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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ January 2-8, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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January 2, 2014

See Looking, Page 23

See Firefighters, 7

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

Christmas came a few days early formore than 100 children from localHead Start programs as they pickedout toys during the annual

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue toy driveDec. 17 at Penn Daw Station 11.

“Thank you for what you are doing here,” saidAlexandria police office Bennie Evans, who at-tended the event with his wife Deana. “Keep do-

ing what you are doing for these kids because itmatters.”

Evans is the father of Cameron Evans, a T.C.Williams student who committed suicide lastmonth. Donations raised for the family were usedto help the firefighters buy toys for Alexandriachildren in need.

“It’s not easy to be here today,” said DeanaEvans, who stressed the importance of beingaware of mental health issues. “But Camerontouched so many lives in this community during

More than 3,500 toys were collected for needy children in Northern Virginia.

Union Street PublicHouse Restaurantbartender BruceWitucki gives afinal check tobicycles prior todistribution tolocal children Dec.17.

Michelle Burns, wifeof Redskins special

teams coach andAlexandria native

Keith Burns, helpspack toys to distribute

to schools andnonprofits throughout

Northern Virginia.

To the RescueFirefighters and Friends collect morethan 3,500 toys for area children.

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azette Packet

By Michael Lee Pope

Gazette Packet

In looking ahead for what Al-exandria will be facing in2014, a number of issues have

carried forward from last year:❖ New Superintendent: Now

that taxpayers have handed over$300,000 to let former school Su-perintendent Morton Sherman outof his contract early, SchoolBoard members are look-ing for another chief ad-ministrator to run the city’s19 schools. City residentscan participate in a survey untilJan. 19, and School Board mem-bers are expected to make a selec-tion in the early months of theyear.

❖ Jefferson-Houston School: Af-ter years of failing test scores, stateleaders are poised to take controlof Jefferson-Houston School,which offers Kindergarten through8th grade under the newly createdOpportunity Educational Institu-tion. The takeover will coincidewith the opening of a $45 millionnew facility currently under con-struction. City leaders say they will

fight the takeover, althoughthey declined to participatein a lawsuit challenging thelaw.

❖ Potomac Yard Metro:The coming year will see thecompletion of a long-awaited en-vironmental impact statement for

By Michael Lee Pope

Gazette Packet

The future is uncertain forthe Potomac Yard Metrostation, a long-planned

stop on the blue and yellow linesbetween the Braddock Road sta-tion and the Ronald Reagan Wash-ington National Airport station.

City leaders are now faced withthree challenges that could jeop-ardize construction of the station.One is concerns raised by the Na-

tional Park Service, which says toomuch of the station would be vis-ible from the George WashingtonMemorial Parkway. Another prob-lem is the potential need to ac-quire property from CSX, whichwould increase the cost of the sta-tion by the tens of millions of dol-lars. Then there is the amount ofdebt Alexandria would take on tobuild the station, which would vio-late the city’s debt ceiling.

“No one is talking about pulling

AnticipationSuperintendent search, school take-over and threat of eminent domain.

The Year

Ahead

More ChallengesFor Metro StationSeries of setbacks have delayedEnvironmental Impact Studyof Potomac Yard station.

WellbeingPage 16

WellbeingWellbeing

2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ January 2-8, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Year in Photos

The Way We Were A look back at some of the people andevents that shaped Alexandria in 2013.

From the opening of anadults-only sushi barthat created a nationalstir to the visit of a Medal

of Honor recipient, it was aneventful year for Alexandria. As2013 comes to a close, here’s alook back at some of the peopleand events that made the year oneto remember.

— Jeanne Theismann

After a two-year hiatus,fireworks returned to usherin the New Year as part ofFirst Night Alexandria.

In February, the USO of Metropolitan Washington openedits doors on the world’s largest Warrior and Family Cen-ter at Fort Belvoir.

Mardi Growl revelersraised funds in March forthe Animal Welfare Leagueof Alexandria.

Finleigh Seifert celebratedher first St. Patrick’s Day

PeterKnetemann,

right, tookover as presi-

dent of theAlexandria

Rotary Club.

June kicked off Opening Day for the Miracle League ofAlexandria.

April saw the opening of MikeAnderson and Bill Blackburn’sadults-only sushi bar.

Just fourmonths afterbeing shot inthe head duringa routine trafficstop, Alexan-dria policeofficer PeterLaboy attendedthe ValorAwards with hiswife Suzanne.

Alexandria Cupcake ownerAdnan Hamidi served uphis specialty at the Alexan-dria Food Festival in June.

Maestro Kim Allen Klugeled the Alexandria Sym-phony Orchestra in cel-ebrating the city’s 237thbirthday in July.

Former Speaker of theHouse Nancy Pelosi, sec-ond from left, attended aperformance of “Daughterof the Struggle” atMetroStage in August.

Commander Jim Glassmanwelcomed Medal of Honorrecipient Army Staff Sgt. TyCarter to American LegionPost 24 in Old Town.

Longtime restaurateurBryan Watson turned overthe reins of Bugsy’s restau-rant in October.

T.C. Williams graduate andESPN commentator LaChinaRobinson made a returnvisit to her hometownduring the Thanksgivingholiday.

Todd Robins, left, and Andrew Harterenjoyed a “shutdown sandwich” at PorkBarrel BBQ Oct. 4 during the govern-ment shutdown.

Members of the Rotary Club of Alexandriaposed for a photo with the late VolaLawson, a breast cancer survivor andfounder of the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer.

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Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]


News

By Ashley Claire Simpson

Gazette Packet

For more than a decade, Alexandriaresident and Realtor Linda Wolfhas been collecting toys for hospi-talized children in the Washington

D.C.- metropolitan area. An independentvolunteer and toy collection organizer atNational Children’s Medical Center for 11years, she moved her efforts over to WalterReed National Military Medical Center(WRNMMC) with a program she started,“Task Force Smile,” under the non-profitAmerica’s Adopt a Soldier. “Task ForceSmile” will start at Walter Reed, but the planis for it to ultimately reach all military hos-pitals treating critically ill military children.

“The long term goal is to raise $1.6 mil-lion, which will fund toys, toy bins, stor-age, and transportation of the toys to allmilitary hospitals nationwide caring for ourcritically ill military children,” said MaryKeeser, president of America’s Adopt a Sol-dier. “We realize this level of fundraisingwill take some time so we will be focusingour near term efforts on our local militaryhospitals, with WRNMMC as our initialproject.”

Keeser said AAAS named Wolf as direc-tor of Task Force Smile, and in 2014, theprogram is concentrating on Walter Reed’spediatric patient rooms and clinics, the in-tensive care units and the oncology andhematology clinic.

As a new program, there is no officialtimeline or set deadline for donations. Asshe always has, Wolf will be accepting do-

nations at any time.Wolf said that providing as much joy as

possible to critically ill children was alwaysa priority for her, but she is especially ex-cited about the transition to help criticallyill children of military families.

“We are committed to bring smiles to thefaces of these children that are goingthrough such difficult times,” Wolf said. “Asa country, we are safe because of the sacri-fices made by our military families. Theirchildren need to be our priority. ‘Task Force

Smile’ gives us an opportunity to say ‘thankyou’ in a meaningful way.”

Six weeks ago, Wolf officially teamed withthe already established non-profit organi-zation, America’s Adopt a Soldier so thatthe program is integrated into an estab-lished military and family support organi-zation. Grouping with a 501(c)(3) organi-zation will also make all donations to TaskForce Smile tax-deductible.

“Last year when we filled a truckload oftoys, I knew I had to become a part of a

501(C)(3). That was the beginning of mypartnership with America’s Adopt a Soldier,”Wolf said.

Wolf began her project as an independentvolunteer and fundraiser for NationalChildren’s Medical Center, each year collect-ing toys from clients and friends and deliv-ering them to the cancer unit. She madethe switch to WRNMMC when she realizedhow much more military children wouldbenefit from her toy donations.

Conversations with one mother whoseterminally ill son had doctors at bothChildren’s Hospital and WRNMMC playeda major role in the decision to move herproject.

“I have been doing this for Children’sNational Medical Center for 10 years, andthen I met a young woman who was myinspiration to do it,” Wolf said. “She was amilitary wife stationed in Germany and herson was diagnosed with leukemia. Motherand son were flown back to the States, pray-ing for a miracle. Most of his treatment wasat Walter Reed, before his family lost himmonths later.”

Wolf said that while Walter Reed’s medi-cal staff is absolutely exceptional, they area government entity and thus cannot so-licit donations. As a result, there are not asmany games and toys for sick children asthere are at private centers, like NationalChildren’s Medical Center.

“Regardless of the situation, we want thechildren to be able to laugh like childrenshould, even when they are undergoing life-saving and likely uncomfortable proce-dures,” Wolf said. “My goal is to haveenough toys to last a year for the childrencoming to the unit, for the children in the

Effort begins withWalter Reed.

‘Task Force Smile’ To Help Critically Ill Military Children

From left: Dr. Philip Rogers, Walter Reed National Medical MilitaryCenter; Dr. Arthur Lyons, Pentagon; Dr. Margret Marino, director ofChildren’s Unit at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center; LindaWolf, director of Task Force Smile, and Mary Keeser, director ofAmerica’s Adopt A Soldier.

By Michael K. Bohn

Gazette Packet

“At my worst, I had double vision,my memory was shot and Icouldn’t focus on most any

task,” recalled Staff Sgt. Jonathan Mead-ows. His wife Melissa, a nurse, said thatafter Jonathan’s medevac from Afghanistanearlier this year, “He acted like an advancedAlzheimer’s case.”

Like many Wounded Warriors from thewars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Meadowssuffers from traumatic brain injury. He iscurrently an active-duty patient in the TBIunit of the Fort Belvoir Community Hospi-tal. Meadows is a member of the Connecti-cut National Guard, and he and his wife arefrom Ledyard, Conn.

