By Ron Powers In 1987, Billy Idol smashed into the charts with his version of “Mony Mony”: a cover of the ’68 classic by Tommy James & The Shondells. Idol’s version vaulted to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning a chart-topping rival along the way. Digitally infused with dance-rock punch and Idol’s snarling vocal edge, the track became a stadium chant and party-anthem in one, complete with its notorious shouted call-and-response break. What began as a garage-rock number gained new life as a defiant ’80s classic, melding raw rock grit with pop euphoria and sealing its place in the era’s sonic DNA. Billy and his band get things going with a growling one note bass line accompanied by a four-on-the-floor drum beat. Light tambourine is also added while the kick drum and snare get the listener pumped up. After four quick measures Billy’s iconic rock ’n’ roll vocals hit the speakers with the lines “Here she comes now sayin’, “Mony, Mony” / Shoot ’em down, turn around, come on, Mony”. Blasts of new wave synth chords are also peppered around the verse giving this 1960s hit a proper 1980s shine. As the song winds toward the chorus a pre-chorus featuring a faster vocal melody line is added which helps the energy build. Single strummed distorted guitar chords also ring out and further expand the sound and energy. Finally, we hear Idol shout out the line, “I said yeah” which is echoed by female backing vocalists. This creates a crescendo of fun that finally bursts into the classic rock ’n’ roll chorus of “Mony Mony”. For the chorus a walking guitar line mixes with the drums and creates carefree danceability in the music. This provides a perfect bed of sound for Billy and his background singers to let loose…
In the spirit of the season, we want to extend to every last person “From the Bay to the Blue Ridge and Beyond” who peruses these print pages or scrolls through those online or keeps up with our Facebook and Instagram activity, the happiest of holidays! We want to leave you laughing in 2025 and think this piece written by Frances Kilpatrick will do just that! We can’t take ourselves too seriously these days…. Bob & Erin – Lani – Peppercorn Christmas Calories – A Holiday Fantasy By Frances Killpatrick Tired of all of the internet advice and reading wimpy women’s magazines – including the sage advice of the OTC Fitness gurus who pen columns for this pub – and their annual rehash of advice on how to handle calories and parties during the holiday season? You know, like “drinking three gallons of water before a party.” You must admit it works. Very few party givers set up that yummy buffet table in the bathroom, where you will spend your fun-filled evening! What do these self-appointed nutrition “experts” know anyway? Their idea of a fun party is trying out tofu recipes on defenseless laboratory animals. True believers in the holiday spirit know this simple fact: Certain holiday situations totally cancel out normal caloric considerations. For example, there are absolutely NO calories in: – Food sold for charity. This includes candy, fruit cakes and pizza kits. Of course, go easy on those oranges and grapefruit! – Food made by a co-worker who says, “I stayed up ‘til 3 a.m. baking these damned cookies and somebody in this office better eat them!” – Food or drink served at a party for which you have received a written invitation. – Cider, hot chocolate and doughnuts which you have to eat because the damn…
By Matthew Fitzsimmons Few beverages are as closely associated with special occasions as sparkling wine. In fact, around 20% of sparkling sales occur in December, according to industry statistics. While New Year’s Eve bubbly sounds wonderful, there’s no reason to wait for a holiday to send corks flying. Sparkling a food-friendly, versatile beverage, suitable for any occasion. Sparkling’s acidity allows it to cut through fatty foods, while the wine’s lower tannin structure prevents it from overpowering a dish. This acidity also acts like a palate cleanser, making it especially ideal at the start of a meal. Understanding The Bubbles in Your Glass Sparkling wine is created by trapping the carbon dioxide that is produced while fermenting the grapes. The method used to trap those bubbles impacts the style and quality of the final wine, and its price point. “Pétillant naturel” (or pét-nats for short) are a fairly low-cost method to produce sparkling wine. Such wines are created when a still wine’s initial fermentation is paused while in the bottle. When the wine re-ferments later, CO2 becomes trapped inside. Pét-nats are especially popular in wineries that lack the expensive infrastructure to produce more complicated sparkling wine. The Charmat method (also known as the tank method) is the format used to produce Prosecco. The “liqueur de tirage” (a combination of sugar and yeast) is added to a base wine and processed in large steel tanks. These wines tend to have a more fresh fruit flavor, and are an economical way to mass-produce bubbly. The “Méthode Traditionnelle” is the most famous (and expensive) way to make sparkling wine. The liqueur de tirage is added to a finished still wine, creating a completely new fermentation inside the bottle. This process is difficult to manage without specialized equipment, which until recently has limited their availability…
