Alexandria Gazette Packet Pet Gazette Packetconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/073119/Alexandria.pdfher skin. She also had a nagging cough. Months of medical care and healing time in

Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

25 Cents

Gazette PacketAlexandria

Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper August 1, 2019

Address Service Requested

To: 1604 King St.,

Alexandria, VA 22314

Attention

Postmaster:

Time-sensitive

material.

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Alexandria, VA

Permit #482

Pet Gazette PacketPet Gazette PacketInside

See Taking Back, Page 17

See Wegmans, Page 3

Pet Gazette PacketThis is Tulsi, a 3-year-old calico cat that I adopted through 4Paws Rescue in April .She is my first cat , and it was love at first sight. She is a real sweetheart, andhas helped fill a void in my life after losing my 15-year-old dog Molly. Calicos aresupposed to bring good fortune. Finding her was certainly fortunate for me!— Carol Siegel of Alexandria

More Pet Photos, Pages 4-7

By Liam Bowman

Gazette Packet

Mary Luceri has been atthe First BaptistChurch of Alexandria

since 10 in the morning. She sitsin the shade of the church’s tow-ering brick walls and chats withAlexandria Police officer DylanIgnacio. Occasionally, someonewill approach their table and dropunwanted prescriptions into a

plastic bag that balloons with pillbottles.

Alexandria’s most recent “DrugTake Back Day” was held last Sat-urday, July 27. The event was anopportunity for local residents toget rid of any unused medication— part of the city’s effort to pre-vent prescription drug abuse.

The current opioid epidemic hasbecome one of the nation’s pri-mary public health concerns, withmore than 400,000 opioid-relateddeaths recorded between 1999and 2017. The opioid epidemic isalso an issue from which Alexan-dria is not immune. According to

Taking Back DrugsPart of cityeffort to curtaildrug abuse.

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

Carlyle Crossing, a 1-million square footmixed use develop-ment that will include

the city’s first Wegmans grocerystore, broke ground July 24 atHoffman Town Center inAlexandria’s Eisenhower Valley.

The $400-million project is ajoint venture between Bethesda-based Stonebridge Associates andChicago-based Creek Lane Capital.Located on Mandeville Lane, plansinclude 210,000 square feet of re-tail and 775,000 square feet ofresidential units

“It takes a lot of hard work anda very big team to get a project ofa million square feet out of theground,” said Stonebridge Prin-ciple Douglas Firstenberg.

Approximately 720 residentialunits are planned for the develop-

ment, which will range from 11 to18 stories with the tallest towerrising to 220 feet.

What’s In StoreWegmans, Carlyle Crossing breaksground in Eisenhower Valley.

City Manager Mark Jinkstalks with StonebridePrinciple DouglasFirstenberg at the July 24groundbreaking ofCarlyle Crossing atHoffman Town Center.

By Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet

2 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Babs BeckwithSpecializing in Old Town Properties for 25+ Years

Call Babs to preview these exciting properties.703.627.5421 | [email protected] S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.549.9292

317 South Saint Asaph Street – $2,595,000

218 South Royal Street – $2,300,000


52 Wolfe Street – $1,995,000



Treatment of Chickens Ruffles FeathersNews

Alexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

From Page 1

Wegmans, Carlyle Crossing Breaks GroundWegmans Food Market will occupy

85,000-square-feet of retail space and theproject’s initial phase is expected to openin 2021.

“I’m excited to see this development getstarted,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “I’ll beeven more excited to be back here in two

years to see the project open.”Wilson, a Virginia native, joked that he

never realized the Rochester, N.Y.-basedWegman’s isn’t just operating a grocerystore.

“They are operating a cult,” said Wilson,referring to the many loyal fans of the re-tailer, which has expanded from its New

York State roots to operate 99 stores in theMid-Atlantic and New England.

Designed by Cooper Carry, project con-struction is being undertaken by a joint ven-ture of Walsh Construction and BalfourBeatty.

