JOHNERICHOME
™
Magazine
Real Estate and Lifestyle Magazine November 2013, Volume 17 DC | VA | MD
Hanukkah: A Celebration of the Festival of Lights Hemphill Fine Art turns 20
Mike Fitzgerald COVER STORY
The Brains Behind Bank of Georgetown
Haidar Karoum Shares Recipes from Award Winning Doi Moi The Winter Power Woman News to Use Tech for Pets
JE JOHN ERIC R E A L E S TAT E
johneric.com John Eric Home 1
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JE JOHN ERIC
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R E A L E S TAT E
WASHINGTON | VIRGINIA | MARYLAND
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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Celebrating Mixology’s anniversary, Charles Tappan shares his favorite drinks
Hemphill Fine Art turns 20
Travel with us to the intriguing city of Savannah, Georgia
Meet Mike Fitzgerald. The brains behind Bank of Georgetown.
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30 EXPRESSIONS
DESTINATIONS
COVER STORY
MIXOLOGY
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78 MONEY & FINANCE Castles and Moats Part V Wills and Trusts
82 PREMIUM LISTINGS John’s current inventory of spectacular properties in all price points.
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36 HOME TRENDS
FOODIE
Fireplaces - enticing and grand
Haidar Karoum shares recipes from award winning Doi Moi
98 THE SCOOP News from around Washington, Arlington, Northern Virginia and Montgomery County
58 HANUKKAH
MEN’S STYLIST
A Celebration of the Festival of Lights
Winterize your wardrobe
102 TECH Tech for pets
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106 VINEYARD The unspeakable delights of cool climate Pinot Noir
110 WOMEN’S STYLIST The Winter Power Woman
NEXT MONTH Read next month’s issue which profiles Septime Weber, Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet. Also, a special story on the Nutcracker as performed by the Washington Ballet over the decades.
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.
Haidar Karoum is the Executive Chef/Partner of Doi Moi, Estadio and Proof, all located in Washington, DC. In 1998, Karoum joined Restaurant Nora as Sous Chef and after a two-year stint, he was asked to head the kitchen at sister restaurant, Asia Nora. As Executive Chef, Karoum immersed himself in Eastern flavor profiles, learning to meld Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian and Japanese influences into his seasonal, organic menu. In January 2007, Karoum left Asia Nora to become Executive Chef of Proof, bringing with him the passion for locally grown and organically raised produce. In 2009, Karoum was named a James Beard semifinalist in the “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic” category for his cuisine at Proof. In July 2010, Karoum assumed the role of Executive Chef at Estadio, with a menu that showcases his interpretations of classic Spanish dishes. In its first year of operation, Estadio earned a two-and-a-half star review from The Washington Post, a three-star review from the Washingtonian, and was included as a semi-finalist for The James Beard “Best New Restaurant” award. In 2011, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington awarded Estadio “Best New Restaurant of the Year.” Karoum has also been nominated multiple years in a row for “Chef of the Year” by the restaurant association. In August 2013, Karoum opened Doi Moi as Executive Chef and Partner, a move that marks his third restaurant collaboration with Proof and Estadio owner Mark Kuller. At Doi Moi, Karoum’s strong affinity for Asian flavors take center stage on a menu that’s a mix of traditional and contemporary interpretations of the Southeast Asian street food encountered during his travels across Vietnam and Thailand.
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. John Eric Home 7
JOHNERIC
November is a special month in the Washington area. After fits-and-starts of Fall-like weather through October, the region finally becomes enveloped in crisp temperatures. Colorful leaves fall to the ground and invade our sidewalk spaces. It is the season marking the donning of boots and scarves and gloves. It is, also, the season of entertaining or being entertained by family and friends. Most notably, at Thanksgiving. Our annual turkey feast shares the date this year with another long-established holiday - Hanukkah. This event won’t happen again for several thousand years and, in celebration, our second feature explores the traditions of this Jewish holiday. Our Cover Story is a fascinating read on Mike Fitzgerald, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Georgetown. Fitzgerald shares his thoughts on the banking industry while we investigate his interesting life. Recipes in this month’s Foodie are from Haidar Karoum. Karoum runs the kitchen at awardwinning doi moi and he has shared some greats for our readers. While our Home Trends feature embraces the chilly Fall weather and explores the world of fireplaces. And, continuing our cool theme, Vineyard features a piece on the unspeakable delights of cool climate Pinot Noir. Travel with us this month to Savannah, Georgia. This city draws visitors from far and wide and we explore its sights. And, speaking of exploring, our Tech column shares information on new technologies available for pets. From dogs to cats to birds, you are covered. To celebrate the first anniversary of the magazine’s Mixology section, Charles Tappan Jr. writes on his favorite cocktails. And, Marc Schliefer continues his series “Castles and Moats” this month focusing on wills and trusts. Finally, looking ahead to more frosty weather, our Stylist features delve into the world of winter clothing and how best to prepare for the season. After all, that season will be upon us soon. But, while we have Fall weather let’s enjoy it. And, all of us at John Eric Home would like to wish you a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Best, John Eric Publisher, Principal and Realtor
JOHNERICHOME
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Magazine
Publisher JOHN ERIC Managing Editor ANGELA CASEY Senior Editor-at-Large LK Creative Director HILLARY BROADWATER Photography AM & SEAN SHANAHAN
CONTACT EDITORIAL e-mail | angela@johneric.com ADVERTISING phone | 703.798.0097 ONLINE www.johneric.com facebook | johnericwfp twitter | thejohneric
JE JOHN ERIC WA S H I N G T O N , D . C . a lifestyle company
John Eric Home 9
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Mike Fitzgerald The brains behind Bank of Georgetown.
Meet Mike Fitzgerald. He is one of those who “moves” and “shakes” on the Washington scene. He is passionate about his work and his community. He is detail-oriented and expressive. He commingles a clever sense-of-humor with a serious tone. He is charming and likeable. Dependable and committed. You have seen his firm’s signs throughout the metropolitan area. You may have been affected by some of the charitable endeavors he has taken on. Mike Fitzgerald is the founder, chairman, president and CEO of Bank of Georgetown, which has realized explosive growth in the current slow economy. His story is compelling and note-worthy.
BANKING IS A BIG BUSINESS BUT NOT ALL BANKS ARE “BIG BANKS.” “My first job was picking up trash at a construction site of a new community in Montgomery County,” remarks Mike Fitzgerald. “My second job was as a dishwasher. My third job was as a camp counselor working with little kids. I learned a tremendous amount at each job. Do it right the first time. Good basic lifelesson jobs.” Fitzgerald has taken those basic life-lesson jobs and transformed them into an illustrious livelihood. But, a career in banking was not what he initially had in mind. “I was actually pre-med in college,” he says, “but changed midway through, when I decided to become an Economics major. I went straight into grad school and took a lot of practical courses like finance, accounting and marketing. When I moved back to DC, which is where I grew up and wanted to start my career, I looked around to see what organizations had the type of management training platform I was looking for. Banking was one of them.” Fitzgerald worked at Riggs Bank for fifteen years with the last five (1990–1995) as President & CEO of Riggs Bank of Maryland. Following Riggs, he played a key role in developing SequoiaBank, a community bank which was sold in 2003 to United Bank. From this experience and background, Bank of Georgetown was born in 2005.