His treatment at Fort Belvoir includes vi-sion and speech therapy, treatment to im-prove his memory and physical training. Allof that is helping, Meadows said, but hesurprises everyone when he identifies thekey to his ongoing recovery — ceramics.

“All the problems go away when I’m work-

ing with clay,” Meadows said. “It openedthe door for recovery for me.”

Meadows came to ceramics through theefforts of Blair Meerfeld, chairman of theceramics department at the Art League ofAlexandria. Meerfeld convinced Fort Belvoirofficials to offer ceramics as one of theirtherapeutic activities, largely by demonstrat-ing his potter’s wheel before clinic patients.

Meadows signed up for Meerfeld’s classand quickly got his hands on the clay. “Atfirst, I made a little pig, then a three-leggedelephant and a turtle,” he recalled. “All of asudden, overnight, I started making morecomplex subjects. I had never done anythingin clay.” One of Meerfeld’s fellow instruc-tors, Carla Amerau, was surprised atJonathan’s innate skill.

“It is amazing to me that less than a yearago, Jon showed up to take our class hav-ing never worked with clay,” said Amerau.“Today he is producing amazing, emotion-ally powerful sculptures. They are works ofart that creatively express his religious faith,life experiences and personal traumas.”

“Jon’s enormous talent is not something

we taught him,” added Amerau, a MountVernon resident. “It was probably alwaysthere. Our class just allowed him to expresshis ideas and feelings in a creative way.”

The Art League is featuring Meadows’swork, and ceramics from other woundedwarriors, in a special exhibit at the TorpedoFactory through Jan. 5. Several of his pieceswere on display for a special receptionhosted by the Art League on Dec. 12.

Among the dozens of people crowding thegallery that evening was U.S. Rep. JoeCourtney, Meadows’s congressman fromConnecticut’s 2nd District. Also there wasJose D. Riojas, chief of staff to the U.S. sec-retary of veterans affairs.

“Jon’s sculptures amazed many people atthe show,” Amerau said afterward, “and onewoman told me his sculpture made her cry.”

Meerfeld, also at the reception, spoke ofhow the League instructors benefited fromworking with the Wounded Warriors: “It’stherapy for us too.”

The Art League is holding another recep-tion for its Wounded Warrior exhibit at theTorpedo Factory on Jan. 5 from 2-4 p.m.

Ceramic Therapy for a Wounded Warrior Art assistsveteran’s recovery.

The Art League of Alexandriafeatured ceramic sculpture by StaffSgt. Jonathan Meadows, left, at areception highlighting WoundedWarrior art on Dec. 12 at theTorpedo Factory. At right is Jose D.Riojas, chief of staff to the U.S.secretary of veterans affairs. U.S.Rep. Joe Courtney, center, isMeadows’s congressman fromConnecticut’s 2nd District.

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News

Three alternative locations currently exist for a proposed Metro stationat Potomac Yard.

From Page 1

More Challenges for Potomac Yard Metro Stationthe plug and not moving forward,” saidMayor Bill Euille. “The entire planned de-velopment at Potomac Yard will not hap-pen without a Metro station.”

Three locations are currently under con-sideration in addition to a no-build scenario.Alternative A is the southernmost location,estimated to cost $194 million. It would belocated adjacent to the Potomac Greensneighborhood. Alternative B is a short dis-tance north, behind the Target departmentstore. Its estimated cost is $249 million.Alternative C was an underground stationthat has been rejected as logistically impos-sible. Alternative D is a $459 million above-ground design similar to the ones now un-der construction in Tysons Corner. And then,there’s the no-build option, which some saywould be the best way to go.

“If they build a Metro station and theseven million square feet of developmentat Potomac Yard, 50 percent of the trafficgenerated goes out onto Route 1,” said KatyCannady, chief critic of the station. “Forwhatever reason — they work in the wrongplace, they hate the Metro — the other 50percent will keep on driving.”

POTOMAC YARD is a 300-acre brownfieldin the northeast corner of the city, just southof National Airport. Since prehistoric times,the area has served as a north-south tradeand transportation corridor. From 1906 to1987, Potomac Yard served as a major pointof freight transfer between northern andsouthern rail networks. Today, the site isdivided into two main parcels: PotomacYard and Potomac Greens. These parcels areadjacent to a 120-foot wide active railroadcorridor, which includes a Metro line thatbegan operations in the 1980s. The NorthPotomac Yard Small Area plan approved byCity Council in the summer of 2010 callsfor a Metro Square neighborhood builtaround the selection of Alternative B.

“This neighborhood is the transit hub ofNorth Potomac Yard, where the Metrorailstation, dedicated high-capacity transitway,and local and circulator bus services willconverge,” the plan explains. “Two impor-tant public spaces define the character ofthe neighborhood, including the square

park at the center of the neighborhood, anda possible internal pedestrian connection.”

City officials have focused most of theirattention on Alternative B, largely becausea 2010 memorandum of understandingwith Delaware-based CPYR. That agree-ment says the developer would kick in $49million if Alternative B is selected. That’s

because the design would allow direct ac-cess from land owned by the developer to anew Metro station. But new concerns raisedby the National Park Service may have casta shadow over that agreement.

“My guess is that we will end up with ahybrid of a couple of the different optionswe have on the table right now,” said Coun-cilman Justin Wilson. “As part of that pro-cess, the developer proffer would have tobe renegotiated.”

SOME ARE HOPEFUL that city officialswill be able to strike an agreement with theNational Park Service that does not forcecouncil members to go back to the drawing

board. One potential scenario might involveworking with CSX to get a cost estimate thatwould put a dollar amount on how muchthe city would have to spend to acquire landfrom the railroad company. That’s expectedto be in the tens of millions of dollars. Oncethat figure has been put in writing, city lead-ers can take it to Park Service leaders to cuta deal.

“The hope is that if this is as expensive aswe think it is, when the National Park Ser-vice sees that and realizes that’s the onlyalternative they would say, ‘OK, let’s worksomething out,’” said Councilman TimLovain. “National Park Service does landswaps.”

Whatever happens, some kind of solutionto the National Park Service concerns mustbe found before the environmental impactstudy can move forward. That means theplanning for the station has been indefi-nitely delayed while city leaders negotiatewith federal officials over the scenic ease-ment. Another potential sticking point in-volves National Park Service land adjacentto the station, which carries legal restric-tions. Meanwhile, the National Park Servicehas asked the city to explore the option ofmoving CSX tracks west so that the newPotomac Yard station would not violate thescenic easement. City officials estimate thatwould delay the project about four yearsand add $50 million to $100 million to thecost.

“First there’s the cost of moving the tracks,then there’s the cost of acquiring the land,then there’s construction inflation everyyear there’s a delay,” said Deputy City Man-ager Mark Jinks. “The first phase is gettingCSX to agree to study it, and we shouldknow by February whether they wouldagree to study it or not.”

FINANCING THE STATION creates yetanother problem for the city. Because Alex-andria taxpayers will have to finance thestation without federal or state money, CityCouncil members will have to assume somefinancial risk. Alexandria leaders are expect-ing Potomac Yard to generate $1 billionworth of revenue in the next three decades,an expansion of the tax base that would helpfund construction of a Metro station thatcould open its doors as early as 2018.

“Sure there’s a risk, and it’s a big projectso it’s a big risk,” said Frank Shafroth, di-rector of the Center for State and LocalLeadership at George Mason University.“That’s why it’s important that the city rec-ognizes the risk because that allows the cityto control it.”

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Julie Crenshaw VanFleet Dies at 61

Longtime Old Town resident Julie CrenshawVan Fleet died Dec. 18, 2013 at her home inAlexandria. She was 61 years old and hadbattled breast cancer in recent years. Born JulieLouise Crenshaw Nov. 30 1952, she was thewife of Townsend “Van” Van Fleet.

Visitation will be held at Demaine FuneralHome, 520 S. Washington St., on Friday, Jan.3, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral serviceswill be held the following day, Jan. 4, at 11a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. PittSt. Burial will be at Arlington National Cem-etery at a later date.


Julie Crenshaw Van Fleet,shown last summer withher husband Townsend“Van” Van Fleet, died Dec.18 at her home in Alexan-dria.

Email announcements to [email protected]. Deadline is Thursday by noon.

MONDAY/JAN. 6Submission Deadline. The City of Alexandria

Office of the Arts and the Alexandria TransitCompany have joined forces to host a poetrycontest “DASHing Words in Motion.” Submissionguidelines can be found at www.alexandriava.gov/Arts, via email at [email protected], or by phone at 703-746-5588.

Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation

Bulletin Board

Work Group meeting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CityHall, 301 King St. Get an overview about theproposed Metrorail station and theenvironmental planning process. Free. Visitalexandriava.gov/potomacyard for more.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 8Public Hearing. A meeting on the new

transportation management plan will be held atCity Hall, 301 King St. Free. For moreinformation about TMP SUPs and the textamendment, visit www.alexandriava.gov/6556or email [email protected].


News

More than 100 children fromAlexandria’s rec center programsattended the Black Fire Service Pro-

fessionals holiday toy party Dec. 21 at the HiltonMark Center.

“I went to a party like this as a kid growingup in D.C.,” said Capt. Thurston McClain, whofounded the event 13 years ago. “I don’t havekids of my own so this is my way of giving backto the community.”

As an employee organization within the city,the BFSPA has yearly provided gifts for over100 children and strives to see that no child inAlexandria goes without a gift for the holidayseason.

“I would like to thank Don Simpson andSimpson Development, Mayor Bill Euille,Clyde’s Restaurant, Velocity Bikes, The Pro Bi-cycle Shop and the Hilton Mark Center for help-ing make our toy drive a success,” McClain said.“And a special thanks to our friends at the As-sociation of African American Financial Advi-sors. The BFSPA relies heavily on the generousdonations of our community partners to makeeach year’s toy drive successful.”


Santa’s HelpersBFSPA makes holidaysbright for area children.