“I am excited to have Wegmans comingto our city and being a part of the future of

the Eisenhower Valley and Carlyle area,”Wilson said. “It’s taken a lot of work formany years as our vision for the future ofthis area has evolved. This project will pro-vide critical retail and services to boost thequality of life for everyone who works andlives here and deliver some of the bestamenities anywhere in Alexandria.”

Stonebridge Principle Douglas Firstenberg, fourth from left, isjoined by city representatives at the July 24 groundbreaking ofCarlyle Crossing, a 1-million square foot development in HoffmanTown Center that will include the city’s first Wegmans grocerystore. With Firstenberg are Councilman John Chapman, MayorJustin Wilson, Councilwoman Amy Jackson, City Manager MarkJinks, AEDP president Stephanie Landrum, Planning Commissionmember Mindy Lyle and attorney Duncan Blair.

The rendering of a joint venture development between Stonebridge Associatesand Creek Lane Capital known as Carlyle Crossing was on display at the July24 groundbreaking at Hoffman Town Center.

Pho

to

s by Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet

More than 140 animal rightsactivists participated in aprotest in front of theMcDonald’s in Bradlee

Shopping Center on Saturday, July 28.The peaceful demonstration included rep-

resentatives and volunteers from The Hu-mane League, Mercy For Animals, AnimalEquality, Compassion Over Killing, andother animal advocates gathering togetherfor the Animal Rights National Conferenceon July 25-28 in Alexandria.

The goal of the protest, which took placefrom 7 to 8 p.m., was to call attention tothe treatment of chickens by McDonald’s.According to organizer Jennifer Barckley, thecampaign against McDonald’s has lasted thelongest, while 100 other major fast foodchains, such as Subway and Burger King, haveimplemented stricter ethics standards andadded vegan and vegetarian items to theirmenus. More information on the campaign isavailable at https://truthaboutmcdonaldschicken.com/

— Sarah Sklar

Animal rights activists gather together for a photo at the conclusion of the protest organized by The HumaneLeague, which took place in front of the McDonald’s in Bradlee Shopping Center.

A pig namedFranny

participatesin a protestagainst the

treatment ofchickens by

McDonald’s.

Pho

to

s by Sarah

Sklar/G

azette Packet

4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Pet Gazette Packet

By Barbara S. Moffet

Animal Welfare League of

Alexandria

What kind of futuredoes a 14-year-oldcat who has beenreturned to the

shelter by his adopters have? Justask a soft-gray, short-haired catnamed Jack. He’s now captain ofa 34-foot catamaran sailboatdocked in the Washington area,living there with his adopter, Ab-bey D. (name withheld to protectprivacy), and her son, Greg, 15.

Abbey had decided a senior catwould be just theright addition toher floating fam-ily, and it didn’ttake long for herto spot Jack at theAnimal WelfareLeague of Alexan-dria (AWLA) backin June. Jack, whohad been returnedto the shelter be-cause he was notproperly using hislitter box, had fewteeth and no front claws. “It wasan instant love affair,” Abbey says.She adopted him that day.

Jack, whom she has rechristenedCapt. Jack Sparrow after the “Pi-rates of the Caribbean” film char-acter, quickly took to the nauticallifestyle. “He is in heaven,” Abbeysays. “Living on a sailboat is likeliving in a giant cat playhouse —with all of the portholes andspaces to hide in and explore. Eventhough he’s a senior cat, he is ableto let his inner kitten out.” And heseems to be faring better overall:medicine and a special diet havesolved his litter-box issues.

Jack even has come to love thefamily’s other pet, a guinea pignamed Strange. Frightened of thelittle animal at first, Jack lately hasbeen seen cuddling with Strangeon a blanket in the boat’s state-room. The cat’s at his calmestwhen they’re at sail, Abbey says,soothed by the motion of the wa-ter and apparently not at alltempted to jump in.

