand and he has created works that appear in the repertoires of many companies in North America, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Ballet Austin, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Hawaii and Colorado Ballet, among others.

As a dancer, Webre has been featured in works by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Antony Tudor, Alvin Ailey and Merce Cunningham, as well as in principal and solo roles from the classical repertoire. He has judged international ballet competitions including those in Varna, Bulgaria; Istanbul, Turkey; Cape Town, South Africa; Boston, Massachusetts; and the Youth America Grand Prix in New York.

His success as both dancer and choreographer is worldrenowned. He has spent countless hours honing his craft.

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Although, the ballet has always played a critical role in Webre’s life, at the University of Texas he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History/Pre-Law.

“I trained in classical ballet for what seems like forever,” says Webre. “At the same time I pursued rigorous academic training. It wasn’t until I was 22 that I decided not to go to law school. So there was always rigorous studies both in ballet and in academics.”

Once, Webre chose his path in dance, nothing stopped him from achieving his artistic goals. Countless hours spent dancing, studying and perfecting his skills played a significant part. Webre, also, attributes part of his success to his childhood background.

“I’m the seventh son in a loud and loving Cuban-American family,” says Webre. “My six older brothers were born and grew up in Cuba—I was the first child born outside of Cuba after the revolution. I grew up in the Bahamas, South Texas, the Cote d’Ivoire and the Sudan. These experiences certainly helped me feel like a bit of an outlier, perhaps giving me the courage to reject pursuing a career as a lawyer, which my family had hoped for me. This status as outsider has allowed me to view the world as a voyeur of sorts. This has been helpful in developing a

particular point of view in my work.”

Under Webre’s artistic direction, The Washington Ballet has experienced a chrysalis of dance to become one of the best to one of the best companies in the nation. He has made Washington a serious ballet town. To do this, a strong vision was required. The development of this vision is constantly witnessed on the stage. How does Septime Webre create this vision? What impacts him most?

“What I’m reading, the music I’m listening to, and the contemporary art I am seeing,” he says. “These are the main sources of inspiration. As of late, I have been practicing yoga quite seriously, and there is a centeredness—a quietness in the midst of chaos - which is beginning to inspire the work too.”

Webre, also, draws influences from the written works he transforms to stage productions. “These days I have been making large-scale work based on great works from the American canon. Those stories and characters, along with music from that era and fashion/social mores of the period—all of these are influences at the moment.”

To bring all of the elements of a production together into one cohesive stage performance takes patience, hard work, determination and an endless source of energy. Webre is endowed with all of the above. He also knows how to lead.

“Choreographing a work is the ultimate collaboration,” says Webre. “Designers, composers, dancers, librettists, technicians, ballet masters—all of these folks contribute to the final product.

So leading and delegating are vital.”

Like all artists, Webre has a process. It seems like a sophisticated version of the movie Groundhog Day. Of course, due to this process, amazing works of ballet are created which will live in history.

“I wake up, listen to the music, go to rehearsal and create

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with the dancers all day, drink a beer, listen to the music, take an ambien to get to sleep, wake up, listen to the music, go to rehearsal and create with the dancers all day, drink a beer, and so forth….”

Leading and delegating are not only required in stage production but in Webre’s overall life at The Washington Ballet.

The local, national and international ballet communities are all taking special notice of his leadership, not only on the stage, but also in further promoting the company.

Webre has developed a three-pronged mission; to grow the artistry and international reputation of Ballet, to train the next generation of dancers through The Washington School of Ballet, and, to deepen the organization’s commitment to community engagement through the visionary programs of DanceDC and The Washington Ballet @ THEARC.

Since its inception in 1999, DanceDC has provided integrated dance and literacy training to over 6,000 students enrolled in District of Columbia Public Schools. Building on the success of DanceDC, Webre established EXCEL!, a scholarship program that supports the most promising students from DanceDC to train at the internationally-recognized Washington School of Ballet. In 2005, in partnership with Building Bridges Across the River, The Washington Ballet opened The Washington Ballet @ THEARC, which brings professional-level classical ballet training to hundreds of young people at The Washington School of Ballet.

Community collaborations have been a hallmark of Webre’s tenure, including The Washington Ballet’s landmark trip to Cuba in fall 2000. The company also traveled to Turkey to participate in the 9th International Bodrum Dance Festival. Locally, they have been active through the Arena Stage’s Coyote Builds North America; Journey Home, a partnership with Sweet Honey In the Rock; visual artist Sam Gillam; playwright Norman Allen and the Phillips Collection, the National Gallery of Art, Velocity DC, and more.

As a true artist, Webre finds inspiration in other choreography taken from both the past and the current stage.

He notes several choreographers who impact his own style and form.

“Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, and of course the transcendent structure of Petipa’s 19th Century classics,” he notes.

Each of us can declare different favoritisms in the world of the arts. That is the true purpose of art, after all, to appeal in a very personal way to the reader, listener or spectator, whether it is a genre of book, a style of music or a form of dance. For a ballet dancer and choreographer, Webre has a rich repertoire from which to choose in his own field. When asked what his favorite ballet is and by which artist, his answer is not surprising.

“I have several,“ he says, “Giselle, Swan Lake, Balanchine’s Serenade, Balanchine’s Four Temperaments, Tharp’s In the Upper Room and Forsythe’s in the middle somewhat elevated.”

And, what is this artist’s most favorite work that he, himself, has created?

“I’m a love-the-one-your-with kind of guy, so my most recent work is always my favorite one. In this case it would be Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.”

And, Septime Webre, Washington loves you.

John Eric Home 17

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DESTINATIONS 20

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JACKSON HOLE

WYOMING The Best of the Old West

During the winter season, Jackson Hole is a wonderland. For some visitors, days of skiing, snowmobiling and ice-skating energize and challenge the spirit. For others, sleigh rides, dog-sled and nature tours offer hours of unique experiences. Nearly everyone enjoys ambling around the town of Jackson itself. They seek respite from thermometer-dropping temperatures in one of Jackson’s cafes. They wander through the town’s interesting shops and boutiques looking for perfect finds. They dine the night away enjoying the area’s western-styled cuisine. This area is a jewel of the American West and to it we head in this month’s Destinations.

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Jackson Hole is well-known for its winter activity and its proximity to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It is a hub for outdoor recreational enthusiasts. Wildlife watching is easy here - elk, deer, and many small mammals can be found throughout the valley. Myriad bird species are found throughout the valley year-long and include various ducks, geese and even swans.

Close to Jackson, the natural rock formation, called “Sleeping Indian,” astonishes many visitors. This work of nature is complete with mouth, nose, flowing headdress and folded arms across the chest. It is something to behold. Nearby, the National Elk Refuge, northeast of Jackson, provides a home for thousands of elk each winter. Visitors can take sleigh rides among the elk from mid-December through April. A ride on the Refuge will cost approximately $18.00 per person.

With the snow covered Tetons in the distance, dashing through the snow is a magical experience. Old-fashioned horse drawn sleighs offer a unique view of Jackson Hole’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife. Half-hour to one-hour rides are offered, as well as combinations with dinner and entertainment. Various outfitters and guides offer sleigh rides throughout the area. However, if you choose to enjoy a sleigh ride, make sure to dress warmly. Rides in open sleighs during the winter can be quite cold.

Another experience-of-a-lifetime available at Jackson Hole is a dog sled tour. A Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tour is a scenic, warm ride in a modern sled. One of the most trusted outfits in the area is Frank’s Iditarod Team. Their musherguides are known to be professional, alert and eager to point

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out points-of-interest. Full and half day trips are available with full day trips picking up in town at 8:00 a.m. and returning at approximately 4:30 p.m. They include a hearty lunch and a swim in the warm Granite Hot Springs at the end. Half day trips pick up in town at 8:00 a.m. and return at approximately 1:30 p.m. but do not travel all the way to the hot springs.

With a backdrop of pristine snow, deep green forests, craggy mountain peaks, and clear blue rivers, traveling by snowcoach is a breath-taking experience. Snowcoach tours of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone region are a wonderful winter activity for all ages. Trained, professional drivers/guides provide many sightseeing opportunities.

Tours are in a heated, comfortable snowcoach that offer clear views while moving easily across the snow. Experienced guides speak on the insights of each park. Many companies offer tours during the winter and, depending on the tour company, the fee may include pick-up and drop-off at area lodges. Typical rates for a snowcoach tour range from $100 to $200.

Again, visitors who take tours must prepare for the elements. Even if planning to travel via the heated warmth of a snowcoach, always be prepared for the unexpected. At stops, make sure to pay attention to the instructions given by the driver/guide. Wildlife is still wild even in the middle of winter.

Of course, skiing is the winter pastime at Jackson Hole and it is best known for this exhilarating sport. Skiers, both professional and amateur, flock to the region for its runs.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King and Grand Targhee all offer an excellent skiing experience and accommodations.

The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is possibly the bestknown of the three and of the area. A ski resort in Teton Village, it is located just 12 miles northwest of Jackson and due south of Grand Teton National Park. Respected for its relatively steep terrain, its vertical drop is one of North America’s highest at 4,140 feet.

The mountain has become the home to many of the world’s best free skiers as the terrain is considered to be some of the most challenging in North America. It is home to one of the most difficult ski runs in the world, Corbet’s Couloir. In addition to the terrain inbounds, there is an even larger area to be explored off-piste (out-of-bounds). These areas are accessed through marked gates by expert skiers/boarders who are equipped with avalanche safety gear.

