As our summertime heat has tumbled into fall, the drop in temperatures has been a welcome change but ...whoa, not so fast. Let me wear a few longsleeved shirts before I need to dig into the sweaters and jackets. Maybe my old body has caught up to my adolescent mind. Like my favorite sweatshirt says..." I just want to go sailing, and ignore all of my Old Man problems!" I guess I’m whining…
We celebrate Veteran’s Day on the 11th and Thanksgiving on the 27th and some of our writers incorporated those themes in their columns.
A Bit of History writer, Sarah Becker is back at the keyboard after a couple of months well deserved hiatus with her column highlighting the origins of Veteran’s Day and the impact it has had on us over the years.
Thanksgiving sparked a bit more participation. In Let's Get Crafty, Tim Long remembers when the family got together and he was the youngest of the clan. He got the couch every time. Tim also reveals why he looks forward to Thanksgiving Eve rather than Thanksgiving Day – it’s in the beer. In Let's Eat, Charles Oppman shows how to repurpose some of that leftover turkey into some gumbo. We’ve got to try this!
We wanted to cover something that said Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day for the Dining Out column and the closest we could come in Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant. George and the soldiers are technically Veterans and some of the dishes they serve were maybe served at Thanksgiving back in the day…it’s a stretch but it was a very good experience. I think many locals think of it as a “tourist” trap but that is not the case. I have to admit this was only the 2nd or 3rd time in the 40 years that I’ve lived here that I have dined there. Read all about our experience in these pages. I will be frequenting the Tavern more often for sure.
Our “Health and Wellness” team chimed in with their annual keep up the workout – Nicole Flanagan’s Fitness – and how to cut back on portions – Ryan Unverzagt’s From the Trainer – so we don’t get carried away during this time of year.
Lori Welch Brown waxes poetic about “Growing Her Gratitude Garden” in the spirit of Thanksgiving in her Open Space column while our Caribbean Connection contributors talk about spending some holiday time on an island and why the shoulder season is a good time to head down to the Caribbean. Hopefully, the hurricanes will have settled down by then.
It just might be time for some Holiday Wineing! My longtime buddy and winery owner Doug Fabbioli writes in Exploring VA Wines promoting the idea of gift giving and sharing locally grown and crafted wine with family and friends. This is a very good idea as there are a lot of fine Virginia wines made in the commonwealth. Doug has been a winery owner and farmer for a long time now and has seen many changes. You can also find good buys on wines this time of year. Check out the Pearmund Cellars ad featuring the ‘12 Wines of Christmas’. Also, look for case discounts at your favorite winery.
Turning our attention to the Chesapeake Bay, Makaya Cropper gives us ideas on things to do in Annapolis and Ann Arundel counties in November in From the Bay. Winter racing on the Bay begins on November 5th with the Annapolis Yacht Club's annual Frostbite series. This is not for the faint of heart and is very competitive.
Miriam Kramer once again does a suburb job on her review of A Higher Loyalty - former FBI Director James Comey's explosive book which discusses his trajectory in government service up until he unwillingly became a political lightning rod during and after the 2016 presidential election - in Last Word
Lani Gering turns her attention to one of her favorite destinations... National Harbor. The Harbor kicks off the holiday season first and best in the area. Lots of early activity going on this month including the opening of ICE at the Gaylord. This year the theme is “The Polar Express”! This is the first time for it at this Gaylord location. More to come on this next month.
For our Road Trip this month we stayed close to home and visited our friends in beautiful Solomons, Maryland and spent the night on
Solomons Island at “The Art Cottage” in the heart of the Island. A popular destination in the warmer months, Solomons is still a great escape in the cooler months and the big crowds are absent. The town also has a bunch of great folks living there year-round.
The Business Profile, just like last month, is another uplifting profile about a group of people who are giving back to our community and our youth. Barbara Leary fills us in on the Chamber of Commerce 2025 Best in Business “Rising Star” Award recipients - Cornerstone Craftsman. You may have a young person in your life who could benefit from this amazing program teaching foundational skills for a career in the building trades.
I am a proponent of honoring our Veterans every day but let’s give them a special shout out on the 11th! As for Thanksgiving, there are everyday things that I should be more thankful for and I’m going to try to do better but I know I will do my part on the big day when the turkey and dressing hit the table.
Happy Thanksgiving to One and All!
Loving the “long-sleeved shirt” weather in the Blue Ridge
ON THE ROAD WITH OTC
Longtime Alexandria residents and Old Town Crier readers, Cathy and Brad Bradford of Kings Jewelry fame and Lynne and Jack Rhoades went on a very nice European adventure to celebrate Brad and Lynne’s birthdays. They arrived in Paris, France and boarded a river cruise on the Seine that took them to Normandy and back. They celebrated in Paris with dinner at the Eiffel Tower and a tour of the Louvre. That is a pretty special birthday if we say so our selves. Pictured in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral from left to right, Brad, Cathy, Lynne and Jack. If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to office@ oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.
With fall in full swing and the trees turning a bit later on the water than they do in the mountains, we thought this photo taken by David Sites from his home on the South River near Riva, Maryland would be an appropriate tribute to the season. Sites is an amazing and very prolific amateur photographer who takes his images with his cell phone. Hard to believe such fantastic images can be captured without a ton of camera equipment like in days of yore!
He is becoming a real icon in the boating scene on the Bay and its inlets. He was the first
member of the SpinSheet Century Club to spend time every day on the water for two years in a row and it looks like he is fast approaching a third year. SpinSheet Managing Editor, Molly Winans, posed the following question in an earlier interview:
What’s the best thing about leaving the dock every day?
“I never know what I will find on my trip. Some days I would go out with no determined destination, but something cool always seemed
to pop up. I love documenting what I see to share with everyone. I feel like the more beauty of the Chesapeake Bay that I share, the more people will respect it and want to experience it for themselves.”
He has indeed captured the beauty of this part of the Bay in hundreds of photos – many of which have graced the cover and pages of this publication. We had a tough time deciding which view off his pier that we liked most for the cover – here is some of the competition.
ELWOOD
We have finally stumped you all. It has been a while. We did have several guesses that were kind of “all over the place” but none remotely close to the actual location. Like we indicated in last month’s “Where Is It?”, this mural isn’t necessarily in the Heart of Old Town and is fairly new and quite striking in its entirety. It is, however, located in an increasingly popular section of the city. We are keeping the first teaser pic and adding another to the mix to see if that helps you out. See if you know where it is now.
If you are the first person to respond with the correct location, you will receive a $50 gift certificate to one of the best French eateries in the DMV-Bastille Brasserie & Bar
In order to participate and qualify for the gift card, you will have to Like and Follow us:
Facebook @oldtowncrier and Instagram @otcregionalmag
Send a PM with your guess and we will contact the winner each month via PM to arrange for prize delivery.
November Events in Alexandria
7th - 9th
Alexandria Film Festival
12 pm – 11 pm
Now in its 19th year, the Alexandria Film Festival brings independent films of all genres to the city of Alexandria through its signature, multi-day festival of screenings and Q&A panels with filmmakers. Beginning November 2 and continuing November 7-9, the festival will offer 60 feature-length and short films in venues across the city including Patagonia Old Town, Charles E. Beatley Library, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus. Following the screenings, film directors, producers, and actors in attendance will discuss their films and answer audience questions. The festival’s full program and tickets are available now at AFFfilmsthatmatter2025.eventive.org.
7th - 30th
The Mini World: Small Works of Art
Del Ray Artisans Gallery
Colasanto Center
2704 Mount Vernon Avenue
Del Ray Artisans presents The Mini World: Small Works of Art, an art exhibit showcasing tiny art by artist members. Step into this miniature world and discover the joy of life’s little things. We invite you to experience the power of small, where each piece tells a story and proves that art knows no size limits.
Gallery hours are Thursday 12-6 pm, Friday 12-9 pm, Saturday 12-6 pm, and Sunday 12-6 pm. The gallery is closed on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), but will be open for bonus gallery hours on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 12-6pm.
The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. For more information, please visit delrayartisans.org.
8th & 9th
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
presents: MOZART & MENDELSSOHN
8th - 7:30 pm
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center BEST AVAILABILITY!
9th – 3 pm
George Washington Masonic National Memorial VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
It is Mozart’s last concerto. Sublime, gently resigned. Michael Rusinek, principal clarinet of the Baltimore Symphony, performs Mozart’s haunting Clarinet Concerto. And Music Director James Ross conducts Mendelssohn’s sunny “Italian” Symphony, Scott Joplin’s spirited Overture to his opera Treemonisha, and the exquisite Concert Românesc of György Ligeti. Tickets start at $22 – Order Yours NOW! Call 703-5480885 or visit AlexSym.org
8th
A World War II Walking Tour of Alexandria
10:30 am – 12 pm
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden 614 Oronoco Street
Alexandria was a bustling town during the Second World War filled with servicemen and women and civilians contributing to the war effort. On this two-mile walk around Old Town, visit sites where history took place and buildings where notable Alexandrians, including a Tuskegee Airman and a member of the 101st Airborne, lived before serving their country. In addition, learn of the top-secret intelligence facility known as P.O. Box 1142. Walking shoes and water are highly recommended. The tour will take place rain or shine. Tickets are $15 per person and free for museum members. Questions? Please e-mail contact@leefendallhouse.org or call the museum at (703) 548-1789.
11th
Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
9 am - 4 pm
George Washington's Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
In honor of our nation’s veterans, George Washington’s Mount Vernon admits FREE all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day. Enjoy musical performances by Mount Vernon’s fifer, the United States Air Force Strings, and the Heritage Harmony Singers, participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s Tomb, and learn about the history of Veterans Day at the home of the first commander in chief. 703-780-2000, mountvernon.org
15th
Brother to the Assassin: Edwin Booth and the Rebirth of American Theatre
7 pm - 8:30 pm
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden 614 Oronoco Street
This lecture will explore the career of Edwin Booth, whose work was overshadowed by the infamous act of his brother, John Wilkes Booth. Once America’s most celebrated Shakespearean actor, Booth was suddenly a man marked by association. Rather than retreat from the stage, Booth channeled his grief into a redemptive mission: to elevate American theatre and restore its moral and artistic credibility. Public historian Elizabeth M. Reese traces how Booth transformed personal grief and public disgrace into a force for artistic renewal, helping to reshape American theatre into a respected cultural institution. Tickets are $15 to the general public and free for museum members. Call (703) 548-1789 to reserve your tickets, as space is limited.
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS 22nd Tree Lighting 2025
The City invites the community to join the mayor and a host of holiday friends at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 22nd, at 6 p.m. in Market Square (301 King St.). Admission is free, and the event will occur rain or shine. Tree Lighting is expected to occur sometime between 6:40 - 6:55 p.m. following the arrival of Santa by way of the King Street Trolley. Then, after 7 pm enjoy the start of the holiday season with music and merriment while Santa and Mrs. Claus walk the Square and visit with families until 8 p.m.
Through December 31st
Lives Bound Together - Slavery at Mount Vernon
Recurring daily
9 am - 5 pm
George Washington's Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Explore the lives of the 317 enslaved people who lived and worked at Mount Vernon in new exhibit. Discover how they formed families, built tight-knit communities, earned a living, and acquired personal possessions. Uncover the voices of the enslaved through ancestral histories and recently-excavated archaeological artifacts. Learn about the legacy of Washington’s decision in his will to free those enslaved to him—the only founding father to do so. 703-780-2000, mountvernon.org
Union Navy Exhibition Open
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Road
A new exhibition, “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy,” opened October 2nd. The theme focuses on the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, and is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. The Federal Navy, which began as a small and unprepared force at the outbreak of the Civil War, quickly expanded to succeed in blockading over 3,500 miles of Confederate coastline, securing the South’s major waterways, and engaging in a number of significant combat operations. By the end of the war in 1865, the U.S. Navy was the world’s largest naval force and a key factor in the North’s eventual victory. Fort Ward is the best preserved of the extensive system of Union forts that comprised the Civil War Defenses of Washington. Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road in the City of Alexandria. For more information, call 703-746-4848 or visit alexandriava.gov/FortWard.
OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET
Market Square
301 King Street
Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round
The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.
DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET
Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues
Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round
This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-profit is featured each weekend.
OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street
Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round
Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European flair and much more.
FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
4109 Mount Vernon Avenue
Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round
This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to reflect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well.
7th Temporary Public Art Installation on Display Through November Break Water By Nekisha Durrett
Break Water is the seventh annual temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park, was completed in late March and is on display through November as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series.
The sculpture draws inspiration from Alexandria’s waterfront being a place where natural forces and human activity intersect, often with profound consequences.
Break Water’s centerpiece, crafted from blackened wood, evokes the sidewheel of the steamboat River Queen, a vessel that symbolized Black ownership and opportunity until its mysterious destruction by fire in 1911, shortly after its purchase by Lewis Jefferson, a Black entrepreneur. Encircled by black sandbags, the piece honors the resilience and strength of Black communities, referencing both protection and endurance during crises.
Beneath the sculpture, a ground mural of tangled taut ropes–called “Life Lines”–appears to tether the artwork to the park’s architectural elements, anchoring it against a symbolic undercurrent. Viewers are invited to walk the life lines that represent events, people, places, rituals, and traditions that have contributed to Alexandria’s unique identity. The painted lines symbolize the collective struggle to preserve these legacies, ensuring they are not swept away. Together the sculpture and the mural create a powerful tribute to the creativity and enduring spirit of Alexandria’s Black community.
On a Saturday inside the Cornerstone Craftsman workshop, a group of Alexandria teens is finishing the seams on the drywall sheets they hung earlier.
Under Lead Instructor Rene Merino's watchful eye, they take turns applying the mud and setting the tape, smoothing the rough edges to create a foundation for what will come next.
It's a metaphor for the work of Cornerstone Craftsman, the early-stage Alexandria nonprofit organization recently recognized as the 2025 "Rising Star" at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce's Best in Business Awards.
The brainchild of Executive Director Roberto Gomez, Cornerstone Craftsman works with youth from lowincome backgrounds to smooth their rough edges and help them acquire the foundational skills for stable, rewarding careers in the building trades. Through its innovative pre-apprenticeship program, which combines
technical instruction and hands-on learning with mentoring and support services, the organization is on a mission to break the cycle of generational poverty.
As the Rising Star award demonstrates, the community is taking note.
“It’s more than an award,” says Gomez. “It’s the business community saying that these young people matter, that they are the future of our workforce.
That belief in the kids, and our mission, makes the Chamber’s recognition especially meaningful."
An Idea Whose Time Is Now
That mission aligns with a workforce need that is growing more urgent. A recent survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America found that 94% of contractors are finding it difficult to fill open positions. Meanwhile, young people are rethinking what success looks like after high school. As they weigh the rising cost of college and the threat of AI-driven job
disruption, more of them are turning to technical education programs as a result, and for good reason: The trades offer stable, living wages and ample opportunities for growth.
“All you have to do is look around, and you can see that construction is thriving in Alexandria. It's a tremendous contributor to the local economy, and it needs a steady source of skilled workers,” Gomez says. “We have talented young people who want to meet that need. So, with every young person who graduates from our program, we're serving both the youth and a key driver of Alexandria's economy. I think that recognition is what has attracted support from the business community out of the gate."
