families of the fallen - ellington...

Offering a Book-Filled Sense of Community News, Page 3

Paving Way to Rename Jefferson Davis HighwayNews, Page 2

Families of the FallenNews, Page 3

Janice Marie Chance holds a photo of her son, Marine

Capt. Jesse Melton III, at the T.A.P.S Honor Guard

Gala March 6 at the Nation-al Building Museum. The

Arlington-based organiza-tion marked 25 years of

service to the families of America’s fallen military,

including the family of Melton, a Maryland resi-

dent who was killed in the line of duty Sept. 9, 2008,

in Afghanistan.

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com March 27-April 2, 2019

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News

By Alexandra Zernik

Capital News Service

The portion of Jefferson Davis Highway that runs through ArlingtonCounty could be renamed as earlyas this summer thanks to the dis-

covery of a loophole in state law and a legalopinion from the Virginia attorney general.

Attorney General Mark Herring said thename change does not need approval from theGeneral Assembly. Instead, the CommonwealthTransportation Board has authority to renamethe section of Jefferson Davis Highway if Ar-lington County makes such a request, the opin-ion said.

Herring’s opinion was requested by Del.Mark Levine, D-Alexandria. Levine opposeshaving a road named after Davis, the presi-dent of the Confederate States of America.

“In Arlington County, one of the most diverseand progressive localities in the nation, we aresaddled with a primary highway that honors aracist traitor and slave owner who led the fightto take up arms against our nation in order topreserve the brutal system of slavery,” Levinesaid in a newsletter to constituents.

“In that brutal Civil War, more Americansdied than in all of our other wars combined.We still live with the terrible legacy of that ruth-less and once-legal system of terror that rep-resents America’s greatest shame.”

Before Herring issued his opinion, the gen-eral understanding was that local governments

began almost a century ago. In 1922, theUnited Daughters of the Confederacy askedthat a Southern transcontinental highway benamed to honor Davis, who was a senator fromthe state of Mississippi before becoming thefirst and only president of the Confederacy.

The Virginia General Assembly’s responsewas to name Highway 1 as the Jefferson DavisHighway, stretching from Washington, D.C., tothe North Carolina line. Today, Jefferson DavisHighway also can go by other names, such asU.S. Route 1 and Route 18.

Some people want to keep the name asJefferson Davis Highway. More than 600people signed an online petition saying renam-ing the road would be “a slap in the face toU.S. soldiers as a whole and should not be per-mitted to happen.” However, more than 4,300signed a petition supporting the name change.

Levine said Arlington County supervisorscould ask for the name change this month —and then the request would go to the Com-monwealth Transportation Board.

“If all goes well, Arlington street signs couldbe changed as early as this summer,” he said.

Levine said times have changed since theUnited Daughters of the Confederacy soughtto honor Davis and preserve his legacy.

“It’s 2019. It is not 1865, nor 1922, nor even1953,” Levine said. “We live in a post-Charlottesville time. And the vast majority ofNorthern Virginia no longer wants to honorthe Confederacy or the racist legacy ofJefferson Davis.”

Paving Way to Rename Jefferson Davis Highwaylacked authority to change names that theGeneral Assembly had placed on certain roads.

Several years ago, the attorney general’s of-fice issued an advisory opinion saying city gov-ernments had the power to rename state high-ways but county governments didn’t.

On Jan. 1, the section of Jefferson DavisHighway through the city of Alexandria wasrenamed Richmond Highway to match thename the road has always carried in FairfaxCounty. To change the highway’s name in Ar-lington County, Levine took things into his ownhands. He found a loophole in a footnote totransportation legislation that the General As-sembly passed in 2012.

That legislation deleted a line in state lawprohibiting the Commonwealth TransportationBoard from changing the names of “highways,bridges or interchanges as have been or here-after be named by the General Assembly.”

According to the opinion Herring releasedThursday, March 21, lawmakers’ actions in2012 showed “clear legislative intent to em-power the CTB to rename transportation fa-cilities that were originally named by the Gen-eral Assembly.”

“Accordingly, it is my opinion that the Com-monwealth Transportation Board may changethe name of those portions of Jefferson DavisHighway located in Arlington County, providedthat its Board of Supervisors adopts a resolu-tion requesting the renaming,” the opinionsaid.

The designation of Jefferson Davis Highway

Arlington Connection ❖ March 27 - April 2, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

See Festival, Page 11

Arlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

By Jeanne Theismann

The Connection

It was a night of celebration andof tears as Arlington-basedTragedy Assistance for Survi-vors marked 25 years of provid-

ing support and resources forgrieving military families at theT.A.P.S. Honor Guard Gala March 6at the National Building Museum.

“At T.A.P.S., we find hope,” saidPresident and Founder BonnieCarroll, the surviving spouse of Briga-dier Gen. Tom Carroll. “We createcommunity, we have a new family.We know our heroes are forever re-membered and they are honored —and we know that love lives on.”

More than 800 surviving militaryfamily members and supporters werejoined by congressional representa-tives, Pentagon officials and leadersfrom the business community in hon-oring the nation’s fallen military he-roes.

“If all I had to do tonight was saythank you, it wouldn’t be enough,”said Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva, vicechairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.“It is comforting to know that whenwe go out to do what we do, therewill be T.A.P.S. to care for those leftbehind.”

Retired Marine Corps Capt. KevinPenn was honored as the T.A.P.S. 2019Military Mentor of the Year. Penn isamong the thousands of active dutyservice members and recent veteranswho volunteer as mentors for surviv-ing military children at T.A.P.S. GoodGrief Camps.

