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See Alexandria Schools, Page 14 25 Cents Gazette Packet Alexandria Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper May 30, 2019 Address Service Requested To: 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Attention Postmaster: Time-sensitive material. PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Alexandria, VA Permit #482 See Remembering, Page 6 Capt. Eugene “Red” McDaniel (ret), a deco- rated Vietnam veteran and former POW, addresses the crowd May 27 at the Alexandria National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony. ‘The Ultimate Price for the Freedoms That We Enjoy Today” Headstones at Alexandria National Cemetery are adorned with flags prior to the May 27 Memo- rial Day ceremony. See story, more photos, page 4. By Bridgette Adu-Wadier And Dan Brendel Gazette Packet A pproaching the end of its annual budget cycle, the School Board voted on 11 pro- posed additions and deletions to tweak its FY 2020 budget, including retention of eight school custodians facing outsourcing and ad- dition of a full-time restorative practices coordina- tor. PARTIAL CUSTODIAN RETENTION Earlier in May, after pushback against his plan to accelerate the outsourcing of 30 school custodians, Super- intendent Gregory Hutchings recommended adding $1.8 million back into the budget in order to retain 20. The schools would still privatize the remaining 10 positions, currently occupied by school employees with less than five years of full-time experience. In 2007 the School Board decide to outsource through natural attrition (voluntary jobs changes), but hasn’t stuck to the plan. The division outsourced custodial services for some schools but not others, and subsequently hired new custodians onto the schools’ payroll. School Board member Michelle Rief proposed an additional $320,000 to retain the remaining custo- dians with less than five years. She proposed offset- ting the cost by reducing increases — which she dis- tinguished from “cuts” — in other areas. For example, she’d trim human resources salaries and technology services budget. Custodian James Smith spoke during the School Board meeting on May 23: “When I started working, I was promised that I would be able to start working full time after one year. That has turned into nine years. I am now four years in as a full-time employee.” Rief said: “We made the mistake of hiring these workers we weren’t supposed to. We were supposed to have an attrition plan in place. … It was a failure on our part, and we’re asking these work- ers … to pay the price for that mistake. I think that that’s unfair. … I think that mak- ing a choice like this harms our reputation as an em- ployer.” As the city’s largest employer, “we [the school division] can set a bar for how workers should be treated.” She added: “We can tell ourselves this story that these contracting companies have some magic for School Budget: Final Adjustments School division evaluates funding for full school custodian retention and restorative practices. “Is this a reflection of our values … ? We’re proud to live in a city that prides itself on being inclusive.” — School Board member Michelle Rief By Jeanne Theismann Gazette Packet B ill Yoast, a longtime Al- exandria teacher and one of the legendary high school football coaches who inspired the Disney film “Remember the Titans,” died May 23 at an assisted living fa- cility in Springfield. He was 94 years old. “Coach Bill Yoast was one of the most influential men in my life,” said Bob Stumpf, a 1970 graduate of Hammond High School. “I had the privilege to play on his varsity football team for two years including our Northern Virginia champion- ship season of 1969. With the ex- ception of our all-state quarter- back, John O’Connor, we were a rather small team without much talent. Yet Coach Yoast had us performing at a level we never dreamed capable of.” William Yoast was born Nov. 16, 1924, and raised in Flo- rence, Ala. After attending Cof- fee High School, he spent three years in the Air Force and went A Titanic Legacy Remembering Coach Bill Yoast Yoast Photo contributed Photo by Susie Ar amony Photo by John Bordner/Gazette Packet

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Page 1: Alexandria Gazette Packetconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/052919/Alexandria.pdf · Alexandria Gazette Packet May 30 - June 5, 2019 3 News Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren 703-778-9415

Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Alexandria Schools, Page 14

25 Cents

Gazette PacketAlexandria

Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper May 30, 2019

Address Service Requested

To: 1604 King St.,

Alexandria, VA 22314

Attention

Postmaster:

Time-sensitive

material.

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Alexandria, VA

Permit #482

See Remembering, Page 6

Capt. Eugene “Red” McDaniel (ret), a deco-rated Vietnam veteran and former POW,addresses the crowd May 27 at the AlexandriaNational Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony.‘The Ultimate Price for the Freedoms That We Enjoy Today”

Headstones at Alexandria National Cemetery are adorned with flags prior to the May 27 Memo-rial Day ceremony. See story, more photos, page 4.

By Bridgette Adu-Wadier

And Dan Brendel

Gazette Packet

Approaching the end of its annual budgetcycle, the School Board voted on 11 pro-posed additions and deletions to tweak itsFY 2020 budget, including retention of

eight school custodians facing outsourcing and ad-dition of a full-time restorative practices coordina-tor.

PARTIAL CUSTODIAN RETENTIONEarlier in May, after pushback against his plan to

accelerate the outsourcing of30 school custodians, Super-intendent Gregory Hutchingsrecommended adding $1.8million back into the budgetin order to retain 20. Theschools would still privatizethe remaining 10 positions,currently occupied by schoolemployees with less than fiveyears of full-time experience.

In 2007 the School Board decide to outsourcethrough natural attrition (voluntary jobs changes),but hasn’t stuck to the plan. The division outsourcedcustodial services for some schools but not others,and subsequently hired new custodians onto the

schools’ payroll.School Board member Michelle Rief proposed an

additional $320,000 to retain the remaining custo-dians with less than five years. She proposed offset-ting the cost by reducing increases — which she dis-tinguished from “cuts” — in other areas. For example,she’d trim human resources salaries and technologyservices budget.

Custodian James Smith spoke during the SchoolBoard meeting on May 23: “When I started working,I was promised that I would be able to start workingfull time after one year. That has turned into nineyears. I am now four years in as a full-time employee.”

Rief said: “We made the mistake of hiring theseworkers we weren’t supposedto. We were supposed to havean attrition plan in place. …It was a failure on our part,and we’re asking these work-ers … to pay the price for thatmistake. I think that that’sunfair. … I think that mak-ing a choice like this harmsour reputation as an em-ployer.” As the city’s largest

employer, “we [the school division] can set a bar forhow workers should be treated.”

She added: “We can tell ourselves this story thatthese contracting companies have some magic for

School Budget: Final AdjustmentsSchool division evaluates funding for full schoolcustodian retention and restorative practices.

“Is this a reflection of ourvalues … ? We’re proud tolive in a city that pridesitself on being inclusive.”— School Board member Michelle Rief

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

Bill Yoast, a longtime Al-exandria teacher andone of the legendary

high school football coacheswho inspired the Disney film“Remember the Titans,” diedMay 23 at an assisted living fa-cility in Springfield. He was 94years old.

“Coach Bill Yoast was one ofthe most influential men in mylife,” said Bob Stumpf, a 1970graduate of Hammond HighSchool. “I had the privilege toplay on his varsity football teamfor two years including ourNorthern Virginia champion-

ship seasonof 1969.With the ex-ception ofour all-stateq u a r t e r -back, JohnO’Connor,we were arather small

team without much talent. YetCoach Yoast had us performingat a level we never dreamedcapable of.”

William Yoast was born Nov.16, 1924, and raised in Flo-rence, Ala. After attending Cof-fee High School, he spent threeyears in the Air Force and went

A Titanic LegacyRemembering Coach Bill Yoast

Yoast

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Janet Caterson PriceAlexandria Real Estate Specialist I NVAR Lifetime Top Producer [email protected] | janetpricehomes.com703.622.5984 | 109 S Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

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Sold.7615 Southdown Road

Janet Caterson Price, Realtor® just closed on the highest priced single family home in Alexandria & Arlington since 2016.

7615 Southdown Road, located in an idyllic waterfront location along the Potomac River south of Old Town, sold for $4.6 million.

2 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v May 30 - June 5, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Page 3: Alexandria Gazette Packetconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/052919/Alexandria.pdf · Alexandria Gazette Packet May 30 - June 5, 2019 3 News Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren 703-778-9415

Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsAlexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

Family and friends gath-ered May 27 at the Cap-tain Rocky Versace Plazaand Vietnam Veterans

Memorial to pay tribute and honorthe service of Alexandria’s fallenVietnam veterans on MemorialDay.

Each of the 68 names ofAlexandria’s fallen or missing inaction Vietnam veterans was readaloud as part of the ceremony.West Point class of 1959 class-mates of Humbert “Rocky” Versaceplaced a wreath at the statue ofVersace, who was captured in1963 less than two weeks beforethe end of his second tour of duty.

Versace was reported killed byhis captors in 1965 and posthu-mously awarded the Medal ofHonor for his heroics during hiscaptivity. His remains have neverbeen found.

Surviving family members ofAlexandria’s fallen in attendanceincluded Bette SpenglerMeuleners, whose husband HenrySpengler was taken captive in Viet-nam in 1972 while she was preg-nant with their daughter Melissa,who was also in attendance.

Susan Harvey, sister of 1st Lieu-tenant Lawrence Lilly, read aloudthe name of her brother as part ofthe ceremony. Lilly’s name wasrecently chiseled in the granitememorial, marking the 68th nameto be added to the list ofAlexandria’s fallen from Vietnam.

After reading a history of theRocky Versace Plaza, former CityCouncilman David Speck was vis-ibly moved when presented a cer-tificate of appreciation for his sup-port in establishing Alexandria’sVietnam Veterans Memorial.

Also participating in the cer-emony was the Saint Rita’s Ameri-can Heritage Girls Troop 1381,who led the crowd in the Pledgeof Allegiance, and Miss NorthernVirginia Abigail Farley, who sangthe National Anthem and God

Members of the United States Military Academy class of 1959 salute after placing awreath at the statue of classmate Humbert “Rocky” Versace during the Memorial DayCeremony May 27 at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans Memorialin Del Ray.

Former vice mayor Bill Cleveland joins Rolling ThunderNew York Chapter 6 members Lisa and Wayne Cohen atthe Memorial Day ceremony May 27 in Del Ray.

Honoring the sacrifice of local veterans.Remembering the Fallen

Susan Harvey reads the name of herbrother, 1st Lieutenant Lawrence E Lilly,who was reported missing in action in1971, during the May 27 Memorial Dayceremony in Del Ray. His is the 68thname engraved at the Rocky VersacePlaza honoring Alexandria’s fallen Viet-nam Veterans. With her is David Jackson,vice president of Special Forces Associa-tion Chapter 11.

Former City CouncilmanDavid Speck, left, is pre-sented a certificate ofappreciation May 27 byFriends of Rocky Versacerepresentative Mike Faberfor his efforts and supportof the plaza in Del Rayhonoring Alexandria’sfallen Vietnam veterans.

George Washington High School alumni and childhoodfriends of Rocky Versace Duff Sprague, Frank Scaffidoand Mike Faber attend the May 27 Memorial Day cer-emony at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza in Del Ray.

Friends of Rocky Versace representative Mike Faber, right,presents a check to Jim Spengler, director of Parks andRecreation, to cover costs of maintenance and repairs ofthe Captain Rocky Versace Plaza in Del Ray.

Bless America.Mike Faber, representative of the

nonprofit Friends of Rocky Versaceorganization, presented JimSpengler, director of Parks, Recre-

ation and Cultural Activities andbrother to Henry Spengler, a cer-emonial check for $16,715.44 rep-resenting the cost of maintenance

and repairs to the plaza.For more information on fallen

Vietnam veterans, visitwww.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces.

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Bette Spengler Meuleners stands behindher deceased husband’s name,Alexandrian Henry M. Spengler, withsister-in-law Pat Spengler,brother-in-law Jim Spenglerand daughter MelissaSpengler-Hendrickson at the May 27Memorial Day ceremony in Del Ray. Bettewas pregnant withMelissa when herhusband was taken captive in Vietnam.

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4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

Captain Eugene “Red” McDaniel, a decoratedVietnam War veteran who spent six yearsin captivity as a POW at the infamous

“Hanoi Hilton” prison, was the featured speaker May27 at the Alexandria National Cemetery MemorialDay ceremony.

McDaniel, recently named a Living Legend of Al-exandria, memorialized “the sacrifice of the hun-dreds of thousands of men and women who havepaid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we enjoytoday” in his remarks.

“It’s a moving experience to be here in our nation’soldest National Cemetery,” McDaniel said. McDanielwas shot down on May 19, 1967, while on his 81st

mission in an A-6A Intruder aircraft. His bombadier-navigator, Lieutenant James Kelly Patterson, is stillmissing in action.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held atAmerican Legion Post 24, where McDaniel met with

Attendees recite the Pledge of Allegiance to open the Memorial Day ceremony May 27 atAlexandria National Cemetery.

Reflecting on Sacrifice“Hanoi Hilton” POWspeaks at Memorial Dayceremony.

Members of theNavy Honor Guardprepare to presentthe colors at theMemorial Dayceremony atAlexandria Na-tional Cemetery.

Capt. Eugene McDaniel, left, greets WorldWar II veteran Col. Kim Ching during theMay 27 Memorial Day ceremony at Alexan-dria National Cemetery.

other veterans and signed copies of his book, “Scarsand Stripes.”

“I had 2,118 days to think about the freedoms ofthis nation,” McDaniel said. “We have the greatestcountry in the world and enjoy the greatest freedomsof any nation. But if we don’t guard it carefully itwill slip away and we will lose it.”

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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

The third-grade class of Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academypresented a Memorial Day pro-gram May 24 that honored the

sacrifice of veterans, recognized principalDr. Patricia Zissios and kindergarten teacherWanda Allen, and welcomed World War IIveteran Col. Kim Ching as a special guest.

