Living

Marie Loiseau • November 18, 2013

Imagine a heating pad that can blast away fat in just 30 minutes. Sound too good to be true? Well, not only does the technology exist, but it’s right here in Washington, D.C. The newest non-invasive solution in body contouring, Vanquish, can be achieved at DC Derm Docs on L Street.

Marilyn Berzin, M.D., and Dale Isaacson, M.D., who run DC Derm Docs, held a special reception Nov. 6 to introduce this latest technology. They and their downtown office have been featured in Washingtonian Magazine, ABC7 News and more. Derm Docs is the first to offer Vanquish in the D.C. area.

“It is very exciting technology,” said Berzin, who, like Isaacson, has received Vanquish treatments.

Unlike other non-invasive fat reduction methods, Vanquish produces immediate results. Liz, a patient at DC Derm Docs, was pleased with her post-Vanquish body. “I saw results right away, but they weren’t dramatic,” she said. “The results were more dramatic with each additional treatment,” she added.

Results will vary depending on the person. If patients undergo the recommended four treatments, spaced about a week apart, everyone should get results. “You’ll get at least an inch,” Isaacson said. “But I’ve seen an average of 2.5 to 3.5 inches lost in those receiving four treatments,” he added, referring to patients receiving Vanquish around the waist. Also, unlike other procedures, Vanquish can target the belly and love handle areas in a single half-hour session. Other common focus areas are back pockets and saddlebags.

Vanquish utilizes radio frequency to melt away a layer of fat cells, without even touching the patient’s body. Patients will not experience pain, but rather heat, redness and, perhaps, some swelling. The machine literally burns the fat cells, killing and leaving them to be excreted in the urine. For this reason, patients are told to drink plenty of water, at least two liters, in the day before, of and after treatment.

Liz talked to The Georgetowner, while undergoing her fourth Vanquish treatment: “It feels like a heating pad,” she said. “In my other treatments, I brought a book and came in before heading to the office,” she added.

The ideal Vanquish patient is someone who has a few stubborn inches to lose. If diet and exercise just aren’t working, or if there is an upcoming special occasion, maybe Vanquish is the answer.

DC Derm Docs charges $550 per session for the first four sessions and additional treatments are only $350. Shelling out $2,200 for a slimmer waist? Pain-free? Without diet and exercise? Somebody pinch me.
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Ari Post • November 7, 2013

On Monday, Sept. 30, the Georgetown Media Group hosted its third annual Chefs Go Fresh tour. Ever growing in popularity since its conception, Chefs Go Fresh has local chefs rev up for a motorcycle tour of local farms, artisans and food purveyors, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

“I love connecting our city’s chefs with local ingredients,” says Georgetown Media Group publisher Sonya Bernhardt. “But at the root of this event is building and reinforcing community relationships, which is one of our most important responsibilities as a local news outlet—and one the aspects of the job I love most.”

To start the day on the right foot, chefs and other members of the Washington restaurant industry met up at Brasserie Beck Restaurant (1101 K St. NW) for breakfast, hosted by chef Robert Weidmaier, co-founder of the original “Chefs on Bikes” event, and owner of Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck, Brabo and Mussel Bar restaurants.

“I founded the original event, Chefs on Bikes, because I wanted to learn more about what was happening in regional farming and food production,” says Weidmaier. “Throughout the years, it’s turned into a mission to raise awareness of these small, local artisanal producers. Us chefs think we know a lot about what’s going on locally, but there are so many great producers in Maryland that don’t go around bragging about what they do. And so this is a chance to let local chefs and restaurants go right to the source, as opposed to the other way around. I’ve met some great farmers, vintners and cheese makers that now help supply my restaurants, that I never would have met without Chefs Go Fresh.”

The early morning smorgasbord included organic lamb hash with poached eggs, cayenne fried chicken with jalapeno-infused maple syrup and Nutella coffee cake, as well as classic favorites like quiche Lorraine, Belgian waffles, steak n’ eggs and a Bloody Mary bar (needless to say).