Après-ski, there are a host of welcoming restaurants and cafes in town. Jackson is charming. It is a wonderful example of the old American West, as illustrated by the famed Elk Horn Gates, which lead into the town square where locals come to relax.

Although the town is small, it offers many different boutiques, restaurants and cafes in which to idle hours. One of its well-liked art galleries is the JH Muse Gallery (62 S. Glenwood Street), which is Jackson’s hot spot for contemporary work. Artists have abandoned wildlife and landscape art in favor of hip paintings, sculptures and jewelry. It has been described as “…a bit of SoHo nestled in the Rockies.”

For those who have travel to the Jackson Hole area and desire to take home artistry of the West, the Wilcox Gallery (1975 N. U.S. 89) is recommended. The gallery showcases wildlife and landscape paintings, sculpture, pottery and other works by contemporary artists.

If you travel to Jackson Hole sans outdoor equipment or clothing, fear not! There are many shops to help outfit you for your activity. Skinny Skis (65 W. Deloney Avenue) offers everything a cross-country skier might need, while Teton Mountaineering (170 N. Cache Street) specializes in Nordic-skiing, climbing, and hiking equipment and clothing.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a paradise. Whether interested in winter activities or having a front-seat view of bounteous nature or garnering a feel of the old Wild West, will please all who visit. It is also one of those towns that inspires return trips.

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Skiing Stats Jackson Hole Mountain Number of Trails: 116 12 Beginner (10%) 46 Intermediate (40%) 58 Expert (50%) Number of Lifts: 12 1 One hundred passenger aerial tram 1 eight passenger high speed gondola 2 quad chairs 4 fixed grip quad chairs 2 triple chairs 1 double chair 1 Surface Vertical Drop: 4,139’ Summit Elevation: 10,450’ Base Area Elevation: 6,311’ Skiable Acres: 2,500 Grand Targhee Number of Lifts: 5 Vertical Drop: 2270 Base Area Elevation: 7851 feet Total Acreage: 2602

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Fred’s Mountain 2 quad chairs (1 high-speed) 1 double chair, 1 Magic Carpet Conveyor Lift 2176 foot vertical drop Summit elevation 9862 ft

Hotels Jackson Hole Lodge 420 W. Broadway 307-733-2992 www.jacksonholelodge.com Conveniently located just 3½ blocks from the Town Square, Jackson Hole Lodge is a short walk to some of the area’s finest dining, shopping, entertainment, and activities. The accommodations at the hotel are spacious and economical for both business and leisure travel. Families like the hotel because of their amenities and short distance to exciting outdoor activities.

The Lexington Hotel at Jackson Hole 285 N. Cache 307-733-2648 www.lexingtonhotels.com Guests enjoy a great location, just 1.5 blocks from the historic Jackson Town Square. The Lexington at Jackson Hole welcomes guests with a warm, comfortable two-story lobby with fireplace. The property features a complimentary, deluxe continental breakfast served in the mezzanine, an indoor heated pool, indoor jacuzzi, business center, guest laundry facility, complimentary airport shuttle service and plenty of complimentary parking.

The Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole 475 N. Cache 800-323-9279 www.rusticinnatjh.com Located on twelve lush acres adjacent to the National Elk Refuge and just a few blocks from Jackson’s lively town square, the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa welcomes guests with warm Western hospitality. Guests indulge in the lavishly appointed historic lodging accommodations and luxury log cabins, state of the art resort amenities, revitalizing spa, innovative cuisine, year-round Wyoming activities, all in an idyllic setting.

Restaurants Nora’s Fish Creek Inn 5600 Hwy. 22 (6 mi. outside Jackson at base of pass) Nora’s is one of those inimitable Western places that is considered a treasure with their many loyal customers. Look for the giant trout on the roof outside. It’s a great spot to indulge in a hearty weekend breakfast of pancakes or huevos rancheros. Among the imaginative dishes served at this casual log inn are honey-hickory baby back ribs, prime rib, elk tenderloin with blackberry-wine sauce, and nut-crusted trout, plus nightly specials.

The Blue Lion Review 160 N. Millward For 30 years, excellent, distinctive fare has been the norm at this white-and-blue clapboard house two blocks from Town Square. The sophisticated offerings range from Dijon-mustard-rubbed rack of lamb to grilled elk with port wine sauce to fresh fish dishes, including rainbow trout. There’s patio dining in summer and a wine list. Earlybird specials (6–6:30 pm) are a great value in an otherwise pricey restaurant.

Burke’s Chop House Review 72 S. Glenwood Offering fine dining in casual elegance, Burke’s is considered by many to be Jackson’s best steak house. The menu ranges from a variety of game dishes—venison, elk, and buffalo—to haute cuisine such as beef tournedos with truffles and foie gras. The wine list is extensive. The food and service are first-rate, but the restaurant is usually crowded and can be noisy. A kids’ menu is available, and this is a completely no-smoking restaurant. Its semiprivate dining room seats up to 25.

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FOODIE 30

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Kabocha Squash and Fennel Soup Spiced Chicken Thighs Hazelnut Brown Butter Cake Joaquin “Jocko” Fajardo, Personal Chef

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Kabocha Squash and Fennel Soup 2 lbs. Kabocha squash 2 medium fennel bulbs Extra-Virgin olive oil 2 tsp. fennel seeds 4 T unsalted butter 2 C sliced onions 1 T thyme leaves ½ tsp. chile flakes 1 ea. bay leaf ¾ C sherry 10 cups chicken stock ¼ C crème fraiche

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Recipe provided by Joaquin “Jocko” Fajardo

Preparation Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the squash, cut side down on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to remove the peel. Slice the squash into 1-inch thick wedges. Cut the fennel in half lengthwise and then into ½-inch-thick wedges. Toss the squash and fennel with the olive oil, 1 tsp. salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Place the vegetables flat on a baking sheet and roast about 35 minutes, until tender and lightly caramelized.

Meanwhile, toast the fennel seeds in a small pan over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes, until the seeds release their aroma and are lightly browned. Pound them coarsely in a mortar.

Heat a Dutch oven or soup pot over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the butter and when it foams, add the onions, fennel seeds, thyme, chiles, bay leaf, 1 tsp. salt and a good amount of black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-high, and cook about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft, translucent, and starting to color. Add the squash and fennel and stir to coat with the onions for 1 minute.

Turn the heat back up to high and pour in the sherry. Let it reduce for a minute or two, then add the stock and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer 20 minutes.

Strain the soup in a colander set in a pot. Put a third of the solids into a blender with ½ cup of the broth (you will need to puree the soup in batches.) Process at the lowest speed until the squash mixture is pureed. Add another ½ cup broth and then turn the speed up to high and pour in more liquid, a little at a time, until the soup has the consistency of heavy cream. Blend at least 1 minute on high speed, until the soup is completely smooth and very creamy. Transfer to a container, and repeat with the rest of the ingredients. You may not need all of the liquid. Taste for balance and seasoning. Garnish serving bowls of soup with a dollop of crème fraiche.

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Spiced Chicken Thighs with Braised Leeks and Dijon Mustard

12 ea. chicken thighs (trimmed of excess fat) 1 C thinly sliced onion 3 T thyme leaves 1 tsp. chile flakes 2 ea. bay leaves ¾ C dry Vermouth 2 C fresh breadcrumbs 5 T unsalted butter ½ cup diced shallots ½ cup dijon mustard 1 ea. egg 2 tsp. tarragon, chopped 2 T Extra-Virgin olive oil, ¾ Cup chicken stock 6 large leeks ¾ C olive oil 1 C shallots, sliced 1 T thyme leaves ½ C dry white wine 2 C chicken stock, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Recipe provided by Joaquin “Jocko” Fajardo

Preparation Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl with the sliced onion, 2 T thyme, chiles, bay leaves and ¼ cup vermouth. Using your hands, toss to coat the chicken well.

Cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Place the breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons butter, and cook until it’s brown and smells nutty. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the brown butter over the breadcrumbs. Wait 1 minute, and then toss well with parsley and 1 tablespoon thyme. Preheat the oven to 375.

Return the sauté pan to medium heat for 1 minute. Swirl in remaining 2 T butter and, when it foams, add the shallots and remaining 1 tsp. thyme. Sauté about 2 minutes, until the shallots are translucent. Add the remaining ½ cup vermouth and reduce by half. Transfer to a bowl and let cool a few minutes. Whisk in the mustard, egg, chopped tarragon and a pinch of black pepper.

Remove the chicken 30 minutes before cooking, to bring to room temperature.

Discard the seasonings, and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. After 15 minutes, season the thighs well on both sides with salt and pepper.

Return the same sauté pan to high heat for about 2 minutes. Swirl in the olive oil and wait 1 minute. Place the chicken thighs in the pan, skin side down, and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until the skin is a deep brown color. Turn the thighs over and cook 1 minute or two on the other side. Place the chicken on the braised leeks. Turn off the heat and discard the fat. Add the chicken stock to the pan, and scrape with a wooden spoon to release the crispy bits stuck to the bottom. Pour the chicken stock over the braised leeks.

Toss the chicken thighs in the bowl with the mustard mixture, slathering them completely, and, then, rearrange them over the braised leeks. Spoon any remaining mustard mixture over the chicken thighs. Top each thigh with breadcrumbs, patting your hands to make sure they are nicely coated. Bake about 40 minutes, until the chicken is just cooked through.

Turn up the oven to 475 degrees and cook for 10 additional minutes until the crumbs are golden brown.

For the braised leeks: Trim the roots and cut the leeks in half lengthwise and submerge in a large bowl to clean them. Shake the leeks well to dislodge the dirt inside. Shake water from the leeks and towel them dry.