Under the direction of music teacherDawn Seto, the program featured a selec-tion of patriotic songs and readings of po-ems by the students. Commander DougGurka of American Legion Post 24 presentedZissios and Allen with certificates of appre-ciation for their efforts in promoting patrio-tism and recognizing the sacrifices of vet-erans.

“It’s important that we understand, cel-ebrate and remember the sacrifices madeby our veterans,” said Dr. Patricia Zissiosduring the program.

“If we don’t teach our children aboutthese sacrifices, we don’t deserve the free-doms we now enjoy.”

Gurka thanked Zissios and Allen for their

continued support of special programsmarking Veterans Day, Memorial Day andFlag Day.

“The American Legion defines American-

ism, in part, as loyal patriotism, religioustolerance, righteous freedom, fearless cour-age, honest integrity and a love for the prin-ciples that let our forefathers to found this

Lyles-Crouch Celebrates Memorial DayStudents welcomePost 24 veterans.

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy kindergarten teacher Wanda Allenand principal Dr. Patricia Zissios, center, stand with members of Ameri-can Legion Post 24 after being honored for their efforts to promotepatriotism at the school’s May 24 Memorial Day program. With Allenand Zissios are Henry Dorton, Post 24 Commander Doug Gurka, WWIIveteran Col. Kim Ching and Jim Glassman.

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Acad-emy third graders Olof Hunnisand Carson Bishop hold the U.S.and state flags as students recitethe Pledge of Allegiance during aMay 24 Memorial Day program.

country,” Gurka said in presenting theawards. “One of the most important goalswe have is to pass these ideals on to ourchildren.”

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People

David P. Boylewill joinBurke &

Herbert Bank, theoldest bank in theCommonwealth ofVirginia, as its newpresident and chiefoperating officer, ef-fective June 3. W. Scott McSween, whoholds this position currently, will becomethe bank’s chief executive officer andserve in this role until year-end, at whichtime he will retire from the bank. Boylewill be named chief executive officer atthe beginning of 2020.

E. Hunt Burke will remain as the bank’schairman of the board, overseeing theboard of directors and representing the

bank in the community.“We are delighted to welcome David

Boyle to the Burke & Herbert Bank family,”said Burke. “A proven financial leader withcommunity banking experience, David willplay a critical role in ensuring Burke &Herbert Bank continues to grow and thrivefor many years to come.”

“Moreover, David has an appreciation forthe long, storied history of our bank andthe unique and important role that we playin the local community. We are excited tohave him on board,” Burke added.

Boyle brings more than 30 years of bank-ing and financial services management ex-perience to Burke & Herbert Bank. For thepast nearly seven years, he served as ex-ecutive vice president and chief financialofficer at Orrstown Bank, a $2-billion com-

munity bank headquartered inShippensburg, Pa. Prior to this role, heserved as the chief performance officer atPNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh, Pa.;president and chief executive officer at theaffiliate of National City Bank, headquar-tered in Cleveland, that served Michiganand Northwest Ohio; and chairman, presi-dent, and chief executive officer at WayneBancorp, Inc. in Wooster, Ohio.

“I am excited to join Burke & HerbertBank and honored to have been selected tolead the Bank forward into the next de-cade,” said Boyle. “It is clear Burke &Herbert Bank holds a special place in thelocal northern Virginia community and hasa strong focus on serving customers, whichhas been key to the bank’s success. I lookforward to leading this next chapter for the

Bank and driving additional growth,working closely with the Burke & HerbertBank team,” he added. Burke & HerbertBank was founded in 1852 by JohnWoolfolk Burke and Arthur Herbert. Hunt

Burke is the great, great grandson ofone of the bank’s founding partners andrepresents the fifth generation of theBurke family in a leadership role at thebank. Hunt Burke, who assumed the roleof chairman in 2010, and Scott McSween,who joined the bank as president andchief operating officer in 2009, have ledthe nearly 167-year old bank for the pastdecade. During this time, the bank’s baseof primary checking accounts more thandoubled, deposits grew by more than 30percent, and assets increased from $2billion to $3 billion.

Boyle Named President of Burke & Herbert Bank

Boyle

Remembering Coach YoastFrom Page 1

Bill Yoast with daughter BonnieYoast Jeffries. Jeffries, along withher sister Sheryl, predeceased herfather.

Coach Bill Yoast, seated at left, is shown with Coach Herman Boone,center back, and players from the 1971 TC Titans football team at the50th anniversary of T.C. Williams High School in 2015.

Betty Yoast, Jordan Fox, GraysonMatthews and Bill Yoast at the 2008 ArmyAll-American Bowl.

Bill Yoast with three of hisfive daughters: Angie,Sheryl and Dee Dee.

on to attend Georgia Military College andthen graduated from Mercer University witha Bachelor of Arts degree in physical edu-cation. He received his masters and EDSdegrees from Peabody College in Tennes-see.

Yoast excelled in sports and followed hislove for athletics into teaching school andcoaching football, basketball, baseball andtrack. Many of his teams had championshipseasons with Yoast being named Coach ofthe Year in both Georgia and Virginia.

Unlike the more verbose character playedby actor Will Patton on the big screen, Yoastwas a quiet man with a humble demeanor.

“I never heard my father raise his voice,”said Yoast’s daughter Dee Dee Fox. “Thatwas some accomplishment considering allthe hours he spent teaching us all how todrive.”

Yoast moved his family to Springfield in1960 from Roswell, Ga., where he taughtand coached at Roswell High School. Hewas a teacher and coach at Hammond HighSchool from 1960-1970, winning the Vir-ginia AAA Regional Championship with his1969 Hammond Admirals. He then movedto T.C. Williams to serve as Defensive Coor-dinator/Assistant Coach to Herman Boone.Yoast also coached track and field, taughtP.E. and Driver’s Education at T.C. Williamsuntil he retired from teaching in 1990. Hecontinued coaching football until 1996when his daughter, Sheryl Yoast Matthews,died.

“A father should not have to bury hisdaughter,” Fox said. “Sheryl’s death slowedhim down quite a bit.”

Yoast retired to Bethany Beach, Del.,where he spent much of his time pond fish-ing. He continued to stay active and liftweights well into his 80s.

“Dad loved to fish and taught all of hisgrandchildren the art of patience and be-ing still through fishing on the pond,” Foxsaid.

With the 2000 release of “Remember theTitans,” the story of the relationship be-

tween Yoast and Herman Boone as theycoached the 1971 T.C. football team to theVirginia State Championship, Yoast rode thewave.

“The release of the movie gave Dad a newlease on life,” Fox said. “Suddenly a manwho never traveled was traveling andspeaking throughout the country, co-authoring a book, doing community serviceevents and hopefully inspiring future gen-erations.”

Circuit Court Judge James Clark neverplayed for Yoast but formed a friendshipthat lasted more than 50 years.

“Coach Yoast was one of those rare hu-man beings who truly cared more aboutothers than he cared about himself,” Clarksaid. “Although he was a great coach, andbefore that a great athlete, he maintaineda genuine humility and was comfortableenough with himself that he could takegreat pleasure in the accomplishments ofothers.”

In 2014, Yoast returned to Northern Vir-ginia to live with his daughter, Angie YoastGarrison, and his son-in-law, Rick Garrison.In the fall of 2018, Yoast moved intoAarondale Assisted Living in Springfield.While there, he was visited often by formerplayers, coaches and family.

“One memory I will never forget is being

at the beach with my family shortly after‘Remember the Titans’ came out,” Clarkadded. “By utter coincidence we ran intohim and he agreed to have lunch with mykids, who loved the movie. One of themasked if the team really ran to theGettysburg battlefield and if coach Boonereally gave the inspirational speech that wasin the movie. Coach just smiled and said‘Well we actually took a bus to the battle-field and the bus driver gave that speechover a loudspeaker in the bus.’ Coach never

liked anyone taking too much credit — es-pecially for something that didn’t exactlyhappen.”

Yoast was the father of five girls, a grand-father and great-grandfather. He is survivedby Betty Yoast, mother of three of his fivedaughters; daughters Susan Gail Greeson,Angie Yoast Garrison and Dee Dee Yoast Fox.He was preceded in death by daughtersSheryl Yoast Matthews and Bonnie Yoast

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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Shirley Ruhe

Gazette Packet

Four Alexandria Recre-ation and Parksworkers lower a picnic

table from their work truck tothe path leading intoMonticello Park on Wednes-day, May 22. This new picnicbench will replace a crum-bling bench currently sittingby the stream in the front ofthe park.

This new bench was fundedby the $10,000 matchingpartnership grant received byAlexandria Country DaySchool (ACDS) for commu-nity organizations that wantto make improvements in cityparks.

The grant also includes re-placement of the park benchlocated near the picnic tableas well as the creation of a

Out with Old, In with New

Recreation and Parks workers unload a newpicnic table at Monticello Park.

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new interpretative sign that has been cre-ated by the ACDS students and will beplaced near the bridge at the front of thepark. Monticello Park is a small park locatedon Beverly Street close to the school. Withits tree canopy and stream wanderingthrough the park, it offers an oasis to mi-

grating warblers in the spring as well as ahabitat for resident birds. ACDS studentshave been studying the plants and birds inthe park as part of their curriculum andusing the park as their own outdoor labo-ratory. The sign will reflect their bird re-search and include original student art.

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News

See 35th Senate District, Page 22

By Michael Lee Pope

Gazette Packet

The last time Senate MinorityLeader Dick Saslaw had a pri-mary opponent, Jimmy Carterwas in the White House and the

Bee Gees were at the top of the charts. Eversince then, Saslaw has avoided any primaryopposition in a district that is one of themost solidly Democratic seats in the com-monwealth. In that time, he’s earned a repu-tation as a tough-as-nails lawmaker who isliberal on social issues but business friendly.Campaign-finance records show he’s takenabout $350,000 from utility monopoly Do-minion since 1996, when the Virginia Pub-lic Access Project started compiling records.When asked about his campaign-financedisclosures, Saslaw turns the questionaround.

“Do you really think anybody owns megiven my financial situation?” asks Saslaw.“Do you know why I get this money? Be-cause I’m the party leader. I’m the personwho’s supposed to raise money for the cau-cus, OK? Do you really think that influencesmy vote?”

This year, for the first time since 1979,Saslaw has primary opposition. Not just oneopponent, but two. The minority leader haslong attracted opposition from the liberalwing of the Democratic Party. This year,though, though, Democrats believe they areon the verge of seizing the majority. Thatcreates a sense of momentum for Saslaw,who would become majority leader. But it’salso created a kind of energy for the liberalwing of the party that opposes Saslaw’sbusiness-friendly approach.

“If somebody like Dick Saslaw is facingone challenger then the anti-Saslaw votewill organize around that one challenger,”said Quentin Kidd, a political science pro-fessor at Christopher Newport University.“When you get more than one — in thiscase two — it increases the odds of Saslawwinning that primary. And I think the oddsare in his favor anyway.”

YASMINE TAEB, 39, is a native of Tehran,Iran. Her family came to America in 1987.She has a bachelor of arts in political sci-ence from the University of Florida. She hasa juris doctorate from Penn State. As a law-yer, she works in legislative affairs and callsherself a “peace lobbyist.” Until recently, shewas senior policy counsel for the Washing-ton-based Center for Victims of Torture,where she led advocacy for refugees andasylum seekers. She resigned that positionto focus full time on the campaign. She is amember of the Democratic Socialists, al-though she prefers to call herself a progres-sive Democrat — a worldview she says sup-ports getting corporate money out of poli-tics and increasing access to healthcare andhousing while “fighting for working fami-lies.”

“Our district is the most liberal Demo-cratic district in Virginia and yet it’s repre-

sented by one of the most conservativeDemocrats in the General Assembly,” saysTaeb. “I’m running because our voters de-serve to have a representative who will fightfor working families and defend NorthernVirginia’s diversity, and our voters deserveto have someone representing them who ismore aligned with their values.”

If elected, she says, she would repealVirginia’s right to work law that limits thepower of unions. She says she would alsowork to outlaw corporate contributions topolitical campaigns. And she says she wouldpursue abolishing the death penalty in Vir-ginia. Ultimately, she says, she would be freeof the kind of influence she believes corpo-rate donors have on Saslaw — a theme thatshe weaves into almost every position shetakes on the campaign trail.

“I am going to be prioritizing humanrights issues and making sure that I’m fight-ing for the most vulnerable in our commu-nities and making sure that our voters knowthat they take priority over corporate inter-ests,” says Taeb. “I’ll do everything I can toensure that the political process is made

more fair and more accessible to ordinaryAmericans.”

KAREN TORRENT, 60, is a native of RedBank, N.J. to a Scottish mother and anArgentenian father. Her father was not anAmerican citizen and did not have a greencard, so her family had to leave the countryfor several years. They lived in Argentinaand Canada before moving back to theUnited States, where they settled in Dover,Ohio. She has a bachelor of arts in politicalscience and economics from BaldwinWallace College in Ohio, where she playedtennis. She has a master’s of public policyfrom the University of Michigan and a jurisdoctorate from the University of MinnesotaLaw School. Professionally, she’s had a num-ber of jobs ranging from a trial attorney withthe United States Department of Justice inthe Environmental Enforcement Division tostaff counsel to the House Energy and Com-merce Committee under Chairman JohnDingell. She also worked on the 2008Obama campaign, later becoming a lobby-ist for the Environmental Law and Policy

Center and a general counsel for Secure Fu-tures Virginia before opening her own firm,Torrent Energy Consulting.

“We need to put Virginia on a sustainablepath to combat the climate risk, and thegood news is that we can do that by em-bracing the clean energy economy,” saysTorrent. “We have 12 years go get our acttogether, and I would rather spend the nextfour years doing that rather than spendingthem with the status quo of allowing Do-minion to do our energy future.”