Like Jack, senior pets are oftenavailable for adoption at theAWLA. On arrival at the shelter,senior animals (generally definedas age 8 or older for cats and dogs)receive full checkups with the staffveterinarian, including screeningfor liver, kidney and thyroid dis-ease as well as dental problems.

The AWLA has found that anolder cat, dog or other animal canbe a perfect match for certain

adopters, especially if they arelooking for a calmer animal withmore experience living in a home.Often human senior citizens finda senior pet might be the perfectfit for their lifestyle, which is whythe AWLA’s Seniors for Seniorsprogram waives adoption fees forpeople 65 and over.

The quiet energy of a senior ani-mal also can be right for peoplewho are away at work during theday. That is what Annie Kraft andher husband, Tom Berube, of Ar-lington had in mind when theyvisited the shelter last January.Their previous dog had passed

away a few yearsbefore, and theyhad decided theywere ready toadopt. “We wentto the dog area,and Nanny wasjust standingthere, wearing ared coat and look-ing scared but socute. Tom and Isaw her and knewwe needed her tobecome part of

the family.”Nanny, an 11-year-old bluetick

coonhound, has the true markingsof her breed, with black-and-whitedappled fur and big, black patchesover her eyes. She had arrived atthe shelter in April 2018 fromsouthern Virginia in rough shape,suffering from ear infections, para-sites, poor kidney and thyroidfunction and several masses underher skin. She also had a naggingcough. Months of medical care andhealing time in foster homes ad-dressed her problems, and in theprocess she became beloved byAWLA staff and volunteers.

“Nanny was a field-trip favoriteof our volunteers for a chill after-noon or for puppy gelato in OldTown,” recalled Echo Keif, theAWLA’s volunteer program man-ager. “Nanny also became the mas-cot at our monthly adoptionevents. We always dressed her upin the prettiest sweater, and shewore every outfit with the carefreeconfidence of a runway model.Nanny said hello to everyone whopassed by and had a delightfullyzen vibe. Nanny was and is magi-cal in every way.”

What’s she like in her newhome? “Nanny is a love bug,” Kraftsaid. “She’s confident, playful andpatient, especially with little kidswho play with her ears. We thinkshe is the perfect dog.”

One of Nanny’s favorite activi-ties is hiking with Kraft and Berubein Glencarlyn and Fort Ward parks— and visiting the Del Ray neigh-borhood for special ice cream “pupcups.” She can walk more than twomiles, Kraft says, and will sit bytheir door at home as if to say, “Iwant to go on an adventure now.”

“We were really excited to giveNanny a retirement home, butshe’s actually aging backwards,”Kraft said. “She has so much en-ergy; she has a lot of life left inher.”

The AWLA’s Rosemary’s Fundsupports care of senior animals; goto AlexandriaAnimals.org/Rose-mary for information on donating.For more information on the Se-niors for Seniors program, go toA l e x a n d r i a A n i m a l s . o r g /

Anchors Aweigh Sailing senior proves all cats don’t hate water.

Photo by Tom Berube

Nanny explores Theodore Roosevelt Island.

Photo by Tom Berube

Bluetick coonhound Nanny,a “lovebug” adopted fromthe AWLA.

SeniorsforSeniors.The Animal Welfare League of

Alexandria is a local 501(c)(3)organization. Operating the VolaLawson Animal Shelter, which isAlexandria’s only open-access ani-mal shelter, the AWLA touches thelives of more than 6,000 animalsevery year, including strays, lost

pets, local wildlife, rescued ani-mals and animals surrendered bytheir owners. The AWLA is com-mitted to addressing animalhomelessness, promoting animalwelfare and serving as an educa-tional resource for the community.More information can be found atAlexandriaAnimals.org.

Photos by Abbey D.

A sailboat home is “heaven” for adoptedcat Jack Sparrow.