A Blueprint for Success
The idea for Cornerstone Craftsman took root in 2021, when Gomez began an informal pre-apprenticeship program, teaching basic construction skills to neighborhood kids in the
Alexandria's Rising Star Cornerstone Craftsman
summer and on weekends. Word got around, and soon he was getting calls from parents asking if he had space for their kids.
"By that time, I was also providing support to some of the families, buying groceries, helping with overdue electric bills, and I realized I couldn't do it on my own," says Gomez. With the help of friends and acquaintances, he formed Cornerstone Craftsman, and it received its 501(c)(3) status in October 2024. The organization currently serves 28 year-round pre-apprentices and has almost that many on a waitlist.
Cornerstone Craftsman stands out for its deep, multiyear investment in the youth it serves. By providing a holistic support system, it removes the barriers that might otherwise prevent young people from fully participating. "Kids can't concentrate if they're hungry," says Gomez. "They can't show up if they don't have a way to get here. They can't make a good impression
in a job interview if they don't know how to tie a tie. They can't get a decent job without a high school diploma and a work permit. We're in the business of launching them into careers, so we help with all of those things, and more."
Every smooth seam and straight line in the workshop marks a step toward a future these young people are constructing for themselves. Recognition like the Rising Star award shows that the community believes in Cornerstone Craftsman’s potential and the potential of the youth it serves.
Continued investment from the community will allow the organization to scale up and meet the growing demand. To help build what’s next, visit cornerstonecraftsman. org.
About the Author: Barbara Leary is an Alexandria-based writer and communications consultant who helps nonprofit leaders advance their missions. She also teaches graduate-level writing and communication at Georgetown University.
Cornerstone Craftsman’s unique program combines technical instruction and hands-on learning with mentoring and support services.
Cornerstone Craftsman Executive Director Roberto Gomez instructs a pre-apprentice on the use of personal protective equipment.
Thanksgiving Facts & Mayflower Myths
“The reason that we have so many myths associated with Thanksgiving is that it is an invented tradition. It doesn't originate in any one event. It is based on the New England puritan Thanksgiving, which is a religious Thanksgiving, and the traditional harvest celebrations of England and New England and maybe other ideas like commemorating the pilgrims. All of these have been gathered together and transformed into something different from the original parts.”
Myth: The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 and the pilgrims celebrated it every year thereafter.
Fact: The first feast wasn't repeated, so it wasn't the beginning of a tradition. In fact, the colonists didn't even call the day Thanksgiving. To them, a thanksgiving was a religious holiday in which they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle. On such a religious day, the types of recreational activities that the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians participated in during the 1621 harvest feast--dancing, singing secular songs, playing games--wouldn't have been allowed. The feast was a secular celebration, so it never would have been considered a thanksgiving in the pilgrim’s minds.
Myth: The original Thanksgiving feast took place on the fourth Thursday of November.
Fact: The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11. Unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around the 29th of September. After that first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer, shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians. In 1623 a day
- James W. Baker, Senior Historian at Plymouth Plantation
of fasting and prayer during a period of drought was changed to one of thanksgiving because the rain came during the prayers. Gradually the custom prevailed in New England of annually celebrating thanksgiving after the harvest.
During the American Revolution a yearly day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and by the middle of the 19th century many other states had done the same. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving as the last Thursday in November, which he may have correlated it with the November 21, 1621, anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod. Since then, each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941).
Myth: The pilgrims wore only black and white clothing. They had buckles on their hats, garments, and shoes.
Fact: Buckles did not come into fashion until later in the seventeenth century and black and white were commonly worn only on Sunday and formal occasions. Women typically dressed in red,
earthy green, brown, blue, violet, and gray, while men wore clothing in white, beige, black, earthy green, and brown.
Myth: The pilgrims brought furniture with them on the Mayflower.
Fact: The only furniture that the pilgrims brought on the Mayflower were chests and boxes. They constructed wooden furniture once they settled in Plymouth.
Myth: The Mayflower was headed for Virginia, but due to a navigational mistake it ended up in Cape Cod Massachusetts.
Fact: The Pilgrims were in fact planning to settle in Virginia, but not the modern-day state of Virginia. They were part of the Virginia Company, which had the rights to most of the eastern seaboard of the U.S. The pilgrims had intended to go to the Hudson River region in New York State, which would have been considered "Northern Virginia," but they landed in Cape Cod instead. Treacherous seas prevented them from venturing further south.
Publishers Note: We like to run a Thanksgiving special feature each November and we hope you find them informative as well as entertaining. This feature compliments of The History Channel.
When Should You Claim Social Security?
When it comes to Social Security and retirement, you may have conflicting viewpoints: On one side, you may hope to collect your benefits as soon as you are eligible due to cash flow needs or other goals. On the other side, you know that if you wait, your monthly benefit amount will be greater.
While it may make sense to wait as long as you can, Sherman Hohenberger, lead business growth strategy consultant at Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., recommends you reevaluate your situation every year in retirement before deciding whether to continue delaying the beginning of Social Security benefits.
“Because each individual, couple, widow, and widower has a unique lifestyle and unique income needs, I believe a year-by-year evaluation prior to beginning benefits is the best approach,” Hohenberger says.
One item you need for that annual retirement review is a current copy of your Social Security benefit estimate from ssa.gov. This provides personalized estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings and lets you see your latest statement and your earnings history.
Here, Hohenberger outlines a comparison of claiming now vs. later and offers key considerations as you review your strategy each year.
Comparison: Claiming sooner vs. later
Let’s start with a hypothetical example: John Doe was born in 1960, is retired, and he decided to claim benefits as soon as he became eligible at age 62, or five years before his full retirement benefit age of 67. His monthly benefit in today’s dollars is $2,106. If he had delayed receiving benefits until he was 70, he’d receive $1,625 more a month, or $3,731. And he would make up for the eightyear delay in not taking any benefits in about 10 years.
“Unlike personal assets that can be exhausted, Social Security is a vast resource provided by the U. S. government. As long as you are alive, you should continue to receive your Social Security benefits and with a cost-ofliving adjustment throughout your retirement years.”
Make wellness a deciding factor
Your health can play a big role in helping determine when you should start taking benefits. Do your loved ones live long lives, or have most succumbed to illness before age 65? “It’s not the most accurate indicator of what’s going to transpire in the future, but it can have some bearing, and therefore should be taken into consideration,” Hohenberger says.
“If you’re in reasonably good health and anticipate a continued healthy lifestyle, that usually counsels in favor of waiting,” he continues. “If, on the other hand, you’re in poorer health and have concerns about longevity, that counsels toward drawing benefits sooner rather than later.”
Do you have enough income?
Another key factor is having other sources of income to help you live comfortably in retirement without needing Social Security benefits. He says you should consider the rate of return Social Security offers: 6.25% – 8.00% (plus a cost-ofliving increase).
“I ask: ‘Is that an attractive return to you over the next 12 months?’” he says. “And given the current interest rate environment and unpredictability of the securities markets, the response is typically a resounding yes.”
Considerations for married couples
Hohenberger suggests married clients look at multiple factors when determining the timing for each spouse to claim Social Security benefits.
For example, if you’re working part time or seasonally, your Social Security benefits may be dramatically lower if your partner is working full-time. It still may be wise for both of you to wait, if possible.
“Not only does waiting to claim increase the size of the benefit that the [higher earning] individual personally receives, but it also increases the size of what’s known as the survivor’s benefit that the [lower earning] spouse could draw if the other spouse passes away,” Hohenberger says.
Keep in mind that the current average life expectancy of a 65-year-old man is about 84 years, while a woman that age can expect to live until around age 87, according to the Social Security Administration.1
What about taxes?
When it comes to when to claim Social Security benefits, Hohenberger advises not to focus primarily on the tax ramifications.
“For the vast majority of people, their marginal tax rate in retirement will likely be fairly constant,” Hohenberger says. “If retirees were to take their Social Security benefit at 62, we typically see that their marginal tax rate is the same or approximately the same as it would be if they claimed the benefit at age 70. We want [them] to focus instead on working to help maximize the net cash flow over the remainder of their lifetime.”
1. Benefits Planner/Life Expectancy, Social Security Administration, March 27, 2025, https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/population/longevity.html
Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) offers financial products and services through affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed. Investment and Insurance Products are not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate, and are Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested.
Of the look at first of the mortally wounded (of that indescribable look,)
Of the dead on their backs, with arms extended wide, I dream, I dream, I dream…
…Long have they pass’d, faces and trenches and fields.”
Unlike the Civil War, World War I is referred to as ‘The Great War'…"the [global] war to end all wars."
WWI ceased temporarily on November 11, 1918, terminated as per the terms of the June 28,1919, Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty was signed in France, in the Palace of Versailles. ''It was President Woodrow Wilson [1913-1921, VA-D] who first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919.
Said President Wilson in November 1919: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” The 1919 celebration was a day observed with parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business.
An Act, approved on May 13, 1938, [52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a)] declared November 11th not only a legal holiday-but also a Day to honor WWI veterans and further promote the cause of peace and justice. The title Secretary of War was abolished; changed to Secretary of Defense in 1947 [The National Security Act of 1947]. If only Trump's self-described Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, a 2003 Princeton University graduate with a degree in politics, understood Congress' 20th century changes
Said Virginia Military Institute graduate [1901] and Chief of Staff of the Army George C. Marshall [1947]: "What I learned at VMI was self-control, discipline so that it was ground in. I learned also 'the problem of handling men.” Marshall's historical Dodona Manor and Gardens is located at 312 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia.
On September 30, 2025, Secretary of Defense Hegseth ordered all military combat roles "return to the highest 'male standard." The impact on the female military has yet to determined. The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps [WAAC] was established in May1942.
November 11th became the day to honor all American veterans in 1954. Public Law 380]. WWIII General and President Dwight D, Eisenhower [KSR, 1953-1961] proclaimed the country's first Veterans Day [Proclamation 3071, October 8, 1954].] "Whereas, in order to expand the significance and in order that a grateful nation may pay homage to the Veterans of all wars...I direct the appropriate officials of government to arrange for the display of
the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Days.”
The Uniform Holiday Bill [Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250] was signed on June 28, 1968. The Bill was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities, as well as stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Several states disagreed with the Bill and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the 1968 law was observed with confusion, on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance and so on September 20th, 1975, President and Michigan Republican Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 [89 Stat. 479]. The Law returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations, and the American people.
The restoration of, the observance of, Veterans Day on November 11 not only preserved the historical significance of the date but also helped Americans to again focus on purpose. The purpose: to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Columnist's Reply: Thank you all for remaining in touch these past few months. A reader has asked: should President Trump receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his handling of the Middle East's murderous Gaza-Israeli conflict, On October 10, 2025, the Nobel committee awarded the Peace Prize to Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. U.S Senator Marco Rubio [FL-R] was among Machado's earliest supporters.
As for Trump's Middle East initiative: Yes, it is grounded in his previous administration's Abraham Accords [September 15, 2020]. My question: to what extent is/was Trump's son-in-law and former Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner [January 20, 2017-January 20, 2021] involved in President Trump's 2025 Middle East negotiations? Kushner's primary interests before and after his White House stint were foreign policy-Kushner is a Modern Orthodox Jew--real estate including development, and publishing --New Jersey's OBSERVER. Kushner sold the OBSERVER in 2020, and his father-in-law launched Truth Social in 2022.
About the Author: Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email abitofhistory53@gmail.com
Wrote
Walt Whitman
OOh La La by Faces
In 1973, Faces offered one of their most tender and enduring works with the title track “Ooh La La.” Cowritten by Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood, the song closed out what would become the band’s final studio album. Because neither Rod Stewart nor Lane felt their own vocal takes did justice to the song, producer Glyn Johns famously tapped Wood for lead vocal: An unusually personal turn for the guitarist and a choice that would define the track’s emotional resonance. With its simple acoustic frame, wistful melody, and reflective lyrics about regret and learning too late, “Ooh La La” transcended its era. Though it wasn’t a chart juggernaut, the song found renewed life over the decades: cited among the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and woven into films, covers, and the enduring legacy of Faces’ bittersweet swan song.
Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood get the song going with their acoustic guitars, employing a simple two-chord progression along with a lead line foreshadowing the song's central hook. After the acoustic guitars lay down a folksy and nostalgic emotional base, Wood sings the first verse while using no vocal effects. This creates an up close and intimate feeling and complements lyrics that feature Wood telling a story about his grandfather giving him advice about relationships. Kick drum taps are also heard here and there throughout the beginning of the verse and finally give way to a beat composed of shaker, bass drum, and rimshots. As these musical and lyrical elements weave together, Faces set the stage for a seamless transition to the classic singalong chorus of “Ooh La La”.
For the chorus we hear Wood sing out the lines “I wish that I knew what I know now / When I was younger / I wish that I knew what I know now / When I was stronger”. Two vocal tracks were recorded here with slight variations in the melody creating a laid-back feel that also boosts the energy and helps to create a contrast between the verse and chorus. As the song evolves, more musical elements are added to the chorus including piano and Mellotron emphasizing the mellow emotion of the track. The final chorus also includes an acoustic guitar lead line that lends a celebratory energy as the song slowly fades out.
Structurally, “Ooh La La” has an organic and asymmetrical flow that is anything but cookie cutter. An example of this comes after the second verse where you would expect the chorus to repeat. However, instead of a second chorus, Faces introduce a barroom style piano solo that expands the sonic palette and supports the lyrical narrative. An additional uncommon structural choice comes after the third verse, where the chorus music is repeated but the lyrics are switched to a simple repetition of the title “Ooh la la”. It’s clear Faces were feeling their way through the writing of this song instead of using technical knowledge. Perhaps this heart led approach to writing is why so many have connected with the song and why it remains their most popular track.
Faces disbanded in 1975 and left behind a catalog of music that is enjoyed by fans all around the world. Ronnie Wood moved on to play guitar for the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart has enjoyed a massively successful solo career. If you would like to listen to “Ooh La La”, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you would like to learn more about Faces, you can find more information on Wikipedia and the book Had Me a Real Good Time by Andy Neill.
About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.
AFTER HOURS
Birchmere
703.549.7500
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com
The Blackwall Hitch
571-982-3577
5 Cameron St. theblackwallhitch.com
Chadwicks
203 S. Strand St.
703.836.4442
Evening Star Cafe
703.549.5051
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.
The Fish Market
703.836.5676
105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com
La Portas
703.683.6313
1600 Duke St.
The Light Horse
703.549.0533
715 King St. lighthorserestaurant.com
Murphys Irish Pub
703.548.1717
713 King St. murphyspub.com
O’Connell’s
703.739.1124
112 King St.
Rock It Grill
703.739.2274
1319 King St.
Shooter McGees
703.751.9266
5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com
Southside 815
703.836.6222
815 S. Washington St. St. Elmos
703.739.9268
2300 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Taverna Cretekou
703.548.8688
818 King St.
TJ Stones
703.548.1004
608 Montgomery St. tjstones.com
The Study
703-838-8000
116 South Alfred Two Nineteen
703.549.1141
219 King St.
Alexandria Bier Garden
710 King St.
703-888-1951
Augie's Mussel House
703.721.3970
1106 King St. eataugies.com
Mason Social
703.548.8800
728 N. Henry St.
Thoughts Revisited: A Higher Loyalty
This column from May 2018 reveals the accurate warning signs former FBI Director James Comey saw in his dealings with President Trump during his first administration. Comey was indicted last month on charges of making false statements to Congress, the result of President Trump’s pressure to punish him for his refusal to play by Trump’s rules.