If elected, Torrent says she would workto change how Dominion is regulated, mov-ing away from kilowatt per hour and in-stead moving toward price performanceguarantee.

She also wants the General Assembly tomandate and finance bus rapid transit onRoute 7, connecting to the Amazon cam-pus in Crystal City. Ultimately she wouldlike to see a grid modernization docket simi-lar to states like Minnesota, Michigan andMaryland. Essentially that would changethe pricing model for Dominion, rewardingenergy efficiency instead of kilowatts perhour. She would also like to see the Gen-eral Assembly create economic incentivesfor transit-oriented development. Shewould also like to extend the General As-sembly session to 90 days a year rather thanthe current breakneck speed. When askedabout Saslaw, she recalls her experiencerepresenting ratepayers before the SupremeCourt of Virginia challenging the constitu-tionality of the rate freeze bill.

“During that oral argument, one of thejustices who formerly worked for McGuireWoods representing Dominion turned to meand said, ‘Ms. Torrent, the remedy you areseeking is to elect people to the legislaturewho will not pass rate freeze bills,’” saysTorrent. “So here I am.”

SASLAW, 79, is a native of Washington,D.C. After graduating high school in ChevyChase, Md., he enlisted in the Army, wherehe served for two years before receiving anhonorable discharge in 1960. He has a bach-elor of science in economics from the Uni-versity of Maryland. He spent a year at theNaval Air Systems Command before mov-ing to the private sector, working for a de-fense contractor and later selling real es-tate. In 1980, Saslaw bought his first gasstation — a business that eventually ex-panded to nine gas stations. In 2007, he soldoff most of the stations, although he stillowns one in Chantilly. He also owns rentalproperty at Braddock Road and BacklickRoad.

“As majority leader, I think I could do anawful lot not only for the people of the 35thDistrict but Northern Virginia and the state,”says Saslaw. “We can direct more moneytoward K-12. I think we can finally getthrough some of these bills that would bringsome sense to our gun laws. And we needto try to see if we can steer some moremoney to higher ed.”

Saslaw hasn’t had a primary challenge since the 1970s; now he has two.Senate Minority Leader Faces Two Primary Challengers

Virginia Public Access Project

The 35th Senate District stretches from Springfield into West End ofAlexandria through Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners into FallsChurch and Merrifield. It’s one of the bluest Senate districts in Virginia.

Karen TorrentDick Saslaw Yasmine Taeb

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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

I-395 Shirlington InterchangeImprovements Study

Arlington County City of Alexandria

Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Presentation starts at 7:30 p.m.

Drew Model Elementary School

3500 23rd Street South

Arlington, VA 22206

Find out about a study to improve safety and operations at the

I-395 Shirlington interchange, including the ramp from South

Glebe Road to southbound I-395, the South Shirlington Road

stop controlled intersection of Gunston Road and Martha Custis

Drive.

Stop by between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to view displays and learn

more about the study. VDOT will hold a presentation beginning

-

tions.

Review project information at the VDOT project website

(www.virginiadot.org/projects), at the information meeting,

or during business hours at VDOT’s Northern Virginia District

703-259-2318 or TTY/TDD 711 to ensure appropriate personnel

Give your written comments at the meeting, or submit them

by June 24, 2019 to Olivia Daniszewski, EIT, Virginia Depart-

or email [email protected]. Please refer-

ence “I-395 Shirlington Interchange Improvements Study” in the

subject line.

programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII

special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English

UPC: 107831

Michael J. McMorrow, ofArlington, died on May18, 2019. He was born

Nov. 20, 1937, to Michael J. andAlice (McBride) McMorrow in Buf-falo, N.Y. and is survived by hiswife nee Mary Louise Schenewerkof Rochester, Minn.; his four chil-dren — Mary Alice (Charles Ball),Walpole, Mass.; Margaret Ann“Megan” (Barry Reicherter), Ar-lington; Myles Patrick (KateGilchrist), McLean; and MaureenEllen (John Bett), Arlington; andsix grand-children Regan Ball;Brendan, Madeline and Mary KateReicherter; Aiden McMorrow; andColleen Bett.

Michael graduated fromCanisius College, Buffalo, N.Y. andSt. John’s University School of Lawbefore being admitted to the NewYork Bar. He served in the GeneralCounsel’s Office of the MaritimeAdministration for nearly 40 years,heading the Divisions of Adminis-tration and Litigation, with serviceto the Merchant Marine, before re-tiring in 2002 as Assistant GeneralCounsel/Supervisory Trial Attor-ney.

Longtime resident of Arlington,his many retirement activities in-cluded court-room docent at theU. S. Supreme Court; journalist writing for North-ern Virginia’s Connection Newspapers; many projectsof Edward Douglass White Council, Knights of Co-lumbus; and enjoying time with his grandchildren.

As a freelance writer and photographer for Con-nection Newspapers since December 2010, he con-tributed more than 155 stories and photographs pri-marily for the Arlington and Alexandria editions. Inhis introductory letter seeking the opportunity towrite, he concluded his list of work experience andeducation with “father and grandfather.” He had at-

tached more than 30 story ideas that appealed to hisinterests in history and government.

There will be a Memorial Mass at St. James Church,Falls Church, 1 p.m., Saturday, June 1, 2019.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made toeither Bishop Timon High School, 601 McKinleyPkwy., Buffalo, NY 14220, www.bishoptimon.com/Donate; or Honor Flight, Inc., Attn: MeredithRosenbeck (kofcedw2473), 175 South Tuttle Road,Springfield, OH 45505, www.honorflight.org/do-nate-online.

Michael J. McMorrowObituary

Freelance journalist Mike McMorrow, left, shows Col.Kevin Rue (ret.) information regarding the death of aVietnam veteran found in the archives of the AlexandriaGazette last November. McMorrow was instrumental inlocating photos of local Vietnam veterans as part of thenational Faces of the Fallen project. He died May 18 atthe age of 81.

Pho

to

by Jean

ne T

heism

an

n/G

azette Packet

By Eden Brown

Gazette Packet

Mike McMorrow used to come into the edi-torial meeting at the Connection Newspapers building on King Street, into a

room that was always too hot in summer and toocold in winter, and sit right under where the ceilingleaked, and pull out his list. He always had a cup ofblack coffee in one hand, and said he came for thedonuts. But he had a running list of stories he wantedsomeone to tell — whether about housing, or over

development, a questionableallocation of finances, or apick-up basketball leaguethat he found particularly

touching, because there were men in their 60s in it.He had his ear to the ground in Arlington, and thewisdom of a man who’d lived here most of his life.

He wouldn’t always write the stories himself: he’dpick who around the table should take the story on.He was looked up to by the new interns and staff,and many of them started writing for the paper be-cause McMorrow was an inspiration to them andwould push them gently: “Follow the money,” he’d

say. “Who’s profiting from that?” Or, “Did you writethat story yet? What are you waiting for?” Or “Goodstory. Reminds me of Joseph Mitchell. What? You’venever heard of Joseph Mitchell?! Go get a copy of“Up in the Old Hotel.” Read the story aboutMcSorley’s Saloon in New York.” He had a soft spotfor stories about Hall’s Hill in Arlington, about WorldWar II veterans, and about the old Arlington build-ings and their history.

Mike had an Irishman’s sense of humor, intensity,calm, intelligence,and sweetness that made him ap-proachable, fun to spend a moment with, andnobody’s fool.

No one knew how old he was, because he neverseemed old. When he started fighting cancer, losingweight and energy, he still came to the weekly meet-ing, chemo strapped to his belt, his bright blue eyesdancing around the table to see who he could get totake on another story.

We will miss you, Mike. May the road rise up tomeet you. May the wind always be at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rainsfall soft upon your fields.

Eden Brown is a freelance writer and photographer.

Recalling Mike and His Story List

An Appreciation

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10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

have submitted a petition signed by more than1,200 city residents in favor of keeping Semi-nary Road car lanes intact.

We are the people who must live with theconsequences of lane reductions, including cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets andmore gridlock. City staff should not ignore themajority of residents who will be affected bythis effort and are seeking a balanced ap-proach.

Regional bike lobbying groups and nationalscooter companies should not be able to un-fairly influence this process.

We urge city leaders to listen to the voices ofour civic associations and maintain SeminaryRoad with four car travel lanes and reason-able safety improvements. Now is the time forresidents to speak up and allow voter voicesto be heard. In addition to attending meetings,residents can use the City’s Call, Click, Con-nect online reporting and comment system(703-746-4357) to register their views.

Clover College Park Civic AssociationSeminary Hill Association

Seminary West Civic AssociationNorth Ridge Citizens’ Association

Opinion

See Letters, Page 11

www.AlexandriaGazette.com

@AlexGazette

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

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The Alexandria Gazette Packet is distributed weeklyto selected homes in the City of Alexandria.

Any owners or occupants of premises that do notwish to receive the paper can notify the publisher

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Gazette PacketAlexandria

In Honor of Memorial DayOld Glory at Heritage At Old Town: The beauty of the Red, White andBlue. Through the clouds, there’s a path like a walkway from a distance.— Activist Geri Baldwin Alexandria

Pho

to

by A

ctivist G

eri Baldw

in

By Ian Sterne

Emergency Preparedness Manager

Volunteer Alexandria

I had every intention of writing a pieceabout hurricanes on the eve of the At-lantic Hurricane Season (June 1 - Nov.30), but I need a pause to talk about what

I witnessed on May 23 after a strong thunder-storm ravaged our region once again. Alexan-

dria is no stranger to strongstorms. The history of Alex-andria is rife with examplesof flooding, hurricanes, torna-does, and — in recent

memory — a derecho.What I saw last week was not a community

torn apart by a storm but one brought closertogether. I saw neighbors out checking on

neighbors. Strangers stopping to clear downedtrees and block off streets with downed powerlines. I saw some of the best Alexandrians ondisplay, all from one storm that will soon beforgotten. Seeing all this confirmed what Iknow about volunteering. It shows that evenunplanned spontaneous volunteerism brings acommunity closer together. A community thatis prepared with people ready to step forwardto help is a community that can weather anystorm.

And storms will be coming. For 2019, it ispredicted that there may be 9-15 namedstorms. We have already seen the first stormof the year (Andrea) form and fade in the At-lantic. Of the 9-15 storms, 4-8 could becomehurricanes and of those 2-4 may become ma-jor hurricanes (noaa.gov). It will only take onestorm to do a great amount of damage to a

community that is not prepared.I encourage you all to take time now to pre-

pare. Ensure that you have three days of foodfor you and everyone in your home and don’tforget your pets. You should also have at leasta gallon of water per person per day. Ensureyou have all the medications you will need aswell as a backup copy of any prescriptions youare taking. Take the time now to read up onother ways you can prepare yourselves for anystorm that may threaten (ready.gov).

If you are in the position to help others,please volunteer. Get out into your communi-ties and get to know your neighbors before astorm brings you together. You can find waysto volunteer in your communities atwww.volunteeralexandria.org.

I may never have been a Boy Scout but I canalways be prepared.

City Is No Stranger to Strong Storms

Volunteer

Alexandria

Save Car LanesOn Seminary RoadTo the Editor:

On May 30, city staff will be bringing theirrecommendation for the redesign of SeminaryRoad to a community meeting at St. Stephen’s& St. Agnes Upper School. As we await theirdecision, we want to convey the shared con-cerns of our civic associations over the city-preferred Alternative 3 proposal, which incor-porates a road diet to reduce car travel lanesfrom four lanes to two lanes, with a center leftturn only lane. Why is the city setting up a falsechoice between safety and traffic flow, asthough they are mutually exclusive, and notequally impactful on our quality of life?

As the Clover College Park Civic Association(CCPCA) has written to city staff: “Our resi-dents have expressed concerns that the city isusing safety as a reason to propose reducingthe number of travel lanes on Seminary, whilethe city’s data shows this stretch of SeminaryRoad does not have a major safety problem.”While Seminary Road is one of Alexandria’sbusiest arterial roadways, the stretch of roadbeing considered for car lane reductions is ac-tually one of the safest in the city.

Along with CCPCA, the Seminary Hill Asso-ciation (SHA), the Seminary West Civic Asso-ciation (SWCA) and the North Ridge Citizens’Association (NRCA) have studied the city’sthree proposals and concluded that none aresatisfactory to a majority of our residents. Thereality is, a large number of people in north/central Alexandria cannot walk, ride bikes orreach our daily destinations via our meagerpublic transit system. For many seniors, dis-abled residents and families with children,these are not workable, practical options.

SHA has presented a reasonable compromiseto balance pedestrian safety with mobility inAlternative 4, which calls for narrowing thefour car-travel lanes to reduce speed, addingcrosswalks at bus stops and Ft. Williams Park-way, increasing speed enforcement and creat-ing an additional buffer between pedestriansand car travel.

To be clear: We all want safe city streets, butAlternative 3 is not the right solution. Citizens

Letters to the Editor

Too ManySnafusTo the Editor:

I attended the appeal of the recent Board ofArchitectural Review hearing heard before CityCouncil. The original expectation was that thispublic hearing would be held on a Saturday inApril at the usual time for a Council publichearing. I am unclear as to the reason to post-pone. At the beginning of the hearing MayorWilson described the need to reschedule as a“snafu.” That part was very clear. It was onlythe first of three related to this matter.

The city government in recent years has en-deavored to interact with citizens online, in-cluding encouraging them to sign up online tospeak at public hearings. However, no one atcity hall remembered to reprogram the on-linesignup system to allow signing up on Tuesday,when normally Council does not hear publichearing items.