Capt. Jack Sparrow enjoys wildlife watchingfrom his perch on his new family’s boat.

The AWLA hasfound that anolder cat, dog orother animal canbe a perfectmatch for certainadopters.


By Sarah Sklar

Gazette Packet

King Street Cats is a cat-exclusive,

non-kill shelter in Alexandria, and reliessolely on donations. Run by volunteers,King Street Cats is now located at 25 S.

Dove St. where most cats up for adoption roam freelyin two open rooms. Both rooms have plenty of spacefor sleeping and lounging in the sun, as well as plentyof toys and even a “catwalk” that cats use to accessplatforms attached to the wall.

On average, King Street Cats houses 30 cats, andall cats are sterilized and fully up-to-date on shotsprior to adoption. Adoption open houses are everySaturday and Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., andcats available for adoption can be browsed on itswebsite at https://kingstreetcats.rescuegroups.org/animals/browse.

Cyrus, a cat up for adoption atKing Street Cats, poses for a photo.

Two-year-old Penny is up for adop-tion at King Street Cats.

Cherry, a kitten, and Peach, hermother, are available for adoption.

Franklin and Adams are two broth-ers available for adoption.

Cats Roam Free at Non-Kill Shelter

From left: Prissy, Judge, and Butternut are threeadoptable cats at King Street Cats.Cats lounge around at King Street Cats.

Photos by Sarah Sklar/Gazette Packet

Pet Gazette Packet


Pet Gazette Packet

Gidget submitted by Janet Hawkins.Della Mitchell chills onthe porch with dadDavid Mitchell.

Susan Medina with 16-year-old Sunny.

Satine, Madonna and Nikko chillin’ at thepool. Contributed by Peter Balas andDiego Delgado.

Alexandria Cupcake owner Adnan Hamidiwith Joshua Hamidi and Baron.

Candace and Bear Beane.

The dogs of the West End’s Vauxcleuseneighborhood with their parents. Clock-

wise from top left: Janet Hawkins withGidget; Kent Jancarik with Teddy; Tom

Swean with Bode; Carol Skiba with Frisco;David Mitchell with Della; and Nancy

Condon with Wally and Benny.

Sebastian Moore celebrateshis first birthday May 1with dad Shawn. Contrib-uted by Ralph Moore.

Bode Swean keeps watchover dad Tom Swean.

Me and my shadow — “BellyCat”

I’m a star!— “Sweetie”

“Mr. T” says: Eat yourveggies!

And when it’s rainy out, I taketo my house. “Sherlock”

Comfy cat — “Squeaky”

It’s important to re-member to wear your

sunblock! — “Tina”Oh no, not the vet!— “GoodBoy”

Pho

to

by Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet

Pho

to

by Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet

By Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet

Pho

to

by Laura M

ae Sudder

Pho

to

by Laura M

ae Sudder

Pho

to

by Laura M

ae Sudder

Pho

to

by Laura M

ae Sudder

Pho

to

by Laura M

ae Sudder

Pho

to

by Laura M

ae Sudder


This is our beloved Lab mixdog Guinness that we unfor-tunately lost early this yearat just two weeks short of 15years old. This is a photo wetook last fall for a fun librarypromotion showing pets“reading.” We’d like to thinkthat we gave Guinness goodand happy life, a more lovingand devoted dog there never was. She was the first one ofher litter to be adopted and we later learned the oldest,as she outlived all her litter mates, the last one to pass.

— Brian Marquis

Pet Gazette Packet

Taking a look back, this wasthe summer of 2004 and ourson Collin Marquis at age 7with his new 8 week oldpuppy we named Guinness.We were the first ones to getto pick from the litter.

And from March of thisyear, the now 23-year-oldCollin Marquis with thenow almost 15-year-oldGuinness. This was one ofthe last pictures of themtogether, just a few weeksbefore she passed away.

