By Bob Tagert

Lots of landmark things happening this month! The U.S.A celebrates its 250^th Anniversary on the 4^th with celebrations taking place all over the DMV and our fair City celebrates its 277^th with its usual fanfare with an evening of food and music culminating with the always stellar fireworks on the 11^th!

A bit closer to our hearts are the anniversary celebrations of two of our long-time friends and clients. The Fish Market – one of Old Town’s iconic eateries and the anchor of the 100 block of King – celebrates its 50^th year of serving their signature schooners of beer and bowls of clam chowder and Kathy Bradford celebrates her 40^th year helping customers choose just the right piece of fine jewelry at another Old Town icon, Kings Jewelry! I won’t say how long I’ve known Kathy but lets just say we are like fine wine!

The years have flown by! Seems like only yesterday that I was behind the bar at the Fish Market in the mid-80’s (the story of how I got that position is a good one for later). In observance of turning 50, they are throwing a bash on the Thursday, the 23^rd at 5PM with a throw-back menu, some lively music and a chance for those of you who have been frequenting the place over these many years a chance to get together and tell some stories! I think I’ll get there early!

Summer is upon us and the warm weather has already arrived. The pedestrian mall in Old Town is overflowing with diners and shoppers. The outdoor restaurants are very busy. Step out and do a little alfresco dining at one of Alexandria’s fine restaurants. You will find many in this publication!

I get a lot of flak from my office mate about me doing a “recap” of what’s inside these pages, but I just want to give you all a teaser. These are MY Publishers Notes, after all. 😊

This month’s issue is full of good articles and stories. Here are some highlights:

• A Bit of History – Sarah Becker remembers 30 years with the Old Town Crier and how she became acquainted with Martha Washington.
• High Notes – Ron Powers writes about Wheatus and “Teenage Dirtbag”. Somehow, I miss John Denver.
• The Last Word – Miriam Kramer recommends a “Bag of Books” for your beach trip! She picked some good ones!
• On Stage Old Town – Mark Edelman gives his picks for the month of July. See a play or a musical in July.
• Gallery Beat – Lenny Campello writes about the Information Age and todays artist. Read about Jared Whipple, a car mechanic from Waterbury, Connecticut, who in 2017 received a call from a contractor friend to remove some debris…the story has a very lucrative ending.
• From the Bay – With the help of the “researchers” manning AI, we collected a few events and things for you all to do on the Western Shore this month.
• To the Blue Ridge – Meg Mullery is back with pen/keyboard in hand, as she profiles the little “big” town of The Plains, VA. There is a lot more to these few blocks that meets the eye.
• Road Trip – This month is a little different. Many of you readers can walk to this destination. We take you on a short but very interesting walk to and around Canal Center right here on the waterfront in Old Town.
• Caribbean Connection – Caitlin Sullivan, Caribbean Journal contributor, takes us to the only All-inclusive resort on St. Thomas, USVI – Bolongo Bay Beach Resort. You can expect beachfront rooms and a beautiful crescent shaped beach with all of the amenities. I can tell you from personal experience, they have a great catamaran.
• Dining Out – In the spirit of the approaching Bastille Day, we decided to celebrate early with some galettes, crepes and cider at the newly opened Maison Breizh in the Parker Gray District.
• Let’s Get Crafty – Tim Long looks back at the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration and the changes since then. It a pleasant walk back in time to the era in which I grew up. It hits the nail on the head! Tim also gives you his whiskey and cigar recommendation for the month.
• Grapevine – Matt Fitzsimmons talks about the 50th anniversary of Barbourville Vineyards and America’s most celebrated patron of wine, Thomas Jefferson.
• Exploring VA Wine – Doug Fabbioli recounts his 45 years in the industry, and how he learned all of the trades that comprise the Winery Owner.
• Beauty & Health – Genevieve LeFranc lets us know about the beauty oils of summer in First Blush, while Nicole Flanagan reminds us what to look out for while exercising in the heat in Fitness and Ryan Unverzagt hits us with another exercise to burn up a few calories from those 4^th of July burgers and brats in From the Trainer.
• Open Space – Lori Welch Brown gives America some good advice on what to ponder on her 250th anniversary and some suggestions as she moves into the next 250. This article will surely make you smile.

Rounding out the issue, is information about the Saturday evening concerts taking place at the Flight Deck under the Capital Wheel in National Harbor.

We hope all of you enjoy this months Old Town Crier. It has been a work of love and a little profit for a little over 38 years. We continue to distribute literally “From the Bay to the Blue Ridge” to share these stories. We all go back and forth in this diverse area, and Old Town Alexandria sits at the center of it all.

Stay safe during the 250th celebrations. Fireworks are beautiful but can cause serious injury. Happy Anniversary America and Happy Birthday to Alexandria!!!