This hearing had the largest public atten-dance of any I have participated in recent years.Many citizens who had never before spoken at

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See Letters, Page 15

From Page 10

Letters

a public hearing tried to sign uponline and got a message that nopublic hearing items would beheard on Tuesday, May 14.

Naturally these involved citizensattempting to exercise their rightsas Americans were livid, not to sayenraged. Luckily some of us whohad previously participated inpublic hearings were able to getthe word out that anyone whocalled the City Clerk’s office couldsign up by speaking with one ofthe efficient employees there. Weaverted what could have been anugly incident at the public hear-ing. That was snafu number two.

Finally the mayor’s lack ofimagination caused snafu numberthree. The Tuesday legislativemeeting is used to honor the out-standing work of the city’s volun-teers and employees such as thefire chief with ceremonial presen-tations and to hear reports on im-portant issues such as the comingMetro shutdown. These matterswere scheduled well in advanceand could not be rescheduled.

The one public hearing did notbegin until around 9 p.m. and con-tinued until close to 1 a.m. MayorWilson complained about the late-ness of the hour several times. Asthe mayor, he could have set thispublic hearing for a special night,such as Thursday, May 16. Theannual public hearing on spend-ing in the city budget is alwaysheld on a Monday night. With justa little imagination on his part, themayor and Council and all the citi-zens present for that hearing couldhave gotten to bed earlier on Tues-day night, on rather earlier onWednesday morning.

Katy CannadyAlexandria

Whose CityIs This?To the Editor:

A disconnect exists between thepublic and our public servants. Ithink it’s a serious one. Briefly, ourpublic servants are not askingwhat we want; they’re telling uswhat we’re getting. The result: It’snot our city; it’s theirs. But thereis a way to take it back. First, someexamples:

❖ Seminary Road. Consider thecity’s imperious decision to shrinka major thoroughfare serving largeneighborhoods. The city – not themany residents served by thestreet — decided less automobilecapacity on Seminary Road wasnecessary.

Mind you, this is the same citythat approved infill housing inneighborhoods served by thisstreet. In other words, the city de-

cided to add more cars to neigh-borhoods while simultaneouslyseeking to diminish the capacityof this major street to accommo-date them.

❖ Stadium Lights. There hasbeen in effect for a generation ano-stadium-night-lights agree-ment between the city and certainresidents. The agreement enabledthe city to displace these residents,all African Americans, to build thestadium. Now, years later, to installstadium night lights, our publicservants decided no agreementever existed.

At a minimum, you would thinkthe city would recognize, for aschool struggling to fulfill its edu-cation mission, that money en-abling an extracurricular activityat night would offend taxpayersand nearby residents alike. Youwould be wrong. Our rubberstamping City Council now lovesnight lights, and now the matteris being litigated, and at your ex-pense too.

❖ Potomac Yard Metro has to bethe most colossal example of pub-lic servant spitting in the eye ofcitizens it ostensibly serves. Overvigorous objection by citizens, ourpublic servants — whose cheer-leader is our current mayor —decided to construct a Metro sta-tion atop a federally protectedwetlands.

Our public servants never seri-ously assessed whether more fre-quent bus service, perhaps bysmaller buses, would address thePotomac Yard transportation need.Nor did they seriously considermoving the Metro a few hundredfeet so it wouldn’t impact fragilewetlands, or an easement belong-ing to the American people. Hadthey did so 10 years ago, the Metrowould exist, and the easementbelonging to all Americans wouldbe intact.

❖ Justice Black Property. This is-sue makes clear it’s pointless toseek redress from our City Coun-cil. Ask any of the many who re-cently sought to preserve unal-tered the Justice Black property.They’ll tell you it’s a waste of timeto appeal to our councilors — thevery same individuals who re-cently sought our vote by profess-ing to be good representatives ofthe public’s interest. What they’veturned out to be are good rubberstamps for public servants.

❖ Karig. And don’t think aboutusing the judicial system to obtainrelief from public servants’ deci-sions.

Our public servants will vigor-ously defend their decisions and,to add insult to injury, will useyour money to do so. The Karigmatter is a perfect illustration. Thecity, not the citizens, decided thiswooded area did not deserve pro-

tection from mega-mansions.The list could go on to include

overbuilding the waterfront; goofyparking schemes in Old Town;scooters on sidewalks; removingzoning restrictions on buildingheights; killing sources of tax rev-enue by operating tax subsidizedbusinesses with which no taxpay-ing private sector company cancompete.

None of these were sought by amajority of residents, especiallydestroying protected wetlands and

an easement not belonging to thecity

If you want to make our publicservants responsive to us, the pub-lic, then clamor for a new citymanager followed by electingcouncil members from wards. Ata minimum, the latter step willmake those we elect accountableto their communities rather thanto a political party caucus.

Jimm RobertsAlexandria

ParkingFrustrationsTo the Editor:

Why is it that prior to one of thebig races on a Sunday, parking onUnion Street is banned for twoconsecutive days (Saturday andSunday), from George’s House atMount Vernon to Old Town. In thiscase, almost all of the parkingspaces on Union Street were

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12 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

By Char McCargo Bah

Over 20 years ago,two ladies whowere concernedabout the Woodrow

Wilson Bridge Expansion Projectimpacting their neighborhoods,took an active role on the project.The two were from differentneighborhoods and on oppositesides of what they wanted fromthe developers of the project. Un-known to them at the time, an is-

sue would bringthem together inorder to fight abigger battleahead. Lillie

Finklea and Louise Massoud com-bined their skills in activism thatwould help them fight to restorethe forgotten Freedmen Cemetery.

Those two ladies had more incommon than they realized. Bothof them were born in Washington,D.C. They were about the sameage, and they had a strong will towage a battle. In the WoodrowWilson Bridge Expansion ProjectPlan, it was discovered that a cem-etery was located under the gas

station at Washington and Churchstreets. The two ladies learnedabout the cemetery in the Wash-ington Post, including the historyof the cemetery. This cemetery wasclose to their neighborhood. Theywanted to take an active role inraising awareness to the citizensof Alexandria. Lillie and Louisestarted a Friends of the FreedmenCemetery group and, with severalother volunteers, they helped tobring a national awareness aboutthe existence of the cemetery.

It was a remarkable success forthose two women from differentbackgrounds to come together andsecure a future site for theFreedmen’s Cemetery. They madea difference to all those descen-dants of the cemetery who had noidea that they had ancestors bur-ied there. Through Lillie andLouise’s efforts, they solicited helpfrom the former Mayor Bill Euille,City Council members, the devel-opers of the Woodrow WilsonBridge Expansion Project and thenCongressman James (Jim) Moran.

Lillie and Louise lobbied the lo-cal and Federal authorities for helpfor the cemetery, and money was

set aside to develop the cemeteryinto a Freedmen’s Memorial Cem-etery.

The two ladies are now about80 years old. The Freedmen’sCemetery is now a beautiful me-morial park for over 1,700 peoplewho died as a result of wantingtheir freedom. Things might havebeen different for the future of this

cemetery if it hadn’t been for thosetwo ladies who came together tofight for the cemetery to be recog-nized, and to be celebrated for itsrole in history.

During Memorial Day, therewere many cars driving downWashington Street and many ofthose travelers may have lookedover and saw a big statue at the

Freedmen’s Cemetery, and won-dered about its history.

Today, Louise lives in theShenandoah Mountains of Vir-ginia, and Lillie still lives in Alex-andria under the care of her fam-ily. Back in 1997, the formerMayor Euille issued a proclama-tion, declaring the last week ofMay as a “Week of Remembranceof the Freedmen’s Cemetery.”We’re indebted to Lillie and Louisefor their time and effort they spentin making the Freedmen’s Cem-etery a reality.

Many people would wonder iftwo individuals can make a differ-ence. Louise and Lillie did not askthat question, they rolled up theirsleeves and they accomplishedwhat others did not. They restoreda piece of African American his-tory that was unknown to many,and they made the descendants ofthis cemetery proud for their ac-tive role in helping to keep historyalive.

For the month of May andthroughout the year, I salute thetwo women for their tireless ef-forts in making sure we do not for-get those who fought for freedom.

Char McCargo Bah is a published au-thor, freelance writer, independenthistorian, genealogist and a Living Legendof Alexandria. She maintains two blogs,http://www.theotheralexandria.com andhttp://www.findingthingsforu.com.

History

Two Unlikely Activists Made History

Lillie Finkle (left) and Louise Massoud at the 2014Freedmen’s Dedication Ceremony.

The Alexandria’sFreedmen’s Cemetery.

Photos by Steven Halperson/

Tisara Photography

The Other

Alexandria

WEDNESDAY/JUNE 5Solarize Alexandria. 6:30-7:30

p.m. at City Hall, 301 King St.,Sister Cities Conference Room1101. Solarize Alexandria, theprogram designed to make iteasier and more affordable forresidents and business ownersto install solar power systemson Alexandria properties, willhold its fifth annual campaignthrough June 14. Learn moreabout the benefits ofconverting to solar power.Property owners who registerfor the Solarize Alexandriaprogram receive a free, no-obligation solar siteassessment for their homes orbusinesses. Visitsolarizenova.org/solarize-alexandria.

Bulletin Board

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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Paid Advertisement

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News

From Page 1

Alexandria Schools’ Budget: Final Adjustmentsmula to come in and do this job ‘moreefficiently’ [finger quotes] and savemoney. But that’s just not true. Clean-ing buildings is not rocket science. I don’tmean to diminish the work of our cus-todians, because they do an amazing joband I believe that all work has dignity.But we don’t need to go outside Alexan-dria to find expertise to clean our build-ings. … Is this a reflection of our values… ? We’re proud to live in a city thatprides itself on being inclusive. We wantpeople who work here to be able to livehere and raise a family. We want peopleto be able to retire with dignity. We wringour hands about income inequality andthe lack of affordable housing and thehigh percentage of our students livingin poverty. … It’s in moments like thisand decisions like this. … We need tothink beyond just balancing next year’s

budget.”Other School Board members expressed

satisfaction with the present compromise.Over Rief and School Board member JacintaGreene’s dissent, they decided not to bringRief’s to the final budget vote on June 6.

BOTTOM-UP ‘RESTORATIVEPRACTICES’

School Board member Heather Thorntonproposed adding $155,000 for a middleschool restorative practices coordinator. Theschools’ discipline data showed that minori-ties and students with disabilities are sus-pended disproportionately. Though disci-pline referrals jumped 34 percent year-on-year at the elementary level, they decreasedslightly — by three percent — division-wide.

Restorative practices are a framework formaintaining and repairing community re-lationships when an infraction, such as a

fight, has occurred. They may take the formof “community circles,” wherein a teacherguides small group discussion.

School Board members and staff broadlyexpressed a desire to address the demo-graphic imbalance in suspensions, but alsodoubt that hiring a Central Office restor-ative practices coordinator represents thebest option.

Hutchings and his staff would prefer abottom-up model, where liaisons in indi-vidual schools would help train teachers in-house.

Hutchings said: “Just putting in a coordi-nator is not going to solve our problems.We’re going to have to get the buy-in fromour staff so that we are utilizing the re-sources that we currently have in place withfidelity. … It’s too much for one person, ortwo people. So we are going to have to relyon teachers, administrators, support staffto help us with community circles or imple-

mentation of other facets of restorativepractices.”

School Board member MeaganAlderton said: “We want to jump onthese band wagons for a fix, but we don’thave the foundation for it. … Restorativepractice should be a layer on top ofsome very basic things that should behappening in our schools.”

She added: “I think it’s easy for staffto lean toward more punitive thingslike suspension because they don’teven know with the expectation are.… Should we be on a restorative prac-tices trajectory at some point? Abso-lutely. But I continue to caution us toreally do it right, and not just do itbecause it’s the things we’ve heardabout or read about.”

The School Board decided unani-mously not to bring Thorton’s proposalto the final budget vote.

By Rikki George

Gazette Packet

Wear Orange events and#WearOrange activitiesare being planned for Na-tional Gun Awareness Day,

the first Friday in June. These are coordi-nated grass-roots efforts by the volunteer-driven, nonpartisan nonprofit Moms De-mand Action for Gun Sense in America,which has chapters in every state and theDistrict of Columbia.

Alexandria’s local chapter will hold itsthird annual Wear Orange rally, consideredits signature event, at Market Square, 301King St., on Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

“Our Wear Orange rally is about our com-munity coming together, making a resound-ing statement that gun violence is an epi-demic that we know how to solve and thatwe will solve together,” said Carlos A.Gutierrez, community outreach lead for theorganization’s local chapter in Alexandria.

Orange became the defining color of thegun violence prevention movement after thedeath of Hadiya Pendleton who was shotand killed in Chicago at the age of 15, oneweek after performing at President Obama’ssecond inaugural parade in 2013. Herfriends asked the public to stand up, speakout and wear orange, Hadiya’s favoritecolor, to raise awareness about gun vio-lence.

Galvanized by that, Alexandria’s chapterhas been “honoring loved ones lost, raisingvoices of survivors and communities dispro-portionately impacted and responding tothe call of action to prevent gun violence,”Gutierrez said.

Hundreds have supported the Wear Or-ange rally — not only community activists

but also responsible adult gun holders whoback the Second Amendment. Students,businesses, faith leaders, sororities, friendsand family are also behind the 2019 effort,including Students Demand Action: BishopIreton Chapter, Alfred Street Baptist Church,Christ Church, Del Ray Pizzeria and NOVAPride, among many others.

“We are advertising the rally and raisingthe issue in social media,” said JonathanKrall, co-founder of the advocacy groupGrassroots Alexandria. “We support Moth-ers Demand Action for Gun Sense so thatthey will keep up the effort.”

