Y O U R G U I D E T O T H E L O C A L G O O D L I F E front porch T H E R E G I O N ' S free C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E Local Good News Since 1997 YEAR 15 • ISSUE 176 • FEBRUARY 2012 Frontporchfredericksburg.com Reach High Farewell, Friends 4 Jim Burton Real Good Folk 6 Exile On Main Street 7 Danny McBride Kindred Spirits 8 No Cellar Dweller James River Rises 10 Iron Maiden The Skillet 11 Art First A Priority in Life 24 The SPCA’s Debra Joseph 27 Steve Watkins The Observer 28 18 Our Heritage... the crhc collection history’s stories.: rappahannock river closeups 6 20 companions: lord of the flies Freshmen Artists 21 PorchLight: long journey home Days gone by: fredericksburg postcard collection 6 Jim Burton 22 Senior Care: resolutions ....real good folk 23 wellness: when sweetness is bitter green remedies 8 Danny McBride take root @ fxbg art scene ....and his kindred spirits 24 20 of plenty: art first celebrates 20 years of memories 25 scene & heard...in the ‘burg! 28 steve watkins ....a narrative view 26 if you got it....flaunt it!~ By Amy Pearce 27 community link: spca March is a time of sprouting and not be ignored. Dave’s paintings are bright by Mary Woolls new growth. Growth as you know does and colorful with compelling images of 28 fxbg music: parlor soldiers not start in the spring, but many months detailed neon scenes, local architecture Delving into their backgrounds, 30 it was first a whim.... earlier as seeds develop beyond view, and the human form. Art is judged as talking to a couple people in the know, I porch talk 31 poetryman vibrating with the anticipation of their good or bad by those who experience it, find they already do have standing in the emergence into the world, to the delight and Dave and Mary both feel that “the arts community as – in Dave’s case – a of all who are lucky enough to see. feeling generated is more valuable than musician, singer/songwriter, and in Mary’s Two such ‘seeds’ are Fredericksburg the art itself.” Yet, this is valuable art in 4 on the porch...life in fredericksburg – as the supportive spouse of musician Messages locals Dave Honaker and Mary Woolls. the money sense, too, because they both Stuart Whitford. Dave, I might add, is 28 These friends, patrons of the area for are simply good artists who will continue 5 retired on the back porch: “I’d like to buy the world...” quite the adventurer and writer; just read autoknown better...wit & wisdom of rim many years, are taking an opportunity to to emerge and become better with some back issues of Front Porch – Google contribute their talents to the locale by experience. Their “soul of the artist” is 10 James River Cellars goodsporting.blogspot.com/. Mary, like collaborating in the first ever showing of already present; it is something you see Dave, takes in art exhibits and live music 11 urban smallholding: iron maiden their art. This shared show of two artists when you stare into a painting. It’s either by Dave Honaker shows. Both support the downtown food with complimentary styles and subject there or not, and these two got it. 12 Vino: winter wines community. ...And more! rd in the kitchen with bonnie matter is being held March 3 at Raven Mary’s experience with oil customized home theater installations of In a town as gentle and Hi Fi. Occupying one of the great spots on painting began several years ago in Bill 13 Season’s Bounty: romance of food quality audio and video products in new or supportive of its peeps as FXBG is, you still 3 freshman artists William Street, Raven, with’ music as art’ Harris’s art class, at LibertyTown. Her 14 southern style: love your meat existing homes), the host to local house have to deliver the goods to impress. as their offering, has been a longtime subject matter is varied; old trucks, local 7 exile on main street...the real fredericksburg concerts, has graciously opened their “Freshmen” artists Dave (Image: “Lost in 15 beer geek: a beer geek comes of age supporter of local art and is making their landscapes, and still life, and she paints as doors to allow these two friends and Thought”) and Mary (Image: Blue Truck) contents 29 what the world needs now...civility foray into the First Friday scene. often as her day job will allow. “I love the get it done. See their show in March, way time goes by unnoticed when I’m artists a quality venue for their first show. 16-17 Calendar of Events 31 flowers & chocolate? Dave Honaker has been painting Although this is the first show for both of opening First Friday the 2nd, at Raven Hi for just a few years using oil paint on concentrating on a painting,” says she, these budding artists, it is certain this is Fi, 214 William. 31 canvas. From the very first stroke of paint and she is most intrigued by the nuance of the first of many contributions they will Cover by Arch DiPeppe he says he knew he was unleashing a color and light. Amy Pearce edits and writes Raven Hi –Fi (specialists in make to the community. creative seed that, once bloomed, could for Front Porch. Heart Throbbing
