Page, 17connectionarchives.com/PDF/2020/020520/Alexandria.pdf · 2020-02-05 · Alexandria Gazette...

Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ February 06-12, 2020 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

25 Cents

Gazette PacketServing Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper

Alexandria

February 6, 2020

Address Service Requested

To: 1604 King St.,

Alexandria, VA 22314

Attention

Postmaster:

Time-sensitive

material.

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Alexandria, VA

Permit #482

WellbeingPage, 17

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

For nearly two de-cades, VinodKrishnkumar hadbeen waiting for this

day to come. It was a day hisfather in India dreamed aboutbut never got to experience forhimself: On Jan. 31,Krishnkumar was among 170individuals from around theworld to take the Oath of Citi-

Be My Guest T.C. Cadet is Kaine’s SOTU guest.

T.C. Williams JROTC Cadet Nicole Rosario-Flores, left, wasthe guest of Sen. Tim Kaine at the Feb. 4 PresidentialState of the Union Address in Washington, D.C.

Nicole Rosario-Flores, aJROTC Cadet at T.C.Williams High School,

was the guest of Sen. Tim Kaineat the Feb. 4 Presidential State ofthe Union Address in WashingtonD.C.

Kaine, a member of the SenateArmed Services Committee, Kainemet with Rosario-Flores and otherJROTC cadets at T.C. Williams onJan. 10, when he announced hisinvitation. Kaine talked to the stu-dents about his years-long effortsto reclaim Congress’s constitu-tional duty to weigh in on whetherthe nation goes to war, includinghis bipartisan war powers resolu-tion to prevent further escalationof hostilities with Iran.

“I am thrilled and honored to beSenator Tim Kaine’s guest at theState of the Union Address,” saidCadet Nicole Rosario-Flores upon

liams JROTC Cadets left an im-pression on Kaine during his visitto the school.

“I was so impressed with[Rosario-Flores] and all the T.C.Williams High School JROTC ca-dets I recently met with to discussmy bipartisan war powers resolu-tion,” Kaine said. “The legislationis about ensuring we don’t sendour troops into harm’s way unlessthere’s a carefully reached consen-sus in Congress that war is in the

national interest. Any time we’rein the middle of a discussion aboutmatters of war and peace in Con-gress, it’s important to hear fromyoung people who have a largestake in this debate.”

For Rosario-Flores, it is the op-portunity of a lifetime: “Having theopportunity to witness the way ourgovernment functions first-handwill definitely be something that Iwill always remember.”

—Jeanne Theismann

learning of Kaine’s invitation. “Iam equally grateful for the JROTCprogram at T.C. Williams HighSchool that is truly one of a kind,

has opened doors for me and givenme the opportunity to attend suchan important event as this one.”

Rosario-Flores and the T.C. Wil-

Pho

to

co

ntributed

‘The American Dream’ Citizenship now a realityfor 170 immigrants.

See Citizenship, Page 4

“I have beenwaiting for thisday for almosttwo decades.”

Vinod Krishnkumar onbecoming a naturalized

American citizenzenship during the UnitedStates Citizenship and Immi-gration Services naturalizationceremony at the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office.

“I came to this country in2001 to go to grad school,”

Asani Villa celebrates her American citizenship with herhusband Sam and daughter Leia following the Jan. 31Oath of Allegiance ceremony at the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office.

Veronica Yap, from the Philippines, holds her daughterLara as she receives her American citizenship Jan. 31at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Pho

to

s by Jan

et Barn

et/G

azette Packet

2020MY VISION IS

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

OF SERVICE TO MY CLIENTS

AND MY COMMUNITY!

Coming Very Soon: Homes in Belle Haven, Historic

Clifton, Belle Haven on the Green & Water View National Landing

Janet Caterson PriceAlexandria Real Estate Specialist | NVAR Lifetime Top Producer

703.622.5984 | [email protected] | janetpricehomes.com

109 S Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

2 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v February 6-12, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


News

Hometown HeroesBy Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

Capt. Eugene “Red”McDaniel (ret.), aVietnam veteran con-

sidered one of the most brutal-ized prisoners of war during sixyears of captivity, will be thekeynote speaker at the annualFriendship Veterans Fire EngineAssociation Breakfast Feb. 17 atthe Alexandria Westin Hotel.

The breakfast kicks off thecity’s George Washington Birth-day Parade Day events, whichincludes the Armed ForcesCommunity Covenant Cer-

emony followed by the nation’slargest George Washington Birth-day parade.

Joining McDaniel at the break-fast will be parade Grand MarshalRear Admiral Robert Shumaker(ret.) a fighter pilot and Vietnamveteran who spent eight years incaptivity after being shot downover North Vietnam.

McDaniel was named a 2019Living Legend of Alexandria andis the author “Scars and Stripes,”which recounts his time in captiv-ity. That captivity began on May19, 1967, when McDaniel’s A-6Intruder aircraft was shot downover North Vietnam. He was cap-

tured and held captive in the infa-mous “Hanoi Hilton” prison andeventually released on March 4,1973.

Following his military retire-ment, McDaniel and his familysettled in the Mount Vernon sec-tion of Alexandria. It was duringthis time that he founded the Al-exandria-based American DefenseInstitute, a nonprofit organizationto increase public awarenessamong young adults for the needfor a strong national defense. Stillactive today, ADI provides citizeneducation and leadership trainingfor young Americans. Its POWAwareness Program focuses pub-

By Michael Lee Pope

Gazette Packet

The statue of Harry Byrdstands in a prominentspot in Capitol Square,watching lawmakers as

they scurry from their offices tocommittee meetings and closed-door caucus meetings. It waserected in 1976, a time whenmemories of the segregationistgovernor and U.S. senator werestill fresh among the Democraticmajority. Now times havechanged, and many people wouldlike to see it removed and tuckedaway in a museum with a noteexplaining his plan to close publicschools rather than integratethem.

Enter Wendell Walker. That’s thefreshman Republican delegatefrom Lynchburg, a Republican op-erative turned elected official. Afew days before the General As-sembly session began, he intro-duced House Bill 1305, a bill todirect the Department of GeneralServices to remove the statue ofByrd from Capitol Square. Walkersays he had no intention of actu-ally supporting the bill or evenremoving the statue. It was, essen-tially, an effort to troll Gov. RalphNortham.

“When the governor came outand was talking about removingsome of the historic statues around

here — referencing to Robert E.Lee — that was just unacceptableto me,” said Walker in an inter-view. “I wanted to get the gover-nor to come around and say weare not removing any statues.”

The effort failed spectacularly.Northam did not back down, anda spokeswoman for the governorconfirmed that he still supports abill to remove the Lee statue fromthe U.S. Capitol and another billthat would give local governmentsthe ability to remove Confederatestatues. Those bills are still work-ing their way through the commit-tee process. Meanwhile, Walkerhas decided to withdraw his bill.But only if the Democrats let him.During a contentious Rules Com-mittee meeting last week, Major-ity Leader Charniele Herringpulled Walker’s bill out of a blockof bills lawmakers wanted tostrike.

“I would like to hear from thedelegate about why he wants tostrike the bill,” explained Herring.

“We’ve had several people strikebills, and I don’t think, candidlythis session, I haven’t heard any-one ask someone why they werestriking their bill,” protestedformer Republican Speaker KirkCox, now a member of the minor-ity leadership team. “I’m a littledisturbed by the inconsistency ofthat.”

When Republicans were inpower, they would frequentlybring bills to the floor to kill themin public — making a public spec-tacle of their opposition andmaybe even scoring a fewsoundbites in the process. Lastyear, for example, Republicansmade sure a bill by Del. Lee Carter(D-50) to overturn Virginia’s anti-

labor “right-to-work” law was de-bated on the floor. Even thoughthe bill had zero Republican sup-port, they worked the system tomake sure it got to the floor sothey could orchestrate an election-year spectacle.

It was a strategy that ultimatelyfailed because Carter was re-elected, and Republicans lost themajority.

“When it comes to the HarryByrd statue,” says Carter, whenasked about Walker’s bill. “Hell, ripthat one out too.”

Walker may have wanted to trollthe governor but he ended upsparking a debate about the legacyof Harry Byrd and the politics ofstatues. The freshman delegatefrom Lynchburg doesn’t support

cal machine that ran Virginia poli-tics for half a century. Born into ablue-blood family that traced itshistory back to colonial days, Byrdmade a name for himself as a statesenator opposing an effort to takeon debt to improve Virginia’sroads. By the time he campaignedfor governor in 1925, he was push-ing a program called “pay as yougo.”

“That approach has endured,”says Frank Shafroth, director ofthe Center for State and LocalLeadership at George Mason Uni-versity. “Virginia excels in its bondrating and has held its AAA bondrating since 1938, longer than anyother state.”

Byrd may have made a name forhimself with “pay as you go.” Buthis legacy will forever be tarnishedby another line on his resume, theone that declares “massive resis-tance.”

That was the name of his 1956plan to resist integration by clos-ing public schools. Like WendellWalker’s bill, it was a spectacularfailure. Virginia’s schools inte-grated, and now Byrd is remem-bered as a racist U.S. senator whoran a political machine that em-braced the Lost Cause of segrega-tion.

“The Democratic majorities thatHarry Byrd built long ago are nomore, as almost none of the Demo-cratic lawmakers in the currentmajorities represent the rural dis-tricts that powered the Byrd orga-nization,” says StephenFarnsworth, political science pro-fessor at the University of MaryWashington. “The days of Byrd’sghost hunting Virginia politics andof his statue gracing CapitolSquare are numbered.”

Ghost of Harry Byrd Haunts AssemblyEffort to removestatue promptssoul-searchingat the Capitol.

his bill, but a number of Democratssay they’d love a chance to vote infavor of it. One of those is Del.Mark Levine (D-45), who saysBryd was a racist and his statuteshould be removed from CapitolSquare.

“There are some Republicanswho think that Democrats love allDemocrats, no matter how racistor awful they are. They’re wrong,”said Levine, when asked about thestatue. “The Democratic Party to-day is nothing like the DemocraticParty of Harry Byrd. We have com-pletely changed, and I would ar-gue that the Republican Party isnothing like the party of AbrahamLincoln anymore.”

