Living

Ari Post • November 6, 2012

In 2007, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission started the Buy Local Challenge (BLC) to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of sourcing and consuming local ingredients. “And since then,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, “it’s really taken off across our state.”

“Six years ago,” he said, “you did not see the amount of produce that was available in grocery stores that was advertised as ‘local.’ This movement, this awareness—the future is all about local economies.”

The BLC, along with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, promotes a market-driven and sustainable farming culture, where farmland preservation and environmental stewardship positively impact the quality of the air and water, and where consumers and leaders play equal parts in the development and sustainability of local agriculture. A balanced community should be full of safe, nutritious food and a clean and healthy environment.

On July 16, local Washington and Maryland chefs put their pedals to the metal to promote these initiatives—literally. In an effort to build relationships with area farmers, wine and cheese makers, and purveyors of produce and other farm-raised products, some of our favorite cooks revved up their motorcycles for a bike tour of some Maryland-based farms.

The Chefs Go Fresh tour, a joint function by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Georgetown Media Group (i.e., yours truly), was a day of friendly chatting, sputtering engines and enlightening connections. The day began with a breakfast hosted by Robert Wiedmaier at his restaurant Brasserie Beck, full of fresh, local fare. From there, the chefs were off, as their bikes roared through downtown before breaking free in the back roads of Maryland countryside, stopping at farms for presentations by farmers.

The first stop was Shepherds Manor Creamery in New Windsor, run by husband-and-wife team Michael and Colleen Histon, who produce artisan sheep’s milk cheese. From there, Black Ankle Vineyards was just down the road. An environmentally sustainable estate vineyard, Black Ankle produces wines with complexity, depth and subtlety to rival old world styles.

The day concluded with a locally-sourced lamb roast hosted by Bryan Voltaggio, local chef darling and native Frederick, Marylander, who was a finalist on television’s “Top Chef” in 2009. His new Fredericksburg restaurant, “Family Meal,” was a fitting location to wrap up this day of camaraderie and culinary affection. Chefs and farmers sat around long tables and bars sharing heaping plates of fried green tomatoes, deviled eggs, country fried chicken, sautéed greens, baked beans and heaps of smoky, delicious lamb.

There is tremendous mutual benefit in supporting local farms, from better and more nutritious ingredients to lessening of energy consumption for food transportation. If everyone across the country embraced the Buy Local Challenge, it would bring a positive and profound impact to our farms, our communities and our planet for generations to come. It’s nice to know that our chefs agree.

Here are some highlights from the day, and the list of chefs that joined Georgetown Media Group on our culinary expedition. ? [gallery ids="129071,128973,128965,128957,128948,128939,128931,128921,128913,128904,128981,128989,129064,129056,129048,129040,129031,129023,129015,129005,128997,128895,128887,128778,128771,128765,129077,128756,129083,128747,129088,129094,128785,128793,128879,128872,128861,128850,128837,128828,128818,128809,128801,100916" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

For the past few weeks, being out in the sun has been downright masochistic. Stepping outside, the pelting heat was nearly suffocating. On a bicycle, it felt like being blasted by a full body blow-drier. Last Sunday, our city hit 100 degrees for the fourth consecutive day — a natural feat unsurpassed since July 1930. Across the country this year, more than 40,000 daily heat records have been broken, and after the storm that left so many of us without electricity, the heat couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time.

Wandering around the farmers markets, our local food producers are bemoaning the heat’s effects on this season’s crops. “This is the last week for blueberries, thanks to mother nature,” said one local vendor when I bought a still tasty but admittedly heat-stricken bushel last weekend.

Thankfully, things seem to be easing up outside. This isn’t to say the rest of the summer season is going to be a cakewalk, but we can start thinking again about venturing into the sun and enjoying summer as it should be enjoyed: by the shoreline, in the water, and out at sea.

From George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776, to the Kennedys’ iconic yachting excursions that captured in celluloid the idealism and spirit of the late post-war era, Washington, D.C. has scattered bits of its history on the water. The Potomac and Anacostia Rivers wind through our neighborhoods, their beauty and power never failing to refresh the senses. If ever you’re feeling blue, take a walk along the Mt. Vernon trail up by Roosevelt Island beside the Potomac River, watch the birds take flight, breathe the air, wrap yourself in the billowing silence and tell me if you don’t feel at least a little better.

And in the Delmarva area, there are plenty of locations for waterfront escape. The Maryland shore has charm, history and abundant seaside culture. Along the Delaware coastlines, popular beach destinations give way to serene waterfront and unforgettable excursions. The odds are, most of you have your house rentals set up. Here are some great things to do.

Delaware

Coastal Kayak

Offering sailboat rentals, guided kayak and bicycle eco-tours, Coastal Kayak allows guests to experience the bayside marshlands and wildlife from a completely new perspective.

The salt marsh tour is a fanastic addendum to any list of activities. Paddle through the salt marshes around a state wildlife refuge, the feeding grounds for many animals. You’re liable to see herons, osprey, horseshoe crabs and skimmers, among other wildlife. One of the premiere offerings is the exploration of a small sandbar where you get out of your kayak and comb the beach for a variety of beach dwellers such as fiddler crabs, starfish and clams.