According to Gutierrez, Moms DemandAction for Gun Sense in America have a

track record of federal and state legislativeaccomplishments, such as the House pass-ing H.R. 1112, a bill closing the “Charles-ton Loophole” that allows licensed dealersto sell a gun after three business days eventhough a background check has not beencompleted. It is called “the Charleston Loop-hole” since this loophole was responsiblefor a shooter obtaining a gun in 2015 heused to kill people at a historically blackchurch in Charleston, S.C.

The Moms Demand Action for Gun Sensein America nonprofit has also secured ap-propriations for new CDC and NIH fundingfor gun violence research, and developed atraining program called Be SMART focused

on storing firearms appropriately and othersimple steps to reduce the number of gun-related deaths, suicides and accidents byyouth aged 17 and under because they haveaccess to a firearm.

The work doesn’t end there. “Everydaythere’s another horrible event. Gunshootings,” said Janet Murphy, of GrassrootsAlexandria. “Rallies are a way to come andsupport and a way to stand up against gunviolence.”

For more information on Alexandria’sWear Orange rally at Market Square, go to:https://act.everytown.org/event/wear-or-a n g e - 2 0 1 9 / 2 2 0 6 8 / s i g n u p /?source=&akid=&zip=.

Rally To Reduce Gun Violence#WearOrange supporters to gather at Market Square.

Alexandria’s Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense chapter holds its third annual Wear Orange rally at Mar-ket Square on June 7 at 7 p.m., in an effort to support a future free from gun violence.

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Opinion

By G. Christopher

Wright, JD, CPA

Scams — they happen. And, I amguessing that it has happened toyou or someone you know. Sometimes, it’s a small hack to your so-

cial media account that takes over youraddress book and sends out spam emails toall your friends and family. In other cases,it’s a sophisticated financial fraud scheme.Sometimes, the perpetrator is someone youknow: a caretaker, a child, a neighbor.

As a tax attorney, I am well aware of theIRS impersonators. They call you up at oddtimes of the day and might leave you amessage saying that you owe the IRS a lotof money, and that you are going to jail ifyou don’t pay. I have received calls fromclients at night, in an absolute panic, aboutthese exact types of calls.

Or, how about the stories we have becomeall too familiar with. Grandpa keeps send-ing his money to a company that promisedto protect him from identity theft, only tofind out months later that Grandpa has sentseveral payments that now total $50,000to a company that does not exist. By thetime family members find out, the theft isover. Grandpa, too ashamed to admit he wasduped, didn’t tell anyone.

But it’s not just the elderly who get

scammed. Oh no. Online dating scams area common occurrence. Crooks create fakeprofiles, develop what appears to be realrelationships with unsuspecting people, andthen convince these people to send themmoney.

What are we to do about this new formof crime? How do we protect ourselves andour friends and family? What do we do ifwe find ourselves the victim of a scam?What do we do if our identity is stolen? Isit as simple as dialing 911?

If you want real information and realanswers to these questions, then come tothis year’s Senior Law Day. On Saturday,June 22, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Se-nior Services of Alexandria and the Alex-andria Bar Association will host the eighthannual Senior Law Day event at T.C. Will-iams High School Auditorium on 3330 KingStreet, Alexandria, VA. This free event isopen to the public. Christina Kieffer, senior

director, at the Financial Industry Regula-tory Authority will be the keynote speaker.There will also be experts from the Alexan-dria Police, Alexandria Adult ProtectiveServices, local attorneys, Fairfax County’sSilver Shield Fraud Prevention Group andmore who will discuss how to “Stand Upfor Your Community and Avoid Scams.”Community resource groups will be on handto answer any questions. The AARP “Shred

Senior Law Day, June 22,offers recommendations.How To Avoid Scams

Truck” will be onsite.To register for Senior Law Day online, go

to www.seniorservicesalex.org or call SeniorServices at 703-836-4414, ext. 110. A lightbreakfast will be served and there is ampleparking.

Chris Wright is with Shannon Mullins & WrightLLP in Old Town Alexandria and a member of theAlexandria Bar Association.

See Letters, Page 21

From Page 11

Letters to the Editor

closed down on the Saturday the day priorto the race, and then again the next day onSunday, the day of the actual race.

Although closing it down on Sunday wasalmost tolerable, closing it on Saturday in-convenienced hundreds of visitors to OldTown. I talked to many of these visitors, whoindicated that they will probably never re-turn to Old Town because of the lack ofparking. There doesn’t appear to be a goodreason for closing this street down a dayearly, since towing from designated spotscan be accomplished after midnight on Sat-urday.

My “almost” rating for Sunday was dueto a Sheriff ’s car blocking the intersectionon Union and Wolfe Streets at 8 a.m., withno Sheriff in sight. I barely managed to

maneuver around his car by inches. More-over, with all of the new restaurants goingin on the waterfront, some 563 plus newdiners will have a tough time parking, andstunts such as these will just add to the frus-tration. Pay attention to your citizens andcustomer’s needs, Alexandria!

Townsend A. “Van” Van FleetAlexandria

Act NowTo the Editor:Climate change is not a distant problem

– it is here. It is causing severe and unpre-dictable weather including, paradoxically,both flooding and drought. Normal patterns

BEN ORTIZFOR ALEXANDRIA CLERK OF COURT

“ExperiencedPublic Servant For AlexandriaClerk of Court”

• +15 years experience in the Alexandria Circuit Court• Focused on maintaining vital role of Clerk’s Office in the Judicial System• Continued priority to the Residents of

Alexandria and the General Public• Endorsed by current Alexandria Clerk of Court Hon. Ed Semonian

VOTE BEN ORTIZJUNE 11, 2019

www.benortiz.orgPaid for and authorized by friends of Ben Ortiz

“I am happy to endorse Ben Ortiz for Alexandria’s Clerk. of Court. Ben has over 15 years of direct working experience in the Clerk’s Office and he keenly understands how the office works for our citizens. He is a committed public servant who wants to make sure the Clerk’s Office meets the needs of ev-eryday citizens who need the services of the Clerk of Court. Moreover, Ben has the direct experience and expertise in or-der to expand the Clerk’s Office and its offerings to meet the needs of the future. I hope you will support Ben and his cam-paign on June 11th.”

- Kerry J. DonleyFormer Mayor, City of Alexandria

“I proudly endorse Ben Ortiz. During my tenure as Clerk of Court, I’ve seen Ben grow from an entry level employee to my Chief Deputy Clerk. During this time he has shown great respect for the law, the justice system and for the public. With this responsibility, professionalism and dedication, he will serve Alexandrians and all customers to the best of his abilities. I endorse Ben Ortiz because I am confident that he will transition expeditiously to Clerk of Court and apply his experience and knowledge to meet the needs of the office, the court and more importantly to the City, its residents, and the general public. Ben will take the Clerk’s office to another level and for this reason and many others, I ask that you follow my lead and vote Ben Ortiz as your next Clerk of Court.”

- Ed Semonian, Alexandria Clerk of Court

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75th Anniversary of D-DayJoin the City of Alexandria, in partnership with sister city Caen, France, to honorthe 75th Anniversary of D-Day with a commemorative event at Waterfront Park, 1King St.. on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food and beverages will beavailable for purchase in the French market and wine garden. “Paint-and-sip” artstations will be available with an additional ticket purchase. There will also behistory booths, children’s activities, live swing music and dancers performing atthe event. On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops invaded Normandy,France, and gained a foothold in continental Europe during World War II. For moreevent information and a full list of activities, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

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Submit entertainment announcementsat www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOINGKathryn Coneway Exhibit. Through

May 31, at Huntley MeadowsVisitor’s Center, 3701 LockheedBlvd., Alexandria. Coneway’s mixed-media art combines collage andphotographic transfers, and itexpresses her observations of nature.She uses mulberry paper to create aground of color and texture. Areception will be held Sunday, March10 from 2-4 p.m. Students fromKathryn Coneway’s winter class atHuntley Meadows will also displaywork. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows.

Creative Aging Festival. ThroughMay 31, in locations around FairfaxCounty. The Creative Aging Festivalsupports Fairfax County’s 50+Community Action Plan’s ArtsInitiative to promote artsprogramming for and by older adults.Core objectives include encouragingolder adult participation in thecommunity’s many public and privatearts program; promoting publicunderstanding of the benefits ofolder adult participation in the arts;and providing awareness to thebroader community about theexisting arts services for older adultsin Fairfax County. This year’sCreative Aging Festival is presentedby Fairfax county Neighborhood andCommunity Services in collaborationwith ARTSFAIRFAX. Visit theCreative Aging Festival site at bit.ly/

FairfaxCreativeAgingFestival.Art Exhibit: “Transcend.” Through

June 2, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Torpedo Factory Artists @Mosaic Gallery, 2905 District Avenue,#105, Fairfax. Featured work byjuried artists from the TorpedoFactory Art Center represent a varietyof media including painting,printmaking, photography and 3-Dmediums explore the theme oftranscendence. A reception isplanned for Thursday, May 9, 6-9p.m. Visitwww.torpedofactoryartists.com formore.

Art Exhibit: “Sacred Feminine.”Through June 2, gallery hours at DelRay Artisans Gallery, 2704 MountVernon Ave. This show exploresfemale energy, the power of life andbirth; it connects that energy toideas, expressions, dreams, life andall of existence. Tap in to your SacredFeminine and channel the goddess.Visit DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits.

Art Exhibit: “Re-ConnectingThreads.” Through June 2, at VCAAlexandria, 2660 Duke St. GalleryWithout Walls celebrates fiber in are-visit to last November’s“Connecting Threads” gallery exhibit.“Re-Connecting Threads” featurestraditional and non-traditional fiber-related art by Del Ray Artisansmembers while highlightingnarratives that trigger nostalgia orcomfort, and in doing socommunicate meaning that goesbeyond the literal definition of thematerials. Visit DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits/gww/.

Art Exhibit: Lyrical Flight. ThroughJune 2, at the Athenaeum, 201 PrinceSt. Barbara Januszkiewicz’s luminousand elegant paintings evolved out ofher early work in watercolor, aprogression evident in the almostliquid flow of colors across her largecompositions. On June 2, SmallCreatures Dance Project will performLight Exists, a piece choreographedin response to Januszkiewicz’s LyricalFlight exhibit. The performance isfree and will occur at 1 p.m., prior to

the gallery talk at 2 p.m. Visitnvfaa.org or call 703-548-0035.

Photography Exhibit: “TonalVisions.” Through June 15, galleryhours at Multiple Exposures Gallery,Torpedo Factory Art Center #312,105 N. Union St. Featuring work byAlan Sislen. The highly graphic, blackand white architectural images in thisexhibit explore the range and beautyof tones that might or might not haveexisted, but were visible in the mindof the photographer. Whether it’s thedarkest tones that convey a sense ofmystery, the brightest tones thatattract attention, or the mid-tonesthat provide the connecting tissue, itis this range of tonalities that shapesthe lines, curves, volumes and objectsto give the structures life, beauty andmeaning. This exhibit is anexploration of tonalities. Visitwww.MultipleExposuresGallery.comor call 703-683-2205.

Riding the Rainbow. Through June30, gallery hours at Scope Gallery at105 North Union St., ground floorStudio 19 of the Torpedo Factory ArtCenter. Blinding color and vividmixes are in the glaring spotlight forthe “Taste the Rainbow” tribute toLGBTQ Pride Month at the TorpedoArt Center’s Scope Gallery. Hues arehuge as Ceramic Guild artists playwith clay with an eye for celebratorycolor. Call Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288 or visit www.scopegallery.org.

Living Legends of Alexandria:African American Activists.Through July, Tuesday-Saturday, 10a.m.-4 p.m. at the Alexandria BlackHistory Museum, 902 Wythe St.Living Legends of Alexandria: AfricanAmerican Activists highlights thework of African American men andwomen who have made importantcontributions to the growth andproductivity of the City ofAlexandria. Call 703-746-4356 formore.

Mount Vernon Farmers Market.Wednesdays (through Dec. 18), 8a.m.-noon at Sherwood Hall RegionalLibrary, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane.The McCutcheon/Mount Vernon

Farmers Market opened May 1 withan array of farm-fresh produce andlocal foods, plus some new features(fresh brewed coffee!). 17 localfarmers and producers will sell fresh,locally grown vegetables and fruits;meats; Chesapeake Bay seafood;breads and pastries; honey, jams andjellies; milk, cheese and eggs; herbsand plants; and more. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets.

POOLS OPENOutdoor Pool Season Begins. Get

ready for summer with an individualor family season pass, usable at allthree of the City of Alexandria’soutdoor pools. All outdoor pools areopen from 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. onMemorial Day, Independence Dayand Labor Day. For a complete list ofCity pools, operating hours, fees andadditional information, visitalexandriava.gov/Aquatics.

❖ Old Town Pool (1609 CameronSt.): This complex includes a 25-yard pool with a diving well. Aseparate training pool is available forchildren up to 42 inches tall. Easilyaccessible by ramp, the training poolhas a depth of 1-3 feet. For addedconvenience, a parking lot, picnicarea and tot playground are adjacentto the pool.

❖ Memorial Pool at CharlesHouston Recreation Center(901 Wythe St.): This small poolcan accommodate a maximum of 45guests at one time. Due to its smallersize, access is limited to Alexandriaresidents 13 years of age andyounger, and their parents orguardians.

❖ Warwick Pool (3301 LandoverSt.): This newly constructed, 25-yard shallow pool features anaccessible sloped entry pool and sixswimming lanes. The pool is locatedadjacent to the Landover Streetplayground.