Harry Byrd was not just a Demo-crat. He was the head of a politi-

The legacy of Harry Byrd has become a flashpoint inRichmond this year as lawmakers debate removing hisstatue from Capitol Square.

Library o

f C

on

gress

POWs McDaniel, Shumaker to highlight GW Parade Day.

lic attention on American service-men who are still missing in South-east Asia.

In 1994, McDaniel helped foundAdult Companion Care, (now

known as ACCfamily, Inc.),which provides home healthcare services throughout theWashington area.

Among the many honors forShumaker are the Distin-guished Graduate Award fromthe United States Naval Acad-emy and the Lone Sailor Award,which he was awarded alongwith Senator John Glenn. Hisown POW experience has beendocumented in the book “Defi-ant” by Alvin Townley.

For more information or topurchase tickets to the breakfast,visit www.friendshipfireco.org.

Capt. Eugene“Red”McDaniel(ret.)

Rear AdmiralRobertShumaker(ret.)

Pho

to

co

ntributed

Tisara Pho

to

graph

y

4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ February 06-12, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

Citizenship Now a Reality for 170 ImmigrantsFrom Page 1

Krishnkumar said. “I was able toget a work permit and worked myway to become a U.S. citizen. Myfather never had this chance so itmakes me proud to be here livinghis dream.”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) deliv-ered remarks during the ceremony,which took place in the MadisonBuilding of the USPTO.

“Our communities are madestronger by immigrants from di-verse backgrounds,” Warner said.“I’m honored to be a part of thisimportant milestone for the 170new U.S. citizens as they begintheir new civic responsibilities tothe Commonwealth and the na-tion.”

Warner congratulated the newU.S. citizens as they recited thepledge to support and defend theConstitution. According to USCIS,approximately 650,000 to750,000 immigrants are sworn-inas U.S. citizens each year withnearly nine million lawful perma-nent residents eligible to apply forU.S. citizenship.

As Senator, Warner has champi-oned comprehensive immigrationreform and previously voted in

favor of bipartisan immigrationreform that would offer a path tocitizenship for millions of undocu-mented immigrants already living,working and paying taxes in theUnited States.

“This is a great feeling,”Krishnkumar said. “This is some-thing I have always wanted to doand something my parents wantedme to do. It is the Americandream.”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) stands with America’s newestcitizens following the U.S. Citizenship and ImmigrationServices Oath of Allegiance ceremony Jan. 31 at the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office.

Ferdoashi Akhterkhan, from Bangladesh, holds an Ameri-can flag just prior to becoming a naturalized citizen Jan.31 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Vinod Krishnkumar, whoimmigrated from India in2001, prepares to become anaturalized citizen Jan. 31at the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office.

New American citizensproudly wave their flagsfollowing the Oath ofAllegiance ceremony Jan.31 at the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office.

America’s newest citizens take the Oath of Allegiance atthe Jan. 31 naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office.

Pho

to

s by Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet


Every February, the Del Ray Business Asso-ciation presents the Heart of Del RayAward to the business that serves as theheart and soul of Del Ray, as determined

by a public vote of neighbors and customers. Se-lection is based on which business best demon-strates their warm and welcoming attitude to thecommunity and customers, their commitment andgenerosity to the community, and to their overallcontribution to Del Ray.

The nominees for the 2020 Heart of Del Ray: Lena’s

Wood-Fired Pizza and Tap; Ms. Preeti’s 7-Eleven;Rock of Ages Music; Stomping Ground; and StudioBody Logic.

Visit www.visitdelray.com/heartofdelray to readmore about these businesses and to cast your vote.Voting closes at noon on Wed., Feb. 12. A large heart-shaped award will be displayed at the winning busi-ness on Feb 13. to greet them for the Valentine’s Dayweekend.

A business can only win the award once. Past win-ners of the award include A Show of Hands, The JenWalker Team, Bobi Bomar Homes of Alexandria, TheNeighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray, Greener Cleanerof Del Ray, Del Ray Pizzeria, Mind the Mat Pilates &Yoga, Caboose Cafe, Del Ray Cafe, Pork Barrel BBQ/Holy Cow/The Sushi Bar, and Taqueria Poblano.

Voting opens in 2020neighborhood contest.

Heart of Del Ray

Former Heart ofDel Ray winners

present the 2019Heart of Del Ray

award to TaqueriaPoblano owner

Jeff Wallingford.Voting is now

open for the 2020contest.

News

Photo contributed


News

Former City EmployeeCharged with EmbezzlementA

rrian B. Mercer, a former traffic technicianfor the City of Alexandria, was arrested byAlexandria police officers on January 17 and

charged with felony embezzlement of public prop-erty, according to city information.

The City’s Department of Transportation and En-vironmental Services identified suspicious activityand notified the City Manager’s Office, which in turndirected the Police Department to conduct a crimi-nal investigation and the Office of Internal Audit toconduct an internal investigation. These investiga-

tions determined that between January and July2019, Mercer allegedly sold more than $10,000worth of traffic signal cable to scrap dealers for per-sonal gain. The City terminated Mr. Mercer’s employ-ment on July 31, 2019.

An arrest warrant was obtained in December 2019.Mercer was arrested once his location could be de-termined.

The City has implemented new procedures to en-hance the security of public property, and additionalmeasures are under review.

Charlie’s on the Avenue Closes Its DoorsBy Hope Nelson

The owners of Charlie’s on the Avenue in DelRay announced last week that they are clos-ing up the restaurant.

The other creations of owners Jeremy Barber andJustus Frank, Live Oak and The Garden, remain openfor business as usual.

“It saddens us to inform you that Sunday, Febru-ary 2, will be the last day of business at Charlie’s onthe Avenue.

We appreciate all the support you have shown us

and continue to show us at our sister restaurants (LiveOak & The Garden),” Barber and Frank said in a state-ment posted across Charlie’s website and social me-dia.

The statement went on: “As we close Charlie’s anew chapter begins for us at Live Oak.

Look for a new menu equipped with some ofCharlie’s favorites, a few new looks, and a few fa-miliar faces.”

Plans for what’s next at the former site of Charlie’s(and, before that, Fireflies) have not been an-nounced.

See Bulletin, Page 12

Submit civic/community an-nouncements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artworkwelcome. Deadline is Thursday atnoon, at least two weeks beforeevent.

FREE TAX PREPARATIONThe City of Alexandria is offering free

tax preparation to qualifyingresidents. Taxpayers are eligible iftheir income is belowapproximately $35,000 forindividuals and $55,000 forfamilies. Expert volunteers fromCommunity Tax Aid, Inc. willensure that taxpayers apply for allapplicable credits and deductions— especially the Earned IncomeTax Credit and the Child TaxCredit, which people often don’trealize they are eligible to receive.Sessions will be held on Saturdaysfrom 9 a.m. to noon, andWednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.,from now through April 11, at theDepartment of Community andHuman Services (2525 MountVernon Ave.). Persons seeking taxpreparation assistance will beseen on a first-come, first-servedbasis, and electronic filing will beprovided. Spanish-speakingvolunteers will be available. Thefollowing documentation isrequired: a social security card foreach family member; photo ID forthe taxpayer (and spouse, if filing

Bulletin Board

jointly); W-2 forms and othersource of income records;receipts or records for expensessuch as child care and education;and, if possible, a copy of lastyear’s tax return.

SUMMER CAMPREGISTRATION BEGINSRegistration for 2020 Summer

Camps offered by the City ofAlexandria’s Department ofRecreation, Parks and CulturalActivities will begin at 9 a.m. onFeb. 12 for City residents andFeb. 14 for nonresidents.Registration will be availableonline, or in-person at the LeeCenter (1108 Jefferson St.).

The 2020 Summer of Smiles SummerCamp Guide is available online,and free printed brochures will beavailable in all City of Alexandriarecreation centers and librarybranches beginning February 5.The guide contains more than 75camp options available to youthages 2 to 17, including sports;creative arts; computers; nature;performing arts; cooking;excursions; Science, Technology,Engineering and Math (STEM);Camp Adventure; and Out ofSchool Time and classic camps.Campers can get the most out ofsummer by participating in adifferent camp each week. Campsare listed by week and age group

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet v February 6-12, 2020 v 7

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 DBA. All Rights Reserved. DBA fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM

YOU DESERVETHE BEST.

Alexandria 310 King St. | Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.518.8300

Alexandria | Commercial | $229,000COMMERCIAL- 6092 Franconia RoadDonnan C. Wintermute, Realtor 703.608.6868https://bit.ly/37Vb89d

Alexandria | 3 BR /1.5 BA | Residential/Commercial | $885,000UNDER CONTRACT 1409 King StreetDonnan C. Wintermute, Realtor 703.608.6868https://bit.ly/2YnBaxX

Alexandria | 3 BR | 2 BA | $475,000SOLD IN 6 DAYS! 7902 Penn PlaceLeslie Atkinson, Realtor 703.967.1471https://bit.ly/2v3lsgY

Lorton | 4 BR | 3 FB | $1,635,000PRICE REDUCED 6061 River DriveSusan Gray, Realtor 703.203.9900https://bit.ly/2RWRVP0

Alexandria | 5 BR /6 BA | $1,775,000OPEN SUNDAY! NEW YEAR, NEW HOME! 9421 Ferry Landing Ct.Jennifer Molden, Realtor 703.727.6189https://bit.ly/2vMzp36

Woodbridge | 2 BR / 2.5 BA | $295,000JUST LISTED! 820 Belmont Bay DR, unit 102Robert and Nicole Hamilton, Realtors 703.966.8532https://bit.ly/2uWwlRF

The Alexandria Offi ce is proud to announce that the following exceptional agents have joined

our offi ce.

!

JOHN NEUSAENGER407.242.2474

[email protected]

EMILY VONGXAY703.987.7576

[email protected]

AUDREY GRAZIANO 703.200.7315

[email protected]

PRINCE RAASSI202.520.0221

[email protected]


News

The Alexandria Chamber of Com-merce celebrated Dave Millardas its 2020 board chairman atthe annual Chairman’s Commu-

nity Reception held Jan. 30 at the NationalIndustries for the Blind headquarters inPotomac Yard.