“As a military mentor at T.A.P.S., we re-ceive far more from our service than we canever give,” Penn said upon receiving hisaward. “To the T.A.P.S. families here andacross the globe, thank you for letting uscelebrate the lives of your loved ones andshare in your journeys.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska presented theT.A.P.S. 2019 Senator Ted Stevens Leader-ship Award to Angel Pansini, surviving sis-ter of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicholas A. Pansini,in recognition of her leadership on behalfof other military survivors.

“It’s unlikely that I would be the womanthat I am today without the help ofT.A.P.S.,” said Pansini, who was just 12years old when her brother committed sui-cide as a result of suffering from post-trau-matic stress disorder. “I have a temperedunderstanding of what it means to give tosomeone during their worst time. T.A.P.S.has given me the irreplaceable: life aftertragedy.”

Other attendees included MichaelNeidorff, Centene chairman and CEO;Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA (Ret), 18thchairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; andDarryl Walker, USAA Survivor Relations

team manager.The Legacy Sponsor of this year’s Gala

was the Centene Charitable Foundation/Health Net Federal Services. The Title Spon-sor was USAA and Presenting Sponsors in-cluded BAE Systems, DynCorp Interna-tional, Express Scripts, Lockheed Martin,Oshkosh Defense, Pratt & Whitney, Pruden-tial and Telos Corporation.

Funds raised from the Gala will be usedto provide support services to families whohave suffered the loss of a loved one whoserved in the military. Programs includegrief counseling, access to community-based care, casework assistance, a 24/7helpline and special programming for sui-cide loss survivors. All services are providedat no cost to families.

“Our mission has stood the test of time— a steadfast commitment to providinggrieving military families with compassion-ate support and critical resources,” Carrollsaid. “Military survivors gain strength in theknowledge they, and their loved ones, willnever be forgotten.”

For more information visit www.taps.orgor call the T.A.P.S. helpline at 1-800-959-TAPS (8277).

T.A.P.S. marks 25 yearsof support for survivors.Families of the Fallen

Retired Marine Capt. Kevin Penn iscongratulated on receiving theMilitary Mentor of the Year awardby children of fallen veterans atthe T.A.P.S. Honor Guard GalaMarch 6 at the National BuildingMuseum. The Arlington-basedorganization marked 25 years ofservice to the families of America’sfallen military.

T.A.P.S. President and Founder Bonnie Carroll, recipi-ent of the 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom andsurviving spouse of Brigadier General Tom Carroll,speaks at the T.A.P.S. Honor Guard Gala March 6marking the organization’s 25 years of service to thegrieving families of fallen veterans.

Angel Pansini accepts the 2019 Senator Ted StevensLeadership Award in recognition of her leadership onbehalf of other military survivors. Pansini is thesurviving sister of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicholas A.Pansini, who suffered from post-traumatic stressdisorder and committed suicide on July 22, 2010 atthe age of 23.

“We know our heroes areforever remembered andthey are honored.”

— T.A.P.S. founder and presidentBonnie Carroll

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people who enjoy them.” Some of thosepeople include former President BarackObama and his daughter Malia, who vis-ited the bookstore in 2012 for Small Busi-ness Saturday. The bookstore has two orthree book events every week at the store,hosts five book clubs, and frequently col-laborates with the Arlington Central Library.

Thanks to local authors, librarians, edu-cators, individuals and businesses who vol

NoVa Teen Book Festival to connect readers and authors.By Catherine Frondorf

The Connection

When the word “festival” comes tomind, one usually thinks ofamusement rides, carnival

games, face painting, and merry-go-rounds,but seldom does one think of books.

Arlington-based One More Page Booksbookstore is hosting its 6th annual NoVaTeen Book Festival on Saturday, March 30at Marshall High School in Falls Church,from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. This festival’s missionis to connect readers to books and authors

and create a sense of community while in-spiring creativity.

Owner of One More Page Books, EileenMcGervey, opened the bookstore in 2011and hired Danielle Ellison, founder of NoVaTeen Book Festival, to coordinate YoungAdult events.

“I went to a meeting with the teen librar-ian at Arlington Central Library, Nico Pero,to brainstorm ideas for teen events,” Ellisonsaid. “At the end of our conversation, I asked

her, ‘What would you do if you could doanything?’ She replied, ‘Something to putthis area on the map for authors becauseour teens are hungry for literature and theywill show up.’ Well, I have a crazy idea …what if we start a book festival?” And thatis where NoVa Teen Book Festival was born.”

McGervey writes on her LinkedIn page:“I escaped from corporate marketing to aplace where I’m surrounded by my favoritethings — books, wine, chocolate, and

Offering a Book-Filled Sense of Community


Opinion

Emilio Fernandez

President, Arlington Philharmonic

Earlier this year, County ManagerMark Schwartz submitted his recom-mended 2020 budget to the CountyBoard. If implemented it will prove

to be devastating to the Arlington arts com-munity. Should the County Board opt for thelower 1 percent increase in real estate taxes,then the County Manager is further recom-mending a $70,000 (1/3 of the total grantbudget) cut to the already very low arts grantbudget. This will likely make Arlington’s artsgrant budget the lowest in the region. This di-rectly contrasts with our neighbors (Fairfax,Herndon, Falls Church and Alexandria) who

are actually investing in thearts by building new blackbox theaters, arts districts,arts centers.