Chincoteague and Assateague Islands

Chincoteague Island, just a 30-minute drive from Bethany down Route 1, is Virginia’s only resort island, and one of the more beautiful islands that salt and pepper Virginia’s eastern shore. This rustic, wild-looking beach is famous for its breathtaking and accessible wildlife, oyster beds and clam shoals, migratory birds and packs of wild horses, which often graze casually around the parking area.

Throughout the summer, crowded beaches give way to stretches of secluded shore line, marshes and forests for those willing to walk beyond the crowded entrance. As a Natural Wildlife Preserve, the Chincoteague and Assateague islands harbor plenty of inspiration for the adventurous, Thoreauvian journeyman.

Nassau Valley Vineyards

Producing a wide variety of wines, Nassau Valley is Delaware’s first and only farm winery. The self-guided tour includes a chronicle of wine’s 8,000-year history, up to the processing and production of modern day vineyards. Picnickers are welcome, and specialty tastings and wine and food pairings are available on site or off. Theater and musical groups perform during the summer months. This is an ideal stop on a rainy beach day or a midweek break from the pulsing July sun.

Maryland

The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry

The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry is also a great way to see the surrounding area of Talbot County. America’s oldest privately owned ferry, established 1683, crosses the Tred Avon River between Oxford and Bellevue, Maryland. It’s a quick trip, 7 to 10 minutes (20 round trip) but it’s a lot of fun and St. Michaels is a pleasant seven-mile bike ride or drive from the Bellevue landing. The ferry can carry cars and motorcycles. For more information visit www.OxfordFerry.com.

The Chesapeake Lighthouse Tours

These tours are a unique look at Chesapeake’s lighthouse heritage, which has assisted the passage of boats for centuries. Captain Mike Richards, who guides the tours, has over 35 years’ experience on the Chesapeake Bay and shares stories of these historic lighthouses and their surrounding areas. Half and full-day tours leave from the Bay Hundred Restaurant at Knapps Narrows Marina, through October. For more information, visit www.ChesapeakeLights.com.

The Tilghman Island Marina

The Tilghman Island Marina is a popular destination spot with transient boaters and boating clubs and groups all throughout the bay, who also offer boat rentals and various charters.

The picturesque marina overlooks the Chesapeake Bay and Nature Area. Offering a quaint ambiance in a park-like setting that caters to boating groups and guests, it’s a great place to enjoy a Chesapeake Bay sunset from the comfort and privacy of your own boat. You can also jet ski, sail, bicycle, fish and take waterway tours. Walk, ride or dinghy to all Island attractions, Inns and restaurants. For more information, visit www.TilghmanMarina.com. ?

Georgetowner •

With the 2nd Annual Chefs Go Fresh event on July 16, here is a closer look at some of the local country farms that will be participating.

England Acres Farm: a Pasture-Fed Welcome Mat

Do you enjoy fresh produce, locally raised animals and home-baked goods? Look no further than the England Acres Farm, in Mt. Airy in Fredrick County, Maryland. The farm, which has been used since the 1870s is owned and operated by Jeff and Judy England.

“We’re friendly,” says Judy England. “We welcome the public to come experience what we have and taste the difference in our products.”

England Acres Farm and Market raises Angus cattle, sheep and Cornish Rock X chickens. The animals are all pasture fed or are fed farm-grown forage. All the meats can be bought individually or in a sampler pack from the market.

The England Acres Farm Market and Bakery is open on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store offers a selection of fresh baked goods, freshly picked seasonal produce, grass fed beef and lamb and pasture raised chickens, hens and eggs. The market also offers some friendly advice on how to cook and prepare the fresh ingredients.

The working farm welcomes people to come and experience what it’s really like on a farm, and it encourages people to buy local products. For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.EnglandAcres.com

Black Ankle
Vineyards: Award Winner in Mt. Airy

“A truly great wine comes only from a truly great vineyard,” according to Black Ankle Vineyards, a winery located in Mt. Airy, Maryland and known for its award-wining wines. With a wide selection of red-and-white wines, including Chardonnay, Terra Dulce II, Passeggiata and Crumbling Rock, it’s a winery not to miss.

“We grow all our grapes on farms and harvest once a year. We’re able to come up with new wines every year,” said Sarah O’Herron, owner and wine maker at Black Ankle Vineyards. Its most popular selection of wine is Crumbling Rock, with a blend of traditional grapes. It won the Maryland Governor’s Cup for two years in a row. “It’s the wine that made us famous,” O’Herron said.

Have an urge to taste some of the selections? The Black Ankle Vineyards Tasting Room is open Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; other days and times are by appointment. A selection of local cheeses is also offered to customers for something to eat alongside the wine. In addition to the sale of wines and food products, Black Ankle Vineyarsds also provides local realtors and restaurants with selections of wine. “We want people who are wine lovers and who are interested in really good wines. We want them to find us,” O’Herron said. Black Ankle Vineyards offers tours every Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.BlackAnkle.com. ? [gallery ids="100879,127484" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

Washington is within reach of a handful of national resort destinations—many of which have garnered international recognition. From the cool and beautiful forests stretching up and down the Appalachian Mountains, to the sun-flecked peppery beaches of the Carolinas, and the historic rivers leading to the Chesapeake Bay, there are endless opportunities for whiling the summer away. These resorts are all within a day’s drive or airplane hop of Washington, but the diversity is astonishing. If you haven’t planned your summer retreats, this will help you get started. Gather the family or significant others around the table and figure out which suit your vacationer’s palette best.