Santa gives out toys at the 13th annual BlackFire Service Professionals Holiday Party Dec.21 at the Hilton Mark Center

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Opinion

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Call: 703-778-9410e-mail:

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Gazette PacketAlexandria

As local, weekly newspapers, the Ga-zette Packet’s mission is to delivernews readers need close to home,to help readers enjoy great local

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If you know of a person or an organizationdoing important work, something newsworthyor something that might make a good featurestory, let us know. We want to know if some-one in your family or your community pub-lished a book, became an Eagle Scout, raisedmoney for a good cause, accomplished a featlike running a marathon or having an art show.Send us a photo and tell us about it.

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We are also interested in events at yourchurch, mosque, synagogue, community cen-ter, pool, school, club, etc.

To have the best chance of getting an eventincluded in our calendar ahead of time, emailus the details of the event (who, what, where,when, why) at least two weeks ahead of time.Email to [email protected] generally must be open to the public

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In covering the issues, we strive to provide avoice for our readers. We look forward to hear-ing from you.

The Connection Newspapers are publishedby Local Media Connection LLC, an indepen-dent, locally owned company. The publicationsand websites include the Alexandria GazettePacket, the Mount Vernon Gazette, the CentreView, the Potomac Almanac and individualConnection papers and websites servingMcLean, Great Falls, Vienna/Oakton, Oak Hill/Herndon, Reston, Springfield, Burke, Fairfax,Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton, Arlington,Centreville, Chantilly/Fair Oaks, Alexandriaand Mount Vernon.

The publications and websites have wonhundreds of awards for news and communitycoverage just in the past few years, includingthe Virginia Press Association Award for Integ-rity and Community Service for coverage ofefforts to prevent and end homelessness, andBest in Show for information/art for coverageof local parks.

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Looking to Hear from Readers in New Year

Editorial

See Letters, Page 11

Steven

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City DidNot ListenTo the Editor:

Ursula, I was wrong and youwere right when you said the citydoesn’t listen. In my letter, (“De-

ferral Serves Public Safety,” Ga-zette Packet, Dec. 19) I wrote tolet you know of one case wherethe city listened. The AlexandriaTraffic and Parking Board heardthe safety concerns of residents onKing Street at a public hearingNov. 25. Based on what they knew

and heard, they recommended thecity defer action on the King StreetProposal for bike lanes, “in orderto achieve greater compromisewith the various interests of thecommunity.”

Residents asked what next. The“what next” was a Christmas sur-

prise. On Friday afternoon, theweek before Christmas, a letterwas hand delivered to residents onKing Street signed by RichardBaier, director of Transportationand Environmental Services forAlexandria. The four-page letterstates “a delay of this decision tofurther study and discussion is notrecommended.” Basically the citychooses to ignore the board’s rec-ommendation and the safety con-cerns of residents most affected bythis decision. Instead the directordirects staff to remove contiguousparking and access to resident’shomes in order to install bike laneson King Street.

The letter implies that residentsare asking for an exception toAlexandria’s Complete StreetsPolicy. We are not. We are not be-cause this policy does not requirededicated bike lanes, only safetransport within and through acommunity. Further, of the masterplans, goals, and policy the letterreferenced to support this deci-sion, I’ve yet to find a requirementfor “dedicated” bike lanes.

Requiring dedicated bike lanesis not realistic in some locationsand the residents on King Streetcontend that installing dedicatedbike lanes on four blocks of this

Letters to the Editor


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From Page 10

Letters

See Letters, Page 14

section of King Street will not im-prove safety. The city’s letter statesthat a crash analyses for this areafor the last 5 years identified onecrash involving a pedestrian, noneinvolving a bicyclist, and 12 in-volving vehicles. There’s not a lotof room for improvement, butthere’s a lot of room to make itworse. Besides implementing aconfusing patchwork bike laneconfiguration, the city is allocat-ing 30 percent of a 30-foot road-way (i.e. King Street) for bicycleswhen that roadway, a major thor-oughfare to/from Old Town,handles 13,000 vechicles each day.The peak number of vehicles isover 1,000 per hour, the peaknumber of bicycles is 12 per hour.The decision set forth in the letterseems like a solution in search ofa problem rather than a solutionto a problem. There are actual,real roadway problems with KingStreet which this decision neitheraddresses nor solves.

Further, this decision intention-ally does not address the safetyconcerns of the residents of thiscommunity. Separation of road-way safety and residents’ needsare necessary for the decision tobe made by Mr. Baier. The letterstates, “As the design of this project

pertains to the safety of roadwayusers, the process does not includea recommendation or approval foraction by the Alexandria CityCouncil.” A wise decision by thecity would have integrated theseneeds. My hope was that the citywould listen and consider thesafety concerns of those residentsthat will live with the impact ofthis decision each and every day.They did not listen.

The letter states Mr. Baier“walked, drove, and rode my ownbike up and down King Street tomake sure I experienced the road-way from the perspective of allstreet users.” I would suggest Mr.Baier, or other city representatives,experience it from a resident’s per-spective as well.

Louise WelchAlexandria

Importance ofCompromiseTo the Editor:

Some residents of Alexandriaseem to believe that just becausethings have been a certain waythey are entitled to them remain-ing that way forever. Some near T.C. Williams High School whine

that the city promised not to putlights on athletic fields. Not onlyshould the proposed tennis courtshave lights but so should the foot-ball stadium. My children playedmany soccer games in the dim oftwilight. Other schools in the areaare located near residences andthey have lights. It was a promisethat should never have been made.

There are those who oppose abicycle lane on King Street Hillmoaning that their apparent in-alienable right to parking on thestreet will be taken from them. Ilive on upper King Street wherethere is no on-street parking.

Then, there are those residentsof Old Town who oppose develop-ment in the waterfront area. It isin the interest of the entire com-munity to retain our local charac-ter, but times change and statusquo almost always leads eventu-ally to decay.

Part of living in a community iscompromising your own interestsfor the benefit of the communityas a whole, which ultimatelymakes it a more desirable place foryou, as well.

Charles P. BrinkmanAlexandria

12 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ January 2-8, 2014 Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ January 2-8, 2014 ❖ 13www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Letters

Don Beyer, associates, representatives from Meals on Wheels Associa-tion of America and SSA volunteers deliver meals.

Christmas Day elves deliver meals and holiday gifts and cards madepossible by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and Ruth Brannigan’sclass at Mt. Vernon Community Elementary School.

Holiday Cheer Spreads to Homebound SeniorsS

enior Services of Alexandria’s elveswere spreading holiday cheer tohomebound Alexandria’s seniors.

Beyer Subaru teamed up with Senior

Services as part of its “Share the Love” cam-paign to deliver meals on wheels to seniors.The “Share the Love” campaign runsthrough Jan. 2 and if residents buy or lease

a new Subaru, Beyer Subaru will donate$250 to a variety of charities including Mealon Wheels.SSA’s volunteer elves also delivered holiday

meals on Christmas Eve and Day.The Ron Bradley Foundation’s supportallows SSA to deliver special holidaymeals.

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“What is your New Year’s resolution?”

Rebecca O, (holding son Evan)with her mom, Nancy: “To getorganized.”

Joseph Gueronwas taking aquick breakfrom writing.His resolutionfor 2014 is toget published.

Wayne Gooden, apersonal fitnesstrainer, believesthat “you startresolutions inOctober... andstay in thatmindset.” ByNew Year’s, it’sbecome part of aroutine.

GeriBaldwin:“2013 wasan awesomeyear for me, Ihad a chanceto meetmany peopleand thehighlight waswhen Ireceived a letter from PresidentBarack Obama. My New Year’sresolutions: Pursue my goals inwriting, art and music ... Con-tinue to love people and enjoylife.”

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From Page 11

Focus onEducationTo the Editor:

This is in response to articles in the Ga-zette Packet dated Dec. 19, 2013. One ar-ticle spoke about poverty in the classroom,it was funny that it did not mentionJefferson Houston Elementary. All I haveheard people talk about is how many un-derprivileged students this school has andhow many receive the free and reducedlunches. The article talked about how theproblems at school are all a social problemoutside of the school. Well, maybe in schoolthe teachers need to be teaching reading,writing, and arithmetic instead of taking onthe social problems that the children en-counter outside of the school. Maybe in-stead of having teachers that nurture waytoo much, they should be focused on edu-cation. Education is the key to having ourstudents become our future leaders, doc-tors, lawyers, etc. The children, all of thechildren, irregardless of background or fi-nancial status deserve the best educationthere is ….

Yes, the children deserve to have a goodhome life and a good life outside of school.I give my children and grandchildren all thatI can, but I am not an educator, I am a par-ent, I am responsible for making sure mychildren get to school, do their work, begood people. I need the school and its teach-ers to teach the children reading, writing,and arithmetic so they can grow and be-come the people they are meant to be. Weneed the Opportunity Educational Institu-tion to come in and help with restructuringthis school. We need to make this schoolwork for our students. If the current staffcannot make the difference we need thenwe need new blood. We also need to keepour school diverse, we need all childrenfrom all walks of life to help round out ourstudents and to help them learn that allpeople are different, and yet all people arethe same.

Bea PorterAlexandria

A WaterfrontParableTo the Editor:

The design for the waterfront, while sub-ject to many interpretations, thoughts andreactions, has been unchanged almost sinceit was first conceived by the small group ofself-appointed overseers who met clandes-tinely in 2006 to plot an invasion. In thevast spaces between the collective ears ahollow pinging grew in force as it radiatedout into the peaceful calm of Old Town —the waterfront will save us!

From the start this small group’s sweatyvision was grandiose, inspired by the loom-ing towers of National Harbor across thegreat river, named by the original settlersas Potomac, or “river of swans”; and whilethe swans have long since flown, the nearbyvales of Mordor cast a immense clinking andringing sound into the night air, as the soulsand pockets of ordinary humans are draineddry to profit a few.