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“Curt Winsor and I saw a need for a community-based bank emphasizing personal service and flexibility in the face of increasing standardization by the large national and superregional banks with local branch networks. There were banks on every corner but they were not serving the local business community well, and they were not serving it consistently. My banking career provided me with the knowledge and experience necessary to understand the subject and develop a passion for community banking and entrepreneurship. From this background, I formed a strategy for Bank of Georgetown.” Curtin Winsor III founded the Bank with Mike Fitzgerald and the two men made it their mission to satisfy the Washington community’s banking needs. Together, they created one of the most successful small banks in the country. However, to open a financial institution is nothing short of a Herculean feat. It takes vision, an understanding of the monetary system and, of course, capital. “Stepping off the curb and starting this bank was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done,” says Fitzgerald. “My primary challenge was convincing potential investors and bank regulators that my visualization of the community bank concept was not just a good idea, but a great idea and that the time was right in this market. Raising investment capital and securing a
banking license requires hard work, perseverance, and lots of help from others. The secondary challenge was attracting and acquiring top quality leadership and employees and that required a combination of vision, reputation, knowledge and leadership skills. We assembled a core team of individuals passionate about Bank of Georgetown’s culture of entrepreneurial spirit and strong commitment to professionalism, mutual respect, teamwork, and customer service. Few experiences in my life have been as humbling and gratifying as when my family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues literally bought into this start-up vision; a vision that not only put my and their financial resources at risk, but my personal and professional reputation as well.” Banking is a big business but not all banks are “big banks.“ Bank of Georgetown has proven that, as a community bank, its reach is equally competitive with the vast majority of banks in its industry. This is due to Fitzgerald not counting success in dollars and cents. Rather, he counts success in terms of relationships and community development. Fitzgerald remarks, “We have provided the local community with a banking culture based on understanding, that emphasizes customer needs and provides dependable and timely decision-making with the aim of developing strong banking relationships. From the beginning, I understood that building a successful community bank would require having a top-quality team on whom I could depend to share the vision, as well as depend on to have the skill set to grow the bank beyond my and Curt’s circles of influence. One by one, we’ve continued to do this and, over the last 8 years, Bank of Georgetown has grown from $56 million in total assets at the end of its first year (2005) to nearly $900million currently. I
believe this is a function of putting the right people in the right places, delegating responsibility and actively seeking others input.” This belief in relationships has assisted the bank in times of stress. Particularly over the course of the past five years, in which the financial industry has experienced upheaval. While news outlets busily reported and concerned consumers actively planned, Bank of Georgetown sailed through the storm. “Due to a focus on organic growth, conservative lending strategies, a pristine credit portfolio and a commitment to recruiting and retaining experienced bankers with a track record of success, the Bank has maintained sound footing and provided the market with a source of stability in the midst of economic volatility,” says Fitzgerald. “We promote an open exchange of ideas, which continually improves products, services and delivery. This culture of integrity, professionalism and teamwork has been the basis of our consistent organic growth.” While Bank of Georgetown holds its own ground against “big bank” competitors, understanding competition is key in planning and maintaining business strategies. How does a community bank compete against the “big guys” in the neighborhood? Fitzgerald’s answer is simple. “We have 106 associates in 10 branches and three business development offices located in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland. I believe we have a unique perspective on the local business community— we know what makes it tick, where it is headed, and what the region’s industries need in order to grow.” It is very clear that Mike Fitzgerald enjoys his work. And, the services that his bank brings to the greater Washington community. “Banking means community. Being a community bank
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means being involved in the community—in all its many aspects. That’s why you will see the name Bank of Georgetown all around town - as sponsors of school events, at local sporting events, at the galas and cultural gatherings that make our city such a special place. Banking is a means to growing a community and we do this by encouraging business, providing loans, reinvesting in the community and volunteering our time for the betterment of the Greater DC area.” Mike Fitzgerald and his bank literally put-their-moneywhere-their-mouths-are in terms of community service. They work with community partners scattered around the Washington metropolitan area. “At Bank of Georgetown,” says Fitzgerald, “we invest in our clients, but just as importantly, we invest in our communities. After all, we have deep roots here. Many of our employees are native Washingtonians. Our Board of Directors is drawn from the area. Our shareholders are our friends and neighbors. Since our founding, Bank of Georgetown has grown in size, but our client and community focus hasn’t changed. We invest in the future of the areas we serve because we believe that community success depends on the support of those who do business there. Our mission is to understand the needs of DC, MD & VA businesses and develop long-term relationships so we can build a foundation that leads to thriving neighborhoods.” Every year, the Bank boosts the local economy through investments, loans, volunteer hours and donations of approximately $200,000 to DC, MD and VA nonprofit and community organizations, focusing on programs that serve lowand moderate-income people and small business development initiatives. Adhering to the Community Reinvestment Act (intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking operations) Bank of Georgetown provides not only financial resources but intellectual property in an effort to strengthen and grow the community. The bank is involved in financial education programs that enable the public to improve money management skills. They participate in programs like Bank On DC (a DC government initiative to promote financial wellness) and conduct financial literacy sessions through partnerships with such organizations as the Urban Housing Coalition, Goodwill of Greater Washington and the DC Coalition for Children. At The Washington Jesuit Academy, a tuition-free, private middle school, underprivileged boys learn an 11-month curriculum and meet high expectations for academic and personal success. Nearly 80% of WJA’s alumni are on track to receive their degrees. Thanks to the scholarships, mentoring and support services offered by the Academy, hundreds of at-risk students are learning, graduating and contributing to the world. And, a fun event the bank sponsors each fall is the Washington Jesuit Gridiron Classic when Georgetown Prep and Gonzaga bring their friendly rivalry to the football field to support the WJA. Likewise, they are partners with academic institutions such as the Ivymount School and a number of Archdiocesan elementary schools. Bank of Georgetown, also, lends its support to partners in Washington’s cultural sphere. From the McLean Orchestra to Woolly Mammoth Theatre to Centro Espanol de Washington, and also, the National Zoo. “Our late chairman Curt Winsor was a passionate supporter of the zoo and served on its Advisory Board,” says Fitzgerald. “On December 13, 2012, just two days after his passing, two Andean bear cubs were born, and, in honor of Curt, the zoo named one of them after him. To celebrate the naming of
the cub and what would have been Curt’s 50th birthday in June, we hosted Bank of Georgetown Family Day at the Zoo. Employees and their families enjoyed a breakfast and tours in the Amazonia area followed by a private viewing of the adorable Andean bear cubs! Many spent the rest of the day touring the zoo with their families and coworkers.” But, it is not just community development with Bank of Georgetown to which Fitzgerald donates his valuable time. He serves on the Boards of iconic institutions such Marymount University (Arlington, VA) and Providence Hospital (Washington, DC). He is, also, a Board Member and former president of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Washington, DC, a long-intradition organization whose members are comprised of Irish businessmen and other notables who enjoy good fellowship. This organization has limited membership and is highly coveted by those with Irish heritage. It is very common to see multigenerational family members involved and his father was a past president of the organization while his three brothers are active members. Previously, he served as treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious), Board President of Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County. He, also, served on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington, Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts, Bethesda Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of
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Commerce as Treasurer. He has sat on the Alumni Association Board of Directors at Georgetown Preparatory School and Fairfield University and was a member of the St. Elizabeth Parish Finance Committee, chaired the Catholic Charities Golf Tournament for several years and served as chairman of the Father’s Committee at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. Mike Fitzgerald is considered a very successful man. Both, in business and humanitarian circles. Aside from hard work and dedication, success also requires constant inspiration. And, inspiration is quite a personal experience. Where does Fitzgerald draw his inspiration from? “As a graduate of Georgetown Prep, Fairfield University and Loyola University (Maryland), my education was rooted in the Jesuit values - service, collaboration and personal growth. These values play a large role in who I became as a businessman. My parents are also a daily source of inspiration for me. My dad was a sole-practitioner physician. He believed in rational behavior-take a breath, look at the alternatives and options, don’t rush to judgment. He was a very practical, thoughtful person and made sure I understood what my opportunities and options were. My mom was a nurse by training, and then retired to be at home with us. I was the fifth of six children. She was tough but loving and deeply dedicated to family. She was the one there keeping us in line with homework and discipline (until my Dad got home!). I see myself as a hybrid of their
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personalities. They taught me that hard work, integrity, practicality and humor are important attributes in life, and I try to bring those to the office every day. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from the camp director when I was a summer counselor. He said, ‘As a leader in this community, you are always on display, so, lead by example.’ To me, great leaders are passionate about their company and its mission. They have clear vision, communicate it well and build a culture of teamwork. My leadership style is a combination of these and I’m in constant pursuit of improvement. I believe in providing accessibility, doing things right the first time, committing to making a difference and giving credit where credit is due.” Fitzgerald adds that a key mentor of his was Joe Allbritton of Riggs Bank. He started there in 1981 and came out of a two-year training program as a junior lender. At that time, Allbritton began a program where he picked an individual to shadow/work with him for a year. Mike Fitzgerald was one of the early ones in that role. It was a position that required 365 days, 24 hours per day attached to Allbritton’s adjoining office. Remarks Fitzgerald, “I think he saw my work ethic and passion. Whatever it was he invited me back for an additional two years. As my career progressed, it became more apparent how much I learned in that position.” Mike Fitzgerald has little time to spare in a calendar jampacked with business and community engagements. When he is able to carve out moments of relaxation, he heads to the golf course. “My home course is Chevy Chase Club. I’m currently an 11 handicap. It has been lower, but golf took a back seat to family time and building a bank. I’ve played in Scotland, but my favorite non-local courses are just to the north - Pine Valley New Jersey and Merion in Pennsylvania.” When asked how he would like readers to understand the Bank of Georgetown and its role in the Washington area, his answer is expected. It is a combination of the central themes of relationships and community. “Bank of Georgetown is ‘relationship-based.’ As a community bank that really values its customers, we take the time to get to know and understand them and cater to their needs. We help our clients meet their financial goals. At Bank of Georgetown, every customer is provided with a team of personal bankers who are familiar with your needs and readily available to assist. It is my absolute goal for the community to know that when an account is opened with us, our desire is not just a satisfied customer, but a loyal, raving fan of Bank of Georgetown. To us, people are much more than account numbers and I want everyone to know that you will never find another bank that values your business more than we do. We make it our job to get to know you, but we want you to know us as well, in the hope that you’ll grow to see us not just as a partner, but as a trusted advisor. Our employees have the perspective, experience, and vision to help avoid future pain points, see areas of improvement and make the most of your money. Plus, many grew up here, so they are that much more invested and knowledgeable. Our team will meet your needs with a commitment to accessibility, flexibility and responsiveness, and will match this investment in the client with an active investment in the neighborhoods we serve.” Reading is fundamental and Fitzgerald enjoys the habit. However, in his spare time, it is not non-fictional tomes on banking, economics or management that grab his attention. “When I leave this office, I read nothing but fun stuff. I love novels, mystery thrillers. They’re fun and total escapism.” Which is a good thing as the world of Mike Fitzgerald is quite serious enough.
John Eric Home 17
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DESTINATIONS 20
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SAVANNAH
GEORGIA
Travel with us to this intriguing city.
Savannah, Georgia has always been considered a sparkler of the South. Its charm and eccentricity have been noted for ages and visitors have arrived to take in its sun-drenched skies, magnolia scented breezes and southern hospitality. Shops, historic buildings, tea rooms and carriages imbue streets, as its gentile ambiance encourages wandering and relaxation. Of course, the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (John Berendt, 1994) and its subsequent film (John Cusack, 1997) drew attention to this city and pushed both its streets and its inhabitants into celebrity status. This month, we head to Savannah to explore the richness of this Georgian jewel.