“The Chamber has never been better,”said Millard, who takes over from 2019board chair Charlotte Hall. “I am followingthree great chairs – Charlotte Hall, GinKinneman and Dak Hardwick – and every-thing is moving full steam ahead.”

‘The Soaring ‘20s’ Millard to lead Chamber in 2020.The theme of the evening was “the soar-

ing 2020s’ and Millard spoke of his plansfor the year ahead.

“We’re going to focus on advocacy andimproving collaboration and cooperationwith other chambers,” Millard said. “And wewill work closely with Arlington as weimplement the Virginia Tech campus andAmazon.

With Stephanie Beyer Kirby lined up asnext year’s chairman, we have a great yearahead.”

— Jeanne Theismann

DRBA president Sue Kovalsky, ACPSSuperintendent Dr. GregoryHutchings and Allen Brooks

Jane Hughes and Andrew Palmieri.Gabriela Canamar Clark andCatherine Foltz.

National Industries for the Blindsponsors Douglas Goist, ChrissyMcCurdy and NIB president KevinLynch.

Page and Elizabeth Moon withSBDC executive director BillReagan.

Campagna Center CEO TammyMann and Adron Krekeler.

Newly installed Cham-ber of Commerce boardchairman Dave Millard,second from right,celebrates at theChairman’s ReceptionJan. 30 at the NationalIndustries for the Blindwith his wife Mary AnnBest and daughtersJennifer Lopez andAmanda Millard.

Chamber of Commerce president Joe Haggerty, second from left,with Walter Clarke, Dr. Rina Bansal, Melonie Johnson and MarkGarmon at the Jan. 30 Chairman’s Reception at the NationalIndustries for the Blind.

Photos by

Janet Barnet

Gazette Packet


www.AlexandriaGazette.com

@AlexGazette

An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper delivered

to homes and businesses.Published by

Local Media Connection LLC

1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314

Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go to

connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe

NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

Jeanne [email protected]

@TheismannMedia

Janet Barnett, John Bordner,Mark Mogle

Contributing [email protected]

Shirley RuheContributing Photographer and [email protected]

Eden Brown, Michael Pope,Hope Nelson

Contributing [email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Debbie FunkDisply Advertising/National Sales

[email protected]

Tara LloydDisplay Advertising, 703-740-7128

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

PublisherJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Art/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,

Ali KhalighProduction Manager:

Geovani Flores

Editor Emeritus:Mary Anne Weber

CIRCULATIONCirculation Manager:

Ann [email protected]

A Connection Newspaper

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

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

by telephone at 703-778-9426 or by email [email protected], and thedistributor will be notified to discontinue service.

Gazette PacketAlexandria

Opinion

To the Editor:Affordable housing topics ap-

pear most weeks as news or opin-ion articles within the AlexandriaGazette Packet. An introductoryeconomics course teaches that forscarce housing resources, supplyand demand will reach a balanc-ing point at which housing pricesallocate the available supply. Adrawback to economics is that noteveryone who wants to live in Al-exandria can afford to live here.

“Affordable Housing” is a con-cept based in the political environ-ment which seeks to make hous-

ing available to those who cannotafford it without a public subsidy.If this is what Alexandrians desire,citizens will gladly pay for it intaxes. I am not making a judgmentwhether this approach is correct,but I do observe that all of the dis-cussions to date focus upon when,where, and how much affordablehousing will be supplied. Even asa political solution, the city willnot escape the fact that not every-one who wants to live in Alexan-dria will be able to do so, evenwith “affordable housing” pro-grams.

Any affordable housing proposalwhich affects the housing avail-ability must address how to allo-cate the demand. These two as-pects must be joined and not con-sidered separately. Some ap-proaches are based upon levelingincome inequality while others area lottery system by which alloca-tions are made by chance or wait-ing long enough. My recommen-dation is that city planning con-sider an employment priority sys-tem. City employees who are inlaw enforcement, fire and rescue,and public school educators

should be given preference for anynew affordable housing. This canalso extend to Alexandria contrac-tors’ employees who are sanitationand construction workers with thecity limits. These are heads-of-households who work in Alexan-dria, benefitting the residents andthe city infrastructure. Any afford-able housing available after beingallocated to these employee cat-egories can be available to othersvia other approaches.

Dr. Frank R. ScheerAlexandria

To the Editor:Mayor Justin Wilson’s recent op-

ed (Jan. 30) opposing new statelegislation related to housingaffordability is irritating, thoughnot really surprising. MetropolitanDemocrats’ schizophrenia (border-ing on blatant hypocrisy) regard-ing housing, widely agreed to beat the root of a host of social ills

including poverty andstructural racism, isbeing revealed else-where, too.

Though he doesn’t specify, Mr.Wilson probably refers to a num-ber of recent bills from Del.Ibraheem Samirah (D-86). Amongother things, these bills would easesingle-family zoning restrictions,in order to help alleviate the struc-tural housing shortage that’s send-ing prices sky high. But only ever-so-modestly, by overriding munici-palities’ ability to block the con-struction of duplexes and acces-sory dwelling units (“grannyflats”) on single family parcels.

That’s it: not Tokyo towers, justtwo-family in place of single-fam-ily.

My wife and I moved away fromAlexandria last summer (thoughwe kept our property there, possi-bly to return one day). But 3,000miles away in our new home, nearSan Diego, it’s the same story. Cali-fornia state senators — notably,from solid Blue districts aroundLos Angeles and the Bay Area —just killed a bill that would simi-larly have loosened zoning con-straints on the housing supply. Andthe wealthier coastal municipali-ties, though I’m sure they’ll allblindly vote the 2020 down-bal-lot in an anti-Trump fervor, cannevertheless be relied on to arrestsystematic housing reform, evenfrom their fellow partisans. In-deed, all over the country, the most“inelastic” housing supplies (can’trise in tandem with demand) usu-ally coincide with solidly Demo-cratic metros.

Mr. Wilson says he’d rather the

state increase its investment foraffordable housing. Curious, sincehe’s routinely been ho-hum aboutincreasing such investment out oflocal coffers, preferring instead tounlock market value inherent inprojects’ underlying land, preciselyby allowing more density. If I’m ataxpayer elsewhere in Virginia —or the country, since federal hous-ing subsidy flows through thestates — I might reasonably won-der why that logic shouldn’t ap-ply more broadly. Why should Isubsidize affordable living inquaint Alexandria, simply becausethe local government there refusesto allow property owners the free-dom to realize their private assets’gimongous market potential? As Irecently wrote elsewhere aboutthis phenomenon: it’s “like some-one panhandling from a gildedchair.” Changing zoning doesn’tmake anyone do anything. If asingle-family homeowner doesn’twant to build a duplex, or a buyeror tenant doesn’t want to live in

one, then he or she doesn’t haveto. If Alexandrians densify theirproperties in droves, it’ll only bebecause that’s what people funda-mentally want. Let the market dowhat it’s supposed to: follow pricesignals to match supply to de-mand. That’s ultimately far moredemocratic than Mr. Wilson’s tech-nocratic approach.

Moreover, Mr. Wilson’s concernsabout exacerbated commutes andclimate impacts in Alexandria aredubious. Most job growth near Al-exandria will occur in the vicinityof HQ2 and in the District’s metro-politan core. Under Mr. Wilson’scentral planning regime, if the cityundershoots its housing needs esti-mate, or forecasts correctly but thenunder-delivers (hardly unlikely),workers will just end up living far-ther outside the Beltway, wheretheir carbon footprint will worsen,and probably commute through Al-exandria anyway.

Dan BrendelOceanside, CA

Let Market Drive Housing Legislation

Affordable Housing Priorities

To the Editor:As locals look upon the Old

Town Theater, soon to becomeanother chain retail shop, its oncegrand features now but photo-graphs and memories, in an OldTown tourist mecca whose trumpcards are history and art, but withno major publicly owned dedi-cated cinematic/theatric space,one wonders why there wasn’teven a critical mass of interest inthe city government acquiring thisvenerable property. Instead, CityHall, abetted by the state capital’snew liberal trifecta, is poised tobail out a politically well-con-nected do-gooder organizationand acquire the undeniably his-torically significant Freedom

House. This close call between twocompelling choices, one with asound business case and the otherwith a political one, is hardly com-pelling evidence for reparationsfor slavery’s descendants.

The best analogy would be thereparations the United States Gov-ernment paid the victims of WWIIinternment of Japanese U.S. citi-zens and lawful permanent resi-dents. The program covered onlythose victims still surviving on itseffective date or their estates ifthey had died after the law tookeffect but before it was imple-mented. This reflects the legalnotion that rights belong to the liv-ing and to their proximate heirs.Just as our American legal frame-

work does not recognize inherit-able titles of nobility, neither doesit embrace inter-generational so-cial debts.

At the end of the American CivilWar, some former slaves returnedto Africa, even if not to the exactplace in Africa from which theirancestors had been taken, butmost chose to remain in the UnitedStates. Sub-Saharan Africa’s stan-dard of living today typically isone-tenth of the U.S. standard ofliving regardless of whether or notthe country lost a sizable share ofits population to the Atlantic slavetrade. Not surprisingly, most freedslaves chose to remain in the U.S.and the U.S. fully reparationedthem by granting them the U.S.

citizenship which the SupremeCourt’s Scott v. Sanford (1857)decision had definitively deniedthem. While the United Statesmay have had an obligation to re-turn the freed slaves to their an-cestral continent with some sort ofcompensation, an alternative formof compensation, U.S. citizenship,was offered and accepted.

It is inappropriate for us todayto engage in “presentism” to sec-ond-guess the decisions our coun-try made, and its new citizens ac-cepted, 150 years ago.

