Old Town Crier - February 2015 Issue by Old Town Crier

Since 1988–Priceless

February 2015

From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

Business Profile

PARALLEL 43

Bringing Old World Wines to Northern Virginia Personality Profile

GERALD “GERRY” RAGLAND

Attorney, Sailor, Amateur Photographer Road Trip

CANAAN VALLEY • BLACKWATER FALLS Get Tucker’d in Tucker County, WV Across the Bridge

NATIONAL HARBOR Love Is in the Air

oldtowncrier.com

Landini’s

ZAGAT

Setting The Standard In 2006 Old Town For 35 Years AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

AND THE PAST 15 YEARS

115115 KingKing Street Street • Old Town Alexandria Old Town Alexandria 703-836-8404 • landinibrothers.com 703-836-8404

Valet Parking Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm

Noe and Franco welcome you!

FISH MARKET MARDI GRAS 2015 MENU STARTERS Seafood Gumbo Steamed Cajun Crawfish Fried Okra PO BOYS Oyster, Shrimp, Crawfish, or Catfish NEW ORLEANS SPECIALTIES Blackened Red Drum Ponchatrain topped with Crabmeat & Shrimp in a Garlic Cream Sauce Andouille Sausage Red Beans & Rice Shrimp & Tasso Ham Etouffee Cajun Seafood Pasta with Shrimp, Oysters and Crawfish DESSERT Peach Crumb Cobbler with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream CAjUN COCKTAILS The Hurricane Bananas Foster Gin Fizz Hand Grenade

Celebrate Mardi Gras New Orleans Style at the Fish Market

5 Days of Cajun Food,Fun & Festivities Friday February 13 – Fat Tuesday February 17

105 & 107 King St. Old Town Alexandria

703.836.5676 fishmarketva.com

Eat Fish, Drink Beer, Live Longer!

Buy a Mardi GraS MaSk FOr $1 all PrOceedS GO directly tO MS

february’15 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, Va. 22320

phone: 703. 836. 0132 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Laura Parker DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, Va. 20175 Chris Anderson Peggie Arvidson Sarah Becker Frank Britt Bonnie Browning F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Doug Coleman Ashley Denham Busse Doug Fabbioli Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering

CONTRIBUTORS Frances Killpatrick Miriam Kramer Jeff McCord Laura Parker Julie Reardon Chester Simpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown Molly Winans

Open Space

Fitness

Personality Profile

Art & Antiques

From the Bay…

Pets of the Month

Behind the Bar

From the Trainer

Points on Pets

Publishers Notes

Go Fish

Road Trip

Chefs Special

Grapevine

Spiritual Renaissance

Civil Discourse

The Last Word

Dining Guide

High Notes

To the Blue Ridge

Dining Out

National Harbor

Urban Garden

Exploring Virginia Wines

On the Media

Valentine’s Day Trivia

On the Road

Virginia Wine Trails

Financial Focus

Groundhog’s Day Trivia

About the cover On the road with OTC

Old Town Crier

Gallery Beat

Caribbean Connection

Business Profile

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

Winter at Blackwater Falls in Tucker County, WV. See this month’s Road Trip column for more about Tucker County. Photo courtesy of Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau, AKA Flash Photography.

First Blush

After Hours

A Bit of History

Old Town Alexandria residents Dick and Mary Kenefick took the Old Town Crier with them to Australia on a six week circumnavigation of the continent and display it here in front of the iconic Sydney Opera House where they attended a concert. If you would like to see your picture here, take the OTC with you on your next trip, snap a high resolution photo and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com.

February 2015 | 1

PUBLISHER’S NOTES BOB TAGERT

ere we are moving into February. This is the shortest month of the year but always seems to be the longest. I imagine that the yearning for warmer months makes us want time to move faster. However, if you like to sit in front of a nice cozy fireplace with a cocktail or to eat a good meal, Dining Out this month features many of the fireplaces in the Old Town area. The last week in January was a bonus for participating restaurants in Alexandria Restaurant Week, which ran from January 23 to February 1. There was a noticeable spike in business and gave folks an opportunity to experience new places at reduced prices. If you missed

out, check out our friends in Calvert County as they have their Restaurant Week February20 through March 1. There will also be a Taste of Solomons the first week of March. Our Personality Profile this month is Gerry Ragland, Jr. — lawyer by day, sailor by weekend. The Business Profile this month gives you a look at Bulgarian wines which are imported by our friend Rhys Davies and his wife and her family. The Civil War continues and Doug Coleman takes us back to February of 1865. We stepped out of our comfort zone this month and crossed the bridge into DC to interview our Behind the Bar victim, Sean Hughes, at the Old Ebbit Grill. Sean is the older brother of our pal Mitchell Hughes, barkeep at Landini’s

Restaurant and little sister Kaitlan, barkeep at Fish Market here in Old Town. It is sort of a family affair. Valentine’s Day rolls around on the 14th — be sure to take care of your loved ones by doing something special. Check out your knowledge of said holiday by taking the trivia on page 26 of this issue. Let’s also not forget to celebrate President’s Day by taking in the George Washington Parade on February 16 here in Old Town Alexandria. There are presidential activities taking place all week. Check them out at washingtonbirthday.net. Thanks again for reading us!

photo: Kate Wise

Local Farmers Markets

The Lamplighter Our staff has 3 generations of experience to assist you in your lamp and lamp shade needs!

1207 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703.549.4040 www.lamplighterlamps.com Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)

A Very Good Price!

Good Haircut! Beautiful Perm!

Long Lasting Color!

Van’s Hairstylists 107 North Washington Street (near corner of King & Washington streets)

703-836-1916

Monday-Friday 9 am-7 pm • Saturday 9 am-6 pm We care and will give you only the best! Biolage • Vital Nutrient • Socolor • Matrix Perm • Paul Mitchell • Nexxus 2 | February 2015

Old Town Farmers Market

Market Square • 301 King Street Saturday 7 a.m. - Noon, year round Free parking in Market Square garage during market hours People who come to Alexandria on Saturday mornings find themselves in a busy plaza where local farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753. Old Town Alexandrias Market Square is thought to be one of the nations oldest continually operating farmers markets, serving as a primary source of meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables for Alexandrians. George Washington sent his produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today, the market offers folks a way to reconnect to the past, while participating in an ongoing local and national tradition.

Del Ray Farmers Market Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon avenues Saturday 8 a.m. - Noon, year round

The Del Ray Market is producer grown, with fresh vegetables and fruits in season. All year round this market offers meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces, Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs, jams and jellies, fancy nuts and bakery goods.

Old Town Crier

ON THE MEDIA LAURA PARKER

Tailoring Your Social Media Message

n January I wrote about the 2015 outlooks for several of the prominent social media platforms. This month I want to discuss how you can tailor your social media messages to better match current holiday trends. It is no secret that February marks the month in which many retailers will push to have their consumers buy Presidents Day or Valentine’s Day specializes. With this in mind, I have a few tips to help you connect with your customers during the ’February buying frenzy.’ Twitter: Don’t forget to tailor your tweets to match the current trends. For example, you can join the #ValentinesDay and #PresidentsDay hashtag ranks to help promote your tweets. Generally speaking, holiday Twitter success occurs when you have a particularly witty or catch tweet that warrants a retweet. Stay away from generic promotions, such as “Happy #ValentinesDay.” You can instead think outside of the box with something a little more original, such as “Single this #ValentinesDay? #50ShadesofGrey is coming to a theater near you… we’ll be there too.”

Since 1988–Priceless

From the Bay to the Blue

Ridge

February 2013 Grapevine

TRUMP WINERY

Boldly Moving Ahead Business Profile

THE SILVER PARROT Sexy, Sultry Silver

Personality Profile

BRYAN WATSON teur

Hockey Great & Restaura Road Trip

BLOOMERY PLANTATION DISTILLERY Hand Crafted & Home Grown Dining Out

HANK’S OYSTER BAR Feel the Love

Happy Valentines Day!

Facebook

People love to share photos around the holidays. These photos could be anything from a new purchase to a romantic dinner. No matter what they are sharing, the point is, if it is related to the current holiday, then the photo offers a chance for your customers to connect with your business. Encourage your followers to share their holiday related photos. You could even run a contest to see which photo acquires the most likes or shares, and the winning photo would receive a gift card or gift.

Instagram

Cute, cuddly, daring, or simply astonishing, when it comes to Instagram holiday success anything goes. To this end, I recommend assigning an emotional trigger to each holiday, and then posting a photo that invokes that specific

get your ! monthly fix

emotion. For example, Valentine’s Day could be dedicated towards happiness, love, or commitment, while Presidents Day might inspire emotions of loyalty or dedication. No matter which platform you choose for holiday and business promotions, be sure to create posts that will resonate with your intended audience. Just because another company uses a cute puppy for Valentine’s Day, doesn’t mean that you should jump on the “cute bandwagon.” Perhaps, the satirical route of an amusing joke or GIF is the way to go. As always, knowing your audience, connecting with your audience, and encouraging a conversation will put you on the path towards social media success. Laura Parker is a full-time freelance writer and marketing guru. For more marketing tips or to schedule a marketing advice session please contact her at laura@lauraparker.com; www.lauraparker.com

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February 2015 | 3

Personality profile

Gerald ’Gerry’ Ragland, Jr.

BOB TAGERT

attorney, sailor, amateur photographer

riting about Gerry Ragland is a pleasure for me, for I have known Gerry since 1996 when I competed against him in the inaugural Old Town Crier Cup sailboat race— the only time I ever beat him. I will address the race a little later. The 73-year-old Ragland has strong ties to his native Alexandria. He was born at Duke and Washington Streets. His dad ran a garage on Route 1 and Old Mt. Vernon Highway, not far from Alexandria. When America entered World War II, Mr. Ragland senior moved to Baltimore to work at the shipyards. A little later Mr. Ragland, Sr. enlisted in the Marine Corp and saw action at Iwo Jima. While his dad was overseas, Gerry and his mom, Edith Drumheller, moved back to her native Rockfish, Virginia in Nelson County. There is a little bit a history here, as Edith had attended Schuyler High School and graduated Salutatorian while Earl Hamner Jr. graduated Valedictorian. Hamner wrote several semi-autobiographical stories about his experiences there while growing up during the Great Depression, including Spencer’s Mountain which was made into a movie in 1963. Hamner also wrote the Homecoming, which was the catalyst for the CBS television series, The Waltons. Edith’s dedication to school had a profound effect on Gerry and he became the first in his family to go to college. After the war, the family moved to the town of Crewe in Nottoway 4 | February 2015

County, Virginia, where Gerry put himself through college working as a brakeman in the local train yard. His education was interrupted for a year when he dropped out of Lynchburg College, but later began attending Longwood College in Farmville, Virginia, which today is Longwood University. During this time period, Gerry also taught drama at Falls Church high school and later attended Temple University to receive his law degree. He attended night school for 4 years while working for the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Upon graduating, Gerry opened up his own law practice and practiced

law in Philly for the next ten years. In 1981, after receiving his first big settlement, he bought himself a 27foot Tartan sailboat. His love for sailing had been cultivated years before when he and some friends would venture to Baltimore and charter sailboats. In 1987, Gerry moved to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and rented a slip in Annapolis for his beloved sailboat. A few years later he bought a condo on Back Creek in Annapolis with a slip and moved his boat there. Today, Gerry has a Tartan 34.2 and tries to get out sailing as often as possible; however, even at 73 years he is still

practicing law with the firm of LeClair Ryan. When I asked what type of law, his response was “Professional Liability Defense work.” His focus includes serious personal injury, wrongful death, healthcare litigation, medical malpractice and business litigation. For the last twelve years Gerry has represented clients in numerous cases involving nursing homes. These cases have addressed issues such as pressure sores, falls, medication errors and sexual abuse. Gerry also took up photography in the 1970’s. He would shoot with his Yashica-Mat double lens reflex and then develop his own film. In the 1990’s he took some photography classes and today with his Nikon digital camera, he is an accomplished photographer. Now, about that sailboat race. In 1996 we launched the first Old Town Crier Cup Race, which was a race between 6 33-foot Hunters that were provided by Sunsail Yacht Charters of Annapolis. The race was from Annapolis to St. Michaels, Maryland. With very little wind that day we had to shorten the race and right at the last mile, in a very light breeze, I passed Gerry’s boat. We continued the Old Town Crier Cup for another 9 years but sailing around buoys in our own boats in Solomon’s Maryland. I could come close, but I never beat him again. A true renaissance man for the times, Gerald Ragland, Jr. just keeps going, and going, and going….

Old Town Crier

business profile LANI GERING

Parallel 43

Importing the wines of Eastern Europe left to right: Orlin, Hristo, Gergana and Rhys

arallel 43 is the latitude of the wine region in Bulgaria and the inspiration for the name of this wine importer and wholesaler based in Northern Virginia. It is also the same parallel as the city of Boston here in the USA. Parallel 43 specializes in wines from Eastern Europe and is family owned and operated by Bulgarian natives Orlin Marintchev, his son Hristo and his daughter Gergana and her husband Rhys Davies (who is a native of Ireland). They all bring special talent to the table when it comes to getting their wine into the glasses of Northern Virginian’s. The wines that bear the Parallel 43 label come from a region that has long been known for their wine-making traditions and there are some very interesting, world class wines of both international and regional varietals. We had the pleasure of tasting several of them during our interview and we are very impressed with what we tasted. While all of them have sophisticated palettes when it comes to wine and all weigh in on the wines that they are importing, Orlin is the expert on the wines and their origins, Gergana keeps the day-to-day end of the business running smoothly and Rhys is the front of the house guy who handles sales and tastings. Hristo runs his own business in conjunction with being the label designer and the creative guru at Parallel. If you look closely at the labels you will begin to see a theme in their design. They are all geometric figures with their spellings in Latin. This was the brain child of Hristo. They told us that they have regular

Old Town Crier

“symposiums” (as opposed to staff meetings) when making decisions regarding the business. They are all very strong personalities and it was a pleasure to be part of a “symposium” when we did the interview. They have been in business now for about a year and a half and it suits them well. Being wine drinkers ourselves, we are very impressed with the quality of the wines we tasted. Several of them are pictured in one of the accompanying photos. While many of us are used to wines made from different grapes being blended, several of these wines are made from vines that have been crossed creating a new hybrid. Quoted from their website, “We strive to reintroduce a wide variety of great wines from this forgotten region to the curious wine lover eager to discover a real ’old world’ gem. More specifically, we concentrate on terroir-driven and boutique wines that combine the region’s wine-making capacity and traditions with a modern understanding of the world today.”

“Nazdrave” – Good Health to You.

After meeting this fun family you can be assured that this is definitely their mission. They go on to say, “Our wines are carefully selected from two great Bulgarian wine-growing regions – the Thracian Valley in the south and the Danube Plain in the northwest. These wines, produced in small quantities, are deeply connected to their terroirs and exhibit their unique characteristics.” “The wines from the upper Thracian Valley come from the alluvial soils in the collar of three massive mountain chains. Part of those wines are grown in the southwestern-most corner of Bulgariaand the region of Melnik. This region is sunny and dry with sediment-rich, pebbly and sandy soil. The wines from the northwest come from the Belogradchik region, also known as Bulgaria’s ’Monuement Valley’. These soils are surrounded by 240 million year-old red sandstone. Typical with its cooler climate, this region’s vineyards struggle against cold winters and comparatively dry summer seasons, thus producing

Rhys Davies – The Sales Guy

impressive wines.” Since Parallel 43 is an importer and wholesaler, we regular Joe Blows can’t purchase directly from them, however, they are available locally in the Alexandria area at several restaurants: Columbia Firehouse, Crystal City Sports Bar, Jackson 20, Vermillion, RT’s, Russian Gourmet, Planet Wine and LaPorta’s to name a few. The only retail outlet currently in the Old Town area is Europa ExpressMart on Jefferson Street. The wine is also available in restaurants and retail stores in several surrounding suburbs as well as in D.C. Their market is ever expanding. For more information on the individual wines that carry their label or if you have an interest in becoming a vendor, log on to their website at www.parallel43.com. February 2015 | 5

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

Does Your Portfolio Reflect Your Risk Tolerance? Smart investors understand all types of risk and use that knowledge to their advantage

hen it comes to investing, many people associate risk with losing money. But investing entails different types of risk. Understanding each type — and the potential return associated with your retirement portfolio — can help you determine whether your investments are appropriate for your situation.

Examining Risk and Return

Stocks historically have exhibited the highest level of market risk — or the potential that an investment may lose money in the short term. Over long periods of time, however, stocks have outperformed both bonds and cash investments.1 This risk/ return tradeoff may influence how you allocate your investments. For instance, consider weighting assets that you intend to keep invested for 10 years or more toward stock investments. Bonds carry their own risks — credit risk, or the possibility that a bond issuer could default on interest and principal payments; and interest rate risk — the chance that rising interest rates could cause a bond’s price to fall. Ascending interest rates historically have influenced the prices of bonds more directly than the prices of stocks.1 When short-term rates are on the rise, investors may sell older bonds that pay a lower rate

“

of interest — causing their prices to fall — in favor of newly issued bonds that pay higher interest rates. On the plus side, bonds historically have exhibited less short-term volatility that stocks, although past performance is no guarantee of future results. It’s also important to look at cash investments, such as three-month Treasury bills, from a vantage point of risk and return.1 Although Treasury bills typically experience a low level of volatility, they may be subject to inflation risk — or the possibility that their returns may not keep pace with the rising cost of goods and services. For this reason, you may want to use cash investments for short-term situations when you expect to access your money within 12 months or less.