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A tour of Savannah would be incomplete without visiting a few of Midnight’s attractions. They are not of Hollywood sets, but, rather real locations that both locals and visitors enjoy. Therefore, our first stop is Forsyth Park. The cast iron fountain in the center of the park has been a defacto star of several films and the park itself was shown in many scenes of the Cusack movie. This park contains 30 acres of lush Georgian flora and it is an important spoke in Savannah’s cultural hub. Events are held throughout the year that draw both locals and tourists alike. Comfortable shoes are a must if visiting the park, as its nature beckons and visitors respond. Another outdoor attraction is Bonaventure Cemetery. The title of Berendt’s book alludes to the hoodoo, or voodoo, notion of “midnight.” And, “the garden of good and evil” is a reference to this cemetery. The famous Bird Girl statue was originally located here and Savannah photographer, Jack Leigh, when commissioned to take a photograph for the cover of the book, created the now famous image of the statue. The Bird Girl was relocated in 1997 for display in Savannah’s Telfair Museum of Art. Self-guided tours and regular group walks of the historic cemetery are available and evening ghost tours attract thousands of visitors annually. When visiting Savannah, the first noticeable aspect is its geography. The city is created through a large system of squares. Four original squares were laid at its foundation. As the city has grown, a patchwork quilt of added squares has evolved. To reach our next destination, a jaunt to Monterey Square is in order.
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Monterey Square is, arguably, the most well known of the squares today. It contains the 1871 southern-styled mansion of Jim Williams of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame. (The events chronicled in the book did occur and nearly all of the names cited in the book were real people.) Williams’ home sits on the west side of the square and is known as the MercerWilliams House. Williams lived in the home until it was turned into a public museum. Today, visitors can wander through the house and browse his extensive private collection of antiques. Although, Jim Williams no longer resides at this address, his holdings, including 18th and 19th century furniture, 18th century English and American portraits, drawings from the 17th century and a wide collection of Chinese export porcelain does. Monterey Square is not the only square that draws visitors. Hours can be spent wandering around other famous Savannah squares. Each have long histories and interesting architecture. Visitors can become lost in the significant events and beauty permeating each. Franklin Square is an example of one such square. Laid out along Montgomery Street in 1790 at the western end of town, Franklin Square and Franklin Ward were named for Benjamin Franklin, who was not only one of the Founding Fathers but Georgia’s agent in London from 1768 to 1775. The city’s water tower stood in the center of the square for many years, and because of this, the square was given the monikers “Water Tower Square,” “Water Tank Square,” and “Reservoir Square.” This area is filled primarily with post-Civil War commercial buildings. On the west side of the square at 23 Montgomery Street is the First African Baptist Church, recognized as the oldest black Christian congregation in the country. The church was organized in 1788, twelve years before the first Baptist church for whites was built in Savannah. Equally interesting to visit is Calhoun Square. This area was named for John C. Calhoun, known as “the Great Orator of the South.” Calhoun was a South Carolinian who served as U.S. Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of War. Calhoun and President James Monroe visited Savannah in 1819 to attend ceremonies celebrating the launching of the USS Savannah steamship. Many beautiful homes in the Greek revival style were built around Calhoun Square during the early 1800s. On the east side of Calhoun Square at 426 Abercorn, is an elegant home built by George Ash in 1855. This home is significant for its doorway, high stoop, and exterior details, while the handsome home at 421 Abercorn, built in 1859, features a mansard roof, high stoop, and marble steps. The Wesley Monumental Church presently owns this historic stucco on brick building. Right off of Ellis Square is the original trading center of Savannah. Today, this area houses a collection of cafés, restaurants and local shops. City Market is a charming twoblock area surrounded by eclectic retail shops, art galleries, nightlife and restaurants. Former warehouses are filled with art studios and galleries, casual and upscale restaurants and specialty shops. Live music often fills the nighttime air with clubs featuring some of the best jazz in the city. Visitors looking for a Savannah memento can shop to their delight at the Market. The Stephen Kasun Gallery (305-B W. Bryan Street) showcases artwork that is both colorful and reflects the American South, particularly images of Savannah streets. Likewise, Scents of Savannah (33 Jefferson Street) is a boutique that caters to the senses. Many products are local and include all-natural skin, hair and body care items. Their signature scent, Savannah Rain, smells of lily of the valley, lilac, magnolia, and a touch of violet.
Savannah is both diverse and eclectic. As such, nearly everyone can find something of interest in which to explore. And, visitors who prefer compact and guided-tours have much on offer. The Savannah Walks Tour Company offers a host of guided tours in the downtown area. Tour topics include Civil War excursions, ghost tours, historical homes, historical churches, cemeteries and a “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” movie location and Jim Williams informational tour. The menu abounds in choice. Savannah, Georgia is a fascinating city. Its combination of history, architecture, beauty, southern charm and intrigue enchant visitors who arrive within its bounderies. Whether one is interested in exploring history through its squares, relaxing in its cafes and tea shops, embarking on a carriage ride, lounging in a park or hitting the streets to tackle a Midnight tour, it is a place that is enjoyed.
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Squares of Savannah
Savannah Hotels
The original four Savannah open squares were laid out starting in 1769 and originally intended to provide colonists space for military excercises. Luckily the plan anticipated growth in the city and has expanded into the twenty-four of today. Most of Savannah’s squares are named in honor or in memory of a person or persons of interest or historical event and many contain tributes, including monuments, markers, statues and plaques. Many of them are lined with stately homes, showing off architectural design.
Hyatt Regency Savannah 2 W. Bay Street 912 238 1234 www.savannah.hyatt.com
Franklin Square Ellis Square Johnson Square Reynolds Square Warren Square Washington Square Greene Square Columbia Square Oglethorpe Square Wright Square Telfair Square
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Orleans Square Chippewa Square Crawford Square Troup Square Lafayette Square Madison Square Pulaski Square Chatham Square Monterey Square Calhoun Square Whitefield Square
Located near the River Front Plaza, this full-service downtown waterfront hotel offers access to the largest historic district in the United States, including shops, golf, entertainment and business centers. Take a leisurely stroll through the fabled neighborhood surrounding Hyatt Regency Savannah to view stately Georgia homes, landmark architecture, and sights that have made Savannah famous. Inn At Ellis Square 201 West Bay Street 877) 542-7666 www.innatellissquare.com Inn At Ellis Square is located in the Historic District and is known as the Grand Lady on Bay Street. Within the recently renovated Guckenheimer Building (circa 1851), Inn At Ellis Square is steeped in the tradition of Southern hospitality and elegance. The hotel is across Bay Street from River Street and is just steps from the celebrated City Market and other local attractions. Inn At Ellis Square features the comforts of Dominique’s Lounge, the hotel’s on-site lounge.
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf and Spa 1 Resort Drive 888-627-8457 www.westinsavannah.com Southern charm meets modern luxury at the newly-reimagined Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, in the heart of the historic Savannah River district. Savannah’s premier resort is the prime location,not far from fantastic shopping and nightlife. Enjoy complimentary water ferry service to River Street. Replenish at the hotel’s Heavenly Spa by WestinTM, recharge with a round on their PGA CHAMPIONS TOUR golf course or embark on a river cruise to secluded island beaches. East Bay Inn 225 East Bay Street 912-238-1225 www.eastbayinn.com The East Bay Inn, close to famous River Street along the Savannah River, is located in the historic district. Featuring a blend of modern comfort and classic touches, the property has 28 guest rooms and features complimentary evening receptions, complimentary deluxe continental breakfasts, complimentary newspapers delivered to the guest’s door and customized stays.
Savannah Dining Sapphire Grill 10 W. Congress Street 912-443-9962 (Reservations Required) Savannah’s foodies pack this trendy haunt with its chic interior and artistic culinary creations. Downstairs, the decor is hip— think converted industrial loft—with gray brick walls alongside those painted a deep sapphire and a stone bar while upstairs is quieter and a little more secluded. Chef Chris Nason focuses his seasonal menus on local ingredients, such as Georgia white shrimp, crab, and fish prepared with care and creative flare. The six-course chef’s tasting menu, with fresh seafood and topquality meats, is $100. Olde Pink House 23 Abercorn Street 912-232-4286 This pink-brick Georgian mansion was built in 1771 for James Habersham and the historic atmosphere comes through in the original Georgia pine floors of the tavern, the Venetian chandeliers, and the 18th-century English antiques. A lovely bar, The Arches, is adjacent with curvaceous doors that can open on balmy nights for outdoor seating. Expect great service and a menu with no shortage of delicious choices. Excellent ambiance is found downstairs in the Planter’s Tavern, where the menu from upstairs is available, but in a more-intimate space flanked by two large fireplaces and piano jazz.
Papillote 218 W. Broughton Street 912-232-1881 This quaint bistro is a great place to grab something quick and delicious. Its focus is mostly to-go items, which makes it an amazing resource for a fresh picnic meal in one of Savannah’s parks and squares. The croque monsieur is a great option with mouth-watering results. Café 37 205 E. 37th Street 912-236-8533 This unassuming spot is tucked away behind 37th Street at Abercorn Antiques and Design store in the Thomas Square neighborhood. It’s outside the downtown Historic District but worth the trip. For antiques shoppers, it’s a great place to grab lunch after checking out the wealth of antiques stores in the Victorian District. Chef-owner Blake Elsinghorst is a Georgian who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and his lunch menu runs the gamut from Southern contemporary to French classics.
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INC.
We take a holistic and comprehensive approach to your finances. We listen to our clients and understand their unique financial situation and develop customized strategies for them.
For a free initial consultation, call or email.