IN THE VIRGINIAS

The Greenbrier

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

In the small community of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., nestled safely within the Allegheny Mountains, lies one of this country’s most longstanding and luxurious resorts. Since 1778, the Greenbrier has hosted distinguished guests from around the world, setting the standard for luxury accommodations nationwide, while continually reinventing itself. Once known by the Southern elite as the “Queen of the Watering Places,” this sprawling estate in the lush foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is perhaps one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast.

With the very best of comfort and accommodations, spa treatments, leisure pursuits and world-class cuisine, the Greenbrier brings together all the luxuries of the world’s finest resorts with the distinct history and character of the region. There is an endless variety of cottages and suites, such as intimate single guest houses and seven-room suites, equipped with wood-burning fireplaces, private porches and patios overlooking the surrounding area. Once you settle in, the Greenbrier offers enough activities to keep guests returning with every season.

The highlight is the resort’s collection of four 18-hole signature golf courses, all of which compliment the surrounding mountainous landscape. The championship courses—the Old White TPC, the Greenbrier, the Meadows and the Snead, a private residents-only course—are designed to challenge and captivate golfers of every skill level. The resort also features a full-service clubhouse, award-winning golf shop and expert instruction by the Greenbrier Golf Academy. The resort’s 40,000-square-foot luxury spa is another signature offering, providing an elegant setting to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Relax in a whirlpool bath or soak up the healing properties of the native sulphur waters. With their wealth of exclusive spa treatments, there are endless reasons to visit this award-winning spa. For more information, visit www.Greenbrier.com

The Tides Inn

Irvington, Virginia

The Chesapeake Bay is to Washingtonians what Long Island is to New Yorkers: a stone’s throw seaside destination to rusticate and rejuvenate away from the urban tumult. Bordered by the Potomac River to the north, the Rappahannock River to the south, and Chesapeake Bay to the east, the Tides Inn provides a luxury resort setting that is quintessentially Delmarvan.

Located in historic Irvington, Va., history buffs will appreciate the opportunity to experience our nation’s heritage first-hand at the Tides. From the struggle for independence to the steamboat era, from 18th-century gardens to 21st-century artisans, the area surrounding the Tides Inn hotel in Virginia is full of historic excitement.

The Tides offers a “Girlfriend Getaway,” for friends to enjoy a variety of activities, such as touring the local wine trail, relaxing at the spa and enjoying the Tides Inn’s cuisine and cocktails.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the resort and spa destination includes the beautiful new Tides Marina, the 18-hole Golden Eagle Golf Course, as well as sailing opportunities, where you can set sail around Carters Creek and the Rappahannock River. The on-site sailing school at the Tides offers a four-day basic keelboat course that leads to sailing certification. There are also shorter sailing classes for various interests, and everyone in the family can find a Chesapeake Bay sailing course created just for them. For more information, visit www.TidesInn.com.

WAY DOWN IN DIXIE

The Sanderling

Outer Banks, North Carolina

For over half a century the Outer Banks in North Carolina have been perhaps the premier Washingtonian beach destination. Within walking distance of the unparalleled sand, surf and tranquil waters of the sound, the Sanderling Resort gives you the best of hospitality and Carolina character. Of course, staying at the Sanderling has other benefits as well, including access to the Pine Island Racquet and Fitness Club and the Currituck Golf Club.

This is a great place to take the family. Among many beachside attractions, the 3,400-acre Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, adjacent to the Sanderling, is a favorite resting spot of countless regional beachside bird families (When summer ends in a few months, dozens of species of migrating geese and ducks descend on Currituck Sound, providing spectacular autumn bird watching). The Sanderling’s Eco-Center offers kayak tours of the preserve, and walking paths through the sanctuary are open to the public year-round. Couple that with beachfront access, great local seafood and the fresh salty air, and you can keep you and your family happy for weeks. For more information, visit www.TheSanderling.com.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

This is an easy weekend getaway from Washington. Truly one of America’s most luxurious resorts, it is located along the pristine shores of Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

This exquisite hotel is only 30 minutes from downtown Charleston, which captures the spirit, history and charm of southern hospitality and some of the best southern comfort food there is—barbeque shrimp and grits are not to be missed.

With its 255 gracious guestrooms and suites, the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is perhaps the finest oceanfront hotel built on the East Coast in the past 20 years. Each spacious room features luxurious five fixture baths, large marble showers, dual vanities, private water closets, shuttered bathroom windows and ocean view balconies. A private concierge level offers exclusive, personalized services and private elevator access, while the concierge club features unmatched culinary offerings throughout the day. Families and adults can enjoy two oceanfront pools.

Kiawah Island is a golfer’s paradise with five competitively designed master golf courses. In fact, three of Kiawah Island’s golf courses ranked on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s Top 75 Resort Courses,” and Conde Nast Traveler listed the resort among the top “50 Golf Resorts Worldwide.” For more information, visit www.KiawahResort.com.

