Where has the summer gone? Here it is September and the leaves will soon begin to lose their green color and turn brilliant yellows, golds and reds. If you have ever wondered why this transformation takes place, google “Autumn Leaf Color” and read the Wikipedia or Weather Channel explanation.

With the arrival of cooler weather it is time to get outside, and there is a lot going on in our region. Sotterley Plantation in St. Mary’s County will be hosting their annual Winefest next month, but you can read all about it this month. On the other side of the Patuxent River in Solomons, Maryland you can catch artists painting outdoors at the annual Plein Air Festival. Read all about this national event in this month’s issue. It is an exciting competition for both artists and viewers. Here in Old Town Alexandria on September 13^th and 14^th King Street will be filled with art as the12th annual King Street Art Festival comes to town. On the first week of October, Culpeper will be celebrating “A Taste of Culpeper” and hosting their annual Farm Tour. Don’t forget that September marks the 200^th anniversary of our National Anthem. Molly Winans of SpinSheet fame and our From the Bay columnist outlines the big celebration taking place in Baltimore mid-month. The Blue Ridge bustles in the fall as well – Julie Reardon has prepared a very comprehensive list of all things “hunt country” in her column. There are lots of options – you can stick around town or take a short drive and enjoy the show and autumn’s colors.

September’s Single Space column finally reveals Mr. XXL and this month he and Lori will wed. Best wishes to them both! As we are entering the last 8 months of the Civil War 150 years ago, Douglas Coleman gives us a little insight of the destruction to come in his Civil Discourse column.

Thanks to Chester Simpson for his beautiful cover shot. Over the years Chester has provided us with many beautiful works of art as seen through the lens of his camera.

Not only are the leaves changing, so have we. Over the past 5 months we have downsized, moved out, hung out and have finally moved into our new office at 317 South Washington Street. It is quite a change and we think for the better. We don’t have a sign out yet, we are up on the second floor and there isn’t a huge patio for us to entertain on but the space is well suited to who we are now. Will eventually have to form a block party on our new block and have you all stop by!

Written by: Bob Tagert