MARC SCHLIEFER, CFP速 Marc S. Schliefer, CFP速 Equity Planning Inc. 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 900 Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-652-8702 Fax: 301-652-9066 www.equityplanning.com marcs@equityplanning.com www.linkedin.com/in/marcschliefer/
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through U.S. Financial Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor. U.S. Financial Advisors and U.S. Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial.
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R E A L E S TAT E
WASHINGTON | VIRGINIA | MARYLAND
John Eric 1206 30th Street, NW | Washington, DC 20007 C: 703.798.0097 | O:202.333.1212 | E: john@johneric.com | www.johneric.com
EXPRESSIONS 30
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HEMPHILL FINE ARTS TURNS
Restaurants, bars, and commercial art galleries tend to come and go, like the changing of the political “guard” in Washington, DC. Every so often an establishment launches and, against all odds, survives, grows, thrives and is eventually identified with what is truly authentic and original in Washington, DC. Places like the Old Ebbitt Grill, Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Eastern Market, still successfully in business, and proudly homegrown. For a local art gallery to turn 20 years of age is astounding and well worth celebrating and that is exactly what they have been doing this year at HEMPHILL.
DON DONAGHY, Untitled, c. 1963, gelatin silver print, 15 7/8” x 20 7/8”. Image courtesy of the Donaghy JohnEstate/HEMPHILL. Eric Home 31
WILLIAM CHRISTENBERRY, Church, Sprott, Alabama, 1981, Ed. 25, archival pigment print, 20” x 24”. Image courtesy of Christenberry/HEMPHILL.
George Hemphill emerged from a career as a conceptual artist over 30 years ago to venture into art dealing and, in September of 1993, opened HEMPHILL, (http://www.hemphillfinearts.com) as a commercial gallery in the Georgetown neighborhood. The gallery has featured contemporary art ranging in media from emerging to mid-career and established artists. In addition to these shows, the gallery has mounted exhibitions of historically significant artwork and socially relevant subjects. The diversity of this schedule is designed to showcase important talent and provide artwork appealing to a broad range of interests. In 2004, George moved the gallery to Logan Circle on 14th street, just before the explosion of development and change that rippled up the street over the next nine years. I began visiting the gallery about ten years ago when it was located in Georgetown and have followed it ever since. Each show has been impeccably curated and installed, each artist worthy of the show. Not only has the gallery become a notable DC arts destination, George Hemphill has become a spokesperson for the city’s contemporary arts and artist community. He is an artist, curator, writer, and lecturer; he currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Association of International Photography Dealers and was a cofounder of FotoWeekDC, Inc.
RIGHT: JULIE WOLFE, Air to Ground III, 2013, sumi ink, gouache, acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 60” x 36”. Image courtesy of Wolfe/ HEMPHILL.
ANNE ROWLAND, View from High Up At Henry’s, Bluemont, VA, 2011-12, archival pigment print, 40” x 41”. Image courtesy of Rowland/HEMPHILL.
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LINLING LU, One Hundred Melodies of Solitude No. 58, 2013, acrylic on canvas (shaped), 46” diameter. Image courtesy of Lu/HEMPHILL.
It is difficult to quantify, yet perhaps the most significant contribution the gallery has made to the local arts community has been the incredibly accomplished roster of artists in the field of photography and the high quality exhibitions that have been mounted with those artists. Over the last twenty years, HEMPHILL has mounted more than 200 shows, presented over 40 panel discussions, artist talks and educational lectures, and sponsored an array of performances, readings and benefit events. George has often spoken about “traveling the weird and lovely world of art dealing”, and I thought it appropriate to celebrate the gallery’s first twenty years with a sampling of work from some of the artists he represents.
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COLBY CALDWELL, how to survive your own death (1), Ed. 5, 2000, archival inkjet print mounted on wood and waxed, 23” x 23”. Image courtesy of Caldwell/HEMPHILL.
PHOTO BY TIM COBURN
Follow me on Twitter @cornwellstyling jamescornwell.com 540-905.1515 John Eric Home 35
FOODIE 36
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Doi Moi Crispy Salt & Pepper Squid Jungle Curry of Tofu Banana Upside Down Cake doi moi, the Southeast Asian restaurant located at 1800 14th Street, NW in Logan Circle, is the third restaurant from Proprietor Mark Kuller and Chef/Partner Haidar Karoum. The cuisine pays tribute to the culinary traditions and regional dishes found throughout Thailand and Vietnam. Haidar Karoum, Executive Chef www.doimoi.com
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Crispy Salt & Pepper Squid 8C canola oil 2 lbs squid, cleaned 1C rice flour 1T seasoned salt and pepper mix (recipe follows) 4 Thai chilies, minced 1 garlic cloves, minced 2 scallions, minced 1/4 bunch cilantro sprigs 1 lime, wedged Seasoned Salt Ingredients 1C salt 4T sugar 4T black pepper, ground 4T ground dry ginger 3T Chinese five spice powder
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Recipe provided by Doi Moi
Preparation In a small pan, heat 1 T of oil and saute the minced chilies, garlic and scallions for one minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and reserve. Heat canola oil in a medium pot or wok to 375 degrees. Cut squid into 1 inch rings and dredge in rice flour, shaking off any excess. Fry the squid for 2 minutes until golden. Remove the squid from the hot oil and place in a bowl. Season with 1 T of seasoned salt and toss in the bowl with the sauteed chili mixture. Place the crispy squid on a plate and top with cilantro sprigs and wedges of lime.
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DOI
MOI
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Jungle Curry of Tofu
with Oyster Mushrooms and Vegetables
2T canola oil 1lb tofu, semi firm, cubed 12oz oyster mushrooms 4oz snake beans (or green beans) 4oz Cherry tomatoes 6oz Chinese broccoli 2 garlic cloves 2 Thai bird eye chilies 0.5oz Galangal 0.75oz young ginger 2 kaffir lime leaves 1/2 bunch thai basil 2T mushroom soy sauce 1/2C vegetable stock 2T preserved green peppercorns 1T cornstarch mixed with a little water (slurry)
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Recipe provided by Doi Moi
Preparation Combine the garlic, galangal and chilies and puree in a food processor. In a large pan, heat the canola oil and when just under smoking, add the puree and stir fry for thirty seconds. Add the tofu, beans and mushrooms and cook for two minutes. Add the tomatoes, lime leaves, young ginger, peppercorns and broccoli and cook for 20 seconds. Add the soy sauce, vegetable stock and Thai basil and bring back to a simmer. Add the slurry to tighten up just slightly. Serve hot with jasmine rice.
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Banana Upside Down Cake 1T toasted sesame seeds 1 1/2T cold butter, cut into tiny cubes 1/4C brown sugar, packed 2 large semi-ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds 3 large eggs, separated 1/4C vegetable oil 1/3C granulated sugar 1/2t salt 1t baking powder 1/2C coconut milk 3/4C all-purpose flour
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Recipe provided by Doi Moi
Preparation Grease the sides of a 9 inch cake pan. Scatter butter cubes all over bottom of pan. Sprinkle brown sugar all over bottom of pan, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Arrange banana slices in single layer on top of butter and brown sugar. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, oil and coconut milk. Once mixture is smooth, whisk in all purpose flour, one tablespoon at a time. Make sure mixture is free of lumps. In another clean mixing bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. With a rubber spatula, fold half of beaten egg whites into batter; mix well. Fold remaining egg whites into batter, folding just until no white streaks remain, being careful not to deflate batter. Pour batter into pan, right over banana topping. Spread out batter with rubber spatula all the way to edges of pan. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds all over surface of batter. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.
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HOMETRENDS 50
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A
As summer leaves us and cool, crisp, autumn air swoops in, those familiar cravings for warmth and coziness arise. Dreams of hot cider, warm soft blankets, and cracking fires fill our thoughts. What better way to snuggle into the fall and winter than enjoy a warm fire in a beautiful fireplace?
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Fireplaces come in so many different looks, styles, and functions. They can be grand and reach all the way to the ceiling or clean and simple allowing the flames themselves to be the sparkle. What used to be the traditional wood-burning fireplace in a stone surround has evolved into a wide range of looks with almost limitless design options. In our projects, we’ve incorporated, worked around, and designed fireplaces with myriad materials and in all styles imaginable. We love fireplaces and always design them and the rooms surrounding them to coordinate and enhance the interior. Whether the spaces are modern and sleek, cozy country-like, contemporary or traditional, a fireplace can add to the overall look and feel of the space. It isn’t simply the materials used on the surround, hearth, mantel, and overmantel that can help direct and enhance the look. It’s also the type of fire used in the firebox. Fires can be made of natural wood or gas - through a gas insert that can be ceramic or sculpted wood. These inserts have become more realistic over time and offer all sorts of woods. For a transitional design, one of our favorites is a birch log insert. And, if you’re looking for a modern one, consider a Spark Modern Fires option. These are seen in chic public spaces like hotel lobbies and restaurants, either in a wall firebox or in the center of a coffee tableturned fire pit! If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace and are looking for ways to update its look, this can be done fairly easily. The type of fire, wood-burning or gas, and the look of the surrounding space helps to direct our thinking when selecting the materials to enhance and finish the piece. But first, it must be determined whether or not the fireplace is a focal point of the space. Fireplaces can be, and often are, the focal point of the room, but they don’t have to be. They can be a functional element that requires little focus or an element that adds texture and weight to the space but is secondary to artwork, large pieces of furniture, or, as in so many homes today, electronics. If you’re not certain whether or not the fireplace should be a focal point, this can be easily determined by first looking at the layout of your room. How will your furniture best be arranged to meet your needs? Figuring out the furniture arrangement will seamlessly determine whether or not the fireplace is your focal point.