Or Decaf... Serving Lunch & Dinner Monday - Saturday Hot, cold, decadent or sublime Raymond Renault Chef/Owner
2 February 2012 Front porch fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg February 2012 3 ON THE PORCH AutoKnown Better RReettiirreedd && BBuucckk NNaakkeedd Rob Grogan Editor jack, henny, and hinny On The Back Porch Photographer Archer DiPeppe reach high By Rim Vining Contributing Writers & Artists “i’d like to buy the world a coke” When Chris Park told his We’ll weep together in person, GPS devise on a vehicle without a warrant and using information obtained in A.E.Bayne Megan Byrnes employer he was leaving in eight weeks guys, before you go. It will be tracking that vehicle to bring charges and Collette Caprara Paul Cymrot and moving to California with his tears of joy and my selfish tears a conviction was an invasion of privacy by jo middleton Ashliegh Chevalier Bonnie De Lelys girlfriend, his boss simply said, “Reach of letting go of two sweet people and in violation of our Fourth Amendment Market and get a carton of Cokes, a pound Britany DeVries Arch DiPeppe high.” to too many miles away. I wish rights. They also mentioned that a critical of bologna, and a loaf of “builds strong Frank Fratoe JoAnna Cassidy Farrell The employer, Rob Alling, has you the best, you know. point in this case was that the GPS device February is rainy and bodies 12 ways” Wonder Bread from John William Garnett Joe Gherlone reached high all his life with great There’s a lot we can had to be physically placed on the vehicle, cold. Soup’s on and so is the dilly bread. Skinner (who could carve a haunch of Bill Green Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks international success, some of it right here take from Rob Alling’s words to so they foresee future cases and further This is the smell-well season and I love meat the like of which hasn’t been done Dave Honnaker Lori M. Izykowski in Fredericksburg with The Kenmore Inn. Chris, and from Arch Di Peppe’s rulings dealing with vehicles that have GPS it. Sometimes the weather is too much for since, though that butcher fellow Karl Karch Suni McMath An endorsement like that from a man like phtoto of them, especially this Gifts that are freely given should capabilities already on board… like On me to venture out, and I am shamed by currently up on William Street is coming Jo Middleton Vanessa Moncure Rob had to be a positive boost for Chris, month when we celebrate be shared…. and this one might explain Star? Hmmm? You mean all that data my outdoor walking friends, for whom the in a close second). Amy Pearce Mary Lynn Powers and for his partner Joanna Krenich, as romance. What better a cover why Mr. Ed. decided to move Mr. available to General Motors might be used postal creed applies, “Neither rain, nor I need to point out, by the by, Scarlett Suhy Pons they prepare to go West. picture than these two lovers Autoknown from the obscure and hidden to track your whereabouts without your snow, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays that November past I hit my 74th year, Scott Richards Wendy Schmitz But Chris is a confident guy, and sipping a shake together? A back pages of this monthly to just knowledge? Not in America. these [walkers] from their completed well and kicking, thanks to all those health Brian K. Thaler Matt Thomas although he really feels great about Rob’s throwback to the 50s and clearer opposite his countenance on the editorial And for those of you who need to rounds.” foods I bought from Big John on Charles Christine Thompson Rim Vining blessing, he’s not easily discouraged nor in times. The simple bond between page. You remember the day the teacher know more about the donkey issue well… I hasten to add neither they, nor Street. Phyllis Campbell Whitley need of approval. In fact, Chris asked me kindred spirits in love at a soda singled you out and moved you to the did you know? I, wear those two-ton “walking” shoes Now-a-days, however, as my late, Amy Woodruff Mary Woolls to let Danny McBride know that Chris is fountain with