Dino DrudiAlexandria

Learning from the Past

Letters

See More Letters, Page 10


Letter

To the Editor:I am writing to share with you

how much I look forward to theOpinion pieces contributed by Ms.Char McCargo Bah. Her Januaryarticle on Mr. Phillip Bell and theLewis and Poole Funeral Homesbought back some poignantmemories for me because Mr. Bellconducted the services for both ofmy parents. I was married and liv-ing in Sacramento when my fatherdied and I assisted my mother inmaking arrangements for his ser-vices. My mother lived for a num-

ber of years after my father andthe one thing she told me oftenwas that I was to find Mr. Bell andthe former minister of our churchwhen she passed. Mr. Bell hadsemi-retired because of health is-sues but he prepared my motherfor viewing and arranged her ser-vices. He was a master at prepa-ration of the deceased in the Afri-can American community. Char’sarticle captured that reverenceand respect he gave as well as therespect the community had for hisservices.

At the end of the year, Char didan article that highlighted articlesshe wrote for 2019. She includedin that mention of the article shewrote on my son, a Californiafirefighter with roots in Alexan-dria. Her article was flagged by hiscollege public relations depart-ment and they featured him in analumni article of their own. It alsocaught the attention of his currentfire department and they featuredhim in their department newslet-ter. So the Gazette has gotten at-tention in Florida as well as Cali-

fornia!I am currently co-chairing a

group for the congregation of themostly Caucasian church I attendwho are reading a book that I hopeis an opening to talking honestlyand openly about racism in Ameri-can.

The book quotes a sociologistwho explains what he calls the“white racial frame,” which in-cludes both negative understand-ings of people of color and posi-tive understandings of whites andwhite institutions. That frame

points out that circumstances ofwhere we live, go to school, andwho we associate with can pro-mote negative stereotypes becausewe don’t know each other. I lovewhat Ms. Bah offers all readers -an education in who we are andthe contributions we have made.I am appreciative of yourpublication’s space for the insightMs. Bah offers and your obviousawareness of the importance.

Fran BurtonSacramento, Calif.

Thank You to Ms. Bah

News

Longtime firefighter and conserva-tor Josiah Wagener explains the

process that will be used to restorethe 1858 Prettyman Hose Reel.

The 1858 Prettyman Hose Carriage is removed from the Friendship Firehouse Museum Feb. 1 in preparation for conservation work to restorethe historic fire fighting apparatus.

To the Rescue

The historic 1858 PrettymanHose Carriage received a for-mal send off Feb. 1 as it wasremoved from the Friendship

Firehouse Museum for restoration andconservation work.

On hand at the reception was longtimefirefighter and Conservator JosiahWagener, who explained the processesand techniques that will be used fortreatment. The hose-reel carriage was

made in Alexandria in the North Pitt Streetshop of coach maker and Friendship mem-ber Robert F. Prettyman. The Friendship FireCompany purchased the ornate hose reelcarriage in 1858 and it is housed in theFriendship Firehouse Museum.

For more information on the Hose Reeland museum, visitwww.friendshipfireco.org.

— Jeanne Theismann

Photos by

Janet Barnett

Gazette Packet


News

By Char McCargo Bah

Special to the Gazette Packet

Clifton D. Wanzer graduatedfrom Parker-Gray School in1948. In those days, therewere not many employment

opportunities for African Americans. Aftergraduation, Wanzer worked as a porter andlater as a receiving clerk at a topnotch men-clothing store, Cohen’s Quality Shop but hewas longing for something else. He decidedto enlist in the military.

In 1952, he enlisted in the United StatesAir Force. While in the military, he receivedtraining in Biloxi, Miss., as an Air TrafficController. He was the only African Ameri-can in his class but he completed his ser-vice in 1956. When Wanzer returned home,he obtained a job with the State Depart-ment where he processed passports. Hestayed at the State Department for a shorttime until his aunt heard on the radio aboutthe government recruiting Air Traffic Con-trollers. She encouraged him to apply forthe job and after several months, he wasinterviewed and hired as an Air Traffic Con-troller at the journeyman level for the Fed-eral Aviation Administration.

His job as an Air Traffic Controller was todetermine an aircraft’s identity, altitude andother data through alphanumeric codes ona radar screen. This monitoring was usedto keep planes apart from one another inthe air. Today computers have replaced thetype of monitoring he performed.

His job sent him to Youngstown-WarrenRegional Airport in Ohio, then to Allegh-eny Airport in Pittsburg. After sometime in

Pittsburg, Wanzer decided to get a job closerto Virginia. There was a job opening at Na-tional Airport in Washington, D.C.; he ap-plied for it and got it. He was promotedand then received a higher grade.

Wanzer returned to the District of Colum-bia area in 1960. Thereafter, he and his fam-ily began looking for a house to buy onQuander Road in the Alexandria section ofFairfax County. They found one but couldnot buy it because of housing discrimina-tion during that period. They experiencedthis not once but many times while search-ing for housing. They went to Maryland tolook at a new development in Glenarden,where he finally purchased a new home.

Wanzer worked for the FAA at Washing-ton National Airport from 1960 to 1989.

During his career at the airport, he was pro-moted to an Air Traffic Area Supervisor andthen to Manager. In 1984, he received, “ASpecial Award,” for his service from thehead of the FAA, Donald J. Engen. In 1989,with over 30 years of service at a GS-15grade and at the age of 58, Wanzer retired.He was one of the first African Americansin Alexandria to become an Air Traffic Con-troller.

Wanzer was born on Jan. 15, 1931, toDaniel Wanzer and Viola Williams in theSeminary area. He has two living siblings,Janet and Gerald Wanzer. Wanzer is mar-ried to Irene Lee. They had two children: adeceased daughter named Leslie, and a son,Kurt that lives in Maryland.

Wanzer is a lucky man to have served in

The Other Alexandria Clifton D. Wanzer: The View fromthe Air Traffic Controllers’ Tower.

the USAF. His training in the Air Force en-abled him to have a civilian career as anAir Traffic Controller during the last decadesof segregation. He was indeed in the rightplace at the right time to have the opportu-nity to be in the Air Traffic Controller’sTower.

Wanzer still lives in Glendaren in thehouse he purchased in 1964. He still thinksabout the opportunity he missed to buy aproperty on Quander Road. His family his-tory in Virginia spans over 150 years.

Char McCargo Bah is a published author,freelance writer, independent historian, ge-nealogist and a Living Legend of Alexandria.She maintains two blogs, http://www.theotheralexandria.com and http://www.findingthingsforu.com.

By Melinda Kernc

The Alexandria Sym-phony Orchestra, un-der the direction of

Maestro James Ross, continuesthe 2019-2020 Season on Sat-urday, Feb. 15, and Sunday, Feb.16, presenting music bySchubert, Mozart, Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Florence Price.Maestro Ross has nearly com-pleted two full seasons with theASO as its new Music Director.

Bringing the voices of womenand composers from diversebackgrounds to the ASO stagehas been a common threadthroughout this season and oneof Maestro Ross’s programminginitiatives. “Our seasons in-clude familiar music ofBeethoven, Mozart andSchubert as well as unfamiliarand re-emerging composerslike Florence Price and MarioCastelnuovo-Tedesco,” says

Ross.Opening and closing the Febru-

ary performances are works bytwo masters: Mozart’s Serenatanotturna and Schubert’s Sym-phony No. 5. Mozart’s serenadefeatures a solo string quartet ac-companied by string orchestra.Schubert, who admired and emu-lated Mozart, presents a light andlyrical Fifth Symphony with el-egant melodies.

Headlining the program is cel-ebrated classical guitarist BertaRojas performing MarioCastelnuovo-Tedesco’s ConcertoNo. 1, considered one the premierconcertos in the guitar repertoire.Ms. Rojas is renowned as one ofthe most influential women in theHispanic world and named a Fel-low of the Americas by theKennedy Center and Paraguay’sIllustrious Ambassador of MusicalArt.

The program also incorporatesMaestro Ross’s own arrangement,

an expansion of the AndanteModerato movement from Flo-rence Price’s String Quartet in Gmajor. “Florence Price’s time hasfinally come!” exclaims Ross. “Hercompositions are re-emerging withrenewed popularity and recogni-tion of her genius.” Price was thefirst African American woman topremiere her work with a majororchestra (Chicago Symphony,

1933). A new festival called PriceFest highlights her compositions,held on the campus of the Univer-sity of Maryland each year.

All patrons attending Saturday’sperformance are encouraged toarrive early for a pre-concert chatwith Maestro Ross and Berta Rojasat 7 p.m. Ms. Rojas will also offerher recordings for sale in the lobby

Clifton D. Wanzer withhis 1952 Air Force Class.

Clifton D. Wanzer receiving1984 Special Award from FAA.

Pho

to

s co

ntributed

ASO Presents: Schubert, Mozart and Classical Guitarduring intermission.

The Alexandria Symphony isa fully-professional orchestradrawing from the Washington,D.C. metropolitan region’swealth of musical talent. Manymusicians perform with otherorchestras and top militarybands.

The ASO performs Saturdayevenings (8 p.m.) at the RachelM. Schlesinger Concert Halland Arts Center and Sundaymatinees (3 p.m.) at theGeorge Washington MasonicMemorial. Single tickets are$20-$85 for adults, $5 foryouth (18 and under), and $10for students (with ID). TheASO also offers senior andgroup rates and a special dis-count for military employeesand veterans for this perfor-mance. For tickets and moreinformation, visitwww.alexsym.org or call (703)548-0885.

Classical guitarist Berta Rojas will perform Feb. 15 and16 with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

Pho

to

by G

uillerm

o Fridm

an


Barbara Sumner sits at a con-ference table at Sunrise assisted living at Mount Vernon.She has come to explore the

best living arrangement for her partnerof 47 years who has been experiencinggradual worsening of dementia for thelast 10 years. “It is difficult; we did somany things together. Monica is a verysweet person.” Sumner adds they loveanimals and had a pet sitting businessthat they started when Monica got outof the military.

Robin Williams, associate director ofsales at Sunrise at Mount Vernon says,”I don’t know if you noticed our collieout front. And we welcome pet visits.”

But Sumner started experiencing healthproblems of her own, which piled on topof each other, and was trying to figure outwhat was happening to her. In the mean-time, Monica’s condition worsened, andSumner knew she knew she would needmore assistance than their currentcaregivers, friends and neighbors wereproviding. Now she is grappling with howto make the best decision.