Comey’s lawyers argued that President Trump had been pressuring the Justice Department for years to exact retribution again him, going against all legal and presidential norms while violating Comey’s right to freedom of speech. He pleaded not guilty in October 2025 to one count of false statements and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding in relation to his 2020 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Perhaps in light of today’s surreal atmosphere of eroding democracy, the column below seems quaint in Comey’s wish to live up to his ideals. I hope it is not. I hope that as the president’s urge to smash constitutional rights continues, a good portion of the American public will stand up for those norms and rights that belong to the democracy we live in, and unify in seeking to retain them. [Article below edited for length.]
In his fascinating memoir and treatise on leadership, A Higher Loyalty, former FBI Director James Comey discusses his trajectory in government service up until he unwillingly became a political lightning rod during and after the most bitterly contested and partisan presidential election in modern American politics.
Comey became one of the best-known names in America before the 2016 elections, when he announced in late October that the FBI was reopening an investigation into Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private e-mail server for classified documents. Incurring the wrath of Democrats for potentially swinging the election towards President Donald Trump, Comey then appeared before Congress in June 2017 after Trump sacked him to repudiate Trump’s leadership and call many of his statements false.
He testified that the President lied in saying that he was fired because of low morale at the FBI. Comey responded that Trump most likely fired him because he refused to profess his loyalty to Trump and influence the way the FBI was investigating Trump campaign officials’ potential collusion with Russia. Comey also states that he hoped his testimony would help lead to an independent prosecutor who could investigate those possible ties. He understood that it would be extraordinarily difficult for the current Department of Justice to conduct a nonpartisan investigation under the warping influence of any leaders President Trump endeavored to make loyal only to himself.
Comey effectively makes the case that he had terrible options in deciding whether to inform the public that the FBI was investigating Clinton’s e-mails, particularly when a separate investigation
former Representative Anthony Weiner uncovered a cache of hundreds of thousands of e-mails. He believes that he had two choices: to reveal that the FBI was investigating the e-mails as a matter of public interest and inadvertently sway the election towards Trump; or potentially delegitimize Clinton’s possible presidency while leaving the FBI open to the accusation that it had taken her side.
As an ardent institutionalist, Comey professes that his chief aim was to pick the best of the worst and preserve the FBI’s non-partisan “reservoir of public trust and credibility.”
Comey trusts that inspirational leaders have the confidence to show vulnerability by asking questions, thus displaying emotional intelligence. By extension, he believes that they seek truth from multiple angles before making decisions, however hard those truths may be to realize and absorb. The points he makes may seem self-evident, but obviously they are not.
When describing his dealings with President Trump after the election, Comey judges him ethically challenged, untruthful, and unable to hear advice from any viewpoint other than his own. He also notes the President’s multiple factual lies and verbal contradictions within the space of the monologues he heard while meeting him one on one. As a writer Comey carefully points out details, slowly builds his case, and repeatedly restates his ideas to hammer them home.
Comey fiercely declares that he has endeavored to achieve an ideal of the FBI antithetical to that of former Director J. Edgar Hoover, who meddled illegally in politics and played kingmaker under
eight presidents. In helping to re-create the FBI’s mission statement to match his employees’ purpose, Comey put into place his goals for the FBI to “protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States” with no regard to party loyalties. He proclaims here that the FBI must hold to the higher purpose of protecting and enriching the United States and its citizens while hewing only to the truths to be found in the intelligence it gathers, rather than their political implications.
After a concentrated period thinking about the author’s arguments, the reader may have to take a break from Comey’s intense Boy Scout barrage of principles, standards, and morals. They can feel overwhelming. He can also appear self-righteous and sanctimonious at times. Yet he seems very credible, and as a reader, I exit this work inspired. His earnestness, probity and good intentions ring true. What he has to offer is what many of us desperately need right now: optimism and inspiration that ordinary citizens engaged with positively shaping their world will proclaim their truths in the face of top-down and social-mediapromoted lies, thus upholding more positive values and inclusive voices.
In the end, my favorite part of Comey’s book is his chapter on “The Washington Listen” and how it relates to leadership. Many of us involved in the Washington, DC political arena have sat through mind-numbing conferences, luncheon meetings, and board meetings in which everyone speaks at each other with little real communication. While tuning out exists everywhere, I noticed “The Washington Listen” immediately when I began work in DC after college.
Comey describes listening in DC as a period of static silence in which someone else speaks before you say what you were planning to say all along. Real listening is also, as he sees it, more than sitting as someone talks and simply hearing what they say. “You signal to someone, ‘I want what you have, I need to know what you know, and I want you to keep telling me the things you’re telling me’…Two good friends [listen] to each other in a way where each is both pushing information to the other and pulling information out of the other.”
As I think about A Higher Loyalty, real listening jumps out at me as one of the foremost ways to break down partisanship. We need to find ways to encourage it and heal the ruptures that currently prevent us from operating effectively as a country. One of my favorite quotations from Carl Jung comes to mind: “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” If we take this imperative to not only argue but to also listen to one another from the grassroots up, our American ideal of E pluribus unum would become not just an ever-shining ideal, but also a real-world twenty-first-century possibility.
About the Author: Miriam Kramer worked at Olsson’s Books & Records before it closed in 2008. As a global nomad, she has lived, studied, or worked in diverse countries overseas. With her experience writing and studying international affairs, she has promoted democracy, international media, the arts, peace building, and citizen diplomacy during her career.
of
ONSTAGE:
The holiday season begins in earnest—there are even two snowman musicals on the horizon—as DMV stages haul out their Christmas finery. Whether it’s plays or musicals you fancy, there are gifts of all kinds coming your way this month. RI
Through the 15th GREASE Little Theatre of Alexandria
Once upon a time, it was the longest running musical in Broadway history. Now it’s a happy reminder of the glory days of souped-up hot rods and bouffant hairdos. If you’re hopelessly devoted to the tale of the Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys, shine up your 57 Chevy and make like a drum and beat it over to Alexandria for this happy hit. Tickets at www.thelittletheatre.com
Through the 16th THE WILD DUCK Shakespeare Theatre Company
STC Artistic Director Simon Godwin takes on Ibsen’s classic about the tragic toll truth can take when an idealist returns to his home town to expose the hidden truths and self-deceptions of his friend’s family. A wounded bird in the family’s attic symbolizes their fragile existence which is shattered by the newcomer’s well-intentioned though destructive crusade. Tickets at www. shakespearetheatre.org
Through the 23rd AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
Theatre J
Henrik Ibsen’s social-minded polemic about an honest public servant who’s thrown under the bus by his fellow citizens rings true today, I’m afraid. This new adaptation by award-winning playwright Amy Herzog-- well-received on Broadway last season—follows the story of a small-town doctor who makes a catastrophic discovery that imperils the financial fate of the community. Guess who wins out. Tickets at www.edcjcc.org/theater-j
Through the 23rd FURLOUGH’S PARADISE Theater Alliance
On a three-day furlough from prison, Sade returns to a changed world—and to Mina, the cousin who isn’t sure how to let her back in. A tender, lyrical portrait of Black kinship, memory and the pursuit of freedom, this two-hander kicks off a new performing space in SW around the corner from Arena Stage-- soon to become a center of gravity for the performing arts in DC. Tickets at www. theateralliance.org
Through the 23rd FREMONT AVENUE
Arena Stage
Director Lili-Anne Brown, who gave us Signature Theatre’s rollicking Play On! last month, helms this world premiere that moves across three generations of Black men who come face-to-face with each other across a card table. What begins as a game devolves into a reckoning with masculinity, identity, and the weight of silence passed down. Tickets at www.arenastage.org
Through the 30th LIZZIE: THE MUSICAL
Keegan Theatre
A ferocious punk-rock musical that rips the lid off the legend of Lizzie Borden. Fueled by rage, retribution, and a blistering all-female rock score, our heroine wields the ax once again in a show that combines gothic horror and riot grrrl rebellion. Tickets at www.keegantheatre.com
4th – January 25th
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Signature Theatre
Tevye, a poor milkman, has a few problems. Foremost on his mind are three daughters for whom he must find husbands. He wonders whether or not his wife Golde really loves him and the Cossacks are threatening to burn down the neighborhood. What’s a milkman to do? Will a shared community and history provide some solace in the face of a changing world? It’s not surprising that Tevye’s tale keeps coming back every few years to remind us what hope and humanity really mean. A classic. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
12th – December 21st
THE MOTHER PLAY
Studio Theatre
DC favorite Kate Eastwood Norris plays the eponymous parent in Pulitzer Prize-winning (and DMV native) playwright Paula Vogel’s touching odyssey through the DC suburbs from one roach-infested apartment to another. Life with Mother never sounded so frustratingly funny in this wry, savage, and surprisingly tender tome. Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org
OLD TOWN
13th – December 21st
HO HO HO HA HA HA HA
Woolly Mammoth
Funny lady Julia Masli returns to Woolly with a festive edition of her award-winning show, direct from a wacky engagement at New York’s Public Theatre. As usual --unusual is more like it; unpredictable, too- Masli invites audiences to bring their holiday problems to the stage for a hilarious and surprising solution. A completely different show every night keeps Juli on her toes—or someone’s toes. Tickets at www.woollymammoth. net
13th – December 7th
A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
Atlas Theatre Center
Mosaic Theater presents an ontological take on the Christmas season by noted playwright and MacArthur “Genius grant” honoree Samuel D. Hunter. In a small office in Southern Idaho, two men struggle to understand the confounding terms of a mortgage loan while connecting over the joy and pain of fatherhood. Will they find community in the face of loneliness? Tickets at www.mosaictheater.org
18th – 23rd
HADESTOWN National Theatre
Two mythological tragedies—the tales of young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice and King Hades and his wife Persephone—join forces in this beguiling musical from pop songstress Anais Mitchell. Doubt vs faith and fear against love drive this Tony® Award winning Best Musical, the first of a knockout pair at our town’s premier Broadway touring house. Tickets at www. broadwayatthenational.com
25th – December 7th
SOME LIKE IT HOT National
Theatre
film. Marc
continues with this Broadway hit based on Billy
and Scott
terrific score elevates the material; and the new book by
and Matthew Lopez—the latter the creator of Round House’s recent hit “The Inheritance”—update the story in a surprising yet meaningful way. Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com
21st- December 31st
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Ford’s Theatre
The holiday classic returns for another season of soul-searching and merry making with Scrooge, the Cratchit Family and three ghosts who remind us to appreciate what we have and be kind and generous so others may have as well. Tickets at www.fords.org
22nd – January 4th
THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOW DOG Imagination Stage
If you love the short “Snowman” video, you’ll enjoy this expanded tale of a boy who’s lost his beloved dog. In the garden he builds that famous snowman and then, to keep it company, an icy canine, too. Both come to life after dark, and the three embark on a fantastic journey in this spirited new musical for kids of all ages. Tickets at www.imaginationstage.org
26th - January 11th
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN Adventure Theatre MTC
Everybody’s favorite watery life form springs to life for one day of adventures before he melts away. Fun is had by all in this merry wintertime romp, chockfull of chuckles and comic antics, as Frosty gallops into the hearts of kids and adults alike- through his uproarious antics. Tickets at www.adventuretheatremtc.org.
About the Author: Mark Edelman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter. Catch his monthly podcast at www.onstagemdv.org.
Photo credits: Hadestown by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade; Wild Duck by Gerry Goodstein; Fremont Avenue by Ambe J Ha Ha Ha…by Cameron Whitman; Some Like It Hot by Matthew Murphy,
Fun at the National
Wilder’s classic
Shaiman
Wittman’s
Amber Ruffin
THE GIANT ART SHOW THAT COULD
Exclusive breaking art news. We can now report that the mammoth “Women Artists of the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) Survey Show” is adding yet another venue to the list. Namely, the Falls Church Arts gallery. Founded in 2003, they have been quietly growing, and gaining strength, with multiple moves along the way. Now occupying the ground floor gallery space at 700-B West Broad St., in the Kensington Building, in of course the heart of Falls Church City. With this show, they formally step out of the local and onto the greater DC area arts scene.
Getting back to the show...The “Women Artists of the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) Survey Show” has surpassed all expectations, hopes, and fantastical imaginations. It's blown past the 600 artists exhibited mark, and now resides alone at the top of the mountain. Nobody can recall anything of this scale on the D.C art scene, and with good reason. It's now considered the largest curated fine arts show in American history. The glass ceiling broke on this puppy a long time ago. We're in volcanic eruption territory. More like an entire side of the mountain is now missing.
The brainchild of Lenny Campello (this column's regular author) has suddenly found himself lashed to the front of a runaway train that somehow keeps getting cars and passengers added onto it. It's tempting to call Lenny the 'Genghis Khan of the DC art scene', but he didn't exactly set out to be the unifying leader conjoining 19 disparate fiefdoms into one all-consuming art attack. Rather, it happened organically. Mind you, this didn't exactly materialize out of the ether either. It's a bit of a layered story and involves a handful of key factors.
Firstly, we should point out that Lenny has been a major figure on the D.C art scene for decades. He's an artist, critic, writer and art dealer. For the past 22 years he has also written one of the world's most visited art blogs on earth, Daily Campello Art News (dcartnews.blogspot.com) with some 7 million customers served.
To call Lenny Campello 'qualified' to put on this event is a wee bit of an understatement. It's fairly obvious at face value, but worth pointing out that few if any are more connected to the local D.C area art scene.
How did we get here? Well, back in 2011 Lenny wrote a survey art book featuring 100 of the best artists in the D.C area. So, when he approached Jack Rasmussen, the director/ curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, the obvious target was to showcase 100 women artists from the greater D.C area.
Funny thing happened on the way to the opera. Other venues around town caught wind of such, and just like that, it was game on. Three added venues totaled 4. Which begat another batch, and another batch, and
another batch, and another batch. Until the entire project blew up to never-before-seen proportions. Today the 19 venues stretch from Front Royal, VA to Annapolis, MD. It's become a bit like holding a small rock concert on Max Yasgur's farm.
But this story goes much deeper than a rolling snowball becoming an avalanche. You have to step back in time. Stating the brain dead obvious, professional artists have always had an extremely rough road to travel. They don't call them 'starving artists' for nothing. Not only do you have to endure financial hardships, you have to endure societal rejection and outright abuse from 'straight and narrow' folks that haven't a clue what makes you tick, but see you as dangerous crazy people that must be quashed, and those are the men. Historically speaking, the women have had it manifoldly worse than that. Some, literally thrown into insane asylums.
Rembrandt…Vermeer...Go ahead, name any woman artist that was their contemporary... any. Virtually everybody will have to Google that to come up with even one name.
In the early 1980s the feminist movement got around to fuming about this cultural dichotomy. The now famous Guerrilla Girls formed in 1985, and protested anonymously by wearing Gorilla masks, and refusing to name members names. An iconic protest against the Metropolitan Museum of Art had them asking the semi-rhetorical question 'Do women have to be naked to get into the Met Museum?' The point being that paintings of nude women were plentiful in the museum, but not the work of women artists. The Guerilla Girls made up posters saying exactly that, and had them put on the sides of NYC buses. To be sure, it was a high-profile ad campaign that frankly was both audacious, and brilliant. Forty years later, people still remember it.