big plans to move on the cover and Danny on page 8. (Why and begin anew, and feeling it is front of the class where they could keep a The donkey, or ass, (Equus advertised with “specific mechanics and great, Virginia author friend, Barbara Front Porch Fredericksburg is a is it that all the creative talents I know so doable together. And what better eye on you and separate you from Asinus Asinus) is a species unto itself. The strike path.” An old pair of Keds, frayed at Holland, pointed out, pleasures such as free circulation magazine have a wit to match their wisdom and more appropriate words of your hoodlum associates? I do. male being a Jack and the female being a the seams, takes us around Alum Springs martini, bacon and naps are out. If TV ads told me one recent Saturday night, “If you published monthly by talent?) encouragement from someone who’s done So, having already received my Jenny. Notice only the males are called and along the Appalachian Trail. are to be believed, malfunctioning body live in Fredericksburg, you are not secure.” Olde Towne Publishing Co., Inc. Speaking of the cover, it was shot it – lived a dream and now passes the vibe gift of an article topic when a public body jack-asses. However, as in any global But in the cold and parts below the waist are Virginia Bigenwald Grogan What he meant is, “Reach high.” He just , Publisher. by Archer Di Peppe at Goolrick’s, home of along to two lovers? as auspicious as the United States economy, if you mate the Donkey Dad gloom I do not join my in. I want never to meet said it in different words. the romantic Valentine milkshake. Chris Danny McBride did it. Brandon Supreme Court decided to address my with a Momma Mare, which does sound outdoor friends. I’m the bride whose wedding So reach high this month, Park and Joanna Krenich share the Newton did it. And as you’ll read about concerns over On-Star and the possible very French, you get a Mule. Much rarer hanging tough indoors. I reception toast is Phillips The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg. Love deeply. Laugh chocolate shake at the downtown them, you’ll come across local legend Jim abuses of “tracking” our whereabouts is the scenario of a Stallion hooking up used to turn on the TV on Colon probiotic to ease Fredericksburg is to connect the loudly. Dance as though no one is diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg Fredericksburg icon just weeks before they Burton, who did it, too. There are lots of without our knowledge, I was then given a with a Jenny and producing a Hinny. Hang these February days, and malodorous constipation watching. And enjoy our inspired issue, with lively features and informative leave for L.A., where Chris is planning to dreamers, in fact, profiled in this issue — second gift of such staggering import that in there with me a minute… listen to the ads. John and bloating. What cover to cover. columns of interest to our follow his passion, and Joanna will launch people who are happy because they are I had to start over. Ready? (Andy down at Earl’s has a black Cleese talking for pups was happened to the good old community’s greatest resource, a career in the food industry. Her living life, not living in a well-conforming All I am doing is getting my Lab / Beagle mix... full black Lab with four- my delight, but the best of Phillips Milk of Magnesia its people. chirpblog on Wordpress is an entertaining box. morning coffee when the beautiful barista inch legs. Max is a riot!) all were the Coca-Cola™ ads my mother gave me and well-written start. That should be what love is, what which almost rhymes with senorita (and So what we need in this leap year with children singing such without the benefit of Messages from our readers are I wish them both, both of them life is, what community is. It doesn’t have who is in the market for a used car, I is a leap of February faith that will find ditties as “I am the future wedding speeches? And am welcome. All submissions must be my friends, farewell and many blessings. to be comfortable, or as Andrew Hellier might add) says, “I can’t find a good used the barista senorita a suitable ride, of the world.” I to pity the poor sod received by e-mail by the 19th of the car so I’m just gonna’ buy myself a donkey preferably with four-wheel drive and a Usually, I’d just whose sex life has been month preceding publication. so I can take my ass to work.” stick shift so she can get her assets to listen to the ads until the kids came limped away due to over-consumption, messages about us from the