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FIREP
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PLACE
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Whether a focal point or not, the aesthetic details, which are also deeply bound by the consideration of function and safety, are varied and wide and a lot of fun! Materials range from natural stones in slabs, tiles, or tumbled pieces. They can be finished in honed, rough, or polished techniques, synthetic stones, ceramic tiles, and metal. Not to mention wood, which can be stained, painted, or faux painted by artists. It is an often-used material for the legs and mantel and other completely decorative pieces of a fireplace. Knowing what parts of the fireplace you’d like to update drives the material options. The needed five parts of a fireplace that dictate the style and look are the hearth, the surround, the legs, the mantel, and the overmantel (the overmantel is not always an element one has space or a need for, but determining what will be placed above your fireplace is extremely important.) Of these elements, the hearth and the surround require a fire-resistant material. Some of the most favorite materials to use in these locations are tiles. Soft, pearl-like, tiny mosaic tiles reflect light beautifully and nicely offset the firebox (which is dark until a fire is lit.) Tiles, either natural stone or ceramic, come in so many styles, colors, and sizes that creativity can go wild. When working with a sleek and modern look, sometimes we’ve opted for a honed metal surround with either limestone legs and mantel, or, when details and space allow, a beautiful wood veneer over the entire fireplace beyond the required fire-resistant areas. Zebrawood is one of our most favorite exotic woods! Beyond the surround, legs, and mantel sits the base of your fireplace - the hearth. If your firebox is close to the ground we love a hearth that is flush with the floor, which eliminates the possibility of rough corners sticking out and allows for really beautiful tile details to be used. But, if you can’t escape the raised hearth, consider selecting a single slab of natural stone. The finished edges of slabs can be a thing of beauty unto themselves! Most importantly, with so many options to choose from, be sure to think about what appeals most to you. Also, what you’d feel best living with and looking at for years to come. While changing out the aesthetic parts of a fireplace is fairly easy, it can be messy and require some small construction that you may not want to embark on again for some time. A fabulous last element of the fireplace is one that can be changed out time and time again with complete ease - the firescreen! We think the firescreen is a very important finishing element and have become attached to the flat screen style with metal elements throughout. It provides weight and reflection both when a fire isn’t lit and when one is. These screens show up in almost all of our projects and they become a beautiful element right along with the materials on the fireplace itself. No matter which style of flame you choose - natural wood or gas - or which materials you incorporate as accent pieces and elements - they all create a fireplace unique to your home. The dancing flames bring warmth, light, and mesmerizing movement to your favorite spaces as well as that wonderful and welcoming holiday energy.
HANUKKAH A Celebration of the Festival of Lights
The holidays are fast approaching and soon we will engage in frenzied activity gathering with family and friends, shopping for perfect gifts and decorating our abodes to fit the mood of the season. Of course, Thanksgiving kicks-off our holiday month in the US. Thoughts of tables laden with candles, silverware and juicy turkeys occupy our minds and anticipation of the day’s football games is in the air. But, in a rare occurrence (one that will take several thousand years to replicate) Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights — fall on the same date this year. This creates a day that many celebrants have dubbed as “Thanksgivukkah.” Recognizing the phenomenon of the shared date, we turn our attention to the Festival of Lights and explore its rich tradition.
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The eight-day celebration of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Greeks of the 2nd century BC. Following tradition, the holiday starts on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah is celebrated with a series of rituals that are performed every day throughout the eight days, some are family-based and others communal. There are special additions to the daily prayer service, and a section is added to the blessing after meals. One of the best-known symbols of Hanukkah is the Menorah - a unique candelabrum, which consists of eight branches with an additional ninth branch raised above the others. The Hanukkah lights can either be candle flames or oilfueled. Since the miracle of Hanukkah happened with olive oil – the little cruse of oil that lasted for eight days – an oil menorah is preferable to a candle one, and olive oil is the ideal fuel. The eight candles of the menorah must be arranged in a straight, even line, not in a zigzag or with some lights higher than others. If it is an oil menorah, the oil cups must hold enough oil to burn for the required time – at least 30 minutes on weeknights, and up to one-and-a-half hours on Friday evening due to Shabbat. If it is a candle menorah, the candles should be large enough to burn for the required time. Hanukkah lights are not for the “lighting of the house within”, but rather for the “illumination of the house without,” so that passersby may be reminded of the holiday’s miracle. The custom observed by many residents of Jerusalem is to light the Menorah at sundown. Three blessings (Brachot) are recited on the first night of Hanukkah, while on all subsequent
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nights, only the first two of the three are spoken. The blessings can be said before or after the candles are lit depending on tradition. The first candle is lit on the right side of the Menorah. On the following night, a second light is placed to the left of the first, and so on, proceeding from right to left over the eight nights. On each night, the leftmost candle is lit first, and lighting proceeds from left to right. Following the lighting of the candles, the hymn Ma’oz Tzur is sung, which contains six stanzas. These stanzas are on general themes of divine salvation, events of persecution, the praising of God and the miracle of the holiday of Purim. Other Hanukkah songs may be sung and, in the United States and Israel, it is common for children to receive presents each night. After lighting the Menorah, it is customary in many homes to play the dreidel. This traditional spinning top is a throwback to the times when the Greek armies of King Antiochus controlled the Holy Land, before the Maccabees defeated them and sent them packing. The powerful regime passed a series of laws outlawing the study of Torah and many of the mitzvot. The Jews were compelled to take their Torah learning “underground.” Jewish children resorted to learning Torah in outlying areas and forests. They brought along small tops that they would quickly pull out and play with after secreting away their texts. They could pretend to be merely playing games if caught. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top made of wood, plastic, or clay. On the four sides of the dreidel appear four letters from the Hebrew alphabet—nun, gimmel, hey and shin. Together, they are an acronym for “nes gadol hayah sham”—”a great miracle happened there.” To play the game, a dreidel, two or more players, an “Ante”
(nuts, pennies, nickels, chocolate coins) and a flat surface are required. Each player starts with 10 or 15 pieces from the Ante and places one marker in the “pot.” The first player spins the dreidel, and depending on which side the dreidel falls on, either wins a marker from the pot or gives up part of his stash. Based on a Yiddish version of the game, if a player spins a Nun–nisht, “nothing”–nothing happens and it is the next player’s turn. If Gimel–gants, “all” is shown, the player takes the entire pot. Throwing Hey–halb, “half”–the player takes half of the pot, rounding up for an odd number. And, with Shin–shtel ayn, “put in”–the player puts one marker in the pot. The game lasts until one person has won everything. Coins used in the Ante while playing the dreidel game may be Hanukkah gelt. Gelt is often distributed to children to add to the holiday excitement. The amount is usually in small coins, although grandparents or relatives may give larger sums. In Israel, Hanukkah gelt is known as dmei Hanukkah. The tradition of giving Hanukkah gelt dates back to a longstanding Eastern European custom of children presenting their teachers with a small sum of money at this time of year as a token of gratitude. In time, money was also given to children to keep for themselves. In the 1920s, American chocolatiers picked up on the gift/coin concept by creating chocolate gelt. Chocolate coins are not the only edible treats associated with Hanukkah. Foods fried or baked in oil to commemorate
the miracle of a small flask of oil keeping the flame in the Temple alight for eight days are consumed. Traditional foods include potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, jam-filled doughnuts and fritters. Bakeries in Israel have popularized many new types of doughnut fillings besides the traditional strawberry jelly filling, including chocolate cream, vanilla cream, caramel and cappuccino. There is also a tradition of eating cheese products on Hanukkah recorded in rabbinic literature. Both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are celebrations of thanks. While one is a tradition honoring American heritage, the other is a commemoration of an important historical event. Whether you eat turkey or latkes on November 28, John Eric Home would like to wish you a happy holiday.
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STYLIST MENS Hello, fella’s! As you start thinking about winterizing your cars, and all the things around your house, don’t forget about your wardrobe. It’s usually the last thing on the list for the boys, but it is the most important. If you think about it, your significant other sees you more in your clothes than they do in your car, and if you play your cards right, with some great key pieces for the winter, maybe your better half will want you out of your clothes more. First order-of-business, please do not let football season take over your wardrobe. Second order-of-business, get ready to learn about options for shoes and pants and how to wear them. A great reference for guys is looking at catalogues or the mannequins at your favorite places to shop. Try the outfits on, take pictures in them and get the help of the sales associate.
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JEANS & 66
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& BOOTS John Eric Home 67
Let’s start with pants. Most men do not buy the right size. If the waist is gapping and you need a belt to keep them from falling completely off - they do not fit. Pants come in all sizes, styles, shapes, lengths, and you may need to try a lot on before you find the perfect one. Also, do not be afraid of trying a skinny jean. All skinny jeans are different and a great trick is go up a size in the skinny jean - you will still get the look without feeling that you’re suffocating your man parts. There are some great colors for pants this fall. Please try to incorporate some color in to your wardrobe. And, now, the shoe department. Boots are a great year round look, but the winter months bring on some great boots that can be dressed up or dressed down. If you are looking for something to wear out in the elements, to the office, to a cocktail party - there are lots of choices in boots that have a dressy feel. One big thing is to not forget about treating your boots or shoes. If you waterproof them and take good care of the leather, your boot will last and it won’t start to look like a lumberjacks boot. Style for men has really evolved through the years, and most retailers are finding sales increase in footwear that is really transitional. Meaning, you can wear it more than one place and for more seasons. One of the big things to look for when buying a functional boot is the tread. A lot of boots that are classic looking have leather soles. If you haven’t tried to walk in this type of shoe on an icy path, you have not experienced the fun! I kid, don’t do it. Look for a boot that has a rubber sole or one that has some tread on it. Take the time to shop a bit and you will find the right pair. Until next time - keep warm, dress to impress, and watch out for the icy patches (unless you have the right boots on).