Williams says they are in the discov-ery phase today where Sunrise accessesthe level of Monica’s needs, her activi-ties of daily living. What is the mostimportant thing to the family in findingthe right community? What is most wor-risome? They want to assess the levelof cognitive impairment and ability to ver-balize. Sumner says, “Monica is verbal butbetter leave it up to her. If ask her too manycomplicated questions, she will dismiss youby just getting up and leaving.”

Williams says, “We want to replicate herhome routine here, what is best for her.”Sumner says, “Monica used to playpickleball until it got so competitive. Sheis so good at puzzles.” Sumner wonders ifthey have ping pong at Sunrise.

Sumner says she found Sunrise throughRobin Edwards, CSA, CarePatrol of N. Vir-ginia, a company that assists seniors withlife decisions. Edwards has arranged today’stour and says she goes where she is neededwhether it is assisting with a hospital dis-charge plan, meeting with families, or find-ing the appropriate resources in the com-munity.

Edwards explains, “Families know theycan trust me because I come from the heartin all I say and do, in my business and mypersonal life.”

Edwards wheels Sumner down the hallas they head to check out a studio room.

Williams explains the room has space for abed, chair, dresser and nightstand with asmall fridge inside the door. She says therooms are designed to be small because 25-50% is left as common space to encourageresidents to stay active. Robin says somefamilies feel more comfortable with a nannycam, which allows them to keep close trackof the resident from an outside location.

Robin hands Sumner a February calen-dar filled with a list of daily activities in-cluding social hour, balloon volleyball, wordgames, bread baking, craft time and per-formances. Sumner says Monica might par-ticipate in some activities but it would de-pend on how you introduce them to her.“She used to bake but I can’t see that now.”The most popular activity is singing. “Theyjust love to sing .....and bingo.”

They pass by the dining room where lunchis being served. “Issa, who oversees the resi-dents’ care in the dementia unit, comes outwith a smile. She says the residents get sev-eral meal choices. Today sandwiches seemto be popular. Sumner comments Monicaprobably couldn’t choose her meal and asks

if she could help with the decisions.Williams points out Sunrise adapts to in-

dividual needs. She says they try to promoteindependence. They use Fiesta ware, whichis brightly colored and sometimes mugswith two handles, multi-size spoons as wellas serving a lot of finger food. Sumner saysthat is very interesting and observes“Monica’s use of utensils and eating habitshave changed” but speculates that the spoon“would probably be too strange and unfa-miliar for Monica.”

Bill stops by to explain his role as life en-

richment manager. He says he tries to formrelationships with all of the 24 residents inmemory care and 107 in assisted living. Thismeans a one-on-one interaction with eachof them 1-2 times a week. “I check to makesure everyone is ok and, if not, to work outthe problem.”

Sumner heads back to the conferenceroom to ask more questions, a process thatis difficult for her. And another challenge.“You know, I’m 77 and I’m hoping to getout of this wheelchair and back out on thebasketball court soon.”

Edwards assists withlife’s difficult decisions.

People at Work

The Seasons of Change

Photos by Shirley Ruhe/Alexandria Gazette

Barbara Sumner discusses memory care at Sunrise assisted living atMount Vernon with Robin Williams (center), associate director of sales,and Robin Edwards, CSA, CarePatrol of N. Virginia.

Sumner struggles with life choices forher partner of 47 years who hasprogressive dementia.

Robin Edwardshelps seniorsand theirfamilies decideon the bestsafe livingoption.

Break Camps taking place April 6-10.To register for summer camps andother recreation activities, classesand programs, visitalexandriava.gov/Recreation orcontact the Registration andReservation Office at 703-746-5414.

ALEXANDRIA COMMISSIONThe Alexandria Commission for Women

(CFW) seeks nominations of women,

men and youth who have made asignificant impact on women andgirls in Alexandria. Winners will behonored at the Commission’s 38thannual Salute to Women Awards:The Future is Female event on March23, 2020 at 6 p.m. at The Lyceum:Alexandria’s History Museum (201 S.Washington St., Alexandria).Proceeds support the AlexandriaSexual Assault Center and Domestic

Violence Program and otherprograms benefitting women andgirls in the city of Alexandria. Awardcategories include:

❖ The Susan Lowell Butler LifetimeAchievement Award

❖ The Marguerite Payez LeadershipAward

❖ Youth Community Services Award❖ The Marian Van Landingham

Legislation and Public Policy Award

❖ The Vola Lawson Award❖ Donna Bergheim Cultural Affairs

AwardAll nominations must be submitted to

the Department of Community andHuman Services by the close ofbusiness on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020.Late submissions will not beaccepted, and the deadline will not

Bulletin Board

See Bulletin, Page 18

From Page 6

to make summer planning easy.Extended care options are available for

most camps, including Before Carefrom 7 to 9 a.m. and After Care from4 to 6 p.m. Structured activitiesinclude arts and crafts, movies andgames. Space is still available andregistration is currently beingaccepted for Winter programs takingplace through March and Spring


Entertainment

By Hope Nelson

Move over, St. Asaph– Yagut St. is tak-ing over the realestate, at least for

a portion of the northern 600block. Yagut St. – the kid siblingto its next-door neighbor, Sundayin Saigon – has opened its doorswith a different twist than the sa-vory Vietnamese fare served a din-ing room away. The newcomer’s

stock in trade isthe sweeter sideof life, with

gelato, pastries and plenty ofcaffeinated beverages ready forthe choosing. “We’re just happythat we can provide a good atmo-sphere and a good product forpeople to enjoy; that’s our biggestthing,” said managing partnerDustin Ngo.

The café’s origins come fromseveral directions at once: The firstbeing an opening in the market-place with the nearby Starbucks’closure last year.

“With Sunday in Saigon, when-ever we did desserts, we were sortof confined to Vietnamese des-

Yagut St. Paves the Way for Coffee, Treats

a cream cheese foam,” Ngo said.“We make this foam similar to howyou would froth milk; we frothcream cheese along with some seasalt. It adds this amazing decadentrich salty profile to the strong andsweet coffee, so it’s kind of like anumami burst in a coffee cup.”

And these offerings are only thetip of the iceberg: Ngo says theshop will continue to expand andrefine its menu over the comingweeks and months. But early resultsare good, he added. “For the mostpart, what we had out, people havebeen flocking towards, which hasbeen great,” he said.

Hope Nelson is the author of“Classic Restaurants of Alexan-dria” and owns the KitchenRecessionista blog, located atwww.kitchenrecessionista.com.Email her any time [email protected].

serts” lest it come across as inau-thentic, Ngo said. “As soon asStarbucks closed … we figuredthat now was the best time to jumpon for our cause.”

But Yagut St.’s name comes froman origin much deeper in meaning.Owner Mimi Huynh grew up onYagut St. in Dalat, Vietnam, whichis also the country’s coffee region.With the café serving as a crossroadsbetween Vietnamese cuisine andcoffee and sweets, the name fit thetheme perfectly.

And the products, so far, are popu-lar. From bubble teas to gelato toall manner of caffeinated concoc-tions, the menu is small but mighty– and growing mightier all the time.One of the shop’s signature drinksis a coffee drink that packs a deca-dent punch. “Our house special isthe Vietnamese version of bullet-proof coffee,” Ngo said. Made withbutter and keto-friendly, “It has anamazing flavor profile that peoplewon’t find in most places.”

Looking to take your beveragecompletely over the top? Yagut St.has you covered there, too: Get thebulletproof coffee with a creamcheese foam. “We do what we call

IF YOU GOYagut St., 682 N. St. Asaph St.Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.Try this: Managing partner Dustin

Ngo’s favorite treat. “We have a fantas-tic strawberry mascarpone matchacroissant. It’s absolutely fantastic; it’sflying off the shelves,” he said.

APPETITE

The warm interior of Yagut St.’s cafe takes the ambianceof next-door Sunday in Saigon to a new level of chic.

Pho

to

by H

ope N

elso

n/G

azette Packet


Entertainment

See Calendar, Page 15

Submit entertainment announce-ments atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal-endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday.Photos/artwork encouraged.

ONGOING“The King’s Shadow.” Now thru April

19. 8 p.m. At The Lab atConvergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane,Alexandria. In this season,Shakespeare’s Histories: “The King’sShadow” runs January 2nd - April19th, 2020; “Richard the Second”runs January 2 - April 18, 2020;“Henry the Fourth, Part 1” runsJanuary 30 - April 18, 2020; “Henrythe Fourth, Part 2” runs February 13- April 19, 2020; and “Henry theFifth” runs March 12 - April 19,2020. These plays follow the troubledpassing of the English crown fromthe philosopher King Richard II, tothe conqueror King Henry IV, to hisrogue son, Prince Hal. With hisfather’s deeds looming over him, Halindulges in a reckless adolescencethat tarnishes his reputation. Butwhen the time comes to rule, Halmust take control of how history willremember him, unite his country,and become the legendary KingHenry V. Tickets are $35. [email protected] orwww.bravespiritstheatre.com.

Life Drawing Sessions. Now thruDec. 9. At Del Ray Artisans, 2704Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.Looking for a chance to hone yourfigure drawing skills? Del RayArtisans offers a range of open lifedrawing sessions for just thispurpose. Just drop in for the sessionand bring your supplies to draw orpaint the live models. Fee rangesfrom $8-$12. All skill levels arewelcome. Visit DelRayArtisans.org/life-drawing

THURSDAY/FEB. 6Decluttering Workshop. 1-3 p.m. At

Charles Beatley Library, 5005 DukeStreet, Alexandria. At Home inAlexandria is sponsoring aDecluttering and DownsizingWorkshop featuring experts who willguide you on getting started orgetting help in this process. Pre-registration is required. Free. Visitthe websitewww.athomeinalexandria.org

FRIDAY/FEB. 7(His) Story. 7-9 p.m. At The

Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street,Alexandria.

Presented and hosted by C.Thomas. Joinin (His) Story, an all-black manshowcase sharing stories throughpoetry. These stories are acelebration and testament to thestrength black men have gained overyears through wisdom, pain andstruggle. Featuring: 13 of Nazareth,Rodrick Minor, Khalil Houston andMicah Powell.