Somewhere between then and now, things changed. Today, you can travel around the various nonprofit art venues in the D.C. area, it won't take you long to notice that the majority of local art spaces are now run by women. Fine ladies. Sharp art people. They deserve their positions. But you'd have a rough time calling the local art scene a 'boy's club' now. That's saying the quiet part out loud.
Recalling the entirety of women's art historical experience, and the fact that women now pull a lot of the art levers around town, putting up a show of the best women artists of the DMV, is a bit like smoking while pumping gas into your car. You could get more than you bargained for.
Tacking into the wind, there are another couple of pieces to this puzzle that are D.C. specific. Washington is a great art town. Nothing short of a world class art town. We have an embarrassment of riches in art museums. All but a few of them are completely free, and only closed for holidays like Christmas and New Years. You couldn't
Someone to watch over me, media acrylic on canvas 2025 by Barbara Januszkiewicz.
OFF FOLK ART ABOVE $50
“Stories From My Soul”, Mixed Media 2025 by Dianne Bugash
ask for more if you're an art viewer, or an artist...well...dead artist.
Yes, D.C. is often referred to as a town for 'dead art'. Good luck trying to both breathe and make art here. The Corcoran made efforts to acknowledge living artists in town, as befits a teaching institution. They're gone *poof* so much for that.
Jack Rasmussen has been on the D.C. art scene since the 70s. He's another wellconnected guy in town. He's also done a stellar job at AU's art museum. You see, the AU Museum runs international, national, and local contemporary art shows, often all at the same time. It's a seriously big venue, and one of DC's best kept secrets. Jack also has the wind at his back in the form of the 'Alper Initiative for Washington Art', an endowment courtesy of Carolyn Small Alper. The Initiative specifically states its intention to be used to "promote an understanding and appreciation of our region's art and artists from our past, present, and future" - the care and feeding of living artists. What a novel idea. Hey, invest in the future as well. Brilliant. All that dead art around town doesn't make itself...not yet anyway.
If you're on your toes and fast with math, you'll have already noticed a glaring omission
here. Namely the National Museum for Women in the Arts, on New York Ave in D.C. which tags themselves as 'The first museum in the world dedicated to championing women through the arts’. Reportedly, they initially were unable to be a part of this event, as their schedule was understandably pre-planned for years. However, in my opinion, no matter how packed their schedule is, they have a huge atrium that could easily accommodate artists from this major survey show. Would it be rude of us to point out that on September 28th this venue closed a 5 month long retrospective exhibit of the...Guerrilla Girls movement? Umm...failure to get the memo, or 'read the room' is one thing. Failure to get your own memo, or read your own room? Maybe we should just let that lay there. Stunned silence seems the most prudent response.
As a final note, we must say, don't be shocked when you see other cities imitate this format. The model is far too successful to be a oneand-done flash in the pan. Would be great to see this sort of unified thing on a biennial basis in D.C. Do that a few times, and the marble facades might even start to take notice. Imagine having a D.C. Biennial! One thing is for sure, it wouldn't be known as a 'town for dead art' any longer, and that would be great for everybody.
Devil with the Blue Dress
“She’s a real humdinger and I like it like that.”
There is lots of new inventory in the shop and you can order online. Choose your style, your size and color, including the tie dye blue (but no brushstroke). From Christopher Calvin.
Choose your style, your size and color, including the tie dye blue (but no brushstroke). From Christopher Calvin.
Jane Seymour Hat by Walleroo. Jewelry by Sarah Cavender Metalworks. Handmade in Oxford, Alabama.
Jane Seymour Hat by Walleroo. Jewelry by Sarah Cavender Metalworks. Handmade in Oxford, Alabama.
Monday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm
We are officially an online store only. Check us out at www.imagineartwear.com (703) 548-1461 // csimagine@aol.com
1124 King Street l Alexandria, Virginia 22314 703-548-1461 l www.imagineartwear.com csimagine@aol.com
Exclusively representing the works of F. Lennox Campello Price and additional images upon request. “A woman in love with abstraction” - 2021 16x20 watercolor on paper with embedded electronic images that rotate every 5 seconds.
Exclusively representing the works of F. Lennox Campello
and additional images upon request.
Photo by Bev Dietz
“Goat Girls, Sunday Afternoon”, Oil on Canvas 24 x 30 inches, 2024 by Jenny Kanzler
"Pele", Oil on Canvas 2024 by Claudia Olivos
FROM THE BAY MAKAYLA CROPPER
November Things to Do in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
November in Annapolis is filled with creativity, culture, and coastal holiday spirit. From vineyard tastings in Davidsonville to lantern-lit tours in historic Downtown, every corner of Anne Arundel County has something happening this month.
November in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County is that perfect blend of cozy, coastal charm and early holiday excitement. Here’s your guide to things to do in Annapolis this November, sprinkled with holiday magic toward the end.
Collectors Tour & Tasting at The Vineyards at Dodon
November 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
The Vineyards at Dodon, Davidsonville
Enjoy an immersive vineyard experience with a guided tour through the cellar and barrel room. End the visit with a seated tasting of Dodon’s limited-edition wines paired with local cheeses and charcuterie all finished with their signature fortified wine, Salute the Truth.
CP Presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
November 1–15
College Parkway Playhouse, Anne Arundel County
Laugh your way through the Transylvanian darkness with this witty, horror-comedy twist on the classic vampire tale. Evening and matinee shows available.
Painting with Nature: Art Workshop
November 2
Davidsonville Family Recreation Center, Davidsonville
Hosted by the Muddy Creek Artist Guild, this hands-on art workshop invites you to create natureinspired stamps and paint with acrylics. No art experience required, just creativity!
First Sunday Arts Festival
November 2
West Street & Calvert Street, Downtown Annapolis
Explore 125+ vendors featuring fine art, jewelry, photography, pottery, and more in the heart of the Annapolis Arts District. Local food, live music, and good vibes included.
Mr. Paca’s Garden Storytime: “Federico and the Wolf”
November 4
Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival
November 7–16 (Weekends)
Multiple Venues across Annapolis & Eastport, MD
Celebrate local and global sounds with a multi-day lineup of jazz and roots music throughout the city. Most performances are free, but reservations are encouraged.
Darkness to Light – Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
November 7–8
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD
Enjoy Sibelius’ haunting Swan of Tuonela and other works in a breathtaking orchestral
you browse, and feel free to wear your grooviest 70's attire. The first 100 guests will receive party favors!
Naptown Flea Market
November 9
Downtown Annapolis
A curated mix of vintage clothing, handmade goods, records, art, and collectibles. Shop small and enjoy live local music by the waterfront.
Bay Bridge Run
November 9
Chesapeake Bay Bridge, starting near Annapolis Run (or walk) across the scenic Chesapeake Bay Bridge for a one-of-a-kind experience. The views alone are worth the miles.
William Paca House & Garden, Annapolis
Perfect for families! Kids ages 3–7 can enjoy story time, crafts, and garden adventures in this charming Colonial garden tucked into the Historic District.
Fall into the Holidays Sip n Shop with Thyme + Stain
November 6
Thyme + Stain, Annapolis, MD
Toast the start of the holiday season with friends, bubbles, and coastal-inspired gifts. Browse beautifully curated home décor and seasonal finds.
performance inspired by Finnish mythology. Illuminate Annapolis: Mind-Body-Spirit-Arts Festival
November 8
Annapolis
Explore holistic wellness and creativity at this free festival featuring intuitive readings, energy work, body therapy, handmade jewelry, and workshops for all ages.
Opening Reception: “Groovy” Art Show
November 8
Open Eye Gallery at Arundel Lodge, Edgewater Enjoy 70's theme music, food and decorations as
Annapolis Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit
November 22–December 19
Downtown Annapolis
Kick off the holiday season with sweet creativity! Local bakers and artists showcase their most imaginative gingerbread designs in this familyfavorite display.
Watermarks Holiday Candlelight Tour
November 29–30
Historic Downtown Annapolis
Step back in time on a guided, lanternlit walking tour through colonial and Victorian-era Annapolis. Learn about holiday traditions of the past and take home festive treats (including George Washington’s eggnog recipe!).
Motown & More: A Holiday Celebration
November 29th
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD
Groove into the season with smooth harmonies and soulful renditions of Motown classics and holiday hits from top local vocalists
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
November 23rd – January 1st
Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis
Drive through miles of glowing displays set along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline
A beloved Annapolis holiday tradition for families and visitors alike.
Grand Illumination - Tree Lighting
November 30
Market Space & City Dock, Downtown Annapolis
Watch Downtown Annapolis light up for the holidays during this festive evening of music, treats, and seasonal cheer.
About the Author: This calendar courtesy of VisitAnnapolis.org. It was compiled by Makayla Cropper who has been proud to call North Anne Arundel County, Maryland, home for many years, a fact that makes her an official local.
Photo courtesy of Visit Annapolis.
Photo by Lani Gering
The Loft
The Cottage sperryville, va washington, va
The A rt C ot tag e by the Bay & Solomons Island, MD
Somehow the month of October got away from us and the weekend before this issue was to go to press, we still hadn’t been on an adventure to write about in this column. Time to scramble… We decided to head down Route 4 to a part of Maryland that has a special place in our hearts –Solomons Island. This small section of southern Maryland real estate has been dubbed as the “Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living Magazine. That’s quite a compliment. This is also a great time of year to spend a couple of nights on Solomons. The tourist season has waned so no standing in line at restaurants and no crowded sidewalks.
For those of you who have been following this column for very long, you know that we have written about this little town more than a couple of times over the years. You also know that Bob – the usual author of this column – has kept his sailboat at Calvert Marina, a couple of miles from the island for many years. Unfortunately, getting older – both the boat and us – has made our sailing days a thing of the past. She is no longer in the water and is looking for a new captain. It was a good run.
Even though we aren’t spending most of our sailing season weekends down there anymore, we visit regularly, at least once a month, since it is on our “From the Bay” distribution route. Things are a bit different with our “floating” accommodations being housed on jack stands in
the marina yard - we don’t often get a chance to spend the night anymore.
Fortunately for us, we were able to secure a lastminute Saturday night at our good friend, and very talented artist, Carmen Nance Gambril’s Art Cottage in the heart of the Island. This quaint cottage is located directly behind Carmen’s Gallery located on the “main drag” at 14550 Solomons Island Road.
Bob typically retraces our steps when he writes about our treks and I was going to follow suit but after spending the night in the Art Cottage, I’m sticking with telling you about this unique place to stay.
We have stayed in all sorts of places during the course of doing the R & D for this column over the years. They have ranged from high end resorts with every amenity known to man to log cabins and yurts with the basics. The Art Cottage falls somewhere in between. As mentioned earlier, it is located right behind the Gallery and is literally within walking distance of the majority of the shops and restaurants on the Island. No need to get in your vehicle that is very conveniently parked next to your front door until you want to venture to some of the areas popular attractions. See a few of our suggestions on these pages.
I’m not usually at a loss for words, as most people that know me can attest to, but I had a tough time
coming up with the right words describing how “comforting” this little space is. In looking at Art Cottage reviews on the internet and the notes in the guest book, it has been described as cozy, quaint, charming, very private, artsy and the list
goes on. It is all of those things and something a little bit more. We may be a bit biased since
we have known Carmen for several years and know how passionate she is about not only her art and Gallery but about animals and the people in her community. This passion has carried over in to the décor and feel of the cottage. It is an amazing mixture of seaside/beach with a touch of Bohemian influence. The majority of the art that graces the walls are her creations and all of the art is for sale.
The cottage sleeps two in one of the most comfortable beds we have experienced. It is reminiscent of the “Princess and the Pea” in that you have to use a step stool to get on board.
The kitchen area is fully equipped so if you have a penchant for cooking while on holiday, you have just about everything you need. The bathroom has a walk-in shower and a skylight that literally “lights up” the entire space. The pictures
accompanying this column tell the story about the space. You see me pictured in the Bohemian chaise lounge - not really sure what to call it - all settled in for the evening in my crazy cat lady (they were a gift, so ya know) pajamas and a glass of wine. Other amenities include free WiFi and
Cable TV and access to laundry facilities. Bed linens and towels are included with your stay. This time of year, doesn’t lend itself to very pretty landscaping but the view from the bedroom and the backyard is still spectacular. You have a couple of options for hanging out on padded chairs and a tables closer to the cottage that can probably be relocated closer to the water during your stay (as long as you put them back), a picnic table and a hammock. There is a new bulkhead and a pier with boat slips in the event you want to arrive by water or if you rent a party boat on the island you have a place to tie up. There are kayaks available for your use as well.
Let’s get you out of the cottage to explore the Island. Head out of the door and take a right and walk down to the River Walk that follows a good portion of the Patuxent River facing west. This is a fabulous place to catch one of the spectacular Solomons Island sunsets. There are several small shops and restaurants that dot the main drag that will interest the shopaholics. If you like the abstract art on the walls of the cottage, you may want to ask your host to show you the Gallery. It is by appointment only these days but I am sure she would be happy to give you a tour.
We have a couple of favorite places to eat and drink but don’t want to influence your decision since there are a few of them that we know are great but we just haven’t frequented them lately. However, it wouldn’t be a trip to Solomons without a stop at the infamous Tiki Bar. Both of us have spent our fair share of time sipping on a Mai Tai or two at this iconic locale.
Getting there from Alexandria and DC is a matter of three turns after you get yourself off the Beltway and on your way down Route 4 South. Stay the course until you get to sign that directs you to the Island right before you head across the Patuxent River Bridge. It is a right exit that curves down to Solomons Island Road. Take a right at the intersection and proceed onto the island. Stay the course until you see the Carmen’s Gallery sign on your left and turn into the drive between the Gallery and the Island Hideaway lot. You have arrived.
PLACES TO VISIT
Why This Beach Resort Is One of the Best-Kept Secrets in Belize
It has long been a dream of mine to celebrate one of the major winter holidays in the Caribbean or any tropical locale for that matter. I have celebrated Christmas oceanside in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware but it isn’t exactly the same sitting on my sand mat with palm trees behind me and an umbrella drink in my hand. This month Alex and his crew have supplied us with some fabulous information about the remote Seiri del Mar in Belize and how to celebrate Thanksgiving in Punta Cana and a Winter Festival in Cancun. Time might be short to book for this year but it certainly gives you plenty of time to plan for 2026. – Lani Gering The beach at the Seiri del Mar resort in Belize. The moment you arrive in Hopkins you know you’ve found it. You rumble down the dirt road, past the beach shacks and the palm trees, just ahead of the creek.
Hopkins, set in the eastern middle of this spectacular country, is one of those beach towns you fall in love with instantly, one of those places you can’t imagine even exists anymore.
It’s a place of cold beers, uncrowded sand, friendly
smiles and the sense that you’ve escaped the world, or somehow transcended it.
And it’s also home to one of the country’s best-kept secrets: Seiri Del Mar.
Whether you’re on the main drag, hanging at the Driftwood, or paddling to nearby Kalipuna Island, the is the sort of place you want to live while you’re here.
And at this 18-unit residential resort, that’s exactly what you get: a luxurious, easy, comfortable beachfront resort with huge rooms, direct access to the access to the sand and one of the best restaurants in Belize.