Heat a large pan over medium heat for 2 minutes. Pour in ¼ cup olive oil and wait 1 minute. Place the leeks in the pan, cut side down. Sear them 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown. Season the backs of the leeks with salt and pepper, turn, and cook an additional 3 minutes. Transfer them to a large gratin dish, cut sides up.

Pour ¼ cup olive oil into the pan and heat over medium heat. Add the shallots, thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Cook about 5 minutes, until the shallots are just beginning to color. Add the white wine and reduce by half. Add 1 ½ cups stock, and boil over high heat.

Pour the liquid over the leeks and braise, covered, for 30 minutes in a 375 oven.

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Hazelnut-Brown Butter Cake with Sauteed Pears

5 oz. blanched Hazelnuts ½ lb. plus 1 T (for the pan) unsalted butter ½ vanilla bean (scraped inside) 1 1/3 C confectioners sugar 1/3 C All-Purpose or Gluten-Free flour 5 extra-large egg whites 3 T granulated sugar 1 C heavy cream Sauteed Pears (recipe follows)

Sauteed Pears 2 lbs. Bartlett pears ½ vanilla bean 2 T unsalted butter ¼ Tsp. Kosher salt 2 T granulated sugar

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Recipe provided by Joaquin “Jocko” Fajardo

Preparation Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast 12-15 minutes, until they’re golden brown and release a nutty smell.

Cut out a circle of parchment paper to fit in the bottom of a round 10-inch cake pan. Brush the pan with a little melted butter and line the bottom with the paper.

Place the rest of the butter in a medium sauce pan. Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise down the center and use a paring knife to scrape the seeds. Run a vanilla-coated knife through the butter. Add the vanilla pod to the pan, and cook the butter and vanilla over medium heat 6-8 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until the butter browns and smells nutty. Set aside to cool. Remove the vanilla pod and discard.

Grind the hazelnuts with the confectioners sugar in the food processor until they are finely ground. Add the flour and pulse to combine. Transfer to a large bowl.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the granulated sugar and mix on high speed 4 to 5 minutes, until the mixture forms very stiff peaks. Turning the whisk upside down, the peaks should hold. Transfer the whites to a large mixing bowl.

Alternate folding the dry ingredients and the brown butter into the egg whites, a third at a time. Remember to scrape the bottom of the brown butter pan with a rubber spatula to get all of the brown bits.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake one hour. Cool on a rack 30 minutes. Run a knife around the inside edge of the pan, and invert the cake onto a plate. Peel off the paper, and turn the cake back over onto a serving platter.

Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks.

Serve wedges of the cake with sautĂŠed pears and dollops of whipped cream.

For the pears: Cut the pears in half lengthwise, leaving the stem intact. Cut each half into 1-inch wedges. (Do not remove core.)

Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise down the center and remove the seeds.

Heat a large sautĂŠ pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the butter, vanilla, and vanilla pod to the pan. When the butter foams, place the pear wedges in the pan, cut side down. Season with the salt and cook 2 minutes. Sprinkle the sugar over the pears, and shake the pan to distribute the sugar and help it caramelize in the butter. Cook the pears about 6 minutes, basting them often with the butter until they are caramelized on the first side. Carefully, turn the pears over and cook another 3 to 4 minutes., continuing to baste, until the second side is golden and the pears are tender and not mushy. Transfer them to a platter and keep them in a warm place.

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HOMETRENDS

By Eduth Gregson

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D

Designing with the holidays in mind is an excellent excuse to try something whimsical and unexpected. With day-to-day design advice, we always ask clients to really consider the longevity of each piece and to make decisions based on styles, fabrics, and concepts that they will likely enjoy for years to come. When designing for the holidays, however, we encourage our clients, and ourselves, to push their imagination limits and try something that they may not have thought to do before. Preparing for the holidays doesn’t always mean you have to load up on ornaments, blow-up reindeer, turkey-feathered trinkets and the usual traditional holiday fanfare. It’s always nice to take a few steps back from the expected decorations and encourage yourself to think outside-the-box.

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One playful yet sophisticated approach to adding some holiday warmth to your house is to decorate with fruit. Not the fake plastic or rubber kind that gathers dust and can look pretty horrible. We’re talking about real apples, oranges, pineapples, pears and the wide variety in shape, color, and size of gourds!

They are shapely and colorful, so, why not bring them beyond the kitchen and dining room? Citrus can be stacked into pyramids, cylinders or circles (with the assistance of hidden toothpicks, if need be) and placed on either side of a mantle. To deepen the display, consider including greenery (evergreens, ivy, most anything will do) to add some depth and contrast to the bright oranges, yellows, and reds. If you’re less thrilled about the balancing act of a free-standing fruit display, then take your favorite bowls and vases and fill them with color, pomegranates with loose greenery for winter, for example. These simple displays can be set on your coffee table by your usual magazines, at the entry where you toss your keys, or even in a bathroom or hallway.

Beyond being beautiful, fruit offers a welcoming fragrance with which to greet your guests. Try adding a level of detail to an orange by pressing cloves into the rind in a simple pattern. The smell of oranges and cloves is both nostalgic and inviting. Get creative and try adding cinnamon sticks to an apple display. The fragrances become a lively and natural potpourri that will subtly warm a room.

Designing with fruit can be not only fun but advantageous to your budget, assuming you don’t decide to forgo the more traditional fruits and decorate solely with starfruit and kumquats. Furthermore, the actual procurement of the edible décor is easy. Just approach your weekly grocery trip with a more discerning eye and extra bags. The one thing to remember is that fruit does have a shelf life and can only be enjoyed for a few weeks before freshening is needed. Steer clear of delicate fruits that need to be refrigerated and be thoughtful not to place fruit directly on furniture or moldings. Beyond those simple considerations, just go with the colors and shapes you’re drawn to and have fun!

Another favorite holiday design tip is to go overboard with fabrics and textiles.

We’re using “overboard” as a positive here. Unlike fruit, you don’t have to worry about the lasting power of your favorite linens. Furthermore, by simply swapping out some of the fabrics in your home you can really change the environment in a big way. Swap out neutral toss pillows for something more vibrant and seasonal.

Add a simple throw or detailed quilt to the arm of your favorite lounge chair to evoke a cozy and welcoming feeling.

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When decorating for the holidays, people often forget to address the private spaces and not just the public ones. Your bedroom, for example, deserves no less attention than the living room, but may be worth less of an investment.

Instead of devoting too much of your budget to seasonal comforters or coverlets, consider just changing out the sheets and dressing your bed differently. Swap out the cool colors of summer for darker, warmer shades of sheets. By folding your top comforter halfway down the bed you allow for the sheets (in the warmer holiday color you’ve chosen) to take command of the bedscape. Pile on extra pillows for that cozy feel and to add simple pops of color that further the spirit of the holidays. A new bed set entirely would add up quickly, but a new set of sheets and a toss pillow or two might be more manageable and will create just as much of a holiday statement.

The dining room is an excellent place to really have at it with fabric indulgence. In the past, we’ve helped clients veer away from a more traditional holiday setting by going with bright fabrics that are layered in an interesting way.

Tablecloth or runner? How about both? Maybe, adding fabric or woven natural grass placemats will accomplish the level of layering you’re hoping for! Certainly keep in mind that fabrics and textures have to find cohesion, but this can be achieved easily by appropriately selecting napkins that help tie everything together. Perhaps, the tablecloth is simple but edged in a metallic thread and the runner offers a level of pizzazz by pulling in a vibrant pattern or motif. The napkins can then relate back to the tablecloth edging detail or an aspect of the bright patterned runner.

At first, try playing around with the linens and fabrics you already have. You might be surprised to see what new table layouts you can come up with just by trying something different or unexpected. Can your favorite placemats run across the tabletop in an “X” pattern with flowers, candlesticks, and tabletop accessories dressing it further? Napkins can be layered on top of each other to create stacked diamonds going from one pattern or size to the next. Try mixing and matching opposing napkin and placement settings for a less serious feel.

Again, we encourage you to play around with the colors and shapes that interest you the most. Remember, designing for the holidays doesn’t mean that you have to stick with the traditional holiday colors and motifs. Liberate yourself by going with color schemes that appeal to you (even if it’s hot pink and orange!) and your guests will get a sense of festivities and merriment.

While we’ve only highlighted two ways to decorate for the holidays, there are, of course, hundreds of ways, both small and large, to make your home feel ready to greet family and friends, guests and coworkers, during this very special time of the year. Our greatest encouragement, or perhaps plea, is that you think about doing something just a little different or possibly homemade before running to the nearest holiday store. You’d be surprised what a little creativity can do for items you normally pass right by in your own home. If you can look past the ordinary applications, pieces you already own can be used in a different way and bring a lot of fun to your holiday design. You just might be able to start off the season without much more than a trip to the grocery store and a pause at your linen closet.

The

NUTCRACKER The Dance of the Cavalier

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The Nutcracker Snow Scene. Photo by Paul Zambrana

| December 2013

This month, stage productions of The Nutcracker will proliferate this land. It is a special time of year, providing us with the opportunity to revisit our old friends Clara, the Sugarplum Fairy and strutting Toy Soldiers. The Nutcracker is, quite possibly, the most famous and accessible dance in the history of the ballet. It enthralls spectators both young and old, as dancers endlessly pirouette and plie on the stage. In celebration of this famed ballet, this holiday season we explore its lineage and its magic.