Opening Reception. 7-9 p.m. At DelRay Artisans Gallery in the ColasantoCenter, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue,Alexandria. Opening reception forthe “Kondo vs. Chaos” art exhibit(Feb. 7 – March 1), which exploresways artists visualize the world andtheir preference for order, disarray,or a balance of both. Meet the artists.Gallery hours are: Thursdays 12-6p.m., Fridays 12-9 p.m., Saturdays12-9 p.m., and Sundays 12-6 p.m.The gallery is free, open to thepublic, and accessible. Visitwww.delrayartisans.org/event/kondo-vs-chaos/

MARCH 6-29Tell Me a Story Art Exhibit.

Opening reception Friday, March 6from 7-9 p.m. At Del Ray ArtisansGallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.,

Alexandria. Have you ever looked ata piece of art and your imaginationimmediately starts to wander?Narrative art tells a story, either as amoment in an ongoing story or as asequence of events unfolding overtime. A picture is worth a thousandwords; Tell Me a Story will take youon an imaginative journey. Galleryhours are: Thursdays 12-6 p.m.,Fridays 12-9 p.m., Saturdays 12-9p.m., and Sundays 12-6 p.m. Thegallery is free, open to the public,and accessible. Visitwww.DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits.

FEB. 7 TO MARCH 28Student Art Exhibit. At the Gallery

at Convergence, 1801 N. QuakerLane, Alexandria. The Alexandria AllCity High School Art Exhibitionhosted by the Convergence ArtsInitiative returns Feb. 7 – March 28for its fifth year. 2020’s experiencewill feature 90 Alexandria highschool students representing six highschools including public, private, andindependent spanning over 10different mediums of art. Returningfor 2020’s collaborative event arestudents from Bishop Ireton,Episcopal High School, T.C. Williams,St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School,

Commonwealth Academy, and TheHoward Gardner School. ArtistsReception: Friday, Feb. 21 from 7 – 9p.m.

SATURDAY/FEB. 8Alexandria Boutique Warehouse

Sale. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At WestinAlexandria Old Town, Alexandria.Deemed in the region as the “SuperBowl of Shopping Event,” the winterdeals event will take place at theWestin Hotel located in the CarlyleDistrict of Old Town Alexandria. Thefun, yet casual, free to enter eventwill include a variety of newboutiques and retailers not onlylocated in Alexandria, but throughoutthe Metro region. Deal seekers willfind the very best from Alexandria’sand the regions finest retailers andindie brands with various brands ofclothing, shoes, jewelry, homefurnishings and more up to 80% offretail prices.

Speaker Joan Mullholland. 10:30a.m. At Sherwood Regional Library2501 Sherwood Hall Lane,Alexandria. Joan Mullholland,American Civil Rights activist and aFreedom Rider, with videodocumentary. Sponsored by theMount Vernon AAUW. Contact Patsy

Quick, Mt. Vernon AAUW President,at [email protected].

Art Show Reception. 1-3 p.m. AtGreen Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road, Alexandria./DawnFlores, mixed media (at theHorticulture Center) and KatherineKo, oil paintings (at the HistoricHouse). Horticulture Center Hours:Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.,Sunday noon-4:30 p.m. HistoricHouse Hours: Wednesday-Sundaynoon-4:30 p.m. Free admission. Theart show runs 02/04 through 03/29.

SUNDAY/FEB. 9Materials Exploration Day. 10 a.m.

to 12 p.m. At Upcycle Creative ReuseCenter, 1605 Cameron Street,Alexandria. Children ages 2-6 andtheir families are invited to join in aspecial Exploration Day at the DurantCenter to celebrate Arts on theHorizon’s touring production,“Drumming with Dishes.” Join in amorning filled with tactile andsensory-based activities, creativeplay, and visual art. Visit theCreation Station to build your own

skyscraper or flower, make yourrhythm shakers at our Craft Station,and stop by our Creative Play Stationto cook up a three-course meal. Theyare also be offering three mini-workshops with songs, stories, andcreative movement at 10:30 a.m., 11a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Cost is $5. Visitthe website https://www.upcyclecrc.org/kids-workshops.html

U.S. Navy Band Chamber PlayersConcert. 1 p.m. At The Athenaeum,201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Join inthis special performance by TheUnited States Navy Band ChamberGroup from Washington, D.C. Thechamber music recital will feature adiverse array of traditional andcontemporary music. This event isfree and open to the public.

Green Spring Tea. 1-3 p.m. At GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad, Alexandria. Green SpringGardens turns 50, and to helpcelebrate its golden anniversary, thepark is hosting “A Half Century ofHeadlines: Lecture and Tea.” Revisit50 years of world headlines, from the

The Tell Me a Story Art Exhibit runs from March 6-29 atDel Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria.

Tell Me a StoryMarch 6-29, Tell Me a Story Art Exhibit. Opening reception Friday, March

6 from 7-9 p.m. At Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.Have you ever looked at a piece of art and your imagination immediately starts towander? Narrative art tells a story, either as a moment in an ongoing story or as asequence of events unfolding over time. A picture is worth a thousand words; TellMe a Story will take you on an imaginative journey. Gallery hours are: Thursdays12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays 12-9pm, and Sundays 12-6pm. The gallery isfree, open to the public, and accessible. For more information, please visitwww.DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits or contact the curator Lesley Hall([email protected]) or Director of Curating Brittany Gabel([email protected]).

The George Washington Birthday Parade will be held;Monday, Feb. 17 in Old Town Alexandria.

George Washington Birthday ParadeMonday/Feb. 17, 1-3 p.m. In Old Town Alexandria. The nation’s largest George

Washington Birthday Parade marches a one-mile route through the streets of OldTown Alexandria. The parade grand marshal is RADM Robert Shumaker (ret.) whohad a distinguished career in the United States Navy. As a fighter pilot during theVietnam War, he was shot down on a mission and spent the next eight years as aPOW. At the Pentagon, as a Rear Admiral, he was responsible for coordinating theresearch efforts of the Navy’s air, surface, electronics and space activities and wasa finalist in the Apollo astronaut selection. This year’s parade is dedicated toKathleen Kelly (1944-2019), a volunteer for Historic Alexandria for more than 30years. Visit www.WashingtonBirthday.com or call 703-829-6640.

The Rape of RecyTaylor

Feb. 8, 11 a.m. at Alexandria’s HistoryMuseum at the Lyceum, Alexandria. TheAlexandria Black History Museum willbe hosting a screening of the award-win-ning documentary film The Rape ofRecy Taylor followed by a discussionand audience Q&A at Alexandria’s His-tory Museum at the Lyceum. Cost is$10, reservations required atalexandriava.gov/shop. Recy Taylor, a24-year-old Black mother and share-cropper, was gang raped by six whiteboys in 1944 Alabama. Sexual violencelike this happened commonly in the JimCrow South and few women spoke up infear for their lives. Not Recy Taylor: Shebravely identified her rapists. TheNAACP sent its rape investigator RosaParks to Alabama, who rallied supportand triggered an unprecedented outcryfor justice. Visit:therapeofrecytaylor.com.

The film, The Rape of RecyTaylor will be shown on Feb.8 at the Alexandria’s HistoryMuseum at the Lyceum.


Entertainment

From Page 14

See Calendar, Page 16

The house of Alexandria town founder Col. John Carlyle,who is turning 300.

Happy 300th Birthday John CarlyleSaturday/Feb. 8, 12-4 p.m. At Carlyle House Historic Park, Alexandria. Help wish

a happy 300th birthday to Alexandria town founder, Col. John Carlyle. Festivitieswill include 18th-century dancing, live music, and a birthday treat! Admission isfree, but donations are welcome.

transformative to the trivial, and hearabout some headlines made at GreenSpring. Take home a specialanniversary memento after enjoyinga traditional English tea. Cost is $38for the program and tea; $18 for theprogram only. Call 703-941-7987 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring.

George Washington’s AlexandriaTour. 2-3:30 p.m. At 101 N. UnionStreet, Alexandria. Explore historicOld Town Alexandria as GeorgeWashington knew it! This 90-minuteguided walking tour will explore sitesassociated with Washington and hisclosest colleagues, including JohnFitzgerald’s warehouse, Captain’sRow, Gentry Row, the Apothecaryshop, Ramsay House, Market Square,the Carlyle House, Wise’s Tavern,Duvall Tavern, Gadsby’s Tavern, andWashington’s townhouse. The tourbegins behind the Torpedo Factory’ssouth entrance, in front of Vola’sDockside Grill. Free No reservationsrequired. Offered by the Office ofHistoric Alexandria. Contact 703-599-4010 or [email protected].

Black History Performance. 3-5p.m. At Mount Vernon UnitarianChurch, 1909 Windmill Lane,Alexandria. The poetry and worksLangston Hughes, one of the mostimportant writers and thinkers of theHarlem Renaissance movement,performed by Charles Williams,celebrated vocalist, through song andverse. Cost is $25. Visit the website:www.mvuc.org

Super Moon Hike. 7:45-9:15 p.m. AtHuntley Meadows Park, 3701Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria.Experience the bright super moonrising in the sky as you take anevening boardwalk stroll at Huntley

Meadows Park. On the night of asuper moon, the moon will be at itsclosest approach to Earth and the fullmoon often appears to be larger thanusual. This program is designed forparticipants age 6 to adult, and thecost is $8 per person. Call 703-768-2525 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows.

TUESDAY/FEB. 11Local Authors Lecture. 7-8:30 p.m.

At Alexandria History Museum at theLyceum, 201 S. Washington,Alexandria. Cost is $10 per person.The series begins with a lecturefeaturing Donald Wilson, author ofthe historical novel Cluverius v. TheCommonwealth. Drawing on truehistorical events, Donald Wilsonbrings to life the men and womenwho found themselves at the centerof a murder trial that grippedVirginia in the late 19th century. Agraduate of the College of William

and Mary, Mr. Wilson has lived orworked in Alexandria, VA his entirelife.