❖ Potomac Yard Park InteractiveFountain (2501 Potomac Ave.):Located between Potomac YardPark’s two playgrounds, the fountainfeatures 36 water jets and lightingfor nighttime effects. The fountainoffers three programmablesequences, and sensors control thewater jet height based on wind speedin the area, adjusting the jetsaccordingly. The fountain features asecondary ultraviolet water treatmentsystem. Shoes are required.

FRIDAY/MAY 31Call for Entries. The 13th annual

Alexandria Film Festival call forentries is open to filmmakersworldwide for films of any lengthand genre via the FilmFreewaydigital platform (filmfreeway.com/AlexandriaFilmFestival-523023).Judges will evaluate more than threehundred films and select the best forthe Alexandria Film Festival (AFF).

SATURDAY/JUNE 1Clean the Bay Day. 9-11 a.m. at

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St.and at Historic Holmes Run, BeatleyLibrary, 5005 Duke St. Thousands ofvolunteers will join together acrossVirginia to clean up litter alongwaterways from the Eastern Shore tothe Blue Ridge Mountains incelebration of the 31st annual Cleanthe Bay Day. The City’s Departmentof Transportation and EnvironmentalServices (T&ES), StormwaterManagement Division and ResourceRecovery Division in conjunctionwith the Chesapeake Bay Foundation(CBF) will hold this shorelinecleanup. Early registration is advised.Volunteers interested in participatingare asked to visit www.cbf.org/clean

Entertainment

Railing by Alan Sislen.

Photography Exhibit: ‘Tonal Visions’Featuring work by Alan Sislen. The highly graphic, black and white architectural

images in this exhibit explore the range and beauty of tones that might or mightnot have existed, but were visible in the mind of the photographer. Whether it’sthe darkest tones that convey a sense of mystery, the brightest tones that attractattention, or the mid-tones that provide the connecting tissue, it is this range oftonalities that shapes the lines, curves, volumes and objects to give the structureslife, beauty and meaning. This exhibit is an exploration of tonalities. The exhibitruns through June 15, gallery hours at Multiple Exposures Gallery, Torpedo Fac-tory Art Center #312, 105 N. Union St. Visit www.MultipleExposuresGallery.comor call 703-683-2205.

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Entertainment

“Dream Weaver Frida” by DawnWyse Hurto and Liz Martinez(artwork in exhibit)

Art Exhibit:‘Re-Connecting Threads’

Gallery Without Walls celebrates fiber in a re-visit to last November’s “Connecting Threads”gallery exhibit. “Re-Connecting Threads” featurestraditional and non-traditional fiber-related art byDel Ray Artisans members while highlighting nar-ratives that trigger nostalgia or comfort, and indoing so communicate meaning that goes beyondthe literal definition of the materials.Through June2, at VCA Alexandria, 2660 Duke St. VisitDelRayArtisans.org/exhibits/gww/.

to register.Used Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Sherwood

Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane.Selection of over 20,000 gently used books,including children’s books, fiction, history,biography, home and garden, cooking, crafts,sports, religion, travel, CDs, DVDs, and more.Unless specially priced, $1 for hard backs, 50cents for large paperbacks, and 25 cents formass market paperbacks. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/friends-of-sherwood-regional.

Story Time for Little Historians. 11 a.m. atthe Alexandria Black History Museum, 902Wythe St., Alexandria. Featuring Wangari’sTrees of Peace: A True Story from Africa byJeanette Winter. Enjoy cultural stories andcreative craft activities that introduce worldhistory and folklore. Afterwards, explore themuseum exhibits to learn about local Blackhistory. All ages welcome, but most suitable forchildren 4 and older. Admission is $3 perperson. All children must be accompanied by anadult. Call 703-746-4356 or RSVP atshop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx.

75th Anniversary of D-Day. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. atWaterfront Park, 1 King St. Join the City ofAlexandria, in partnership with sister city Caen,France, to honor the 75th Anniversary of D-Daywith a large commemorative event at WaterfrontPark. Come celebrate American and Frenchcultures, and U.S. military history. This free, funevent will feature children’s activities, WWIIreenactors, live music, food, and a wine garden.Visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

Summer Saturdays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at GunstonHall, 10709 Gunston Road, Lorton. JoinGunston Hall for a summer of fun. EachSaturday in June, July, and August, stop by for ahistoric adventure on the grounds and in theVisitor Center. Included with regular admission.Call 703-550-9220 or visitwww.gunstonhall.org/visit/guide/upcoming-events.

Priday Night. Noon-11 p.m. at Port City BrewingCompany, 3950 Wheeler Ave. Kick off PrideMonth at Port City Brewing Company andcelebrate Alexandria’s diverse community withthe Alexandria-Arlington Gay and LesbianAlliance (AGLA). Enjoy musical entertainment,outdoor games and activities along withfeatured artists from the Torpedo Factory ArtCenter, topped off with a drag show from 7-9p.m. A portion of all sales from the night will bedonated to support AGLA’s mission. Call 703-797-2739 or visit www.portcitybrewing.com.

Sacramento Neighborhood Community Day.Noon-4 p.m. at Sacramento NeighborhoodCenter, 8792-E Sacramento Drive. All welcometo join United Community’s annual SacramentoNeighborhood Community Day in a celebrationof community and partnership. Food and fun forthe whole family. Special guest AstronautCharles F. Bolden Jr., first African AmericanAdministrator of NASA and retired U.S. MarineCorps Major General. Free. Call 703-619-2964or visit www.ucmagency.org for more.

10th Annual Youth Arts Festival. 1-5 p.m. atMount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701Commonwealth Ave. This family-orientedfestival showcases youth art (visual andperforming arts prepared and/or performed bystudents from the Alexandria public and privateschools. Festival also features, face painting,interactive art presentations, dunking tanks,food,and fun activities for all family members.Email [email protected] or visit www.arha.us.

Bitters Tasting Party. 3-5 p.m. at Green SpringGardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. (21-Adults)Botanical bitters add flavor and zest to muchmore than cocktails. Learn about these aromaticflavorings that evolved from ancient medicines,and experience many flavors they impart.Discover that a few drops add zest to myriadfoods and drinks, from summertime seltzers andice creams, to savories, coffee and bakeddesserts. (Tasting will not include cocktails.)$35/person. Register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ usingcode 3E3.03F7 or call Green Spring Gardens at703-642-5173.

Concert: Sounds of Pohick. 4 p.m. at HistoricPohick Church, 9301 Richmond Highway,Lorton. “The Sounds of Pohick” annual concertwill feature the St. Cecelia and St. AlbanChildren’s Choirs, the Pohick Pickers bluegrassgroup, the Pohick Bell, and the Early ChurchMusic Ensemble performing spirituals, hymns,anthems and instrumental music. Musicalinstruments will include guitars, fiddle, bass, tinwhistle, Celtic harp, organ, piano, keyboard andpercussion. Free admission, and a receptionfollows in the parish hall. Call the church office

at 703-339-6572, or visit www.pohick.org.Wine on the Water. 6-8 p.m. at Verdence, 44

Canal Center, 5th Floor Balcony. Enjoy winesand charcuterie, bid on auction items, and listento the sound of steel drums....all while enjoyingspectacular views of the nation’s Capital. $85;$100 at the door. Call 703-582-8480 or visitwww.alexandriaseaport.org.

Country-Western Dance. 7-9:30 p.m. atLincolnia Senior Center, 4710 North ChamblissSt. The Northern Virginia Country-WesternDance Association will hold a dance withlessons, 6-7 p.m. and open dancing, 7-9:30 p.m.A DJ provides music. Couples and singles of allages welcome. Admission for members $10;non-members $12; children under 18accompanied by a paying adult $5. Smoke-free,alcohol-free. BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org for more.

Early Birds and Night Owls Trade Places. 8-10 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701Lockheed Blvd. At twilight time, some animalsare getting ready to settle in for the eveningwhile others are just awakening to the nightahead. See a little of both worlds on the“Wetland at Dusk Walk” at Huntley MeadowsPark. Adults are invited to join naturalists for arelaxing stroll through the park’s forest andwetland paths. Look and listen for wildlifesettling down or waking up during the transitionfrom day to night. $9 per person. Call 703-768-2525 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows.

JUNE 1-JUNE 30Art Exhibit: Landscape X3. Gallery hours at

Gallery 311 at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N.Union St., Studio 311. In a new exhibit at theTorpedo Factory, painters Ellen Delaney andGale Wallar and photographer Jo Ann Tooleytake on the traditional subject of landscapes.Delaney’s paintings consist of larger-than-lifeabstracts while Wallar’s work emphasizes amajestic topography with defined shapes andedges. Tooley’s black & white photographs stripnature of its color. Visit torpedofactory.org/partners/gallery-311/.

SUNDAY/JUNE 2Bagels and Bach. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Durant Arts

Center, 1605 Cameron St. The Alexandria’s

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Entertainment

AHS president Beth Tuttle congratulations an awardwinner at the Fall 2018 Classic Car Show.

Spring Car ShowEnjoy a fun community event benefiting the American Horticultural Society and

River Farm. Enjoy classic cars, garden tours, children’s activities, raffles, food/drink,botanical art, & ourand a Garden Shop. Sunday, June 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at River Farm,7931 East Boulevard Drive. Rain date is June 16. $10 per car for spectators; $20for show cars (pre-registration encouraged); $5 for walk-ins/bikes; free for 12 &under. Visit www.ahsgardening.org/about-river-farm/events-programs/classic-car-show for more.

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My Bodyguard by Akemi Ohira.

Art Exhibit: ‘Transcend.’Featured work by juried artists from the Torpedo Factory Art Center represent a

variety of media including painting, printmaking, photography and 3-D mediumsexplore the theme of transcendence. Through June 2, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Torpedo Factory Artists @ Mosaic Gallery, 2905 District Avenue, #105,Fairfax. Visit www.torpedofactoryartists.com for more.

Office of the Arts presents a “Bagels andBach” Concert showcasing theProvázek Quartet. Children becomeaware and learn how to appreciateclassical music, while enjoying a lightbrunch. Reservations are $9 perperson. Children under 5 years oldare free. Children must beaccompanied by one adult. Visitalexandriava.gov/Arts and click onDurant Arts Center.

Tee Off to End Homelessness. 2-5p.m. at TopGolf Alexandria, 6625 SVan Dorn St. Fundraiser benefitsCommunity Lodgings. Join for foodand drink, three hours of unlimitedgolf, prizes, and opportunities tomingle with friends and fellowCommunity Lodgings supporters.Golf abilities are not required, justthe desire to have fun and support aworthy mission. $60. Visitwww.communitylodgings.org toregister.

Tea & Fashion Show. 3-5 p.m. at St.Paul’s Alexandria, 228 S. Pitt St. Jointhe Pimm’s & Poppies Chapter of theDaughters of the British Empire(DBE) for an afternoon fashion showand tea party featuring MonteDurham of Say Yes to the Dress:Atlanta as Master of Ceremonies.Proceeds from the event will benefitthe local organization Alice’s Kids(www.aliceskids.org) and the DBEfounded Victoria Home(victoriahome.org). $50. Call 703-328-9948 or visit www.dbeinva.org.

MONDAY/JUNE 3Garden Sprouts Spring-Nature

Playgroup. 10-11:30 a.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. (3-5 yrs.) Preschoolers enjoynature-themed toys and puzzleswhile playgroup parents meet oneMonday a month. Through games,songs, activities and a garden walkwe explore monthly topics. The Junetopic is Pond. $8/child. Registeronline at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using codeEDA.040C or call Green SpringGardens at 703-642-5173.

WEDNESDAY/JUNE 5Getaway-Maymont & Lavender

Fields. Departs Green SpringGardens, 4603 Green Spring Road at8 a.m., returns 5 p.m. (16-Adult)Includes motor coach and admission.Begin the day with a tour of theGilded Age mansion of Maymont and

the surrounding gardens. Enjoylunch, stop at Lavender Fields Farmfor an herb class, with choice oflavender lemonade or lavender icecream. Wear comfortable walkingshoes and dress for the weather. Tripcancelation deadline: May 22, 2019.$113 Register online at

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code:5EB.5170 orcall Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

THURSDAY/JUNE 6Pride at The Dog Park. 1-3 p.m. at

The Dog Park, 705 King St. Four-legged friends can celebrate PrideMonth in style with rainbow bowties, collars and flower bows fromThe Dog Park. The boutique will alsobe selling LGBTQ-friendly pawprintmagnets for pup owners. Call 703-888-2818 or visitwww.thedogparkva.biz.

ALX Pride 2019 Mix & Mingle. 7-9p.m. at Torpedo Factory Art Center,105 N. Union St. Celebrate D.C.’sCapital Pride Celebration with aspecial mix-and-mingle Thursdaynight in Alexandria. Enjoy theTorpedo Factory Art Center’s studiosand get to know others from the localLGBTQIA community. Call 703-746-4570 or visitwww.torpedofactory.org.

D-Day at 75: Looking Back andLooking Forward. 7-9 p.m. at TheLyceum, 201 S. Washington St. TheAlexandria-Caen Sister CityCommittee presents a panel todiscuss the significance of D-Day.Remember the 75th anniversary ofthe Normandy landings and considerthe impact of this turning point inworld history, then and now. Stay fora wine and dessert receptionafterwards. $10 per person. Ticketsavailable onsite or online atshop.alexandriava.gov.

