Publisher Notes February 2014

Brrr… I grew up in this area and I have never seen it so cold for so long. I can remember back in the 1960’s that people would go ice skating on the Potomac River, but I haven’t seen that for years, and not even now. I am always amazed at the month of February. It is the shortest month of the year, but seems like the longest. This is when we start wishing for winter to be over, but the spring equinox is not until March 20th this year, so may as well hunker down for two more months.
After curling up by your fire and reading this months’ Old Town Crier, take a trip to the Virginia wine country and curl up by a fire with a great wine like our Road Trip column suggests. Avoid the summer crowds…go now. Meet Anne Mahlum in our Personality Profile…a runner with a vision. She thinks it, says it, and then does it! Read about our friend Glenn Morel in this month’s Business Profile as he launches his new business AVID Productions. He is proof that when a door closes, a window opens. With the recent hacking of credit card numbers at Target and others, read about how to protect yourself in Financial Focus. History columnist, Sarah Becker, writes about the importance of Black History Month. Learn how the Confederates were the first Kamikazes during the Civil War in Civil Discourse.
If the cold really has you down, read about the sailing vessel Pepper in the Caribbean Connection or better yet, book a week at one of the villas in St. John and St. Thomas or Anne Street Gardens in Key West. Local folks own all of these places.
Even though it is cold, Alexandria’s summer playground, Calvert County, is presenting their second annual Restaurant Week. Check out our ad in this issue and take a short drive to one of these unique restaurants.
Don’t forget to celebrate President’s Day at the parade here in Old Town on the 17th from 1-3 pm. The weather is always a little “iffy” for it but it is the largest parade of its’ kind in the nation! Makes you proud to be an Old Town resident!
I would be remiss if I didn’t wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day as well.
Written by: Bob Tagert