DUE NORTH

Lake Placid Lodge

Lake Placid, New York

In 1882, a German family built themselves a rustic camp from which they could enjoy the dramatic view of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks. This remained a private residence until 1946, when the property was sold and reopened as a hotel.

Today, the front hall is a classic Adirondack interior, with a welcoming stone fireplace, furniture crafted in the distinctive regional Adirondack style and a stairwell filled by a towering birch tree. There are thirteen rooms and seventeen luxurious cabins at the water’s edge, and the woods, water and sun enfold the Lodge.

The main lodge is full of spaces that are just as cozy and appealing. Artisans, the formal dining room, offer a seasonal New American menu. Wood-paneled Maggie’s Pub, with its fireplace and tables set by the windows, is just the place for a first-rate burger and a pint of the locally brewed Ubu Ale.

Whether you prefer to curl up in front of a fireplace and take on the challenge of a handcrafted Stave puzzle or decide to hike one of the ancient Adirondack trails, the choices are many. And warmer weather brings endless adventures. Take a tour of Lake Placid aboard the 35-foot mahogany Hacker-Craft, go swimming or fishing, kayaking or canoeing or captain your own boat. Lake Placid is one of the cleanest spring-fed lakes in New York. Lake Placid Lodge is an iconic American resort. For more information, visit www.LakePlacidLodge.com.?

Charlene Louis •

Like most of you, bikini season has once again snuck up on me, left me unprepared to be bare, and having me find creative methods to cover up. But could there be a solution to my woes? DC DermDocs may have come to my rescue by offering body sculpting treatments that are non-invasive, requires no recovery time and gives the confidence needed to sport my favorite two-piece.

Body sculpting has taken cosmetic surgery by storm. More and more people are seeking the various options available to achieve the body effects that they desire. DermDocs of DC is leading
the way in body sculpting cosmetic surgery by offering two of the newest methods to rid inches and fat. Just in time for swimsuit season.

Exilis is the newest technological marvel , approved by the Food and Drug Adminstration that offers the capability of dual function radiofrequency energy (radiowaves) in the same handpiece for the first time to the United States. The Exilis method can deliver the maximum thermal energy to the desired depth of subcutaneous fat while monitoring skin temperature and increase collagen to retighten skin. Exilis then breaks up fat cells, which is then drained through the lymphatic system and liver. With a total of only four 30-minute treatments and the ability to target multiple areas of the body, a patient can expect result in six to eight weeks. So say goodbye to stubborn saddle bags and belly pooches without going under the knife or injections.

Don’t have six weeks to get bikini ready? There is another
option.

One of the newest and soon-to-be most popular method for body sculpting is called liposonix. Liposonix is known throughout the medical world as being the one-treatment, one-hour, one-size, smaller body contouring method. With this new treatment method, Marilyn Berzin, M.D., and Dale Isaacson, M.D., can customize a treatment plan to treat those pesky pitches of fat. Liposonix will be available at DC DermDocs starting June 15 and will be the first in the Washington area to offer the treatment. This treatment method is made for those who don’t have time for multiple appointments and want a uniformed removal of fat cells.

How it works:

High-intensity ultrasound energy focuses on
the targeted fat, permanently destroying fat cells
beneath the surface layers of the skin (at least
one inch of depth).

A continuous lesion is created in the targeted
fat, and the skin layer is not harmed.

So, where does it go?

The treated fat tissue is removed through
the body’s natural healing and elimination process,
leaving you with a thinner, more contoured
waistline. This can take about eight to 12 weeks
for the body to remove all treated fat tissue.

Though the Liposonix treatment is a little
more intense than the Exilis method, there is still
no need for topical anesthetic. It is recommended
to drink fluids after the procedure and watch
your waistline shrink.

If you are interested in losing the cover up and having the confidence to sport your Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, visit DermDocs at dcdermdocs.com for more information.

DC DermDocs

1828 L. St., N.W.

Suite 850

Washington, D.C. 20036

202-822-9591 [gallery ids="100854,126799,126786,126795" nav="thumbs"]

Charlene Louis •

It goes by many names. Cottage cheese, orange peel, hail damage. But whatever you call it, cellulite has been a scourge for bikini and swimsuit wearers for years. Unfortunately, when women pile on the winter pounds, it tends to sit stubbornly on our hips, bottom and thighs … Just in time for summer. Since cellulite is a structural problem—the “cheese effect” only worsens as the pounds are added on. With age, hormones and genetics, the connective tissue that bands under the skin begins to stiffen and the fat cells they surround to become larger and push up into the skin. This creates the “cottage cheese” effect you that many of us wish we could eliminate.

But there is good news. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a one-time treatment method called Cellulaze that helps diminish the look of cellulite. Using a very small cannula (a narrow tube that is roughly the size of a pen tip), the Cellulaze™ laser is inserted directly under the skin and a controlled laser is used to treat the affected area. The laser diminishes the lumpy pockets of fat, releases the areas of skin depression and increases the elasticity and thickness of the skin. Because the cannula is so small, Cellulaze™ is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia.