Gazing early at this seemingly profitableparadigm, the Overseers sought the Tour-

ists. Their sightlines were clear, unob-structed by the realities of the unique land-scape populated by a close knit communityof diverse peoples dedicated to the placethey call the Historic District. A place ofkindness, knowledge, taste, charity, andwalkability. The people know this has hal-lowed ground, and a birthplace of democ-racy, with its natural purity chosen byswans.

The Overseers’ grand vision mushroomedIn the dark and seduced the worst and thesemi-worst alike so that soon it was sancti-fied by putting it on paper and handing itto the select group of servants who Plan andZone. They knew that the Old Towners’waterfront was a treasured place. Engage-ment was necessary, but only with crossedfingers behind your back. After all, the ser-vants had the Plan, and it was cast in con-crete.

Advancing like the Hydra they marched,snipping the thoughts of the Old Towner’sdown to little more than toothpicks on thecarcass of the Beast. Under the guise ofChange the phantom Tourists descendedchanting a mantra of “hotels, restaurants,

retail – mixed use – high density.” Seekinghelp, the memory of the swans flew off insearch of The Planimeters; alchemists ofnote whose said instrument measured thetrue worth of Change.

The heroic Planimeters knew the mam-moth effort before them, but guided by thewisdom of the Founders they set forth, go-ing from house to house like Revere in thenight, to raise a light on this Stygian dark-ness.

And lo, they prevailed till met by the de-vious Planners, helped in their smoggery bythe Magicians of Law and the Imperatorsof the Dais. So the long fight began, andthe watery edges of the Old Towners be-loved home grew even more imperiled.

And so it remains today, the faulty sightof a few, handed off to a small group of dig-gers now caught in a web of profit, taxmen,and tourists. The false prophets on the Daiscan bow to Tourism, but for the sake of theFounders now weeping in Heaven, thepeople of Old Town will not abandon theirfight!

Kathryn PappAlexandria


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Visit These Houses of WorshipJoin a Club, Make New Friends, or Expand Your Horizons…

To Advertise Your Faith Community, call Karen at 703-917-6468

Good ShepherdCatholic Church

8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria VA, 22309Tel: 703-780-4055 Fax: 703-360-5385 www.gs-cc.org

Loving as Christ loves, serving as Christ serves

Saturday Evening5:00 pm Vigil Mass6:30 pm Vigil Mass (en Español)Sunday7:30 am; 9:00 am (with SignLanguage Interpreter &Children’s Liturgy of the Word);10:30 am; 12:00 Noon; 2:00 pm(en Español); 6:30 pm

Weekday& SaturdayMornings: 9:00 am Mass,followed by Rosary (on FirstFriday, Mass followed byEucharistic Adoration)Thursday & First Fridayof the Month:7:30 pm Mass en Español

Mass Schedule

AFRICAN METHODISTEPISCOPAL ZION

ALLEYNE AME ZION CHURCH…703-548-3888ANGLICAN

CHRIST THE SAVIOUR…703-953-2854

ST. ANDREW & ST. MARGARETOF SCOTLAND…703-683-3343

CHRIST THE KINGANGLICAN CHURCH

…703-535-6815APOSTOLIC

LOVE OF CHRIST CHURCH…703-518-4404

BAPTISTALFRED STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

…703-683-2222COMMONWEALTH BAPTIST

CHURCH…703-548-8000CONVERGENCE CREATIVECOMMUNITY OF FAITH...

703-998-6260DEL RAY BAPTIST CHURCH

…703-549-8116DOWNTOWN BAPTIST

CHURCH…703-549-5544FIRST AGAPE BAPTIST

COMMUNITY OF FAITH…703-519-9100

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHOF ALEXANDRIA…703-684-3720

PROVIDENCE- ST. JOHNBAPTIST CHURCH…703-683-2565SHILOH BAPTIST…703-683-4573

MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH...703-256-1239

VICTORY TEMPLE…703-370-2233

PLYMOUTH HAVEN BAPTIST...703-360-4370BRETHREN

GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH…703-548-1808

ALEXANDRIA CHURCHOF GOD...703-548-5084

BUDDHISMTHE VAJRAYOGINI BUDDHIST

CENTER...202-331-2122ROMAN CATHOLIC

GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLICCHURCH…703-780-4055

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH…703-836-3725

ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH…703-765-4421

ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH…703-836-4100CHRISTIAN

HIS KINGDOM MINISTRIES...703-313-5029

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCHOF ALEXANDRIA...703-549-3911

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703-549-7973CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH

MT. VERNON...703-768-2494CHURCH OF CHRIST

ALEXANDRIA CHURCH OFCHRIST…703-836-3083

EPISCOPALEMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH

...703-683-0798

ST. AIDAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-360-4220

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-780-3081

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-765-4342

ST. MARK EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-765-3949

LUTHERANEPIPHANY LUTHERAN

CHURCH-ELCA….703-780-5077BETHANY LUTHERAN…

703-765-8255 EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

CHURCH…703-765-5003GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERANCHURCH-ELCA….703-548-8608

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH,MISSOURI SYNOD…703-549-0155

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SAINT APHRAIM SYRIAC…201-312-7678

ALL SAINTS OF AMERICA...703-417-9665

PRESBYTERIANCALVARY PRESBYTERIANCHURCH...703.768.8510

ALEXANDRIA PRESBYTERIANCHURCH…703-683-3348

OLD PRESBYTERIAN MEETINGHOUSE…703-549-6670

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MT. VERNON PRESBYTERIAN…703-765-6118

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTHOPE UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST...703-960-8772UNITED METHODIST

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MOUNT VERNONUNITARIAN CHURCH...

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From Page 4

News

intensive unit, and children in the chemotherapyand hematology unit.”

Task Force Smile’s goal for NWRMMC starts withtoys and ends with revamped patient rooms and play-rooms.

“I want to redo the playroom,” Wolf said. “We havea local Alexandria artist who is nationally known andhe has offered to help us put murals on the wall. Wealso want to put play stations in all the patient roomsand also in the pods where children get their infu-sions.”

She said that she plans to start “Task Force Smile”playroom renovations as soon as possible in 2014,and that other volunteers that have joined Task ForceSmile will help make her this possible.

“As Americas Adopt A Soldier director of Task ForceSmile, I will be joined by other volunteer membersto work with the staff at WRNMMC to initiate theprojects,” Wolf said. “We would love to make a realdifference in 2014.”

She added that Task Force Smile will start its firstproject as soon as money is available, but she hasher sights loosely set on the spring.

“I hope by spring we have collected enough moneyto start checking off our list,” Wolf said.

Wolf said she is confident that linking withAmerica’s Adopt a Soldier will help her reach hergoal to ultimately improve all critically ill military

children’s hospital experiences. She said she can thinkof no better place to start her quest, either.

“Walter Reed National Military Medical Center isthe one hospital in the world that has the most ad-vanced technology and treatments and all criticallyill military children from around the country cometo WRNMMC ,” Wolf said. “The playroom needs tobe done right, and we will work as a recognized char-ity supporting WRNMMC to ensure it is the best pos-sible environment for our military children.”

Keeser said America’s Adopt a Soldier was hon-ored to accept Task Force Smile as part of the orga-nization and to appoint Linda Wolf as director of TaskForce Smile.

“Having known Linda for many years, and know-ing how driven she is towards the success of herproject, we were honored to embrace her project,”Keeser said. “We at America’s Adopt A Soldier arehonored to embrace this most important project toensure our critically Ill Military Kids receive a Toy –we collectively named the project: ‘Task Force Smile’and to appointed Linda as the volunteer director ofTask Force Smile. Our initial plans, under Linda’sleadership, are to develop distribution PODs for thesetoys within these clients, ensuring every critically Illmilitary child receives a toy through our year-roundproject.”

To donate, visit www.americasadoptasoldier.org/and click on “Make a Donation.” Note “Task ForceSmile” on the purpose line.

Helping Critically Ill Military Children

Last year: A typicalcollection of

donated toys.

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TCHOUPITOULASFine Furnishings and Interior Design

Tradition with a Twist

Tchoupitoulas is a fine furnishings

store located in Old Town Alexandria,

which specializes in designing

interiors to reflect our clients’ unique

aesthetic. We like to call it “Tradition

with a Twist.”

Visit us at Tchoupitoulas (CHOP-uh-

TOO-lis) where you’ll see New Orleans

traditions reflected in everything from

heirloom-quality pieces to fun

accessories to jazz up any space!

210 N. Lee Street ~ Alexandria

703-299-0145

www.TchoupitoulasFurnishings.com

Happy New Year!New store hours for 2014. Can’t wait to see you!

Monday–Friday10:00 to 6:00

Saturday10:00 to 5:00

SundayBy appointment

By Marilyn Campbell

Gazette Packet

As we begin a new year, many arefocused on their spiritual healthand well-being. In fact, the National Wellness Institute names

spiritual wellness as one of the seven di-mensions of overall wellness. It’s essentialin life, say experts.

Lisa Jackson-Cherry, Ph.D., chair of theDepartment of Counseling at MarymountUniversity in Arlington, who specializes inpastoral counseling and pastoral integra-tion, believes spiritual well-being doesn’talways have to do with religion. It’s aboutbeing connected to something greater thanone’s self. “It doesn’t have to be a higherpower,” she said. “It can be your commu-nity or nature, but the key piece is that thereis a connection to something other thanyourself.”

Elizabeth Rees, the associate rector at St.Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon,said, “I would say at its heart, spiritual well-being is knowing ourselves to be loved andcherished by God and then living into thattruth.”

Kathy Judd, Alexandria-based meditationteacher and director of No Place Like Om,said, “Spiritual health and well-being iswhen you … feel just as, if not more, con-

nected to what you can’t see as to what youcan. It’s about knowing that there is an ani-mating force that drives the show and see-ing all the ups and downs of our humanexperience as just like that — a show.”

WHILE SPIRITUAL WELLNESS canmean different things to different people,experts said there are common factors thatcan help one achieve it, such as engagingwith others. “When we think about spiri-tual health or well-being, we think aboutpeople being at peace with themselves andothers,” said Jackson-Cherry.