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MIXOLOGY The Boulevardier
The Lineage The Red Sky
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THE BOULEVARDIER As far as influential drinks go, The Boulevardier is at the top of my list. I learned this drink after a few months of bartending at the insistence of a frantic manager and an irate customer. Bold, beautiful, rich, vibrant, spicy, bitter, sweet, layered and fierce are all ways to describe this drink. It is the epitome of a classic cocktail - few ingredients and all flavors. The sweet and spice of distilled corn starts the drink, followed by the richness from charred wood barrel aging. Make sure to select the right bourbon - I especially like full bodied bourbons. The bourbon transitions into the decadence of vermouth. The sweet blended and fortified wine, especially a bold layered product like Carpano Antica, re-enforces vanilla and caramel from the bourbon. Its vibrancy raises the taste buds on the tongue as well as the back of the neck. A slight bitter flavor of roots and wormwood from the vermouth set a lead for the final ingredient, Campari. A classic staple of Italy and large family meals, the bitter and digestive aspects surprisingly are what balance the drink, giving a smooth but long finish. Learning this drink opened many of my creative doors as a bartender and is an amazing remembrance of how people used to approach cocktails. Whether on my menu, at a customer’s seat, or in my hand, this drink is a pillar, and one to be enjoyed over and over again.
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GLASSWARE Rocks Glass
INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz. of Makers Mark 1 oz. Campari 1 oz. Carpano Antica Garnish: Flamed Orange Peel
DIRECTIONS Chill glass and set aside. In a mixing glass combine bourbon, Campari, and Carpano Antica. Stir the drink 40 times, empty the ice from the glass and then strain the cocktail into the now cold glass. Garnish, serve and enjoy! Garnish: Hold a circular cut of orange peel (try not to cut into the meat of the fruit, but make sure the peel has strong surface tension) over the glass in-between your thumb and forefinger. Between the peel and glass hold a flame (lit match or lighter) just close enough to the peel to warm but not so close to burn your fingers. After a few seconds, press the peel very firmly and release and ignite the natural oils. Drop the now flamed peel into the glass.
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THE LINEAGE The first bartending competition I won was with this drink. This story begins with my first ancestor that came to America - a cooper (barrel maker). Everyone knows the barrel’s importance in bourbon, but what most don’t know is that Woodford Reserve has three select areas where the oak used in their barrels is from - one of which is in the Ozark Mountains. In the Ozarks, there is a small town where, for many years, lived my wife’s grandmother. A very spirited, excited, and caring person, Barbra was from the “Jerome” family, an old American family out of New York, with one of its members, Jenny Jerome. In 1874, Jenny gave birth to her first son, Winston Churchill. Also, in 1874 she is said to have been the creator of the Manhattan when she commissioned a bartender to create a dink for a party celebrating then Governor Elect, Samuel Tilden. As one of my best friends and business partners said “this shows that bartending was your destiny”. The drink is sweet, smokey, refined and elegant. The Woodford shines through, leaving a slight spice and earth on the finish that blends with the house made ice cubes and the delicate but delicious Lillet Rose. I use the lighter New Orleans Peychaud’s bitters here so the flavors from the bourbon are not covered up, and to highlight and honor the fact I was born in Louisiana. This drink will always be one of the most important drinks that I have ever made. The Lineage is a drink about history, but don’t forget it is a drink meant to be enjoyed!
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GLASSWARE Chilled Cocktail Glass
INGREDIENTS 2 oz. Woodford Reserve 1 oz. Lillet Rose 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters 1 and ½ smoked honey ice cubes (approximately 1 and ¼ to 1 and ½ ounces of total volume) Garnish: 1 Woodford Reserve and Cane Sugar flambéed Amarena Cherry.
DIRECTIONS Recipe for Honey Smoked Ice: Combine ½ cup honey with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil in a stainless steel saucepan over high heat. Let boil for 1 minute then remove from heat. Add ¾ oz. organic Lapsang Souchong tea leaves and stir with a whisk for 10 seconds. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a second bowl to remove all tea leaves. Fill ice tray. This amount should make around 10 ice cubes, each a little less than 1 ounce in volume. Add 2 drops of Woodford Reserve to each cube. Freeze overnight. The resulting product should be in texture of almost a sorbet. Directions for Flambéed Cherry: Fully immerse cherries in fruit syrup with Woodford reserve bourbon. Using an all-metal measuring cup, prepare 1 cup with cane sugar and a second cup (with a flat or semi flat bottom) with ¼ oz of Woodford Reserve. Take the cherry steeped in bourbon, coat in cane sugar, and then skewer. Using a Crème Brule kitchen torch, heat the bottom of the metal measuring cup until the bourbon begins to boil and sizzle. Light the bourbon on fire and rest the cherry and skewer across the top of the cup so the flames from the bourbon glaze the cherry. Directions for The Lineage preparation: Take 1 and ½ of the smoked honey cubes and place in a glass pint glass. Crush the ice slightly then top the rest of the glass with ice. Add 2 oz. of Woodford Reserve bourbon and 1 oz. of Lillet Rose. Add two dashes of Peychaud’s bitters and stir the mixture until the honey smoked ice is dissolved. Approximately 30 quick rotations of the spoon. Place the now
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flambéed cherry into a chilled cocktail glass and using a classic julep strainer, strain the drink over the garnish. Serve and enjoy!
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THE RED SKY The Red Sky started off as an idea, as small as a seed, but it grew. Smoked roots and citrus, specialty foams, juices, oils - the drink took shape. From a vision of a farm thought transformed to a vision of the high seas. Instead of earth, flavors of lightness, inspired by the high seas and the history of gin developed. Layers of plum, sweet and refreshing, placed upon the juniper and botanicals of gin created softness and depth. Traditional spices, such as cinnamon, that created the search for new trading routes, and sailing citrus, began to concentrate my ideas into making a drink with a history that was its own. The classic juniper forward flavor of Tanqueray, the founding spirit of London Dry Gin, sets the tone. The citrus notes transition to the fortification. Baking spices of richness like cinnamon and long pepper give the drink excitement that awakes the senses but forgo any sense of heat. Sweet and citrus round the drink out. The red plum juice is refreshing and cooling to the palette, but not strong enough to mask the finish of the drink. Lastly, the rum mist gives the Red Sky one final taste, just that last kick of flavor and strength. At the end of the day, the Red Sky is a triumph of development. This is the single most labor intensive drink I have made; it took more tries to get right than any other cocktail I have worked on. All of the effort was not in vain - ultimately it led to a drink for cheering and toasting. With every Red Sky, raise the glass at night, remember the delight!
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GLASSWARE 13 oz. Wine Balloon Glass
INGREDIENTS 1 ¾ oz. of Tanqueray ¾ oz. of “Tanqueray Fortification” 1 oz. of Red Plum Juice 1 Misting of Bacardi Solera Recipe “Tanqueray Fortification”: ½ cup water ½ cup sugar ½ cup pink peppercorns ¼ cup lemon juice ¼ cup lime juice 2 cinnamon sticks 3 long peppers Zest of 2 lemons ¼ cup Tanqueray ¼ cup Bacardi Solera 5 dashes Peychaud’s bitters Garnish: Lemon Peel and Plum Slice
DIRECTIONS Mist the inside of the wine glass with Bacardi Solera then fill the glass with crushed ice and set aside. In a Boston Shaker add Tanqueray, Tanqueray Fortification, Red Plum Juice, and ice. Use a modified shaking method, such as a roll, throw, or short shake to chill and aerate the drink. Use a julep strainer and a fine mesh strainer to strain the drink over the crushed ice and rum mist. Add Garnishes, serve and enjoy! Tanqueray
Fortification:
Combine
cane
sugar,
water,
pink
peppercorns, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, lemon zest, and long pepper in a stainless steel saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, quickly whisk integrating ingredients. Set to low heat, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes, remove from heat, add the Tanqueray, Bacardi Solera, and Peychaud’s Bitters. Stir and integrate ingredients again and let the mixture cool. Cover and set in a refrigerator overnight. The next morning, use a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth to strain the mixture in a glass bottle. Refrigerate for further storage. *Note: If mixture has become too gelled, then add water as needed to reach desired consistency.
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MOATS
and
MONEY AND FINANCE 78
CASTLES
Protecting Your Assets and Wealth PART V
Last month we took an in-depth look at the Social Security program and reviewed ways to obtain the maximum benefits for you and your family. This month we will examine another moat around your financial castle – Wills and Trusts – and discuss how these arrangements can be instrumental in protecting your assets and your family in the event of death or disability. Because I am writing this article from a financial planning perspective, I strongly recommend that you consult with a competent Estate Planning attorney to review your unique situation and ultimately implement the needed documents and strategies. I am happy to provide referrals to Estate Planning attorneys in your area that can help you with your particular situation. HELPFUL ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS • Durable Power of Attorney: This document comes into play if you become incapacitated and cannot make financial decisions. It can also be used if you decide one day that even though you are competent, you do not want to handle your financial affairs any longer. Here, you specify the name of a person or entity to make your financial decisions and allow that party to act on your behalf when financial decisions arise. It is advisable to have several layers of backup responsible parties in case the first person cannot or will not serve as your Power of Attorney. It is essential that you totally trust this person because they have power over all of your assets while you are alive and can do anything that the document allows. To safeguard against unscrupulous behavior, attorneys will often draft a system of checks and balance which may include having multiple Powers of Attorney.
