It’s cold, too cold to fish! But not too cold to think about fishing and getting ready for Spring. After a decade of slow death, show promoters regrouped and went back to show basics. Fishing shows are making a comeback! For booth exhibitors, a good crowd is a must! The Richmond Fishing Show, January 17-19 at Meadow Event Park, Doswell VA, has rebounded and exceeded expectations over the past 6 years, bringing crowds and big name attractions. Anglers school to events with the tractor-trailer sized bass tanks where local and national pros demonstrate techniques and new products. Big box stores lack the total shopping experience as show attendees can sit up close and personal at seminars and even chat with speakers one-on-one. Exhibitors carry products and offer expert advice to assist anglers stocking their tackle boxes. Guides are booking trips, but also are willing to share their experiences. If they don’t share their secret spots, mapmaker George Martin with GMCO maps sells the best fishing maps: lakes, rivers and bay. He’s spent years in the map business and working with local guides and charters to mark the hot spots! Boat dealers will be wall to wall making deals. Check out great deals on Skeeter boats from Chesdin Boat Sales. National Elite Series pro John Crews returns, picking up where he left off, presenting his Little John Series of crankbaits and varied lineup of Missile soft plastic baits available for sale at the show in Dave’s Tournament Tackle and Green Top booths. Crews will introduce his new MISSILE swimbait, the SHOCKWAVE! A unique new natural color is in store for the MISSILE pitching/flipping D-Bomb and Baby D-Bomb. Bourbon with black flake is a natural color and will be an in-between color match. All eyes will be on his newly released Baby Fat…
By 1812 Virginia’s political dynasty was well entrenched. Democratic-Republican President James Madison, who succeeded Democratic-Republican President Thomas Jefferson, was preparing for re-election. Madison’s Secretary of State James Monroe was also Democratic-Republican. Treachery dominated the high seas, the 1806 Monroe-Pinckney Treaty failed and American sailors remained in peril. England and Napoleon’s France were at war. “To go to war with England and not France divides the Republicans, and arms the Federalists with new matter,” President James Madison wrote on May 25, 1812. “To go to war against both presents a thousand difficulties.” America declared war, Mr. Madison’s war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812. For army Major General, later Federalist Congressman Henry “Light-horse Harry” Lee the War of 1812 was deja vu. Henry Lee—born in Leesylvania, Virginia in 1756—was commissioned to serve but did not. British impressment was not his issue. National unity was. Like George Washington Lee—a Virginia dragoon in the Continental Army—understood the complexities of war. He “placed professionalism above regional ties” and favored a strong central union. Without a federal union, Lee felt commercial states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware would “become ‘tributary disunited provinces’ of warring European nations.” In 1814 Massachusetts Governor Caleb Strong “went so far as to seek a separate peace.” “I went up to Alexa[ndria] to an Election of a Representative,” retired President George Washington wrote on April 24, 1799. Washington voted for Federalist Henry Lee. “Light-horse Harry” Lee was a Princeton College graduate who served under General Washington in the Revolutionary War, then—as Virginia Governor—mustered with President Washington to suppress Pennsylvania’s Whiskey Insurrection in 1794. It was US Representative Lee who, upon Washington’s death proclaimed him “first in war, first in peace…” Unlike George Washington Lee’s political career was not wholly successful. Lee resented Jefferson’s rampant ambition. He also…
In the newly minted state of West Virginia, the January 16th, 1864 issue of the Wheeling Daily Register carried a curious story captioned “Another Lady In The Ranks”. It seems that a group of eight or ten Confederate prisoners were brought into Harper’s Ferry. After a week or so of incarceration, an observant guard suspected that one of his prisoners might be a female. The young woman of sixteen or eighteen years was immediately released and given proper feminine garb. It turned out that she came from a wealthy local family, but had abandoned a life of comfort to be with her beau. When he enlisted in the Confederate army, she sneaked through enemy lines, found his regiment and enlisted in his company. She disguised herself well, as they drilled alongside one another for several days before she saw fit to reveal herself to him. She was persuaded to return home, but was soon back in the ranks with her lover – hence her capture. Our spitfire refused to take the Union oath of loyalty, unapologetically declaring her intention to return to the Confederate army at her first opportunity. One imagines that she did. For more, see http://www.wvculture.org/history/sesquicentennial/18640113.html. The caption “another lady in the ranks” implies that this had happened before – it turns out that it happened a lot. An estimated 250 women served as combatants in the Confederate army and perhaps 400 women opposed them in the Union ranks. No one knows the real numbers, as these women were frequently not identified until they were sick, wounded or dead. Perhaps 60 are known to have died in combat. At least one woman died in Pickett’s charge, as a shocked Yankee burial party discovered (probably as they rifled her pockets for valuables). In 1934, a mass grave of nine…