This is a place where you get right into the rhythm of Hopkins. You take a short stroll, find your palapa and immerse yourself in the energy of the western Caribbean. Or you decide on a jaunt to town, for some Garifuna flavors or fresh-caught fish.
And I should really mention the Embers restaurants. It’s that good — with a legitimately spectacular setting right on the beach — like right on the beach and a creative menu that effortlessly pulls off the marriage of Mediterranean and Belizean food
This Cancun Resort Is Throwing a Winter Festival
including some of the best snapper I’ve ever had.
Or you can explore the wonders of the Stann Creek district of Belize: the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the region’s only jaguar preserve; or the legendary Marie Sharp hot sauce factory (I dare you to get through the multi-sauce tasting).
If you’re a little more adventurous, you can take a day and head down to explore the beachy fun of Placencia.
And no matter where you’re jaunting, you come back to Seiri Del Mar and the world turns off again, just you and the enviable, rarefied serenity that Belize does better than just about anybody else.
I remarked the first night I stayed here that this was like looking back from the other side of the Corona commercial — a palm tree lit up for a festive evening in a dreamy part of the Caribbean.
In the local Garifuna language, “Seiri” means heaven. Heaven on the sea. And you’ve found it. The best part? Rooms at Seiri Del Mar start at just $228 per night right now, according to Google Hotels.
By Caribbean Journal Staff
Cancun’s newest upscale resort is bringing a burst of holiday spirit to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. AVA Resort Cancun has announced the debut of its firstever Winter Festival, a multi-week celebration designed for families, couples and travelers looking to close out the year with energy and style.
The festival will run from Dec. 15, 2025, through Jan. 12, 2026, turning the oceanfront resort into a holiday playground filled with daily programming, live entertainment, culinary events and themed celebrations.
A Holiday Getaway by the Sea
The idea is simple: take the magic of the season and pair it with the sunshine and warmth of Cancun. Guests will find activities woven throughout the property each day — from culinary workshops for
AVA Hilton Cancun photo Courtesy of Hilton
Photo courtesy of Seiri Del Mar.
kids to mixology classes and chef dinners for adults — creating a rhythm of festivities that lasts well into the new year. Families can enjoy holiday markets and themed parades, while live music and DJs keep the celebration going across AVA’s restaurants and bars.
A New Year’s Celebration to Remember
The highlight of the festival is set for New Year’s Eve, when the resort will host a grand celebration featuring live entertainment, world-class cuisine and parties that spill across the property. Each restaurant will join in, offering special menus and music to ring in 2026 in true Caribbean-Mexican style.
A Family-Friendly Escape
The festival builds on the success of AVA
Resort Cancun’s summer programming earlier this year, expanding the concept into the holiday season. As always, kids and teens stay free year-round, making the Winter Festival a compelling option for families looking for an end-of-year vacation that blends relaxation and celebration.
Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.
Punta Cana: A Top Thanksgiving Destination?
By Caitlin Sulivan
Thanksgiving may be rooted in tradition — but this year, many Americans are trading turkey and stuffing for palm trees and turquoise water. According to new data from Hilton, Punta Cana is the number one trending destination for U.S. travelers this Thanksgiving holiday. The findings are based on searches for four-night stays between November 26th and November 30th, a peak window for holiday travel. Punta Cana topped the list, signaling a clear shift toward warmweather escapes as more travelers look to extend the long weekend into a tropical getaway.
A Strong Holiday Travel Season Hilton’s data points to a broader trend of Americans embracing more flexible, experience-focused holiday travel. With its direct airlift from multiple U.S. gateways, luxury all-inclusive resorts and consistently warm weather, Punta Cana checks every box for an easy Thanksgiving escape.
This surge also reflects the continued strength of the Dominican Republic as one of the Caribbean’s most in-demand destinations,
buoyed by record-breaking tourism numbers and a growing portfolio of new resorts including a new Hilton.
Beyond the Traditional Thanksgiving
Instead of staying close to home, more travelers are leaning toward destinations where they can relax by the beach or enjoy a resort stay with family and friends. Punta Cana’s rise to the top of the search rankings underscores a shift in how Americans want to spend the holiday — turning a time traditionally centered around the table into a chance to unwind in the tropics.
From beachfront resorts to world-class hospitality brands, the Dominican Republic’s leading tourism hub is set to welcome one of its strongest Thanksgiving travel seasons yet.
About the author: Caitlin Sullivan began her career with Caribbean Journal as Arts and Culture editor before shifting to travel full time. She writes frequently on the Caribbean cruise industry, flight networks and broader travel news. Her most frequent Caribbean destination? Nassau. Photo by Bavaro.
Right on the beach in the nicest part of Naples, next to a park. You cannot get any closer or find a better view at any price than this 2BR 2BA condo. Naples was rated the No. 1 US city to live in by U.S. News and is always on the list of the top 10 best beaches in the U.S. Extremely well built, low density post WWII building that has withstood the past two Cat 4 and 5 hurricanes with no structural damage. Step out to beach or walk to town center, fabulous golfing biking and boating nearby. You cannot buy a better view anywhere on the Gulf for five times the price. For downsizing or a winter getaway don't let this one slip away. Listed for $975,000 with Naples Vibe Realty at 239-300-7006 naplesviberealty.com or call the owner Julie at 540-364-9480 for more information.
DINING GUIDE
AMERICAN
1799 PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD
110 S. Pitt Street
571-404-6001
ADA'S ON THE RIVER
3 Pioneer Mill Way
703-638-1400
AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970
BLACKWALL HITCH
5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090
BOB & EDITHS DINER 1743 King Street
703-664-0043
bobandedithsdiner.com
CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442
CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080
CITY KITCHEN
330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com
COOPER MILL 10 Duke St. 703-566-1278
EDDIE'S LITTLE SHOP & DELI 1406 King Street 571-312-8615
EVENING STAR CAFÉ
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.
703-549-5051
EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894
FRANKIE'S KITCHEN & COCKTAIL BAR 823 S. Washington St. 703-512-2118 frankiesoldtown.com
GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288
HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050
HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969
HOME GROWN 1600 King Street 703-705-4955
HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509
HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355
JACK'S PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372
JOE THEISMANNS
1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777
JULA'S ON THE POTOMAC 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644
JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-436-0025 junctionbakery.com
KILN - HOTEL HERON 699 Prince St. 703-662-1900
KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794
LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313
THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533
LOST DOG CAFE
808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
MACMILLAN'S SPIRIT HOUSE 500 Montgomery St. 703-665-6690
MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com
MURPHY'S GRAND IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com
MYSTIC BBQ & GRILL
220 N. Lee St. 703-565-9808 mysticbbqandgrill.com
NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032
OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395
O'CONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124
DanielOconnells.com
PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699
THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851
RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com
RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com
ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274
ROYAL RESTAURANT 730 N. St. Asaph St. 703-548-1616
RT'S RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com
SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266
SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807
SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649
SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550
SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423
SOUTHSIDE 815
815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222
SWEET FIRE DONNA'S 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960
THE MAJESTIC 911 King St. 703-837-9117
THE STUDY 116 South Alfred Street 703-838-8000
T.J. STONE'S GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com
TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909
UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com
VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669
VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & HI-TIDE LOUNGE
101 North Union St. 703-935-8890
THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com
ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO
809 King St. 703-836-1515
CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800
INDOCHEN 1625 King Street (571) 404-6050
KISSO ASIAN BISTRO
300 King Street 703-888-1513
MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710
MAI THAI
9 King St. 703-548-0600
NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848
RAILBIRD KITCHEN 804 North Henry St. 703-577-9023
SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458
SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878
UMIYA SUSHI 3000 Duke Street 703-564-1800
CONTINENTAL
ALEXANDRIA BIER GARDEN 710 King Street 703-888-1951
CEDAR KNOLL
GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665
OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361
FRENCH
BASTILLE
606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776
bastillerestaurant.com
BEN' YAYS 1028 King Street 703-495-3888
LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661
FONTAINE CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151
LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854
JOSEPHINE
109 South St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776
TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141
ITALIAN
ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue 703-888-2243
ANDY’S PIZZA 107 N Fayette St 571-319-0497
BUGSY'S PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313
EPICURE ON KING 703 King Street 703-838-9090
HANDOVER BY THE SLICE 728 King Street 571-319-0794
IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833
LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com
LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086
MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300
PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287
REDROCKS NEAPOLITAN BISTRO 904 King St. 703-717-9873
THOMPSON ITALIAN 1026 King Street alexandria@thompsonitalian.com
MEDITERRANEAN
BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100
ELAINE'S 208 Queen Street 571-970-0517
TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com
PITA HOUSE
719 King St. 703-684-9194
DELIA'S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006
VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720
VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747
SEAFOOD
HANK'S OYSTER BAR 818 N St. Asaph 703-739-HANK
FISH MARKET 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com
THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834
WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533
INDIAN
BOLLYWOOD MASALA 211 King Street 703-512-0175
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085
DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338
KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507
NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615
MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA 1701 Duke 703-518-5312
CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438
DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144
LOS CUATES 1116 King Street 703-548-2918
LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290
LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167
TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226)
TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203
URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148
A Look Inside the Historic
Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant
For those of us who live in Alexandria and particularly Old Town, we are aware of all of the beauty and history that surrounds us. However, sometimes we just don't take advantage of some of those historical places that also serve a vital function. I have lived in the Old Town area since 1977 and have only dined at Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant once or twice. It is more than a historic attraction, it is an everyday go-to restaurant.
Over the last forty some years I have developed my favorite restaurants and watering holes, but Gadsby's never enters my mind. However, seeking somewhere steeped in tradition for this column, we decided we would make a return visit to this elegant building on 138 North Royal Street and have a nice lunch. We did make reservations and were a bit early but got seated immediately. We are glad we did, as the dining room was filling up fast for a Thursday at noon.
To set the stage for your experience, here is a bit of history for you:
Founded as a seaport in 1749, Alexandria has always greeted visitors from near and far. Taverns, like Gadsby's, provided travelers with much needed rest, food and drink, the latest news, a place to make business deals and to hold political discussions, and a variety of entertainment.
The site known as Gadsby's Tavern consists of two buildings, a circa 1785 Tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. Named after Englishman John Gadsby, an entrepreneur who leased the buildings and operated them as tavern keeper from 1796 until 1808, the tavern and hotel were the center of Alexandria's economic, political, and social life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The buildings were threatened with demolition in the19th century, however, American Legion Post Twenty-four stepped in to save the day. The Legion started the preservation process and, today, the City of Alexandria continues their preservation and interpretation through Gadsby's Tavern Museum and by leasing the restaurant space to modern entrepreneurs.
Currently, the complex is home to Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant, American Legion Post 24, and Gadsby's Tavern Museum - a cultural history museum. The museum houses exhibits of early American life in Virginia, and the restaurant operates in the original 1792 Tavern dining room, serving a mixture of period and modern foods.
The atmosphere of early America is found today in the famous 18th Century hostelry, which was the setting for brilliant balls for society in the 1700's, meeting of patriots and receptions for several Presidents of the United States. In their letters
and journals, guests were universal in their praise for the lavishness of life at the tavern, which was described as the finest public house in America. Notable visitors included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and James Monroe. It was a group of historical heavyweights.
Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant has been offering fine dining since 1770. Today you can dine as the patriots of yesteryear did. The menu is pretty straight forward and very fairly priced. Unlike some locals might think, Gadsby's is not a tourist trap but rather an authentic slice of days gone by. In fact, there were several tables of local business men and women having lunch with clients when we were there.
Let’s get in to our experience. The décor is what we think was the norm for “back in the day”. We were surprised that it isn’t white table cloth dining at dinner but guess that’s not how a tavern was then. All of the menus – brunch, lunch and dinner - cover all of the bases (appetizers, soups salads, sandwiches and mains including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, etc.). What they do have that the bulk of other establishments in the area don’t, are period dishes the likes of Surry Co. Peanut Soup, Cock-a-Leekie Pye, Meatloaf a la Daube and some West African and Caribbean Dishes including Jerk
Chicken, Fried Catfish and Baked Chicken Marsala.
The lunch menu is fairly priced with the Chesapeake Bay Lump Crab Cake at $18, the aforementioned Cock-a-Leekie Pye and Meatloaf a la Danube at $15 and an Ale Battered Crispy Cod coming in at $16. The sandwiches range from $12-$16 and are all served with hand-cut fries and coleslaw. The dinner menu is more extensive including a Filet Mignon, Lamb Chops and George Washington’s “favorite”, a Roasted Half Duck finished with a cherry glace served with corn pudding and scalloped potatoes. Dinner prices are a few dollars more as would be expected. They offer a “specials menu” each day as well. They also feature an impressing number of assorted Ales & Lagers of which many are brewed locally and a nice selection of wines by the glass. We didn’t peruse the bottle wine list but imagine it is fairly extensive. They also offer Gadsby’s Punch Bowls and two Colonial Cocktails as well as your old favorites –martinis, Manhattans, etc.
We started out with cocktails and being a big fan of rum, I gave the Gadsby’s Rum Punch - rum, lime, ginger bitters, sugar and ginger ale - a try and it fit the bill. Lani opted for one of the Colonial Cocktails – the Stone Fence. This concoction was pretty tasty as well – rum, hard apple cider and bitters. It is said that Ethan Allan and the Green Mountain Boys found the courage to seize Fort Ticonderoga by imbibing a few Stone Fences immediately prior to the assault on the fort. Well, whatever works I guess.
There are two soops (this is how they spell it) on the lunch menu so we each tried one. I had the Madeira Onion -sweet onions in a home-
style stock with a touch of Madeira wine, topped with a crouton and melted Swiss – it was very good. Lani had the Surrey Co. Peanut – roasted peanuts simmered in fresh chicken stock with garlic and ginger – and loved it. We moved on the main course and I ordered the Meatloaf a la Danube - beef and veal wrapped in bacon with mushroom demi-glace, served with hand-cut fries and coleslaw. It was very good and priced at just $15. She went for the Cock-a-Leekie Pye. This is a simple combination of tender chunks of chicken, leeks, carrots and celery baked in a crock with chicken stock and herbs and topped with a puff pastry. It has a bit different consistency than the standard chicken pot pie, more like chowder than gravy and is very tasty. Both dishes were substantial and we enjoyed second meals a day or so later. We couldn’t resist having dessert and ended up sharing the Berry Heaven – fresh berries in a vanilla cream cloud with honey –and Scottish Apple Gingerbread with cinnamon icing. Both very good and large enough we brought some of each home as well.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, we local folks seem to establish our favorite dining and drinking spots and sometimes overlook the obvious. Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy lunch, dinner and brunch in one of the elegant colonial dining rooms. The one-of-a-kind Gadsby's Tavern experience awaits you.
Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant 138 North Royal St. Old Town Alexandria 703-548-1288
Turkey & Smoked Sausage Gumbo
The perfect, nontraditional reciepe for your Thanksgiving Day Leftovers
With Thanksgiving arriving in a few weeks, we ought to consider a recipe that is a bit more interesting than the worn-out leftover turkey and veggie soup. Most Americans know that gumbo is a classic soup made famous by Louisiana chefs, but it is also rooted in African and American Indian cuisines. Okra is commonly used as a thickening agent and for flavor. The slaves brought okra with them from Africa and the Choctaw Indians of Louisiana introduced filé (a spice essential to gumbo-filé powder can be purchased in pretty much any local grocery store) to early American chefs. Gumbo came out of bayous of southwest Louisiana. There is not a single recipe for gumbo, every family and every restaurant has its own. Here’s one that I learned from a veteran New Orleans’ chef who passed away during Katrina. Try this soup, you’ll love it.