“In my opinion,” she said, “once peoplebecome connected with other people andnot so consumed with themselves or theirown tragedies or pain and they give ofthemselves to others, share their gifts, of-ten they experience contentment.”

“Community is a big one, and also whatyou pay attention to and consume,” Juddsaid. “If you’re constantly tuned in to thenews cycle and people who are negative andarguing, you’re going to see the world froma certain viewpoint. … If you take time tobe in nature, read uplifting things, eat [theright] foods, and surround yourself with acommunity of people who are loving, sup-portive and want to bring out the best inyou, you’ll have a very different experienceof the world.”

Rees believes self-love is also a compo-nent of spiritual well-being. “In adult edu-cation here at St. Aidan’s, we’ve been lis-tening to the talks of [scholar, author andpublic speaker] Brené Brown and talkingabout what she has to say about vulnerabil-ity. I have definitely found in my own lifethat when I dare to share the truth aboutmy struggles with the people around me, itcreates a new space for growth and depth.

“Until we learn to love and forgive our-selves, it’s almost impossible to love andforgive others,” she said. “For me, the Chris-tian story in general, and the Church com-munity in particular, is the place where thatcomes together and makes sense.”

Jackson-Cherry said, “When I’m workingwith clients, I find that people who havethe healthiest spiritual well-being arepeople who have a sense of purpose in lifeor have a meaning in life. They might nothave achieved it, but they are working to-ward it. Having a sense of purpose or mean-ing in life leads to contentment.”

So how does one find a sense of purposeand meaning in life? “We’ve talked aboutthis question a lot,” said Rees. “What comesup most frequently is the idea of findingways to live in the present, slowing downand finding God present in the moment. …Hearing where other people are findingGod, and taking the time to look for God

acting in my own life and share that withothers makes me much more aware of Godall around, and helps me to remember thatGod is also acting in and through the peoplearound me.”

Judd said there is work involved inachieving spiritual well-being. “It takespractice, just like anything else,” she said.

LIVING IN THE MOMENT is also a fac-tor that can lead to contentment and spiri-tual well-being. “I think trying to … find asmuch love and joy in it as possible is a hugepiece,” Judd said. “Also, worry less aboutwhat others think and be more willing tolive and love greatly. Developing gratitude,as something that runs through all of ourlife, not just as something that comes whenlife seems to be going really well, is impor-tant too.”

Rees said keeping a journal is a useful toolin developing gratitude. “One spiritual ex-ercise that helps me sometimes is to prac-tice gratitude by prayerfully journalingabout the things for which I am grateful,”she said. “Sit down and write 100 thingsfor which you are grateful. You start withthe big and obvious things, but then alsofind yourself digging deep for the small butever-present graces of life. … Journaling ingeneral can be a great for spiritual well-being.”

Wellbeing

Spiritual Wellness in the New Year What is it and howdoes one achieve it?


News

Members of Delta Sigma Theta gather for a group photo prior to volun-teering at the toy drive distribution event.

Alexandria Police Officer BennieEvans, right, listens as his wifeDeana remembers their sonCameron, a T.C. Williams studentwho committed suicide last month.The family donated funds inCameron’s memory to support thelocal toy drive.

Eagle Scouts Nate Smith and MikelSevareid of Troop 1865 help dis-tribute books as part of theFirefighters and Friends toy drive.

From Page 1

Firefighters Collect 3,500 Toyshis life and we wanted to be here to let

you know that what you are doing is im-portant.”

Started nearly two decades ago by Alex-andria native Capt.Willie Bailey, this year’sdrive collected morethan 3,500 toys, bikesand gift cards for needychildren in Alexandriaand Fairfax County.

“I’m excited to be hereagain and happy to helpout in any way I can,”said Troop 1865 EagleScout Mikel Sevareid,who has raised thou-sands of dollars over thesix years that he hasbeen volunteering in the toy drive. “Thereare so many kids who are less fortunate thanme. It makes me feel good to help them havesomething at Christmas.”

With Ronald McDonald on hand, toyswere distributed to representatives of 72schools, shelters and nonprofits. Jazz, theDream Dog Foundation mascot, gave away

hundreds of donated books.“Every school from Alexandria City

showed up to pick up gifts for children whootherwise would not receive a gift for theholidays,” said Bailey, a Del Ray resident.

“There were numerousbusinesses in Fairfax andAlexandria assisting uswith purchasing and dis-tributing the toys today.We can’t save the worldbut we believe no childshould go without a giftduring the holidays sowe are doing what wecan to make sure thatdoesn’t happen.”

Fairfax County FireChief Richard Bowerspraised the work of

Bailey and the community volunteers.“I am so proud of this community and the

outreach effort on behalf of those childrenwho are less fortunate,” Bowers said. “Thisis what it’s all about — the kids. So thanksto all of you for stepping up and standingout to make this a happy holiday for every-one.”

“We can’t save theworld but we believeno child should gowithout a gift duringthe holidays.”

— Firefighters and Friendsfounder Capt. Willie Bailey


E-mail announcements to [email protected]. Photos andartwork are encouraged. Deadline isThursday at noon.

ONGOINGAfrican American Activists

Exhibition. Through Saturday, Jan.4, 2014, Living Legends ofAlexandria is an ongoing photo-documentary project created in 2006by artist-photographer Nina Tisara toidentify, honor and chronicle peoplemaking current history in Alexandria.This free exhibit is at the AlexandriaBlack History Museum, 601 WytheSt. The museum is open Tuesdaythrough Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Visit www.alexblackhistory.org orcall 703-746-4356.

Art Exhibit. “Small Works,” juried byIrene Owsley will run Nov. 26-Jan. 5,at the Multiple Exposures Gallery inthe Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105N. Union St. Visitwww.torpedofactory.org for more.

Art Exhibit. See “IMPART,” a projectthat is a collaboration between TheArt League and the WoundedWarriors at Ft. Belvoir. Featuresceramics by eight artists showcasedat The Art League in the TorpedoFactory, 105 N. Union St. Exhibitruns through Jan. 5. Visitwww.theartleague.org for more.

“The Street Sense Project.” Thien-Kim Pham presents “Portraits ofPeople Who Live and Work on theStreets” in studio 21 at the TorpedoFactory, 105 N. Union St. The exhibitruns Dec. 5 through Jan. 6. A portionof the sales will be donated to a localcharity related to the subject matterdepicted in the piece. Visitwww.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780 for more.

Art Exhibit. “Small Worlds,” a multi-media juried exhibition with a focuson artists who work in miniature orsmall scales will run Dec. 6-Jan. 12,at the Target Gallery in the TorpedoFactory Art Center, 105 N. Union St.Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Solo Artist Preview Exhibit. RunsJan. 9-23 at at the Torpedo FactoryArt Center, on the waterfront in OldTown Alexandria at 105 N Union St.Call 703-683-1780 or visitwww.theartleague.org. The ArtLeague’s Solo Artist Preview Exhibitpremieres one piece by each of thenine solo artists on the 2014exhibition calendar, which includephotographers, collage artists,sculptors, and painters. A panel ofoutside jurors select the solo exhibitsat The Art League in a process thathappens two years in advance.

Art Exhibit. See “No Room For Doubt,”abstract works on wood, canvas andpaper by Kristen Hayes through Jan.26 at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St.Free. Visit nvfaa.org or 703-548-0035.

Art Exhibit. Artist John Gascot ofStudio 4, 218 N. Lee St., suite 101,creates an art exhibit to honor thelife journeys of transgenderindividuals. It will be on displaythrough January. Gallery hours areThursday-Saturday, noon-7 p.m. andSunday from noon-5 p.m. or byappointment. Visitwww.studio4oldtown.com for more.

Art Exhibit. See “Primary Colors” artexhibit from Jan. 3-Feb. 2 at The DelRay Artisans, 2704 Mount VernonAve. Artists use the three primarycolors without mixing them. Free.Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org.

Art Exhibit. See a solo photographicexhibit “Darkness Visible” by TimothyHyde at Multiple Exposures Galleryin the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. UnionSt. Runs Jan. 7 through Feb. 16.Hyde’s photography examines themysteries hidden in the shadows.Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Theater Performance. Arts on theHorizon presents “Under the

Canopy,” a 20-minute interactive,nonverbal show for children up toage 4. Performances are Feb. 12-14,16, 17, 19-21, 23 at 10:30 a.m. atThe Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. $5/person. Tickets at www.artsonthehorizon.org or at the door.

Occupied City: Life in Civil WarAlexandria Exhibition. At TheLyceum, 201 South Washington St.,through Sunday, March 23. Thisexhibit traces life in Alexandriafollowing Virginia’s decision tosecede from the Union in May 1861.The Lyceum is open Monday throughSaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. andSunday, 1-5 p.m. Suggestedadmission is $2. Visitwww.alexandriahistory.org or call703-746-4994.

CLASSESMetro Club After-School Program.

From Sept. 9-June 2014, theMetropolitan School of Arts presentsan after-school program for grades 1-6. The program is located at both theLorton studio at Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9517 Workhouse Way and inAlexandria at 5775 Barclay Drive.Programs will focus on the arts,including music, dance, theatre, yogaand academics, as well as designatedhomework time. The program willrun Mondays, 1-6 p.m., and Tuesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. Tuition runs from$130-150. Call 703-339-0444 or visitwww.metropolitanarts.org.

Life Drawing. Del Ray Artisans offers arange of open life drawing sessionsfor anyone to develop life-drawingskills further. Just drop-in for thesession and bring your supplies todraw or paint our live models. Feeranges from $8-$12. All skill levelsare welcome. Del Ray Artisans islocated at 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org.

Photography Workshop. 10:30 a.m.-noon at Multiple Exposures Galleryon 105 N. Union Street.Photographers and enthusiasts of allskill levels are invited to share work,ideas, and questions at this freeworkshop held on the last Sunday ofeach month, except December. Noreservations. Call 703-683-2205.