Putting Risk in Perspective

Because all investments entail risk, you may want to review your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash investments with an eye toward creating a risk/ return profile that is appropriate for your situation. Owning different types of assets may increase your chances of experiencing the benefits associated with each, while mitigating the corresponding risk. Your retirement portfolio won’t be risk free, but you will have the confidence of knowing that you’ve done what you can to manage a potential downside.

Because all linvestments entail risk, you may want to review your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash investments with an eye toward creating a risk/ return profile that is appropriate for your situation.

This article offers only an outline; it is not a definitive guide to all possible consequences and implications of any specific investment strategy. For this reason, be sure to seek advice from knowledgeable financial professionals. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications or its sources, neither S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers or others use of the content. © 2014 S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications. All rights reserved. This column is provided through the

Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community, and is brought to you by Carl M. Trevisan, a local member of FPA and Stephen M. Bearce. McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC and their employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any tax-related statements are not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon, by any such taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Tax-based statements, if any, may have been written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the transaction (s) or matter(s) addressed by these materials, to the extent allowed by applicable law. Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayers particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Securities offered by McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc. and investment advisory services offered by McLaughlin Ryder Advisory Services, LLC.

1 Source: Wealth Management Systems Inc. For the 30-year period ended December 31, 2013. Stocks are represented by the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks, an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Investing in stocks involves risks, including loss of principal. Bonds are represented by the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond index. Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and are subject to availability and change in price. Cash is represented by the Barclays 3-Month Treasury Bills index. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Government bonds and Treasury bills are guaranteed by the U.S. government as to the timely payment of principal and interest, and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and fixed principal value. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

6 | February 2015

Old Town Crier

Coleman Law Group Attorneys at Law Serving Virginia and DC for over 20 years

Groundhog’s

Day &

(703) 739-4200 coleman-lawyers.com 602 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314

Punxsutawney

Phil Fun Facts 1. The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long. Groundhogs are covered with coarse grayish hairs (fur) tipped with brown or sometimes dull red. They have short ears, a short tail, short legs, and are surprisingly quick. Their jaws are exceptionally strong. 2. A groundhog’s diet consists of lots of greens, fruits, and vegetables and very little water. Most of their liquids come from dewy leaves. 3. A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed. Groundhogs also whistle in the spring when they begin courting. 4. Insects do not bother groundhogs and germs pretty much leave them alone. They are resistant to the plagues that periodically wipe out large numbers of wild animals. One reason for this is their cleanliness. 5. Groundhogs are one of the few animals that really hibernate. Hibernation is not just a deep sleep. It is actually a deep coma, where the body temperature drops to a few degrees above freezing, the heart barely beats, the blood scarcely flows, and breathing nearly stops. 6. Young Groundhogs are usually born in mid-April or May, and by July they are able to go out on their own. The size of the litter is 4 to 9. A baby groundhog is called a kit or a cub. 7. A groundhog’s life span is normally 6 to 8 years. Phil receives a drink of a magical punch every summer during the Annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him 7 more years of life. 8. Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just imposters. 9. There has been only one Punxsutawney Old Town Crier

Phil. Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking "groundhog punch" (a secret recipe). One sip, which is administered every summer at the Groundhog Picnic, gives him seven more years of life.

Old TOwn Shoe & luggage Repair • Serving Alexandria for over 17 years • Shoe & Luggage Repair • New Luggage

10. On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob, in front of thousands of faithful followers from all over the world, to predict the weather for the rest of the winter. 11. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. 12. Punxsutawney Phil’s forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2nd, he speaks to the Groundhog Club President in Groundhogese. His proclamation is then translated for the world. 13. The celebration of Groundhog Day began with the Germans, Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states “For as the sun shines on Candlemas day, so far will the snow swirl in May...” The settlers found that groundhogs were plentiful and were the most intelligent and sensible animal to carry on the legend of Candlemas Day.

824 King Street Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 703.299.0655 Mon-Fri 7:30 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm

14. Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800’s. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob made on February 2nd, 1887. 15. So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br’er Groundhog. Thanks to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and their website groundhog.org.

a bit of history sarah becker

The Slave Trade

or centuries slavery has been common among African tribes. Black slaves, usually taken captive during war, were bought and sold to enhance a leader’s wealth. Bartering for human capital is an age-old practice some African countries still practice today. Portuguese sailors, European sailors brought the first Africans to the New World. The voyage to America was arduous and if the shackled cargo became contaminated, succumbed to smallpox or dysentery, the sick were dumped at sea. Slave history is heart-rending. Roughly 8-15 million Africans reached the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries. Many of Alexandria’s early trading partners, such as Portugal, Spain and the Caribbean, not only sanctioned slavery but also engaged in its trade. Slave-traders accepted only the best African specimens. In 1740 the Virginia colony declared slaves “chattel [property] personal in the hands of their owners and possessors for all intents, construction and purpose whatsoever.” Pioneer farmer George Washington, in 1760, paid ten shillings for runaway slave Boson’s Mount Vernon 8 | February 2015

return. Washington, unlike many contemporaries, freed his slaves upon his death. The slaves’ stories are many. James Armistead, a Virginia planter’s slave, served as a double spy during the Revolutionary War. Armistead infiltrated traitor Benedict Arnold’s camp; then later helped Generals Washington and Lafayette ensure Great Britain’s surrender at Yorktown. An empathetic Marquis de Lafayette asked the Virginia General Assembly to give the “essential” slave “every reward his situation can admit of.” Armistead’s freedom was granted in 1787. George Mason vigorously opposed that portion of the 1787 Constitution which permitted the continued importation of slaves. “We became callous to the Dictates of Humanity….,” Mason wrote in 1773. “Taught to regard a part of our own Species in the most abject & contemptible Degree below us, we lose that Idea of the Dignity of Man….” Virginia “laid plans for gradual abolition” as early as 1777; Maryland 1789. The Constitution, Article 1 Section 9:1 states: “The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be

prohibited by the Congress prior to 1808, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.” “In a warm climate [like the South’s], no man will labour for himself who can make another labour for him,” Thomas Jefferson noted in 1781. Quakers were among the few who opposed the slave trade. “A Mr. Warner Mifflin, one of the [Delaware] People called Quakers; active in the pursuit of the Measures laid before Congress for emancipating the Slaves…used Arguments to shew [sic] the immorality—injustice and impolicy of keeping these people in a state of Slavery,” President George Washington recorded in 1790. Congress, consistent with Article 4 Section 2 of the Constitution, passed the Fugitive Slave Act in 1793. Slaves were precious, but only as accumulated property. As slaves were freed and importation denied, labor shortages developed. “The distressing and disgraceful circumstances of this internal traffic in the people of color in our country, is indeed a trying affair to human feeling,—especially the kidnapping part of the business,” Alexandria apothecary and Quaker minister Edward Stabler wrote in 1816. “The scandalous defect of our laws,—and the criminal inattention (to say no more) of our legislators to a subject which is making such rapid progress in the destruction of the character, the humanity, and the morals of the country—is indeed surprising.” “I have been almost at a loss to determine whether any advantage is derived from so feeble an opposition to [slavery’s] course,” Stabler concluded. “For unquestionably the nature of things must change, or they who thus ’sow to the wind’ will for their harvest reap the whirlwind.” Free black Solomon Nothrup—

Twelve Years a Slave—was kidnapped in the city of Washington; processed through District of Columbia slave pens and shipped to Louisiana for sale. As of 1819 trans-Atlantic slave trading was synonymous with piracy, punishable by death. In 1828 Alexandria slave traders Franklin and Armfield established a store at 1315 Duke Street. “The Subscribers, having leased for a term of years the large three story brick house on Duke Street in the town of Alexandria, D.C….wish to purchase one hundred and fifty likely Negroes of both sexes between the ages of 8 and 25 years.” Armfield and partner Franklin eventually controlled nearly half of the New Orleans coastal slave trade. Their fleet included four ships. To be successful Armfield needed to purchase unwanted, local slaves at a low price; then ship the slaves by water to his partner, Isaac Franklin, in Natchez or New Orleans and sell them at peak. Perhaps 1,000-1,200 slaves passed through the Alexandria auction house annually; the income approximately $33,000 yearly. In 1846 Franklin and Armfield agent George Kephart purchased 1315 Duke Street and his became Virginia’s “chief slave-dealing firm.” The slave pen thrived and, after 1858, the business was renamed Price, Birch & Co. Slavery, it is said, is the willful imprisonment of an able man’s soul. Alexandria’s deed book describes Price’s Duke Street purchase as a “Three Story Brick House and Jail.” Jails like Alexandria’s Bruin and Hill were not big enough; strong enough to hold runaway house slaves Emily and Mary Edmondson (also Edmonson). The sisters, teen-age daughters of a free father and enslaved mother, were bound for New Orleans when abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe learned of their failed Potomac River A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

civil DISCOURSE DOUG COLEMAN

Divisions within Divisions

n most of our minds, 150 years later, we have a notion that the North fought the South, which is true. But it also misleading in suggesting all the Northerners agreed with Lincoln and all the Southerners favored secession. Even the divisions were divided. For starters, count the number of stars on a Confederate flag – thirteen. We forget that two of the borderstates, Kentucky and Missouri, voted to secede even though they remained under Union control. Maryland likely would have seceded and rendered Washington City a tiny island in hostile territory had not Lincoln preemptively arrested and jailed its pro-secession legislators. Still, Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland provided entire regiments to the Confederacy. On the flip side, West Virginia seceded from Virginia, while eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina provided regiments to the Union. We usually imagine the Civil War as being fought between armies of blue and gray, but the reality was far uglier — much of the war was fought by partisans, neighbor against neighbor, really just murder and bushwhacking. This is Quantrill burning Lawrence, Kansas and gunning down perhaps 164 civilians, many individually targeted in advance. This is the war in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, where ganglandstyle executions are carried out in dark coves by civilians against other civilians, where Confederate veterans struggling to bring in a crop to feed their families are fighting both their Unionist neighbors and home guards who will shoot them for desertion. This is the Lumbee Indians bushwhacking law enforcement from the swamps to avoid Confederate labor details. This is all very local and not on the other side of some frontier. Old Town Crier

Because this conflict is unorganized and largely civilian, these casualties are usually not counted in the official tally of losses, but the cost of this homegrown fighting is certainly in the thousands. Tennessee partisan Champ Ferguson personally killed over a hundred Unionists — and he probably knew most of their names. The North was divided as well. Not all Northerners agreed that the abolition of slavery was worth fighting for. Desertions skyrocketed in the Army of the Potomac immediately following the Emancipation Proclamation. In July of 1863, the North implemented a draft. The reaction in Manhattan was the New York draft riots, where lower class whites (mostly Irish) who could not afford to hire a substitute deeply resented the notion of being enslaved to free the slaves. The riots began on July 13th, when the second draft lottery was held; the rioters burnt down the draft offices, careless of the tenants living above. The rioters chased away firefighters and the entire block was lost. They burned the armory as well; the local militia had been called away for Lee’s incursion into Pennsylvania and the police were overwhelmed. Pro-abolitionist newspapers were targeted; before the New York Times fell in love with gun control, its editor manned a Gatling gun to save his presses. These were race riots, one object of which was to drive black labor out of New York. “The most cruel atrocities were inflicted upon negroes wherever they were found.” The rioters looted and then torched the Colored Orphan Asylum. About a dozen blacks were killed; one “was seized by the mob, and, after his life had nearly been beaten out, his body was suspended from a tree, a fire kindled under him, and, in the midst of excruciating torments, he expired.” By July 16th

troops returning from Gettysburg quelled the riots. Harper’s estimates over 1000 rioters were killed, in addition to about 50 innocents. Harper’s History of the Great Rebellion suggests that the riots were incited by Northern Democrats sympathizing with the Confederacy. These were known as “Copperheads” (so named from the head of Liberty

carved from copper large cents worn on their lapels). Though sometimes characterized as the “peace-at-anyprice” party, they were also openly hostile to Lincoln’s government. In New York, just prior to the riots, Governor Seymour gave a speech to the effect that Lincoln’s war had brought the country to ”the very CIVIL DISCOURSE > PAGE 42

February 2015 | 9

HIGH NOTES

already!

CHRIS ANDERSON

o here we are, at the beginning of a brand new year. Sure, we’re wiped out from last year but we’re also excited by the possibilities that lie ahead. That rings true in every area, including music, and this year the gate has swung wide open. Usually January is quiet, musically, as most artists get their new masterworks out before Christmas, to capitalize on sales. But this year it’s different, as many excellent new releases have already come storming into the record-sphere. Here are five reasons that 2015 is already an excellent year for music:

The Decemberists: What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World

Portland’s finest return after a four-year silence with an album that combines much of what the band is known for and delivers it with all the finesse of a veteran outfit. Gone are the prog-rock workouts of The Crane Wife and The Hazards Of Love but in its place are several well-written songs that run the gamut from thoughtful pop such as “Make You Better”, the super-cute “Philomena”, and “Cavalry Captain” to acoustic-based folk such as the Appalachian-inspired “Better Not Wake The Baby” and the heartbreaking “12/14/12”, inspired by the Sandy Hook tragedy, while the albumopening ’The Singer Addresses His Audience” is a dynamic statement to anyone who feels that a band is “theirs”

and should cater to their own tastes, rather than grow — “we had to change to belong to you.” The funny thing here is that, on this disc in particular, the Decemberists haven’t changed all that much. Perhaps they are referring to the past, where they evolved from a sea-shanty-loving indie pop band to a major-label prog-rock outfit, with concept albums and such, before settling on 2011’s country-tinged The King Is Dead. Here, they relax and deliver a set of songs that, while all superbly written and delivered, never stray very far from what the band does best. My only issue is that the disc seems to be top-loaded with catchy, energetic pop numbers, while the back half is much slower and more pensive. At any rate, these 14 songs reveal a band that is rightly reclaiming its place.

Sleater-Kinney: No Cities To Love

Speaking of rightly reclaiming their place, it’s been a full ten years since we last heard from Sleater-Kinney. It’s kind of hard to believe, since the three members have remained very active on their own — Carrie Brownstein forming Wild Flag with Mary Timony as well as creating and starring in Portlandia; Corin Tucker has been active with her own eponymous band; and Janet Weiss has drummed for just about every Northwest band of note. Despite their time away, or perhaps because of it, there was no fanfare made of the band’s recent reunion, as they wrote and recorded this album in secret and were very coy about dropping hints. Perhaps there was some trepidation, since they were gone for so long, but all that is wiped clean HIGH NOTES > PAGE 11

Shout Out to Local Musicians! Submit your CD for possible mention in an upcoming Old Town Crier High Notes column Send your latest accomplishment(s) with contact information to: Old Town Crier Regional Magazine Attn: High Notes PO Box 320386 • Alexandria, VA 22320

10 | February 2015

Old Town Crier

AFTER AFTER HOURS HOURS

Birchmere 703.549.7500 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com

Las Tapas 703.836.4000 710-714 King St. lastapas.us

Carlyle Club 411 John Carlyle Dr. 703-549-8957 thecarlyleclub.com

The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. thelighthorserestaurant.com

Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442

Morrison House 703.838.8000 116 South Alfred St.

Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com

The Fish Market 703.836.5676 105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com Flying Fish 703.600.FISH 815 King St. flyingfishdc.com

OConnells 703.739.1124 112 King St. Rock It Grill 703.739.2274 1319 King St.

Austin Grill & Tequila Bar 703.836.8969 801 King St. 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 Trattoria da Franco 703-548-9338 305 S. Washington St. Two Nineteen 703.549.1141 219 King St.

King Street Blues 703.836.8800 112 N. St. Asaph St.

Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com

La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St.

These establishments offer live entertainment. Call to confirm show times, dates and cover charges. Check our advertisers’ websites.

HIGH NOTES FROM PG 10

by the ten kickass songs on this disc. They pick up as if they had never left, just raging their way through all the fire of their best work. Corin Tucker handles most of the vocals on this set and her banshee wail has lost none of its vigor. The band claims this is a “restart” and not a “reunion”, which gives the impression that this is not a one-off. Given their individual schedules, who knows how this will pan out, but this will surely go down as one of the most welcome, and inspired comebacks of all time.

Belle & Sebastian: Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance

The comebacks keep on comin’ as indie-twee darlings Belle & Sebastian release their first album in five years. Much of this disc treads familiar ground - mellow tunes that make you want to simultaneously dance and doze off. But there is also an increased use of electronics that enhance their sound which comes to a head in the lead single, “Party Line”, which comes about as close to “runway music” as this band has ever gotten, while still being familiar enough to satisfy even the most proprietary fans (you know, the ones the Decemberists are singing about). Once again, a most welcome comeback.

Punch Brothers: The Phosphorescent Blues

Fresh off last years outstanding Nickel Creek reunion, mandolin wizard Chris Thile reconvenes his “other” band for this set of tunes that perfectly marries bluegrass with prog sensibilities, their most successful in that Old Town Crier

regard since their 2008 debut. Immaculately produced by T-Bone Burnett, this set kicks off with the dark, and quite strange, “Familiarity”, while songs like “Julep” and “I Blew It Off ” are both energetic and totally askew. While most of the tracks on this disc are original they also tackle pieces by Debussy and Scriabin, further proving that these guys can pretty much do anything.