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Ayano Kimura as Miss Liberty Photos by Paul Zambrana

The fame of The Nutcracker is stratospheric. Films having little or nothing to do with ballet have utilized parts of this dance in their storylines and scores. The 1940 Disney animated film Fantasia features a segment using The Nutcracker Suite.

The Spirit of Christmas, a 1950 marionette made-for-television featurette utilizes the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and music from the ballet. A 1951 thirty-minute short, Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen features several of its dances. And, in 2001, the ballet gave title to the first film Barbie appeared in, Barbie in The Nutcracker. In 2010, The Nutcracker in 3D abandoned the ballet and most of the story, retaining much of Tchaikovsky’s music with lyrics by Tim Rice.

Likewise, The Nutcracker has been a perennial hit in television and video games. A 2005 episode of The Simpsons called “Simpsons Christmas Stories” (Season 17, episode 9), features a montage in which residents of Springfield sing to the tune of The Nutcracker Suite. And, an episode of the PBS Kids series Super Why! features the Mouse King as a central character. Super Why! is not the only series to showcase the Mouse King. The Monty Python’s Flying Circus (Series 2, episode 12), episode “Spam,” features several patients portraying this character. In the NES version of Tetris, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is available as background music (referred to in the settings as “Music 1”). And, in Mega Man Legends, the “Waltz of the Flowers” can be heard in the Balloon Fantasy mini-game.

While, in the Wii Winter Olympics game, a piece from The Nutcracker is used as background music for a figure skating event. The list goes on and on.

The history of this ballet is not as widely known as its popular cultural mentions. It is a simple history, hinging largely on two men - Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa.

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After the success of the ballet The Sleeping Beauty in 1890, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, the Director of the Imperial Theatres in Russia, commissioned Tchaikovsky to compose a double-bill program featuring both an opera and a ballet. The opera would be Lolanta. And, for the ballet, Tchaikovsky would join forces with Marius Petipa, with whom he had collaborated on The Sleeping Beauty. The material Petipa chose was an adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

by Alexandre Dumas called The Tale of The Nutcracker. The plot of Hoffmann’s story (and Dumas’ adaptation) was greatly simplified for the two-act ballet. Hoffmann’s tale contained a long flashback story within its main plot entitled “The Tale of the Hard Nut,” which explains how the Prince was turned into The Nutcracker. However, this was extracted from the ballet.

As Tchaikovsky composed, Petipa gave him detailed instructions for the composition of each number, down to the tempo and number of bars. The completion of the work was interrupted for a short time when the Russian composer visited the United States to conduct concerts for the opening of Carnegie Hall. Afterwards, Tchaikovsky returned to Russia and completed a score that has become one of his most famous compositions

Many are often surprised to hear that the original production of The Nutcracker was not a success. The first performance of the ballet was held as a double premiere together with Lolanta, on December 18 1892, at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The public’s reaction to the dancers themselves was poor. Although, some critics praised the dancer in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy on her pointework, others were not as gracious calling her “corpulent” and “pudgy.” Olga Preobrajenskaya, whose role was the

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Tamas Krizsa & Aurora Dickie. Photo by Steve Vaccariello

Maki Onuki and Jonathan Jordan as Snow Queen and Snow King. Photo by Paul Zambrana

Columbine doll, was panned by one critic as “completely insipid.”

Audience members described the choreography of the battle scene as confusing. And, the libretto was criticized for being “lopsided” and not faithful to the Hoffmann tale. Much criticism focused on The Nutcracker’s feature of children in the ballet and many spectators were annoyed that the ballerina did not dance until the Grand Pas de Deux near the end of the second act. While, still others, found the transition between the “real” world of the first scene and the “fantasy” world of the second act too abrupt. Although, the ballet was not a triumph, it was not abandoned and went on to entertain Russian audiences.

The first performance outside of Russia took place in England in 1934. The production was staged by Nicholas Sergeyev after Petipa’s original choreography. Annual performances in the United States soon followed when an abridged version of the ballet, performed by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, was staged in New York City in 1940. This production, also, followed Petipa’s version of the dance. Nearly a decade and a half later, The New York City Ballet staged its first annual performance of George Balanchine’s version of The Nutcracker in 1954.

Beginning in the 1960s, the tradition of performing the complete ballet at Christmas eventually spread to the rest of the United States. It is now performed by countless ballet

companies with major American ballet companies generating around 40 percent of their annual ticket revenues from performances of The Nutcracker.

In 1961, audiences in Washington, DC first enjoyed The Nutcracker as performed by The Washington Ballet. The Washington Ballet founder Mary Day staged her world premiere Nutcracker at Constitution Hall as a co-production with the National Symphony Orchestra. In 1973, Miss Day’s Nutcracker moved to The George Washington University Lisner Auditorium, followed by its permanent move to the refurbished historic Warner Theatre in 1992.

Many international ballet stars and other well-known personalities progressed through Mary Day’s Nutcracker. Among those who danced in roles for Miss Day are: Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, as Drosselmeyer’s nephew; Amanda McKerrow, former principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre as the Sugar Plum Fairy; Virginia Johnson, former dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem, in the Coffee dance; Patrick Corbin, former dancer with Paul Taylor Dance Company, as lead flute; American film, television, and stage actress Georgia Engel as a Candy Cane; First Daughter Chelsea Clinton as the Favorite Aunt; and Washington Ballet’s very own Kristy Windom as Clara.

When Septime Webre took over the helm of The

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Christianne Campbell 2 by Theo Kossenas

Washington Ballet and became the company‘s Artistic Director, he shook up traditional Nutcracker enthusiasts. On December 10, 2004, he presented his world premiere The Nutcracker--an Americana-themed spectacle. Transitioning the location of the dance from Imperial Russia to Washington, DC, his vision provided a fresh spin on a long-established dance. Replacing dancers representing chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia and candy canes from Russia are dancers representing red cardinals frolicking with a Tom Cat, an American frontiersman dancing with frontier girls and Mother Barnum dancing with her circus clowns. It has become well-loved by the denizens of Washington and ballet enthusiasts from the world-over.

In 2011, The Washington Ballet celebrated its 50th anniversary of performing this prolific work. Over the last five decades, more than 1,000,000 people have seen the company’s production of this holiday classic. The warmth of Clara’s family celebration, a bevy of menacing mice, glistening snowflakes, sugared confections and one very special toy continues to bring generations of families to the theater to celebrate the holidays.

The Nutcracker is not just magical because of its choreography and music. It is a unifying experience shared among generations of dancers. It serves as a rite of passage for young students who begin their dance careers as little mice and toy soldiers. Each year, these students advance through the ranks to the roles of dancing flowers, snowflakes and Clara in the hopes of one day performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy or her Cavalier. This progression is fitting because, after all, Miss Day founded The Washington Ballet as a school in 1944.

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Nutcracker by Steve Vaccariello.

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Danielle Savetta as John Paul Jones Doll Photo by Paul Zambrana

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STYLIST MENS Hello, Fellas! I hope this holiday season is a fabulous one! Over the last few months, I’ve tried to give you some great advice on where to shop, what’s trending, and what not to wear. I hope your fashion is making a splash. But, this time I am going to do something a little different. I am going to give you advice on what to do and not to do when shopping for the special lady in your life this holiday season. I know it’s not too late to pass on some of this advice, as I know most men are last minute shoppers. So keep reading, realize that this is you, and make some good choices this year for your lady.

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GIFTS FO

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OR HER

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First and foremost - it’s almost a disaster every time you try to buy clothing for your lady. If you don’t get the size right, no matter what article of clothing you are buying, it’s sure to cause some tension. If you buy too big - you’re done. How many times have you heard “do you really think I’m that size?” And, if you buy something too small, well, it starts a whole other conversation about “you used to wear a medium.” Leave the clothes shopping to the ladies. This is the best advice I could ever give you.

Next, pay attention men! When you are out shopping with your lady, take note of what she likes. If she is looking at shoes, and let’s face it, what woman does not love shopping for shoes, open your notes on your phone and write down what she likes. Casually ask what size shoe she wears, so, if you are going to take a risk purchasing shoes for her, you will at least know the size and the brand. But, here is a great hint, you can never go wrong with buying some Louboutin shoes. You will be a big hit this holiday season and probably throughout the year.

Now, a safe bet is getting a fabulous handbag for your better half. Need to earn some brownie points? A hot bag will do it every time. Michael Kors is always a safe bet and choosing one can be simple. Take a look in her closet or take note of what styled bag she uses a lot. This will give you some great ideas. Also, pay attention when she is looking through magazines. I am sure that you will hear at some point, “WOW, what a great bag.” If you are still at a loss, the department stores and specialty stores have huge selections and great employees to guide you in the right direction. Take advantage of that.

Last, but not least, jewelry. Everyone loves a nice piece of jewelry. But, this can be tricky if you don’t want to give the wrong impression. If the relationship is new be careful buying jewelry.

It says a lot. It’s very personal and will say that you like her very much. So, be careful of what you buy. My suggestion is working with a boutique store or a privately-owned store. The artisans at a privately-owned store will have your best interest in mind and help find the right piece to say what you want it to say. It could be I like you, I love you, or as simple as you are a special lady in my life. But, good guidance on this is extremely important. Do your homework and never make a spontaneous jewelry purchase. It could end up sending the wrong message and you may spend New Year’s alone.

If all else fails give the gift of beauty. A spa gift certificate. It will be a big hit, women love it, and it shows you care, without sending the wrong message. Even if you’ve been married for a long time, a spa trip for your lady will rejuvenate all aspects of your relationship.

When she feels good, you’ve done good.