FEB. 12-26Life Drawing Session. 6:30-9:30

p.m. At Del Ray Artisans Gallery inthe Colasanto Center, 2704 MountVernon Ave., Alexandria. Two OpenLife Drawing sessions in February -the 12th and the 26th. Open LifeDrawing sessions — long pose. Nudemodels. 3-hour sessions. Visitwww.DelRayArtisans.org.

THURSDAY/FEB. 13How to Build Inexpensive Grow

Lights. 7 – 8:30 p.m. At the BurkeLibrary, 4701 Seminary Road,Alexandria. Give your plants ahealthy start with grow lights toensure your seedlings get great lightindoors, even when it’s freezingoutside. Grow unusual and hard-to-find varieties of vegetables notoffered at local garden centers, or

The Alexandria All City High School Art Exhibition hosted bythe Convergence Arts Initiative returns Feb. 7 – March 28.

Student Art ExhibitFeb. 7 to March 28, At the Gallery at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alex-

andria. The Alexandria All City High School Art Exhibition hosted by theConvergence Arts Initiative returns Feb. 7 – March 28 for its fifth year. 2020’s ex-perience will feature over 90 Alexandria high school students representing six highschools including public, private, and independent spanning over 10 differentmediums of art. Returning for 2020’s collaborative event are students from BishopIreton, Episcopal High School, T.C. Williams, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School,Commonwealth Academy, and The Howard Gardner School. Artists Reception:Friday, February 21st 2020. 7 – 9 p.m.


Entertainment

The Yale Whiffepoofs will perform on Friday, Feb. 7 at theGeorge Washington Masonic National Memorial.

Yale Wiffenpoofs PerformFriday/Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. At George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101

Callahan Drive, Alexandria. The Alexandria Harmonizers present the YaleWhiffenpoofs. The group, now with women, is the world’s oldest collegiate acappella ensemble and celebrated for its excellence. The award-winning Harmo-nizer chorus, now in its 72nd year, will also perform. Cost is $30. Visit the website:www.harmonizers.org

From Page 15

Brave Spirits Theatre at the Lab at Convergence presents“The King’s Shadow” now through April 19.

“The King’s Shadow”Now thru April 19, 8 p.m. At The Lab at Convergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane,

Alexandria. In this season, Shakespeare’s Histories: “The King’s Shadow” runs Janu-ary 2nd - April 19th, 2020; “Richard the Second” runs January 2 - April 18, 2020;“Henry the Fourth, Part 1” runs January 30 - April 18, 2020; “Henry the Fourth,Part 2” runs February 13 - April 19, 2020; and “Henry the Fifth” runs March 12 -April 19, 2020. These plays follow the troubled passing of the English crown fromthe philosopher King Richard II, to the conqueror King Henry IV, to his rogue son,Prince Hal. With his father’s deeds looming over him, Hal indulges in a recklessadolescence that tarnishes his reputation. But when the time comes to rule, Halmust take control of how history will remember him, unite his country, and becomethe legendary King Henry V. Tickets are $35. [email protected] or www.bravespiritstheatre.com.

farm nutritious microgreens indoors.Learn the pros and cons of lightsystems and options for creating yourown. Instructions and material listsprovided are to help you jumpstartyour garden. This class is offered byExtension Master Gardeners. Free.Advance registration requested atmgnv.org. Call 703-228-6414 oremail [email protected].

FEB. 13 TO MARCH 15Architecture in Fiber. At Potomac

Fiber Arts Gallery, Torpedo Factory,Studio 29, 105 North Union Street,Alexandria. Here, in Alexandria, weare surrounded by beautiful andexciting buildings, bridges, parks,and monuments. Both our local andworldwide architecture serve asinspiration for the pieces in thisshow. Themed work will be eligiblefor recognition by the jurors. Non-themed work will also be exhibited.Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. dailyand weekends, and 10:30 a.m. to 9p.m. on the second Thursday of eachmonth.

FRIDAY/FEB. 14My Queer Valentine Reception. 7-

10 p.m. At the Torpedo Factory ArtCenter, 105 N. Union Street,Alexandria. My Queer Valentineexplores love and relationshipsthrough non-heteronormative andnon-binary artists’ perspectives. Thethemes and subjects of artwork inthis exhibition explore relationshipsthrough the artists’ view on love. Tocelebrate this exhibition, TargetGallery will be hosting a specialreception and event in partnershipwith local LGBTQ+ organizations onValentine’s Day. The juror for thisexhibition was Andy Johnson,independent curator and gallerydirector of Gallery 102 at theCorcoran School of the Arts & Designand George Washington University.The exhibition runs from Saturday,January 25 thru Sunday, March 8,2020.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15Eco-Savvy Symposium: Four

Season Garden. 8:30 a.m.-12:30p.m. At Green Spring Gardens, 4603Green Spring Road, Alexandria./(Adults) Discover ways to expand thebeauty in your garden at the 16thannual EcoSavvy Symposium: TheFour Season Garden—SensationalOrnamentals and Edibles All YearLong.

Author and garden columnist MarianneWillburn and Smithsonian GardensHorticulture Collections ManagerCindy Brown share insights intoselecting plants for all-season color,architectural interest, and extendedharvests from your edible garden.$58 per person. Register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes (code 986.13C6) or callGreen Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

SOUPer Saturday. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.At The Torpedo Factory, 105 NorthUnion Street, Alexandria. The 26thannual SOUPer Saturday is acollaboration of ceramic artists at theTorpedo Factory, Kiln Club, and theCeramic Guild to benefit UnitedCommunity (community-based, non-profit organization that offerscomprehensive programs to familiesin Alexandria. Hundreds of ceramicworks of art for $20, and purchasersget a voucher for a cup of soup fromthe Chart House. Email:[email protected]

Wilderness Survival. 2 to 4 p.m. AtHuntley Meadows Park, 3701Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Learnbasic wilderness survival skills, cooka meal over a campfire or study theart of fire-building in outdoorprograms in county parks. In this

program, learn how to build a fire,read a compass and set up a tent forshelter. Cost is $9 per person. Call703-768-2525 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows.

Performance: AlexandriaSymphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. atRachel M. Schlesinger Concert Halland Arts Center, 4915 East CampusDrive. Featuring the String Serenadewith James Ross, Music Director;Berta Rojas, guitarist. They willperform Mozart: Serenade No. 6“Serenata Notturna;” Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Concerto in D Major;Andante Moderato from StringQuartet in G Major (arr. by JamesRoss); and Schubert: Symphony No.5. Cost is $20-$85 adults, $5 youth,$10 students. Visit www.alexsym.orgor call 703-548-0885.

SUNDAY/FEB. 16Performance: Alexandria

Symphony Orchestra. 3 p.m. atGeorge Washington Masonic

Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive.Featuring the String Serenade withJames Ross, Music Director; BertaRojas, guitarist. They will performMozart: Serenade No. 6 “SerenataNotturna;” Castelnuovo-Tedesco:Guitar Concerto in D Major; AndanteModerato from String Quartet in GMajor (arr. by James Ross); andSchubert: Symphony No. 5. Cost is$20-$85 adults, $5 youth, $10students. Visit www.alexsym.org orcall 703-548-0885.

Opening Reception. 4-6 p.m. At TheAthenaeum, 201 Prince Street,Alexandria. Human Condition —Exploring the Body as SubjectExhibition, which runs Feb. 13-March22.

This group exhibition will be a visualexploration of the human condition,asking artists to capture what is itthat makes a person. From the classicnude, to abstract and impressionisttreatments, to pieces that touch onthe basic concept of humanity — awide variety of interpretations will beincluded.


Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

The Gazette

Heralded by body aches, chills and fe-ver, flu season is in full-swing, At aminimum it can be an inconvenienceand at its worst it can be deadly. Influ-

enza activity is considered to be widespread by inthe Washington region, according to the Virginia De-partment of Health.

Influenza B/Victoria is the most common form ofthe virus that is circulating in our area, says BarbaraDownes, Communicable Disease Epidemiology Man-ager with Fairfax County HealthDepartment.

“Unlike a typical flu seasonwhen we tend to see influenzaB in the spring at the end of theflu season, we are seeing influ-enza B predominantly circulat-ing now,” she said. “Eventhough it can cause milder ill-ness in adults and those whoare otherwise healthy, it can bemore severe in children.”

Knowing the causes and prac-ticing preventative habits arekeys to keeping the flu at bay.The Centers for Disease Controland Prevention reports that theflu virus spreads from one per-son to another primarily bytouching or inhaling viral droplets that are madewhen a person with the flu coughs, sneezes or talks.

“One of the things that happens is that someone

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the way to avoidcatching the flu.

coughs or sneezes into their hand and then touchesa door knob and then someone comes behind themand touches the same door knob,” said Mary Ander-son of the Montgomery Department of Health andHuman Services. “That’s a really common way for avirus to spread. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve orelbow and make sure your nose and mouth are cov-ered.”

Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to pre-vent the flu, advises Kurt Larrick, Assistant Directorof the Arlington County Department of Human Ser-vices. “It’s still not too late,” he said. “Peak flu sea-son runs through February, and outbreaks can hap-pen through late May.”

Practicing good hygiene is a simple and effective,but often overlooked preventative measure “Washyour, hands wash, your hands, wash your hands,”said Anderson “Wash your hands with plain old soapand water for 20 seconds. The soap doesn’t have tobe fancy. If you don’t have access to soap and water,

use an alcohol based hand sani-tizer.”

“Every day communicabledisease prevention tips are re-ally important this time of year,”added Downes. “Disposing ofyour tissues properly…andstaying home when you aresick.”

While Coronavirus is a con-cern, Anderson says that the fluis a much greater threat to thosein the Washington region. “It’simportant to learn about the vi-rus from China, but we’re notat high risk of it unless you’vetraveled to that part of China,”said Anderson. “The flu is muchmore of a threat. Each year the

flu kills thousands and thousands of people. It’s veryimportant to pay attention to it and do simple thingsto prevent it.”

Simple steps to help youstay healthy during theflu season.

Preventing the Flu

“Each year the flu killsthousands andthousands of people.It’s very important topay attention to it anddo simple things toprevent it.”