Dan Mangan + Blacksmith: Club Meds

Prior to hearing this album, I had never heard of Dan Mangan. Listening to this album, I feel that I should have. This is his first album billed with Blacksmith and it features eleven original songs that are based in folk and rock but with a good deal of jazz and even a bit of prog thrown in. Highlights include “Kitsch”, “Mouthpiece”, and the lofty “A Doll’s House / Pavlovia”. While he is a JUNO award winner in his native Canada, this is the album that should break him in the States. Needless to say, I will surely be exploring the rest of his work. Add to this, excellent new offerings from The Dodos, Beardfish, and Guster, and you have a fantastic start to this exciting new year. There is still much to look forward to as well, including new music from Bob Dylan, Imagine Dragons, UFO, Gang Of Four, Noel Gallagher, Mark Knopfler, Modest Mouse, Death Cab For Cutie, Sufjan Stevens, Brian Wilson, Bjork, Black Sabbath, David Gilmour, Muse, Faith No More, The Smashing Pumpkins, and maybe even some more U2. Hmm, we got some listening to do this year! February 2015 | 11

THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER

CaribBean Mystery and intrigue

Jeff mccord A dead Marine washed ashore on a Caribbean island leads investigators to otherworldly perpetrators in historic pirate waters and high level abuses in Washington. An intrepid maritime historian working the case for U.S. Naval Intelligence discovers a 60-year record of extraterrestrial activity in the Caribbean basin. History and national security politics meet science fiction in this mystery based on exhaustive factual research and informed conjecture by Virginia author Jeffrey Roswell McCord. AvAilAble from AmAzon in pAperbAck ($10.97) or As A kindle downloAd

12 | February 2015

cclaimed author Hilary Mantel won the 2009 Man Booker Prize for her historical novel Wolf Hall, the first in a trilogy written from the point of view of the cunning Thomas Cromwell, a lowborn lawyer and advisor to King Henry VIII of England. I recently read this book that traces his rise to power from humble origins as a drunk blacksmith’s son to a well-traveled man of the world with access to the levers of power, advisor first to Cardinal Wolsey of York and then advisor to the king himself from 1532 to 1540. Having also recently perused Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, another

he refused to abandon despite the cardinal’s decreasing popularity at court. She also imagines Cromwell as a man who not only loves his wife and children but also takes a warm interest in his wards and members of his household. This personal warmth does not prevent him from acting as a ruthless pragmatist who cares nothing for religious cant but operates in the midst of a world ordered by religious rules. Cromwell can and will react to changing circumstances by undermining former enemies, such as Sir Thomas More and Queen Anne Boleyn. He befriends them as necessary after the cardinal

Games of Thrones extraordinarily popular and now classic work of British historical fiction, and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, set in an imagined medieval British world, I was inspired to compare them. Wolf Hall is quite obviously a work of literary fiction, as opposed to a standard bestseller. It takes the Machiavellian, often-maligned figure of Thomas Cromwell and recounts his life through a fictive lens. Mantel fills out his loosely drawn historical caricature by showing him with a steady head and a sharp eye for his own interests, but also a steady loyalty to his first important master, Cardinal Wolsey, whom

dies, so that he can climb the rungs of power and become a trusted, valued advisor to King Henry VIII and an orchestrator of the English Reformation, which split the Church of England from Catholicism. I wondered how true to life this portrayal is, and how many liberties Mantel took in portraying Cromwell after researching him. At times I even wondered if she was being too respectful to history. That being said, she obviously knows her time period and subject thoroughly, and her writing is beautiful and detailed. It aptly evokes the world of early THE LAST WORD > PAGE 27

Old Town Crier

URBAN GARDEN LANI GERING

hile we realize that this column is normally dedicated to what we all should be doing during the month of February to ensure a beautiful garden during the rest of the year, we are stepping outside the box with a piece about the meaning of many of the flowers that you have growing or plan to grow this season. In the spirit of the season, we all recognize the red rose as the ultimate symbol of love. A red rose is the traditional romantic gift given to your love on Valentine’s Day, however, different rose colors send other messages. Some of which are listed below: Red: True love White: I love you not Yellow: Jealousy Pink: Innocent love & happiness Orange: I love you vigorously Purple: I will love you forever Wild rose: Uncontrollable desire Moss rose: I admire you from afar The following information was garnered from several sources that may be a bit subjective since not all of the experts tend to agree on some of the meanings; however, we hope you find the information entertaining and enlightening in some fashion. For hundreds of years flowers have held hidden meanings, derived from mythology, folklore, religious and historical symbolism. The floral bouquet you send or receive brings a special coded message, depending on the flowers you choose. The study of the meaning of flowers is an actual science known as floriography, and it reveals an extra underlying meaning to sending or receiving flowers—subtle and secret messages can be passed through the different blooms. During the 18th century sending flower messages based on a Turkish secret language of flowers became popular. This was known as sending a Persian Selam, a coded bouquet to reveal your feelings of love or attraction. The Victorians became very knowledgeable in flower language and chose their bouquets carefully. Flowers gave them a secret language that enabled them to communicate feelings that the propriety of the times would not allow; there were strict restraints Old Town Crier

on courtship and any displays of emotion. Think about the following when ordering your Valentine’s Day, birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day or any other occasion you plan to send flowers to make sure you don’t send the wrong message. Even the way you hand over the bouquet sends a message—flowers held in your right hand means yes, whereas flowers held in the left hand means no.

Anemone: Dying Love

Derived from the Greek for ’windflower,’ mythology relates the anemone sprung from the tears of Aphrodite as she mourned the death of her love, Adonis. In folklore the anemone is believed to bring luck and protection against evil. The flower was said to foretell rain by closing its petals, and fairies were believed to sleep beneath the petals of the wood anemone during the night after they closed at sunset

Bluebell: Constancy & Everlasting Love

Believed to call the fairies when rung, and thought to be unlucky to walk through a mass of bluebells, because it was full of spells. It is also considered an unlucky flower to pick or bring into the house. The Latin name for this flower is Endymion

who was the lover of the moon Goddess, Selene. The goddess put Endymion into an eternal sleep, so she alone could enjoy his beauty. Bluebells were said by herbalists to help prevent nightmares, and used as a remedy against leprosy, spider-bites and tuberculosis, but the bluebell is poisonous.

Carnation Betrothal, Love & Fertility

This flower was believed to be an aphrodisiac, hence its popular use at weddings and because of the association with love it was widely used in wreaths. Gentlemen began to wear carnations as a buttonhole, Oscar Wilde developed the fashion with a dyed green carnation. The various carnation colors can mean different things: white: yellow: pink: red:

love rejection I’ll never forget you aching heart

Forget-Me-Nots: True Love & Remembrance

Mythology describes this as the flower chosen by a brave knight as a posy for his sweetheart before going to battle, as he knelt to gather the tiny blue flowers he fell into a river and was swept away, calling to his love to ’forget me not.’

TheLanguage of Flowers

Honeysuckle: Devoted Love

Said to protect your garden from evil. It is known as the Love Bind, symbolizing a lover’s embrace in its clinging growing habits. The heady fragrance of the flowers was believed to induce dreams of love and passion. If the bloom is brought into the house a wedding is said to follow within the year. The honeysuckle’s berries are poisonous.

Lily of the Valley: Return to Happiness

A beautifully scented, but highly poisonous flower. It is believed that Lily of the valley protects your gardens from evil spirits. These fragrant blooms supposedly sprang from Eve’s tears when she was cast out of the garden of Eden.

Moss: Maternal Love

Soft and comforting used widely by birds in nesting.

Narcissus: Self Love & Vanity

The flower name derives from Greek mythology and the tale of the beautiful Narcissus. He ignored the lovely nymph, Echo, and so was punished by falling in love with his own reflection in a pool. The gods believed Narcissus would die of starvation, so they transformed him into the delicate form of scented narcissi, so he could stay there forever.

Pansy: Loving Thoughts & Attraction

Known also as heartsease, this pretty flower was believed to heal love problems. Anyone wanting to ensure they were loved by their sweethearts would carry a pansy

Primrose: First Love

From the Latin primus meaning first, due to their early spring flowering. The primrose is the sacred flower of Freya, the Norse goddess of love and was used in rituals giving honor to her. While this is just a small sample of the flowers that comprise many an arrangement, I will bet that many of you will consult with your favorite florist the next time you send a bouquet! Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

February 2015 | 13

GALLERY BEAT F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

Mighty Tighty Whitey by Robert C. Yi

"Fishing" on display at Olly Olly

New Curator, New Art Space New Chief Curator at the Hirshhorn Stéphane Aquin, curator of contemporary art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art since 1998, has been named chief curator of the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, effective early 2015. He will lead a department of five staff curators and one curator-at14 | February 2015

large that is responsible We are fortunate to be for planning exhibitions able to welcome him to the Hirshhorn.” and installations and During his tenure at overseeing a collection of the MMFA, Aquin has nearly 12,000 objects. curated major exhibitions, “Stéphane has the vision including “Peter Doig: No and experience to lead Foreign Lands” (2014), the Hirshhorn’s curatorial “Beyond Pop Art: Tom department at a time Wesselmann” (2012), when we are expanding “Warhol Live: Music and our profile nationally Dance in Andy Warhol’s and internationally,” said Work” (2008), “Riopelle: Melissa Chiu, director of Stéphane Aquin Canadian Artist” the Hirshhorn. “He has (2006), “Global Village: worked closely with a The Sixties” (2003) and “Pipilotti diverse roster of artists and conceived Rist” (2000). He also organized “Yo and executed important monographic y mi circumstancia: Mobility in and thematic exhibitions. And he has been instrumental in building a Contemporary Mexican Art” (1999) significant contemporary collection.

GALLERY BEAT > PAGE 17

Old Town Crier

VALENTINE’S DAY SALE FEB. 1-14 25% off all jewelry and select “heart” items invest in your world shop fair trade 915 King Street • Old Town Alexandria alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com 703.684.1435 • Monday-Saturday 11-7 • Sunday 12-6

Art&Antiques ABACA IMPORTS 1120 North Fairfax St. 703-683-5800

ELDER CRAFTERS 405 Cameron St. 703-683-4338

JAMES WILHOIT ANTIQUES 227 S. Washington St. 703-683-6595

AMERICAN HERITAGE GALLERY 901 North Columbus St. 703-519-7869

FACTORY PHOTOWORKS 105 N. Union St. 703-683-1501

Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus St. (in the courtyard) 703-962-6266

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

FINE OLD POSTERS 1015 King St. 703-684-3656 FIVE OAKS ANTIQUES 2413 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-519-7006 FOLIOGRAPH GALLERY 217 King St. 703-683-1501 FRASER GALLERY 7700 Wisconsin Blvd. Suite E Bethesda 301-718-9651 FRENCH COUNTRY ANTIQUES 1000 King St. 703-548-8563 GALLERY G 215 King St. 703-836-5400 GALLERY INDIGO 1607 King St. 703-838-8098 GALLERY LAFAYETTE 320 King St. 703-548-5266

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

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

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

GALLERY WEST 1213 King St. 703-549-7359

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

GOSSYPIA 325 Cameron St. 703-836-6969

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

IMAGINE ARTWEAR 1124 King St. 703-548-1461

Old Town Crier

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

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

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

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

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

TRASTEVERE 303 Cameron St. 703-683-9555

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frida Kahlo

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

feast your eyes. feed your soul.

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

visit a museum. February 2015 | 15

POINTS ON PETS ASHLEY DENHAM BUSSE

King Street Cats Adoption Calendar FEBRuary 2015 For details & MORE INFO website: www.kingstreetcats.org email: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats is looking for foster homes! You provide the spare room and TLC and we provide food, litter and all vetting. Please email for our Kitten Fostering FAQ at: contact@kingstreetcats.org King Street Cats 25 Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Every Saturday & Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 pm Pro Feed Bradlee Shopping Center 3690 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 Every Saturday & Sunday 1- 4 pm PETCO UNLEASHED AT PENTAGON ROW 1101 S. Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 Saturday, February 7 Saturday, February 21 Sunday, February 22 1- 4 pm THE DOG PARK 705 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Saturday, February 7 1- 4 pm DOGMA 2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 Sunday, February 8 1- 4 pm

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Ahh,

that part of winter where the holidays are over but the cold lives on. Trying to throw the tennis ball and watching it sink in to the snow, not to be found again till April. Taking walks and coming back with icicles and snowballs hanging from fur. Burning paws on salt and de-icer… We’ve had some super-chilly weather lately and that doesn’t look like it’s gonna change until springtime (thanks, Polar Vortex), so here are some vital tips to keeping your pets as safe and comfortable as possible in the icy temps: • Paws and pads are at risk of several injuries due to icy pavements, de-icers, salt, and the like. They can crack, get burned, develop frostbite, or just plain hurt. Consider putting a balm (like Bag Balm or even Vaseline) or some booties on his paws before you go out. These form barriers between paw pads and substances on the sidewalk (like salt, chemicals, and ice). • Before you put balm on, make sure that paw fur — especially that between pads and toes — is trimmed short; this will keep balls of ice and snow from building up. • Keep nails trimmed. This is something you should be doing year-round, as nails that are allowed to grow too long can crack and become infected, or even cause a dog to change his gait, leading to injuries or arthritis (imagine having to walk on your toenails, and how it would feel as they pressed up into the skin when you put all your weight on them!). Keeping nails short provides traction and keeps ice from building up between splayed paws. • Don’t use toxic de-icers or salts on your steps and sidewalk (and encourage neighbors not to either). There are several pet-friendly options out there, like Safe Paw which you can get at pet supply stores. • If it’s really cold out there, you might consider cutting your walk short (and instead taking more frequent but shorter walks throughout the day). Dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia, just like humans. • As soon as you get home, wash your dog’s paws with warm water so they

16 | February 2015

don’t ingest any salt or de-icing chemicals that may be on their paws. (And don’t let him eat ice or slush or drink from puddles while you’re out either, as these may contain the same chemicals.) If your kitty has been outside, wipe him down as well, so that he doesn’t get the chemicals on his tongue when he gives himself a bath. • Dogs and cats with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances may have a tougher time regulating their own body temperature, and so may be more liable to experience problems from extreme temps. • If it’s below freezing outside, bring your pets inside. Just because they have fur doesn’t mean they’re immune to frostbite and hypothermia. Have a place for your normally-outdoor pets to come in from the cold. • If you’re running errands, it’s okay to bring your pup with you, but remember that, just as your car gets hot quickly in the summer, it can become too cold for your pup in a short period of time. • Indoors, make sure to use proper precautions with space heaters (so they don’t get knocked over) and fireplaces. Make sure your pet’s cage or crate is away from cold drafts. • Take this advice from the American Veterinary Medical Association: “We don’t recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, nonfrozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds. Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns.”

• Check for kitties and other small animals under the hood of your car before you turn it on – cars tend to be a refuge spot in cold weather! So honk your horn or bang on the hood a few times before starting up. • Humans aren’t the only ones to pack on a few pounds in cold months, but a little extra weight is not gonna help your pet stay warmer, or at least not enough to be worth the other health risks from being overweight. So if your pet isn’t getting as much outdoor exercise as she usually does, make sure to cut back on treats and perhaps switch to a lighter food until spring comes. • Finally, make sure you have a plan in place for severe weather and loss of power — not only for the humans in your life, but for pets as well, as many emergency shelters don’t allow pets. So stay warm, stay safe, and remember: Spring will get here someday! Ashley Denham Busse has worked parttime for Doggywalker.com since 2006. Doggywalker.com is a professional petsitting company located in Old Town Alexandria, celebrating more than 13 years of providing daily walks and customized in-home pet care. Visit www.doggywalker. com or email info@doggywalker.com.

Old Town Crier

A BIT OF HISTORY FROM PAGE 8

GALLERY BEAT FROM PAGE 14

and contributed to “Hitchcock and Art: Fatal Coincidences” (2000). A prominent scholar of contemporary art, he has written catalog essays about Peter Doig, Jean Paul Riopelle, Dorothea Rockburne, Carolee Schneemann and others. Aquin established and headed the MMFA’s project series, organizing more than 40 exhibitions by artists from Canada and abroad. As the curator responsible for art from 1945 to the present, he expanded the museum’s collection by more than 1,000 works, with additions by artists such as David Altmejd, Richard Artschwager, Eduardo Basualdo, Jim Dine, Jesper Just, Mark Lewis, Los Carpinteros, Pipilotti Rist, Kiki Smith, Michael Snow and Tom Wesselmann. He has also overseen the development of the MMFA’s sculpture garden, which has key works by Aaron Curry, Antony Gormley, Mimmo Paladino and Jaume Plensa, among others. Before his tenure at the MMFA, Aquin worked as an independent art critic from 1992 to 1998, serving notably as chief art critic for the Montreal weekly Voir. Before that he held various curatorial positions in museums across Canada. He has been a part-time faculty member in the Masters of Fine Arts Studio Arts program at Concordia University in Montreal since 1996 and for the past 10 years has acted as advisor to the acquisition committee of the art collection of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, one of Canada’s largest pension fund managers. He has served on numerous juries and panels across Canada and abroad, acting as president of the Sobey Art Award Jury in 2008. Born in Montreal and raised in the United States and Switzerland, Aquin earned a master’s degree in art history from the Université de

Montréal in 1987 and has pursued doctoral studies in sociology at the same university. Aquin succeeds Kerry Brougher, who served as the Hirshhorn’s chief curator from 2000 until May 31.