• Medical Power of Attorney: This document appoints a person or persons to handle your medical care in the event that you cannot advocate for yourself. You want to make sure that you appoint a person or people that can be available if you need them, and again it is advisable to list several individuals. Not sure who to select? Your attorney will advise that you should choose individuals who you believe will put your best interest first, and if that person has any medical knowledge, that’s ideal. • Advanced Medical Directive: This document lists your wishes in the event that you are in a life-threatening situation. It will state whether or not you wish to be resuscitated; if the answer is no, it specifies Do Not Resuscitate instructions for your medical providers to follow. It will also include language relating to nutrition, hydration, pain medication, and your wishes regarding organ donation. An Advanced Medical Directive and the provisions contained in it are personal choices, and as people, we tend to change our views from time to time. Because of this, I always recommend reviewing these documents on an annual basis to make sure that your current wishes are in keeping with the drafted documents. It is easy to amend a directive while you are healthy, but if you are incapacitated, medical providers will have to follow the instructions contained in the most recent directive. • Wills: A will contains your dying wishes and lists who you want to inherit your assets when you die. In the document, you name a Personal Representative whose job it is to administer your will. This person’s responsibilities are very labor intensive, time consuming, and strenuous, so it is important to select a person accordingly. The probate process (the process of proving the will) usually takes about one year, and there are many reports that the probate court
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will require. The deadlines associated with these reports vary depending on the decedent’s state of domicile. If you own property in multiple states, your Personal Representative will need to complete the probate process in each state in which you own property. Additionally, if you have minor children, you will need to specify who will act as a guardian in the event that you or your spouse passes away or becomes incapacitated. The latter situation is often overlooked, so I advise my clients to plan for any unwanted situation, not just death. If you do not appoint a guardian, the courts will select one on your behalf. It goes without saying that this person may not ultimately be the person you would have selected to raise your children. Each year, it is important to review your will to ensure that what is written echoes your current wishes. There is another document that has almost all of the above documents combined, plus it provides privacy and avoids the probate process if you title your assets properly. That document is a Revocable Living Trust. Unlike the documents mentioned above that become active during unwanted or unplanned situations like death or disability, a Revocable Living Trust is active during your lifetime too – it incorporates your living wishes along with your dying wishes. The key is that you need to title the ownership of your assets from your name(s) into the name of the trust. By doing so, those assets are excluded from the timely, public, and costly probate process. The documents are extremely comprehensive, and as such, they warrant an annual review as well, or when a major life event occurs.
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In the event that you forget to title all of your assets in the name of your trust, there is another document called a Pour-Over Will. The Pour-Over Will dictates that anything not specifically titled in the name of the trust will be “poured-over” into the trust for disposition. You may still wind up paying estate taxes, because this trust does not get rid of them. Instead, its purpose is to keep your assets and final wishes private by avoiding probate, and in doing so, your heirs will ultimately inherit your assets faster. I encourage you to talk with a competent Estate Planning Attorney to understand which approach is best suited for your unique goals and wishes. If you would like me to refer you to one more attorneys, please call or email me and I would be happy to put you in touch with them. 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.
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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Between 38,000 and 40,000 people walked the streets of Woodmont Triangle during the annual Taste of Bethesda. The estimate is an improvement on last year’s attendance, which was between 30,000 and 35,000. (BN) Local jazz legend, bassist Edward Rudolph “Butch” Warren, has passed away at the age of 74. Warren’s storied jazz career began when he was just 14, playing bass in a band led by his father, pianist Edward Warren. After making a name for himself in the D.C. jazz scene in the ‘50s, he moved to New York City where he became the house bassist for Blue Note Records, recording as a studio musician with hundreds of greats, including Miles Davis, Sonny Clark, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Jackie McLean, and more. In the mid-’60s, Warren moved back to the District, where he became a fixture in the club music scene, playing weekly gigs in various venues around the city, including places like the old Twins on Colorado Avenue NW and Columbia Station in Adams Morgan. (dcist)
Reality stars Giuliana and Bill Rancic are opening a restaurant in Washington. Giuliana, a Bethesda native, announced on The Tommy Show that she and her husband are planning to debut a branch of their Chicago-based RPM Italian in the former Buddha Bar space come 2015. The large site on Massachusetts Avenue has been vacant since the international chain departed in June 2012. (Washingtonian)
Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies offered six free courses to those who were furloughed. The classes dealt with everything from management skills to social media. (NBC 4)
Arlington residents participated in an international earthquake preparedness drill on October 17. The Great Shakeout drilled participants on the proper precautions to take when an earthquake strikes. The event was coordinated nationally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and in Virginia by the state Department of Emergency Management. (AN) Restaurateur Andy Shallal says he is closer to launching a mayoral run and will establish an exploratory committee to begin raising funds for the effort. Shallal — Iraqi-born owner of the Busboys and Poets mini-empire, known for serving up progressive politics, art and literature alongside the pizzas and paninis — said he has gone so far as to interview potential treasurers and campaign managers, but his ultimate decision on whether to run comes down to dollars and cents. (WaPo) Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont Circle voted on October 9 to support the architects Studio 3877 and hotel developers French Quarter Hospitality in their first step toward acquiring the Patterson Mansion (15 Dupont Circle NW) and turning it into a luxury hotel. The vote was 7 for and 2 against. (SALM) Officials at the Verizon Center have terminated a long-running contract agreement with the D.C. Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services for ambulance coverage during events at the sports and entertainment venue. Under the contract — which netted the city approximately $250,000 annually — the fire department provided one ambulance and crew at each event at the arena, department spokesman Tim Wilson said. The agreement ended Oct. 1. (Washington Times)
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Tom Hanks arrived at the Newseum for a screening of his new film, Captain Phillips. Captain Phillips is a true story of an American cargo ship, the Maersk Alabama, that was hijacked in 2009 by Somali pirates about 300 miles off the coast of Somalia. The ship’s captain, Richard Phillips, was taken hostage. (Washingtonian) Arlington Public Library has set another summer youth reading record. This summer, 8,079 students participated and read more than 32,000 books, up from 7,415 participants and 30,000 books in 2012. (Arlington Public Library) Facing financial struggles and accusations of mismanagement, the president of Howard University is stepping down at the end of the calendar year. President Sidney Ribeau announced his retirement in a letter to the Howard community. The letter highlights the successes his five-year tenure, from academic initiatives to the construction of new campus buildings. (Housing Complex)
Shake Shack is initiating a new running club. The New Yorkbased chain launched Shack Track & Field, a running club that ended its hour-long workout with a social at Shake Shack Dupont Circle on October 8. The club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at Pacers Logan Circle (1427 P St. NW). Pacers will allow runners to check bags, which will then be delivered to them at Shake Shack. Those who buy a $10 Shack Track & Field T-shirt receive a coupon for a free drink after each meeting. (WCP) While the National Aquarium Board of Trustees would like to still have a location in D.C., it’s just not exactly clear when that will happen. With the future unwritten for the National Aquarium’s presence in D.C., most of its aquatic residents are being relocated to the aquarium’s Baltimore location. (dcist) Montgomery County has cut the ribbon on its first batch of Capital Bikeshare stations, with officials hoping the county can latch on to the success the bike sharing system has had in DC, Arlington and Alexandria. Fourteen of the 51 planned stations for Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville and Shady Grove have gone into operation. Four of the 15 planned for Bethesda/Friendship Heights have opened — Cordell and Norfolk Avenues, Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road (Elm Street Garage), Montgomery and East Lanes and Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues (Veterans Park). (BN)
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PET TECH
TECH
Wild Tech for Pets
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| September 2013
With all that’s fun and fabulous with the latest tech innovations, there’s certainly something for everyone – including the family pets. New technologies are helping us take care of our animal friends when they’re at home alone, bored watching us work, or ready to play. Here are a few of our favorite finds for some wild tech that’s super for pets.
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On With the Show! Many of the new gadgets emerging for pets are geared around solutions for keeping pets who are home alone a lot a little less stressed. For pet owners who work in an office all day away from their pet, these tech advancements are a huge relief. For example, there’s a new cable television channel designed especially to entertain your favorite Fido when you’re out and about. Yes, that’s right, it’s TV programming for your dog. It’s called, surprisingly, Dog TV (through DirectTV for an extra $4.99/month). We’ve heard some cats like it too. But cats have a whole other array of awesome tech entertainment lined up – online. Friskies offers one of the most popular electronic games for cats available at www.gamesforcats.com, which according to their website have been already enjoyed by more than 30 million cats and 21 million humans. You and your feline friends can either play games such as CatFishing, Jitterbug and You vs. the Cat through downloadable apps for your iPad, iPhone or Android tablet. There are more apps available for dog owners than their faithful companions, and perhaps we now know why – the few popular ones we found had a very common theme. For example, Doggy Toy emits an annoying squeeking sound, and the Dog Teaser Sound Box has a whole variety of annoying sounds to choose from. For our friends with feathers, they might enjoy a few bits of fun with the Jungle Talk-n-Play (wag.com, $10.49), which has a mirror and releases sounds and light when the bird selects and pushes on certain plastic buttons.