Wondering what the catch is? There are few locations within the District at offer the treatment (which will surely change in the next few months) and depending on the size being treated, the cost of the one-time only treatment can range from $5,000-7,000. In general, people do pay upwards of $10,000 for cosmetic work and other forms of surgery, but this amount may be seem like pocket change to those seeking more confidence in shorts and bathing suits.

For those looking for just a bit more confidence and not willing shed the skin pucker or the money for such a treatment, there are some at home remedies that can help reduce the appearance and provide you with the confidence to ask “Who wears short shorts?”

Steer from Salty and Sugary Snacks
In most cases, cellulite is simply part of the genes you were born with, but you can reduce their appearance with a healthy diet. This includes avoiding excessive sugar, which gets stored in fat cells and causes them to expand and try limiting your salt intake. Sodium causes fluid retention, meanwhile, which makes cellulite appear even worse.

There’s a Rub
Massages actually help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Because cellulite is comprised of fibrous connective bands between the skin and fat, the fat is pulled to the surface, causing the pocketed effect on skin. Pressure on the skin can help loosen the bands, stimulate circulation and drain excess fluids.

Drink and Be Merry
We’ve all been told to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Not many of us are walking around with liter bottles, but by increasing our water intake, we allow our bodies to flush out the toxins hidden between the fat layers which help reduce the appearence of cellulite. When we consume more water our skin appears healthy and plump … which is much better than any lump.

A Lovin’ Spoonful of Flaxseeds
By adding flaxseeds to meals and salads, you can help the appearance of your cellulite. Flaxseed boosts collagen growth, the main component of connective tissue in our skin. By strengthening this, it reduces the appearance of cellulite. Just sprinkle a couple of tablespoons daily on oatmeal, cereal and yogurt to help prevent cellulite.

Alison Schafer •

You might not see them right away, but you sure can hear them. The teacher bellows, “Supermans!” and a bunch of people a quarter of his size giggle and reach out their arms. “Now, Hulk,” he rumbles, flexing his biceps, as several smaller pairs of arms Hulk out on the blacktop. “Batmaaaaans!” he sings, his rapt audience following every move.

A half block from busy Wisconsin Avenue, where the buses blow exhaust and the cab drivers honk, Hyde-Addison Elementary School is a vibrant, integral part of Georgetown life. This D.C. public school is a place of non-stop action—with 15 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria and a science lab—even after school. “For starters,” says Kara Sullivan, whose son Curtis is in Kindergarten at Hyde, “the strong sense of community is strengthened by seeing classmates, teachers, parents, and Hyde t-shirts as we walk around Georgetown. Where my elementary school had school buses lines up to swiftly take kids away from school at 3:15, there’s a lingering open play date for all kids after Hyde gets out.”

The social curriculum, in the playground, is just as important as what goes inside the school’s walls. Hyde operates on a philosophy that positive interaction is crucial to learning and that learning itself is not simply academic learning. One of the school’s tenets reads, “There is a set of social skills that kids need to be successful: cooperation, assertion, responsibility empathy and self-control.” The school’s physical layout and its meetings and rules are designed to encourage positive interaction—between students and teachers, parents and administrators. And, though it is not explicitly stated, between the school and its environment.

Hyde might once have been a place that drove parents to move out of Georgetown and ignored by those who could afford to send their children elsewhere. Now, Hyde pulls families into Georgetown. The price is right, the commute to school a pleasant stroll, the parents and kids proud of the place. “Georgetown often feels like a small town tucked in a big city,” says Dana Nerenberg, Hyde’s principal. She adds that the school benefits greatly from the community, from volunteers to partnerships.

A local school makes the big city seem manageable and, perhaps, not so scary. “One of the benefits of a neighborhood school is having other kids to play with after school and on weekends,” says Leslie Maysak, who has two boys at Hyde and a block-long commute. “As well as, for me as a parent, knowing the other families personally and having a network of people that can count on each other to pick up your child in a pinch or keep an eye on them for a few minutes,”

Hyde’s presence makes Georgetown about more than just shopping and (lack of) parking. Bob Tompkins’s son, Jack, is in first grade. “To really be a community,” he says, “you have to cover all the aspects of life. It is great that among all the other things Georgetown has to offer, it is a great place to raise a family.”

Ten years ago, there was zero buzz about Hyde. For some parents, sending a kid there was a radical move; few of their neighbors in Georgetown did. Many of the kids who grew up near Hyde were driven, or took the bus, up and out Wisconsin Avenue to private school. Now, Hyde is a strong and growing part of the life of the neighborhood. Enrollments are up, and interest in the school is high. With the PTA’s help, the school has bought iPads and intends to incorporate them into next year’s curriculum. The school is looking to expand its library and build a gym.
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Ari Post •

When he planted a vineyard at his home in Monticello some 200 years ago, it was Thomas Jefferson’s dream that vineyards and wines from his native state would one day stand with the great wines of the Old World. Jefferson’s vision remained unfulfilled in his lifetime, but in the 21st century his dream has become reality. Virginia wine country, long developing under the radar of connoisseurs and enthusiasts, is now an international libation destination.