New DMV Art Space

Olly Olly, a new alternative art space in Fairfax, Va. presented its inaugural pop-up art exhibition, Bodylore, an exploration of the human figure and an investigation into the body as social construct, tradition, myth, and fairytale. The inaugural exhibition included works by area artists Eames Armstrong, Jackie Hoysted, Carolina Seth and Robert C. Yi Bodylore featured a variety of work dealing with the body, the interaction of bodies, embodiment, the folklore of bodies, play, and the role of the body in our everyday experience, dream-life, and cultural imagination. Prior to the opening, owner Jessica Kallista also noted that “Olly Olly wants to nourish the body and the community as well. We will be collecting healthy non-perishable food items for the Food Bridge Program at Our Daily Bread, which provides short-term emergency food assistance to Fairfax County area residents who are in crisis. We encourage you to bring a healthy non-perishable food item to donate. The Food Bridge Program is most in need of cooking oil, brown rice, dried beans, canned fruit in its own juices, and pasta sauce. Olly Olly is located at 10417 Main Street, 2nd Floor in Fairfax, Va., and is open Tuesdays 6 pm to 9 pm, Saturdays 11 am to 4 pm, and by appointment (ollyollyart.com)

escape. The family oriented Stowe helped relatives raise funds and free the girls. The Edmondson sisters’ saga was the subject of Stowe’s 1853 supplemental book, The Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Part III, Chapter 6). In 1858 cotton was king and the South’s Commercial Conventioneers were clearly pro-slavery. “If it is right to buy slaves in Virginia and carry them to New Orleans, why is it not right to buy them in Africa and carry them there?” Alabama’s William L. Yancey asked. Yancey, a slave owner, was a Southern “fire-eater” and it was his pro-slavery platform that caused the Democratic Party to split. Eight southern states angrily departed the 1860 Democratic National Convention. Republican Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 Presidential election marked the end of slavery. President Lincoln moved quickly to enforce all federal laws involving illegal African slave trades. Still 1.2 million African slaves illegally entered the United States, between 1840 and 1860 especially. In February 1862 Lincoln “refused to intervene to prevent the execution of Captain Nathaniel Gordon, an illicit slave trader whose ship carrying 900 slaves had been captured off the coast of West Africa by a US naval vessel.” The slave, by count, was no longer three-fifths of a person. The District of Columbia’s ongoing slave trade was outlawed as of April 16, 1862. Slavery did not officially end until ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1866. The Amendment, first suggested in March 1861, states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” “It behooves the United States…to study…the suppression of the slave trade,” W.E.B. DuBois wrote in 1896. “The most obvious question…is: How far in a State can a recognized moral wrong safely be compromised?” Today human trafficking is a $32 billion-a-year industry and at least 12-20 million people are enslaved worldwide. The number is higher than the number of blacks held at the height of the 19th century trans-Atlantic slave trade. Contact Sarah Becker at: abitofhistory53@gmail.com

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Old Town Crier

February 2015 | 17

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION JEFFrey R. Mccord

the truman show

President Truman’s 1948 visit set the Virgin Islands on the road to becoming ’America’s Paradise’

18 | February 2015

hen President Harry S. Truman’s yacht, the U.S.S. Williamsburg — named for Virginia’s colonial capital — docked at the West India Company pier on St. Thomas at 10:32 A.M., February 22, 1948, few islanders knew what to expect. Only 100 years earlier, slavery had been abolished in the then Danish West Indies. Despite a century of freedom, however, most Virgin islanders remained impoverished — even 31 years after their islands were purchased by the United States in 1917. Herbert Hoover, the first president to visit the Virgin Islands in 1931, called the islands the “effective poor-house” of the United States. Few in 1948 knew that Harry Truman aimed to change that. Later that February 22nd morning in Charlotte Amalie’s Emancipation Garden, President Truman told a crowd in the thousands that the “continuing effort to expand freedom” including “freedom from want” in the Virgin Islands would proceed along two roads. First, the Federal

Government would help “stabilize and develop the economy and improve living conditions.” At the same time, Washington aimed to grant the Territory of the Virgin Islands selfgovernment. Encouraging tourism was key to Truman’s plan. “I hope that more and more continental Americans will discover and come to enjoy the beauty of the Virgin Islands,” President Truman said. “I know they will enjoy themselves and bring you prosperity and continued happiness.” Achieving racial equality was also on Truman’s agenda. Eight months before stepping ashore on St. Thomas, President Truman on June 29, 1947 stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and told the 10,000 delegates of the annual NAAC P conference the following: “As Americans, we believe that every man should be free to live his life as he wishes. He should be limited only by his responsibility to his fellow countrymen. If this freedom is to be more than a dream, each man must be guaranteed equality of opportunity. The only limit to an American’s achievement should be his ability, his CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 19

Old Town Crier

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 18

industry, and his character . . . There is no justifiable reason for discrimination because of ancestry, or religion, or race, or color.” In his Truman biography, historian David McCullough called this the “strongest statement on civil rights heard in Washington since the time of Lincoln.” Later that summer of 1947, President Truman also called for “the maximum degree of local selfgovernment for the Virgin Islands.” To help achieve racial equality and self-rule in the islands, President Truman had appointed William Hastie governor of the US Virgin Islands. A distinguished Harvard-educated jurist and author of the first “Organic Act” granting the islands the first elements of self-rule, Hastie was also the first African-American to serve as governor of any U.S. Territory or State. Well aware of racial sensitivities within the federal bureaucracy, Truman told Governor Hastie he should come “directly to me” whenever he felt it necessary. In retirement, Hastie explained in a Truman Presidential library interview that one of the few times he went directly to the President was to get help improving St. Thomas harbor. Although, “the best, relatively small, landlocked harbor in the West Indies,” Hastie said nothing had been done to it since Danish days. And, Congress

wouldn’t approve funding for Army Corps of Engineers dredging work needed to prepare St. Thomas for bigger modern cruise ships. “True to his word,” Hastie recalled, Truman “directed the Bureau of the Budget to include St. Thomas dredging in the next Appropriations bill.” And, during Truman’s visit a year later, he referred to Governor Hastie as his “friend” and applauded the many economic projects underway in the Territory. “It was pretty obvious to me that during his visit he relaxed and felt he could be Harry Truman the human being,” Hastie remembered. The President also asked Hastie a lot of questions about Virgin Island history and culture. President Truman’s 1948 visit also focused the world’s attention to the majestic beauty of the Virgin Islands and the politeness and civility of the Afro-Euro American islanders. To make sure the exquisite islands were photographed, filmed and written about, Truman brought along 28 journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post, Time Magazine, ABC, CBS, NBC, Associated Press and other leading media as well as representatives from Pan American Airways. The Secretary of the Interior, who had responsibility for U.S. Territories, also came, bringing along two Department public relations men to publicize the islands. After his Charlotte Amalie speech,

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President Truman and his entourage drove up to the now famous mountain promontory of Drake’s Seat. They remained there long enough to take in and record the dazzling sight hundreds of feet below of the unspoiled sand and palm fringed Magens Bay. From the mountain top, the President and his group also viewed historic Leeward passage between St. Thomas and Hans Lollik Island through which Sir Francis Drake and his British fleet sailed to attack Spanish Puerto Rico in 1595. To this day, the relatively narrow body of Caribbean water separating the British Virgin Islands from the U.S. island of St. John and nearby St. Thomas is called Sir Francis Drake channel in honor of that same “sneak” attack on Puerto Rico. Drake used the then mostly empty Virgin Islands to hide the approach of his fleet from the Spanish in San Juan. After showing off the views from Drake’s Seat, Truman and his company descended to Charlotte Amalie for a reception at Bluebeard’s Castle Resort, the hotel built around a Danish military observation tower built in the late 1600s. The next day, the President and his group sailed for Fredriksted, the charming Danish city and deep water roadstead on St. Croix. Today, cruise ships routinely stop there. President Truman toured St. Croix and was entertained at the estate of Ward Canady, chairman of the board of Willys-Overland Company, then

a major automobile manufacturer best known today for its design and manufacture of the Jeep. And, that very year, the first Jeep was brought to St. John on the deck of an interisland schooner, according to author Gerald Singer. By 1953, St. John boasted three jeeps and a newly cut road from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. Gasoline was delivered by steel drums via schooners. In his St. Croix speech, Truman referred to Mr. Canady as one of the island’s “newest citizens” and said he hoped to convince him and “more of his ilk” to come down here to help develop the Virgin Islands. “The new era of air travel should mean much to the Islands, particularly to St. Croix with its splendid airport possibilities,” Truman said. “Vacationers and tourists will travel more and more to the Caribbean and to our own American soil in the Virgin Islands. We must all be ready with enterprise and courage to make the most of these new developments, and through them to reach the higher standard of living we all strive for.” And, tourists from the continental U.S. did come in increasing numbers. By 1950, 7,000 visitors from 15 cruise ships disembarked in St. Thomas. Bluebeard’s Castle and Hotel 1829 were among the most popular hotels in Charlotte Amalie, the V.I.’s capital city. On St. Croix, The Buccaneer CARIBBEAN CONNECTION > PAGE 27

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February 2015 | 19

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ROAD TRIP BOB TAGERT

Get Tucker’d! In Tucker County, WV

n January we were invited to Tucker County, WV for a FAM (familiarization) tour sponsored by the Tucker County tourism gurus, and decided that it would make a perfect subject for the February Road Trip column. Most people associate Canaan Valley and the ski areas as the places to be in Tucker County but there are a few other happening places in the county that are well worth checking out. Canaan Valley is one of the premier winter destinations where recreation and relaxation options are plentiful. Downhill skiers and snowboarders of all levels will love the 43 slopes and trails of Canaan and Timberline Mountains. Canaan Valley has a vertical drop of 850 feet and more than 20 | February 2015

180 inches of average annual snowfall. The resort also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and snow tubing at the new tubing park. Although this time of year it is all about the winter activities, Canaan Valley is a four-season destination and a showpiece for the State of West Virginia and the West Virginia State Park system. Vast recreational opportunities and accommodations are a calling card to visitors returning to or discovering the Tucker County area and the many facets of services and hospitality. We did stay at the newly refurbished lodge at it deserves some mention. The nearly four-decade old lodge structures, having served the public well beyond the expectations of a tourism industry standard, have yielded to a new 32 million dollar,

160-room lodge complex. The new complex brings a certain degree of sophistication to the rest of the casual, comfortable rooms that we have been using for years. The North and South wings of the new lodge are four levels with each level having 42 rooms. The configuration, which includes eight suites, creates a total of 160 sleeping rooms. Some guest rooms include fireplaces, balconies, ADA access, VIP suites and individual climate control. The lodge also has both a formal dining room with an adjacent lounge as well as a snack/sandwich type restaurant next to the lobby. There are also workout facilities, suanas, a hot tub, indoor pool and game rooms to keep the whole family occupied. In addition to the lodge, there are also individual cabins for rent with large fireplaces.

Getting to the ski slopes is a breeze as there is a shuttle bus that runs from the lodge to the slopes at both Canaan and Timberline. In addition to the ski slopes the resort has recently opened their new snow tube park. With space for up to 16 lanes and one of the longest runs in the eastern states, the park boasts a down slope of 1,200 feet and a boardwalk conveyor that makes getting to the top a quick ride. They have moved the snow tubing area away from the ski slopes and it has its own warming hut, which was part of the resort build out. This is something that everyone can participate in since you don’t have to have any particular snow sport skills. Check out the “SkiTheValley” promotion this winter by logging on to SkiTheValley.com. For those hearty souls who look to cross-country skiing there is White Old Town Crier

Grass. Originally built as the Weiss Knob Ski Area in 1959, today Chip Chase and his staff maintain over 60 km of trails. When you meet Chip Chase you will think you have known him your whole life. Chip moved to Canaan about 30 years ago to run White Grass. He moved there from Alexandria, Virginia where he attended Mount Vernon high school, and also was a fan of the Old Town Crier. Indeed, it is a small world. The lodge at White Grass is small and usually full of folks waiting on lunch or dinner. The food is simple and organic for the most part and, more importantly, delicious. The staff is comprised of some of the most laid back people you will find anywhere. Think the real hippies from the 60’s. This is a definite place to seek out on Old Town Crier

your trip. While in Tucker County it is well worth it to drive 12 miles to Davis and pay a visit to Blackwater Falls State Park. The image on the cover of this issue is what the falls look like in winter. They are even more amazing during the summer months. Blackwater is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose ambercolored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eightmile long gorge. The “black” water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls are one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia. On January 21, the new sled run was opened at Blackwater Falls. The new and improved sled run lets sledders race down more than a quarter-mile of

fresh-groomed mountain snow. From the bottom, the new “Wonder Carpet” conveyor system whisks sledderswith their sleds-effortlessly back to the mountaintop, where they can do it all over again. There are several dining and fun shopping options in this area. Be sure to ask the locals for recommendations. That’s what we did and we weren’t disappointed. Keep the name Sirianni’s Pizza in mind. Tucker County is also very active in the warmer months as well. The parks have miles of bicycle trails for mountain biking, and the resort at Canaan has an eighteen-hole golf

course and large outdoor swimming pool along with several summertime events. Getting to Tucker County is a breeze with the extension of Route 48 open to Mount Storm. This state highway (known as Corridor H) was built across the tops of mountains and runs from Wardensville to Mount Storm eliminating the stop and go of driving through the small towns. The trip is 182 miles and takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes. For more information on any of the aforementioned activities and everything else, call 800-782-2775 or log on to canaanvalley.org. Go get Tucker’d! February 2015 | 21

FROM THE BAY… BILL STEVENSON

COSMOS: IMAGINING THE UNIVERSE

Solomons’ Annmarie Gardens new exhibit opening

Douglas Wolters, "Transformation #17-Celestial Cycle"

Mark Attebery, "Soma"

The Annmarie After Hours Event

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, announces “Annmarie After Hours” on Friday, February 13 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in celebration of the opening of the Cosmos: Imagining the Universe. Start your weekend with an adult evening of great art, live entertainment performed by Kristin Rebecca, and light hors d’oeuvres provided by ROUGE Fine Catering. Make a date with Annmarie to enjoy a casual adult evening of great art, wine & beer, light hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Visit the Gift Shop for special AAH sales! Stop by Annmarie before or after dinner and make it a night on the town. No reservations required, 22 | February 2015

members are free and non-members pay $5.00 at the door. To learn more call 410-326-4640 or visit www. annmariegarden.org.

The Exhibit Cosmos: Imagining the Universe, February 13-July 26

This exhibit depicts mysteries of the universe, both scientific and fantastical, theoretical and fictional, real and imagined. Embracing not only what science has revealed about space, but what humans have imagined about the cosmos. From the results of scientific inquiry to the creative minds of science fiction authors and fans, this exhibit celebrates how space has stimulated human understanding and creativity.

From the big bang theory to worm holes and warp speed, artists present works that bring to life what we know of space and what we imagine. The juried exhibit contains nearly 60 pieces of artwork, including sculpture and conceptual, as well as easily identified paintings in multiple mediums and photographs. The exhibit is located in the Mezzanine Gallery at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center.

About Annmarie Garden

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, Annmarie Garden is located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. The sculpture garden features a walking path that meanders through the forest past

permanent and loaned sculpture, including more than 35 works of art on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art. Annmarie Garden also presents a variety of award-winning special events, gallery shows, and engaging public art programs. Annmarie Garden’s Studio School offers creative classes for all ages and abilities taught by a talented faculty. Annmarie Garden is conveniently located just off Route 2-4, on Dowell Road in Solomons, Maryland; open 9am-5pm daily; the Murray Arts Building and Gift Shop are open 10am-5pm daily. To learn more, visit www.annmariegarden.org or call 410-326-4640.

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Old Town Crier

February 2015 | 23

…TO THE BLUE RIDGE JULIE REARDON

From the Blue Ridge to the Bay

he was there when I took my first breath, so it was only fitting that I was next to her and holding her hand when she took her last. After a devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer that had already metastasized, I spent most of her last six weeks with her. My siblings and I took turns so that one of us was always there, and we were fortunate enough to find not only a competent nurse, but Hospice of the Rappahannock as well, so we were able to keep my mother in her own home with its view of Dividing Creek where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Northern Neck near Kilmarnock. It was a painful, yet poignant six weeks. Along with the cancer came nearly full blown dementia, that was particularly hard for us to accept since only a week prior to the diagnosis, Mom had lived on her own, widowed the past 5 years from her second husband, in her pretty home on the water where she’d lived full time since moving there from Alexandria in 1982. Strong, independent and the consummate lady, she’d always been 24 | February 2015

able to take care of and wouldn’t hesitate herself, so in her to reprimand us if we lucid moments she cursed or correct bad could be mean— grammar, poor table she resented being manners or rudeness. patronized and To our chagrin, treated like a child. she wasn’t afraid to But there were also correct our friends moments where she’d for their infractions, flash her acerbic wit either. I never heard and be her old self. her curse nor raise And most of the time, her voice although even when she was she could wither you making no sense, it with sarcasm. was still easy to make Although Jan Marthinson Mewhinney May 2, 1931 – December 11, 2014 her laugh like she used Mom had grown to. up in a wealthy Not until later in Washington D.C. life did I appreciate family, she wasn’t Mom’s lessons. Much as we hated it, afraid to roll up her sleeves and to we all had to attend ballroom dance go work when she and my father school as adolescents. Education was divorced. When I was in college, she important to her and while integration remarried her husband of 33 years, - when it came to Alexandria’s public Frederick Harrison Mewhinney, who schools - was acceptable mixing the predeceased her, as did our father, brightest students with the slowest was her former husband Oliver Ashby not; so all four of us attended private Reardon, of Alexandria, She was born schools. She was always a favorite of in 1931 in Washington D.C., daughter our friends growing up, but she would of Detlow Mainch Marthinson and not tolerate certain behaviors from us, Ruth Griswold Coleman Marthinson,

and the sister of Sherrard M. Addison and Capt. Detlow M. Marthinson Jr., USN, all deceased. She graduated from the Holton Arms School in Washington D.C. and Wells College, Aurora, N.Y. While in the Washington area she was a member of the Junior League of Washington and married her first husband, settling in Alexandria where she joined the Society of U.S. Navy Sponsors. She christened the U.S. Navy ship USS Pierre, while Ashby Reardon was its commanding officer. During the 1970s she worked as the creative director of an advertising agency, then ran the International Kitchen Shop at Iberian Imports, both in Alexandria. She and her second husband bought a weekend house on the Northern Neck near Kilmarnock in Ditchley, Va. and they moved there fulltime in 1982. There, she opened her own high end kitchen shop, called Company’s Coming in Kilmarnock. It became very popular with cooks from as far away as Canada as well as the entire Tidewater area. Mom loved her flowers and tending BLUE RIDGE > PAGE 25

Old Town Crier

BLUE RIDGE FROM PAGE 24

her rose gardens and perennial beds, and was a founding member of the Northern Neck Rose Society, served as a member of the LancasterNorthumberland Master Gardeners and as emeritus member of the Rappahannock Garden Club. She was a longtime volunteer at Historic Christ Church in Weems, and served on the Herbs Committee. As a communicant of Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, she was an active member of their altar guild, of which she served as chair for several years. She was also a member of the Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club, and volunteered at the Lancaster Community Library. She leaves behind four children from her first marriage, and was buried at Historic Christ Church, near Irvington; with services held afterward at Grace Church in Kilmarnock. As 2015 begins, I find myself once again undertaking the journey from my farm in the Blue Ridge to her home on the Bay. It is an easy three-hour drive, and although little has changed in the 35 years I’ve been making it, now everything has. She will be missed. Old Town Crier

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15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day. 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men, while only 27% are women.