JUNE 6-30Art Exhibit: “Art in Meditation –

the Chakras.” Gallery hours at Del

Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 MountVernon Ave. “Art in Meditation – theChakras” features area artistsinterpreting the chakra energies. Theexhibit, juried by contemporary artistJeff Erickson, will have an associatedArt-To-Go marketplace and specialevents, First Thursday June 6 andWell Ray June 22. Opening receptionFriday, June 7, 7-9 p.m., and summersolstice reception Friday, June 21, 7-9 pm. Visit DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits.

JUNE 6-JULY 21Art Exhibit: Notes of Color. Gallery

hours at the Athenaeum, 201 PrinceSt. The Washington Sculpture Grouppresents Notes of Color. An openingreception is planned for Sunday,June 8, 4-6 p.m. Visit nvfaa.org orcall 703-548-0035.

FRIDAY/JUNE 7Garden Talk: Be A Water-wise

Gardener. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. (Adults) Gardening is going“green!” Extension Master Gardenersdiscuss how to conserve and managewater using plant selection, soilpreparation, irrigation and manyother practices. $10/person. Registeronline at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code025.B34A or call Green SpringGardens at 703-642-5173.

First Friday: Family Art Night. 6-9p.m. at Durant Arts Center, 1605Cameron St. With Father’s Day rightaround the corner, plan to create theperfect gift by attending Alexandria’sOffice of the Arts First Friday:“Family Art Night.” A “meet andgreet” begins at 6 p.m. Pizza, sodaand water will be on hand,complements of the Office of theArts. Art activities begin at 6:30 p.m.No experience necessary.Reservation includes one artexperience, art supplies, pizza andsoda. Reservations are $9 per person.Children under 5 years old are free.Children must be accompanied byone adult. Call 703-746-5565 or visitalexandriava.gov/Arts.

Hurricane Season Reading. 6:30p.m. at Hooray for Books!, 1555 KingSt. Juvenile fiction author NicoleMelleby will visit Hooray for Books!to read her debut novel, HurricaneSeason. The story follows sixth-grader Fig Arnold and featuresLGBTQ+ characters. The children’sbook is suitable for readers ages 10and up. Free admission. Visitwww.hooray4books.com or call 703-548-4092.

Opening Reception: “Art inMeditation – the Chakras.” 7-9p.m. at Del Ray Artisans Gallery,2704 Mount Vernon Ave. “Art inMeditation – the Chakras” featuresarea artists interpreting the chakraenergies. The exhibit, juried bycontemporary artist Jeff Erickson,will have an associated Art-To-Gomarketplace. VisitDelRayArtisans.org/exhibits.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JUNE 7-9Celebrate Fairfax! Festival.

Northern Virginia’s largestcommunity-wide event, the 38 thannual Celebrate Fairfax! Festival, isset to take place on the grounds ofthe Fairfax County GovernmentCenter, 12000 Government CenterParkway, Fairfax. The CelebrateFairfax! Festival features 25 acres ofconcerts, family programs, exhibits,carnival rides and nightly fireworks.Among the festival’s highlights aremore than 120 performances onseven stages, including Better ThanEzra and Smash Mouth. Call 703-324-3247 or visitwww.celebratefairfax.com.

SATURDAY/JUNE 8Summer Saturdays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at

Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Lorton. Join Gunston Hall for asummer of fun. Each Saturday inJune, July, and August, stop by for ahistoric adventure on the groundsand in the Visitor Center. Includedwith regular admission. Call 703-550-9220 or visitwww.gunstonhall.org/visit/guide/upcoming-events.

Floral Design – ContemporaryPave Arrangement. 1-2:30 p.m. atGreen Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road. (16-Adult) CertifiedFloral Designer Betty Ann Galwayshares techniques for constructingand balancing a beautiful,contemporary, pavé floralarrangement of grouped flowers.Pavé design groups flowers in a grid,like a paver, for a gorgeous, moderneffect. Make and arrangement toenjoy at home. Later, reuse thecontainer to practice. Materialsprovided for $30 supply fee. Programfee is $39/person. Register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code 9C6.A2DC orcall 703-642-5173.

SUNDAY/JUNE 9Spring Car Show. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at

River Farm, 7931 East BoulevardDrive. Enjoy a fun community eventbenefiting the American HorticulturalSociety and River Farm. Enjoy classiccars, garden tours, children’sactivities, raffles, food/drink,botanical art, & ourand a GardenShop. Rain date is June 16. $10 percar for spectators; $20 for show cars(pre-registration encouraged); $5 forwalk-ins/bikes; free for 12 & under.Visit www.ahsgardening.org/about-river-farm/events-programs/classic-car-show for more.

Cruising the Past. 1-3 p.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. (Adults) Explore theglamorous heyday of ocean travelwhen great passenger liners spedacross the Atlantic with cargoes ofcelebrities and millionaires. Viewarchival photos contrasting theluxury of first class with thediscomfort of steerage, and comparethe elegance of those bygone shipswith their pres–ent-day counterparts.$36 (program + tea); $15 (programonly). Pro–grams are by reservationonly. Call (703) 941-7987, TTY(703) 324-3988.

Annual Picnic and Birthday Party.1-5 p.m. at Pope-Leighey House,9000 Richmond Highway. CelebrateFrank Lloyd Wright’s birthday on thelawn of the Pope-Leighey House.Music, treats, and house tours andmore. This event is BYOP – bringyour own picnic. Save room for thetasty birthday desserts included inthe price of a ticket, and beverageson offer from local vendors. Nooutside alcohol will be permitted onsite. Rain or shine. $15-$30. Visitwww.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/ formore.

TUESDAY/JUNE 11Simpson Gardens Stroll. 10-11 a.m.

at Simpson Park Gardens, 420 E.Monroe St. Stroll through SimpsonGardens with Extension MasterGardeners as they describe thegardens’ variety of demonstrationbeds that combine sustainablegardening practices with appealingaesthetics: waterwise gardening,scented plants, plants that attractpollinators, plants that prefer shade,and plants that have appealingstructure and texture. Free.Questions? Telephone 703-228-6414or email [email protected].

THURSDAY/JUNE 13Summer Garden Tour and Tea. 1-3

p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603Green Spring Road. Adults. Tour thevibrant demonstration gardens with a

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Entertainment

By Hope Nelson

Craft cider, a waterfront festival, a whirlwindtaste of Del Ray’s favorite restaurants and acrab feast to cap it all off — such is life in

June for Alexandria foodies.

11th Annual Taste of Del Ray, June 2Del Ray’s storied annual event is back for another

year. Eighteen restaurants are poised to line up andshowcase their best dishes in the hopes of winning

the People’s Choice award. Guests cansample each restaurant’s wares asmany times as they like, and the docketof participants is diverse. From

Cheesetique to Al’s Steak House, from Kaizen Tav-ern to Taqueria Poblano, there’s something for nearlyevery palate. Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at thecorner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Oxford Street.1-3 p.m. $20.

Lost Boy Cider Grand Opening,June 8 and 9

Alexandria’s first craft cidery is finally ready toopen its doors to the public. The cidery, which usesonly apples from Virginia to make its array of hardciders, has made its home out of a renovated 6,000-square-foot warehouse, offering a tasting room aswell as its production facility. In addition to Lost Boy’s

cider, food will also be available at the grand open-ing event, which spans two days. 317 Hooffs RunDrive. Noon-9 p.m. both days.

Portside in Old Town Summer Festival,June 22

Food, music, craft beer – this annual Old Town fes-tival has it all. Pizzeria Paradiso, Rocklands Barbe-cue and Dolci Gelati will be on hand to dish up asampling of favorites while guests listen to musicalacts ranging from Ethiopian jazz to Latin folk andseveral stops in between. Feeling a little parched?Port City is once again hosting its waterfront beergarden; for $6 a beer, you can cool off with a frostybrew while you boogey down. Waterfront Park, 1Prince St. 2-8 p.m.

Del Ray Pizzeria Crab Feast, June 29Del Ray Pizzeria is branching out a bit with its first

annual crab feast. Sporting all-you-can-eat blue craband hush puppies as well as several varieties of beeron tap, the feast will set up shop in the pizzeria’sparking lot. It may be a diversion from DRP’s regu-lar menu, but isn’t variety the spice of life? 2218Mount Vernon Ave. 3 p.m. $50.

Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionistablog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her anytime at [email protected].

4 Dates to Circle in June

Appetite

Calendar

The Provázek Quartet

Bagels and BachThe Alexandria’s Office of the Arts presents a “Bagels and Bach” Concert show-

casing the Provázek Quartet. Children become aware and learn how to appreciateclassical music, while enjoying a light brunch. Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. atDurant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. Reservations are $9 per person. Childrenunder 5 years old are free. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Visitalexandriava.gov/Arts click on Durant Arts Center.

master gardener docent who highlightssummer’s standout plants, and tellsstories of Green Spring past andpresent. Afterward, enjoy a tradition–al English afternoon tea. $36 perperson. Pro–grams are by reservationonly. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ or call 703-941-7987.

Archaeology After Dark:Cartography of a Port City. 6:30p.m. at The Lloyd House, 220 N.Washington St. City of AlexandriaArchaeologist Benjamin Skolnikpresents a new take on the history ofthe city as told through 15 seldom-seen maps. Alexandria history iscombined with the history of

cartography to show the many wayspeople, including City Archaeologists,make and use maps. $12/person; $10FOAA/OHA members. Visitwww.foaa.info/events.

SATURDAY/JUNE 15Beech Tree Puppets. 10 and 11:15

a.m. at Durant Arts Center, 1605Cameron St. Founded by Ingrid andOle Hass in 2012, brings meaningfulstories with sensory-friendly andBeech Tree Puppeteers feel thatpuppets can break down barriers, andprovide insights and resolutions tocross cultural differences, and openpeople to new ideas and possibilities.

Beech Tree Puppets have performedartful performances to schools,libraries and public theaters in thewider DC area. $6 per person. To buyonline, visit alexandriava.gov/Artsclick on Durant Arts Center.

Declaration Day. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. atGeorge Mason’s Gunston Hall, 10709Gunston Road, Lorton. Join GunstonHall in celebrating the anniversary ofthe Virginia Declaration of Rights,written by George Mason. Thisfamily-oriented program kicks offwith a naturalization ceremony,followed by a variety of activities forall ages, a museum theaterperformance, and visits to GunsontHall’s brand-new exhibit:Revolutionary

WEDNESDAY/JUNE 19The Great Gatsby. 5:30 p.m. at

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House,9000 Richmond Highway. PicnicTheatre Company returns toWoodlawn Mansion garden for aRoaring Twenties cocktail hour andperformance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’sThe Great Gatsby. At 5:30 the gardenopens for cocktails and picnicking,performance is at 6:30, with nointermission. $15. Call 703-570-6903or visit www.eventbrite.com/e/picnic-theatre-company-presents-the-great-gatsby-tickets-62057367256.

FRIDAY/JUNE 21Garden Talk: Bring on the

Hummingbirds. 1:30-2:30 p.m. atGreen Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road. (Adults) Perhaps one ofthe most beloved birds in gar–dening,hummingbirds astonish with theiraerial acrobatics, their beauty andthe important role they play asgarden pollinators. Attend this talkand learn about plants to attractthese beautiful birds. $10/person.Register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code 37F.853C orcall 703-642-5173.

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20 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

By Bridgette Adu-Wadier

And Dan Brendel

Gazette Packet

Related to an ongoing initiativeto overhaul the city’s environ-mental policies, the PlanningCommission will consider en-

hancements to the city’s regulations foropen space in new development next Tues-day, June 4.

Creating open space through private de-velopment is important “for its ability torelieve pressure on the public parks system,”said Karl Mortiz, the city’s planning direc-tor. Private development generates openspace both on- and off-site, the latterthrough land and/or monetary contribu-tions.

At a joint meeting on Monday, May 20,planning staff, the Environmental PolicyCommission and the Park and RecreationCommission discussed how the city shoulddefine open space going into the future.

“It can’t just be the leftover space on aparcel after the development has beenplanned. It needs to be intentional and …an important part of the site,” said Moritz,summing up the commissioners’ consensusopinion.

The city should think “of open space as a

sioner Melissa McMahon worriesabout “death by a thousand cuts:this pressure that we have in everinstance to cut back on open spaceor to make an exception on howmuch should be above grade be-cause of the constraints. I agree …that our most densely developableareas that are near transit shouldbe used as efficiently as possible.”But she wants more structured ex-pectations so that parties involvedcan make a more “calculated”trade-off decision upfront.

Unlike a public park, not every-one has access to a multifamilybuilding’s amenities.

Asked to what extent socio-eco-nomic considerations have playedinto the public dialogue about openspace, Environmental Policy Com-mission chair Jim Kapsis said: “Oneof EPC’s goals in this process hasbeen to … prioritize publicly acces-sible, ground level open space be-cause it is open to all regardless ofsocio-economic status and providesthe most opportunities to creategreen, environmentally friendlyspaces. That’s not to say that thereis not a role to play for other kindsof open space, like green roofs, butit’s a question of prioritization.”

Revamping City’s Approach to Open SpacePlanning Commissionto consider changesnext week.

Map and data sources: USDA Farm Service Agency

(multispectral imagery, including near infrared), Esri, City of

Alexandria

“What you’re seeing on the map is that openspace as currently defined by the city does notnecessarily mean ‘green’ open space. That is onereason you see such variation in green spacesacross the city. The [Environmental Policy Com-mission] is trying to change that by making surethat we prioritize open space that delivers envi-ronmental benefits,” said Jim Kapsis, thecommission’s chair.

Rosemont resident Tom Tylergives instructions to the WheelDay participants May 26 inBeverley Hills.

