By Bob Tagert
Well, here we are, living in uncertain times. There is war going on in, of all places, the Holy Land. An entire population is being wiped out in Gaza as humanitarian efforts are attacked. Closer to home, efforts continue to open more passages into the Port of Baltimore as the remains of the Francis Scott Key bridge wreckage are being removed. In New York City, former president Trump is standing criminal trial for election interference and falsifying records. And tomorrow, only a couple of miles from where I sit, the Supreme Court will decide if that same former president has absolute immunity for willful criminal and civil behavior. Senator Mitch McConnell blasts Tucker Carlson for stoking anti-Ukraine among Republicans. while David Pecker, former owner of the Enquirer magazine admits the “catch and kill” method of suppressing information and lying about others. Maybe tomorrow the sky will fall.
Meanwhile you hold in your hand via hard copy of communication device that dependable friend that you can turn to every month for information and articles that will lighten the load.
In this month’s issue we stayed home for our Road Trip as we took a tour with See D.C. Today Tours. Visit our beautiful Washington, D.C. where history is still being made every day. In First Blush, we get the skinny on self-tanning. With the recent death of our hero Jimmy Buffet, skin cancer from the sun is on everyone’s mind. Self-tanning may be for you. Speaking of the sun, the Caribbean Connection tells how you can get an extra night at the legendary Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix. In From the Bay, learn about the maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay at the Solomon’s Maritime Festival and happenings at the Calvert Marine Museum. I keep my sailboat at Solomons…maybe I will see you there this summer.
In Gallery Beat, Lenny Campello tells us about “ARTOMATIC… One More Time With Feeling”.
Learn about “10 Family Friendly” wineries in Grapevine and Doug Fabbioli tells us about bottling wine and the emergence of new buds and the challenges of spring in Exploring Virginia Wines. In Let’s Get Crafty we learn the meaning of Happy Hour, the good and the bad. I was invited to my very first “Afternoon Tea” at Lady Camillia on the Waterfront last month. You can read all about it in Dining Out.
Sarah Becker interviewed U.S. Representative Don Byer in a Bit of History. We get Representative Byers take on AI…Can machines think?
We have two special features this month. In honor of Memorial Day (another reason to visit Washington D.C.), we published the entirety of In Flanders Fields and the importance of the poppy and how the custom of distributing the Buddy Poppy by our VFW Ladies Auxiliary came about. Are You a Good Mother? is the subject matter of our tribute to the moms out there. Be sure you don’t miss Lori Welch Brown’s Open Space for her tribute to Moms and Grads.
Congratulations Are In Order!
We would like to congratulate three new restaurants in Old Town that are replacing recently closed or remodeled restaurants. The first is the Royal Restaurant on North St. Asaph. The Royal has been in the same location for many years but was purchased by Alexandria Restaurant Partners and embarked on a very nice makeover. The remodel is very tasteful and the menu is a little more upscale. The beautiful thing is that ARP retained the wait staff that we have come to treat as family over the years. The next is our friend Tara Hopkins (formerly at Southside 815) taking over the Faccia Luna space on South Washington. Knocking out the middle wall and totally revamping the space and naming it Frankie’s Kitchen and Cocktail Bar, it will soon become a popular neighborhood spot. The last is long time friend and Old Town restaurant legend, Ralph Davis, returns to North Lee Street with his son Matt and opening Mystic BBQ and Grill. This is the former location of Myron Mixon’s. Look for the Mystic ad in this issue.
Last but certainly not least, we extend a very Happy 30th Anniversary message to Michele Marceau and her Principle Gallery at 208 King Street. I have seen galleries come and go over the last 37 years and Michele has stood the strength of time.
As we continue to press on, I am in hopes things have looked up on news front when I pen next months Pub Notes! In the meantime, don’t forget to honor Mom on the 12th and celebrate Memorial Day with a special observance on the 27th!