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About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.

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About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.

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Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an “Improvement in Telegraphy,” on Valentine’s Day, 1876.

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California grows 60% of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine’s Day in the U.S. are imported, mostly from South America. Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three day time period.

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Cupid, another symbol of Valentine’s Day, became associated with it because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid often appears on valentine cards holding a bow and arrows as he is believed to inspire feelings of love.

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During the late 1800s, postage rates around the world dropped, and the obscene St. Valentine’s Day card became popular, despite the Victorian era being otherwise very prudish. As the number of racy valentines grew, several countries banned the practice of exchanging Valentine’s Days cards. During this period, Chicago’s post office rejected more than 25,000 cards on the grounds that they were so indecent they were not fit to be carried through the U.S. mail.

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During the Middle Ages, the belief that birds chose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day led to the idea that boys and girls would do the same. Up through the early 1900s, the Ozark hill people in the eastern United States thought that birds and rabbits started mating on February 14, a day for them which was not only Valentine’s Day but Groundhog Day as well.

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On February 14, 270 A.D. Roman Emperor Claudius II—dubbed “Claudius the Cruel”— beheaded a priest named Valentine for performing marriage ceremonies. Claudius II had outlawed marriages when Roman men began refusing to go to war in order to stay with their wives.

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Humorous valentines of the 19th century were called Vinegar Valentines or Penny Dreadfuls. Vinegar Valentines were introduced in 1858 by John McLaughin, a Scotsman with a New York City publishing business. Penny Dreadfuls, with comic designs drawn in 1870 by American cartoonist Charles Howard, became known as Penny Dreadfuls.

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In 1929 in Chicago, gunmen believed to be employed by organized crime boss Al Capone, murdered seven members of the George “Bugs” Moran North Siders gang in a garage on North Clark Street. The so-called St. Valentine’s Day Massacre stirred a media storm centered on Capone and his illegal Prohibition era activities and motivated federal authorities to redouble their efforts to find evidence incriminating enough to take him off the streets.

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26 | February 2015

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. The expression “To wear your heart on your sleeve” now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card.

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In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, “You unlock my heart!”

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On February 14, 1779, Captain James Cook, the great English explorer and navigator, was murdered by Hawaiian natives during his third visit to the Pacific island group.

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One single perfect red rose framed with baby’s breath is referred to by some florists as a Signature Rose and is the preferred choice of many on Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or birthday.

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Only the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the U.K. celebrate Valentine’s Day.

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Sir Alexander Fleming was a young bacteriologist whose accidental discovery led to one of the great developments of modern medicine. Having left a plate of staphylococcus bacteria uncovered, Fleming noticed that a mold that had fallen on the culture had killed many of the bacteria. He identified the mold as penicillium notatum. On February 14, 1929, Fleming introduced his mold by-product, called penicillin, to cure bacterial infections.

❤

Some used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

❤

Teachers receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then sweethearts. Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine’s cards with teachers, classmates, and family members.

❤

A hopeful maiden of the 17th century would eat a hard-boiled egg and pin five bay leaves to her pillow before going to sleep Valentine’s eve. It was believed this would make her dream of her future husband.

❤

The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses on February 14. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.

❤

The Empire State Building in New York City played a prominent role in the movie Sleepless in Seattle. Many couples take (or renew) their vows on the 80th floor of this famous landmark.

The first televised tour of the White House, hosted by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, aired on February 14, 1962.

❤

The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love. Ancient cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart. Others thought it to be the source of emotion and intelligence. Some believed the heart embodied one’s truth, strength and nobility. The heart may be associated with love because the ancient Greeks believed it was the target of Eros, known as Cupid, to the Romans. Anyone shot in the heart by one of Cupid’s arrows would fall hopelessly in love. Because the heart is so closely linked to love, its red color is thought to be the most romantic.

❤

The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine’s Day.

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The Kama Sutra is believed to be the oldest sex manual in existence. Generally considered the standard work on love in Sanskrit literature, the book is thought to have been written around 300 A.D.

❤

The biggest gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife, who died in childbirth. Construction began in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years, requiring the labor of 20,000 workers from all over India and Central Asia.

❤

The oldest known valentines were sent in 1415 A.D. by the Duke of Orleans to his French wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. It is still on display in a museum in England.

❤

The oldest surviving love poem is written in a clay tablet from the times of the Sumerians, around 3500 B.C. It was unromantically named Istanbul #2461 by the archeologists who unearthed it.

❤

The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red stands for strong feelings which is why a red rose is the flower of love.

❤

Wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the vein of love ran from this finger directly to the heart.

Valentine’s Day Trivia

❤

The first American publisher of valentines was printer and artist Esther Howland. During the 1870s, her elaborate lace cards were purchased by the wealthy, at a cost of $5, with some selling for as much as $35. Mass production eventually brought prices down, and the affordable Penny Valentine became popular with the lower classes.

❤

The first photograph of a U.S. President was taken on February 14, 1849 by Matthew Brady in New York City. President James Polk was the subject.

❤

Old Town Crier

THE LAST WORD FROM PAGE 12

sixteenth-century London court life and England’s diplomacy with France and others through these details. I just wish I had enjoyed Wolf Hall more. I found its pace numbingly slow at times, and was disappointed at my distance from her characters because the subject matter was so potentially interesting. Perhaps Mantel was so interested in creating and exploring the subtle shades of Cromwell’s character and household that she sketched other figures more loosely. Still, I never felt that I really got to know or understand Cromwell particularly well.

already well-versed in these chapters of English history may find Mantel’s works fascinating, however. In contrast, Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth is a very different kind of book. Follett wrote it as a way of exploring and solidifying his own deep-seated interest in medieval cathedral building. He created a huge cast of characters, including stonemasons, monks, kings, earls, bishops, cardinals, and villagers who move the story along and get one particular fictional cathedral in England built over many years. The Pillars of the Earth was a blockbuster,

to build these gorgeous, soaring monuments to faith. When George R.R. Martin started writing his fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire with its first huge bestseller A Game of Thrones, he noted that he was influenced by medieval jockeying for power in European courts and various series of battles such as the Wars of the Roses, fought to win the throne of England. Even though his world moves beyond the fictional continent of Westeros to encompass other fantasy-enhanced cultures, he remains deeply rooted in a Western medieval milieu when creating many cultural

and dramatic scenarios that take place in A Song of Ice and Fire. There will be no one to argue that he is wrong, that “it did not actually happen that way.” Yet I would argue that he has a unique ability to bring human history to life regardless. These three authors all write about a huge cast of characters, but Martin brings depth and complexity to his main characters with great ease for the average reader. At the beginning they might seem one-note, but over time, some take on multiple aspects and become fascinating. He writes about hundreds of individuals, and

These three authors — Mantel, Follett, and Martin — all write about a huge cast of characters. Also, my view of the other main personae in the story remained somewhat superficial. Their motivations might have been clear, but I did not feel sympathy for or much interest in any of them. Her depiction of Henry VIII makes the most sense, for the reader is meant to see him through Cromwell’s eyes. Perhaps the reader is not supposed to pierce the veil of this flawed but masterful king so easily. Mantel’s next book in the series, Bring Up the Bodies, may flesh out some of these initial portrayals, but I also may not read it. Six hundred pages so far is enough to either capture or lose my interest. Someone

the unusual airplane novel for those interested in learning detailed information about architecture and the cultures present in medieval Europe. Considering its length, this book is a fun, quick read. Follett’s enthusiasm for his subject matter is evident, and his frequently thin characters generally act for one of two reasons: either they love cathedrals or they serve to extend the plot. To his credit, the book also exposes the reader to the deepseated beliefs, practical concerns, and religious hypocrisies that allowed or blocked cathedral construction in medieval Europe as ordinary folk, religious leaders, and kings attempted

or historical details. For example, the third book in the series, A Storm of Swords, features an outrageous event, known cryptically to fans as “TRW” to avoid spoiling it for those who have not yet read the books. It is based jointly on a gathering that took place in Scotland in 1440 and another that happened in 1691. So it is easy to see his books as historical fantasy fiction. Martin certainly has a great advantage over historical fiction writers in that he can change plot points to suit himself and write with every freedom when writing his pointof-view characters, who give different perspectives on the bloodthirsty events

explores the opinions of a specifically selected few through writing about events through their eyes. His chapters are succinct, muscular, and dotted with pithy, resonant insights about the nature of power, government, warfare, storytelling, dreams, revenge, and love. Therefore, he is never boring and often informative. For those who have not read the books or watched the HBO series, please read the books first. They are more detailed and much better, even though the series has adapted them wonderfully.

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 19

resort was entertaining the rich and famous of Truman’s era including Hollywood’s Kirk Douglas and Lauren Bacall. Since the entire population of the Virgins Islands totaled only 27,000 in 1948 — including about 750 living on St. John — thousands of tourists had a big impact on the islands. Next to rum exported from St. Croix, tourism quickly became the major business. Panama hats, bay rum and perfumes were big hits with visitors, in addition to rum. And, as foreseen and fostered by President Truman, by 1954 Pan American Airways and a Caribbean airline based in Puerto Rico were bringing 30,000 passengers a year to the U.S. Virgin Islands. By the late 1950s, 70,000 tourists visited the islands annually, spending an estimated $4 million. And, many of America’s famous and wealthy did follow Willy’s chairman Canady’s lead by building winter estates on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Actress Maureen O’Hara had a home on St. Thomas and in 1950 the nationally prominent magazine writer and editor Nancy Flagg Gibney and her artist husband Robert Gibney bought land on part of St. John’s Hawksnest Beach. Now known as Gibney Beach, they built a home and raised their family there. Since then, more than 400 vacation villas have been built among St. John’s virtually unspoiled mountains overlooking miles of bays, beaches and other islands. Today, more than 2.5 million visitors contribute in excess of $500 million annually to the USVI economy and account for thousands of jobs. And, the resident population has Old Town Crier

grown from 27,000 in 1948 to 106,000 in 2014. With establishment of an effective tourism infrastructure, the Virgin Islands National Park —largely on St. John — and on-going restoration of its historic Danish cities of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and Fredriksted, the USVI has become “America’s Paradise.” President Truman deserves much of the credit for propelling tourism growth and selfrule. In January 2015, Kenneth Mapp was sworn-in as the U.S. Virgin Islands’ eighth elected governor. By all accounts, 2015 will be a banner year for visitors and on St. John, Governor Mapp promised “to help businesses adjust to an expanding economy, rather than help the economy expand.” That is a welcome message to St. Johnians who value both prosperity and environmental protection as keys to maintaining “paradise.”

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

Experience

the Art of Jewelry

ExtEnsivE CollECtion of HandmadE JEwElry Open every day and evenings 113 King Street • Old Town Alexandria 703.549.8530 • www.silverparrot.com February 2015 | 27

How did you get started in the bartending business? Aside from changing kegs and mixing horrendous concoctions at college, I got started in the hospitality industry when I came back from college in 1999 as a server. I was only 20 at the time, so I wasn’t old enough to bartend yet. But I took every opportunity to barback and help out the bartenders so I could study and learn about tending bar. I enjoy making people laugh and having a good time. I’ve been behind the bar for about 15 years now and worked in some of the busiest bars in the DC area. I’ve definitely evolved as a bartender and I’m enjoying it more now than I have when I first started.

BEHIND THE BAR

sean hughes IS BEHIND THE BAR AT old ebbitt grill 675 15th street nw washington, dc

long way. And throwing a little coin my way doesn’t hurt either. What is the best/worst pickup line you have overheard at the bar? I’ve heard many, many pick up lines in my days. The ones that worked the best were the ones that involved boats. There’s something about women and boats. I worked at a waterfront bar for about six years and, man, do ladies love the boats. Tell us an interesting encounter you have had with a customer. I’ve met some interesting folks in the business. I’ve served some pretty important people. I appreciate all my guests, but the people I’ve worked with over the years are those with whom I’ve had my best encounters. There are

Sean Hughes

202.347.4800 EBBITT.com

Biggest bartender pet peeve? I think we as bartenders have very similar pet peeves—impatient, pushy, bossy, indecisive, just plain rude people. One of my biggest now, I guess, would have to be cell phones. Everyone is always on them, there’s no more human interaction. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind taking your picture, but when I’m slammed don’t get upset because it could take me a second to get to that. And the bar has become a charging station because everyone has to stay connected. So there are cords everywhere and you gotta be careful not to get a phone wet while we’re serving lots of beverages. Look around folks … there are people … go connect in person! We’re here to serve you the stuff to give you the courage to do it.

Sean serves up his new concoction the Elder Tom. It is a new twist on the traditional Tom Collins – Bar Hill Gin, St. Germaine and fresh sour mix. Shake these ingredients together and pour into a Collins glass and top it off with a splash of club soda!

What is the most clever line anyone has ever used to get a free drink? I’ve probably heard and seen just about anything people will do for free shots. Those tricks don’t really work. Being a fun, easy going guest goes a

too many to name and not one is more important than the other. They are what made me the man I am today. If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world, past or present, who would that be? I know this is fictional, but if I could have a drink with anyone it would be a tie between Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin. It may be childish and silly but it would be a hell of a time. When you go visit Sean at the Old Ebbitt you will have to inquire as to his whereabouts upon arrival. He works at all of the different bars in the restaurant and his schedule varies! When we were at the OE to take his photo, he was awarded “Rooky of the Year” at the restaurant — quite a nice bit of recognition! If you would like to see your favorite bartender featured here, send contact information to office@oldtowncrier. com.

This is where your new favorite whiskey comes from. Visit us in Sperryville. Tours daily. www.copperfox.biz

28 | February 2015

Old Town Crier

February 2015 | 29

DINING OUT bobtagert

light my fire!

Take the chill out of the air– Old Town’s fireplaces

First column, top to bottom: Chadwicks, Bilbo Baggins, O’Connell’s; Second column, top to bottom: Geranio Ristorante, Taverna Cretekou, Indigo Landing; Third column, top to bottom: Murphy’s, Mt. Vernon Inn, City Kitchen, Chart House

his month we decided to take a different approach to our monthly dining column. Rather than write about one of the fine dining establishments in our area, I thought that I would highlight the restaurants that have fireplaces either in their dining areas or bar. February can be a very cold month and a nice fireside dinner or fireside drink is the perfect antidote to February’s dark, chilly weather. It is also the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day—what’s more romantic than a warm, crackling fire? Room only allows so many 30 | February 2015

restaurants for this piece, so if we missed you, my apologies. We will start our list down by the waterfront at Chadwicks. A very popular and casual dining experience, Chadwicks offers a cozy gas-burning fireplace located at the end of the bar. If you get there early you can grab the two high tops and enjoy drinks or food with a few friends Two blocks north you find the Chart House, built out on the Potomac River with views of Washington, D.C. and National Harbor. This gas-burning fireplace

in the round offers a 270 degree view up and down the river. In addition to the seating around the fireplace there are also tables which line the glass turret room. In the 100 block of King Street you will find O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar. You will discover three large gas-burning fireplaces here. The one on the main floor has high-tops right in front and a couple more around the floor. The other two are located on the second floor with one in the front bar and the other in the private dining room. The food here is quite good and they

offer a great wine selection. Check the schedule and come see one of the Six Nations Ruby matches that run from February to mid-March (see their ad in this issue). A couple of miles up the parkway you is Indigo Landing, located at the Washington Sailing Marina. This restaurant is built next to the Potomac River with beautiful views and a gas-burning fireplace next to the bar area. There are a number of tables here for dining or winter cocktails. Enjoy the fireplace while you take in the sailboats surviving DINING OUT > PAGE 33

Old Town Crier

G GERANIO RISTORANTE Redeﬁning Italian Cuisine in Old Town Alexandria “The Finest Lebanese Cuisine” –Washington Post, 2001

Dinner Entrees from $14 722 King Street Old Town Alexandria

Family Owned & Operated Come and Enjoy a Cozy Candlelit Dinner Carry-Out Available • Free Delivery

703.548.0088

Open 7 Days for Lunch & Dinner

www.geranio.net

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

® Every day is a good day at Virtue... .ese are just “too good to miss days!” TUESDAY = PASTA NIGHT!

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS

Every Tuesday between 5 - 10 pm, Chef Santiago makes his secret family recipe Spaghetti and Meatballs with grilled garlic bread and surprises us with two other delectable creations each week.