SATURDAY/JAN. 4Show. Doors open at 10 a.m., show

starts at 11 a.m. at Old TownTheater, 815 King St. “Dezmo andthe Secret Power of Knowledge” will

Entertainment

Live MusicFocus Music presents contemporary folk singer-songwriter Joe Crookston with Tiffany Thompson on Sunday, Jan.

19, 7 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St. Ohio native Joe Crookston is the classictraveling troubadour, accompanied by guitar, banjo or fiddle, plus an amplified foot-stomping box. Now based in Ithaca,N.Y., he has released his third CD, “Darkling and the Bluebird Jubilee.” Since 2008, D.C.-based Tiffany Thompson hastoured as a solo artist, fusing story-telling folk and pop songs with an often jazzy sound. Visit www.joecrookston.comor www.tiffanythompsonmusic.com. $18/$15 for advance sales and members, visit www.focusmusic.org/concerts_alexandria.php

be performed for children. $15/person. Visit www.theoldtowntheater.com/ for more.

Music Performance. 3 p.m. at GeorgeWashington Masonic NationalMemorial, 101 Callahan Drive. TheWashington MetropolitanPhilharmonic will perform. This is arescheduled concert from Dec. 8.$20/adult; children 18 and under arefree. Visit www.wmpamusic.org or703-799-8229.

SUNDAY/JAN. 5Twelfth Night. 6 p.m. at Christ

Church, 118 N. Washington St.Armonia Nova, an ensemble ofhistorical instruments and voicescelebrates 12 years of Twelfth Nightconcerts with more than a dozenseasonal early music gems fromEngland, France, Germany andSpain. Constance Whiteside,medieval/baroque harps; CraigResta, vielle & baroque violin; CoreyMcKnight and Jay Whitecountertenors. Donations welcomed.Visit www.armonianova.org.

MONDAY/JAN. 6Second Thursday Music. 7 p.m. at

The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Hearmusic by The Noctonals. $10. Visitwww.nvfaa.org or 703-548-0035.

Choral Evensong. 7:30 p.m. at St.Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. PittSt. Enjoy music on the Feast of theEpiphany. Free. Optional donationwill benefit St. Paul’s LazarusMinistry. 703-549-3312 for more.

TUESDAY/JAN. 7Salon-Style Series. 6-8 p.m. at

Morrison House, 116 S. Alfred St.Catherine B. Hollan will discussAmerican silver. Free, food and drinkfor purchase. Visitwww.morrisonhouse.com orwww.torpedofactory.org for more.

THURSDAY/JAN. 9Opening Reception. 6:30-8 p.m. at

the Torpedo Factory Art Center, onthe waterfront in Old TownAlexandria at 105 N Union St. Call703-683-1780 or visitwww.theartleague.org. The ArtLeague’s Solo Artist Preview Exhibitpremieres one piece by each of thenine solo artists on the 2014exhibition calendar, which include

photographers, collage artists,sculptors, and painters.

FRIDAY/JAN. 10Music Performance. See Ricky

Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at TheBirchmere Music Hall, 3701 MountVernon Ave. 7:30 p.m. $39.50. Visitwww.birchmere.com or 703-549-7500 for tickets.

SATURDAY/JAN. 11Dance Performance. 2 p.m. at

Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Danceperforms “Mouse of Amherst,”adapted from the book “Mouse inHouse” by Elizabeth Spires. $15/adult; $10/child. Visitwww.janefranklin.com or 703-933-1111.

Dance Performance. 7 p.m. JaneFranklin Dance presents “See” atTheatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. $20. Visitjanefranklin.com or 703-933-1111.

Music Performance. See RickySkaggs & Kentucky Thunder at TheBirchmere Music Hall, 3701 MountVernon Ave. 7:30 p.m. $39.50. Visitwww.birchmere.com or 703-549-7500 for tickets.

SUNDAY/JAN. 12Performance. Doors open at 1:30

p.m., show at 2 p.m. at GraceEpiscopal School, 3601 Russell Road.Families can enjoy a performance byRocknoceros. $5/person. Visitrocknoceros.com for more.

Gallery Talk. 2-3:30 p.m. KristenHayes will lead a talk about herexhibit “No Room For Doubt” at TheAthenaeum, 201 Prince St. Free. Visitnvfaa.org or 703-548-0035.

Dance Performance. 2 p.m. atTheatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Danceperforms “Mouse of Amherst,”adapted from the book “Mouse inHouse” by Elizabeth Spires. $15/adult; $10/child. Visitwww.janefranklin.com or 703-933-1111.

Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m. meetthe artist of “Darkness Visible,”Timothy Hyde at Multiple ExposuresGallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105N. Union St. Runs Jan. 7 throughFeb. 16. Hyde’s photographyexamines the mysteries hidden in theshadows. Visit

www.torpedofactory.org for more.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 15Swing Dance. 9-11 p.m. at Nick’s

Nightclub, 642 S. Pickett St. Dance tomusic by The Grandsons. $10.

FRIDAY/JAN. 17Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at

Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 MountVernon Ave. Jackson Edwards (of theWeatherVanes) will open for JuniorBrown. Visit www.birchmere.com or703-549-7500 for tickets.


Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Danceperforms “Mouse of Amherst,”adapted from the book “Mouse inHouse” by Elizabeth Spires. $15/adult; $10/child. Visitwww.janefranklin.com or 703-933-1111.

Opening Reception. 6-9 p.m. artistJohn Gascot of Studio 4, 218 N. LeeSt., suite 101, creates an art exhibitto honor the life journeys oftransgender individuals. It will be ondisplay the whole month of January.Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday,noon-7 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5p.m. or by appointment. Visitwww.studio4oldtown.com for more.

Dance Performance. 7 p.m. atTheatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Danceperforms “The Trickster,” amultidisciplinary work incollaboration with percussionist TomTeasley. $20/person. Visitwww.janefranklin.com or 703-933-1111. Tickets can be purchased at thedoor.

SUNDAY/JAN. 19“From Board Game to Book.”

Noon-4 p.m. at Del Ray Artisansgallery at the Nicholas A. ColasantoCenter, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.Stacy Rausch teaches participants tocreate a one-of-a-kind art book usinga board game as the cover withtraditional book-binding methodsand materials. The fee (all suppliesincluded) is just $48 for Del RayArtisans members, $53 for non-members. Register atwww.TheDelRayArtisans.org.

Music Performance. 7 p.m. atEpiscopal Church of the Resurrection,2280 N. Beauregard St. Focus Musicpresents folk singer-songwriters JoeCrookston with Tiffany Thompson.$18/door; $15/advance or member.703-380-3151.

MONDAY/JAN. 20Talk. 7 p.m. at at The Athenaeum, 201

Prince St. Michael Mark Ludlow willdiscuss “19th Century ConspicuousConsumption: Artistic Examples ofAlexandria’s Unique Cast IronDownspouts.” Free. Visitwww.nvfaa.org or 703-548-0035.


Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Danceperforms “Penelope’s Pesky Pen,”inspired by a children’s book byFrank Dormer. $10-$15/person. Visitwww.janefranklin.com or 703-933-1111.

Dance Performance. 7 p.m. atTheatre on the Run, 3700 S. FourMile Run Drive. Jane Franklin Danceperforms “The Trickster,” amultidisciplinary work incollaboration with percussionist TomTeasley. $20/person. Visitwww.janefranklin.com or 703-933-1111 or get tickets at the door.

Tiffany ThompsonJoe Crookston


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Beatley, 5005 Duke St. Call 703-746-1702.Duncan, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Call 703-746-1705.Burke Branch, 4701 Seminary Road. Call 703-746-1704.Barrett Branch, 717 Queen St. Call 703-746-1703.Visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us.

ONGOINGBook a Librarian. At the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central

Library, 5005 Duke St, for help with research or tobetter understand the library’s databases and resources.Make an appointment by calling 703-746-1751.

Computer Tutoring. At the Charles E. Beatley, Jr.Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Individual assistancefrom a librarian. Call 703-746-1751.

SUNDAY/JAN. 5Superhero Sunday. 2 p.m. at Beatley Library. Watch a

movie about superheroes. Call for title.

MONDAY/JAN. 6Little One-Ders. 10:30 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005

Duke St. Children ages 12-23 months can enjoy storiesand more.

Baby Time. 11 a.m. at Duncan Library. Songs, fingerplaysand bounces for babies up to 11 months. Free.

Baby Rhyme Time. 11:30 a.m. at Beatley CentralLibrary. Children up to 11 months with adult. Free.

Read, Sing & Play Baby. 4 p.m. at Barrett BranchLibrary. Children up to 11 months can enjoy stories andmore. Free.

TUESDAY/JAN. 7Stories and Songs. 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at Duncan

Library. Children ages 1-4 can enjoy stories and more.Sign up half-hour before. Free.

Mother Goose Time. 10:15 a.m. at Barrett BranchLibrary. Children ages 12-23 months can enjoy games,rhymes and more. Free.

Time For 2s. 10:30 a.m. at Beatley Library. Children age24-36 months can enjoy stories and more. Free.

Tuesday Tots. 11 a.m. at Burke Branch Library. Childrenages 2-3 can enjoy stories and more. Free.

Stories to Grow On. 11 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library.Children age 2 and up can enjoy stories and more. Free.


Author Talk. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Chris Dietzel willdiscuss and sign the book “The Man Who Watched theWorld End.” Free.

Game Night. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Children ages 8-12 can play games against friends or meet new peopleto play against. Free.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 8Mother Goose Time. 10:15 a.m. at Barrett Branch

Library. Children ages 12-23 months can enjoy games,rhymes and more. Free.

Time For 2s. 10:30 a.m. at Beatley Library. Children age24-36 months can enjoy stories and more. Free.Registration required.

Baby Rhythm & Rhyme Time. 11 a.m. at Burke BranchLibrary. Children ages 0-18 months can enjoy music,movement and more. Free.


Spanish Story Time. 1 p.m. at Beatley Library. All agesand abilities can enjoy stories and more in Spanish.Free.