Serves: 6-8 Time: 1½ hours
Ingredients
2 pounds smoked sausage, cut into ¼’’ slices
4 pounds turkey parts, thighs and legs (chicken, duck or pork is optional)
1 cup each parsley, bell pepper, celery and onion; chopped
¼ cup fresh garlic, chopped
6 bay leaves
4 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons thyme leaves
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
½ cup vegetable oil or butter
½ cup flour
Gumbo File’powder, Hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a stockpot, just cover the turkey parts with water or chicken stock. Simmer uncovered until tender, approximately 1 hour. When cooled, de-bone the turkey reserving the meat and stock. In a large, heavy pot combine the oil and flour and make a roux. Cook over medium heat and stir continuously with a whisk until the color of peanut butter. DO NOT burn the roux as this will impart a burnt flavor to the soup. If burnt, discard and begin again. To the hot roux add sausage, onions, bell peppers, celery, parsley and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are partially cooked. Add thyme, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, filé, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Add turkey stock and stir until mixture is homogenous. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for one hour. Finally, add shopped turkey meat and adjust seasoning. Remove bay leaves. Serve with white rice.
Cherished Thanksgiving Memories
“When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter, I spang from my bed to see what was the matter.”
These words from Clement Clarke Moore’s famous poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, almost applied to the situation, but not quite. It was not the night before Christmas; it was Thanksgiving morning. And I was not in bed. I was on a couch in my parent’s rec room. This is where you ended up when you were the youngest child and you came home for the holidays. The fact that you’re 24 years old doesn’t matter at all. You got the couch.
I can still hear my mother on the phone with anyone who was coming to visit, “Oh, it’s fine. You can have the spare bedroom. Timmy can sleep on the couch.”
That statement ruled my childhood. You see, I was not only the youngest sibling. I was the youngest of all the cousins on my father’s side of the family. So, if anyone came to visit, for any occasion, I was condemned to sleep on the couch.
And the clatter was not St. Nicholas. That noise would have been welcomed. It was my two oldest nephews playing “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots”. Not only was the two-robot battle loud, but the accusations of cheating had begun to fly. Sibling rivalry can be vicious and noisy.
I glanced at my watch. It was eight o’clock in the morning. I had been asleep for approximately four hours. At this point in my life, I looked forward more to Thanksgiving Eve than Thanksgiving Day itself. Thanksgiving Eve was then, and remains
today, the biggest bar night of the year. And this one had not been disappointing. It had been a long night of debauchery with cousins and friends. But now I was paying the price.
“You can’t cheat at Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots!” I shouted, “It’s impossible!”
This only fueled the fire and the argument escalated.
As I listened, it became clear that this was not a matter of cheating. The game is won by one robot knocking the other one’s head up. The older nephew, Brad, had gotten to the game first and had chosen the blue robot. He knew full well that the red robot had a defective neck, causing its head to pop up much easier. This was a simple matter of knowledge being power. But in Danny’s 11-year-old eyes, Brad had cheated. His only evidence was that Brad was winning, but that was enough.
In the middle of the heated debate concerning the definition of cheating, my father appeared halfway down the stairs.
“Now you boys quiet down, Uncle Tim is trying to sleep!”
He was using a stern half whisper, half yelling voice that might as well be yelling. I then heard my mother.
“What time did Timmy get home?”
“God only knows,” Dad replied.
That was a fairly accurate answer. I really wasn’t sure myself. I decided to get up and join the family. The Macy’s Day Parade was starting soon, and
everyone would be up watching it.
Thanksgiving is all about food, family, and giving thanks — and for many of us, that includes a great beer (or two). I perused some older Thanksgiving articles I had written and found a fun Thanksgiving Day schedule featuring craft beer that I had proposed in 2021. I decided to update it and share it this year. So here is a new and improved Thanksgiving Day schedule for you to consider.
Thanksgiving Morning
It’s 11:00 AM — go ahead, you’ve earned it. It’s a holiday, after all. Whether you’ve been preparing the feast since sunrise or simply cheering on the chef, now’s the perfect time to enjoy something light and refreshing.
Reach for a Blue Hen Pilsner from Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware. Brewed with Delaware-grown malted barley, this crisp, clean pilsner (4.98% ABV) makes an ideal first beer of the day. Dogfish Head rarely disappoints, and this one is no exception.
Toasting Santa
As the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade wraps up and Santa makes his grand entrance, it’s time for a toast. The kids can raise their milk or juice, but you can raise something a little more festive.
Pour yourself a Great Lakes Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland, OH. This great beer has a malty flavor with honey, ginger, and cinnamon notes. It’s reminiscent of Christmas cookies. You can’t find a better beer to hoist in Santa’s honor! But take care, the ABV is 7.5%.
Football Time
Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations
Blade and Bow Bourbon
Yes, I’ve recommended it before, and I’ll do it again without hesitation—Blade and Bow Bourbon is a fall favorite for a reason. The aroma opens with notes of peaches, honey, and hay, while the palate delivers a refined balance of white pepper, vanilla, oak, and spice. Smooth, complex, and endlessly satisfying, this bourbon has earned a permanent place on my shelf—though bottles never seem to last very long. At 91 proof and around $50 per bottle, it’s a perfect Thanksgiving Day companion.
La Aroma De Cuba Connecticut Robusto
I’ve recommended this one before, and for good reason. This is a mild yet flavorful cigar that pairs beautifully with the Blade and Bow bourbon. It opens with smooth, creamy notes of pepper, cashew, and coffee bean. As the smoke develops, the cashew deepens while hints of almond, honey, and melon emerge. The finish remains mellow and velvety, with the melon note lingering softly on the palate. This cigar is an ideal Thanksgiving Day cigar. It’s the perfect reward after spending the night on your parents’ couch. Enjoy.
This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.
Kickoff is at 12:30 PM. And with games running all day, you’ll need to pace yourself. This holiday is a marathon, not a sprint.
Try an Old Town Lager from Aslin Beer Company in Alexandria, VA. It’s crisp, clean, and easy drinking at just 4% ABV. Another great option is Port City’s Downright Pilsner, a Bohemian-style lager with a smooth malt body and a manageable 4.8% ABV.
Turkey Dinner
When the turkey hits the table, you’ll want a beer that complements the meal without overpowering it. Amber ale is an excellent choice.
High Barbary Amber Lager from Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton, VA is a great choice. Its sweet, toasted malt character (5.4% ABV) echoes the caramelized flavors of roasted turkey beautifully.
Thanksgiving is a time to create great memories with family and friends. Although how we celebrate the holiday, and with whom, may change, its purpose does not. My two oldest nephews have families of their own now, complete with teenage daughters to drive them nuts. And Mom and Dad are no longer with us. But the spirit of Thanksgiving Day endures, regardless of when, where, or with whom. It is important to cherish the great memories with family but also not to cling to them. Because the memories we make this Thanksgiving, although possibly very different, are just as important as the old ones. So, let’s celebrate the day in the way it was intended. By giving thanks for all of the Thanksgiving memories, both old and new. And by enjoying a few good craft beers!
Happy Thanksgiving and Cheers to all of our readers!!
About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator.
Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com . Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com
The Wittiest Comeback In Virginia Wine
If wine competitions gave awards for witty comebacks, Walsh Family Wine’s “What Will the Women Drink?” red blend would win hands-down.
The story started not long after Nate and Sarah Walsh got married. Their jobs were different but complimentary, with Sarah working as a wine importer and Nate as the winemaker for Sunset Hills Vineyard. Around 2013, they started discussing the possibility of a passion project, where she could learn his side of the business and he could learn hers.
Fast forward a number of years, and this ‘passion project’ expanded from producing small batches of wine to operating their own winery. In 2019, they rechristened the former North Gate Vineyard as Walsh Family Wine.
During their opening day, Sarah was confronted by a patron who asked her, “Excuse me, but are you the owner? I have some advice I’d like to give you”… and he proceeded to explain how Sarah should run her business, not letting her get in a word.
Eventually this patron looked around and asked, “Exactly where will you be putting your wine slushy machine?” Sarah tried to laugh it off, insisting they would never get one.
At this point the man looked at her, and with zero irony asked, “But what will the women drink?”.
This comment would be bad enough if it was an isolated incident, but it’s not. Sarah has heard versions of this story for her entire professional career selling high-end wine. During her visits to places like Napa, Sarah found winemakers almost always cater to a male demographic.
Rarely did they market big, bold reds to women.
This gendered approach even extends to the way wines are described. Salespeople often describe big, tannic reds using masculine terms, and lighter-bodied whites as feminine. Only recently has there been a serious debate over how to make the language of wine more inclusive. Later, recounting the story to her family, she told them, “I want to make this big, bold, dark red blend, and I’m going to call it ‘What Will the Women Drink?’”.
Her family cheered and told her, “That’s a great idea!” Encouraged by this, Sarah followed up with, “And I’m going to charge men more!”
Her friends talked her out of that later part, but the idea of “What Will the Women Drink?” was born.
What Will the Women Drink? is not only marketed towards women, it also supports women in need. Part of the wage gap of every dollar spent on WWTWD goes to a women’s rights group. The current beneficiary of Walsh’s generosity is Women Giving Back, a Sterling-based non-profit that supports women and children in crisis by providing quality clothing at no cost.
During a Walsh Family Wine charity event that raised $4K, Women Giving Back co-chair Dave Baer rhetorically asked the audience, “How do they get their lives restarted? What’s the basic thing to give yourself a little self-respect and dignity? Where are they going to get their clothing when they are leaving their homes in the middle of the night, being escorted by a police officer? Women Giving Back started by doing clothing drives throughout the DMV, donating gently used clothing to women vetted by social service organizations. These women can come in and shop at no cost to them and pick up anywhere from 50-75 articles of clothing, ranging from children’s items to professional attire.”
Women Giving Back has recently expanded their footprint. It now also services abused men, and partners with other charities, including Loudoun Hunger Relief and LAWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services. This grouping enables a comprehensive approach which includes clothing, emergency groceries, and counseling.
To learn more about Women Giving Back or make a donation, check out their website at https://womengivingback.org.
About the Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https://winetrailsandwanderlust.com
There's Still Time to Find Fall Foliage All Across Virginia Wine Country
Last month we featured several phenomenal Virginia wineries which showcase some of the state's most beautiful fall colors. For all of our diehard leaf peepers out there, this late season has left plenty of time to get our there and enjoy the final bits of this year's beatiful painted landscape. For a full write up on these establishments, check our our last month's issue at oldtowncrier.com and enjoy our fianl days of fall with a glass of wine in hand!
Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery- Delaplane, VA
Twin Oaks Tavern Winery- Bluemont, VA
Breaux Vineyards- Purcellville, VA
Muse Vineyards- Woodstock, VA
DuCard Vineyards- Etlan, VA
Ankida Ridge Vineyards- Amherst, VA
Holiday Time is Wine Time!
As the leaves are turning colors and the outdoor temperatures are dipping downward, many people start thinking about the ever-growing holiday season. Seasonal decorations are appearing in the stores and economic talking heads are discussing the latest predictions of how people will spend their hard-earned money this season. I want to promote the idea of gifting and sharing locally grown and crafted wines with your family and friends.
Our industry continues to work, learn and grow to create high quality wines for you and your loved ones to enjoy. A full-bodied red wine may be appropriate for your Uncle, while a bright and fruity sparkling wine may be appropriate for a family care giver. In addition to those wines, many wineries are making fruit wines, port style wines, ciders and dynamic white wines as well. Local wineries and wine shops are looking forward to helping you make your selections for the season celebrations and gifts.
If you are having a celebration, consider serving local wines to your guests. Picking a few wines that are special to you and telling the story of why you made your choices makes it even more special. Some folks may work at or own businesses that give gifts to clients or staff. Some wineries will help to create custom labels for a wine to enhance your gift. There may be a bonus to buying wine in quantity so ask your seller if they offer discounts.
Wine is not the only local holiday item you can buy for your loved ones. Some
may be food related, some are artistic, some may be very functional and some items might be just darn silly. The magic happens when you see the person you are buying for in the item that you are purchasing! Many crafters are out at this time of year selling their goods at pop up markets, regional farm markets and festivals. Oftentimes these folks are making products in their spare time and applying all their entrepreneurial spirit to make their business work. Every sale makes a difference for these crafters, and those around them.
As a child I was taught by my parents that Santa Claus was the spirit of giving. I have tried to have the spirit of giving inspire me every day. Every purchase you make when you purchase locally supports your neighborhood. This act embodies the spirit of giving to not only the recipient but the hard-working person that produced it. Enjoy your family this season and please share locally made products. As always, thank you for your support and my sincere wish for a healthy and happy holiday season for all!
About the Author: Farmer, winemaker, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Doug Fabbioli has been accelerating the growth and quality of Virginia’s wine industry since 1997. With his wife Colleen, Doug is the owner/operator of Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VA. He is the founder and director of The New Ag School, which focuses on teaching the next generation of farmers and agriculture-related leaders. No wonder they call Doug Fabbioli the Godfather of DC's Wine Country.
It’s Not Too Late to Plant Bulbs!
Procrastinators rejoice! Though those of us who grew up in colder climes may think it’s too late to plant our bulbs for spring bloom, it’s really not – at least not for all bulbs. Tulips, for example, can rot in the ground in our heavy Virginia soil during warm, wet falls. Some sources say that waiting until about first frost is better for tulip bulbs, which like colder climates. Plus, it gives the squirrels less time to dig them up before frost hardens the ground. Still, you need to get them in before the ground really freezes. So, November, and sometimes even early December is still fine. It’s also fine for planting daffodils and narcissus bulbs, hyacinths, crocuses, even grape hyacinths.
Be generous – color massing is the most effective way to create an impressive and heart-lifting display next spring. So, cluster the bulbs in drifts that complement the rest of your borders or beds.
In our area, most hybrid tulips don’t successfully come back in succeeding years, and should thus be treated like annuals. If you do leave them for a second year, choose Darwin varieties, some authorities recommend. Alternatively, choose species tulips that generally perennialize better and naturalize well in rock garden clusters, as in this photo of Kaufmanniana tulips at the Simpson Waterwise Garden
Daffodils and narcissi are much more reliable at coming back year after year and even multiplying in the ground. Choose some bulbs for their massing effect, yes. But also consider choosing some for their individual beauty, like these gracefully winged white and yellow Cyclamineus narcissi.
For fall crocus and colchicums, the fall-blooming relatives of our spring bulbs, it is, unfortunately too late this year, but while you peruse the catalogs,
make a note on your calendar to order the bulbs in a timely manner next year. Spend some time this winter researching the best times for those.
Publishers Note: This column provided by Master Gardners of Northern VA. We encourage our readers to follow their site for amazing tips and stories. www.mgnv.org
Thanksgiving Meals
There are several staples to every Thanksgiving meal that have been passed down from generation to generation. These classic dishes are known for Thanksgiving because of the time the plants are ready to be harvested. There have been popular spins on each of these veggies, herbs and even fruits. Here are some of the most common plants that are ready to harvest for Thanksgiving, thus making them popular in most Thanksgiving meals: Veggie trays - this is how we attempt to eat healthy every big family gathering. Veggie trays will typically include ranch dressing to dip each veggie in. The most popular veggies that are harvested in the fall and included in veggie trays are carrots, celery, radishes, and olives.