Every Wednesday at VIRTUE is a great day to choose wine, with ½ price bottles of select wines.

CALL 571.970.3669 FOR RESERVATIONS

106 S Union Street • Old Town Alexandria • 571-970-3669 www.virtuefeedgrain.com

Old Town Crier

SUNDAY BRUNCH 10 AM-3 PM • ONLY $9.95 So many delicious choices

Pancakes with Sausage Irish Country Breakfast Three Egg Omelette Eggs Benedict Homemade Quiche French Toast Hamburger Platter STEak & Egg SPECIal only $10.95

713 King Street Old Town Alexandria

703.548.1717 murphyspub.com

February 2015 | 31

American BILBO BAGGINS 208 Queen St. 703-683-0300 BITTERSWEET 823 King Street 703-549-2708 CARLYLE CLUB 411 John Carlyle St. 703-549-8957

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

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

MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117

OVERWOOD 220 North Lee St. 703-535-3340

SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222

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

HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050

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

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

INDIGO LANDING #1 Marina Dr. Washington Sailing Marina 703-548-0001

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

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

T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com American cuisine with libations from around the world. Bar specials Mon-Fri, 4-7 PM. Brunch served Sat & Sun.

MOUNT VERNON INN Mount Vernon, Va 703-780-0011

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

THE GRILL RESTAURANT/ PIANO BAR AT MORRISON HOUSE 116 S. Alfred St. 703-838-8000

CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 chadwicksrestaurants.com An Old Town tradition since 1979 and an original Georgetown pub and restaurant since 1967.

EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 FAST EDDIES BILLIARD CAFE 6220 Richmond Hwy. 703-660-9444

CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080

FIN & HOOF 801 N. Saint Asaph St. 703-836-4700

CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com USA City inspired menu choices that bring together traditional American and global cuisine with their own personal touch. Casual dress. $30 and under. Lots of free parking. Open 7 days a week with brunch on Sat & Sun 11-3. AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

FINN & PORTER AT MARK CENTER 5000 Seminary Rd. 703-379-2346 FIRE FLIES 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-7200 FLAT IRON STEAK & SALOON 808 King St. 703-299-0777

Dining Guide

FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342

JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JACKSON 20 480 King St. 703-842-2790 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 KING STREET BLUES 112 N. St. Asaph St. 703-836-8800

RED MEI 602 King St. 703-837-0094

MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710

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

MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600

TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878

LIGHT HORSE RESTAURANT 715 King St. 703-549-0533 MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288

BRABO Tasting Room 1600 King St. 703-894-5252 RESTAURANT EVE 110 S. Pitt St. 703-706-0450

Caphe Banh Mi Vietnamese 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 Sang Jun Thai 300 King Street 571-312-3377 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212

TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com Northern Italian, French provincial and American cuisine featuring fresh seafood, meats and pasta served in a contemporary, romantic atmosphere. CEDAR KNOLL INN GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-799-1501 FRENCH

BASTILLE 1201 N. Royal St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant. com LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661

703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141

FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St.

32 | February 2015

REYNOLDS STREET CAFÉ 34 S. Reynolds St. 703-751-0830 RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274

NINAS DANDY Potomac Party Cruises Zero Prince St. 703-683-6076 dandydinnerboat.com OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 danieloconnellsrestaurant.com

YVES BISTRO 235 Swamp Fox Rd. In the Hoffman Center 703-329-1010 CHEZ ANDREE 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-836-1404 LA BERGERIE 218 N. Lee St. 703-683-1007 labergerie.com

BERTUCCIS 725 King St. 703-548-8500 BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 bugsyspizza.com FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 GERANIO RISTORANTE 722 King St. 703-548-0088 geranio.net Still Old Towns highest-rated Italian restaurant (Zagat). Discerning Old Towners flock here for refined cuisine in this comfortable, yet sophisticated restaurant. With entrees from $14, there is no reason not to enjoy a selection from their Wine Spectator award-winning list, while being attended by the friendly staff of seasoned professionals. Reservations recommended and casual attire welcomed. IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LA STRADA 1905 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-2592

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

MEDITERRANEAN

RTS RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010

TRATTORIA DA FRANCO 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 VILLA DESTE 600 Montgomery St. 703-549-9477

TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com

LA TASCA 607 King St. 703-299-9810 “Spring into Spain and Feast Like a King.” Offering unlimited tapas at lunch and dinner. Choice of dessert included. Lunch 11:30-4:30 for $20.07; dinner 4:30-close for $30.07. Eat a little, drink a little, have a lot of fun!

OLD CHICAGO PIZZERIA 2245 Huntington Ave. 703-960-1086

RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873

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

SOCIETY FAIR 277 S. Washington St. 703-683-3247

Hanks Oyster Bar 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK

PINES OF FLORENCE 1300 King St. 703-549-1796

UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com Old Towns favorite neighborhood tap and grill. Distinct southern style menu, fine steaks, fresh seafood. Sunday brunch, private parties, happy hour.

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

SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266

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

PARADISO 124 King St. 703-837-1245

TRADITIONS (Holiday Inn) 625 First St. 703-548-6300

VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669

SAMUEL BECKETTS IRISH GASTRO PUB 2800 S. Randolph St. Villages of Shirlington 703-379-0122

italian • pizzErias

CONTINENTAL BRABO by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440

NICKELLS AND SCHIFFLER 1028 King St. 703-684-5922

LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313

asian ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515

MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Old-world Irish pub featuring a roaring fireplace, serving a variety of imported, domestic and non-alcoholic beers in a friendly atmosphere. Serving robust American-Irish meals at fair prices. Favorites include fish and chips and Irish stew. Irish-style entertainment nightly.

TRADEMARK 2800 Jamieson Ave. 703-253-8640

PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 thepitahouse.com Family owned and operated; carry out available and free delivery.

seafood

FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com Internationally known and locally owned! We serve shrimps, a few crabs, tall people and lots of nice people, too! Live music and lively food! ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046

THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 wharfrestaurant.com "Its All About the Seafood," traditional and creative coastal cuisine. FLYING FISH 815 King St. 703-600-FISH flyingfishdc.com Traditional American and fancy seafood specializing in sushi. FISH MARKET-CLINTON 7611Old Branch Ave. Clinton, MD 301-599-7900

INDIAN DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085

DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. Alexandria, VA 703-329-0006

MEXICAN • LATIN SOUTHWESTERN AUSTIN GRILL 801 King St. 703-684-8969 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) CASA FELIPE 835 N. Royal St. 703-535-7868 TRES HERMANAS 4580 Duke St. 703-370-3800

Old Town Crier

DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30

the winter in their slips. Going south on the GW Parkway you will come to Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington and the quaint Mt. Vernon Inn. The inn has two dining rooms with wood-burning fireplaces. As you would expect, the rooms are decorated in the period with beautifully set tables. On a cold February night, these fireplaces are sure to warm your spirits. In the 600 block of King Street you will find Murphy’s —A Grand Irish Pub. Murphy’s boasts a woodburning, 4-sided fireplace located toward the back of the lower dining room and bar. There are tables all around the fireplace and staff keeps the fire stoked. The food is hearty and the prices very reasonable. They also offer Irish music here seven nights a week. At the north end of Old Town you can find T.J. Stones restaurant and the third wood-burning fireplace. There is one table directly in front of the fireplace, with more scattered around with a good view of the fire. It is a large fireplace that can really warm the room. The food is American with libations from around the world. They also offer a large selection of craft beers. West of Old Town you can find the new City Kitchen in the Trade Center at South Pickett Street (see their ad on our back cover). This is a well laid out restaurant with a gas-burning fireplace built into the wall at the back of the restaurant. There is ample free parking and the restaurant is inspired by food and beverage found in cities across America with a toast to their craft brews, wines and spirits. Two blocks north of King Street is Bilbo Baggins Restaurant and Bar on Queen Street. Bilbo’s has a beautiful gas-burning

fireplace as you enter the bar. With chairs and a good selection of magazines, this is a good spot to grab a drink and stay warm on a cold February day. Located on Pitt Street between King and Prince you will find Restaurant Eve. In the large bar area are two gas-burning fireplaces that resemble warm embers and very comfortable seating for friends and conversation. Back on the 600 block of King Street you will find Geranio Ristorante with a large gas-burning fireplace that greets you as you enter the dining room. After a wonderful meal this is great spot to enjoy a dessert, cup

of coffee and a warming after dinner drink and watch the folks walk up and down King Street in their coats and gloves. In the 800 block of King Street is Taverna Cretekou serving great Greek food and sporting two elevated fireplaces with electric fire displays casting a yellow glow in the room. Food here is very fresh and on Thursday nights you can join the fun tradition of smashing plates by the fireplaces. Enjoy one of these fine restaurants this winter and stay warm. For addresses and phone numbers check our restaurant guide in this issue.

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February 2015 | 33

CHEF’S SPECIAL CHESTER SIMPSON

HANAN MOSA When did you first become interested in cooking and why did you decide to pursue a culinary career? I was brought up in a large family, in a culture where a mastery of cooking is expected of one’s daughter. At the age of twelve, I was encouraged to learn to make authentic Ethiopian foods from my late dear mother, who was believed to have a magic hand when it came to cooking. People who have eaten my healthy and delicious food in Ethiopia, Germany and here in the U.S. gave me the warm approval and courage to start my own family restaurant.

Who has been the biggest inspiration during your career? My late mother was always my biggest example and inspiration. She was a business woman; anything she cooked turned out wonderful and people loved her cooking. She taught me to be honest, clean, resourceful, and HANAN MOSA to always be truthful. To always give back. She said IS THE CHEF AT to help the poor and feed the hungry. HAWWI ETHIOPIAN CAFE & RESTAURANT What dish on your menu are you most curious to see 1125 QUEEN street how it is received by your clients? old town ALEXANDRIA I’m always curious to see how first time customers 703.717.9740 respond to Ethiopian cuisine, enjoy our Lega Tibs, 703.624.0137 Doro Wat, Vegan Sampler, and different Combos HOURS: MONDAY-SUNDAY served atop Injera. Injera, which is a sourdough8:00 AM - 10:00 PM risen flatbread with a unique, slightly spongy porous texture, made of Teff, a gluten-free whole Left to right: owner/manager, Befekadu Mosa, daughter, Hawwi Mosa and Chef Hanan Mosa. The food, from top clockwise: Lega Tibs, Chicken Kabob, flat bread, Dora Watt, Vegan Sampler, Falafel, and Injera bread.

CHEF’S SPECIAL > PAGE 35

Lega Tibs: lamb marinated with spices, onions, tomatoes, jalapeno and garlic; chicken kabob, Injera bread being prepared with Lega Tibs.

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Old Town Crier

EXPLORING VIRGINIAWINES DOUG FABBIOLI

ll of the Virginia grape growers that I have spoken with lately are very glad that the words ’Polar Vortex’ have not been used in our weather forecast so far this winter. The danger point for many vines planted in the area is zero Fahrenheit. Last year we had -7F on our farm while folks in New York and Ohio had some -20s. These low temperatures will not only kill off bud that would have been fruitful for the year ahead, but also can kill off the vines. We put new vines in the ground last spring and they grew quite well for the season. To protect them from a potentially harsh winter, we covered the graft union with mulch. This hopefully will keep that point a few degrees warmer than the air keeping some buds alive to regrow the vine in the spring. If there is no killing cold, we can grow out the vine from the 2-3 feet of wood that grew last year and we did not need the mulch blanket. Currently with our older vines, we are pruning off all of the dead wood and long branches that we had left on the vine last year. Because there was such dieback and lack of fruit, we let the vines grow rather free form giving us as much fruit as was available. We also decided not to cut back the dead wood until now because we were so busy during the growing season tending to what was alive. The dead wood does not spread diseases right away in the vineyard but it can harbor diseases over the years. We are hoping that this rebuilding process of vines

CHEF’S SPECIAL FROM PG 34

grain that is mineral-rich and high in protein. This porous structure allows the injera to be a good bread for scooping up sauces and dishes. Using one’s right hand, small pieces of injera are torn and used to grasp the stews and salads for eating. The injera under these stews soaks up the juices and flavors of the foods and, after the stews and salads are gone, this Old Town Crier

will be completed in two years. We cannot just add on buds and branches, they need to be grown.

Little sayings Mean a Lot

With social media as integrated in our society as it is today, the prolific number of quotes, sayings and words of wisdom being passed around can be overwhelming. Sayings like “minds are like parachutes, they only work if they are open” are thoughtful, opinionated but also rather hard to argue with. I remember years ago the Lipton teabags had a saying on the tab. I used to drink tea just to get more of these pearls of wisdom. As I have posted in the past, I have come up with a few of my own to help myself and the younger folks I teach to understand some important points. “If you are working for me, your job is to make me money.” As cold and heartless as this sounds, it is a fundamental work ethic that is not taught in school. Many early employment situations don’t made this point very clear either. My advantage is that as a small business, a staff member can basically see all aspects of the business in a small area and timeframe. Learning where the value is and how one’s job can make money is an easier job in a small business than working for a large corporation or government entity. Helping this next generation understand how to make the most of their labor contributions is important to our business, their next employer, and I think, society as a whole. bread is also consumed. Injera is thus simultaneously food, eating utensil, and plate. When the entire “tablecloth” of injera is gone, the meal is over. What do you do to insure the quality of the food going out to customers? We serve fresh, healthy food purchased from local farmers. We pride ourselves in keeping a very clean, comfortable restaurant and

Where Is the Vineyard?

strive to cook the very best delicious traditional Ethiopian dishes with courteous, warm service for our customers. We greet people warmly and treat them more like old friends or family than customers.

and who is in heaven now. I miss her, God bless her!

If any chef in the world could prepare you a meal, who would it, be? May God bless her soul, my mom, Addida, who raised us four children,

If you would like to see your favorite chef featured in this space, send contact information to chester@chestersimpson. com.

What is your guilty food pleasure? Grapes, apples, oranges, but I’m really crazy for fresh strawberries.

February 2015 | 35

GRAPEVINE frank britt

CrossKeys Vineyards

discover. taste. experience the best of virginia wine

he beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley was the primary inspiration for CrossKeys Vineyards in Mt. Crawford. The 125 acre property selected by Bob and Nikoo Bakhtiar was originally an old farm that was overrun with cedar, but with stunning views of Massanutten and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The name comes from the old CrossKeys Tavern which stood just a few miles from the property. It was used as a hospital during the crosskeys Civil War Battle vineyards of Crosskeys, and East 6011 Timber Ridge Road later as a pub and Mt. Crawford, VA 22841 the community 540-234-0505 center in the crosskeyvineyards.com 1800’s. After clearing the land, the Bakhtiars began to dream of developing wine and culture on the property and creating something of worth and significance. Following years of planning and preparation, CrossKeys has emerged as a

36 | February 2015

prominent Virginia winery. In 2002, the Bakhtiars planted the vines that yielded their first harvest in 2006. In 2008, they opened a stunning state-of-the art facility surrounded by sloping vineyards in the Tuscan style. Today, 23 (soon to be 31) of the 125 acres are under vine, with 11 varieties of grapes grown on site and producing some 3,000 cases of wine per year. The sprawling mountain-view piazza with its picturesque front courtyard has spacious function rooms for weddings and other special events, such as wine dinners, themed parties and music concerts that occur on a regular basis. Upcoming Valentine events include a “Wine & Chocolate Pairing” on February 12 and a very special “Valentine’s

Day Dinner” on February 14 (www. crosskeysvineyards). The CrossKeys Tasting Room has knowledgeable associates who welcome guests daily to visit, tour, taste and purchase wines. The Bistro, open for lunch 11:30 to 4:30, offers a seasonal menu of delicious light fare and locally produced cheeses. There is also a retail space featuring wine-themed gifts and souvenirs, and a Vineyard Room Gallery that connects with the community to showcase the unique artisanship of Virginia. A comprehensive program in wine education and the arts is a key component of the winery mission. Echoing the classic traditions of fine European winemaking and embracing the burgeoning wine industry of Virginia, the estate wines of CrossKeys

Old Town Crier

photo: Ward Photography

GREEK LAYER DIP Pair with CrossKeys Joy W hite Vidal

ingredients 1 container hummus (garlic , pine nut, Tuscan herb or roasted red pepper) 1 red bell pepper 1 can sliced Kalamata oliv es 1 cucumber 1 small red onion 1 pack crumbled feta che ese Pack of fresh dill Pita chips or fresh pita poi nts

stand as symbols of excellence, hospitality and innovation. According to Bob and Nikoo Bakhtiar, “We always had a passion for good wine, but it was not until we used a batch of grapes from our first few acres of vines to make homemade wine that we realized with hard work and attention to details we could produce a quality wine at a decent price to represent this beautiful valley. No matter where you drink it, the wine will always bring you back to this gorgeous, little paradise.” Old Town Crier

Blanc

3. Sprinkle the vegetable s evenly over the hummus. 4. Crumble feta cheese on top. 5. Sprinkle bits of dill and serve with warm pita slices.

PROCESS 1. Finely chop the olives, onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and dill. 2. Spread hummus about 1-2 inches thick in bottom of a wide serving dish.