article!! Thank you, decent crowd at the Fridays@the Last I don’t care who you are, that is work. But nothing with On-Star. Think of on. Not only did they sing “in perfect probably, of hamburgers whose erstwhile Writers are welcome to request thank you, thank you!!! Resort – I give the Front Porch and our a great line. I wouldn’t use it as a pickup a 90’s something ‘pick-uppy’ ‘Explorerish’ harmony”, but they were gorgeous. They steers consumed too many female Writer’s Guidelines and query the Many Thanks again! article (January) much of the credit! line but as memorable lines go it is spot vehicle that you would feel good putting had a Coke bottle in their little hormones? Editor by e-mail. Kathryn Pankow Todd Schwartz on. It also begs the question, is a donkey your daughter in. Come on, they are out hands. That’s where Coke went Nope, TV ads are sadly Rob’s comments regarding Just Great Things St. George’s Episcopal Church an ass? Was Baba Looey, the burro there and I am serious… let’s find this wrong. You can’t make beautiful music disgusting. I’ll go to WETA and giggly John Micah and the area’s homeless did indeed sidekick of Quick Draw McGraw, a donkey babe a ride. Send your proposals with a holding a blankety-blank tin can, which Chester playing Khachaturian on this Front Porch shed some light on a lack of compassion Fredericksburg What a great edition NOTE: or an ass and why was his alias “The picture to [email protected] hasn’t a “return for refund” written on it, winter’s day, and drift off for a nap, issue we see in this city. Your comments (December’s e-edition) - starting with a We’ve reached maximum space Whippersnapper?” Do burros get better mileage not to mention the name of where it was retired and buck naked on the back porch. 1281 Jefferson Davis Highway (On the Porch, November) were moving PMB 208 very Audrey Hepburn-like girl on the front limits and will publish more Messages These really are gifts. than mules? They are smaller. bottled on the bottom of the glass. and right on. Thank you for saying what Fredericksburg, VA 22401 page, then the editor’s family in their next month… For you followers of my tirades I used to love to watch those Jo Middleton has her wits about her you said. and at least writes regularly. cool shades (another fine editorial), Jeb against the evils of the Onstarion Rim Vining will one day appear Coke trucks roll out of the plant down Scott Sweeney before the Supreme Court, Coca-Cola’s slogan from 1932 Phone: 540-220-1922 Stuart article, Lady Gaga, Zen cocktail OOPS! - Rob menace… the Supreme Court has upheld a there on Princess Anne Street. They’d through 1937 – the year Jo was born – E-Mail: [email protected] or maybe The Supremes. (Do you make it at the Bistro?), beer Rachel Lee of Ferry Farm pointed lower court ruling that decided placing a inspire me to walk over to Charles Street was "Ice-Cold Sunshine". Web Site: I read Saving 401 Sophia tasting guidelines, Santa, cute dogs — out my two unsuccessful attempts at www.frontporchfredericksburg.com (November, by Chris Park and Mike it’s got it all! Really liked that Breakfast describing the South’s secession from the Craig). I really liked the collaborative at Tiffany’s photo - black and white w/ a United States. In “Our Heritage” The opinions expressed in Front Porch approach and tone of the piece. That’s Fredericksburg are those of the touch of red - very classy. And the rolling (December), I erroneously wrote: “...with something we absolutely need to foster. Give a Child contributing writers and do not pics are very nice, also. Now, relax a day the talk of succession.” Later in that Job well done! necessarily reflect the opinion of and get started on January’s paper. same paragraph, “Virginia succeeded in Front Porch Fredericksburg Sean P. Maroney Jay Bigenwald 1861.” Well, the talk was of secession or its advertisers. Executive Director, Historic Something to Rochester, NY and Virginia did secede in 1861. Thank Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Copyright 2012 you, Rachel. Please keep reading with a Olde Towne Publishing Co., LLC From Mr. Bob Whittingham (of critical eye and enjoy us cover to cover. Think About If I write ‘Thank You’ a All rights reserved. Whittingham, and The Kitchen At thousand times it will not translate to Whittingham): The new (December 2011) Nancy Hanson pointed out that how appreciative I am for the article Front Porch just came — The cover is writer Matt Thomas and I missed a (December — Pop-Up Shop, Just Great Wonderful ! Fun. Interesting. Love it! misspelling in his “On the House” beer Things for Just a Few Weeks). Both my Love it! Love it! Love it! You did great. column (December) on a brewery in Books, Games, Amusing Novelties mom and I love it and we are so excited (cover by Arch Di Peppe and Bill Green) Delaware: the city is spelled R-e-h-o-b-o-t- to be in the magazine. I’ve already had We had great crowds at our h. Nancy used to live there. 810 Caroline Street Robgwrites new traffic come in telling me they heard Chamber Concert on Sunday and a M-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm (540) 371-5684