Cranberries - there are several different dishes and drinks that include cranberries. These berries are synonymous with fall and are most commonly eaten as cranberry jelly.
Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes - who doesn’t love sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes and gravy? Potatoes are grown all over the world and can be harvested late into the year and also will last a long time in the pantry after digging them out of the ground.
Corn - corn is synonymous with fall. Sweet corn is also one of the symbolic foods that were shared between the pilgrims and Native Americans when settlers first arrived in America.
Onions - similar to potatoes, these are easily grown all over the world and will last a long time in storage. Onions can go with any popular dish and provide additional flavor and texture to the dish.
Garden Sage - herbs can be harvested last into the year until the first hard freeze. You can also dry or freeze herbs to get more use of them into the winter. One common dish sage is used for is in stuffing.
Rosemary - this plant is starting to become more and more popular. The herb provides a strong flavor to many popular dishes, even on the turkey itself. A new trend that people are doing, is growing a rosemary topiary as a fall decor centerpiece, that also provides a great aroma in the house.
Pecans, Apples, Pumpkins - these are the most popular desserts made during Thanksgiving using local produce. Most commonly made into pies, but there are several other dishes you can make using these foods. Pumpkin pie is the most common made pie for Thanksgiving. Pumpkins are also used as decor from Halloween through Thanksgiving. For more information on these and other common holiday plants and much more, log on to www. plantaddicts.com!
FIRST BLUSH
Is Beauty Only Skin Deep?
We have addressed this age-old subject several times over the years but it’s always good to circle back to. Remember the saying, “Beauty is only skin deep.” While that may be true, the biggest dilemma for women as they age is do you show your age or not? Taking care of our skin and how to do that is often a confusing web of vitamins, acids, peels, scrubs, toners, and cleansers.
Many of us are rightfully confused about how to care for our skin. Let’s start with the basics of good skincare. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize. It’s important to select products within this regimen that are appropriate for your skin type. If you have extremely oily skin, it would be completely inappropriate to choose a milky, creamy cleanser. And, vice versa, if you have very dry skin, don’t select a product with too many acids or alcohol that will strip and further dry the skin. The key is balance, and to keep your skin balanced, you need to choose the right products for your skin type.
Beyond the basics are a variety of products, targeted ingredients and a myriad of solutions for all skin issues. How does one know what is best for your skin ailment. Let’s break it down to the main ingredients that are necessary to affect change in the skin.
Vitamin A – often referred to as Retin A or Retinol – helps to change the way our skin cells work. This is an important ingredient because of its ability to tackle many skin issues. Vitamin A is often prescribed to treat severe acne and is touted as a wonder ingredient for aging skin. Its ability to change how our skin cells work makes it a small miracle.
Vitamin C (scientific name - L-ascorbic acid) - known for its ability to rebuild collagen in the skin. It works from the inside out to bring back the skins natural elasticity. Appropriate for all skin types.
will cause it to generate more oil and lead to more blemishes. Appropriate for all skin types, but don’t overuse it.
Salicylic Acid – this little gem is the only ingredient that dips down into your pores to clean out all the bacteria that leads to blemishes and keeps pores looking large. While technically an acid, this ingredient does not overly dry the skin. It is essential for treating and controlling breakouts.
Glycolic Acid – naturally derived from sugar or glucose, this ingredient sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal newer and plumber skin cells underneath. While also another small miracle ingredient, those with dry skin need to be careful because it can be drying. It’s also important for blemish prone skin not to overuse glycolic acid. Over drying the skin
Vitamin E – works to moisturize and heal the skin and improve the skin’s texture. This is often paired with Vitamin C because the combination of the two packs a powerful punch. Most appropriate for dry skin.
If you are concerned about the aging of the skin and want to maintain that youthful glow and appearance, here are a few tips to consider. First, skin care is mostly about prevention – staying out of the sun, using eye cream, washing your face every night, and applying moisturizer (unless you are very oily). Second, as we get older, the basics of good skincare need a little injection. This is the time to add a few key ingredients to your regimen. Using Vitamin C will help prolong sagging of the skin and help with damage caused by the sun. It’s also important to introduce a Vitamin A product to improve the skin’s cellular turnover. Last, eye cream, eye cream, eye cream. If there was ever one product that is most important to maintaining your skin’s appearance, it is eye cream. The eyes are the first area to show signs of aging. Maintaining an unwrinkled appearance around the eye starts with the use of an eye cream. If you start early (in your 20s) a basic eye cream will do. If you start late (in your 40s), look for eye creams with Vitamin C or other collagen boosters.
Ladies, remember, there isn’t a fountain of youth in any one product. It’s important to remember that if we neglect our skin for 20 years, a single product cannot reverse the damage or neglect we’ve done to our skin. That’s when it’s time to consider professional help – botox, face lift, etc. In fact, it takes a bevy of products with targeted ingredients to tackle our aging skin.
With fall comes brisk mornings, followed by cooler days, and not to mention the beautiful foliage and delicious fall foods. Now is the time to get that workout into your schedule so that it becomes part of your routine before things get hectic for the holidays. Here are just a few reasons why you should use this fall to make fitness part of your life. Enjoy the year’s most beautiful season. Get outside and enjoy the season by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, and playing golf and tennis. Explore parks in your area; find a new bike path through the woods, take a walk around a lake. The time spent out in nature will do as much good for your mind as for your body.
Get back to the club. As I have said before, it takes 30 days to make a habit, and supplementing your outdoor activities with a regular gym workout will help keep you on track. While cardio exercise is good for your heart, it is important to add some resistance training to your program as well. If you are looking for something new, sign up with a personal trainer for a few sessions and have them come up with a new program for you. This is especially a good idea if you are looking for a program specifically suited to help you improve your running or hiking.
Take advantage of what fall has to offer. Fall makes me think of apple picking. Turns out that this awesome fruit has incredible health benefits. Apples contain pectin, which has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and can help with managing diabetes. The antioxidants found in apples have been found to lower the risk for asthma and lung cancer. In addition to that, apples also provide us with about 8mg of vitamin C. This is not a sufficient amount, but considering that every bit counts and cold season is around the corner we’ll take what we
FROM THE TRAINER
RYAN UNVERZAGT
Food For Thought
can get. With that being said, head out to the nearest orchard some weekend for some apple picking! Make your workouts social. Nothing kills a workout routine faster than boredom. Find a friend and use your 40-minute walk to catch up with each other. If you have a workout partner who you know is going to meet with you then you are more likely to stick with it. If that doesn’t seem to fit into you or your friend’s schedule, get a trainer. A trainer will help to motivate you to want to come in and workout, and also hold you accountable for reaching your fitness goals. It’s a good way to get back in the workout groove.
Do yoga. The first time I ever did yoga I thought to myself…“This is crazy.” It seemed so slow, no sweating (well not really), no breathing hard, so just what was the point of these excruciatingly slow exercises? I kept doing it and I actually started to enjoy it once I allowed myself to relax and do something gentle for a change. The very things I hated at first became the things I appreciated most - having a gentle, slow activity that was more about feeling good than pushing myself to the limit. Yoga is the perfect way to balance out your routine, especially if your workouts are heavy on the cardio and strength, light on the flexibility and relaxation. A well-rounded program touches on all different areas of fitness - pushing hard as well as pulling back. If you haven't tried yoga, I strongly recommend heading into your local health club or nearest yoga studio to check it out.
Take these fitness ideas and put them to some good use. Get outside for a hike and some apple picking, run with a friend, try a workout with a trainer and do some yoga. All of these should help you to build a good foundation for your fall fitness routine and keep those Thanksgiving dinner pounds at bay!
Welcome back faithful readers! I’ve decided to skip the regular “Exercise of the Month” in this issue of the OTC to focus a little more on food and nutrition. I have addressed this in previous years around the holidays and I think it is a good reminder as we head to the Thanksgiving Day table.
Admittedly, November can be a difficult month to control our eating habits with football and tailgating season in full swing and the aforementioned Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner. It’s the time of year when we seem to let our eyes and stomach get the best of us and give into temptation. So, what advice can I give you to stay on the fitness track this month? Put down the fork and back away from the table! Just kidding, but we could all use a little bit of will-power when it comes to eating.
I think the biggest issue to address first is portion control. Eating the correct amount of food can save you a ton of calories. Sounds easy enough, right? Let’s review how much a serving size actually is:
1 fruit serving = 1 small to medium fresh fruit, ½ cup canned or fresh fruit or fruit juice, ¼ cup dried fruit
1 vegetable serving = ½ cup cooked veggies or vegetable juice, 1 cup raw veggies
1 starch serving (carbohydrate) = ½ cup cereal, grain, pasta, or starchy vegetable such as corn, potatoes, beans; 1 slice bread, ¾ to 1 ounce snack food
1 dairy serving = 1 cup milk, ¾ cup yogurt, 1 ounce cheese (about the size of 4 dice), ½ cup ice cream or pudding, 1 medium egg
1 serving pumpkin pie = 1/8 pie and 1 serving fruit pie = 1/6 pie
Fall and Fitness
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to constitute a serving. If you truly took the serving sizes listed above, a normal Thanksgiving Day plate and glass would hardly be full. Therefore, choose to grab a smaller plate and glass to “trick” your mind into thinking you have larger portions. Obviously, smaller plates will limit the amount of food you can fit onto it. This sounds crazy, but it can work.
The second thing to remember is to eat and drink S-L-O-W-L-Y! Relax and enjoy your favorite foods. Set down your utensils between each bite. By eating slower, you end up eating less because the feeling of being full arrives sooner. Eating too fast blunts the sensation of being full until it’s too late, when you’ve already overeaten. Try to eat more protein-rich and higher fiber foods like turkey and vegetables. These foods will fill you up faster and keep you full longer than higher carbohydrate foods, especially desserts. You can still have your pie, but keep in mind the serving size. I totally realize that this is easier said than actually done but all we can do is just do our best to not overdo it.
One last thing to mention is EXERCISE! A little bit of activity and portion control will keep you from gaining any unwanted pounds. I recommend walking because it’s the easiest and most convenient way to stay active over the holidays. I really hope you take this advice and RUN with it - if you know what I mean!
About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
POINTS ON PETS ALBERTA FROST
What Kind of Food Should I Feed My Pet?
As most families are putting together their Thanksgiving shopping lists, let’s take a few minutes to contemplate how we are feeding the most important members of our families—our pets. Pet owners/ guardians are faced with a dizzying array of food choices at the store, on line and through many very entertaining marketing campaigns. How do I decide what are the best choices for my furry companions? According to Dr. Graham Brayshaw, Chief Veterinarian at the American Humane Society, you should first understand your pet’s digestive system. (www. animalhumanesociety.org/resource/ choosing-right-food-your-dog-or-cat ) For example, cats are carnivores. They need food that is 40-45% protein, high in fat, has few carbohydrates and contains taurine which is a critical amino acid. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores. They have gastrointestinal tracts similar to humans and can eat meat, greens and grains. The two main canine ingredients to look for are protein (at least 18%) and fat. Appropriate fat levels can vary with the breed and lifestyle of the dog so read the label and/or check with your vet on that subject. Be aware that each species of pets has its own unique nutritional needs. When selecting the appropriate diet for pets, you also need to consider their age, special medical needs, your time/lifestyle, cost, and Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO) certification. (www.aafco.org/consumers/ understanding-pet-food/selectingthe-right-pet-food/ ) Each life stage (pregnancy/lactation, kittens/puppies, adulthood, seniors) has its own needs. Medical conditions that can impact dietary needs include diabetes, kidney disease and food sensitivities/allergies. In dogs and cats, food sensitivities frequently manifest in skin related conditions. If you see hair loss or infection, you can try switching protein sources or to hydrolyzed food, but your best course is to consult your vet when any special circumstances present themselves.
are more expensive. For example, corn and wheat are less expensive than sweet potato or quinoa although they may not be dramatically different from each other as carbohydrate sources. The same can be said for chicken meal and chicken byproducts. Both provide a source of protein, but one is cheaper than the other. I can attest from personal experience that protein sources vary widely in price. Because of digestive issues, my cat cannot eat conventional sources of meat (poultry, beef). Rabbit, which he can digest, is much more expensive and his food requires a prescription. It is worth it to keep him healthy but would be unnecessary in a typical cat. Again, according to Dr. Wakshlag, other food ingredients that increase price include Omega3 fatty acids, herbs/spices with potential health benefits, probiotics and fresh meats, and vegetables and fruits. Such additions might be necessary for individual cats, but the average healthy cat will do well on any complete, balanced diet.
One thing is certain. When picking pet food always look at the label for an AAFCO statement that the food is safe and healthy. If the product is considered to be a complete and balanced diet, it will contain one of two statements. First, it has been formulated to meet established nutrition levels. Or, second, animal feeding tests have been used to substantiate the claim of a complete, balanced diet. Products offered by large, established brands have all been tested; smaller or newer brands may not have been, but should still have undergone a review process that results in a statement on the label. (www.aaha.org/resources/ healthy-tails-how-to-choose-the-rightfood-for-your-pet/ )
Now to the issue of cost – are more expensive foods worth it? According to Dr. Joseph Wakshla, writing for the Cornell Feline Health Center publication Cat Watch (March 2024), the most important factors in pet food selection are that the food is balanced/complete and that your pet likes it. Higher prices don’t necessarily mean more nutrition benefits, but may simply mean that the ingredients
Here are a few other miscellaneous things to bear in mind. Treats and supplements are not complete foods. They certainly can be provided in addition to the pet’s regular meals, but should not be relied upon to meet basic nutrition needs. According to the AAFCO, labels should be read not just for nutrition information but for feeding directions. My cat is giving me the eye right now and would happily eat another meal, but according to the label on his food, he has gotten the right amount for his first meal of the day! When reading the label also look for the specifics on meat sources rather than a vague “animal products” statement. On the subject of canned food versus dry, medical professionals seem to agree that both have their advantages and disadvantages. Canned food helps with hydration because it contains more water and may be important for those animals (namely cats) that don’t naturally drink an adequate amount. But, canned food cannot be left out all day and is more expensive. Dry food better supports dental health, and can be left out for those pets who are munchers. Because each seems to have its use, I have chosen to do a bit of both. If you are thinking about providing a raw diet do your research carefully. Such diets can be nutritious, but need to be formulated with great care to assure that the nutrient balance is correct and that the food is free from contaminants like salmonella.
If your pet seems to be struggling with food-related issues or you have a new animal and are not sure how to proceed, do consult your vet. Be wary of marketing claims and food fads. For example, the use of words such as “premium”, “natural” and “holistic” can be used with no regulatory oversight. If your pet is eating and seems healthy and happy – has a shiny coat, good muscle tone, firm well-formed stools, appropriate activity level for age – you are likely feeding him correctly. Just keep up the good work (and enjoy Thanksgiving)!
About the Author: Alberta Frost is a caregiver at King Street Cats and happily owns two of her own.
A Quick Message from the AWLA:
We’ve seen an increase in the number of animals abandoned both at the AWLA and throughout the community. Marshmallow the guinea pig was even carelessly tossed in or donation bin. We certainly understand that life happens and caring for a pet can become difficult or even impossible. But, please, let us help you find a better – more humane –solution for rehoming your animals.