After the musical juggernaut that was 2012, it stands to reason that 2013 would seem slight in comparison. And, yes, on the surface it was. Few landmark releases and too many terrible albums by once-decent artists (cough…cough, Arcade Fire). However, careful research yielded dozens of brilliant records, some being merely pleasant entries into an artist’s oeuvre, while others were career-reaffirming masterpieces. Anyway, without further adieu, my Top Thirteen Records Of 2013: Biffy Clyro: Opposites It’s rare for a double album to not seem overwrought. Fortunately, Biffy Clyro is one of those bands who can’t write a bad song. Even the b-sides associated with this album are as good as anything on the proper. Among the many highlights are “Black Chandelier”, “Biblical”, “Sounds Like Balloons”, and the beautiful title track. Pearl Jam: Lightning Bolt The Jammers prove they still got it on their tenth studio offering. Songs such as the propulsive “Mind Your Manners” and “My Father’s Son”, to the more pensive “Sirens”, this is Pearl Jam’s most consistent (and consistently satisfying) album in over a decade. Dr. Dog: B-Room Inspired by everything from the Beach Boys to My Morning Jacket, with a healthy dose of Philly Soul thrown in, the result is an instantly-lovable sound that is unlike any other band on the planet. “The Truth”, “Minding The Usher”, and “Phenomenon” are just a few of the reasons to listen to this wonderful album. The Weeks: Dear Bo Jackson This is a good time for Southern Rock, with bands like Drive-By Truckers, Kings Of Leon, and Alabama Shakes making waves. Another worthy contender is this excellent Mississippi outfit and this, their 4th album, is all the proof you need, especially after hearing “Brother In the Night” and the title track. Paul McCartney: New It’s…
Drum roll, please … Pantone, the world-renowned color authority, has officially selected Radiant Orchid as 2014’s Color of the Year. Every January beauty and fashion junkies alike eagerly await the unveiling of the highly anticipated Color of the Year so they can get to brainstorming on how to incorporate the hot new hue into their everyday looks. I know what you’re probably thinking but trust me, this is totally not a Barney look. The ever-exotic Radiant Orchid is easier to incorporate into your beauty routine than you think. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, this fresh, enchanting combination of fuchsia, pink, and purple works as a surprisingly versatile flush for eyes, lips, nails, and even cheeks, and universally complements all hair, eye, and skin tones. Believe it or not, this vibrant shade enlivens the skin by blending both cool and warm undertones. It provides a refreshingly modern, feminine shade while its rosy undertones will make your complexion luminescent. Whether you’re experimenting with a Radiant Orchid Color of the Year product that’s vividly intense, petal soft, saturated, or sheer, this is one shade everyone ought to give a go this winter and coming spring. As per tradition, Sephora teams up with Pantone to create a beauty collection inspired by the Color of the Year which is scheduled to launch this spring. Until then delight in discovering many of the vivid products already available in this captivating punch of purple. Be prepared to clue everyone in with your dazzling, attention-grabbing, on-trend look that re-energizes any look. Laura Mercier Stick Gloss in ‘Black Orchid’ This hyper-moisturizing cross between lip balm and lip stain cares for lips while providing the perfect swipe of color in a sheer black cherry finish. NARS Guy Bourdin Holiday Collection Limited Edition Cinematic Eye Shadow in ‘Rage’ This limited edition eye shadow offers a velvety soft texture…
Knowing when to sell an investment can be every bit as important as knowing what to buy. Here are some guidelines that can help you decide whether it is time to let an investment go. Most investors have a process for purchasing an investment. It usually involves performing research, comparing similar investments or investment types, and considering a number of more personal factors, including time horizon, risk tolerance, and goals. Few investors, however, have a tried-and-true process for selling an investment. Yet knowing when to sell can be every bit as important as knowing what to buy. Here are some guidelines that can help you decide whether it is time to let an investment go. You’re concerned with performance. If you are thinking of selling a holding simply due to a recent drop in price, take a deep breath and reconsider. Ask yourself these questions: Is my investment truly performing badly, or is it a consequence of larger economic and market conditions? How has the investment performed relative to similar investments over the last 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods? Have there been changes in management or ownership that have directly impacted its performance? If your investment has been a perennial underperformer, it may be time to move on. But it’s never advisable to sell solely on impulse. Extreme market swings can make even the most seasoned investors nervous. Think of your long-term goals, and remember that trying to time the market can often bring disastrous results. You experience changes in your overall risk tolerance, time horizon, or goals. An investment that made perfect sense for you while you were in your 30s and 40s may no longer be as suitable as you get older. If you are no longer comfortable with an investment’s degree of volatility — particularly as you…