Along with Weidmair, the chefs and restaurateurs in attendance included KN Vinod and Surfy Rahman of Indique and Indique Heights, Thomas Elder of Härth, James Gee and Lydon Sacoff of Jaleo, Sean Wheaton of José Andrés’ Think Food Group, David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Peter Russo of Chef Geoff, Ris Lacoste of Ris, and Nick Cibel of Nick’s Riverside Grill.

Hopping on their bikes (with the bike-less in tow on a tour bus provided by Quick’s Bus Company), the chefs revved and roared down K Street, beyond the city limits, and down the winding country roads of Prince George’s County. The first stop was Miller Farms in Clinton, Md, run by John Miller, a fifth generation farmer who operates his 267-acre property with his son Brad. Family owned since 1840, Miller Farms grows an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as operating an onsite bakery, nursery and farmer’s market. The perfect spot for a weekend drive (especially if you enjoy berry picking in the spring), Miller Farms is a great place to visit for wholesale produce, firewood, mulch, homemade baked goods and flowers. This time of year, bring your kids out for their corn maze and scenic hayride through pumpkin patches and a community of friendly scarecrows. (Visit www.MillersFarmClinton.com.)

Next on the tour was PA Bowen Farmstead, a farm dedicated to raising grass-fed livestock and producing fine artisan raw cheese. Located in Brandywine, their farm uses old-fashioned grazing techniques combined with modern technologies to help animal species work symbiotically with each other to heal and build their soil and produce high-quality foods that heal and nourish the body, without the use of antibiotics, pesticides or growth-enhancers.

Owners Geoffrey Morell and Sally Fallon Morell purchased the 95-acre farm in 2009, with the goal of creating an integrated farm that not only supplies high-quality, pasture-fed products, but will act as an engine for the economic revitalization of the whole region. On top of having an immaculately clean farm and some of the freshest looking meat and poultry anywhere in the region, their artisan cheeses have been winning awards throughout the country. Their blue cheese with Celtic sea salt is a must-have for any cheese plate in Washington. They even offer private cheese making and poultry processing classes for anyone with a deeper interest in learning more about where their food comes from. (Visit www.PABowenFarmstead.com)
The tour ended at Nick’s Riverside Grill at Georgetown Waterfront Park, where Nick Cibel served up a late lunch of Delmarva classics done right: Maryland blue crabs steamed with old bay, red potatoes and fresh corn, from Miller Farms, piled in mountains on top of butcher paper and eaten in true “family meal” fashion. It was served with pitchers of beer provided by Dixie Liquor, a taste of rum, courtesy of Atlantico rum producers, and a tasty Sauvignon Blanc provided by Oyster Bay. It was a gastronomic adventure that we won’t soon forget—and we look forward to doing it again next year. We extend a warm thank you to all who made this event so special. [gallery ids="101513,150944,150948,150952,150957,150962,150966,150971,150974,150979,150984,150988,150939,150935,150931,150888,150996,150893,150898,150903,150907,150910,150915,150919,150922,150927,150993" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • November 6, 2013

***DEAR STACY:***
*I am writing on behalf of a friend going through a nasty divorce. He decided to lease an apartment with a female friend who has also just left a long-term relationship. They spend a lot of time together ? cooking and hanging out. Obviously they have developed a bond. It?s not physical yet, but he is growing feelings for this woman. He asked my advice and I think this is a recipe for disaster. They are both in pain and I think it would be like two addicts meeting in rehab or [Alcoholics Anonymous]. They share this one trauma in common and then numb the pain through physical intimacy. I think this could easily become a very codependent relationship. I told him he should avoid this, especially as they each have their own issues to get over, plus, he?s still in the middle of litigation. What do you think?*
*?Concerned Bystander*

**DEAR CONCERNED,**
I think you offered your friend some very thoughtful advice ? particularly since he specifically asked for it. But I warn you to be prepared for him to ignore that advice completely.