With Stephan Heyns, a native of South Africa, as the head wine maker, CrossKeys wines have been recipients of numerous awards A visit to CrossKeys Vineyards should be on the travel itinerary of every Virginia wine lover. It’s conveniently located in Mt. Crawford in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley between Harrisonburg and Staunton, about two hours southwest of Washington DC

and one hour north of Charlottesville. Frank Britt is the former copublisher and co-founder of Virginia

Wine Lover magazine and current publisher of the Official Virginia Wine Lover e-newsletter, “THE Source for Virginia’s Wine news.” (www.vawinelover.com— complimentary to Old Town Crier readers). He also consults with several wine festivals and can be reached at frank@brittmarketing. com; www.vawinelover.com

February 2015 | 37

VIRGINIA WINE Trail Profiles Bedford County Wine Trail bedfordwinetrail.com The Bedford Wine Trail in the Central Virginia region includes five vineyards and wineries surrounding Bedford. Blue Ridge Wine Way www.blueridgewineway.com The Blue Ridge Wine Way features eight wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains of the Northern Virginia region. Botetourt County Wine Trail botetourtwinetrail.com The Wine Trail of Botetourt Country features 3 wineries in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Eastern Shore Wine Trail esvatourism.org The Eastern Shore of Virginia Wine Trail hosts three wineries along the Land Between Two Waters. This area is a unique rural coastal environment. Hundreds of miles of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for beach-lovers, fishermen, and boaters in addition to wine lovers.

Tasting Room Hours - Open Year Round Thursday-Saturday, & Monday 11-5 pm • Sunday 12 pm (noon)- 5 pm

Mention or bring this ad for a complimentary tasting for two through 12/23/2010 10100 Three Fox Ln. • Delaplane, VA • 540-364-6073

Fauquier County Wine Trail fauquiertourism.com/wineries.html Fauquier County is home to 16 wineries and vineyards —each with its own unique flavors. Enjoy awardwinning Virginia wines, wine tastings and tours. Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail svwga.org The Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail is an association of six vineyards and wineries. Loudoun Wine Trail visitloudoun.org Loudouns Wine Trail in Northern Virginia takes you through Virginias hunt country to 23 participating wineries.

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

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

Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail chesapeakebaywinetrail.com The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, in the Chesapeake Bay region, highlights six different wineries. Heart of Virginia Wine Trail www.hovawinetrail.com The Heart of Virginia Wine Trail in Central Virginia presents several events throughout the year at four wineries located in the central region of the state. Blue Ridge Wine Trail blueridgewinetrail.com The Blue Ridge Wine Trail features five wineries and vineyards in the spectacular mountains all within minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Generals Wine & History Trail thegeneralswinetrail.com In 2009, 10 wineries banded together to form a new type wine trail experience. The new wine trail experience was to tie our rich wine heritage with our rich historical heritage and thus the Generals Wine & History Trail was born. Monticello Wine Trail monticellowinetrail.com The Monticello Wine Trail leads to 24 wineries from its hub in Charlottesville. Source: Virginia Wine Marketing Office

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For More Information: virginiawine.org Visiting Virginia’s Wine Country Its always a good idea to call before visiting. Many Virginia wineries are small, family-owned operations and may be closed during the time you are planning to visit. If you are a group of eight or more, call ahead to help the winery prepare for your visit and to make sure they can accept groups. Most of our wineries have grape cluster highway signs within a ten-mile radius pointing the way to the winery. Many of these signs also tell you how many miles to go before reaching the winery. Old Town Crier

GO FISH STEVE CHACONAS

To UV or Not to UV

nglers wonder, as they tie on their favorite lure, will fish locate lures better with UV? Some hard lures, dips and dyes and even soft plastics have UV content. But do fish see UV? Does it matter? An otherwise boring Jimi Hendrix poster wouldn’t attract much attention. But turn on the black light and Hendrix glows! Teeth and fingernails glow. White shirts glow too! It’s because they all contain phosphors, substances that absorb energy and then re-emit as light, visible to humans only under a black light! But will it pass the fish sniff test? It’s unknown whether fish see UV. What is known, they don’t have black lights! Natural food sources like worms, bugs, fish and crawfish contain UV. Since fish often eat in diminished light, an UV glow would definitely help them find food! An UV angling advantage might be low light conditions; cloudy days, stained water, or deeper fishing situations where light doesn’t reach baits.

Bassing IN FEBRUARY Potomac River

True winter fishing as water remains close to 40 for the entire month! There’s no question there are just a handful of lures that work under these extreme conditions. Silver Buddy Blade baits, jigged down drops on 10 pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line will locate fishing depth. Keep hooks sharp, replacing with

Old Town Crier

Everyone agrees if a fish can’t see the lure, it won’t bite the lure. Research exists! Zack Jud, fisheries biologist at Florida International University, says fish have the ability to identify UV-reflective patterns to recognize friend, foe or food. For decades, Northwest trout and salmon lure makers have created UV-reflective bait finishes, catching noticeably more fish. Bass anglers are slowly buying into trends, and lure makers are evaluating how to infuse bass baits with the magic light! 2009 Toyota Texas Bass Classic Champion Dave Lefebre says UV has crossed his mind, but hasn’t secured a place in his tackle box. He says this knowing many of his Rapala bass baits have UV finishes and it can only be an asset. But, his off-season ice fishing outings rely on Rapala’s Ice Force jigs with UV finishes to bring fish to his baits with light blocked by a foot of ice and in depths up to 30 feet deep! GO FISH > PAGE 42

Mustad KVD short shank trebles if needed! Once found, follow with Punisher Hair jigs on 6-pound test Copoly line on spinning gear. Slowly drag short distances and stop. Shake a bit too! Also use Mann’s 3-inch avocado Stingray grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jig heads. Mizmo Tubes on 1/8-ounce tube heads on the same line also will work. With all of these baits, allow them to glide and stop, a gentle shake will help. Be patient! Soak in garlic flavor Jack’s Juice Bait Spray. In warmer water, use Lucky Craft suspending Pointer 78 jerkbaits. Gold patterns on cloudy days, baitfish patterns with sun. Toss on spinning gear, again on 6-pound test.

February 2015 | 39

FITNESS NICOLE FLANAGAN

Cold Weather and Heart Health

40 | February 2015

lthough winter is a beautiful time of the year, it brings low temperatures, shorter daylight hours and snow (only once every few years here). Cold weather can strain the heart, and according to research, increase the risk for a heart attack. Many people are not even aware that they are at risk until they have a heart attack, so it’s very important to know the risk factors. The risk of heart disease increases if you’re older, a smoker, overweight, have high blood pressure, don’t exercise enough or have a stress-filled life. Heart problems can also be hereditary. If you’re at risk, you must be especially careful during the winter months. Why? Colder temperatures cause your blood vessels to get smaller, which reduces the flow of blood and oxygen supply to your heart. Your blood becomes thicker when temperatures drop, and this can cause an increase in the risk of clotting. Cold weather can also lead to an increase in blood pressure, which puts more stress on your heart. If you’re not used to exercising, your risk of a heart attack during winter weather may increase from overexertion. If you are not accustomed to exercise, shoveling snow or even walking in deep or heavy snow can trigger a heart attack. If you don’t know the dangers of being outdoors in cold weather, you could suffer from hypothermia—an abnormally low body temperature. Most deaths from this condition are caused by heart failure. It is also important to know the signs of a heart attack. If you experience any of the following signs you should call 911:

❤ chest pain, pressure or discomfort ❤ pain, pressure or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach ❤ shortness of breath ❤ cold sweat ❤ nausea ❤ lightheadedness Heart healthy living can be part of your lifestyle year round. Factors like diet and exercise contribute to a healthy heart every day. For heart healthy nutrition, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats such as cheese, whole milk and butter. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Different fruits and vegetables are available at certain times of the year, try and stick to produce that is in season. Eating lean meats and fish will get you those heart healthy omega-3’s. Limiting sodium intake can keep blood pressure in normal range and decrease your risk for heart attacks. When it comes to exercise the American Heart Association recommends at least 30minutes of exercise about five days per week. Exercise can include anything that makes your body burn calories such as jogging, swimming or biking. Walking can be one of the easiest ways to improve your heart health. Even though it does not look like we will be doing much shoveling in Old Town this year, it has been quite cold. Just remember that when temperatures drop, the risk for heart attacks and hypothermia go up. Dress in layers and know the signs and keep yourself protected with a healthy diet and daily exercise.

Old Town Crier

FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT

Exercise Is Sweeter with Your Honey

f you’ve been following any of my advice the past five years, you may have discovered that exercising with a friend can be a great motivator. Luckily, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and would provide that perfect opportunity to exercise with your sweetheart. I have four partner-designed exercises to share with you this month. The first sweetheart exercise to try is the FitBall Squat. This is performed by placing a FitBall between you and your partner’s backs, then squatting together keeping the ball from falling to the floor. This one requires teamwork, great timing, and trust to pull it off successfully. Since you will be facing in opposite directions, communication is essential. Try 15 reps and if you want to increase the difficulty, just pause at the bottom of your squat for a ten second count, then repeat ten times. The second sweetheart exercise is the seated medicine ball (MB) rotation. Sit on the floor beside your partner with knees bent as if you were to perform a sit-up. There should be about a two foot Old Town Crier

space in between. Both of you lean back about 45 degrees and lift your feet off the floor to balance on the tailbone. Now this is the start position. To begin, grab one MB with elbows bent 90 degrees and rotate at the waist away from your partner, then back toward the two foot space in the center to set the ball down on the floor. Your sweetheart then grabs it off the floor and rotates away from you and back to set it down in the same spot. You should maintain the 45 degree lean with heels off the floor when your partner has the MB. This position keeps constant tension on the abdominals during the exercise. Try 10 reps each before resting completely. The third sweetheart exercise is a “tug-o-row.” This time sit on the floor facing each other with feet together and knees slightly bent. Both of you grab the end of a bath towel while sitting with good posture. You provide resistance for your sweetheart as they pull using the upper back muscles by squeezing the shoulder blades together. Try 10 reps each without leaning

back for leverage. The final sweetheart exercise is the “match ’em” pushup. This one is pretty selfexplanatory, but you will try to “match” your sweetheart pushup for pushup. So you will start with a pushup, then your partner will perform one as you wait for your turn.

Keep alternating pushups to see who can finish with the most! (Hint for the fellas: If you want a great Valentine’s Day, let your sweetheart win this contest…) I wish everyone a Happy Fit Valentine’s Day this year…and keep up the hard work!

Unverzagt holds a BS in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He is an active member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

February 2015 | 41

CIVIL DISCOURSE FROM PG 9

verge of destruction” and warning there was not only a bloody civil war, but that the hostility between the Democrats and Republicans in the North threatened a second revolution right there at home. “Remember,” he warned the Republicans, “that the bloody, and treasonable, and revolutionary doctrine of public necessity can be proclaimed by a mob as well as by government.” The Copperhead’s timing for a revolt was unfortunate. Three things happened in July of 1863: the draft riots, Gettysburg and the fall of Vicksburg. As Harper’s puts it, “Undoubtedly there would have been an immediate explosion of this inflamed sedition but for the fact that even while these demagogues were throwing their torches into the magazine, their malicious work was spoiled by the two greatest and most decisive national victories of the war. It is scarcely too much to declare that Gettysburg and Vicksburg prevented a Democratic revolution in the North.” So, while the draft riots were horrendous, the revolt was

quenched by too much good news. Nonetheless, the rioters did accomplish their goal of driving blacks from the city – one-fifth of New York’s black population moved elsewhere after the riots. Of course Lincoln did not suffer the Copperheads lightly. He more or less suspended the constitutional guarantee of free speech to muzzle his opposition. It was a crime to speak against the war. Newspapers critical of the administration were shut down and thousands of critics were imprisoned without writs of habeas corpus. Chief of the northern Democrats was Clement Vallandigham, a congressman from Ohio. Lincoln had him arrested after a speech criticizing the war and “King Lincoln”; rather than imprison him, he exiled him to the Confederacy, where he was promptly interned as an alien enemy. He counseled against Lee’s invasion of the North, urging the Confederates to bide their time until a war-weary North sacked Lincoln in the 1864 election — not bad advice, considering how Gettysburg turned out.

Vallandigham ultimately escaped on a blockade runner and travelled to Canada, where he schemed to set up a “Northern Confederacy” consisting of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. This was to be accomplished by freeing Confederate POWs and inciting fellow travelers to overthrow the state governments. When this did not pan out, he returned to Ohio to promote his party’s peace platform in the 1864 election. Lincoln knew he was back, but did not re-arrest him. General George McClellan ran against Lincoln in 1864, but the Democrat peace platform which would have ended the war by recognizing the Confederacy did not prevail. McClellan himself agreed with Lincoln that the country must be reunited, at least publicly. By the time November of 1864 came around, Grant had completed his Overland Campaign and Sherman was on the March in Georgia – too late. “King Lincoln” has his second term. But the war was far from over and there were still many lives to lose. The warring

parties made a last stab at peace on February 3, 1865, when Lincoln and Seward met with Confederate dignitaries on a ship anchored near Fort Monroe. Lincoln’s overriding concern was reunification – continuation of slavery in the South was negotiable, as was compensation for the slaves liberated under the Emancipation Proclamation. This is consistent with his remarks in an 1862 letter to newspaperman Horace Greeley: “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy Slavery.” The South needs peace, but the peace talks fail over the central issue of reunification. February of 1865 is a terrible month for the Confederacy. At Petersburg, Lee stops Grant’s effort to cut his supply lines in a three day fight at Hatcher’s Run February 5-7th; Grant takes about 1500 casualties to Lee’s 1000, but Lee has to stretch his thin line further west with fewer men. Sherman has some very big successes in the Carolinas. On February 17th, Columbia falls and burns. The next

day, Charleston surrenders and Old Glory flies over Fort Sumter once again. On February 22nd, Wilmington falls, the last port for blockade runners. The writing is on the wall.

GO FISH! FROM PG 39

looking for a competitive edge and believes he has found it with UV. Fishing the Elite Series, B.A.S.S. Opens and other events, means crowded fishing conditions. Chapman believes the UV edge sets his baits apart from competitors piled into heavily pressured fishing holes. “The guy with something different comes out on top. You always want

a competitive advantage whether fishing with your buddy or the BASSMASTER Classic.” Over the past 5 years, the Kansas pro has put Tightlines UV through the test. His proving grounds were the Potomac River and Lake Okeechobee where many boats occupy small flats or bays. During the Classic in New Orleans, where he

finished 5th, he was catching more and bigger fish than competitors around him. “No one else around had what I was using, and that gave me confidence!” Chapman is confident Tightlines UV baits, available in most bass bait shapes, put more fish in the boat, especially under tougher, low light conditions. For do-it-yourselfers, Lure Craft (lurecraft.com) has added a UV powder to mix into soft plastic poured into their molds. It couldn’t be easier to use either! Heat 10 ounces of Lure Craft liquid plastic until clear. Add colors and flake. Sprinkle in a “smidgeon” of UV powder. Stir and pour! Unsure what a smidgeon is? Start with a pinch. It doesn’t take much! Consider a double pour into Lure Craft flat molds to create a laminate appearance. Pour a layer without UV, then another of a different color with UV. The UV powder doesn’t appear to change the color, but allows baits to be seen by fish! Sometimes a triple pour is even better. Pour a layer without UV, then the middle layer with UV and a top layer without. By making the top and bottom layers a

bit more transparent, the UV core will radiate. Even Lure Craft injection soft plastics can shine. With the mold open, pouring half of a mold with UV and then closing the injection mold and injecting will create a laminated lure. Or try pouring the tip and/or tail with UV plastic, then injecting the remainder of the bait. There is no limit to situational creativity. Favorite lures can be “modified” with a UV pour for cloudy days or for muddy water. Minute amounts of UV powder might be more effective in shallow water or sunny days with clear water. Sounds, shape and scent might help fish locate baits, but UV enables fish to see them! When it comes to UV, it’s clear fish can see baits better. Next time out, make your baits shine.

Tightlines UV is all-in on the guiding UV light, infusing all soft plastic baits with UV. The magic of UV is that baits look the same to anglers and fish in very clear water, but shine under diminished light conditions. Triton Mercury pro and 2012 Angler of the Year, Brent Chapman is always

42 | February 2015

Sources

• Harper’s History of the Great Rebellion; Battle of Hatcher’s Run, http://www. civilwar.org/battlefields/ hatchers-run/hatchers-runhistory-articles/the-battleof-hatchers-run.html; • Abraham Lincoln Online, http://www. abrahamlincolnonline.org/ lincoln/speeches/greeley. htm; • “How to Escape the Draft”, http://www.harpweek. com/09Cartoon/ BrowseByDateCartoon. sp?Month=August&Date=1 Doug Coleman is an attorney and amateur historian in Alexandria; comments and corrections are welcome at dcoleman@coleman-lawyers. com.

Capt. Steve Chaconas, Potomac bass fishing guide, BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (http://my.boatus. com/askexperts/bassfishing/) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/ purchase gift certificates: info@ NationalBass.com.