— Mary Anderson,Montgomery Department of Health

and Human Services


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

From cancer to toilet paper. Is that ‘off’ enough? My reason for writing this column might be because I need a diversion (see last week’s column), and because, as is so happened recently, I needed to replenish our toilet paper supply. (It had nothing to do with a winter advisory in the forecast.) As the consumer in the house, I am keen and motivated to spend our money wisely. I look for sales, I use paper coupons, I use digital coupons and of course, I peruse the advertising circulars, in print and online (if necessary) regularly. In addition, I have a number of plastic bonus cards hanging on my keychain. In short, I am prepared and ready for any retail or wholesale opportunity that might present itself.

With respect to toilet paper, I believe us regular users have been victimized by the

-cally to the increase in the size of the actual roll itself; from single to double to triple to jumbo to mega and now super mega. Since the manufacturers can’t exactly increase de-mand, they’ve devised a strategy to increase supply - in our homes. And though using myself as an example is hardly empirical evidence, I will nonetheless continue to do so in an effort to justify my accusation.

If you’re like me, you probably like to have an ample supply of toilet paper in the house, just in case (it happened once in college; not good). And to that end, the toilet paper manufacturers have offered up multipacks equivalent to as high as 96 rolls, if I’m not mistaken, to address this potential shortage. However, my beef is not with the number of rolls in these multipacks, my beef, as I’ve said, is with the size of the rolls. In these cases, size does matter.

For years, we’ve been buying 4-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 24-, 36- and even 48-roll multipacks, some single and some double to stock the bathroom linen closets, so we’re used to

inventory. Now the rolls are double or even triple the size we had grown accustomed to having as back-ups. But we’re still, in spite

super mega rolls, wanting to have the same number of rolls in the closet as we’ve always had (I do, anyway). Sort of a comfort level, you might say. The problem is that having the same number of super mega rolls in inventory as previously one had as single or double rolls gives one way more toilet paper in the house than you ever had. In effect, we have over-purchased. The toilet paper manufacturers have used our predispositions against us in order to take a greater share of our household budget previously allocated for toilet paper.

I don’t need six super mega rolls in our bathroom. But I do want to see at least six rolls in reserve (aid and comfort you might say). If the six rolls in reserve were single or doubles, their size would be irrelevant. The number of rolls was more important - in my head. And now, because of the toilet paper manufacturer’s insistence that size matters, I am forced to buy these spare-tire, donut-sized rolls that I can’t possibly use no matter what “snowmageddon” might hit us. But I can’t stock my shelves with reason-ably-sized rolls because their unit cost is prohibitive compared to the big roll multi-packs. As the consumer I am, I am loathe to overpay for such household necessities. So I buy in bulk, stuff my shelves with ply and go about my business. I just wish I had more than a hand in their decision-making.

Off Topic,Way Off

be extended. Visit https://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/2020-Salute-to-Women-Awards-Nomination

GRANT HELPS ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL LAUNCHBREAKFAST AFTER THE BELLGeorge Washington Middle School in Alexandria

received an $11,000 grant as part of No KidHungry Virginia’s recent $32,000 investmentacross the state to support alternative schoolbreakfast models, known nationwide asBreakfast After the Bell programs. Accessingtraditional breakfast service in the cafeteriabefore the start of the school day can bechallenging for youth. Breakfast After the Bellprovides breakfast in a way that’s moreconvenient to students, resulting in morestudents starting their day off eating a nutritiousmeal. The new Breakfast After the Bell programutilizes a model called Second Chance Breakfastand gives George Washington Middle School anopportunity to pick up breakfast before the firstinstructional bell, at the start of first period andbetween first and second period each schoolday. Visit state.nokidhungry.org/virginia.

ALEXANDRIA TO PURCHASEFREEDOM HOUSEThe City of Alexandria and the Northern Virginia

Urban League (NVUL) reached an agreement onDec. 31 for the City to purchase the FreedomHouse Museum in order to preserve andinterpret this National Historic Landmark forfuture generations. The building, located at1315 Duke Street, was once part of theheadquarters for the largest domestic slavetrading firm in the United States. From 1828 to1861, five successive firms forced as many as50,000 enslaved adults and children from theChesapeake Bay area to the slave markets inNatchez, Miss., and New Orleans by foot or ship.The $1.8 million purchase includes land, athree- and four-story, 9,810 square-foot buildingconstructed primarily in the 1800s, all museumexhibits and furnishings, and an adjacent 1,648square-foot parking lot.

GLASS RECYCLINGEffective Jan. 15, customers who receive City of

Alexandria recycling service must bring glasscontainers to one of the region’s 25 “purple bin”drop-off locations to ensure the glass will berecycled. As in other area localities, glass placedin curbside trash or recycling carts will not berecycled. Glass taken to a purple bin must beclean and empty.Due to issues that includerecycling contamination, rising recycling costs,and a lack of regional glass-sorting facilities,glass collected in curbside recycling by Citycontractors is ending up as trash in landfills.One of the action items in the City’s WasteSmartStrategic Plan adopted by City Council earlierthis year was to review the City’s position onglass and make a recommendation to continuethe collection service or remove glass fromresidential curbside recycling.

Glass Recycling Locations in the City of Alexandria:❖ S. Whiting St. (at the end of S. Whiting St.,

intersecting at Tower Ct.)❖ 3224 Colvin St.❖ 4251 Eisenhower Ave.❖ Jones Point Park (at the end of S. Royal St.)❖ MOM’s Organic Market (3831 Mt. Vernon Ave.) -

opening in January 2020Visit alexandriava.gov/Recycling.

AlexandriaReceives $2.6M

The Federal Emergency Management Agencyrecently awarded the City of Alexandria more than$2.6 million in funding over a three-year period toimprove Fire Department staffing, health andsafety. This funding ensures that each Alexandriafire truck and engine will now carry a four-personcrew. The Staffing for Adequate Fire & EmergencyResponse (SAFER) grant, which provides $1.5 mil-lion over three years, will allow the FireDepartment to add nine additional full-timeFirefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians. Theseadditional roles will complete the goal of havingfour-person staffing on each fire truck and enginein accordance with the National Fire ProtectionAssociation’s NFPA 1710 guidelines. Nine new ca-dets have recently been hired to fill these positions,and are expected to complete training and otherrequirements by mid-2020.

From Page 12

Bulletin


ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

2/29//20.

2/29/20.

2/29/20.

2/29/20.

2/29/20.

2/29/20.

2/29/20.2/29/20.

2/29/20.

2/29/20.

McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. This year marks our 40th year in Alexandria, and we are celebrating our investment in helping to build our town into the thriving community it is today. To learn more about our Associates and our firm, visit www.WeAreAlexandria.com

#WeAreAlexandria

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

Alexandria City | $675,000Renovated 3-level, 3-bedroom, 2-bath Cape Cod. Features main level with eat-in kitchen and gorgeous hardwood floors. Finished walkout lower level with family room, full bath and bonus room. Large fenced yard. 3025 King StreetWendy Santanonio 703.625.8802 www.WendySantantonio.com

OPEN SUN 2/9, 2-4

Old Town $1,195,000Sleek contemporary 2-bedroom, Den, 2-bath Bottling House condo offers an open floor plan with light filled rooms, hardwood floors, high ceilings, and balcony. Stylish chef’s kitchen with Quartz countertops, waterfall edge island, and Bosch appliances.

Babs Beckwith 703.627.5421www.BabsBeckwith.com

Braddock Heights | $800,000This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home offers original charm with updates! Kitchen updated with honey cabinets and granite. Upstairs bath completely redone, glass wall shower. Pergola and wisteria over brick patio. 2608 Davis AvenueLaurel Conger 703.577.6899 www.LaurelConger.com

OPEN SAT 2/8 & SUN 2/9, 2-4

Rosemont Park | $1,450,000Prominent Alexandria artist designed and renovated this sweet house. Sun-splashed kitchen with vaulted ceilings and breakfast area, 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. Expansive private garden, hardscape patio and cool shed/studio. www.HayesWoodHomes.comGordon Wood 703.447.6138 Chris Hayes 703.944.7737

Alexandria City $449,9002-bedroom, 1-bath condo in sought after Old Town. Open, bright floor plan with wood burning fireplace and built-ins in the living room and dining room. Private entrance from street. Assigned parking - walk to shops, dining and entertainment. 1415 Oronoco Street

Jen Walker 703.675.1566www.JenWalker.com

OPEN SAT 2/8 & SUN 2/9, 2-4

Rosemont | $1,325,000Gracious Rosemont home featuring 7 bedrooms and 4 full baths in an ideal location. Just a few blocks to King Street or Braddock Metro stops. Spacious private rear yard professionally landscaped. Fully finished basement with full kitchen, and outside entrance.Sarah King 703.864.5050 www.SarahEKing.com

Monticello Park | $1,585,000This 5-bedroom, 4-bath home is beautiful from top to bottom with custom finishes, built-ins and trimwork. Open and airy floor plan with large bedrooms, gorgeous hardwood floors, gas fireplace, screened in porch. 303 Monticello Boulevard.Jen Walker 703.675.1566www.JenWalker.com

OPEN SAT 2/8 & SUN 2/9, 2-4

Old Town$2,195,000Located in the desirable Southeast Quadrant of Old Town, this property makes large scale entertaining a breeze. The oversized two car garage and private elevator to all four levels of this home provide convenience and comfort not commonly found in Old Town.

Sissy Zimmerman 703.989.9779 www.BBZGroup.com

Fort Hunt | $710,000The practical layout, location and luxury finishes make this 5-bedroom stunner a home run. Everything in this home sparkles and shines. The main level expands with an amazing three season porch and trex deck. Sandy McMaster 571.259.2673 www.McMasterRealEstate.com

20 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v February 6-12, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Page, 17connectionarchives.com/PDF/2020/020520/Alexandria.pdf · 2020-02-05 · Alexandria Gazette...

Documents

Transcript of Page, 17connectionarchives.com/PDF/2020/020520/Alexandria.pdf · 2020-02-05 · Alexandria Gazette...