If you’re reading this column, chances are your New Year’s Eve hangover has subsided and your resolutions got packed away the same day you boxed up your Elf on the Shelf. I’ve never really been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions – “I resolve to give up [fill in the blank],” has just always felt so negative. Why am I going to start off a brand new year depriving myself of something? I prefer to use my Resolve to remove stains and not carbs and alcohol, but hey – that’s just me. Of course, like everyone else, I’ve made my NY lists in years past. I resolve to give up eating dessert during the week. I resolve to hit the gym a minimum of four times a week. I resolve to lose 10 pounds by Easter. What I managed to do was eat dessert four times a week, never hit the gym, and gain 10 pounds by Valentine’s Day because I’m an overachiever apparently. This year, instead of removing things – other than stains – from my life, I’ve decided to add things – so I’m making my NY’s additions list. In 2014 I’ll be adding… More downtime More yoga More laughter More lightness More acceptance of others and myself More gratitude More LOVE Adding downtime has always been a challenge for me – I’m a doer. If I’m lying on the couch, I’m thinking about what needs to be done, what I should be doing, and what ain’t getting done while I’m lying there. It’s not very relaxing. Prior to Thanksgiving, I had developed the habit of pulling out my yoga mat every morning and getting a little practice in – even if only for 15-20 minutes. It was starting to transform my life as well as my…
Well, it’s a new year, and we probably all have a slew of New Year’s resolutions we want to keep, or bad habits we want to kick. May I suggest thinking of your pet’s health and well-being, too, if you haven’t already? Below is a quick list I’ve compiled of things you can do to make sure your pet stays healthy. Some of these are easy and obvious and yet they may never have occurred to you! Just as in humans (and cars!), preventative maintenance goes a long way. It can increase quality of life, reduce vet bills, and lengthen lifespan. Plus, we love our furry friends, and we want them all to be comfortable and happy! Spay or neuter! This is a great idea for many reasons, not the least of which is it means one less dog or cat will be contributing to pet overpopulation. Spaying or neutering can reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer, and it will often help with pets’ behavior, their tendency to fight or to roam away from home. Regular veterinary care: Your pet should have a yearly exam; often, veterinarians can spot problems that untrained eyes don’t. Your pet will also receive vaccines and other preventative measures. Also, make sure to keep your dog or outdoor cat on flea and tick medicine—Lyme disease is no fun, and neither are itchy flea bites! Keep pets at a healthy weight: this can reduce the risk of many diseases and increase pets’ quality of life and life expectancy. If your pet is overweight, ask your vet for recommendations on a lower-fat food, and try to get your pet more exercise – it does every body good! Feed them the highest quality of food you can afford. The first five ingredients are key: they should…
Throughout 2013 the first question on any company’s mind has been how do I make a website and is it helping me attract customers? To answer this question, let’s turn to the most recent statistics on Internet usage. 85 percent of American adults age 18 years or older access the Internet on a daily basis. 63 percent of American adult cell phone owners primarily use their phones to search the Internet, while, 34 percent only use their phone to access the web. The latter statistics accompanied with the affects of Google’s latest algorithm, Hummingbird, has increased the importance of a company’s mobile website. But what type of website will best benefit your company? Responsive Web Design (RWD) RWD websites are designed to create the optimal user viewing experience across a multitude of both desktop and mobile devices. Easy reading, minimum resizing, scrolling, and simple navigation are the most prominent features. Most importantly, a responsive website is a singular site, which has the capability to simultaneously adjust to any device without any help from the user. In short, say hello to a responsive site and goodbye to the following prompt, “do you want to view our mobile or desktop site?” PROS Only conduct website updates once (i.e. you don’t have to pay to update a desktop and mobile website). Reduced costs (development dollars and hours are only spent on one site vs. desktop and mobile website). Increased compatibility (as website developmental knowledge increases, RWD websites offer increased compatibility for multiple viewing platforms, such as Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, Samsung, tablets, PCs, Macs, etc.) CONS Potentially longer download times (due to the actual manner, i.e. code, with which a RWD website is built). Reduced ability to focus content (this is a particular downfall for e-commerce sites, who’s desktop versions may choose to focus on…
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