Yes, stumbling into a new relationship while going through a divorce is not usually a great idea. Obviously there could be legal issues, but unless both parties are comfortable with this being a rebound-style fling, it?s also risky because feelings could get hurt and Divorcing Guy could wind up alienating a good friend in the process. Still, please try to be gentle with him when he starts a relationship with Roomie. They have chosen to do more than just commiserate with one another, they are building a home together, something they both lost when their respective partnerships ended. When someone feels beaten up and abandoned by a failed relationship, that person looks for comfort wherever he can find it ? it?s human nature. The wheels are already in motion on this one ? Divorcing Guy may be asking for advice but leaving out the detail that he has already started the physical relationship. What he really needs right now is a good friend. Really good friends tell us the truth, as you have, and then keep listening without judgment. He?s going to need a lot more of that as he begins to truly grieve this loss.

***Stacy Notaras Murphy [www.stacymurphyLPC](http://www.stacymurphyLPC.com) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to [stacy@georgetowner.com](mailto:stacy@georgetowner.com).***

Marie Loiseau • October 24, 2013

Michele Conley speaks lovingly of her “phenomenal” friends, a couple who have adopted four young, in-need children. She gushes at their selflessness, their generosity. Conley’s admiration is cut short, however, because she’s made plans to prepare them dinner.

This thoughtful gesture is typical of Conley, a maternal angel and two-time breast cancer survivor that fills her days with giving and sharing. She is Washington, D.C.’s very own Wonder Woman, having perfected a trying balance as a daughter, mother, friend to many, exercise enthusiast and owner of a State Farm Insurance agency. In the past year, for instance, Conley has moved her youngest son into his freshman college dorm, roamed around France with her mother and completed numerous 10-mile and half marathon running races. She’s done all this, while maintaining her position as founder and leader of Living in Pink.

Conley founded Living in Pink in 2003, after seeing her mother battle breast cancer, and then personally fighting and overcoming the disease twice. Her independent, nonprofit organization supports research to further the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
“We celebrate women that are living, surviving and thriving,” says Conley. This year’s big celebratory event will be the 10th Annual Living in Pink Luncheon & Boutique, scheduled for Nov. 1 at the Fairmont Washington Hotel.

Greta Kreuz, reporter and anchorwoman of ABC7/WJLA-TV, will be the introductory speaker, as she has been for almost every annual luncheon thus far. “She’s fabulous,” says Conley. “We asked her initially, and she’s volunteered to speak every year since.”

The luncheon will also feature the annual presentation of The Living in Pink Award and the Noel Soderberg-Evans Award. The Living in Pink Award recipient is generally, but not always, a physician who has done something special for women and breast cancer. This year’s recipient is Rachel Brem, M.D., Director of the Breast Imaging and Intervention Center at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health.

The Noel Soderberg-Evans Award, presented by the Jack Evans family, is given to someone carrying on Noel’s legacy as, what Conley calls, “such a wonderful person, fighting and staying positive for her loved ones.” The recipient of this award will not be announced until the luncheon’s award presentation.

Living in Pink’s Luncheon & Boutique continues to be a success, year after year. Conley passes on the praise to the 12 Living in Pink committee members. “There’s no way this could happen without them.”

She’s looking very forward to this year’s event and is immensely proud of the organization’s accomplishments. “The committee is amazing,” she says. “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to keep almost all of the same committee members and keep this going year after year,” she continues. “The power of people working together: that’s what has made this what it is.”

Stacy Notaras Murphy •

DEAR STACY:

My relationship with my daughter-in-law is very difficult. She lost her own mother at a young age and never really warmed up to me. I went into their marriage (7 years ago) fully aware that there’s a cliché about the mother-in-law being hard to handle, and because of that, I have worked quite hard not to be too presumptuous about our relationship. The current issue is that she does not let me see the grandkids unless I plan several weeks in advance. We live in the same town and there is no “stopping by” just to say hello. I am never invited to their sporting events and when I show up, she acts coldly toward me. This behavior makes no sense to me and I have no idea how to move forward. My son stays out of it, even when I asked him specifically why I have to ask permission so far in advance to spend time with my own family. I think he scared of her too. What can I do?