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In Search of Happy Hair Days this Winter

s if the cold, blustery weather of winter isn’t enough to make most of us want to crawl under our covers and not come out until spring, the havoc it wreaks on our hair is, well, hair-raising. Static electricity, moisture depletion, and not-so-nice texture can make for very bad hair days. To combat the winter hair blues, its best, in theory, to start in the fall before the winter blast hits. Developing a strategy of move frequent trims and treatments in the fall will ensure smooth sailing into winter. The best strategy is to whack off those dead ends in the fall so that the hair has a fighting chance by starting off healthy.

conditioners are a must to keep winter hair from becoming blah. Consider also performing a deep moisture treatment to the hair once a week. Simply smooth on a hair treatment or hair masque and cover with a warm towel. Allow the treatment or masque to work its magic for 15 minutes, then rinse. Doing these weekly treatments will help keep hair healthy, prevent breakage and split ends, and eliminate static electricity. Another best treatment for the hair in the winter is to avoid heat styling. Yes, just say no to the blow dryer and flat iron. Allowing the hair to dry naturally is the best course of action. However, for many of s, that’s not

Our February Specials Are Here Enjoy our Chocolate Covered Rose Facial for just $125 (a $145 value). Treat yourself or a loved—the cocoa and rose petals have anti-oxidant and wrinkle fighting properties that plump and rejuvenate the skin. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Purchase 2 Chocolate Covered Rose Facials and get a 30 minute Deluxe Massage free! All Biodroga Skincare Products 20% Off

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be blown away Like most of us, that’s all well and good, in theory. So, what to do? First off, it’s never to late to get your hair trimmed. So, book an appointment with your stylist to get your ends trimmed and looking healthy again. That in and of itself will instantly give the hair a boost because dryness starts at the ends. Other things to consider are avoiding and repairing the dryness that winter brings upon our hair. Most of know that the dryness outside causes dryness to our hair, but it’s also the dryness inside that exacerbates the problem. Going from the cold, dry climate of the outside to the warm, dry climate of the inside puts a lot of stress on the hair. One strategy for keeping hair looking good starts with a hat. Yes, a hat. We all know how keeping our head covered is key to keeping warmth in our bodies; the same is true about maintaining moisture levels within your hair. Wearing a hat to prevent split ends and breakage is tantamount to wearing gloves to keep your hands from becoming dry and chapped. It’s important to switch our hair routines in the winter. Moisture rich shampoos and Old Town Crier

always practical for fear that our hair would turn to icicles as we rush out the door in the mornings. So, thank goodness for alternatives. A few things to try – leave in conditioners or heat protectant styling products. Instead of using gels and mousses, which do nothing to replenish moisture in the hair, try hair creams or products made specifically to protect the hair from heat styling. Many of these products come in the form of silicone drops or sprays. Some are creams juiced up with jojoba oil or olive oil. Spread these gems on your hair before you heat style. And, when the opportunity arises, try allowing the hair to dry naturally to give it a break. Finally, good hair also starts from within, just like good skin, good nails, and good teeth. What we put into our bodies can also affect the health of our hair. Low carb diets are often associated with drier hair. Eating a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, carbs and good fats all contribute to the well-being of your hair. And, let’s not underestimate the importance of drinking plenty of fluids. Try applying these strategies and say hello to Happy Hair Days!

haircuts for men & women color highlights, full & partial conditioning treatments ask about our happy hour blowout special appointments suggested– walk-ins welcome

1002 king street old town alexandria 703.683.5555 blownsalon.com February 2015 | 43

SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE PEGGIE ARVIDSON

Spring Cleaning the House and Spirit

I’m

not sure about you but I’m glad to see we’re heading into Spring. Winter is necessary, of course, and the reminder to go to ground, listen to our inner yearnings and truth is paramount to our evolution as spiritual human beings. Still. I admit to being very grouchy throughout the winter. There are a few different stories about the origination of the term “spring cleaning” one cites it as related to the Jewish custom to rid their homes of even a crumb of leavened bread before Passover in order to not seem arrogant in the face of God (source: howstuffworks. com) and another indicates a connection to the Chinese

The

custom of ridding the house of all dirt and dust to prepare for the new year to symbolize the clearing out of all bad luck and misfortune that may have accumulated during the previous year. (source: http://well.blogs. nytimes.com/2009/01/26/ cleaning-up-for-chinese-newyear/?_r=0) My personal tradition is different. It seems that I can’t go 24 hours without finding myself amid piles of papers and yarn and I tend to do well in this organized chaos. That is until I feel the need to clear everything into a proper bin and begin again. When the need to spring clean arises, I follow the urge both spiritually and practically. If you’re eager to usher in Spring with a new look on

life, here are some tips to get you started. Please note that these suggestions are simply that, and they do not require you to believe in or practice any particular faith. However, I find that these practices are useless if you don’t believe in a Higher Power. 1. Start with the end in mind. Are you ready to bring in wealth or love or a new career in the coming months and year? Make sure you’re clear on your intentions as you clean your space. It helps you keep focused on the best possible outcome and also helps you release the flotsam that no longer serves you as you move forward. 2. Ask for Divine Guidance.

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44 | February 2015

Whether you work with Archangels, Personal Guides, God, Goddess, Fairies or other sources of light and wisdom, invite them to the game of clearing. When you find yourself stuck, frustrated or ready to throw in the dusty towel, ask for your guides to help you finish the task at hand. 3. Break it up. No one says you have to scour the entire house in 30 minutes. If it took you 12 months to clutter and fill your space, it’s going to take more than a few hours to make good and lasting changes. Resist the urge to beat yourself up, instead separate the tasks into doable increments. These increments can be by room, by subject or something altogether different that suits you and your needs. Not sure how to do it? Trust your Divine Self to have some great insight here. 4. Ask for Help. Sometimes you need a professional to ensure you make choices and changes that lend themselves to lasting change for you and your space. Finding a professional organizer, interior designer and/or Feng Shui consultant can help you get over any hurdles and help you make lasting changes that are right for your life and your goals. 5. Look for the hidden clutter. Do you struggle to find things in your computer, in the cloud or in your email box? Maybe your digital photos are a hodgepodge of people and places

and things you barely remember? Set aside time to tend to your digital footprint in a way that serves you. The reason you took those pictures was to keep the memories, so ensure you can find them when you want them. If you need help, there are professionals who can help you organize your electronic space just as there are those who can help you with your physical space. 5. Bless the space. Once you’ve cleaned and created a space that feels light and good, take time to honor it. Whether you conduct a formal blessing by bringing in a minister or rabbi or pastor or you conduct a personal ritual for clearing your space with sound, sage and sweetgrass, take time to recognize the clarity you’ve created and the blessings that are on their way to you Here’s to a Happy Spring Cleaning today and all year through! Peggie Arvidson, the Pragmatic Palmist is a healer, teacher and soul coach as well as the founder of The Profitable Alchemist Academy. She’s helped thousands of people connect with their life purpose and put it to work for them through private readings, small group classes and individual coaching programs. You can learn more & sign up to receive your free mini-reading at PeggieArvidson.com. She’s also available for private sessions at Rising Phoenix Holistic Center in downtown Manassas, Va.

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OPEN SPACE LORI WELCH BROWN

anuary is supposed to be filled with hope, promise and renewal. It’s our chance at resetting the course—righting the wrongs of the year passed, charting a new path for the year ahead and looking forward to a clean, blank slate. At least for most of us. Unfortunately, for some January brings heartbreak, and for 2015, that is the case for a dear friend of mine. Her 25 year old son died of an overdose in early January. He had struggled with his addiction for years, and like many who struggle, it finally won. It hit home for many of us. While I don’t have children of my own, I have nieces and nephews, friends with kids whom I consider family, and I recently was blessed with a stepson. Weird—it used to be that everyone knew someone who had lost someone to cancer. While that’s sadly still true—now we all know someone who has lost someone to the demons of addiction. It’s just as ugly and painful, but unfortunately, not quite main stream enough to discuss in polite company. People aren’t talking about it at cocktail parties, wearing ribbons at their 10ks, or sporting Tervis cups with the addiction logo, but they probably should be. Addiction still feels like a bit of a dirty secret even though almost everyone I’ve spoken to recently knows someone whose kid has addiction issues. We don’t even say he/she is an addict. We politely say they have ’issues.’ That’s because when we think of an addict, we envision the jittery, dirty, tattooed thug from that bad neighborhood who broke into your Lexus and stole your iPad so he could go shoot up in the alley. Couldn’t possibly be the kid next door—the homecoming queen or king or the valedictorian. Or worse yet, your kid. Imagine. It’s scary, but it’s reality. This kid was a nice, good looking white kid from the ’burbs. He had a lot of friends, loved football and his job. I’ve gone back to read the guest book linked to the obituary a few

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I Wish You Peace and Love Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion. —Buddhist Prayer times. The messages are consistent— he was a bright light; we’ll miss his sense of humor; his smile lit up the room; he was kind and well mannered. Sound like anyone you know? It’s hard for someone like me to fathom that a twenty-something would think that sitting by himself inhaling or snorting or chugging or shooting up something so toxic could be more fun than going to a football game with a group of buds, playing X-box, or heading to happy hour on a Friday. We all have our demons. I’m grateful and blessed that to date mine have been nothing a dozen therapy sessions and a bookshelf full Pema Chodron couldn’t handle so it’s hard to relate. I’m not making light of addiction, but rather trying to wrap my brain around it which I think is hard for most of us. When I was in my 20s, I’m not gonna lie—drinking was a passion, a sport even. And, it was one I excelled at on a frequent basis. When I drank, guys laughed at my jokes (aka paid attention to me) and I came out of my shell. Ladies night started on Wednesday and ended on Sunday. So, I guess you could say that alcohol was my drug of choice. I experimented with pot and a few other things I won’t mention here, but I didn’t like any of those experiences. They scared me, and I didn’t like the loss of control. I didn’t like the ’not knowing.’ I didn’t like not knowing what was in what I

was putting into my body. I didn’t like not knowing how I was going to feel after one, two or three inhales. I didn’t like not knowing what the after effects would be after the fog cleared. At least with alcohol, I had some control. I knew how I would feel after 2, 3 or 4 beers, what my limits were and what the repercussions would be—and they were pretty consistent. I knew people who were experimenting beyond alcohol and liking it, and I just didn’t get it. I used to think that made me blessed, but now maybe I think it had more to do with my DNA. I also used to think the difference between someone like me and someone with ’issues’ was more of a sliding doors type moment. The moment where I stepped through to the side where I set goals and wanted to achieve them and was able to recognize when enough was enough, say goodnight and head home so I could be bright eyed and bushy tailed for tomorrow. Their sliding doors moment hadn’t yet occurred—they were stuck on the other side. From what I’m beginning to understand, people with addictions aren’t wired like that—they can’t see or rationalize those choices—they don’t even know the doors exist. They are hardwired to focus solely on the pull of their addiction. While they love their family and friends and are genuinely good people, their addiction has

turned them into liars and master manipulators. They have to be because they don’t have a moment’s peace from their demon—it is constantly in their head demanding more, more, more. It’s part of their disease. Unfortunately, I’ve seen far too many close friends deal with their own struggles with alcohol and cocaine over the years. Some won. Some lost. For all of them, however, it was a long, hard battle. When they lost, it was after a few decades of dealing with the monkey on their backs so maybe that’s why this death feels so wrong, and that’s why the drugs of today seem so scary. They don’t kill slowly over decades, they kill suddenly. He should have seen the hope that the New Year brings. Unfortunately, he didn’t get another chance at resetting the course—righting the wrongs of the year passed, charting a new path for the year ahead and looking forward to a clean, blank slate. That’s been taken away from him. That feels wrong and heartbreakingly sad. I think back to when I was 25 and imagine all the things I’ve done, the friends I’ve made, the places I’ve gone, the movies I’ve seen and the songs I’ve danced to since then, and I’m overwhelmed with sadness for all he will miss. I am grateful, however, that he will no longer have to suffer the loneliness of addiction and the struggle he must have endured. How painful for him. I’m mostly sad, however, for his family and friends who don’t get to wake up tomorrow and tell him they love him. They only consolation is that his Mom will no longer have to worry about where he is or what he is doing or if he is safe because he is in the safest place of all now. Finally, he has found peace. February is supposed to be about love. Love today in this moment. Love your family and your friends. And remember, life may be impermanent, but love is eternal. RIP Ian.

February 2015 | 45

Love is in the air! Old Hickory Steakhouse

46 | February 2015

Well, winter is well underway and we have managed to dodge the major snow storm that hit our neighbors to the north. Here is hoping we dodge the next one on the horizon. I wonder if the winter weather had any bearing on proclaiming Valentine’s Day to be on the 14th back in the day! February is a good month to “warm up” your loved ones at any rate. Arguably the most romantic place in the Harbor is the Old Hickory Steakhouse in the Gaylord. Their executive chefs continue to dazzle guests this February with romantic dining experiences on more than just Valentine’s By Lani Gering Day. Couples can celebrate romance at the hotel’s signature restaurant on February 6, 7, 13 and 14. The award-winning steakhouse is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu featuring their signature beef as well as house favorites including crab cakes, lamb, and romantic desserts in honor of Valentine’s Day. Named one of the most romantic restaurants in the capital region, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Potomac River as they dine. The dinner costs $139 per couple (does not include tax and gratuity) and reservations are encouraged. I was lucky enough to take part in this dinner special last year and it was a very memorable occasion. Maybe I will get lucky again this year. Public House Restaurant on Fleet Street is bringing back their “Crazy. Stupid. Love.” Valentine’s special. This is a great place to take that date who is a sports lover as well as a romantic. If you are of the female persuasion it might just be the perfect place to take your sports crazy

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guy friend and visa versa! You will both enjoy yourselves either way. See their ad in this section for details. Harrington’s Pub and Kitchen is celebrating their third year of “Cupid’s Revenge.” This is billed as the ultimate anti-Valentine’s Day party! Harrington’s is a good place to gather with a group and what better reason than putting together your own Cupid’s Revenge party. No pressure at a gathering of this sort. Their ad in this section has details as well. If you haven’t been to the Harbor and taken a spin on the Capitol Wheel, Valentine’s Day/week may just be the time to take that leap. A romantic dinner and a romantic spin for the love birds out there. A fun ride with a group of unattached pals (the gondola’s hold up to 6 people) while making snide comments about said “love birds.” It really does give you a great view of the Potomac and the monuments and memorials! Couples interested in experiencing a harmonious journey through relaxation can select a “Side by Side Harmony Massage” in Relâche Spa’s signature couple’s suite. Relâche comes from the French to “let go” or “take a breather” and is located in the Gaylord Resort Hotel. Guests can choose the massage of their choice while enjoying panoramic views of the Potomac River, followed by time in the spa’s coed River View Relaxation Lounge. A 50-minute massage costs $300 on Mondays through Thursdays and $320 on Fridays through Sundays. An 80-minute massage costs $430 on Mondays through Thursdays and $450 on Fridays through Sundays. The spa also offers complimentary amenities including use of the steam room, sauna and free parking for up to three hours. All of these services are subject to a standard 20 percent service fee. See their ad in this section for information about their other services and contact information so you can schedule your escape today! There are several other restaurants and

retailers in the Harbor that are offering Valentine’s specials so be sure to check them out while you are here in the harbor. You can find them listed on the Harbor’s website at nationalharbor.com. Don’t forget about Groundhog’s Day and President’s Day – we all have to celebrate Punxsutawney Phil on the 2nd and George and Abe on the 16th. Be sure to catch “the largest parade celebrating Washington’s birthday in the USA” in Old Town Alexandria on the 16th. The parade runs from 1-3 p.m in the heart of Old Town. For exact parade routes, parking information, etc. log on to washingtonbirthday.net.

Coming Up Next Month!

Like our counterparts across the river in Old Town did last month, National Harbor will be featuring their Restaurant Week March 2 through the 8. Participating restaurants are: Bond 45 Thai Pavilion Harrington’s Pub and Kitchen McLoone’s Pier House Public House Redstone American Grill Grace’s Mandarin McCormick & Schmick’s Elevation Burger Rosa Mexicano Sauciety in the Westin Hotel

Additional Promos

Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar will be offering free admission with a same-day receipt showing that you have dined at a participating restaurant and The Capital Wheel is offering a $12 ticket (plus tax) with a same-day receipt showing that you dined at a participating restaurant. Watch this section for details in the March issue.

NATIONAL HARBOR DINING GUIDE AROMA DITALI 156 National Plaza 301-839-3492 BAJA FRESH MEXICAN 186 Waterfront Street 301-839-1377 BOND 45 149 Waterfront Street 301-839-1445 CADILLAC RANCH 186 Fleet St. 301-839-1100 cadillacranchgroup.com All-American cuisine ELEVATION BURGER 108 Waterfront Street 301-749-4014 FIORELLA PIZZERIA E CAFFE 152 National Plaza 301-839-1811 GRACES MANDARIN 188 Waterfront Street 301-839-3788 Harringtons Pub and Kitchen 177 Fleet Street 301-909-2505 harringtonspub andkitchen.com Enjoy traditional Irish fare and more! McCORMICK & SCHMICK 145 National Plaza 301-567-6224 McLOONES PIER HOUSE 141 National Harbor Plaza 301-839-0815 mcloonespierhousenh.com

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NATIONAL PAST TIME SPORTS BAR & GRILLE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 OLD HICKORY STEAKHOUSE Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 gaylordnational.com PIENZA ITALIAN MARKET Gaylord Hotel 301-965-4000 POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS 146 National Plaza 301-686-1160 PUBLIC HOUSE 199 Fleet Street 240-493-6120 publichouse nationalharbor.com Whether its lunch, happy hour, dinner or a late night party, we can meet your needs. REDSTONE AMERICAN GRILL 155 National Plaza 301-839-3330 ROSA MEXICANA 135 Waterfront Street 301-567-1005 SAUCIETY AMERICAN GRILL 171 Waterfront Street 240-766-3640 THAI PAVILLION 151 American Way 301-749-2022 Walrus Oyster & Ale House 152 Waterfront Street 301-567-6100

February 2015 | 47

Become

Berry Beautiful Berries are a great source of antioxidants that help to promote overall health. This season, Relâche Spa takes berry-infusion a step further with decadent spa treatments that smell as delicious as they feel.

BERRY-THEMED treatments now available through FEBRUARY 28, 2015 BERRY BLISS MASSAGE BERRY REFRESHING FACIAL VERY BERRY PEDICURE Or enjoy all three with BERRY IN LOVE SPA EXPERIENCE (Includes massage, facial and pedicure)

BOOK TODAY call 301.965.4400 or visit EscapeToRelache.com

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1/26/15 4:40 PM

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