Rosemont riders Brennan Boyle, Georgia Anderson, Genevieve Ander-son, Cecily Boyle, Isabel Class and Emin Horton celebrate on WheelsDay, May 26 in Beverley Hills. Sponsored by the Northridge CitizensAssociation, the event has been an annual Memorial Day weekendtradition since the 1940s.

Spectators BetsyCostle, with dogPixie, CarolynCostle, Nick Gentryand Alex Costle-Tyler enjoy WheelsDay May 26 inBeverley Hills.

Pho

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azette Packet

continuum,” said Planning Com-missioner Stephen Koenig. A “high-capacity” public park might exem-plify one end, and a “small backyard,” “single balcony” or “smallshared spaced on the rooftop” theother.

He said, “We should be activelylooking to design excellent openspace everywhere we possiblycould: on the ground plane and onevery aspect of the building.”

Whereas most building rooftopsare currently bare or covered withlarge machinery, he thinks the citymight require that some large per-centage of that displaced groundspace go to some intentional openspace or environmental purpose:for example, stormwater manage-ment, power generation, accessiblespace for people, etc.

Planning Commissioner DavidBrown took a slightly differentview, saying: “My general attitudeis that the regulatory goal oughtto be oriented more toward theground than off-the-ground, be-cause developers have their owneconomic incentives to make theirbuildings as attractive as possible,”such as by providing private roof-top recreation areas.

Planning Commission Chair NathanMacek says he wants to consider flexibleopen space guidelines for higher-density de-velopment near mass transit. It might be

appropriate to require less open space on aparcel near a Metro station than on a par-cel farther away, he said.

On the other hand, Planning Commis-

Further, “there is currently no city rule thatsays that open space has to be green. A roof-top pool or tennis court could be consid-ered open space, for example.”

Spectators lined the streets of BeverleyHills as children of all ages partici-pated in the annual Wheels Day pa-

rade down Old Dominion Boulevard May26 in a Memorial Day weekend traditionthat dates back to the 1940s.

Sponsored by The North Ridge Citizens’ Association,the parade featured decorated bikes and other wheeledtoys and traversed a route from the circle at ChalfonteDrive to the Beverley Hills Church. Mayor Justin Wil-son was on hand as prizes were awarded in severalcategories.

‘Wheels Day’ North Ridgetradition dates to 1940s.

— Jeanne Theismann

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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 30 - June 5, 2019 ❖ 21www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Letters

From Page 11

are being replaced by the abnor-mal.

We don’t have to look far to seeits impacts. In Virginia, we are nowat increased risk from code red airdays, excessive heat, and tick-borne illness.

At the world’s largest naval basein Hampton Roads, military lead-ers recognize that sea level rise isan imminent threat which is whythey have been preparing for it foryears.

Virginia’s unique Tangier Islandcould be uninhabitable in as fewas 25 years.

A recent UN report says that 1

million of the planet’s species areat risk for extinction – includingmany within our lifetimes – andhuman behavior, including climatechange, is driving this. We have amoment in time – 10 to maybe 15years – to act aggressively.

The longer we do nothing, themore catastrophic the conse-quences will be for humans.

However, there is hope. Groupslike mine – 1Planet – are activat-ing women at every level to act,organize and, most importantly,vote for action on climate change.In November, voters will choosethe candidates to send to the Vir-ginia General Assembly where, last

session, foes of the environment,renewable energy, and climatechange solutions threatened allcitizens of our state with their in-action. We must elect delegatesand senators who will act swiftlyand boldly on climate change.

We have the ability to reducecarbon pollution by setting mean-ingful renewable energy goals forthe state, investing in clean energytechnologies and boosting energyefficiency and so much more. Butthe time to act is now, before it istoo late.

Christine Matthews,Co-Founder, 1Planet

Alexandria

From Page 6

Jeffries.The family will receive friends on Friday, May

31, from 5-8 p.m. at the Demaine Funeral Home,5308 Backlick Road, in Springfield. A memorialservice will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 2 pmat St. John’s United Methodist Church, 5312Backlick Road, also in Springfield. In lieu of flow-ers, donations may be made to the Gerry BertierFoundation or the 71 Titans Foundation, http://

71originaltitans.com.“Such sad news,” said Don Simpson Jr. “It was

such a privilege to play for him at Hammond andTC.”

Stumpf summed up what many of Yoast’s play-ers felt: “Coach Yoast had us convinced that wecould actually win. He gave us the tools to makeit happen and in the end we were victorious. Play-ing for him was an experience that has never leftme after all these years. I am eternally grateful tohim.”

Remembering Coach Bill Yoast

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From Page 8

News

His first political campaign was in 1974,when Saslaw was a 34-year-old contractadministrator for Reston electronics firmnamed H.R.B. Singer. He ran against MountVernon Supervisor Herb Harris and Del.Frank Mann (D-5) for the Democratic nomi-nation to run against incumbent U.S. Rep.Stan Parris (R-8). Saslaw lost that primaryto Harris, who went on to unseat Parris inan anti-Watergate wave election. The nextyear, Saslaw set his sights on the 19th Dis-trict of the House of Delegates, an open seatvacated by Republican James Tate. Saslawprevailed against a crowded field of fourother Democrats, including future MountVernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland — a cam-paign that he won on a $5,000 budget. Asa House freshman, Saslaw responded to arape case in his district by making it easierfor juveniles to be tried as adults.

After serving two terms in the House, hedecided to run for a state Senate seat va-cated by retiring Sen. Omer Hirst (D-35).Saslaw faced former Fairfax County Boardof Supervisors Chairwoman Jean Packard,who was trying to make a comeback afterbeing unseated by Republican Jack Herrity.Saslaw, then a 39-year-old real estate sales-man, told voters he would take a more ac-tive role in watching the operations of theState Corporation Commission to preventutility rate increases caused by mismanage-ment. He won that primary and went on alengthy career in the Virginia state Senate,where he has served as majority leader andminority leader depending which party hasthe majority.

During his time in the Senate, Saslawmodified the alcohol-to-food requirementfor restaurants to reduce the regulatoryburden for businesses. He also passed a lawthat allows local governments to sell bondsand finance their own roadbuilding, al-though it was limited to $15 million duringa three-year period. He also passed a lawthat creates an add-on tax for a newly cre-ated tax district along Route 28, an effortthat later cost him $8,000 a year as a gasstation magnate. He has opposed efforts tooverturn Virginia’s right to work law, whichdates to the 1940s.

“I don’t make any apologies for being pro-business,” says Saslaw. “Take a look at a lookat the business attraction of Northern Vir-ginia versus the Maryland suburbs. Are youkidding me? We are considered to have oneof the most favorable work environmentsin the country.”

If reelected, Saslaw says his top prioritywould be gun control — reining in the Na-tional Rifle Association and the VirginiaCitizens Defense League, two groups he saysowns the Republican Party. He says Virginianeeds universal background checks, and thelegal age to purchase firearms should beraised to 21. He says laws that restrictingaccess to abortion clinics should be over-turned, and he says he would steer $1 bil-lion more to K-12 education and $500 mil-lion more toward higher education.

“We’re going to have to figure that out,”says Saslaw. “I don’t want to talk abouthigher taxes right now.”

35th Senate

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

All’s well that ends well. -

nally ended and I am here to write that my warran-ty has been extended for another two months. The CT scan showed no tumor growth or movement. The “promise” of immunotherapy so far is keeping its ‘promise’ – keeping the tumors stable.

Throughout my extremely fortunate cancer experience, I have felt reasonably well and manifested few symptoms/side effects; at least the kind of symptoms/side effects: shortness of breath, coughing, expectorating blood, mind-numbing neuropathy and headaches, among others, about which my oncologist regularly inquires.

Generally speaking then, my health status has always been about the tale of the tape – to invoke a boxing reference – meaning the diagnostic scans: brain MRI, CT scan of the neck/lower abdomen, PET scan and the initial X-Ray which started the

so to speak.It is not until my oncologist shares/summarizes

us the actual computer images themselves, that yours truly/Team Lourie knows where we stand.

And, where we stand typically is where we are sitting, in a cramped exam room, face to face with the man who holds my life in the palm of his hand

and the gesture/body language he exhibits. It’s not exactly “Bath Fitter,” but “the reveal” is imminent.

It never gets easy, but it does get easier to en-dure this kind of potentially life-altering/life-ending moment. Though the familiarity of it hasn’t dulled the pain, it has enabled us to balance the pros and cons, up and downs and all-arounds, as we antici-pate the words we are about to hear.

During most of these post-scan visits, we’ve exhaled in relief, but we have had our share of disappointment.

On one occasion, back in late July 2013, I was hospitalized for a week when my lungs accumu-

internal problems (lung collapsing). Externally, I was unable to speak more than a

few words before needing to regroup. As a matter of humorous fact, when my long-time oncology nurse, Ron, saw me that infusion day, he thought I “was a goner,” since my oxygen level was so low.

Within a few hours, I was a ‘goner’ in an ambu-lance to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md. where I was eventually admitted. Two days later, a thoracic surgeon operated, and a day or two after

As a result, in my head and in my gut, (though I’m no Jethro Gibbs from NCIS), when I show up for my infusions and for my post-scan appoint-ments, there’s always a part of me that thinks I might not be spending that evening in my own bed.

When you’re a cancer patient/survivor, and this kind of whisking off not to Buffalo but instead to

happened once, it’s only a matter of time (it’s im-possible not to believe it’s inevitable when you’ve been staged a IV) before it will happen again. I’m not being negative, I’m just saying.

As we sit and wait at home for my oncologist to email us the scan results, or whether we sit and wait in the on-site exam room, I wouldn’t say our respective lives pass before us, but I will certainly admit to the total unpleasantness of it.

That being said, we’re the lucky ones. There are nearly 160,000 lung cancer patients who succumb to this terrible disease every year who aren’t nearly so lucky.

So when I hear the words “stable” from my on-cologist, I am humbled as much as I am relieved,

my next scan is scheduled and my next fortnight is fought.

And that’s how I live my life: in increments. Increments which I’m grateful to have. It may not be ideal, but it’s a living, and it sure beats a dying.

The WeakThat Was

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6/30/19.

6/30/19.

Page 24: Alexandria Gazette Packetconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/052919/Alexandria.pdf · Alexandria Gazette Packet May 30 - June 5, 2019 3 News Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren 703-778-9415

24 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v May 30 - June 5, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. This year marks our 39th year in Alexandria, and we are celebrating our investment in helping to build our town into the thriving community it is today. To learn more about our Associates and our firm, visit www.WeAreAlexandria.com

#WeAreAlexandria

Serving the Washington, DC Metro Area since 1980. 703.549.9292 | 109 S. Pitt Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | McEnearney.com

McEnearney Associates is proud to host a

BLOOD DRIVE Thursday, June 13 | 10AM–2PM

109 S Pitt Street, Alexandria

Register online at:WeAreAlexandria.com

Del Ray | $1,050,000Contemporary 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath renovated home. Open floor plan with upgraded kitchen. Main level bedroom. Sensational master suite addition wows with personal deck. Finished basement. Large private yard with stone patio. Garage & driveway. 3201 Russell Rd.Jen Walker 703.675.1566www.JenWalker.com

Beverley Hills | $975,000Charm & classic character welcome you to this lovely expanded colonial! Open gourmet kitchen complete with a butler’s pantry makes entertaining easy. Main level bedroom plus 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths upstairs. Fully finished basement. 518 Tennessee AvenueJillian Keck Hogan 804.229.3733 www.JillianKeckHogan.com

OPEN SAT 6/1 & SUN 6/2, 2-4

Fort Hunt Manor | $809,900This rarely available New England colonial located in a private cul-de-sac has been thoughtfully updated. Formal living & dining room, updated kitchen opening to a breakfast area, family room with fireplace, bright sunroom and office addition. 8607 Pilgrim CourtSusan Anthony 703.795.9536Rochelle Gray 703.328.1686

OPEN SAT 6/1 & SUN 6/2, 2-4

Del Ray | $779,900Beautiful 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with master on the main level. Lovingly restored with new kitchen, updated bathrooms, new landscaping, & large screened porch with cathedral ceiling. Move in and enjoy the pleasures of Old Town & Del Ray. 2706 Mosby StreetAnn McLaughlin 703.608.1472 www.AnnMcLaughlinHomes.com

OPEN SUN 6/2, 2-3:30

Parker Gray$624,900Move in ready, 3-level, 2-bedroom, end townhome 2 blocks to Braddock Road Metro. Just painted, refinished hardwood floors, bright, open rooms. Over-sized fenced yard is a gardener’s and pet owner’s delight. Rare off-street parking, walk-out lower level, great walk score. 420 Earl St.

Nick Kuhn 703.671.5225 www.NickKuhn.com

OPEN SUN 6/2, 2-4

Old Town | $2,250,000Historic semi-detached, 2.5 story, 1852 clapboard house has a dormered roof and full basement. An unusual feature, the lovely hallway is 28 feet long and is floored with pine boards cut to that exact length and laid without joints. Main living and entertaining areas include double parlor with built-in bookcases, formal dining room, and eat-in country kitchen. Five bedrooms, two full and two half baths, six fireplaces and secluded rear garden. Wrought iron gate leads to award-winning private parking area for three cars. 315 South Lee StreetSally Z. Harper 703.517.2849www.SallyZHarper.com

OPEN SUN 6/2, 2-4

Old Town$1,665,000Luxurious contemporary 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home is perfect for entertaining with a gracious open-concept layout for living & dining. Hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen with Thermador appliances, lower level rec room/guest suite & detached 2 car garage. Private patio and garden.

Babs Beckwith 703.627.5421www.BabsBeckwith.com

OPEN SUN 6/2, 2-4