– Mother-in-Law

DEAR MIL,

I truly appreciate how hard you are working to keep in mind those MIL clichés. But one thing to be mindful of is that DIL has her own, very personal view of this. You may be onto something regarding the loss of her own mother, but try not to psychoanalyze too much. The story I’m telling myself about this (and let’s be honest, we all tell stories to ourselves about why others do the things they do) is that she has worked out a solution to calm any anxiety she has about being watched by you as a mother. The advanced scheduling approach may be a coping mechanism for something that has nothing to do with you, although you may be the trigger. If it works for her, can’t it also work for you? I understand that you are hurt. But at the end of the day, if you really want to see your grandkids, she has given you a method. My advice? Respect her boundaries and follow the guidelines to get on her calendar early and often – and be enthusiastic when you do.

Claire Sanders Swift •

When the government was shut down earlier this month, George at the Four Seasons Salon keep clipping along with its art of making political and media types and other influencers look great.

With our economy in a meltdown during late 2008, I first wrote about this very special place in the heart of Georgetown that is a media sanctuary for so many, regardless of what’s going on in the world. For decades, George Salon has been home to hairdressing for dignitaries, media magnates and regular folks looking for a quality cut, blow dry, manicure or pedicure. At the Four Season’s Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue at Georgetown’s eastern gateway, it’s a glamorous place people continue to flock to make themselves beautiful. I met my husband the night I got my hair done there in 2004, and I was hooked.

With George Ozturk still at the helm, famed hairdressers, Ismail Tekin and Omer Cevirme, have taken on management roles, as they continue to service some of the most well known names in Washington and everyone in between.

The bold-face names of George’s clientele include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, former chief of protocol Capricia Marshall and journalists Judy Woodruff, Norah O’Donnell, Arianna Huffington, Kathleen Matthews and Chris Matthews (that’s right). Some of the Kennedy clan have shown up, too: Ambassador Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, former first lady of California Maria Shriver. I even saw Rory Kennedy there before a premiere of one of her HBO films. (George Ozturk went to the White House during the Clintons years to do first lady Hillary Clinton’s hair.)

The story as of late is that the salon has had a re-do — with a new entrance, colors and additions. The George Salon re-launch party a few months back was packed with friends, clients and some fabulous Washingtonians donning their finest. Thankfully, Rick Raines is coordinating efforts in his usual fashion at the front desk, as Mr. go-to guy.

“I want to bring along my team of talented hairdressers and the gifted, who continually show great promise to our clientele and our salon,” said Ozturk, who founded the salon in 1985. “Ishmael and Omer have so much to offer and will be more involved in the day-to-day.”
Carl Ray, George’s renowned make-up artist and the go-to guy to first lady Michelle Obama and other wonderful clientele, is marketing a new boutique line of products called FINISH’D.

What’s the secret to the George Salon’s success? “We make everyone look and feel great when they come in here,” Ozturk said. “You don’t have to be a model to look fabulous.” The new updates have made it even more worth a visit.

Georgetowner • October 10, 2013

**DEAR STACY:**
**I am a divorced woman in my late 40s. I never wanted to be in this situation, but my husband and I just couldn?t make it work. I know that I really want to find a new partner to share my life with but I realize that I am very mistrustful of the men who seem interested in me. I immediately find reasons to cross them off my list, like if they?re not attractive enough, or not good with money, or seem to have trouble in certain social situations. I realize that my standards must be too high, but I just can?t get past some of these issues and it changes my behavior on dates (e.g. I could feel myself closing off when a recent date made a comment about the high price of the food at the restaurant we went to). I just don?t want to settle ? I did that for too long with my first husband.**
**? Too-High Standards**