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Cool Water. If you’re tired of cleaning out a slimy, gunky water bowl every day and your getting sad looks from thirsty pets, here’s a great new innovation that could be just for you. The NatureSPA Water Fountain for Cats and Dogs from AVPpet ($49.95) is the cat’s meow when it comes to pet water fountains. This innovative technology includes a rigorous filtering system that circulates out impurities to create a gently bubbling, fully aerated, and alluring water treat for your favorite pet. It even has an optional UV sterilization feature to reduce that bacterial funk that forms on the bottom and sides of water bowls – ensuring a sweet and delicious mouthful of water with every classy slurp. It’s delightful dish even includes a blue LED nighlight, which makes it an easy find for pets at night and easier to avoid tripping over for owners. Having clean and appealing water can lead pets to drink more throughout the day and stay better hydrated, which can minimize dehydration and health risks associated with that condition. Also, the soft, trickling sounds from the fountain can also make it a sweet addition to a relaxation room you may be sharing with your pet. Bird Watching, So You Don’t Have To. So, I like birds. I like them a lot actually, and have been watching in amazement at all the kinds of birds coming to a new feeder we put up in our pear tree. For bird watching enthusiasts, there is an incredible amount of time and patience involved in the sport. At some point, however, even the biggest bird lovers need a little break. Or at least that’s what someone at the Audubon Society must have thought.
Activity trackers for pets have also become increasingly popular. One of the more popular activity trackers is also a GPS tracking system to help you keep tabs via computer or phone on your pet’s whereabouts. TAGG the Pet Tracker is lightweight and designed to attach to an animal’s collar. According to the manufacturer, it can “be worn at all times, even while swimming.” The system will even alert you via text or email if your pet has gone past its designated boundaries. So, if Fluffy, Fuzzy or Freddie are out causing trouble in the neighborhood, or in case they jump the fence, this solution should help you find them fast. Considering the fact that every year more than 10 million pets are lost, investing in some kind of tracking gadget is a smart idea. Quality Time. Pets miss us when we’re away from them. Some get seriously depressed, anxious and downright crazy. When you can’t be there in person, a new product expected to come out in December may help you steal some one on one time together that could help soothe your pet by allowing them to see you and hear your voice, and you to see them. PetziConnect from Petzila allows you to interact with your pet through a two-way video camera remotely (and securely, they say) and even reward your pet with a treat for engaging with you online. In this busy life that’s loaded with amazing solutions to keep our pets better communicated with and cared for, the best quality time together usually comes when we’re disconnected from our devices and just paying attention to each other. So enjoy all the benefits technology can bring. But, please remember to try and take time to turn off all the gadgets, put down the phone, and just be with your pet. Whether it’s just to sit and snuggle, be silly, run around an open field, or laugh together until your bellies hurt, you’ll both be glad you did.
The Wingscapes’ Audubon BirdCam ($79.95) can “take over” for bird-watchers when they head indoors. It’s a bird-feeder and motion-activated digital camera that can take still pictures or short video images of the animals – assuming they are birds – that get close to it. This sounds a bit like cheating to me, but what a great new gadget this is that may bring bird watching to a whole new audience – those who prefer to hang out and have a cocktail on their deck, for example. What’s even more intriguing is that there’s also a Wingscapes’ TimelaspeCam that can take photos at set intervals and then string them together in a time-lapse video. Great for capturing behavior patterns of birds, as well as some other animals you might know at your house parties. Lots of fun options here. Dog Gone Tech. One of the most important responsibilities of being a pet owner is ensuring that your animal is getting enough exercise. If your dog is packing on some extras pounds and you don’t have the time for extra walks or jogs in the morning, a tech alternative to a dog walker is a dog treadmill. Of course, before you start any pet on an exercise program, be sure they are healthy and consult your vet. If a treadmill is the right option for your pet, there are many great varieties from which to choose. PetZen and DogTread offer high tech advancements and range in price from around $500 to more than $900, depending on the size dog and therefore, treadmill you need. Additionally, pet fitness vests are becoming popular, such as the DogTread 4-in-1 K9FITvest. Similar to human fitness vests, the ones for dogs provide an extra tool for strength and endurance training.
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The Unspeakable Delights of Cool Climate Pinot Noir Sometimes, the American wine industry appears to exist in two parallel universes. In one, the accumulated knowledge of marketing, winemaking and viticulture only go so far. After 50 harvests or more, it becomes apparent that, paradoxically, the less winemakers know, the more they begin to understand. The other universe is a less modest one, where the air is heavy with a smug sense of self-glorification. In this universe, Napa Valley billionaires charge $250 a bottle for their first vintages and young winemaking consultants have more 95-point wines than Miley Cyrus has boyfriends. It is a modest sense of accumulated wisdom that characterizes many Pinot Noir visionaries from California, Oregon and even as far as New Zealand. To commemorate the lively energy and freshness of cool climate Pinots, we have especially selected three Pinot Noirs that express the stylistic diversity of mountaintop wines: Big Basin’s Coastview Vineyard Pinot from Monterey in California, Colene Clemens’ Margo Vineyard Pinot from Willamette Valley in Oregon and Felton Road’s Bannockburn Pinot Noir from Central Otago Valley in New Zealand. The Big Basin Coastview Pinot Noir comes from the Gabilan Mountains, a sizeable range of rugged granitic mountains that run down the eastern side of the Salinas Valley. A hallmark of the 2010 vintage is the wonderful perfume that Pinot Noirs from cool sites express - and the Coastview is no exception. The wine expresses the minerality of the decomposed granite and limestone soils of the site on the nose, along with rose petal and red fruit. It is a very well structured wine built for aging, with notes of blood orange and pomegranate along with vibrant acidity and a long silky finish. Colene Clemens, also a family-owned winery, is dedicated to the production of estate grown Pinot Noir, located along the western edge of the Chehalem Mountains. The Margo Pinot Noir, named after the winemakers’ daughter, showcases notes of red cherries, mingled with floral and citrus flavors, and hints of barrel spice. The growth in popularity of New Zealand pinot noir has been driven over the past decade by the exciting Central Otago growing region. This, the world’s southernmost wine region, is also New Zealand’s highestaltitude growing area and its most continental. Central Otago has earned a reputation for seductively rich, fruit-driven pinots with firm balancing acidity. With Pinot like Felton Road’s, they have certainly struck gold. The Bannockburn Pinot is Felton Road’s regular bottling, and what a wine it is, with lush, dark cherry and mysterious foresty aromas. Ripe and rich on the palate, its intensity, drive and fresh acidity keep it all singing.
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BIG BASIN PINOT NOIR COASTVIEW VINEYARD Complex, strongly scented bouquet evokes candied red and dark berry preserves and smoky Indian spices. Aeration brings up a gentle vanilla nuance that carries through a long smoke and spice-accented finish.
COLENE CLEMENS ‘MARGO’ PINOT NOIR High-pitched red berry and floral aromas are complicated by notes of Asian spices and cola. Fresh and precise, with good lift to its gently sweet raspberry and rose pastille flavors.
FELTON ROAD BANNOCKBURN PINOT NOIR Perfumed aromas of raspberry, minerals, white pepper and rose petal. Boasting serious richness, its superb inner-mouth energy and spicy, peppery tannins also give it a wonderfully tangy, sappy quality.
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STYLIST WOMEN
The leaves are falling, the colors are vibrant and the sunset takes on a whole new glow as the brisk winds blow clouds across a winter sky. You are ready for it. Your wardrobe has transitioned, at least partially, to fall and winter fashion. But what can you do to make it powerful? What are the two or three main pieces that will get you noticed at the office, the cocktail party or out shopping with your girls? Let’s start with one of my favorite things - the winter coat.
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A coat says a lot about your personality. Are you fresh and fun, fashionable and thrifty, or sexy and powerful? No matter what you are, the most important thing is your coat needs to do its job. But, what is that exactly? Oh, yeah, to keep you warm and dry from the winter weather. Here is where a lot of people get the wrong impression. Big bulky puffy jackets may be warm but you need to save them for football games or outside play with your significant other. Your winter jacket should have shape. It should hug your body and make people wonder what you look like underneath it. If you look that good in your winter coat, just imagine! Here are some of my favorite coats and please feel free to go try them on. First, the winter trench. This oozes sex. It’s a power coat and will accent your curves as most of them are belted. All the while keeping you warm and dry. Next up is the Pea coat. I love this winter bundler. It was originally worn by sailors to help protect from cold, wind and water. It suddenly became a fashion must have. It has evolved over the years and can be found now at most retailers, at some affordable prices and in great shapes for the woman’s body. Now - a must have - the winter boot. Ahhhhh, this sexy item can take any outfit to the next level. I am not talking about a goulash. Does anyone still wear these? I am talking about the long, sexy, high-heel boot. So many designers are making boots comfortable, fashionable, and affordable. This sexy boot has transitioned through the years but is still one of the pieces that, when you pair with jeans, leggings, or just about any outfit, can make you look taller, sexier and powerful. And, these boots are now designed to be warmer. They are being sold at affordable retailers everywhere, so there is no excuse for any woman to not have a pair. Besides, a woman rocking a hot, high-heeled boot with a sexy outfit under a winter trench? Not sure there is much sexier than that. Well, nothing that we can chat about here in the pages of this magazine. Now, ladies, how are you going to finish this look off? You thought I was going to say a handbag didn’t you? No, the winter hat! Winter hats are a must have fashion accessory that will make you look amazing while keeping your head, ears and body warm. We lose heat out of the top of our head, so bundle it up but look fashionable doing it. Hats have evolved. They have come back from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond. Don’t be afraid to try a bunch of different styles. Just don’t put that ski cap on with the frilly little ball-on-top and think it’s cute with your power outfit. It’s not. Step out of your box and try some that are retro shaped, full of vibrant colors or even exotic looking. The hat is a great conversation piece - so make it a good conversation - not one about going skiing! I hope that Jack Frost finds you looking fashionable and keeping warm this winter. There are a lot of holiday parties coming and I hope you are the one everyone is talking about because your fashion is spot on. Be bold, stay warm, and always be in fashion.
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