Mystery Book Club. 2 p.m. at Burke Library. Call fortitle.

Hitchcock Film Series. 6:30 p.m. at Duncan BranchLibrary. Watch a movie and then discuss it at St. Elmo’sCoffee Pub. Free.

Author Talk. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Ninad Jog willdiscuss and sign the books “Ninny Natter” and “The TinyWorld of Vinod Saney.” Free.

Lego Family Night. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Familiescan enjoy building together and more. Free.

Pajama Story Time. 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. at Duncan Library.Children can come dressed in their favorite outfit/pajamas and listen to stories. Free.

THURSDAY/JAN. 9Mother Goose Story Time. 10 a.m. at Duncan Library.

Children ages 12-24 months can enjoy stories and more.Sign up half-hour before. Free.

Mother Goose Story Time. 10 a.m. at Duncan Library.Children ages 12-24 months can enjoy stories and more.Sign up half-hour before. Free.

Story Time. 11 a.m. at Duncan Library. Children ages 3-5can enjoy stories and more. Free.

Little One-Ders. 11:15 a.m. at Beatley Library. Children

ages 12-23 months can enjoy stories and more.Story Time. 4 p.m. at Barrett Branch Library. Children

ages 3 and up can enjoy games, rhymes and more. Free.Survival at the Edge of Space. 4 p.m. at Burke Branch

Library. Learn how high altitude pilots and astronautssurvive at the edge of space and beyond.

Blockbuster Thursday. 6:30 p.m. at Beatley Library.Call for title. Free.

Knit Nite. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Students in grade 4-12 can learn to knit and complete projects under theguidance of experienced knitters. Free.

Pajama Party. 7 p.m. at Burke Branch Library. Childrenages 3-7 can come dressed in their favorite outfit/pajamas and listen to stories. Free.

FRIDAY/JAN. 10Homeschool Game Hour. 10 a.m. at Duncan Branch

Library. Educational game time for homeschool childrenages 5-10. Free.

SATURDAY/JAN. 11Saturday Stories. 11 a.m. at Beatley Library. All ages

can enjoy stories and songs. Free.

SUNDAY/JAN. 12Music Performance. 2 p.m. at Beatley Library. Lee

Istrail and Telegraph String Band will perform. Free.

MONDAY/JAN. 13Little One-Ders. 10:30 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005

Duke St. Children ages 12-23 months can enjoy storiesand more.

Baby Time. 11 a.m. at Duncan Library. Songs, fingerplaysand bounces for babies up to 11 months. Free.


Teen Movie. 4 p.m. at Duncan Branch Library. Childrenin grades 6 and up can watch a movie. Free.

Read, Sing & Play Baby. 4 p.m. at Barrett BranchLibrary. Children up to 11 months can enjoy stories andmore. Free.

Interfaith Book Club. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Discussnonfiction works that strive to find common groundthrough recognizing and celebrating common values.Free.

Let’s Talk Books. 7 p.m. at Barrett Branch Library.Discuss “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter. Free. 703-746-1703.

Duncan Poetry Society. 7 p.m. at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub,2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Read and discuss song lyricsfrom musicians and writers from the late sixties andearly seventies. Free.

TUESDAY/JAN. 14Stories and Songs. 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at Duncan

Library. Children ages 1-4 can enjoy stories and more.Sign up half-hour before. Free.

Mother Goose Time. 10:15 a.m. at Barrett BranchLibrary. Children ages 12-23 months can enjoy games,rhymes and more. Free.


Tuesday Tots. 11 a.m. at Burke Branch Library. Childrenages 2-3 can enjoy stories and more. Free.



Paws to Read. 5:30 p.m. at Duncan Library. Children ingrades 1-6 can read to friendly dogs. Registrationrequired.

Science Night. 7 p.m. at Beatley Library. Children ages 8-12 can learn how things work, from building bridges totreasure hunting maps. Free.

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 15Mother Goose Time. 10:15 a.m. at Barrett Branch

Library. Children ages 12-23 months can enjoy games,rhymes and more. Free.


Baby Rhythm & Rhyme Time. 11 a.m. at Burke BranchLibrary. Children ages 0-18 months can enjoy music,rhymes and movement. Free.


Afternoon Book Discussion. 2 p.m. at Burke Library.Discuss “Salvage the Bones” by Jesmyn Ward. Free.

Paws to Read. 5:30 p.m. at Burke Library. Children ingrades 1-6 can read to friendly dogs. Registrationrequired. Call 703-746-1773 or email [email protected] to register for a 15min slot.

At the Library


Alexandria Gazette Packet Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-224-3015 or [email protected]

Sports

The year 2013 provided severalmemorable moments in localsports. For T.C. Williams, thefootball program qualified for

the playoffs for the first time since 1990 andthe girls’ basketball team won a district title.For St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, the boys’ soc-cer team won a state championship andfield hockey coach Marsha Way reached 500career victories. Bishop Ireton’s boys’ bas-ketball team reached the WCAC semifinalsfor the first time in school history.

Here is a look at the top moments in Al-exandria sports for 2013.

and summer ‘green’ days was critical. Manyof our seniors led the way all through theactivities mentioned above. For any team,especially football, senior leadership is thekey.”

The Titans entered the 6A North regionplayoffs as the No. 9 seed and traveled toface South County. T.C. Williams held a 21-14 lead with 6:11 remaining in the secondquarter, but South County outscored theTitans 37-6 for the remainder of the con-test, winning 51-27.

SSSAS Boys’ Soccer WinsState Championship

The St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes boys’ soc-cer team in 2013 reached the state final fourfor the fifth consecutive season. The previ-ous four trips resulted in just one appear-ance in the state championship game, whichthe Saints lost in 2011.

“It was our fifth trip to the final four,”SSSA head coach Bo Amato wrote in anemail, “and we were starting to feel Buf-falo Bill like.”

The Buffalo Bills reached the Super Bowlfour straight seasons during the 1990s butcame up short each time.

St. Stephen’s defeated Collegiate 3-0 inthe state semifinals on Nov. 6 and beat CapeHenry Collegiate 1-0 in the state final onNov. 8. The Saints finished the season witha 19-2-2 record and won the IAC champi-onship.

“[My] fondest memory was the relief ofour coaching staff at winning, not joy, wewere just relieved to win and remove thecurse of just falling short,” Amato wrote.“It was spectacular to see the joy on thefaces of players, school admin, parents. Thereason we won is because the players actedlike athletes of the ’70s: hard work, deter-mination, coachability, team before indi-vidual gain. Freshmen to seniors, there wasno arrogance, the group of men played andpracticed as one.

“It was a spectacular year, one that as acoach you really should consider retiringbecause it will never be better than that,well maybe an undefeated season, butfrankly this was better than that becauseevery game for the most part was a one-goal game into the final 10 minutes.”

The state championship game was playedin Richmond, but the Saints had a support-ive following.

“The biggest memory of the year was thatwe had 200 people from students, parents,relatives and school staff and admin makethe drive to Richmond on the Friday inheavy traffic to cheer on their belovedschool on a freezing evening,” Amato wrote.“We have never had that many people watchour games before. The reason they went towatch versus other years was because thelads on the team were gentlemen and likedon campus, their parents are class, as well.Not often you have great parents and play-ers on a team. Normally, the odd parentmoans about playing time and positions.

These parents let the coaches do their bestand supported us and their children to themax.”

SSSAS Field HockeyCoach Reaches 500 Wins

Marsha Way, in her 35th season coachingthe St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes field hockeyprogram, reached 500 career victories whenthe Saints defeated Good Counsel 2-0 onSept. 10.

The school held a celebration for Way’saccomplishment on Sept. 24, after theSaints had defeated Pennsylvania’sMercersburg Academy 5-1.

“Coach Way is a really unique coach be-cause I respect her so much as a person thatwhen I step out on the field I want to playwell for her almost more than for myself,”senior captain Kathryn Cavallo said on Sept.24. “She’s always positive, always reallypushing you to be the best person that youcan be. … She’s definitely helped me be-come a stronger leader in my personal life,as well.”

SSSA finished the season with an 18-4-1record. Along the way, the Saints capturedWay’s 22nd Independent School Leagueseason championship and her 21st ISL tour-nament title.

When asked about her fondest memoryof reaching 500 wins, Way wrote: “Seeingso many of my former players come backto celebrate the achievement with me andthis year’s team.”

Bishop Ireton Boys’Reach WCAC Semifinals

After years of finishing near the bottomof the WCAC standings, members of theBishop Ireton boys’ basketball team enteredthe 2012-13 season hoping to surprise theconference.

When the postseason rolled around, theCardinals took advantage of their opportu-nity.

Bishop Ireton, seeded No. 8 in the WCACtournament, defeated No. 1 Gonzaga 67-58 in the quarterfinals on Feb. 23. The winearned Ireton its first trip to the WCAC semi-finals in school history.

The Cardinals beat Gonzaga despite blow-ing a 10-point lead.

“I think it’s a program-changer and I hoperecruits out there see it and I hope we real-ize that anything is possible,” Ireton headcoach Neil Berkman said last season. “We’vebeen coming close the entire year andhaven’t been able to get over the hump andwhen they erased our 10-point lead at half-time and tied it up, everybody was like,‘Here we go again,’ including the coaches.

“We got over the hump with some tough-ness and some gang rebounding and mak-ing big plays at the big time. Going throughthe wars every day in the WCAC just madeour team resilient.”

Bishop Ireton finished the season with an

18-15 record — the program’s first winningseason since 1986.

“My fondest memory was celebrating withour players, coaches, staff, parents, andfans,” Berkman wrote about reaching theWCAC semifinals. “It was a terrific momentfor our school and program. Our team per-severed through numerous close defeatsand it was extremely gratifying to exhibitthat resilience and finish the major upset.We were able to achieve the only No. 8 beat-ing a No. 1 in WCAC history (and knockingoff the No. 1 team in DC and nationally-ranked Gonzaga) because our entire teambought into the consummate team concept.We continued to compete every possessionand put together an entire quality 32 min-utes. It was a special moment for BishopIreton basketball: first semifinal appearanceand our school’s first winning season in 26years!”