The manager’s proposed budget will essen-tially eliminate the Space and Services Grantprogram that enables the Arlington Philhar-monic to bring classical music to you. The ad-ditional proposed cut to the grants fund willdecrease the already dismal financial grantprogram which is essential to the ongoing mis-sion and innovative efforts of the ArlingtonPhilharmonic. The only way we can stop themat this point is to have Arlingtonians weigh inwith the County Board by the hundreds, if notthousands. Everything you need to know canbe found on our website (https://embracing-arlington-arts.org/fight-proposed-draconian-cuts-to-arts-in-arlington-get-involved-voice-your-concerns/).

However, the County Board has not approvedthis budget so we can still make a difference.But it is going to take all of us — arts patrons,supporters, our neighbors and everyone inbetween to fight these draconian cuts. Here ishow you can help!

Email [email protected], call(703-228-3130) the County Board to tell themthese draconian proposed cuts will devastatethe arts organizations in Arlington.

Some of the points you can make:❖ We recognize that Arlington County has

to exercise fiscal responsibility, but an unfairportion of the cuts falls on the performing arts.

❖ This is more than budget cuts and job lay-offs. This is about the survival of irreplaceableinstitutions in our community. Once these re-sources are eliminated, there is no going back.

❖ According to a report from the Americansfor the Arts entitled “The Creative Industries:Business & Employment,” Arlington Countyarts entities employs 6,124 peopled in 658 arts-related businesses. This represents 5.1 percentof the total number of businesses located inArlington County. According to another eco-nomic study, over $18 million of economic ac-tivity in Arlington is derived from audienceexpenditures associated with arts events, in-cluding eating at restaurants, parking, ticketsales and other purchases made during theirnight out. These monies coming into theCounty go away when arts organizations foldor move to more “arts friendly” counties.

❖ Space and Services for performing arts wasone of the most unique grant programs in thenation and was the only area in which Arling-ton rose above neighboring counties to help

the arts.❖ To say that arts organizations can go else-

where to build a set and/or to hire a contrac-tor is disingenuous. There is no other venue,and budgets are already extremely tight forthese arts organizations, and will be made evenworse if their grants are cut by 1/3.

❖ Include your personal story. Detail howthe arts in Arlington helped you personally,your family, your friends, etc. Anecdotes arethe best advocacy tools.

❖ Speak at the County Board FY20 BudgetWork Session on April 2 at 7 p.m. (Note: Youmust sign up in advance: https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/speaking-budget-t a x - r a t e - p u b l i c - h e a r i n g s /?fbclid=IwAR3zzNXX72EmL25HqShVGUuBgyRtvX0Rk-zE-l1bhuRmXr-pp5HLL4FNJ38.) When yousign up, be creative in the title of your remarks.The County Board has been known at times tonot let people speak if they all say they wantto speak in support of the arts. Instead saythings like “How Dance Helped Me” or “Paint-ing Alleviates Stress” or “Theater Helped MyChild Thrive in School,” etc.

These proposed cuts are being made becausethere is not a lot of vocal support for the arts.We need to raise the volume enormously toprove there is vast appreciation for the arts inArlington, and we vote!

And please encourage your friends, col-leagues, neighbors and family to do the same.Let us not become the “soulless suburb” onceasserted by a senator!

Questions? Email me [email protected] [email protected].

Call To Action … To Save the Arts

Commentary

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ArlingtonThe

Connection

“Flourishing After 55” from ArlingtonOffice of Senior Adult Programs forApril 8-13.

Senior centers: Lee, 5722 LeeHwy.; Langston-Brown Senior Center,2121 N. Culpeper St.; Walter Reed,2909 S. 16th St.; Arlington Mill, 909 S.Dinwiddie St.; Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18thSt.

Senior trips: Rainbow’s ComedyPlayhouse, “Nana Does Vegas,” Para-dise, Pa., Wednesday, April 10, $66;Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pi-rates, Nationals Park, D.C., Friday, April12, evening game, $58; Ford’s Theatre,“Into the Woods,” Saturday, April 13,matinee, $62.Call Arlington County55+ Travel, 703-228-4748. Registration

required.NEW PROGRAMS:

Classical music appreciationgroup , Monday, April 8, 1 p.m.,Langston-Brown. Details, 703-228-6300.

Diabetes peer support group,Monday, April 8, 11 a.m., Langston-Brown. Details, 703-228-6300.

Folks who love fishing and shar-ing stories, Monday, April 8, 10 a.m.,Walter Reed. Details, 703-228-0955.

55+ Biking Group, contact info,703-228-4771; email,[email protected].

Events that changed history,Tuesday, April 9, 11:15 a.m., Lee. De-tails, 703-228-0555.

FRIDAY/MARCH 29Brain Health as You Age. 10:30-

11:30 a.m. at Lee Senior Center,5722 Lee Highway, Arlington. Learnmore about age-related changes inmemory and learning and practicesto keep the brain sharp. Registeronline at www.insightmcc.org, orcontact Lindsey Vajpeyi at 703-204-4664 or [email protected].

SATURDAY/MARCH 30Arlington Kids’ Stuff Sale. 8 a.m.-

noon at St. Andrew’s EpiscopalChurch, 4000 North Lorcom Lane.Sale features gently used items from100 consignors including clothes,toys, books, videos, games, puzzlesand more for kids for birth to teen.Due to stairs and tight spaces,strollers are not allowed at the sale.

Cash or check only. Visitstandrewsarlington.org for more.

Northern Virginia Housing Expo.10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Washington-LeeHigh School, 1301 N. Stafford St.Dozens of exhibits and workshopswill provide all the informationneeded to rent an apartment orpurchase a first home. Free. Visitwww.novahousingexpo.org for more.