By Steve Chaconas Shopping for anglers is frustrating; but for people on the receiving end there’s a guaranteed stint in return lines! Choose gifts for on and off the water! Quality, comfort, and durability in a variety of enhanced materials make for long lasting gifts. Grundéns has been the leader, over a century, in well-constructed commercial and sport fishing clothing. Considered outdoor armor, the Turbulence Insulated Hoodie challenges cold conditions. Outdoor ruggedness, but stylish. Windproof and splash resistant, an abrasion resistant nylon shell packed with G-LOFT insulation, delivers maximum warmth at minimum weight, even when wet. G-LOFT doesn’t absorb moisture. Gusseted sleeves and modified raglan construction enhance unrestricted mobility. Scuba-fit insulated hood, stretch snug fit cuffs, and zippered pocket system trap heat and shed spray. Turbulence Insulated Hoodie resists snags and compresses for travel, bouncing back into shape. grundens.com Kings outdoor apparel has built a reputation on hunter designed and tested products. Unique coloration and depth of specific terrain increases effective concealment no matter the season. XKG Pivot Pant crosses over from hunting to fishing. For colder weather, Kings’ features go beyond the fusion of lightweight performance, quick-dry quiet fabric, and all-season versatility. Breathable poly/spandex in a streamlined athletic design, is engineered for comfort, treated with water resistant DWR and Polygiene Odor Control Technology. The Grip Strip waistband secures base shirt layers. Zippered side mesh vents and pockets add ventilation and comfort, keeping airflow high and moisture low. Side and cargo pockets allow easy access with less bulk. Kings covers the outdoors. kingscamo.com Founded in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis, the Orvis Company offers superior fly-fishing equipment and gear, field tested by outdoor staff. Comfort and function meet in a stylish Horseshoe Hills Fleece ¼ zip pullover. Designed for cool mornings, or layered for colder temperatures, its lightweight recycled fleece…
By Timothy Long Christmas comes once a year. And when it comes, it brings good beer. Holiday beers have been around almost as long as people have realized winter is cold and alcohol can make it warm, or at least bearable. My guess is that our ancestors figured this relationship out rather quickly. The Vikings kicked things off with Jól ale during Yule—strong, malty brews that were basically ancient antifreeze. And they probably tasted like antifreeze. If you could still pronounce your own name after a mug or two, you probably didn’t brew it right. Medieval Europeans picked up the tradition, brewing darker, richer ales for the winter months. Monks were especially good at it. Let’s face it, you can only do so much praying and meditating. And nothing says “silent night” like a warming ale that could knock a reindeer on its butt. The monks tossed in whatever they had around: honey, herbs, spruce tips… basically the medieval equivalent of “let’s see what’s in the pantry.” By the 18th and 19th centuries, British brewers created “winter warmers”—beers designed to keep you cozy and maybe help you tolerate your obnoxious brother-in- law and the other uppity relatives who visited during the holidays. These weren’t heavily spiced beers. And they were just strong enough to make you forget how short the days were. The big modern turning point for the American craft beer industry came in 1975, when Anchor Brewing released its first Anchor Christmas Ale. They changed the recipe every year, which created a yearly anxious crowd of holiday beer lovers dying for the new release. Craft brewers everywhere saw this and collectively said, “Oh, we can go wild with this,” leading to peppermint porters, gingerbread stouts, cranberry saisons, and at least one beer that tasted suspiciously like fruitcake (and…
By F. Lennox Campello It’s December, and as usual, and since 2006 – by the time this article hits the streets, I’ll be in Miami for the Art Basel week of Miami art fairs – the big dance of the artworld! The last decade or so I’ve been doing some of the prime fairs in the area: Pulse, Volta, Scope, Art Miami Context, etc., but in the beginning, it was Aqua, which is held at the trendy Aqua Hotel on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach and which is owned by the same folks who run Art Miami… and Aqua is now Aqua Art Miami! Those giant other fairs demand a lot of physical labor, and thus this year, I and my two compadres, Steve Wanna and Erwin Timmers, decided to “go back” to our roots and do Aqua again. We’re in room 109 on the ground floor – which makes life so much easier for set up and packing up on Sunday! In my opinion, Aqua is also the best Miami fair for emerging artists, and in my experience, it gets packed and the celebrities do love to attend Aqua! Over the fairs we’ve sold work to Rachel Maddow, John Malcovitch, and others. Also, Aqua seems to have a great “wake effect.” If you read this with column any regular emphasis, then you know that in the past, many times I have discussed the worldwide art fairs and the reason why contemporary artists need to be in them and why there are so many positive things that come out of them – other than sales – even after the fair is over. As a sailor, I compare it to the wake that a ship leaves on the ocean… a wake that most landlubbers don’t realize is sometimes noticeable for hundreds…