***DEAR STANDARDS:***
*Ok, let?s start off by both of us considering that this actually is not about your standards. While we certainly could have a fun conversation about unrealistic expectations and how compromise is not necessarily ?settling,? I don?t think your standards are what are keeping you from connecting with New Guy.*

*It?s actually what I suspect is a well-won mistrust of men in general that is keeping you from finding New Guy. The little ?issues? that keep getting in your way are great defense mechanisms against allowing yourself to get close to (READ: be hurt by) someone new.*

*We can?t move on until we make peace with the past. It?s as simple (and clich?) as that. I imagine that you and Ex-Husband had some breach of trust ? anything from losing faith in your day-to-day connection to actually losing faith in your fidelity. Regardless of the content, divorce is incredibly painful. We aren?t ready for the new effort required to get into another relationship until we heal those old wounds ? we just don?t have the energy for it. One excellent way of avoiding that painful work is to force ourselves to ?get back out there? too quickly, but your subconscious is just using that as a smokescreen to prevent you from being hurt further. It?s not a horrible defensive move, but it?s not going to serve you in the way you ultimately want ? to help raise your self esteem and put you in a position to be ready to respond to the Right New Guy at the right time.*

Stacy Notaras Murphy [www.stacymurphyLPC.com](http://www.stacymurphyLPC.com) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only, and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to [stacy@georgetowner.com](mailto:stacy@georgetowner.com).

Corrie Dyke •

Oysters are drenched in a rich history. From providing life during the Great Depression to the cause of death during the Oyster Wars of the mid-late 1800s, oysters have represented a broad spectrum of life as well as stood as a symbol of passion. Most importantly, oysters represent a way of life, a life known no better than in and around the Chesapeake Bay. As local venues gear up for a number of annual festivals to celebrate the life of oysters, many do so in an effort to preserve the treasured lifestyle. This year, a few festivals are benefitting the Oyster Recovery Partnership, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating and rebuilding oyster habitats in the Chesapeake Bay. Through ORP’s partnerships with scientists, conservationists, watermen, businesses, government, as well as state and local partners, nearly 4 billion oysters have been planted on 1,500 acres of oyster reefs and approximately 1,200 tons of shell have been recycled to provide homes for new oysters. Get Shuckin’ for a cause and celebrate oysters this season.

OYSTERFEST VI
Oct. 12 &13
This annual festival brings thousands of locals and visitors together in Baltimore’s historic Federal Hill for a two-day celebration at Ryleigh’s Oyster. The festivities begin Saturday at noon with a block party featuring live music and the annual Shucking Championship at 5 p.m. Picking back up Sunday at 4 p.m. following the Raven’s football game, theday features more live music and plenty of oysters. Activities on both days run until 9 p.m. Admission is free. Ryleigh’s Oysters; 36 E. Cross St., Federal Hill, Baltimore, Md.

CITY CENTER OYSTER ROAST
Oct. 18 – 5 p.m.
The five-acre Fountain Plaza at City Center at Oyster Point is the picturesque setting for this festival of seafood and oyster tasting, featuring Chesapeake Bay seafood. Crafts and an “Oyster Shell” scavenger hunt for children make this festival a fun family affair. Live musical entertainment will be featured with food and beverages for sale. Free admission and parking. Oyster Point City Center; 701 Town Center Dr., Newport News, Va.

ST. MARY’S OYSTER FESTIVAL
Oct. 19 & 20
The annual St. Mary’s Oyster Festival promises to be two days of family fun. The fest includes a National Oyster Shucking Contest as well as the National Oyster Cook-Off. Winners go on to represent the U.S. internationally. Oysters will be served raw, scalded, grilled, on bread, on the half shell, stewed, nude, cooked in savory sauces, in salads, and even in desserts. Other local fare will be available as well as beer and wine. Music, entertainment, exhibits, carnival rides and crafts also included. Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Proceeds go to local charities. Admission $5. 42455 Fairgrounds Rd., Leonardtown, Md.