SUNDAY/MARCH 31“Helping Your Children Achieve

Authentic Success.” 10 a.m. at St.Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4250 N.Glebe Road. St Peter’s EpiscopalChurch in Arlington is hosting Dr.Heather Tedesco, psychologist, totalk about the issue of child self-esteem and motivation. Free andopen to all (space allowing). Visitwww.saint-peters.org for more.

Celebrating 25 YearsMore than 200 individuals attended Northern Virginia Conserva-

tion Trust’s (NVCT) event at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington tocelebrate “25 Years of Saving Nearby Nature” in Northern Virginia.Guests included elected officials, local landowners, conservation lead-ers, event sponsors and other key stakeholders.

Christian Dorsey, chairman of the Arlington County Board, kickedoff the speaking portion of the luncheon by giving a presentationabout the impact of Amazon’s arrival in the region. That presentationled into a panel and Q&A with Andrew VanHorn of JBG SMITH, Mattde Ferranti of the Arlington County Board, and Dorsey. The panelistsshared their expertise and views on the balance that must be foundbetween open space and land conservation and the new developmentand infrastructure necessary to attract businesses.

See www.nvct.org.

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Bulletin Board

“Flourishing After 55”

Alex Robbins of U.S. Rep.Gerry Connolly’s officepresented a CongressionalRecord to Northern VirginiaConservation Trust inhonor of its 25th anniver-sary.

Del. Alfonso Lopez, a three-term member of the Vir-ginia House of Delegatesrepresenting the people ofthe 49th District, gaveattendees a land conserva-tion update from Rich-mond.


News

See OAR, Page 10

By Shirley Ruhe

The Connection

Offender Aid Restoration(OAR) of Arlington, FallsChurch and Alexandria isholding its 11th annual Sec-

ond Chance Fundraising Breakfast on Tues-day, April 9 from 7:45-9 a.m. The event willfeature the journeys of reentry into the com-

munity by several formerly incar-cerated clients. Local and state of-ficials will join community, busi-ness and faith-based supporters tohighlight these efforts.

Photo Contributed

Breakfast To Benefit OARStrengthening communitythrough second chances.

OAR assisted 2,014 participants in theirprogram in 2018 including 635 men andwomen who received reentry assistance,both pre-and post- release and 1,432 men,women, boys and girls who were enrolledin the Community Service program whichis an alternative form of sentencing.

In addition, this was the third year of a

Offender AidRestoration willhost its 11thannual SecondChanceFundraisingBreakfast onTuesday, April 9.


Entertainment

Participants are picking up Easter eggs during Arlandria’s 2018 Eggstravaganza.

2019 Arlandria EggstravaganzaThis year’s event features entertainment by the Rainbow Rock Band, Uncle Devin, Kalin Jones, and more. The day also

features plenty of food, activities, and games for the whole family. The event also includes multiple egg hunts specifically fortots, elementary aged children, and teens/adults. A petting zoo, health services area, and a pupusa making contest are newadditions to this year’s activities. These activities will join the other favorites like the putt-putt forest, carnival game area,and community resource tent. Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Four Mile Conservatory Center, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave.Free, family-friendly. Visit www.arlandriaeggstravaganza.com.

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

ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Over, Under, Forward,

Back. Through March 30, galleryhours at Arlington Arts Center, 3550Wilson Blvd. AAC presents Over,Under, Forward, Back, an exhibitionfeaturing ten contemporary artistsworking in fibers, textiles, andrelated materials whose workembodies and reflects on labor, time,and history. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org.

Rinse, Recycle, Repeat by JennyWu. Through March 30, atMarymount University’s BarryGallery, 2807 North Glebe Road,Arlington. A solo exhibition of JennyWu’s sculptural work, installation,video and participatory projects. Bornin China, Wu integrates animmigrant’s perspective to currentevents into her work and letscuriosity lead the way in her studio.Visit www.marymount.edu/barrygallery.

“Retrospective.” Through March 30,at Gallery Clarendon, 2800Clarendon Blvd., Arlington. Featuringworks by Marina Troy. Marina’spaintings are inner expressions ofchildhood beaches and baremountains. Marina’s work is executedin acrylic, with her own technique ofpaint applied in wide strokes withexpired credit cards, edited withvarious brushes. Visitwww.galleryclarendon.org.

“Masterpieces of the Oral andIntangible Heritage ofHumanity.” Through April 7, atSignature Theatre, 4200 CampbellAve., Arlington. Three women– — anart restorer, her nurse and theirmilitary captor — –are trapped in aravaged museum during acatastrophic hundred years war.Tasked with restoring a damagedRembrandt painting, the women findcommon shreds of humanity as theytry to save a small symbol of beautyin their broken world. FeaturingHolly Twyford (A Little Night Music,Sex with Strangers) and Felicia Curry(The Scottsboro Boys). Visitwww.sigtheatre.org.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 27Gardening Talks. 7 p.m. at the

Arlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the Bluemont Room.Fruit for your Garden – Trees, Bushes& Brambles. Learn the best varietiesand care of small fruit, brambles andtrees for the garden and growingtechniques. Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/.

SATURDAY/MARCH 30NoVaTEEN Book Festival. 9:30 a.m.

at Marshall High School, 7731Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. TheNoVaTEEN Book Festival is back witha day full of panels, games, andsignings with over 30 bestselling andemerging Young Adult authors. Learnmore on the official festival website.The event is free and open to to thepublic; tickets and a full schedule areavailable atnovateenbookfestival.com.