The nation’s fifth largest wine producer and seventh largest producer of wine grapes, Virginia wine sales reached a record high last year with nearly half a million cases sold, an increase of more than 11 percent over the previous year. Wine contributes almost $350 million to the state on an annual basis, with around one
million annual visitors to the state now including local wineries among their travel destinations. Wine Enthusiast magazine even named Virginia as one of the ten best international wine destinations this year, alongside regions in California, New Zealand, Chile, Spain and France.

And while the success might seem like so much glitz, it is really a testament to the decades of sweat, blood and tears that Virginia winemakers have poured into the land. Flying under the radar of the international wine community, these devoted servants of the grape explored varietals best suited to the area—which they could only do through trial and error during the summer growing season (and grape vines take years to mature)—experimenting with almost every available grape, all while developing farming and harvesting patterns to meet with the rigorous needs of the region’s effusive, inconsistent climate.

Fittingly named, the Monticello Viticultural Area (AVA), surrounding Jefferson’s old home, is recognized as the most prominent of Virginia’s winegrowing regions, with over 20 area wineries producing fine wines of international acclaim. It’s impossible to explore them all in one visit, but here’s the scoop on two top Charlottesville wineries, perfect to grease the skids and wet the palettes of viticultural locavores, as well as to showcase the best wines the region has to offer.

Pollak Vineyards

2011 was a tough harvest in the Monticello AVA. It had already been a very hot growing season, which can hurt wines in reaching optimal acidity. Then, just as the first whites were ready to be picked, cloudy weather set in and lingered right into the red wine harvest window, putting the grapes at risk for sour rot, powdery mildew, stunted growth and low sugar levels.

But none of this stopped David and Margo Pollak, owners of Pollak Vineyards, from producing an internationally award-winning vintage. “That’s one of the great things about the Pollaks,” says Nick Dovel, general manager of the vineyard. “They’d rather make a small batch of good quality wine than a lot of mediocre wine. We sorted the grapes last year by individual cluster, de-stemmed them and then sorted each individual berry.”

David and Margo first began making wine in Napa Valley in the 1970s when they founded Bouchaine Vineyards, planting and producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The vineyard took off and they sold it in the 80s, but the vintner’s itch soon returned. With their new venture, they wanted to explore a new terrain in the winemaking world. Virginia, they decided, was the Napa of the East Coast.

The couple spent five years combing the state’s farmland, looking for a plot with the right sun exposure and optimal drainage for grape vines. They found their current Charlottesville plot in 2001and started planting fruit in 2003.

“We don’t buy or outsource any fruit for our wine,” says Dovel. “We grow all our own grapes, and even sell to some of our neighbors, which we’re very proud of. It’s rare to find a winery that does all estate grown wines. What you taste in our wines is our true terroir— what Mother Nature has to offer our specific
property.”

Today, Pollak is well known for their Viogniers and Petit Verdots. Their red wines are unfined and unfiltered, with a lot of finesse but a still-present power. “If you put France and California together,” says Dovel, “that’s where we sit: big fruit with great structure—and the character of Virginia’s unique climate makes it awesome.”
Dovel isn’t just talking big; judging by the vineyard’s accolades, he’s just telling it like it is. In 2011, he submitted a selection of wines to the Riverside International Wine Competition. “At first I wasn’t going to submit any because of this sort of East Coast wine stigma the industry tends to have—they tend to think less of us and rate us low. But when I read that competition was a blind tasting, I suddenly really wanted to do it.”
He sent six wines to the competition. All of them medaled.

Their Petit Verdot won unanimous gold medals and received the Chairman’s Choice Award, the highest honor of the competition. “The competition named us the best small winery in the world because of that Petit Verdot,” says Dovel. “They all wanted to know if we bought the fruit from some vineyard in California. They couldn’t believe all the grapes we used were estate grown—everyone was just blown away.”

King Family Vineyards

In the 2010 documentary “Vintage: The Winemaker’s Year,” which explored the rapid growth of Virginia’s wine industry, King Family Vineyards was featured in a segment where a late spring frost was threatening a vineyard full of budded vines. “That was a scary experience,” says Will Rucker, King Family’s tasting room manager. “So what we did last year was light bales of hay on fire surrounding the vineyard, and then had helicopters hover over the vineyard at night to circulate the warm air.”

To Rucker, this annual challenge is the beauty of making wine in Virginia. “With Virginia wine, you’re almost left guessing with each vintage. But that’s why it’s fun—as a producer and as a drinker.

“Honestly, vintage variation is the coolest thing out here,” agrees Dovel over at Pollak. “You can go buy your bottle of California Chardonnay anytime, and it’s the same from year to year. But in Virginia, you make a
Cabernet Franc one year and it will be full-bodied like a Bordeaux, and the next year it might be a light, elegant Loire Valley-type.”

“We have to adjust our farming practices on a day-to-day basis,” says Rucker. Heavy rain, for instance, makes lighter vintages because you end up with more water in the fruit. Matthieu Finot, the winemaker at King Family, has to craft the wines into something elegant each year. “It’s an exciting and dynamic process. A real and serious challenge, but in the best possible way.”
Finot tends toward making Old World European style wines at King Family. “He has experience in Italy, France, South Africa, many of the greatest winemaking regions in the world. And one of the most exciting things
about Virginia for him is how effusive the climate is. With the weather so all over the place, there’s a real humanity—a human element—to the wine he makes, because it forces him to alter his practices so frequently. The wine that comes out has his fingerprints all over it.”

