Journey Deep began as an online journal, a way to chronicle two years of living and traveling in Russia and Poland. It continues to function as my personal blog, a space for me to reflect on place, culture and my experiences. It’s a forum for me to continue traveling, exploring and sharing the world around me, with the ultimate goal of gaining a deeper understanding of my surroundings, my relationships and myself.
The Berlin Arts Collective Goes Global, Locally
“Local” is the trending buzzword of the day, particularly in the D.C. area. Restaurants built on the premise of sourcing locally; local food festivals; local wine movements; and events like Small Business Saturday. Even local music proponents are hopping on board. Such hyper-focused emphasis on buying local products and living, breathing and embodying a local identity (more…)
What I Learned About American Society From Dentists [Northern Virginia Magazine Backstory]
![What I Learned About American Society From Dentists [Northern Virginia Magazine Backstory]](http://jennagmakowski.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/Top-Dentists-Northern-Virginia-Magazine-Nov.-2012-small-156500_184x184.jpg "What I Learned About American Society From Dentists [Northern Virginia Magazine Backstory]")
My feature in the November issue of Northern Virginia Magazine was the most atypical piece I’ve—ever—written. When I first got the assignment, I went into it thinking it had nothing to do with culture and place, the two main topics I always seem to find myself crashing into, head-first. I was wrong. (more…)
On The Beaten Path in Harpers Ferry
There is a very beaten path in Harpers Ferry. Particularly in the fall, when the leaves in the low-lying mountains turn to gold and the small West Virginia town—the perfect distance for a D.C. day trip—makes its last call for outdoor sports before winter. In a town of under 300 people, it’s hard to (more…)
6 Things You Should Know About Lavender
1. Lavender is farmed.
In fact, there are well over 100 lavender farms across the United States. Though most tend to be concentrated on the west coast, it’s a slowly growing agro-industry.
I recently visited White Oak Lavender Farm, in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The family-run farm, which grows over 30 varieties (more…)
Going Sustainable: Loudoun’s Farm-to-Catering Path [Loudoun Magazine Feature Backstory]
![Going Sustainable: Loudoun’s Farm-to-Catering Path [Loudoun Magazine Feature Backstory]](http://jennagmakowski.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/DSC_0668-small-257829_184x184.jpg "Going Sustainable: Loudoun’s Farm-to-Catering Path [Loudoun Magazine Feature Backstory]")
“We started with 36 trees.” David Weinschel tugged at the nearest overhanging branch, ripe with apples, and handed it to me. “Now we are close to 100.”
Though 100 apple trees sounded like a lot to me, the amount of actual space (and fruit-yielding potential) the orchard takes up on its 50-acre property is pretty minuscule, relatively. But it’s (more…)
3 Korean Festival-Inspired Foods to Try
Last weekend I attended Northern Virginia’s annual Korean festival. Located in Centreville, VA, the city’s population of approximately 71,000 topped out in last year’s census with a 25% (and growing) Asian demographic, many of whom are Korean. That’s not to mention Fairfax County, where Centreville is located; the Asian population there is nearly 20%. (more…)
Collaborative Arts: An Interview with DC Fringe Festival Composer Michael Oberhauser
The 2012 Capital Fringe Festival, DC’s major open-access contemporary arts festival, has been underway since July 12. I recently had the chance to speak with composer Michael Oberhauser about his trio of miniature operas premiering at this year’s festival and about his new arts collective (more…)
6 Truths About Chincoteague
1. There are no horses on Chincoteague.
No wild ones, anyway. Contrary to the connections perpetrated in the minds of thousands of pre-teen girls across the last 6 decades, the title of Marguerite Henry’s popular novel “Misty of Chincoteague” is a bit of a misnomer. It really should be “Misty of Assateague”. (more…)
Melodic Rhythms, and Rhythmic Melodies: Azerbaijani Music in DC
The temperature was close to 100 degrees. It was probably even hotter on stage. I shifted, the backs of my thighs peeling off the seat of the metallic folding chair, which had been baking in the afternoon sun. The audience around me fidgeted, fanning themselves with the program.
Once the music started, though, I stopped noticing the extreme heat. It took me a few (more…)
3 Cool Converted Spaces in Leesburg
Like trends in fashion, music, architecture and art, business trends come and go, and are great tools to connect the past to the present. One of my favorite things to do in a new city is to walk through its historical district, to see how old spaces have been converted into something new. The current uses of the sites illuminate popular trends today, while the spaces (more…)
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