Happy Holidays, be kind to one another, and good luck with your last minute shopping! Here are some of my favorite places to shop:

Jewelry: Adeler Jewelers in Great Falls, VA

Hand Bags: Bloomingdales Chevy Chase/Tysons

Shoes: Neimans, Saks, Macy’s

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MIXOLOGY The Decree Royal

Deck the Halls The Widow’s Kiss

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THE DECREE ROYAL In, 1738, Louis the XV of France passed a royal decree allowing the House of Remy Martin to expand its vineyards - the first royal warrant of its kind. This December, celebrate history and the present with a cognac cocktail fit for a king. Aperitif drinks set the tone for any event. Light, enjoyable, fun, simple, and vibrant are all parts of what makes the Decree Royal the perfect drink to kick off any holiday event. The rich texture of effervescence from the sparkling wine sets forth upon the first sip. Next is an elegant layer of cognac. Sweet notes from the blended eaux de vie pair with rich notes of vanilla and caramel from the aging process. The power of the cognac is tempered

by Cointreau, the world’s first orange triple sec. Sweet notes of fresh and bitter orange stand out, linking notes from the sparkling wine and the cognac to develop a full breadth of flavor across the palette. A touch of Noir and a touch of Rose, from the pairing bitters, coat and ease the stomach, preparing properly for a holiday feast. They also add a true touch of “je ne sais quoi,” “which identifies the Decree Royal as the standard for the night. This December, whether at a corporate holiday party or a family gathering, the Decree Royal will set the stage for an amazing night, worthy of any Royalty!

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GLASSWARE Champagne Flute

INGREDIENTS 1 oz. Remy Martin 1738 Accord ½ oz. Cointreau 2 dashes Angostura Bitters 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters Sparkling Wine Garnish: Orange Twist

DIRECTIONS Build the ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir 30 times.

Strain into a champagne flute and top with more Champagne if necessary. Garnish, serve and enjoy!

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DECK THE HALLS Derived from an ancient Welsh Holiday song “Nos Galan” (New Year’s Eve), which was first published in 1794, “Deck the Halls” is one of the most famous holiday songs of all time. This year, instead of feeling weighted and tired after a king’s banquet, be jolly with a spicy after dinner drink that will lighten the mood of a late evening! The base of this drink is built from flavors of sweet, bitter and spirit. Upon that foundation, flavors of allspice - bursting from the Jamaican pepper - are combined with the amaro sibilia’s dark enveloping notes of honey and bitter earth, which spread across the senses. A touch of balance is added by utilizing French dry vermouth and a touch of tart citrus. This reduces and tames the sweet flavors from overpowering the mixture. After the proper notes are brought to the forefront by stirring and chilling, the coup de grace is the spicy ginger beer. This links all of the flavors together and ties them together with a beautiful bow that enlivens and energizes for a night of festive decoration. This year instead of slipping into a tryptophan coma, take the holiday season by the reins and enjoy a Deck the Halls!

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GLASSWARE Collins Glass

INGREDIENTS 1.25 oz Amaro Sibilia .5 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram .25 oz French Dry Vermouth 1 rough cut sugar cube Lemon slice Fever Tree Ginger Beer Garnish: Lemon Peel

DIRECTIONS In a Collins glass, add rough cut sugar cube and allspice dram.

Muddle into a paste, add a slice of lemon and press to release the juice. Add sibilia, dry vermouth, and ice. Stir the drink 30-40 times and then add more ice and ginger beer. Stir the drink 4-5 more times in

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order to integrate the ginger beer. Garnish, serve and enjoy!

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THE WIDOW’S KISS The day is done and it is finally time to sleep. Perhaps, it is snowing outside and the fireplace is waning. One last touch is needed to complete the day - a night cap to gently ease the transition to slumber. Hence, the Widow’s Kiss. This is the perfect drink to wash over the senses and provide relief after a long day. The first flavors of taste come from the Calvados - the rich French Apple Brandy from the Normandy Region. The unique notes here are full bodied. Chartreuse and Benedictine, the long-standing rivals of after dinner liqueurs - both made originally by French Monks - are packed to the brim with herbs and spices from ancient secret recipes. Here, they are used together to compliment its form and develop this true classic. Lastly, the deep encompassing island flavors from the Angostura Bitters add just enough vigor to fire up the last embers of the fire. Make sure to not forget the Italian Cherry Garnish.

After finishing the drink, the cherry will remain but be transformed from basking in the spirits of the cocktails.

The final bite of the night will be one filled with delight after the intense sweetness of the cherry is fully mixed with the cocktail’s powerful notes. Any way the day goes, the Widow’s Kiss will leave a wanting for future winter nights and that perfect drink before bed!

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GLASSWARE Cocktail Glass

INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz. Calvados .75 oz. Green Chartreuse .75 oz. Benedictine 2 dashes Angostura Bitters Garnish: Amarena Cherry

DIRECTIONS Into a shaker combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously to a slow 13 count. Strain the cocktail into a couple glass. Garnish, serve and enjoy! *Note: This is one of the few drinks that consists of all alcohol and still calls for a shaking technique.

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MOATS

and

MONEY AND FINANCE 70

CASTLES

Protecting Your Assets and Wealth PART IV

This month, we will look at Ownership strategies for your assets.

This encompasses everything from real estate, to savings accounts to investments. It is important for you and your heirs, as some ownership could help to protect you from potential creditors or adversaries. The way that an asset is owned can be very important in the event of a lawsuit, death or divorce.

One type of ownership is an entity ownership arrangement.

An entity can be a Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Corporation, General Partnership or Limited Partnership to name a few.

The most popular form of owning investment real estate is an LLC or Limited Liability Company. This type of entity has liability protection in the event of a lawsuit; it has the potential to have multiple owners of the entity and some estate planning protection due to how the percentages can be owned. For commercial properties, it is common to own property in LLC’s.

For small rental properties you want to talk to your mortgage company before you transfer ownership to an LLC to make sure that they do not call the loan and treat it as a sale and use the due on sale clause. You want to clear it with the mortgage company and get something in writing from the institution stating that they will accept the title change on the property and not leave you looking for a new mortgage when you are transferring title. It is usually better to establish the LLC when you are purchasing the property, then the bank is fully aware and you should not have any issues like that. Most of the time you will still be personally liable for the mortgage on the property.

The big benefit is that if a tenant or one of their guests gets hurt, or if there is an issue with hazardous material or another major legal issue possibly involving landlord tenant issues, your other assets will be protected. You may lose the property and still owe the mortgage balance, but you can protect your other assets that you own. It is usually better to have an LLC or other

entity on each property that you own. That way, you can protect each asset and wall them off from each other. If the property is profitable, you may be able to create a pension plan and other benefits that can help you tax wise. I would recommend that you work with an attorney that understands entity planning, a financial advisor who understands how to structure benefits through an entity and a good tax person to help you get the best possible tax strategies for yourself and any partners that you have to make sure that you are getting the best benefits available through your entity.

You can get the same benefits using corporations. They are usually best if there are a lot of investors in an entity. Or if you are making a lot of income from the entity, a corporate structure can be very beneficial. You can choose from a C corporation, or regular corporation or an S corporation. Both have their advantages. The C Corporation has the benefit of not being a pass through entity and it allows you to accumulate assets in the corporation. The downside is that there is double taxation when the assets come out of the corporation. The good news is that the federal tax on the first $50,000 of earnings is 15%; the bad news is that you pay tax on salary and corporate profits.

The S corporation is a pass through entity and it allows fewer deductions for some things like medical expenses, but losses and gains pass through the entity and go directly to the owners (shareholders) of the corporation. I would strongly recommend working with an attorney and accountant to see what entity is best for you. You still have creditor protection with these entities.

Another type of entity is a limited partnership. This is structured where the Limited Partners are typically passive investors and receive distributions and tax benefits and still have no liability beyond what they have invested. A limited partner is controlled by General Partners. The General Partners have full

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liability and all of their assets can be at risk. You usually never want to be a General Partner unless you can be a general partner in a corporate or other structure where your assets are protected. If you are a General Partner and you are doing it in just your name, you want to have a lot of liability protection, because you are assuming a lot of risk.

Feel free to email me any questions regarding entities and I would be happy to refer you to a competent lawyer or CPA to help you with the best structure for you. I hope this can act as a good summary to help you decide which entity can be best for your situation.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through US Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor. US Financial Advisors and Equity Planning are separate entities from LPL Financial.

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V E N E R Ă T E

Where the

cocktail b e c o m e s art, and art be com e s an

experience

www.veneratedc.com | 202.403.2292

PRE MIUM LISTINGS

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Imagine the very best of everything presented in one setting.

These exclusive listing pages bring you a sample of John Eric’s luxury properties that are currently on the market, under contract or have been recently sold. They illustrate the range of exceptional listings that John represents. No one understands luxury real estate like John Eric.

Whether you are a buyer, a seller or someone who is interested in the current market, we invite you to peruse these pages and contact John Eric with any luxury property questions.

To browse through our luxury listings or to request additional information regarding these properties, visit www.johneric.com

ELEGANT AND MODERN Walking down mature tree-lined sidewalks to the neighborhood parks, playgrounds and nearby shopping contributes to the small-town feel of Lyon Village, one of Arlington’s most sought after residential communities. Frank Lyon purchased this land, formerly Robert Cruit’s 19th century weekend and holiday estate and dairy farm, and established Lyon Village, a true community that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1923. Colonial, Tudor and Classical Revival styles are among the distinctive homes within the neighborhood, which embraces the custom brick home at 1839 N. Herndon Street as one of its own.