David and Ellen King came to the area from Houston, Texas, in 1996 with the aspiration of becoming a premium fruit grower for the state’s then bourgeoning wine industry. It didn’t take long for them to turn into winemakers themselves. The tasting room and winery was opened in 2002 (a ten-year anniversary is on the horizon), and they have since opened an event space, “To host all those winery weddings that everyone wants to have,” says Rucker with a chuckle.

King Family’s 2010 Meritage, the current vintage of their hallmark wine, is big and chewy and dark, different from previous years, but wildly tasty. Getting into summer, returning customers are looking forward to their seasonal Crosé, a unique rosé made of Merlot grapes. “It’s a big hit when we host polo matches on Sundays,” says Rucker. “A great wine to drink cold, with a Sauvignon Blanc-esque grapefruit nose. I call it the perfect poolside wine—and it’s great when paired with anything off the grill.”

“We’ve got people traveling to this area for the purpose of tasting wine,” Rucker says, “which is enormous headway from this time five years ago. Our vineyards are winning international awards and we’re seeing the attitudes of the international community constantly changing.”

Write it off as a growing pain, but the years of dismissal and neglect are no more for Virginia wines. And as its epicenter, the Monticello AVA is the most significant place for a wine buff to sample and explore the dynamic array that Virginia’s vines has to offer.

For more information on the wines and sites of Pollak Vineyards and King Family Vineyards, visit PollakVineyards.com, or KingFamilyVineyards.com. To read up on the greater Monticello AVA and explore its full family of vineyards, visit MonticelloWineTrail.com. ? [gallery ids="102448,121135" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

When people talk about a luxurious New England summer getaway, there seem to be two categories: Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket and everything else. The secluded Massachusetts islands — nestled just south of Cape Cod in the Atlantic — have long been known as intimate havens. You don’t just visit these islands, you become members of their tight-knit communities for the length of your stay. They are attractions without gimmicks, crowds or frills: there are no big malls, no towering music venues, no amusement parks or other kitschy tourist traps. They are simply the most comfortable, well-maintained and genuine areas to rusticate and soak in the deliriously pleasant calm of summer. Nothing much changes, as proponents like to say, but people keep coming back.

This isn’t to say you will have trouble finding something to do on either island. Throughout the summer, both have their share of wine, food and art festivals, boutique shopping, history and culture. But they are also home to some of the region’s most beautiful bike rides, sailing opportunities and sprawling, uncrowded shorelines. This is where you take your family to experience life together, to cook at home or eat at a small world-class restaurant, sip wine as the sun goes down on the west end of the island, and wake up early to see it rise on the east end. And it’s easy to get across the islands: Martha’s Vineyard is about 20 miles long from tip to tip (and 87 square miles in its entirety), and Nantucket is only 14 (less than 50 square miles). Here’s a taste of what each has to offer.

Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is comprised of a few rural towns: Aquinnah, Chilmark, West Tisbury, and the more populous towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Whether you’re looking for the natural beauties of pristine beaches, clay cliffs and bird watching, historical and cultural attractions, exquisite dining, an array of outdoor activities or the many artists, handcrafts and boutiques, “The Vineyard” has it all.

Festivals and Markets

If shopping for rare finds are your druthers, a great place to start is the Chilmark Flea Market, hosted by the Chilmark Community Church every summer from late June through early September. The oldest outdoor venue on the island, the market has evolved into a quirky shopper’s heaven. Quality hand-made items from antique sellers, artists, glassblowers, and jewelers mingle among imports, fine china and more—and many of the craftsmen are waiting on their folding chairs and in the backs of their trucks to speak with you. In what will be this market’s 45th year, the Flea, as it’s called among locals and returning visitors, holds within its lively stalls everything from vintage clothing and wire statues to mounted animal heads and stained glass windows.

At the Summer Vineyard Artisans Festival, the Historic Grange Hall in West Tisbury opens for a weekly juried art show and fair. You can meet with more than 70 artisans, from weavers, potters and quilters, to jewelers, painters and furniture makers, many of whom hold demonstrations.

The Featherstone Center for the Arts hosts a Flea and Arts Market throughout the summer, offering great selections for those on the island’s south side, along with classes, summer camps for children and events. This summer, camps range from painting and photography to silkscreen and printmaking. Special events include garden tea parties, the Featherstone’s annual gala, the third annual Potter’s Bowl and the Art of Chocolate Festival.

While on the topic of festivals, the OB Harbor Festival at Oaks Bluff on June 16 brings together over local and national 40 vendors for one of the island’s most popular events. Local artists, craftsmen and antique dealers, as well as non-profit organizations offering a tempting array of baked goods, raffles and information about their causes, will be on hand. Live music on the deck at Nancy’s featuring Martha’s Vineyard’s favorite bands, and the Midsummer Faerie Festival will entertain all ages with mystical storytelling and Celtic musicians. As always, an abundance of native seafood and gourmet treats await the festive gathering at this year’s Harbor Festival.

