When Catoctin Creek opened in 2009, it brought legal spirits back to Loudoun County for the first time since Prohibition. The family-owned distillery produces a line of four organic spirits. Rye grains are the basis for Catoctin’s whiskey, gin, and of course, rye. The company also makes a pear brandy and seasonal fruit liqueurs for those in search of a fruitier spirit. Visitors to the Purcellville distillery can enjoy a free 30-minute tour of the facility, and tastings are offered at specific times throughout the week. Catoctin also offers up events throughout the year such as bottling workshops in which participants are invited to assist in the bottling process, festivals, farm tours, and concerts. Visitors love the opportunity to meet and talk to the owners and employers to get the inside view of the distilling process. Committed to making high quality products, Catoctin Creek proves that Virginia is for spirit lovers, too!

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
37251-C E Richardson Lane
Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 751-8404

The sushi trend is here to stay. Not only is it good for you, but it is delicious, too (once you develop a taste for it). This time-tested culinary technique offers a countless array of options, so it can be difficult to know where to begin if it's new to you. Below you'll find a few tips that provide an easy introduction to the sensational world of sushi.

Did you realize that not all sushi contains raw seafood? Sushi simply means cooked, vinegared rice topped with other ingredients. Sashimi is the raw stuff. If you're new or unsure, try a few cooked or vegetarian rolls first. Eel (unagi & anago) is always served cooked, usually with a sweet and savory sauce that is delicious. If eel is too exotic, California rolls have avocado, cucumber, and cooked imitation crabmeat (kamabokoor surimi). Squid (ika) or octopus (tako) are often grilled, as is shrimp (ebi). Alternatively, vegetarian rolls like kappa maki (cucumber) are a great introduction to sushi style, and are completely delicious with wasabi and ginger.

Once you gain some traction, move on to sashimi, but start with what you know. Sushi isn’t much different from eating any fish; it's just not cooked.  You’ll see many exotic fish on the menu, but you'll also recognize many staples. If you like grilled salmon, seared tuna, fried calamari, or broiled scallops, you won’t be surprised by the taste or texture of sashimi.

As you continue to increase your repertoire, stick to milder fish. Scallop (hotategai), red snapper (tai), squid (ika), and halibut (ohyo) are particularly mild and great for beginners who are unsure. Tuna (maguro) may appear to have a strong flavor, judging by its rich, dark color, but it’s also a very mild and common in sushi restaurants. Plus, if you've ever had a tuna steak in a restaurant, they are rarely cooked through, so you'll be familiar with the taste and texture.

Ask your waitress or the sushi chef (itamae) for some suggestions. If you see on the menu something called omakase, that usually indicates "chef's choice". If you choose that option, then the itamae will select what he thinks is best that day, and will continue to serve you until you’re full. If you’re brave enough for the omakase, tell the chef you’re new to sushi, and if you have any strong likes or dislikes. Once you fill him in, he'll prepare an expert introduction to sushi just for you!

Now in its 21st season, the Loudoun Symphony offers world-class music and arts performances featuring musicians at all professional levels. Formed in 1990 as a community orchestra, the Loudoun Symphony has steadily risen both in status and in service to the wider community. Two adult groups, the Symphony and String Workshop, are both well-known for their excellent performances. Led by conductor and musical director Mark Allen McCoy, the symphony performs pieces both modern and classic, from the traditional Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major “Romantic” by Anton Bruckner to The Phoenix which was completed and first performed in 2008. Other popular performances are by the Loudoun Youth Symphony, featuring children ages 10-18, and Loudoun’s Got Talent!, a student competition. In the 2010-2011 season, the Loudoun Symphony found its home in a gorgeous state-of-the-art 800-seat auditorium in Virginia Academy, and from there will undoubtedly continue to delight audiences for years to come.

Loudoun Symphony
7 Loudoun Street SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-8287