Sketch Walk Arlington. 10 a.m.-12p.m. at Clarendon Central Park, 3140Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Come tocreate and hone powers ofobservation while exploringArlington during this open sketchsession in Clarendon. Experts fromSketching the District will start thewalk with an introduction tosketching followed by an explorationof Clarendon led by WalkArlingtonthat includes multiple sketchingstops. See www.walkarlington.com/event/sketch-walk-arlington/.

Living History. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at FortC.F. Smith, 2411 N. 24th St. TheUnion Army reenactors from the 3rdUnited States Regulars and 54thMassachusetts have come toArlington and set up camp at FortC.F. Smith Park. Join in a day ofliving history that will includedrilling, activities, specialized forttours and more. Come learn aboutCivil War life in Arlington Countyand beyond at this free event. Free.Visit parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/fort-cf-smith-park.

Walking Tour: Over, Under,Forward, Back. 1-3 p.m. atArlington Arts Center, 3550 WilsonBlvd. AAC presents Over, Under,Forward, Back, an exhibitionfeaturing ten contemporary artistsworking in fibers, textiles, andrelated materials whose workembodies and reflects on labor, time,and history. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org.

Crosshairs Garage Races. 4-9 p.m.At 201 12th St. South, G4 Level,Crystal City, Arlington. CrosshairsGarage Races challenges amateurand elite cyclists to compete weeklyfor points and prizes. Race categoriesare available for all riding levelsincluding Beginners, Intermediates,and the Petty Cup Race for elites(including a women’s only field).During the fifth week of the series, amore festive scene dominates withspecialty races including Feds versusContractors, the Cargo/Tandem/Bikeshare Show-Down, and the everpopular Fixed-Gear Finale. Unusualrides, tricked out bicycles, and crazycostumes are common andencouraged for this final Saturday inMarch. Visit www.crystalcity.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 30-31Capital Art Fair. Show hours are

Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., andSunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at theHoliday Inn in at Key Bridge, 1900Fort Myer Drive, Rosslyn. The 39thAnnual Capital Art Fair hosts 21

exhibitors, each of whom is a leadingdealer in fine prints, drawings,photos or other works on paper.These exhibitors come from all overthe United States, offering for saleselections from their inventoriesworks of Old Master, Modern andContemporary artists, ranging fromthe earliest days of printmaking inthe 15th Century, through until thepresent day. Prices range from lessthan $100 to thousands of dollars.Register at capitalartprintfair.com/tickets to receive free tickets.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 3Gardening Talks. 7 p.m. at the

Arlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the Bluemont Room.Planning & Planting Your HerbGarden. Herbs are the spice of life.Basic techniques on planning andplanting an herb garden. Visitafac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 4-7Little Shop of Horrors. Thursday-

Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. atBishop O’Connell High School, 6600Little Falls Road. Purchase tickets atwww.bishopoconnell.org/the-arts/oconnell-players.

APRIL 5-20Photos with the Easter Bunny. At

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City1100 S. Hayes St. Visitors can hop down

the bunny trail near Nordstrom onthe First Level to meet and take egg-citing photos with the Easter Bunny;skip the line, make an appointmentat simonbunny.com. Families canalso visit Caring Bunny for a sensory-friendly experience on April 7, 9-11a.m. Visit simon.com/fashioncentreatpentagoncity.

SATURDAY/APRIL 6Ball-Sellers Season Opening. 1-4

p.m. at Ball-Sellers House, 5620 3rdSt., South. Celebrate history withcolonial and revolutionary era musicas the oldest house in Arlingtonopens for its 2019 season. Reenactormusicians from the Monumental CityAncient Fife and Drum Corps willperform at 1 p.m. and share musicalfavorites that the 18th centuryresidents would have enjoyed. Freedocent-led house tours and colonialera snacks. Free. Visitarlingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call703-892-4202.

Ballet Performance: Cinderella. 2and 7:30 p.m. at NOVA CommunityCollege, Annandale Campus, 8333Little River Turnpike, Annandale.Audiences of all ages will be dazzledby this full-length production of thisclassical fairy tale Cinderella.Performers from Classical BalletTheatre will tell the story of a younggirl who discovers her prince with alittle help from her fairy godmother.$15. Visit www.cbtnva.org/cinderellaor call 703-573-0182.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 6-7Artist Studios Opening. Saturday, 6-

9 p.m.; Sunday, 2-5 p.m. at ColumbiaPike Artist Studios, 932 S. WalterReed Drive. The Columbia Pike ArtistStudios and Cooperative will offer anopen studio of 26 artists workingacross media: painting, drawing,printmaking, photography andsculpture. A group exhibit will beopening in the gallery. Free, open tothe public. There is metered parking(free on Sundays) and free parking inthe overflow lot behind theMcDonalds. Visitwww.columbiapikeartiststudios.org.

MONDAY/APRIL 8History Presentation. 2:30-4:30 p.m.

at the Arlington County CentralLibrary, 1015 N. Quincy St. Jean S.Moore will take the audience on ajourney through the life and times ofMary Queen of Scots explaining how

fate, intrigue and ill conceivedpersonal decisions influenced her life.Moore is a local lawyer and artist andmember of Encore Learning. Thepublic is invited. For moreinformation call Encore Learning at703-228-2144.

TUESDAY/APRIL 9Author Event: Lisa Scottoline. 7

p.m. at One More Page Books, 2200N. Westmoreland St., Suite 101. LisaScottoline is the New York Times-bestselling author and Edgar Award-winning author of 32 novels. Hernew novel, “Someone Knows,”explores the guilt that ripples from a20-year-old tragedy that took oneteenager’s life and forever changedmany others. Visitwww.onemorepagebooks.com.


Arlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the Bluemont Room.Balcony and Container GardeningBasics. No room? No problem. Growherbs, native plants, flowers andedibles on a patio, balcony, frontstoop, or back deck. Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/.

THURSDAY/APRIL 11Young Entrepreneurs Academy

Pitch. 6-8 p.m. at MarymountUniversity, Ballston Center, 1000North Glebe Road. Arlington PublicSchools Career Center studentsinvolved in the Arlington Chamber ofCommerce’s Young EntrepreneursAcademy (YEA!) have workeddiligently crafting their businessideas, and now is their chance totransform these ideas into reality.Students will pitch their businessplans before a panel of investors anda public audience for the opportunityto receive startup capital. Visitweb.arlingtonchamber.org/events/YEA-Investor-Panel-2758/details roregister.

Fundraiser: Mother2Mother. Doors,6:30 p.m.; show starts 7:30 p.m. atArlington Cinema & Drafthouse,2903 Columbia Pike.Mother2Mother, in partnership withSafe Shores—The DC Children’sAdvocacy Center, presents the debutof “Songs of Hope: Voices Raised toEnd Child Abuse” cabaret show.Twice a year, the nonprofitMother2Mother (M2M) supports aWashington, D.C. 501(c)(3)organization that advocates for at-risk women and children. 100percent of proceeds will benefit SafeShores – The DC Children’s AdvocacyCenter. The event is for ages 21+.Full drink and dinner menuavailable. General admission: $20.Visit www.m2m.org.

SATURDAY/APRIL 132019 Arlandria Eggstravaganza.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Four MileConservatory Center, 4109 Mt.Vernon Ave. This year’s eventfeatures entertainment by theRainbow Rock Band, Uncle Devin,Kalin Jones, and more with plenty offood, activities, and games for thewhole family. The event also includesmultiple egg hunts specifically fortots, elementary aged children, andteens/adults. A petting zoo, healthservices area, and a pupusa makingcontest are new additions. Free,family-friendly. Visitwww.arlandriaeggstravaganza.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 13-14Arlington Festival of the Arts. 10

a.m.-5 p.m. at 3003 WashingtonBlvd. Washington Boulevard willtransform into an art-lover’s during


Entertainment

Ink on Paper,hand-pulledserigraphprint by JanisSweeney.

Artist StudiosOpening

The Columbia Pike Artist Studios andCooperative will offer an open studio of26 artists working across media: painting,drawing, printmaking, photography andsculpture. A group exhibit will be open-ing in the gallery. There is meteredparking (free on Sundays) and free park-ing in the overflow lot behind theMcDonalds. Saturday, April 6, 6-9 p.m.;Sunday, April 7, 2-5 p.m. at ColumbiaPike Artist Studios, 932 S. Walter ReedDrive. Free, open to the public. Visitwww.columbiapikeartiststudios.org.

the 7th Annual Arlington Festival of theArts. One hundred and fifty nationaland international artists are set todisplay their work. Ample parking isavailable and pets on leashes arewelcome. Visit www.artfestival.com.

APRIL 13-JUNE 2Art Exhibit: The Binding Ties.

Gallery hours in the Wyatt ResidentArtists Gallery at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. In TheBinding Ties, Roxana Alger Geffenpresents sculptures created in partwith objects and materials drawnfrom her family, ordinary thingsfound in her own attic or hergrandmother’s junk drawer. Anopening reception will take placeSaturday, April 13, 6-9 p.m. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org.

Art Exhibit: Onwards andUpwards. Gallery hours atArlington Arts Center, 3550 WilsonBlvd. Organized by instructorFaylinda Kodis, Onwards andUpwards presents work by H-BWoodlawn seniors who have made acommitment to the visual arts,concentrating on creating a portfoliothroughout their time as high schoolstudents. As they prepare forgraduation and their school movesfrom its longtime location onVacation Lane to a new building inRosslyn, these five students reflect onthe experience of moving on andconsider the history, ideology, andaccomplishments that shape both theschool and their time as students.Visit arlingtonartscenter.org.

APRIL 13-JUNE 7Spring SOLOS. Gallery hours in the

Main Galleries at Arlington ArtsCenter, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Artists

Brian Barr, Emily Campbell, NoelKassewitz, Greg Stewart, GretaBergstresser, Jack Warner, and YingZhu will install solo-style exhibitionsin AAC’s seven main gallery spaces.The artists tackle timelyenvironmental issues, draw on theirown experiences of childhood, andcreate installations that shift viewers’perceptions of time, space, andhistory in work that encompassessculpture, photography, installation,drawing, and painting. An openingreception will take place Saturday,April 13, 6-9 p.m. Visitarlingtonartscenter.org.

TUESDAY/APRIL 16Embrace Your Voice: A Night of

Poetry. 6:30-8:30 p.m. JoinDoorways, Friends of Guest House,and the Alexandria Sexual AssaultCenter for our annual Sexual AssaultAwareness and Prevention Month(#SAAPM) poetry share. This eventis free, but space is limited, so ticketsare required. Specially trainedadvocates will be available foranyone who may be triggered andwould like help with grounding. Ifyou’re interested in speaking orreading your work, please contactAshley Blowe [email protected] or703-746-3118 by March 30. Reservetickets at www.doorwaysva.org/events/event/embrace2019/.

Movie Screening: Grand Hotel. 7p.m. at Shirlington Library, 4200Campbell Ave. Attend a freescreening of the classic film thatinspired the musical Grand Hotel.Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, JohnBarrymore, Lionel Barrymore, andmore star in this beautiful, excitingmovie from the Golden Age ofHollywood. Free, no reservations

required. Call 703-228-6545.