— Brian Marquis


People

By Elissa Esher

Gazette Packet

Local life coach Richard Griffin be-lieves interacting with horses issometimes more beneficial to hisclients than interacting with

people. That’s why, in 2014, Griffin begantaking his clients to Little Burgundy Farmand using their experience at this smallstable to guide the rest of their therapy. Themethod, called equus coaching, combinesthe practices of equine therapy and lifecoaching to create a space where clientsenhance their leadership, communication,and relational skills through working witha horse.

“Horses can’t lie,” Griffin, who is certi-fied both as a life coach and an Equus CoachMaster Facilitator, said. “Any issues my cli-ents have — negative emotions, passivity,aggression, self-doubt — all come out whena horse doesn’t respond well to what they’retrying to get it to do. If you’re sending outnegative messages through your body lan-guage and communication, you may neverknow it until you work with a horse becausepeople will never be as blunt with you asthey are.”

A movement begun by Californian lifecoach Koelle Simpson in 2006, equus coach-ing seeks to, as stated on Simpson’s website,restore clients’ “empowerment and self-trust” by using the horse as a “mirror” oftheir emotions. To generate this effect, thecoach puts their client in a round pen witha horse attached to a lunge-line. After ashort demonstration, the coach then asksthe client to make the horse perform cer-tain small tasks, such as walking in a circlearound them, trotting, or changing direc-

tion. “Whenever a crisis arises in the wild,a herd of horses will always follow which-ever of them seems to have the clearest,most calm idea of how to escape,” said Grif-fin. “I help clients learn to be good leaders,good communicators, good employees,whatever by teaching them to communicatein the clearest way possible what they wantto happen without using words.”

While the ultimate goal of equus coach-ing depends on the client, Griffin said hisclients primarily want to work on their re-lationships — whether that be with a part-ner, boss, child, or parent. Griffin also useshorses in team-building workshops withcorporate groups, in leadership coaching forthose stepping into positions of power, andfor those simply wanting to find out moreabout themselves. Most of Griffin’s clientshave little to no prior experience with

horses.Pam Ray, founder and CEO of Building

STEM Bridges and STEM4Parents, said thatGriffin’s equus coaching made her a moreeffective leader as she was starting her busi-ness.

“I grew up in a thinking world,” said Ray.“But it turns out horses don’t communicatebased on thinking. They communicatethrough feeling, intention, and vision in themoment. They wait for you to lead, followwhen you do so well, and show pride intheir energy and stance when together weachieved a common mission in the ring.Now, that pride is exactly the outcome Iwant with clients, business partners andeven my family.”

Griffin often uses horse work as a way toidentify his client’s issues in the first ses-sion. Then, he and the client discuss obser-

vations they both made during that sessionin future traditional life coaching sessions.

“Life coaching is different than traditionaltherapy in that we are preparing the clientfor the future rather than trying to solveissues in their past,” Griffin said. “By get-ting my clients in front of a horse, I can seewhat’s going on inside them emotionallyjust by watching the way they and the horseinteract in the first session. If their first re-action is ‘I don’t think this horse likes me,’for example, I know there’s a little insecu-rity going on. Then we can integrate what Iobserved and what they learned with thehorse and apply it to their lives in futuresessions.” For more information on equuscoaching, see: https://koelleinstitute.com/about/who-is-koelle/

To contact Richard Griffin, see: https://www.richardgriffincoaching.com/contact

Equus Coaching: A New Kind of Equine TherapyLife coach Richard Griffin uses horses to help his clients become better communicators.

Life coach and equus coach Richard Griffin.Richard Griffin observes a client interacting with Al, a horseat Little Burgundy Farm, before she enters the round pen.