SHUCK IT!
8Oct. 26 – 2 to 6 p.m.
Expert shuckers will be serving up the freshest raw, grilled and fried oysters in 12 different varieties from local Chesapeake, Northeast, and West Coast regions at Tony & Joe’s in Washington Harbour. Other specialties will be dished up as well as beer and wine pairings. A surf band will
provide live entertainment. The event will host
a special silent auction benefitting the Oyster
Recovery Partnership. $75 for tickets Tony &
Joe’s Seafood Place 3000 K St., NW

OYSTERFEST
Nov. 2 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OysterFest at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime
Museum features live music by Sweet Leda, local
fare, children’s activities, boat rides, oyster
demonstrations, harvesting displays, retriever
demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, documentary
films, and an oyster stew competition
among regional chefs. Conservation groups
including Tilghman Islanders Grow Oysters,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Oyster Recovery
Partnership, and The Nature Conservancy
will be on-hand to discuss efforts to clean and
preserve the Bay. Admission is free for CBMM
members and children five & under, otherwise
it’s $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $6 for
children between the ages of six and 17. 213 N.
Talbot St., St. Michaels, Md.

56TH URBANNA OYSTER FESTIVAL
Nov. 1 & 2
Home of Virginia’s official Oyster Festival, the
quaint town of Urbanna, just up the Rappahannock
River, dedicates an entire weekend to all
things oysters. The two-day festival includes;
a shucking contest, wine tasting, parade, multiple
live bands, and more than 50 food vendors
with oysters served raw, roasted, fried, smoked,
steamed, in fritters and in a stew. Crafts andfamily friendly activities featured. Festivities begin
Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and continue Saturday,
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
45 Cross St., Urbanna, Va.

OLD EBBITT GRILL OYSTER RIOT XIX
Nov. 22 & 23
The 19th Annual Oyster Riot is a huge party
held the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Each night, nearly 1,000 people devour tens
of thousands of oysters while enjoying the gold
medal winners of the International Wines for
Oysters Competition.

The Saturday afternoon Matinee Riot returns for
its 4th year from Noon to 3 p.m. A portion of the
proceeds will benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership.
Oyster shells are sorted and transferred
to the Partnership. About 75 bushels of shells
were collected for ORP last year. Once aged, the
shells will end be planted with one million baby
oysters. Limited number of tickets. Friday and
Saturday 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tickets $140
Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th Street, NW [gallery ids="118811,118805" nav="thumbs"]

Wally Greeves • September 25, 2013

Leaving the world-class accommodations at Kiawah Island, S.C., after five rounds of golf, stellar food, and service with a smile that required no finger lifting whatsoever, the thought occurred to me as the exit gate was closing that vacating the womb as an adult male had its merits and its downsides. While operating a motor vehicle and hunting for food came quickly to me once again, detachment anxiety set in a whole lot sooner than the first time the cord was cut. The arrival at the Sanctuary four days earlier was something straight out of “Gulliver’s Travels”: the mammoth-columned entryway doors leading to a multi-storied lobby, full of murals and memorabilia. I immediately felt the genuine warmth of the staff when checking in and barely had time to change clothes before my uncle and I were scheduled to tee off at Jack Nicklaus-designed Turtle Point.

Turtle Point has my vote for the Kiawah golf course that most leaves you wanting to golf more. The first nine holes of somewhat narrow tree-lined fairways are set back from the ocean and reward straight shots with good scores. Holes 14-16 were spectacularly fun, windy, beautiful and challenging golf holes along the beach that rewarded straight shots with pathetic scores, but left me smiling. Two picturesque par fours end the feast, but leave you maybe wanting to ask for the menu back.

We had dinner outside at the Sanctuary’s Jasmine Porch, where we safely watched lightning bolts and heat charges sashay across the island during an evening rain shower. The food and service were exemplary. The quality of service at Kiawah was of a special variety to me that felt extremely personal yet not invasive. It left me feeling somewhat like Jim Carrey in “The Truman Show,” where behind every door were people that wanted to see me do well.