Boating and Beaching

Perhaps you’re more of the seagoing sort. Well, you’re still in luck. Martha’s Vineyard has some of the most intimate and beautiful oceanic activities around. Moonrise Kayak, for instance, shows you Martha’s Vineyard in a whole new light: moonlight. In celebration of the full moons of summer, Moonrise Kayak takes you nighttime tours of the coast. With a guide, you will kayak out as the sun sets and the moon rises, absorbing the wonder and romance of the region.

Kayak Quest lets you enjoy the Vineyard’s Sengekontacket Pond at your own pace on a self-guided tour, taking you on a journey with a series of clues to help you uncover the story of the pond’s people, places and wildlife. Your quest ends after you find the hidden quest box. Good luck!

Boat charters are also a popular island activity. Take a joyride for the afternoon or set sail to explore the New England coast—either way, there is an endless selection of friendly and experienced guides ready to take you out on the waters.

Nantucket

More than just a sister island to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket is a premier destination in its own right. “The Gray Lady,” one of the island’s nicknames, was once wealthy with the profits from the whaling industry; it is rich again with luxury real estate and outsiders from New York, D.C. and elsewhere. There are more intimate leisure activities than you could think about doing—golfing, tennis, kayaking, bird watching, fishing, historic architecture, museums, art galleries and events—and enough space to get away with doing nothing at all, if that suits you best. First of all, it holds within its small borders a web of gorgeous—and flat—biking paths. As the island is only 14 miles long by 3.5 miles wide, a cyclist can bike around the entire island in a day, while stopping along the way to enjoy the scenery, culture and cuisine.

D.C.’s connection to the two islands is legendary, whether you are mentioning the Laythams, the Rubensteins or many others. During the summer, one just might bump into someone from the D.C. neighborhood. On Nantucket’s east side, Siasconset, the Summer Home with its cottages, houses and Beachside Bistro boasts the best oceanfront weddings. One of its other restaurants is by chef Todd English, Figs at 29 Fair, near Main Street. Locally, we have the likes of Smith Point, Jettie’s and Surfside restaurants from Bo Blair, who named them after spots in Nantucket.

Fishing

Nantucket is a small-time fisherman’s mecca. Its coast is home to the entire array of famous New England seafood delicacies—all of which are also available cooked and ready to eat at any of the first-class restaurants on the island. From striped bass and blue fish, to mussels, scallops, oysters and blue claw crabs, you could catch enough to make an enviable clam chowder, bouillabaisse, or just host an old fashioned clambake for your new neighbors. Just make sure to check with the Nantucket’s Marine and Coastal Resources Department for information on potential fishing restrictions.

Not Your Average Library

While a public library might not seem like the most exciting place to visit on your summer vacation, the Nantucket Atheneum is not your average library. This unique library plays a vital role in the community, providing a wide variety of cultural and educational services and events, as well as a fine picking of books, videos and audiobooks.

Among many events this summer, the Atheneum will be hosting a dance festival (July 24 – 28), featuring stars from the dance world brought together by artistic director Benjamin Millepied, a noted choreographer and former New York City Ballet principal dancer. The festival includes many free outreach events for adults and children and culminates with two evening performances on July 27 and July 28, which feature a dance program of classical and contemporary ballet.
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Marit Fosso •

In the green spirit of the spring, let’s look at how business schools are working towards a greener environment. Can the future business men and women learn not only how to go out there and make millions of dollars, but also how to be environmentally responsible? The George Washington School of Business is one of the business schools that integrates corporate social responsibility into their business programs. GWU offers the so-called ”green” MBA in Environmental Policy and Management which focuses on the science, technology and social impact of global business, grooming the students to go work for the government, NGO’s and non-profits. Other universities in the Washington metro area who offer ”green” MBAs are the University of Maryland and the Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, who offer MBA programs concerning social and environmental awareness in business.

One of the former GWU students who graduated in 2009 is Mark Frieden. He decided to do the MBA in Environmental Policy and Management after reading about triple bottom line management, also known as the three pillars; people, planet and profit on the website beyondgreypinstripes.org.

”The main focus in the education was to learn how to make sure that companies have environmental responsibility. Take oil companies that drill for oil in the sea. There’s nothing wrong with drilling for oil, but they have to make sure that they do it in an environmental responsible way so that we can avoid disasters like the BP oil spill in 2010,” says Frieden, who’s currently on the board of DC Greenworks. DC Greenworks is a non-profit organization that among other things work with green roofs, rain barrels and rain gardens, urban agriculture and green job training.

It is not just business schools working to integrate corporate responsibility into the minds of business men and women. Net Impact is a non-profit membership organization for professionals and students who wish to use their business skills to support environmental and social causes. The organization was started in 1993 as Students for Responsible Business, and was renamed in 1998 to include both students and professional MBA graduates.

”Net Impact has been important for how business schools started to integrate environmental responsibility in their programs”, says Mark Frieden.

Net Impact is based in San Franscisco and has 280 volunteer-led chapters in business schools across the U.S. and countries on the other continents. Both George Washington University’s School of Business, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and the University of Maryland have Net Impact chapters. The member students seek to build a network of business leaders commited to making a positive environmental, social and economic impact.