WEDNESDAY/APRIL 17EarthFest. 10 a.m.-noon at Arlington

Mill Community & Senior Center,909 S. Dinwiddie St. Learn aboutcompost, recycling, energy efficiencyand more. Play recycling games,learn how to compost and createupcycled art. Stations will includerepresentatives from AIRE, VirginiaCooperative Extension,Environmental Services, Arlington

Art Truck, Remove Invasive Plants,Creative Arts, Fitness, and more. Thisfree activity takes place over springbreak – all ages are invited. Visitparks.arlingtonva.us/events/earthfest/.

Gardening Talks. 7 p.m. at theArlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the Bluemont Room.Vegetable Gardening in the Shade.Learn which vegetables appreciateshade during summer’s hot months.Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/.


Arlington Central Library, 1015 N.Quincy St., in the garden (tenniscourt side). Vertical GardenStructures & Protection Techniques.Make better use of limited space anduse cages, trellises, and fencing totrain vegetables – tomatoes,cucumbers, pole beans , peas – togrow upwards rather than sprawl.


Entertainment

Rachel Schmidt, “Distort Displace,” 2018, Lawn Installation

Closing Soon: Distort DisplaceDistort Displace reflects Rachel Schmidt’s ongoing exploration of future landscapes, climate change,

and artificial habitats, as well as her interest in the response to the drastic changes human activity hasbrought about in the natural environment. Every year, massive ice shelves break apart and reform atthe poles, a dramatic and violent, naturally occurring process that is accelerating and shifting due toclimate change. Distort Displace introduces the cracking forms of an ice shelf onto the grounds of AAC,prompting viewers to ponder the dissolution and instability of the very ground beneath their feet. ThroughMarch 30 at Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org.

Learn about structures to protect your vege tablesfrom squirrels and other critters. Visit afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/.

SATURDAY/APRIL 27EcoAction Arlington Earth Day Cleanup. 9

a.m.-12 p.m. at the Bon Air Park Shelter, 850 N.Lexington St., Arlington. Join the community incelebration of Earth Day as we bike, walk, andplog (picking up trash while jogging) to removelitter from our parks, trails and streams. This

event is free. For registration or moreinformation, visit www.ecoactionarlington.org.

ACF Annual Gala. 6-11 p.m. At The Ritz-CarltonPentagon City, 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington.Join the Arlington Community Foundation’s“Building Bridges for Arlington’s Future” AnnualSpring Gala. Celebrate the communityconnections that make Arlington a special place.Enjoy a cocktail reception, silent and liveauctions, and live entertainment. $300. Visitwww.arlcf.org.

Calendar


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News

By Eden Brown

The Connection

Challenging Racism inArlington is sponsor-ing a 5K run/walk torecognize past heroes

who challenged racism in Arling-ton. The race takes place Saturday,May 4, at Bluemont Park, 601 NManchester St., at 9 a.m. This isthe first race the non-profit hassponsored; it will raise funds forthe programs Challenging Racismdelivers locally.

Challenging Racism has beenholding conversations for mem-bers of the community since 2004.The program was initially fundedby Arlington County PublicSchools to help close the achieve-ment gap; it has evolved fromholding one year-long workshopfor parents at an Arlington school,to running several “ChallengingRacism: Learning How” work-shops in the same year. The Arling-ton based non-profit is “dedicatedto empowering people to disruptracism wherever they find it.” It isable to help disrupt racismthrough a series of facilitated conversations built onfacts, stories, reflection, and relationships. Coupledwith learning the essential skills of listening andholding difficult conversations, more gets said, andheard, in the workshops.

The theme of the initial race is “honoring thoseheroes of Arlington’s history who have challengedracism and who serve as an inspiration.” The heroesare: Charles Drew, 1941: known as the father of bloodbanks, he was also Howard University’s head of sur-gery; Dorothy Hamm, 1956: she was a Black plain-tiff in a NAACP desegregation suit against APS; Bar-bara Marx,, 1956: she was a White plaintiff in aNAACP suit against APS; Thomas R. Monroe, 1971:

he was the first Blackmember of the ArlingtonBar Association; andEvelyn Syphax, 1980: shewas the first Black Arling-ton School Board Chair.

According to a survey in2018, those who havetaken the workshop “Chal-lenging Racism: LearningHow” have learned toopen up more about rac-ism in the Arlington com-munity: 90 percent ofthose surveyed talkedmore frequently about rac-ism and privilege withfriends, 87.5 percentthought more about insti-tutional racism, 85 percenttalked more frequentlywith adults in their fami-lies about racism and privi-lege, 52.5 percent inter-rupted conversationswhere comments weremade showing prejudice,and 80 percent talkedmore about racism andprivilege with their chil-dren. Demand for the

workshops has been consistent.Challenging Racism is looking for people who want

to sponsor the race or run virtually, as well as to sup-port the race in other ways: asking a business or in-dividual to sponsor the race, volunteering, donatingdirectly to Challenging Racism, sharing the race onsocial media or talking to friends about it, sharing aflyer, forming a group to run, or standing at the fin-ish line to cheer on runners and walkers. There isalso an option to run the race “virtually” by donat-ing but not running or walking.

For more information see: www.ChallengingRacism.org/5K and to learn more about the organi-zation itself, see www.ChallengingRacism.org.

Nonprofit “dedicated to empowering people to disruptracism wherever they find it.”