4 February 2012 Front porch fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg February 2012 5 Jim Burton Exile On Main Street Master The real good folk The REAL FREDericKSBURG Alternative Art of Cooking By Paul Cymrot and Scarlett Suhy Pons by brittany de vries with a What I like about downtown ‘Main Street’ that has taken the best of The steep wooden staircase is the familiar— Burton’s crooning, Nate Leath’s Birchmere. One of Jim’s Fredericksburg is that it is a real place. It what works in successful community only murmur in an otherwise blank ethereal fiddle, Dave Jensen’s masterful most memorable moments was not constructed to look like organizations and made a template out of Cooking Class stairwell, each step a low purr like a sleepy guitar, notes from John Buck’s bass, was a party they played in something; it is something. It could not be it. They make this template available to bear awakening from his slumber. The followed with unison laughter and Virginia Beach: “Jake made from scratch. It could only be made other communities. They promote good door welcomes one into a long room with quipping— yet for all the times I’ve heard Crosley was quite the high at by generations of people living in it, ideas; they give awards; they spread the faded green narrow floorboards and soft it, Burton makes me really listen. dollar lawyer, and he had a working in it, and adapting it to fit their word about nice or interesting or historic lighting. Each piece of furniture emits rich “Most people who play here, their buddy who had us come needs. I like that I can get a cup of coffee places. They’ve built a brand of Main smells of weathered oak and mahogany. soul is really in it,” he says of FXBG’s play for a party of about 150 or 200. It started about 20 years ago with Ben and a tattoo and an eighteenth century Street, and it’s been successful, on the Wooden mallards with muted yellow beaks plethora of ardent musicians. “Any night Gorgeous veranda, and just all the food Eldridge. It has turned into a community silver spoon and a bag of second hand simple theory that it’s good for people nest on coffee table books like “Living with of the week you can hear good music.” you’ve even seen in your entire life. He that likes to make real good music and are books in the two blocks between my with common goals to work together. Folk Art.” Above hangs a luscious purple There is a fervent, talented and, at times, even rented a bus for us—this guy had real good folk.” favorite restaurant and the free outdoor Fredericksburg has all the banner, which befittingly reads “Welcome hilarious group who surround spent money to set this up. So we get out For Burton, that’s what it’s concert in the park. qualities of all the best of the Main Street to Mount Pleasant.” Fredericksburg’s tradition of local music, there and we play one song and everyone about: good music and good folk. “It’s a It can appear disorganized, even communities, except for an organization Jim Burton’s apartment and the extraordinarily Jim Burton is a in the whole place cleared out! Every soul peaceful community. I’m glad to have the ramshackle, but it is more than the sum of to lend businesses a hand when there’s a transports a guest from the 900 block on nod toward the past and present music left. I will never forget that if I live to be people I know.” He was there at the its parts. It is the sort of community that problem that needs solving or an event Caroline to a splendorous Americana cabin community. He is all smiles, remembering a million.” beginning, watching memories unfold, people everywhere are trying to simulate. that needs promoting or a misconception where stories are written in each scratch The Bluegrass Butchers, a fun-loving Over the years, he has played musicians appear and bloom, bands grow The downtown has more than 200 that needs correcting or a vacancy that on the floor and book on the shelf. group that included Jake Crosley, Tommy with and helped