The Ocean Course and Osprey Point were scheduled for the next day, and it was sub-par service that allowed us to just wander out from the Sanctuary and see our clubs waiting for us and shuttle ready to go. The famous Dye-designed Ocean Course lived up to its name and then some, and I was glad I walked it. It gave me a chance to have the Ryder Cup and PGA tested grounds all to myself at times in a way that just doesn’t happen from a cart. I got a chance to scratch my head and wonder how Rory’s ball got caught in a leafless tree that looks more like driftwood harpooned into the ground, and I took the time to walk up to the pro tees and survey the view from hole 14. The very serene round had a pleasant sense of surrealness to it that felt like a mix of meditation and connect the dots, inside of a watercolor painting. Lunch at the Ryder Cup Bar, overlooking the eighteenth green, was a great way to spend time.

If the Ocean Course was the runaway classic, then Osprey Point had the most comfortable interior and got the best gas mileage. Birds were everywhere, alligators rampant along the lakeshores and good scores followed us around the player-friendly Fazio layout. Five sets of tees on every course makes even wagering with your uncle possible, and lets you decide how masochistic you want to be. Whichever you choose, playing this course after the Ocean was a welcome massage in a good environment.
Dinner at the Ocean Room at one of the few steakhouses to have a Forbes four star and AAA four diamond rating prompted me to try an aged Wagyu steak with a marble rating exceeding 10. When asked how it was I honestly answered, “Wonderful,” but what was really going through my head and would have flown was the old George Carlin line “I never had a ten, but one night I had five twos.” (Okay, okay, sorry.) The epic atmosphere present in the restaurant spawned a conversation between my uncle and I, where I learned multiple things about my mother and grandparents that I never knew. Kiawah is just that kind of place. I saw it in the pediatric dentist, celebrating an anniversary with his wife and newborn, staying next to us. I saw it in the apartment broker there to represent his firm in the First Tee charity event that Friday on the Ocean Course. I even saw it in the price of my yogurt parfait the next morning at Beaches and Cream before we set out for one more day of golf, and it still tasted great.
Oak Point is the only Kiawah course that is actually outside of the resort gates, and as I was exiting the morning shuttle I have to say I felt vulnerable. The feeling that I had stepped off the safari train only deepened when we were visited at the driving range by a bobcat still on the prowl from the night before. It was way cool. We also saw a heron stab a fish out of the water, decide not to eat it, and carry it around like a stuffed animal for as long as we watched. The par three 15th hole along the road was a signature hole for me, and the par five 17th hole was one of my favorites of the trip.

The last round, Cougar Point, was my solid second-place choice of the five courses we played. A Gary Player design, I thought it was a great example of what a landscaped golf course should look like. In that sense, it was the opposite of a natural layout like the Ocean Course, and so, for that, I vote it best car in its class. Some of the expansive marshland views were so Serengeti that I almost started humming tunes from “The Lion King.”

I came to Kiawah Island to play golf, and golf was there for the taking in splendor fashion, but I left with a lot more than that. I left as a more experienced traveler, diner, bobcat watcher, nephew and critic. [gallery ids="101468,152926,152923" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

Dry stacked stones run in walls along twisting roads that separate the chewed up asphalt from the rolling hillsides. Whitewashed fences cut through pastures of grazing horses, and their strong and slender bodies trot languorously, unconcerned with the raw power bubbling beneath their surfaces.

While this may sound like a scene from a 19th century English countryside, it is in fact present-day Middleburg, Virginia and its surrounding Loudoun County, the heart of America’s Horse Country.

Just an hour’s drive beyond Washington’s city limits, it can be hard to believe how quickly the neon cluster of the city falls away to sprawling farmland in the Middleburg area. And equestrian culture is the heartbeat of the community, replete with specialty horse shops along the main street, like the Middleburg Tack Exchange, which has an extensive inventory of saddles, riding boots, apparel and riding gear. The Journeyman Saddler is another tack store and workshop that makes custom-made leather goods such as chaps and saddles, where local riders frequently get repairs and adjustments for their gear.
Equestrian culture is not just a gimmick in Middleburg, but a way of life. And fall is the premier season in which to experience all the life it has to offer.