By Ryan Unverzagt Wow…It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost over – thank God. This year has dragged on for what seems like forever. However, now it’s time to celebrate the holidays and time to find that perfect gift. If you are one of those people who struggle to think of gift ideas, you should consider something fitness-related. Here are a few things that I recommend: Heart Rate Monitor: This is a tool that I think everyone should own. Heart rate monitor prices can vary anywhere from $30 to well over $300 depending upon the brand and type. The best thing about having one is that it will track the intensity of your workout no matter where you exercise! You don’t need to rely on a cardio machine at the health club to check your heart rate. It’s also easier than stopping in the middle of your workout to feel your pulse and count while watching the clock. Exercise Ball: (A.K.A. Fit Ball, Swiss Ball, or Stability Ball) I’m talking about the big ball you can sit on at the office or perform multiple exercises for the “core”. However, you can do much more than abdominal exercises with a Fit Ball such as squats, stationary lunges and pushups. Every ball should have an exercise sheet included to show you how to use them. They also come in different sizes and colors, so which one should you buy? Most manufacturers will have a size chart printed on the side of the box. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends these sizes for height: 4’8” – 5’5”……….45 cm Ball 5’6”- 6’0”………..55 cm Ball (most common size in stores) 6’1” – 6’5”……….65 cm Ball (most common size in stores) Taller than 6’5”…..75 cm Ball Prices for exercise balls vary from $20 (typical)…
Courtesy Visit St. Mary’s From unique local events that capture the spirit of the season to charming boutiques and markets offering one-of-a-kind gifts, there is something for everyone to enjoy in St. Mary’s County this holiday season. As the holiday season approaches, our region transforms into a vibrant hub of festivities, holiday markets and signature events. So, bundle up, grab your loved ones, and embark on a holiday adventure in St. Mary’s County that you’ll cherish for years to come. Here is our guide to the special events, markets and festivals that make St. Mary’s County your holiday happy place. Special Events There are countless events that will brighten your holidays with all the small-town charm you expect in St. Mary’s County. Here is just a taste of events around the county, for a full list visit the Events Calendar. On Dec 6, Historic St. Mary’s city (HSMC) will host its Frost Fair! Between 1607 and 1814, the river Thames would freeze for months at a time. Beginning in 1607, there were seven total Frost Fairs held over the years when the Thames froze, allowing vendors to set up booths on the ice. HSMC is modernizing this idea with a holiday village featuring artisans, warm beverages, live music, and holiday light displays. Enjoy a day filled with family fun, live entertainment, and holiday cheer. From Dec 6-7, the Lexington Park Business Association will host its annual Holly Days Extravaganza. On Dec 6, come for a Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Then, on Dec 7 from 1-4 p.m., the Extravaganza will feature pictures with Santa, arts and crafts for all ages, a vendor shopping experience, and display featuring the various holidays celebrated this time of year. All events take place in and around the Lexington Park Library. On Dec 7,…
By Julie Reardon A friend who lives in the mountains shares this story every holiday season and it’s one of my favorites. I only recently found out the author’s name since various versions have been around for many years, variously titled A Christmas Prayer and The Rifle, and that it’s not actually a true story. The author was a sheep herder and wrote it one freezing night while pondering how to explain the true meaning of Christmas to his children. I think you will enjoy it as much as I do. A Christmas Story By Rian Anderson Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving. It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn’t been enough money to buy me the rifle that I’d wanted so bad that year for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So, after supper was over, I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn’t in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn’t get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn’t figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn’t worry about it…
By Bob Tagert We have been writing Road Trip articles for at least 32 of the almost 38 years we’ve been in publication. They began as a story about a destination near Alexandria. Then we got into Day Tripping when I had my 1974 Fiat Spider which was perfect for a day’s excursion. As our publication grew, we expanded our focus and ventured farther out. Most of these involved an overnight stay near the destination and in fact, sometimes the destination was the place we stayed. A number of years ago we decided to write about our beautiful Old Town Alexandria in December as this is a time to stay home with family and friends…Welcome Home. It is also a good time for those who reside between the Bay and the Blue Ridge to plan a Road Trip to Old Town Alexandria. I will start with a brief history of what it was like when I arrived in 1977. Old Town was approximately six blocks long. It was King Street from the Potomac River to Washington Street. There were a few restaurants on the other side of Washington Street but only a few…the concentration was near the water in the old seaport town which was founded in 1749. Old Town, as we know it today, was in its infancy. The town’s daring merchants transformed a neglected area and gave it a heartbeat. When I arrived, there was live music in almost every restaurant, mostly local folks playing their own music while covering favorite songs for their dedicated customers. Parking was plentiful and pedestrian traffic was minimal…but what a good time! Over time and like the Old Town Crier, things have changed. The town is now one of the most vibrant waterfront cities on the east coast. Some of the places…
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