Built by BCN Homes for its exacting owner in 2007, this stately Colonial brings the best of the best to this historic community. Starting with a classic center hall floor plan on four levels, the approximately 6,400-square-foot home is upgraded and customized both inside and out. From the Crestron full home Audio/Video System spanning 14 rooms to the custom wainscoting and built-ins to the hand-selected tiles and lower level HD projection TV, the residence offers top-of-the-line finishes around every turn.

The gourmet kitchen outfitted with Sub-Zero, Wolf and Miele appliances and adjacent pantries with additional refrigeration and dishwashing capabilities create a first floor flow suited to both intimate affairs or large-scale dinner parties. An outdoor kitchen and stone-walled patio offers an additional space to cook and entertain, while the central study with floor-to-ceiling built-ins offers a secluded place to work at home as well as additional gathering space when needed. Formal living and dining rooms with custom moldings, built-ins and low-volt accent lighting flank the foyer where the gracious staircase leads to the upper levels.

$2,825,000

1839 North Herndon Arlington, Virginia

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With five bedrooms and four full baths on the upper two levels, there is ample space and privacy for out-of-town guests. The master suite to the right of the upper hallway offers an entry alcove and arched doorway to the bedroom where the dressing room with its granite island, mirrored armoires and custom shelving provides an opulent place to prepare for the day.

The sitting room niche includes a marble fireplace and built-ins, while the master bathroom is decked out with custom travertine limestone slabs and counters, spacious glass-enclosed steam shower with body jets, frosted water closet, jetted tub with lights, heated floor, and refrigerator between the vanities. The ability to enjoy any audio source in the shower, bath, dressing room, or entire master suite reinforces the spa experience as well as your morning preparations.

The second floor laundry room is central to this floor’s additional three bedrooms and two full bathrooms including one with a floating vanity and blue glass tiles. An open, carpeted playroom or guest living space with triple dormers at the top of the third floor staircase leads to a white-tiled full bathroom and neighboring bright bedroom.

The fully-finished lower level begins with a tiled mudroom with built-in cubbies and handy tiled area for rinsing your boots or the dogs after an outdoor adventure. The billiards room with TV opens right into another family room, this one featuring a hidden, dropdown projection HD TV with 100-inch screen, powerful surround sound theater audio, stone fireplace, built-ins, and granite wet bar with another wine and beverage refrigerator, icemaker, and dishwasher drawers. Here the floor is heated as well to provide yearround comfort. There is a sixth bedroom and fifth full bathroom on this level to serve as an au pair or additional guest suite.

Regularly named one of the great Washington, DC neighborhoods by The Washington Post and Washingtonian and Arlington magazines, Lyon Village continues to charm homeowners with its small town feel despite being one of the most close-in neighborhoods in the city. All residents belong to the Lyon Village Citizen’s Association, which, in addition to owning a rentable community house used for meetings and parties, brings neighbors together with regular holiday parties, kids’ events, and community gatherings.

Adjacent to the community house is a state-of-the-art playground with summer water feature along with lighted tennis and basketball courts, all just three blocks from the home’s front door. This close-knit community affords easy access to Interstate 66 and Spout Run, but is even more well known for its impressive walkability score and ready walking distance to the Clarendon Metro stop and dozens of neighborhood shops and restaurants, including Whole Foods, Starbucks, an Apple store, Crate & Barrel, and many more.

For those who want proximity to all that DC and Clarendon have to offer without sacrificing the luxury and amenities of a large open custom-built house, this home truly provides the opportunity to have it all.

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1839 North Herndon Arlington, Virginia

OFFERED AT $2,825,000

• Miele Dishwasher with

NOTABLE FEATURES

Exterior • Four Sides of Brick • Stone Accents • Solid Wood Front Door with Sidelights • Brick Paver Driveway • Operational Timberlane Wood

Shutters with Hand-Forged Iron

Hinges and Shutter Dogs

• Two-Car Garage with Separate

Garden Equipment and Workshop

Storage Room

• Flagstone Patio with Stone Wall,

Outdoor Kitchen, and Weather

proof Speakers

Main Level • Crestron Whole House Audio/Video

System with Touch Panels and

Customizable Audio Delivery

• 10-Foot Ceilings with Custom

Two- and Three-Piece Moldings

• Plantation Shutters • Hardwood Flooring • Custom Lighting With Smart Dimmers • Solid Wood Doors • Hand-Forged S.A. Baxter Hardware Custom White Kitchen includes: • Wolf Dual-Fuel Double-Oven 48”

Range with Four Burners, Griddle

and Grill

Custom Panel

• KitchenAid Built-In Under Counter Microwave

• Custom Raised Breakfast Bar with

Solid Wood Island Counter

• Built-in Desk with Hutch • Lab Black Granite Counters • Ann Sacks Subway Tile Backsplash • Instant Hot and Cold Filtered Water • Dual-Zone Sub-Zero Wine &

Beverage Refrigerator in

Custom Pantry

• Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher

Drawers in Butler’s Pantry with

Blue Pearl Granite Counter

• Marvel Icemaker in Butler’s Pantry • Light-Filled Breakfast Room

with Window Seat and Storage

• Foyer with Custom Wainscoting, Columns to Living Room and Closets Flanking Library’s Double Doors • Living Room with Custom Built-Ins and Marble Fireplace • Formal Dining Room with Elegant Chandelier in Coffered Ceiling, Wall Sconces and Custom Wainscoting • Study with Floor-to-Ceiling Built-Ins, Granite-Topped Desk and Pocket Doors to the Living Room • Open Concept Family Room Adjacent to the Kitchen with Custom Built-Ins and Stone Fireplace • Half Bath with Kohler Fixtures

• Commercial-Grade Hood • Sub-Zero Refrigerator with

Custom Panel

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Second Level

Third Level

Master Suite includes:

• Large Playroom or Guest Living

• Arched Doorways

Room with Carpet, Three Dormers

• Daylight Sitting Room with Marble

and Ceiling Fan

Fireplace and Built-ins • Custom Granite-Topped Island,

• A Fifth Bedroom with Large Storage Closets

Built-ins and Full-Length Mirrors in

• A Fourth Full Bathroom

Master Closet

Lower Level

• Master Bath with Travertine Limestone, Steam Shower with Six Body Sprays and Three Shower Heads,

• Tiled Flooring Throughout with Heated Basement Floor • Granite Wet Bar with Sub-Zero

Dual Temperature Controls, Seat-

Wine & Beverage Refrigerator, Sub-

ing, Bisazza Glass Mosaic Tile, and

Zero Icemaker, and Fisher & Paykel

Marine-Grade Speaker, Separate

Dishwasher Drawers with Custom

Jetted Tub with Lights, Heated

Panels

Floor, Frosted Glass-Enclosed

• Second Family Room with Stone

Water Closet, and Refrigerator

Fireplace, Custom Built-Ins and

Between Vanities

Hidden HD Projector TV with 100-

• Three Additional Bedrooms with Large Closets • Two Additional Full Bathrooms one

Inch Dropdown Screen • Billiards Room with TV • A Sixth Bedroom with Carpet

with a Floating Vanity and Bisazza

• A Fifth Full Bathroom

Blue Glass Mosaic Tiles

• Mudroom with Custom Cubbies,

• Laundry Room with Front-Loading Maytag Washer and Dryer and Laundry Sink

Coat Storage and Tiled Mini-Shower for Pets or Muddy Boots • Audio-Visual Equipment Closet

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WATERFRONT Welcome to the Seanile Estate! This stunning custom built, Cape style home with gorgeous stone accents is set in the sought-after community of Kinsale, Virginia. The Seanile Estate was specifically designed to take full advantage of its prime location with direct water access and views of the peninsula while keeping with the tradition, casual elegance and exceptional charm of this small, friendly, beach town located on Virginia’s scenic, celebrated and picturesque Northern Neck.

Virginia’s Northern Neck is ideally located between Washington and Richmond and provides an exceptional location and setting for a weekend home. One can enjoy the great outdoors and water activities with direct access to the Potomac River, its tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay. This home rejuvenates and relaxes your soul from the moment you arrive and truly allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Arriving at the property, you are greeted by the welcoming Seanile Estate sign. Driving down the private road toward this exquisite home, you are treated immediately to spectacular water views and a home that sits perfectly in tune with its surroundings. Also included on this expansive, 9.8 acre property are the Boat House and Dock, the Crab House Entertainment Pavilion and an auxiliary boat/car garage and guest house that all combined, make this home a very unique offering.

The private road is in a natural state, which is by design.

As the road ends you are greeted by a circular driveway which leads perfectly to the front of the estate. Walking down the landscaped front entry path, you climb a few steps and arrive at a spacious, deep front porch. The front porch provides a subtle and immediate reminder you have arrived at a place of rest and relaxation. Entering the front door, you are greeted by stunning water views, a two story foyer with a lovely chandelier and a graceful staircase.

It’s natural for one to immediately walk into the living room and onto the rear deck to absorb the beautiful, sweeping views of the water. This home was built to take full advantage of the water views. The main level of this home is open and inviting.

This home was not built with the formality of a traditional home with dedicated and defined rooms. Instead, many of the rooms could do double duty, depending upon the owner’s whim and the size of the party.

$1,395,000

824 Skipjack Road Kinsale, Virginia

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824 Skipjack Road Kinsale, Virginia

The 2,000 square foot guesthouse is truly a home away from home. With water views, a full kitchen stocked with brand new appliances, one and a half baths and a washer and dryer, your guests will enjoy all of the comforts of being in their own space, while sharing the delightful experience of Seanile with you and yours. This guest home boasts one bedroom with a large walk-in closet and a den, which can also serve as a sleeping room.