The colorful history and legendary stories of Loudoun’s long, rich equestrian history are housed in the National Sporting Library and Museum, where over 17,000 books dating back to the 16th century, as well as cycles of exhibitions and their permanent art collection, chart the county’s sporting traditions back to their roots.

The International Gold Cup
There are a great many seasonal equestrian events in the coming months, including a few highlights. The 76th annual Gold Cup on Saturday, Oct. 19 is the season highlight, and its world famous steeplechase races are not to be missed.
The first International Gold Cup was held in 1930 at Grasslands Downs, Tennessee, where the King of Spain placed a spectacularly beautiful gold trophy—the same one still awarded annually to the winner in competition that year. The location of the Cup moved around a bit, until 1984 when the International Gold Cup race and trophy were moved to Virginia, where they enjoy large crowds and international attendants to this day.

The 2013 International Gold Cup marks the 76th running of this prestigious race and maintains international interest both in the spectator venues as well as on course. Riders from across Europe and members of the International Federation of Amateur Riders compete with U.S. jockeys for the World Cup of Nations. The event is well attended by Washington’s diplomatic community as well as ambassadors and representatives from many nations, providing a unique venue for social entertaining and a great place to network in the midst of spectacular scenery.

The Greater Equestrian World
From Friday to Sunday, Oct. 4 through 6, Morven Park will host its annual Fall Horse Trials, a great place to kick off your experience of Virginia’s equestrian tradition. This free event provides the optimal spectator experience, offering opportunities to observe top riders from around the country perform in three major disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and cross country riding. This show traditionally attracts the top riders in the country, often including members of the U.S. Olympic Team.
The Morven Park Equestrian Center at Historic Morven Park in Leesburg, Va., holds a special place in the hearts of the equestrian community. Home to local, regional, national, and world-class equestrian events, Morven Park is built on 1,000 acres of open space and continues to operate as a multifaceted events facility that includes indoor and outdoor arenas, a beautiful series of cross-country courses, and sports fields that are utilized by more than 100,000 enthusiasts each year. For more information visit www.MorvenPark.org

That same weekend, Oct. 5 and 6, the Virginia Fall Races will host the Field Hunter Championships of America. Founded in 1989, this event brings together fox hunting enthusiasts from all across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the week-long trial. Mounted judges ride alongside the numbered contestants as they hunt with four area fox Hunts over a five-day period. At the end of each day’s hunting, the judges announce the horse and rider combinations selected to compete in the finals held Sunday at Glenwood Park. The finals are held prior to the start of the first race.

The Sunday finals of the Field Hunter Championship (Oct. 6) give racing spectators a unique opportunity to watch a mock fox hunt. The finalists then follow the Field Master and are judged on how their horse performs.

After this “mock” hunt, the finalists are narrowed down once again and asked to negotiate a handy hunter course in the center of the racecourse, one at a time, for the championship title. The judges ask the riders to show each horse’s different hunting skills, and after these individual tasks are completed, a champion is chosen. Trophies are awarded to the Champion, Reserve Champion as well as Best Turned Out and Most Suitable Pair. For more information visit www.VaFallRaces.com.
Further events include the 7th annual Blue Ridge Fall Races at Woodley Farm in Berryville, Va. on Saturday October 12 (www.BlueRidgeFallRaces.com), The Jumper Show at Fox Chase Farms in Middleburg on October 26 (www.FoxChaseFarms.net), as well as the Montpelier Hunt Races hosted by the Blue Ridge Valley Foundation on November 2 in Montpelier Station, Va. (www.MontpelierRaces.org).

As you can see, there is a lot riding on this year’s equestrian season around Middleburg. Don’t miss this year in horse country.