Abandonment, besides being illegal, is inhumane and dangerous. Abandoned animals can suffer from starvation and dehydration to being struck by cars or attacked by wildlife. If you are finding it tough to provide food, supplies, or vaccines to your animal, let us know. We can definitely help. I you just can’t keep the animal, let us help you with rehoming and discuss your options. There is no judgement here. We serve the city of Alexandria, VA but some of our pet retention programs, like our lowcost vaccines and pet pantry, can extend beyond our jurisdiction.
For additonal information, please e-mail us at info@ AlexandriaAnimals.org, find us online at AlexandriaAnimals.org or call us at 703-838-4774.
PETS OF THE MONTH
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA
703-746-4774
alexandriaanimals.org
Mon-Tu-Th-Fri, 12-7 pm
Wed- Closed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm
Meet Nova, a delightful dog in search of her forever home! Nova is a super fun pup that is full of life and joy at four years old. This 56-pound pumpkin is made for outdoor adventures. Nova enjoys playing chase with her ball and favorite squeaky toys. She is also said to have very good house manners, is crate trained, and has lived with another dog in a previous home. Nova likes to relax as much as she relishes staying busy, and she would be an awesome sofa buddy at the end of a long day of activities.
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304
703-838-4774
www.alexandriaanimals.org
Animal Welfare League of Arlington 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 703-931-9241 www.awla.org
Fairfax County Animal Shelter 4500 West Ox Road Fairfax, VA 22030
703-830-1100
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter
King Street Cats 25 S. Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-231-7199
www.kingstreetcats.org
Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. (Dog rescue for VA, MD, DC, and south central PA) P.O. Box 90813 Alexandria, VA 22309 703-344-7320 ophrescue.org
Friends of Rabbits www.friendsofrabbits.org
Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary (1300 animals and 22 species on 450 acres) P.O. Box 1357 Orange, VA 22960 540-854-0870
By appointment: tours@rikkisrefuge.org events@rikkisrefuge.org www.rikkisrefuge.org
Artemis is a nearly 2-year-old female kitty. She is calm, gentle and social. She gets along swimmingly with other cats, too. Her favorite activities include a Churu snack break and a long relaxing cat nap. Artemis is extra special and does require a certain prescription food. She's looking for a special loving family who will keep her happy and healthy! Artemis' adoption fees have been sponsored, thanks to Royal Restaurant! Contact the Animal League of Alexandria to meet her today.
Holmes is a beautiful black and white shorthaired rabbit who we believe is around 2-3 years old. He lives for treats -- with veggies and timothy biscuits being his absolute fave. He is litterbox trained and likes to be a free roam bunny. His foster says he is very mannerly and doesn't chew on anything he isn't supposed to. He likes a booty scratch here and there. Holmes is smart and loves to play with food puzzles. Holmes' adoption fees have been sponsored, thanks to Royal Restaurant!
Nova Artemis Holmes
GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS
Electronics are Disappearing
Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) in professional bass tournaments continues to come under fire. Established pro trail, BASSMASTERS, is restricting FFS use for 2026 tournaments.
This followed Major League Fishing (MLF) restricting FFS to one of three periods. The National Professional Fishing League continues to outlaw FFS.
For the last 5 seasons, fans and anglers have been speaking out against FFS reliance. It’s become a young verses old debate. Younger anglers have embraced technology, claiming older anglers just can’t figure it out. Listening to anglers, fans, or both, BASSMASTERS is restricting FFS use, letting a coin toss decide which venues FFS could be used resulting in 5 events with and 4 without FFS.
One of three pro anglers having fished every BASSMASTER Elite Series tournament, BassCat Mercury pro John Crews is looking forward to this season to see the true talents of the younger pros, referred to as “scopers”. He says the format will provide a comparison with and without FFS and whether fish counts go up with use. Crews evaluates having or not having FFS for the 9 events.
According to Crews, the 5 locations allowing FFS provide a contrast of impacts. February’s event in Alabama’s Lake Martin with FFS will open more water as the lake fishes smaller this time of the year. FFS will be a huge factor as they target spotted bass in clear water. But in April, the Arkansas River in Oklahoma would require creative use of FFS as using it won’t be a factor in how most are going to catch fish that time of year. He adds you don’t know what might happen. In May, the Elites travel to South Carolina to fish Lake Murray where 30% at most will be using FFS quite a bit, enabling the lake to fish big. FFS might not be a huge advantage, depending on herring spawn. In that case, FFS will be used to follow the bait to locate where fish have moved, a different use of FFS. But some will traditionally scope, otherwise running and gunning or sitting on spots. As June rolls in, the Pasquotank River in North Carolina, won last year using FFS, will be interesting as more anglers are likely going to use FFS.
Here the spawn will likely be behind them, and anglers will need to find fish living offshore and deeper. Even though there will still be a ton of fish caught conventionally, flipping and topwater, FFS will be a big influence.
At summer’s end, August, New York’s St. Lawrence River will be good. Crews says this is a great time of the year up there and having FFS however
of May would have been a good FFS stop, but with more grass growing there’s good opportunity for guys who can figure out that bite. Crews says the biggest changeup for FFS users, who would have targeted offshore fish feeding on bait, will be on Lake Champlain in New York. He says populations of fish on cover isn’t as good as in the past. He says the biggest
will allow anglers to pinpoint fish and what they are keying on…or just move to another area and not waste time.
For fisheries where FFS is not allowed, Crews provides insight. Lake Guntersville in Alabama continues to be a great fishery all year. With FFS, weights would be very high, but without it should still be very good and Crews expects to see a variety of techniques utilized. A fishery not impacted by FFS is in March on the Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi. Crews says there’s plenty of shallow fishing with a few opportunities to fish offshore cover. Santee Cooper Lakes in South Carolina during the month
Early on, water will be near 60, closer to 50 by month’s end.
factor there will be the weather. This new BASSMASTER rule makes FFS all or nothing. Compared with MLF, where anglers can use it in practice and for one period daily, the impact of having or not having FFS will be more pronounced. Crews says the MLF scenario makes the anti FFS argument more pronounced as it showed the direct impact FFS had on outcomes even when used for only one period. He also points out that MLF format wouldn’t work in BASSMASTERS as they don’t have judges in their boat, adding that MLF promotes hole sitting by anglers waiting for their FFS periods.
As for the coin toss randomly determining FFS use, Crews feels this satisfies fans who want to see varied competition. He predicts there won’t be much movement in angler rankings as over the past 4 years older anglers are staying near their career averages. Crews says, “I’m old enough now that any rule or tech change makes the next year exciting…a little new, different and refreshing, looking forward to see what will happen.”
As the trend in pro bass fishing returns to pre FFS use, will next season continue to show the dominance of anglers who rely on FFS? Or will those who reject technology return to their dominance in the sport where age and experience used to be an advantage.
About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac river reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.
Shallow to deeper diving crankbaits tied to 10 pound test GAMMA EDGE fluorocarbon line will pull fish from cover and down drops near cover. Contacting cover is key. Chartreuse color patters work when sunny and darker, craw or red pattern are best for cloudy days.
Jigs are also a great bait. Black/ blue patterns with chunk trailers will get to the bottom and allow slow movements. Use 12-14 pound test GAMMA EDGE and downsize line when water gets closer to 50.
Mizmo tubes in River Craw is a great Potomac color. Darker colors when water has more stain. Use 10 pound test GAMMA Torque braid with 10 pound test Edge leader. ¼ ounce jig heads allow the bait to glide along the bottom and down drops.
Potomac River Bassing in NOVEMBER
ELITE SERIES PRO ANGLER JOHN CREWS
Growing My Gratitude Garden
I am gobsmacked that I’m writing my November column. Seriously. It feels like just yesterday I was contemplating my SPF choices while simultaneously praying I’d have the perfect swimsuit body that would require protection from the sun. Sigh. While that ship has sailed, my gratitude ship is here at the dock waiting patiently for me. And I’m ready to load up.
As a Virgo, I can find fault in pretty much anything. I’m always looking for the crack in the vase, the flower that didn’t bloom, the sock that didn’t get picked up. And I can find those things all day long. It’s part of my DNA. While that attention to detail has served me well on several occasions, it doesn’t always serve me well in my personal life. It makes me a good editor. It makes me someone whom people trust to make sure all the ‘i’s are dotted and the ‘t’s are crossed, but it doesn’t make me easy to live with (sorry, XXL). And if I’m putting that kind of focus on things and people around me, imagine the microscope I’m putting on myself. No bueno. But, contrary to popular belief, old dogs can learn new tricks. And, I for one, am trying to master the art of gratitude—as well as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ which also take a tremendous amount of patience and skill. For the record, treats are a great motivator for both the four legged and two legged among us. While Dozer favors bacon and cheese flavored treats, I prefer ice cream and peanut butter. But, I digress. Just like flaws are easy to find, it turns out, so are things to be grateful for. This
morning, I am grateful for sunshine, as I haven’t seen it in what feels like an eternity. Thank you, Sunshine. I am grateful for your light and warmth. I am grateful for the pitter patter of Dozer’s paws across the tile floors. Our vet recently found a cancerous tumor which we are treating, but who knows how many days, weeks, months, years that I’ll hear that sound. I don’t want to think about it. If there’s an upside to a health scare, it’s that it makes us appreciate things real quick. I won’t take that sound for granted ever again.
Dozer is getting away with murder these days as well as getting loads of treats. He is milking the ‘C’ card that’s for sure. That being said, I sure am grateful for that vet who found the tumor, and I’m grateful for his doggy oncologist and his team who have been taking such good care of our sweet boy. Gosh—and I am just grateful for fall in general. I love all the smells—cinnamon, apple, pumpkin, and clove. I love the bright orange and yellows and browns and greens. And, of course, I love being able to pull out my jackets and cozy sweaters and boots. And who doesn’t love a fire pit and a nice glass of Cabernet on a chilly fall night? Grateful. And, of course, no November column would be complete without mentioning Thanksgiving—the day where we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our cornucopia of blessings. Alas— your reality may be that you aren’t grateful for your family at all. Maybe you want to trade them in for the Bundys or the Duttons. Maybe you cringe at
sitting across the table from Uncle Al who will be wearing his MAGA hat or Aunt Edith who will be trying to convince you that tofu actually doesn’t taste like styrofoam. Whatever the case, try to stay grounded in gratitude. Tell yourself that dinner only lasts for an hour and if you chew fast, you can probably get it down to 11 minutes. Offer to do the dishes so you have an excuse to leave the table.
Gratitude, schmatitude…this is easy for me to wax poetic about right now. I haven’t lost my job and I’m not furloughed. I have a roof over my head, food in my fridge, and many freedoms some people only dream of. But when times are tough, what has gotten me through is focusing on simple things that I can hold onto and feel gratitude for—like a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Gratitude can be as small and simple as being grateful for a sunbeam or an unexpected text from a friend. Start small. Gratitude grows from a simple seed planted with kindness—and it definitely shouldn’t be reserved for one day out of the year. Sow the seeds daily and watch your garden grow and bloom.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours—may you be swaddled in gratitude and mashed potatoes. And gravy. And maybe a pumpkin espresso martini. About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 25 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.
LANI GERING
Two Million Lights and Two Million Pounds of Colored Ice and More Light Up the Holidays at the Harbor!
As I sit here a week before Halloween putting together this column, I haven’t even given Thanksgiving a thought let alone Christmas. It seems like the festivities in the DMV start earlier every year. The Harbor has got to be the absolute earliest with the celebrations beginning on November 7th. As in years past it opens up with the weekly tree lighting and fireworks and continues with ice sculptures, Santa, performers, movies, a holiday market, and loads of festive décor. I tapped into my resources at Bendure Communications and got all of this year’s particulars. See below:
National Harbor is the Capital Region’s top holiday waterfront destination. This year, the 350-acre mix-used property kicks off the holiday season with Cirque Italia, running November 7-17. The show is an entertaining travel back to the 1950s with magic, acrobats, aerialists and comedy all in a unique water stage, and held under a stunning white and blue tent at 204 Waterfront St.
The popular National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show Series returns on Saturdays and Sundays from November 29 to December 21 from noon to 6 p.m. Each week, new crafters and artisans will have their works for sale. Some of the goods being sold include clothing made for children, upscale jewelry, dog accessories, candles, maple products, home décor, bath and body, pillows and table runners, dinnerware, cashmere and silk scarves, rugs and carpets, glasswork, alpaca blankets and shawls, crystals, metal art, aprons, towels, resin art, woodwork, stationery, leather products, photography, kids’ crafts and a wide array of artworks.
The dazzling 60-foot RGB tree in the Waterfront District comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show that illuminates to a holiday medley recorded by the U.S. Air Force Band. The show runs every half hour from sunset to 9 p.m. and begins on Saturday, November 8, followed by fireworks every Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m., through December 27.
Gaylord National launches its holiday spectacular of ICE! and so much more on November 14 through January 4. The larger-than-life sculptures are accompanied by frozen slides and aweinspiring tunnels. The carvers, from Harbin, China, work with more than two million pounds of colorful ice, taking more than 12,000 man hours to create the nearly 20,000 square foot, frozen attraction. Christmas at Gaylord includes amazing ice sculptures, vibrant light shows, treasure hunts, Snow Flow Mountain ice slide, Snowball Build and Blast, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas, Gingerbread decorating and more.
Santa will be at The Capital Wheel for photos on Fridays and Saturdays starting Nov. 29 through Dec. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. Children may share their holiday wish list and get a photo taken with Santa before taking a ride on the 180-foot wheel with its climatecontrolled gondolas. And, furry friends can come out and meet Santa and have their photo taken, take a spin on The Capital Wheel (with their owner) and then gather on the Flight Deck for Yappy Hour. Family holiday movies run through November 30 on Sundays at 2 p.m. on the waterfront screen.
National Harbor is magical during the holidays and all dressed up with more than two million holiday lights and decorations throughout. With its eight hotels, more than 40 restaurants and The Capital Wheel, it’s the perfect location to make holiday memories. From family activities to a romantic getaway for couples, National Harbor has it all.
MGM National Harbor celebrates the holiday season at National Harbor with spectacular decorations throughout, including the property’s popular Conservatory where the holidays come alive with a breathtaking display. The Theater at MGM National Harbor is offering a variety of holiday shows including Christmas Together on November 30 and multiple shows of Cirque Dreams Holidaze on December 19 and 20.
National Harbor is also the perfect location for holiday shopping with more than 140 shops including Tanger National Harbor’s 85 designer brands such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Movado, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Coach and H&M.
There is additional shopping in the Waterfront District where there are walkable streets with unique shops and boutiques such as MahoganyBooks, ZAAF, It’Sugar, Corinto Gallery and more. These join nationally recognized brands including Carhartt and others. MGM National Harbor provides additional boutique shopping opportunities.
The holidays are the perfect time to gather with friends or plan a fun outing with out-of-town guests. At National Harbor, you’ll find plenty of unique experiences to enjoy together—from developing your own photos at Sip & Develop, to creating a custom-scented candle at Wigenton Candle Co., to testing your teamwork at Escapology
For more information about all of National Harbor’s holiday fun and hotel packages, visit www. NationalHarbor.com/hohoho. For more information on National Harbor, visit www.NationalHarbor.com