5K: Challenge Racism

Drawing by Betsy Graves Reyneau

Charles Drew is one of the heroeswho will be honored on Saturday,May 5, in the 5K race/walk tohelp fund “Challenging Racism.”He broke barriers in the early1900s, becoming a doctor andfounding the concept of a bloodbank, saving thousands of livesduring WWII.


News

new Intensive Reentry Program, which focuses onindividuals still in incarceration to provide classesin essential life skills as well as case managementand employment coaching. It targets individuals in-side local detention facilities and the closest prisonwho are releasing individuals to Arlington, Alexan-

By Michael Doan

Opera NOVA

“Shall I eat it?” Hansel asks as he pointsto the gingerbread house.

“Yes!” shout most of the pre-kinder-garten students watching Opera Nova’s

Hansel and Gretel.“No!” shout the others. A few yell, “There’s a

witch.”Despite their age, most of the children brought by

buses from local schools to Thomas Jefferson MiddleSchool knew what was going to happen. Spoileralert: They all applauded when the children tossedthe witch into the oven.

“We explained the story to the children and saw amovie in advance,” said Kim Kerby, a teacher atAbington Elementary School. This is the fourth yearKerby has brought her students to the annual five-dayOpera NOVA opera production. “We want children toexperience different types of story telling.,” she said.

It may seem odd for 4-year-olds to sit through anopera, but it lasted only an hour, and there was lotsof action. “I liked it when they pushed the witch inthe oven,” said one child. They laughed when Gretelchased Hansel with a broom. “I really liked Gretel,”said one child. All of them seemed to like the gin-gerbread house, ooh-ing and ah-ing as the curtainopened to the set.

A few times unscheduled arias by crying childrencould be heard in the audience. And some seemedcalled to give standing ovations at awkward times.But for the most part, they were well behaved andspellbound by Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera of twochildren who get lost in the woods and meet up witha witch. One little girl was standing and imitatingthe dancing. One little boy wanted to go right onstage and get in the action.

Christine Brown Munz played the witch, KristiSpicer played Gretel, and Jennifer Matthews playedHansel. Joseph Baker played the father and CaraGonzales the mother. The children seemed to enjoyseeing two children dressed as bees in the story.

Opera NOVA has been performing operas for chil-dren and other underserved audiences for over over20 years, including such notables as “The MagicFlute,” “The Barber of Seville” and “La Cenerentola(Cinderella). The school performance of “Hansel andGretel” were held March 19-22 and one for adultsand children not in these classes was held March 23.

Artistic Director Jose Sacin, who conducted theorchestra, introduced the children to the musical in-struments at the beginning. Most of the kids thoughtthe clarinet was a whistle, but Sacin corrected themon that. Director Alex Alburqueque took questionsfrom the children afterward, including whether theactors were a family. “Well, we come from separatefamilies, but we are a family yes,” he said.

Introducing Opera to Youngsters

From Page 5

dria and Falls Church and who are at medium to highrisk of incarceration based on a national assessmenttool. Individuals in this program have a recidivismrate of 14 percent compared to 54 percent for a com-parable population nationally.

This free breakfast will be held at the Crystal Gate-way Marriott at 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway.

Breakfast To Benefit OAR

Kristi Spicer as Gretel chases Jennifer Matthews as Hansel.

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From Page 3

News

unteer and work with One More Page Booksare the unsung heroes of the festival, whobring it all together, says Ellison.

Leila Nebeker is the official book buyerand event organizer for One More PageBooks, says that the festival is special formany reasons and has something to offerevery person — nearly 1,000 of them:“Some people come to the festival wantingto know how you start writing and how youbecome an author and how you get pub-lished while others want to hear from au-thors about a character and their develop-ment throughout a book, the fantasy worldand their source of inspiration for thosecharacters.”

The festival will host authors from aroundthe United States, many of whom are localfrom the Washington D.C., area. The day-long event will consist of multiple paneldiscussions that are categorized into majorthemes that emerge throughout the books.These themes can be deducted by their titlenames, which Nebeker said, “were origi-nally named after song titles because theywere appropriate.”

“Girls Run the World” by Beyonce is thetitle for the discussion topic of heroic fe-male characters. The other panels are fo-cused on the craft of writing, themes, andcharacter development, where both theaudience and the authors have the oppor-tunity to converse with one another anddiscuss the influence of the books one theirlives.

Other session highlights include “StandUp & Stand Out” — a discussion of charac-ters who stand out in the crowd and standup for what they believe in; “ Lean on Me”— a discussion about friendships that some-times turn into something more; “Revolu-tion” — political unrest and powerstruggles; and a “Journey to the Past” —books that take readers back in time andacross the globe.

Nebeker, who will be hosting “Lean onMe,” said that “the characters in these booksconfront a lot of different obstacles that aresimilar to what teens are dealing with.When they read experiences that are por-trayed in books that embody similar feel-ings to their own, those characters can helpthose teens get through similar experiences— feelings of isolation, helplessness, lone-liness, and fear.”

The panel discussions offer a platformwhere relevant topics can be discussedopenly that otherwise might be a source ofdiscomfort, making books a channel forteens to express themselves.

In addition to the discussions, there willbe games and writing workshops (ticketsrequired), author book signings, and a va-riety of sponsors.

“NoVa Teen is literally the best thing I’veaccomplished in my life, and I hope thateveryone who comes, especially teens, leavefeeling a little bit of that joy, love and pas-sion that so many people pour into it,”Ellison said.

For more information, visit https://onemorepagebooks.indiecommerce.com.and http://novateenbookfestival.com.

Festival

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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