found many musicians and lives raveling together under the wing 374-0443 businesses — retail and restaurants, art needs filling. A number of us who own Burton himself seems part of the intricate Mitchell, Larry Southworth, Sara and bands. “Bluegrass music is soul music. of this treasured town. As for that one galleries and accountants, bar and businesses or property (or both) décor: he sits in a wooden chair, his face Southworth, Rosemary Oakley, Carol Not over complicated, so it’s easy to play jam session recorded in his apartment, the churches — sharing not-quite-enough downtown are working to put together softly illuminated by a vintage Budweiser Phillips, Bob Haley and Chip Remey. “My and you can pass it on.” The tradition is one that relives its own memory in the www.shopwhittingham.com parking with hundreds of apartments and such an organization right now. It will reading lamp with a shade reminiscent of official part? I was the pledge,” Burton apparent in the bluegrass found around room that produced it: “Every single houses and historic sites and tourist share many qualities with the Main Street Matisse. In the center of it all sits in any jokes. downtown today. Regulars fill every seat person there was dead on top of it. Whoo, destinations. Its roots run as deep as any template, but because we are other environment an ordinary silver “That’s where my music career when The Bluegrass Believers play the Pool as for me it doesn’t get any better than Paul Cymrot and Scarlett Suhy-Pons 1021 Caroline Street city in the country. It is unlike anywhere Fredericksburg and are not like other stereo; here, the unearthly square lines began. We were as bad as anything but we Hall on First Fridays, or at the sight of the that.” are keeping it real and else. Authenticity is difficult to simulate. places, we are not calling it a Main Street. want you to join them. command attention…. “Want to listen?” had a great time.” The Bluegrass Butchers ever-evolving group belting it out at the Brittany E. De Vries of We have it. We want it to reflect what we are. We’re he asks, and without waiting presses play. weren’t bad at all, even playing with singer Sunken Well on Sundays: “This group with The National Horseman What we do not have is a calling our organization ‘Real This homemade music recording is and guitarist Charlie Waller at the me now [The Wellions] sort of fell into me. writes regularly in Front Porch. organization designed to give it a voice Fredericksburg.’ with which to sing its own praises or The goal of Real Fredericksburg is converse with the city officials who govern to work with businesses, property owners, CHUCK HOFFMAN it. We don’t have a forum where business and residents of the downtown to achieve owners can pool their knowledge, air their our common goals. What are those REALTOR, ABR, SFR, MBA concerns, and cooperate towards common common goals? We’ll only know if you’ll goals. We don’t have an entity whose sole tell us. purpose is to recognize, organize, and We want Real Fredericksburg to I will provide professional nurture what makes our town different tackle the issues that are present and from the towns we all decided not to live pressing among our neighbors; we have no help for both home buyers in. other objective. Right now Scarlett and I The National Trust for Historic are talking to as many people as we can to and sellers to accomplish Preservation has put a lot of years into enumerate all the things that can be done your real estate objectives! studying and celebrating neighborhoods (or not done) to maintain the vibrant and like ours. They feel we are something of authentic flavor of our unique downtown. an endangered species. And they’ve We’d love to talk to you. Give us a call or noticed that towns with good, active, stop by our shops. I’m at Riverby Books TRUSTED & CANDID SERVICE FOR DOWNTOWN professional organizations tend to thrive (805 Caroline St). Scarlett is at PONSHOP more than those that don’t. The National (712 Caroline). The more people who can FREDERICKSBURG & NEARBY COMMUNITIES Trust has put together a program called get involved, the better. Award Winning Service www.yourFREDrealtor.com 540-370-0695 Direct 540-845-1468 Cell 540-373-0100 Office 540-370-0757 Fax [email protected]
520 William Street, Suite A, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Chuck Hoffman is a licensed salesperson in the Commonwealth of Virginia