Only when you turn back toward the main home and gaze across this property with 960 feet of water front views can you truly appreciate the uniqueness of the Seanile Estate. With every amenity you can imagine throughout the main house and those thoughtful details carried throughout every outbuilding on the property, this is sure to be a place you’ll want to call home. Imagine a life in this picturesque town of Kinsale, Virginia – and make it yours.

OFFERED AT $1,395,000 NOTABLE FEATURES • Style: Colonial with Craftsman

• Wheel Chair Accessible First Floor

Influence

• Capella Wood Floors: Random

• Sq. Footage: 6,000 (Estimated)

Plank

• Bedrooms: 5 – Main House

• Caesar Stone Kitchen Counters

• Baths: 5 ½ - Main House

• Granite Countertop Island

• Water Frontage: 900 linear feet

• Stainless Steel Commercial Grade

• 180 Degree Water Views

• Drawer Dishwasher with two units

Throughout Home

Hood & Range

• Entire Property Secured with Alarm

• Walk-In Pantry

• Climate Controlled 150 Bottle Wine

and Camera System

• Circle Driveway

Closet

• 1000 sq. ft. Three Car Garage

• Mudroom

• Full Attic

• First Floor Laundry Room with

• Fruit trees: Apple, Pear, Persimmon

• Four Season Sun Room

and Pomegranate

Italian Tile

• Grape Vines

• 2000 sq. ft Guest House

• Japanese Maple & Dogwood Trees

• 960 sq. feet Drive Through Garage

• 8 foot Deep Front Porch

• 2000 sq foot workshop

• 16 x 40 Deck on the Rear\

• 12 x 34 foot Green House

• Vaulted Ceilings Throughout

• 100 ft. Dock

• Doors: Pella & Anderson

• Outdoor Pavilion 60 x 30 feet

• Windows: Anderson B- Grade

• 33 x 100 ft. Dog Kennel

• Lighting: Hinkley

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A MONUMENT VIEW Location of a lifetime best describes the quiet and intimate setting of the Residences of Memorial Overlook. Nestled behind the Iwo Jima Memorial Park in Rosslyn and overlooking everything but the details, this premier penthouse condo has picturesque vistas of the Potomac River, the Washington Monuments, the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Capitol.

Memorial Overlook is an exclusive condominium that offers the convenience of urban living plus a sophisticated life style. From the balcony/terrace, enjoy the bells of the Carillion Tower, watch planes soar at Reagan National Airport or the helicopters hover over the White House while still maintaining close proximity to the nation’s foremost cultural and educational centers, the downtown business district and Metro.

$1,649,000

1201 N NASH STREET, #PH 2 Arlington, Virginia

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1201 N NASH STREET, #PH 2 Arlington, Virginia

This pristine condo combines classical finishes with modern conveniences in an open floor plan with many custom upgrades. The spacious, top floor unit faces east and is filled with light in the day and has mesmerizing, sparkling city views at night. The two bedrooms with den/library, two-anda-half baths floor plan with its state-of the art lighting and chef’s kitchen is perfect for entertaining. The generous room sizes, high ceilings, wide crown molding, marble and hardwood floors throughout, built-in sound system, spacious closets as well as the many building amenities grant comfortable living.

The luxurious Residences at Memorial Overlook feature the finest materials and superior attention to detail. There is an immediate feeling of entering someone’s home when guests are greeted by friendly and accommodating staff. A well equipped Fitness Center with two televisions is open 24 hours, and the large, attractive Club Room with kitchen adds convenience for owners and their guests. This penthouse unit also comes with two garage spaces and two good sized storage spaces. The feeling of privacy while having close access to downtown Washington, the splendid views and the elegantly appointed penthouse unit with balcony/terrace make this a stunning offering.

OFFERED AT $1,649,000 NOTABLE FEATURES • Penthouse Unit • Expansive Living Room • Breathtaking Views • Gourmet Kitchen • Fitness Center • Club Room • Two Garage Spaces • Balcony/Terrace

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THE SCOOP

DC METRO NEWS YOU CAN USE!

News is sourced from John Eric’s website, www.johneric.com

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Piola in Rosslyn (1550 Wilson Blvd) has debuted a “‘No Limit Pizza Brunch,” with unlimited helpings of more than 10 different pizzas.

Pitchers of sangria and sparkling drinks will also be offered. The brunch deal will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (AN) DC based Vox Media, a company with three strong digital brands, including the technology site, The Verge, is adding to its portfolio. The company announced that it is buying Curbed.com L.L.C., which runs three web publications that deliver in-depth neighborhood coverage of real estate, dining and retailing. A person with knowledge of the deal said it sold for a mix of stock and cash for $20 million to $30 million. (NYT) A ban on food and beverage containers made of plastic foam is among the provisions contained in a package of environmental legislation that Mayor Vincent C. Gray has submitted to the D.C. Council. If the proposal is approved, the District would join Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Ore., and dozens of other mostly West Coast cities that have banned foam containers on ecological grounds. (WaPo) A fundraiser at the Urban Country furniture store at Bethesda Row raised more than $10,000 for a local wounded veterans charity. Urban Country hosted its annual Home for the Holidays silent auction for the Combat Soldiers Recovery Fund. The nonprofit, founded by Chevy Chase resident Garland Miller, gives 100 percent of its donations to recovering soldiers at D.C. area military hospitals. The event featured auction items from a number of Bethesda Row retailers and Urban Country’s new C.R. Laine home furniture line. (BN)

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On November 7, the Patagonia store in Georgetown held a storytelling event: Swimming Upstream. A whole host of local DC comedians and storytellers talked about the one time they stuck out their necks—and how it turned out. (Washingtonian) The average selling price of a single family home in D.C. in September was $809,843, up $149,527 from a year ago — a 22 percent increase, according to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The median price for a single family home still hovers around $600,000. Nearly 300 homes traded hands in September, and the total number of sales for the year is up 11.7 percent.

Condo sales are up, too, 25 percent for the year. The average sales price over the previous 12 months was $447,827, up 4.2 percent. (WBJ) A plan that might have resulted in Georgetown University students being housed in Clarendon has been scrapped due to overwhelming opposition from students. The university will instead find a way to house more students on campus. (The Hoya)

For the past couple years the Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers have been working to bring a playground to the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE). Their dream has finally come true and DC is getting ready to add a new playspace to serve the increasingly many young children in the neighborhood. (H Street Great Street) The Hill Center hosted a huge ceramics event, called Pottery on the Hill. Sixteen of the nation’s top ceramic artists gathered and showed-off ceramic table platters, fanciful mugs, one-of-a-kind cups, cooking pots, vases, and other whimsical and functional pieces. (THIH) Local restaurateur Jeff Black says the Addie’s on Rockville Pike is likely in its final days. Black’s lease on the old house (11120 Rockville Pike) is up and he claims a million-dollar renovation is needed. The restaurateur says his Black Restaurant Group is willing to help, but not unless the landlord provides a big extension to the current lease. (Washingtonian)

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THE GIFT of TECH

TECH

Top Holiday Gadgets for 2013

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For those who have not yet nailed down that final holiday gift list, or are stuck figuring out a clever solution for that techie in the family who seems to have everything they could possibly need, we’ve dug deep into the latest gadget vault to see what some of the best finds are this holiday season that may be just right for that special someone in your life.

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Gifts on Top of the Holiday Tech Pile.

Here is a list of top technology devices that are finding their way to the top of many holiday wish lists:

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• Mini iPad – One of the hottest items for the holidays, the Apple Mini iPad has been a huge hit since it was release earlier this year. It can do most of the same things as its older and larger sibling the Apple iPad - just in a smaller size and price tag ($299 at Apple.com).

• Smart Watches - A definite must-have for any true techie is one of the latest smart watches. While cool, they have also been criticized for their size and some limited functionality. But really, can we expect to get everything from the first generation of devices that comic book readers have been waiting for since the 1940s? Of course, everyone is still on the look out for Apple’s release of its much-anticipated iWatch. Meanwhile, here are some of the currently available watches getting top ratings: Pebble ($149 at BestBuy), the Sony Smart Watch2 ($199 at Newegg.com), and GalaxyGear ($299 at Amazon).

• 3D Printers – These devices actually let you “print” out in 3D plastic to create your own art, toys, clothing, tools and more. Mainly used in past for manufacturing, this year options for consumers exploded. The range of best rated options range from Printrbot ($399 at Amazon.com), which is by far the least expensive, to more robust systems for kids science projects and various home adventures such as the UP! Mini ($999 at Up3DUSA.com), the Solidoodle 2nd Generation 3D Printer ($499 at Store.SoliDoodle.com) and the 3D Systems Cube Home 3D Printer ($1,299 at Amazon.com). | December 2013

Tech Gifts for Health Nuts.

There are amazingly fun gadget gift options for the health nuts in your life – or those who you may want to gently nudge in that direction.

• Eat Happy - One of the most fun items in the health category is the HAPIfork ($99.99 at Brookstone) by Jacques Lépine, the CEO of Parisbased Slow Control. Listed as one of the most outrageous new products launched this past January at CES in Las Vegas, this interesting device monitors the user’s eating speed and provides instant electronic feedback through the user’s smart phone, helping them change their eating habits.