Superintendent of Alexandria City Pub-lic Schools Dr. Gregory Hutchings wasthe featured speaker at the July 23

meeting of the Alexandria Rotary Club.Speaking at the organization’s weekly

meeting at Belle Haven Country Club,Hutchings reviewed his first 100 days at thehelm of ACPS and his vision for the future.He outlined five important goals for thefuture of ACPS: Equity – every studentneeds to be served; Community Collabora-tion – Hutchings meets every two weekswith City Manager Mark Jinks; Transpar-ency – necessary to alleviate problems;Alignment – working with the city to meetgoals; and Systems and Processes – amongother issues, how best to deal with the ex-panding enrollment, particularly at T.C.Williams High School.

Hutchings is a 1995 graduate of T.C. Wil-liams and previously served as Superinten-dent of Schools in Shaker Heights, Ohio,prior to being named to lead ACPS in 2018.

— Jeanne Theismann

Hutchings reviews first 100 days at ACPS.Making the Grade

ACPS Superintendent Dr. GregoryHutchings talks about his first 100days on the job and his vision forthe future at the July 23 meeting ofthe Alexandria Rotary Club at BelleHaven Country Club.

ACPS Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings, second from left, withAndrea Koslaw, Drew Carroll and ’72 T.C. Williams graduate PaulAnderson at the July 23 meeting of the Alexandria Rotary Club at BelleHaven Country Club.

Pho

to

s by Jan

et Barn

ett/G

azette Packet

Pho

to

s co

ntributed by G

riffin

C

oach

in

g


I am the owner of two amazing guinea pigsnamed Henry and Fluffy. I adopted them twoyears ago from an animal shelter and we hadoriginally only wanted one guinea pig, whichwas Henry. We soon discovered that he wassad without a buddy so we adopted anotherone, Fluffy, and they got along great. One ofmy favorite things to do are to take photosof my guinea pigs and post on their ownInstagram.(@henry.hugs.fluffy).

— Ashlynn Prisby

While technically not a “pet,” we do have a somewhatspecial relationship with a turtle that came to our yardthis year. We frequently get a box turtle or two into theyard of our Seminary Valley home that is by HolmesRun Park. We love turtles and even gave a turtle themeto our Little Free Library naming it “The ReadingTurtle.” So I couldn’t resist having my son Collin Mar-quis pose with the real box turtle next to the box turtlelogo on our Little Free Library. After the photo we putthe turtle back in the yard and left. — Brian Marquis

Later that evening we weresurprised to discover thatsame box turtle from themorning making a nest inour yard and laying eggs.Over several hours she laidfour eggs but by morningthe nest was filled in andcovered back over and theturtle had left. Box turtleeggs have an approxi-mately 70-day gestationperiod so we’ll be lookingto have some box turtlehatchlings by mid August.

— Brian Marquis

Pet Gazette Packet


Opinionwww.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]

Steven MaurenEditor, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

Jean CardProduction Editor

[email protected]

Dan BrendelReporter, 757-472-3435

[email protected]

Jeanne [email protected]

@TheismannMedia

Janet Barnett, John Bordner,Mark Mogle

Contributing [email protected]

Shirley RuheContributing Photographer and [email protected]

Eden BrownContributing Writer

[email protected]

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

[email protected]

Debbie FunkDisply Advertising/National Sales

[email protected]

Julie FerrillDisplay Advertising, 703-927-1364

[email protected]

Tara LloydDisplay Advertising, 703-740-7128

[email protected]

David GriffinMarketing Assistant

[email protected]

Classified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431

PublisherJerry Vernon

[email protected]

Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

[email protected]@MaryKimm

Editor in ChiefSteven MaurenArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John Heinly,Ali Khaligh

Production 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

On His WayTo Gotham City?The Batmobile on King Streeton Saturday morning, July27.

Photo by Hal Hardaway

By Kerry Donley

Former Mayor, City of Alexandria

And Allen Lomax

Chair, Partnership for

a Healthier Alexandria

And Richard Merritt

Member, Alexandria

Public Health Advisory Commission

And Paul A. Friedman

Founder/Executive Director,

Safer Country

In commenting on the aborted SpecialSession on Gun Control, U.S. Sen. TimKaine said: “That was a laughable attempt [by the Republican majority] to

disguise their own lack of a backbone.” He wasalso correct in observing that “gun violence isa public health epidemic that goes beyond massshootings.”