Top Sports Moments of 2013 in Alexandria

T.C. Williams FootballSnaps Playoff Drought

The T.C. Williams football program pos-sesses a trio of state championships andgained national recognition through the2000 Disney movie “Remember the Titans,”starring Denzel Washington. But after theTitans reached the playoffs in 1990, neitherpast gridiron glory nor Hollywood famehelped the Titans reach the postseason forthe next 22 years.

T.C. Williams sniffed the playoffs in re-cent years, but fell just short in 2009 and2010. In 2012, the Titans closed the seasonwith a four-game winning streak and en-tered 2013 with a talented defense and ex-pectations of ending the drought.

Then the Titans went out and did the job.T.C. Williams qualified for the playoffs for

the first time since 1990, finishing the regu-lar season with a 7-3 record, including a38-2 season-opening win over Oakton anda 24-14 victory against rival West Potomacin the regular-season finale.

“[My] fondest memory was, by far, thevictory over West Potomac,” T.C. Williamshead coach Dennis Randolph wrote in anemail. “It was a great ending to the regularseason with a win that gave us a [rivalry]victory and enabled us to finish 7-3. Bestrecord at TC in a long time.”

Why was the 2013 team able to snap theprogram’s lengthy playoff drought?

“The reason we were able to make theplayoffs and finish 7-3 was the hard workput in by the senior leadership,” Randolphwrote. “Starting in the weight room, 7-on-7 competitions, spring camp, and the spring

T.C. Williams receiver Tyrice Henrycatches a pass during the Titans’first playoff appearance in morethan two decades.

Gazette Packet File Pho

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T.C. Girls’ BasketballAre District Champions

The T.C. Williams girls’ basketball teamin 2013 reached the Patriot District cham-pionship game for the third consecutiveseason. This time, the Titans took home thetitle.

T.C. defeated Woodson 58-35 in the Pa-triot District final on Feb. 15 at LakeBraddock Secondary School. It was the Ti-tans’ first district championship since 2009.

“The best memory of winning the districttitle was definitely cutting down the netswith my team,” T.C. Williams guard AngieSchedler wrote in an email. “We know howhard we worked every day and when weaccomplished a goal like that, it proved toeveryone else that we were definitely oneof the most hard-working teams. We wereable to win the title because we came to-gether and fought hard for 32 minutes. Westarted the game off right and continued itthroughout the entire game, as well as shut-ting down their top shooter.”

Against Woodson in the district final,Schedler’s defense helped limit Woodsonsharpshooter Keara Finnerty to 10 pointstwo days after she scored 40 against WestSpringfield in the semifinals. Schedlerscored 14 points against Woodson. T.C.guard Rejoice Spivey led all scorers with 29points.

— Jon Roetman

The T.C. Williams girls’ basketballteam won the 2013 Patriot Districtchampionship.


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Unusual opportunity to learn manyaspects of the newspaper business.Internships available in reporting,photography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students, and foradults considering change of career.Unpaid. E-mail [email protected]

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Zone 3: • Alexandria

• Mount VernonClassifiedClassified

OOBBIITTUUAARRYYSSttaannlleeyy HH.. SStteeaarrmmaann,, 8844

died after a short illness Friday, December 13, 2013 at

The Villages, FL. He had a Shoe Department in VA for

many years. After his retirement he worked at

Nordstrom's in Pentagon City. Survivors include his wife

Udis (Taffi); daughter's Bonni and Jodi; granddaughter

Ashley Anne; and brother Lewis of Alexandria, VA.

Services will be held at King David Memorial Gardens,

Falls Church, VA on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at

11:30AM. The family will be receiving guests Friday

through Sunday in Columbia, MD.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

HDI COMPUTER SOLUTIONSJENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed up Slow Computers➣ Troubleshooting➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup

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101 Computers 101 Computers

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEGreen Paradise Alexandria, LLC trading New Grand Mart, 6255 Little River Tnpk,Alexan-dria, VA 22312. The above es-tablishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for Wine and Beer Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcohol-ic beverages. Lydia Lee, mem-ber, LLCNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

26 Antiques

We pay top $ for antique furniture and mid-century

Danish/modernteak furniture, STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES, jewelry

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Schefer Antiques @703-241-0790.

Email:[email protected]

108 Personal Services

Personal Care

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W/references available Contact:240/412-9737

Legal NoticesLEGAL NOTICE

Pursuant to the provision ofsection 4-1-16 of the code of

the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Police Department

located at 3600 WheelerAvenue, Alexandria, VA 22304

is now in possession ofunclaimed bicycles, mopeds,

lawn equipment, money,scooters, and other items. Allpersons having valid claim to

the property should file a claimto the property with

reasonable proof of ownershipor the items will be sold,destroyed, converted or

donated. For a completelisting go to

http://alexandriava.gov/police/and contact the

Police Property Section at(703) 746-6709.

Richard E. Gutting, Jr.Richard E. Gutting, Jr. died December

24, 2013 in Alexandria, VA. He was 70.Mr. Gutting graduated from StanfordUniversity and Stanford Law School in1968 to pursue a 45-year career of law,government service, writing and teach-ing. He was President of the NationalFisheries Institute and partner with thelaw firm of Redmon, Peyton andBraswell. Mr. Gutting also served asgeneral counsel for fisheries of theNational Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration, counsel for theSubcommittee on Fisheries and WildlifeConservation of the U.S. House ofRepresentatives and as legal advisor tothe President’s Council on EnvironmentalQuality. He is survived by his wife of 37years, Jimmie B. Cook, his son David J.Gutting and his wife Monica of SantaRosa, California, his daughter Gretchen E.Curtis of Menlo Park, California, fourgranddaughters Alondra Gutting of SantaRosa, CA, Linnea Gutting of Santa Rosa,CA, Natalie J. Curtis of Menlo Park, CA,and Stella M. Curtis of Menlo Park, CA. Healso leaves one sister Anne L. Gutting ofHuntington, NY. His family thanksRichard’s many friends and neighbors forthe extraordinary love and support as hebattled his final illness. Services will beprivate. Expressions of sympathy may bemade in the form of a donation to theAlexandria Seaport Foundation, P.O. Box25036, Alexandria, VA 22313www.alexandriaseaport.org

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News

DeveloperCarr Hospi-tality wantsto buildthis hotelat thenortheastintersec-tion ofUnion andDukestreets.

Looking at the Year AheadFrom Page 1

a proposed new Metro station at PotomacYard. The station could cost anywhere from$200 million to $500 million, depending onthe location and design that emerges fromthe environmental impact statement pro-cess — if city leaders decide to move for-ward with it. The new debt would causethe city to exceed its own debt limits, andthe National Park Service has raised con-cerns that a station would violate a sceniceasement from the George Washington Na-tional Parkway.

❖ Sewage Solution: In the next few years,Old Town will be required to do somethingabout the 10 million gallons of raw sewagethe city dumps into the Potomac River eachyear. The problem is the “combined” sewersystem that was installed in the 1800s, cut-ting edge in its day but outdated now. Thesystem mixes storm-water runoff with un-treated sewage. One option would be dig-ging up 540 acres of Old Town streets,which would cost about $200 million andtake years to complete. A more likely op-tion is building underground storage unitssimilar to ones in the District of Columbia,which would cost anywhere from $100 mil-lion to $200 million.

❖ Eminent Domain: In 2014,Washington’s Birthday won’t be merely acelebration of the hometown Founding Fa-ther. It will also be the deadline for somekind of agreement between city officials andleaders of the Old Dominion Boat Club.Back in November, members of the Alexan-dria City Council adopted a motion settinga 90-day deadline for a resolution of a long-running conflict. If no agreement is struck,City Council members have indicated theyare willing to move forward with steps totake a parking lot at the foot of King Streetusing the power of eminent domain.

❖ Waterfront Hotel: Now that that thecontroversial waterfront plan is cleared ofmost of the legal hurdles standing in theway, developers are eager to benefit fromthe increased zoning. The new zoning ap-proved by members of the Alexandria CityCouncil almost triples density at three wa-terfront sites compared to what’s there now.

One of the developers is Carr Hospitality,which is seeking approval to develop a 120-room hotel at the Cummings property,which is located at the northeast corner ofthe intersection of Union and Duke streets.Members of the Board of Architectural Re-view have been critical of the project, al-though members of the Planning Commis-sion may have a more favorable opinionwhen it comes before them early in the year.

❖ Another Election: The 2014 mid-yearelection will feature two congressionalraces. One is 11-term U.S. Rep. Jim Moran(D-8), a former Alexandria mayor who wasfirst elected in 1990. In the last election,Moran had three challengers: RepublicanPatrick Murray, Independent Green Partycandidate Janet Murphy and independentcandidate Jason Howell. Moran won with65 percent of the vote. The other race onthe ballot this year will be U.S. Sen. MarkWarner, an Old Town resident and formergovernor who was first elected in 2008.That was the year he beat former governorJim Gilmore with 65 percent of the vote.The Republicans have decided that they willchoose their Senate candidate using a state-wide convention rather than a primary.

❖ Hold Your Wallet: Members of the Al-exandria City Council have directed CityManager Rashad Young to deliver a budgetthat does not raise the tax rate, launchingthe annual budget season that will heat upin February. That’s when the city managerwill present his proposal, which will beamended by City Council members beforethey approve a final spending plan in May.The last budget had a historic four-cent in-crease in the tax rate, the largest tax hikein recent memory.

❖ New Prosecutor: In January, longtimeCommonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengelwill step down after almost two decades inoffice. He will be replaced by Bryan Porter,son of former T.C. Williams Principal JohnPorter. Sengel was appointedcommonwealth’s attorney in February 1997,when John Kloch became a Circuit Courtjudge. He ran for office later that year andwon, eventually serving four four-yearterms at the city courthouse.

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