• Beam Me Up – One of the coolest health-related tech devices that you could put under the tree as an IOU card (because it won’t be shipped until March 2014) is the Scanadu SCOUT. This is a medical tricorder that will give you precise vital information about any human being within seconds, just on contact. Crazy, right? This is Star Trek-type technology. Science fiction has finally caught up with us. By just placing it on your left temple, in ten seconds, it will read your pulse transit time, heart rate, electrical heart activity, temperature, heart rate variability and blood oxygenation and send this information to an App on your iPhone or Android phone (pre-order for $199 at Idigiagogo).

Tech Gifts Just for Fun. For those on your gift list who need a little more fun in their lives, here are some game gadgets that will help them add a little freedom of spirit and levity to their lives during and after the holidays.

• Robot Ball – This ball will really get your friends and family moving. Check out the Sphero® 2.0 App-Controlled Wireless Robotic Ball ($129.99 at Brookstone). Buy one, or get some for the whole family and hold your own robot games. It comes with 25 free apps, travels 6 ft. per second, is bright at night with changing colors, pairs with your Bluetooth, and has a 50 ft. plus wireless range.

• Copter Power – Give your loved ones a serious lift with this amazing robotic helicopter. Calling it a toy really does not do it justice. The TParrot® AR.Drone® Quadricopter Power Edition ($369.99 at Brookstone) lets you fly high, perform cool stunts, see what the pilot sees, and capture HD video along the way. Operates from up to 165 feet from your Wi-Fi device. Great apps also available to share the experience. Includes black, red, blue and orange propellers • Top Gaming Tablet – With a touch screen, top speed processor and well-engineered console controls, the Nvidia Shield ($299 at Thinkgeek.com) is getting top nods from tech media as one of the best choices for gaming tablets.

Secret Agent (and Other Traveler) Stocking Stuffers.

Gifts for travelers are always a popular idea for the holidays.

This year, you may want to consider replacing that gift of a luxury leather wallet with one that will help keep your loved one’s personal data safe from criminals. Most U.S. passports distributed since around 2007 as well as many credit and ID

cards include an embedded RFID micro-chip that contain your personal and financial data. Without proper protection, your information may be at risk of being captured by thieves using hand-held RFID-readers who get within 10 feet of you. By having your cards and passport in RFID-protected cases, you can help keep you personal data safe while you are on the go.

• iWallet - If you have one of those hard-to-buy-for secret agent types (or wannabes) in your life, something containing a little biometric security element might be just the perfect thing to make their private little hearts skip a beat. One of the premiere security cases for travelers is the iWallet Slim ($500 at Neiman Marcus), which the manufacturer claims includes “undercover-agent-worthy safeguards” such as a fingerprint based release, an electronic Bluetooth® “leash” to your smart phone, and RFID-blocking material.

• Safe Leather and Lace - For other luxury travelers, Boconi and Würkin Stiffs have many wallet options with RFID prevention in the lining ($50-$85 at Nordstroms) and stainless steel goods designer Steward/Stand has a fine array of new RFID-blocking leather wallets and clutches for women ($50-$350 at StewartandStand.com).

• Simpler Security - If you’ve already found that perfect Burberry or Ferragamo wallet for the occasion, consider the security accessories of RFID-secure identity card sleeves that come in plain or designer styles and work within your own wallet ($3.99-$25.99, IdentityStronghold. com). Other less expensive options made with materials that block RFID transmissions include the sporty Pacsafe RFIDtec 150 Compact Organizer or sleek Houndstooth RFID-Safe Passport Wallet ($35 and $45 at TravelSmith. com).

A New Year of Tech May your New Year bring you days of happy (working) tech, and a happy and healthy season for you and yours. Stay tuned for more fun ideas about tech for travelers coming in January and highlights from the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show in February.

Top left, image courtesty of Digitrends.com Top right, image courtesty of Brookstone.com

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VINEYARD 98

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Dreaming of a Red Christmas: New Respect For Italian Reds From the undulating hillsides of Alto Piedmont, to the meadows of Tuscany and the charming villages of Northern Veneto, Italy is awash in wines that will sometimes challenge and reward the adventurous palate.

Those who do not believe the world is becoming one homogenized melting pot with a generic palate for reds can look to Italy for diversity and inimitability.

To commemorate the coming holiday, this month’s wines represent our philosophy that wine is just meant to offer pleasure. Certainly, it can do a lot more than that, but it should do no less. Good wines, such as these, should not be reduced to a set of esoteric aromas and flavors. The experience of wine, especially the one consumed at your holiday table, is one’s own personal sensory experience: the glass shape, the people one is with, the food accompaniment, the mood of the environment, even the weather.

This month, we present you with three magnificent bottles we plan to have at our holiday gathering. Ceretto’s Barolo ‘Prapo’ reflects the most essential style of the wine’s virtuosity and aristocracy. An ethereal nose with aromas of withered roses is accompanied by a slight fragrance of underbrush, making the wine extremely well balanced and rounded. With its excellent acidity and tannins, this Barolo can expect a very lengthy cellar life, 15-25 years.

And what about Altesino’s Brunello di Montalcino? Good Brunello can be a magnificent wine, a pure evocation of the bitter-cherry and dusty mineral flavors that are the soul of Sangiovese, with the combination of grace and intensity that is characteristic of Tuscan reds. No winery in Tuscany makes a better Brunello than Altesino.

Sometimes though, nothing takes the place of Cabernet. Maculan Fratta will appeal to your inner hedonist. The wine is made from roughly two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot grown in estate vineyards around Breganze, a charming wine village in the northern Veneto region located along the foothills of the Dolomites. Fermented in stainless steel and then aged for one year new in French oak barrels, Fratta is bottled unfiltered to preserve its beautiful profile—which has become legendary among connoisseurs.

What’s better than a white Christmas? A white Christmas with an allout Italian wine menu. The weather outside may be frightful, but inside it’s delightful, thanks to these rustic and celebratory Italian reds.

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CERETTO BAROLO PRAPO This wine is vibrant and harmonious with refreshing acidity balanced by firm, ripe tannins.

Red fruits mingle with lightly perfumed floral flavors leading to a long, impressive finish.

ALTESINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Ruby-red with a garnet rim, this wine’s bouquet displays ample aromas of violet, wild berries, tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla. On the palate, Altesino Brunello is rich, fullbodied, and velvety.

MACULAN FRATTA CABERNET BLEND This heavyweight Cabernet/Merlot blend is a full, lip-smacking experience that will change the way that you look at wines from the Veneto region. Many are used to Amarone making their eyebrows gesture, but this IS something else.

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STYLIST WOMEN

The holidays are here, you’ve hit two or three parties already, and you’re running out of things to wear.

The fear of being photographed in the same little black dress, twice in one week, is just too much to handle (for some of us). But all of us should care. ‘Tis the season to sparkle! ‘Tis the season to wear black raspberry red lips! ‘Tis the season to look your best!

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Did you know that most people are photographed more during the holiday season than the rest of the year? Think about it. The two months after Halloween are flooded with parties, events, family gatherings and lots of shopping. While you may not get photographed out shopping, unless your best friend is Kim K, you are sure to be snapped at all the other events. The point of all this?

SHINE! Shine people! Look amazing! Let your inner holiday diva out-of-the-closet and into the paparazzi flash bulbs.

During the holiday season you can never go wrong with sequins. They are a staple for this time of the year. Even if you’re sparkling personality is over the hustle and bustle and crowded shopping malls, sequins will give you shine and make you look dazzling as you hobnob away at any holiday party. Let’s talk about the sequins or sparkling dress. If you go full-blow dazzle with your dress, make sure you down play the accessories.

Too much bling head-to-toe will make you shine bright like a diamond, but you do not want to look more over-decorated than a Christmas tree. If you only want to wear your favorite little black dress, but want to feel festive, this is a great time to throw on a sequin jacket. And, yes, you can use a sequin jacket throughout the year. So, it’s a great piece to have in your wardrobe. Other great ways to dress up something simple from your closet for the holidays is a sequined scarf. The scarf gives just enough shine without making a strong statement and is a great conversation piece.

Let’s not forget about the holiday shoe. If you have or want to purchase a festive shoe full of bling, sequins or something that is just over the top, now is the time to do it! A killer shoe during this party season will be the talk-of-the-town. Your shoe can be the big accessory. Wear it with any staple suit, little black dress or even a jeans outfit, and you will have a great conversation starter. Shoes are like a great bag - the majority of people in the room will notice them. During the holiday season you can sparkle away without feeling uncomfortable about the statement you’re making.

Now, let’s finish off your look with some hot sexy lips. ‘Tis the season to go red. A lot of people tend to rock the red during the holidays. This year, rock the red, but put a great twist on it. How about a Black Raspberry Red in matte or soft shine?

Sounds so delicious and it is. It falls between a dark berry red and bright cherry red. It makes a statement without being too dark. It goes with so many skin tones and pairs well with a lot of wardrobe colors. Be the bold fashionista with raspberry lips while everyone else is wearing the holiday red. A cool thing about lip colors, especially if you have several shades of red in your makeup bag - you can blend colors to create your own Black Raspberry Holiday Red. Take a little time to play with your colors, and see if you can create a tone that makes you feel festive!

A few parting thoughts. Sequins are your friend, so do not be afraid to rock them this holiday. Shoes are like handbags they will be one of the first things noticed, so make a statement this season. Take advantage of the how festive you can dress and try new things. Maybe, you will discover a new side of your fashion personality.

Favorite places to shop for festive clothing: Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and thrift stores Great place for holiday lip color: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

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John Eric 1206 30th Street, NW | Washington, DC 20007 C: 703.798.0097 | O:202.333.1212 | E: john@johneric.com | www.johneric.com

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