6 February 2012 Front porch fredericksburg front porch fredericksburg February 2012 7 Danny McBride and his kindred spirits presents By rob grogan The Magnolia Ball Saturday, March 31, 2012 Lucky is the man who’s had a recalls Danny, 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. friend or two the entire ride. Such a man “would draw Fredericksburg Expo & is Danny McBride, actor and intricate half pipes Conference Center Fredericksburg native son. Neither fame and skateboarders. nor fortune has cut his ties to old local Glad to see he moved pals whose experiences and qualities off of stick figures Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction forever bond them with a gift as unique as grinding imaginary Dinner followed by Dancing an award for film, art or music. skate parks and into to Fredericksburg Big Band Danny’s relationships are at an the world of all-time high, with friends like Brandon painting.” Their $90 per person / $650 per table of 8 Newton and Kenny Ellinger intact, and mutual jousting is a Black tie optional Cash Bar wife Gia Ruiz his true love. Whether brotherly love shared here, they look forward to opportunities filming in New Orleans this spring or with Kenny. for Declan that Danny did not have — like Tickets On Sale Now! making a few runs down the “When times were tough in LA I future painting lessons from Brandon Rappahannock this summer, Danny moved back to the Burg for a bit and Newton? “Depending on how much Phone: remains the smiling guy who happens to crashed on Kenny’s couch off Wolfe Street. Brandon is charging, yes.” (540) 361-7071 write, act and direct. “I met Danny in Fredericksburg is a touchstone for me, not The banter among kindred spirits E-mail: grade school,” says Brandon. “I think he only a way to stay grounded but a really fills the downtown air just a block from [email protected] found my harassment of teachers nice place to live.” The NC School of Arts the McBride’s apartment. The evening Web: entertaining.” (’99) filmmaking grad had headed west for brings out friends, or as Brandon sees it, www.hospicesupportcare.org Danny, who moved here “before fame and fortune. “Instead, I found a kindred spirits… timeless: “I do think we route 3 was a nightmare and Central Park wonderful job as a waiter at the Crocodile are still good friends because it still feels PROCEEDS BENEFIT HOSPICE SUPPORT CARE was still a golf course” did “a tour of duty Cafe in Burbank.” like we are hanging out at Orbits listening in a bunch of local schools — I kicked my Then he wrote and acted in an to music every time we go out. And the Ask about Sponsorship and Promotional/Memorial Ad Opportunities. Virginia learning off at Salem Elementary independent film called The Foot Fist Way, more you get to know Danny, the more Silent Auction Items Accepted then on to Battlefield Middle, did some buddy Jody Hill’s first feature. “I was you want to be around him.” time at Chancellor Middle, and then on to more interested in working behind the Rob Grogan makes Moscow Mules Courtland where I graduated.” His take on camera but we didn’t know any actors so on request for good people like Brandon is in sync: “I met him in second both of us had to step in front of the Danny McBride. grade. He was a troublemaker and I camera to make the movie” — in 17 days, thought that was cool. Kenny Ellinger I financed with credit cards. At The met in seventh grade. Both are to this day Sundance Film Festival, Will Ferrell and two of my closest friends. Both were in Adam McKay saw what became a calling my wedding.” Both played music, while card that opened doors: “We used the Danny looked to film. moment of heat to set up Eastbound and “I was interested in storytelling Down” (Season 3 premiers Feb. 19 at and filmmaking. I crafted a thrilling tale 10PM on HBO). about Leaf Man — a pile of leaves that Still, Danny would love to flex could magically turn into a man and walk that directing muscle and step behind the around and talk. Very exciting. In high camera this year to helm his first feature. school, I wrote several plays; one we took “We’ll see how it goes.” It still goes well to the state one-act competition. We with friends. “We still hang like we use to didn’t win. We were snubbed,” he jests. except baby sitters have to be called,” From Hollywood, he stayed in Danny smiles. Gia, and their son Declan, touch with Brandon. “This was hard for bring out his biggest smiles. “I met Gia in me,” recalls Brandon. “I looked to Danny LA at a Super Bowl party. Neither of us for energy and inspiration; I had never liked the game so we set our sights on each met anyone quite like him.” Brandon, other.” Setting their sights on summers