Mass shootings, whether they occur in shop-ping malls, school of office buildings, or con-certs naturally grab the headlines and are

clearly the focus of our col-lective fears about gun vio-lence, but it’s important toknow they are not the

source of the majority of deaths or injuries byfirearms — at least to our children — that oc-cur in the U.S.

Gunshots are the second leading cause ofinjury-related deaths in children, next only tocar accidents. A recent study, based on 2012-2014 data, shows that an average of 5,800children in the U.S. receive treatment in hos-pital ERS each year for a gun-related injury,and almost 1,300 children die every year from

gunfire. Estimates are that about 21% of theinjuries and deaths are unintentional; of theremaining 79% intentional shootings, the vastmajority were the result of suicides, homicidesor domestic violence disputes, and not the con-sequence of mass shootings.

A small group of Alexandria citizens havebeen working for some time on measures tokeep our children and our community safefrom both intentional and unintentional gunviolence. We have suggested legislative amend-ments to the General Assembly, mostly thatwould grant greater local authority to curb gunviolence, but we have focused mostly on solu-tions we believe can be initiated at the locallevel without enabling legislation from Rich-mond.

Chief among these ideas is to create a cli-mate in the City of Alexandria where gun safetyand proper storage of firearms are truly com-munity values.

National data indicate that about 7 percentof all children in the U.S. live in a house inwhich at least one gun is stored in an unsafemanner. Furthermore, child suicide rates byfirearm rose 60% between 2007-2014.

Recent research published in JAMA Pediat-rics found that “even a modest interventionthat motivates households to safely store gunscould reduce youth firearm deaths by 6 per-cent to 32 percent.”

We have suggested the City Council and theSchool Board adopt a joint resolution to thateffect and then empower city and school staffto implement a number of measures to pro-mote gun safety and storage throughout thecommunity. Among the measures we are rec-ommending are:

❖ developing a public relations campaign(including our own PSA) to educate the com-munity and especially gun owners on the im-

portance of proper storage of firearms in thehome;

❖ requesting all parents or guardians withchildren in the school system to pledge to pre-vent child access to guns at all times in theirhomes;

❖ distributing free gun locks along with edu-cational materials on proper gun storage pro-tocols to all interested gun owners; and,

❖ encouraging health providers at Neighbor-hood Health and the Alexandria Health Depart-ment to inquire of patients whether there is agun in the home and if so, if it is locked andstored properly;

Some might argue that there is no evidencethat firearms are being misused or are not prop-erly secured in the homes (or the workplaces)in the city, and thus there is no need for such alocal effort. We argue, however, that a proac-tive gun safety campaign that emphasizes edu-cation and prevention will be embraced as acommunity value and its effects will be noth-ing but positive.

Hindsight is always 20-20 but when dealingwith the potential of lethal violence, be it in ahome, the workplace, a shopping mall, or aschool yard, none of us would want to findourselves in a position of asking ourselves, “ifwe had only ….?”

It has been said: “Presumption is the oppo-site of prevention.” We cannot afford to pre-sume that different leadership will emerge inthe 2020 General Assembly — one dedicatedto an agenda of reducing gun violence in theCommonwealth.

To do so is nothing short of gambling withthe lives of our children. We have the capacityand the vision for making some small butmeaningful steps toward gun safety in our com-munity. So, in the words of a CNN nighttimehost, “Let’s get after it.”

Gun Safety: Critical First StepToward reducinggun violence.

Commentary

Much To BeDone LocallyTo the Editor:

The continuing drumbeat to protect “Immi-grants” from ICE must stop. Your paper printeda letter in the July 25-31 edition, which statedthat the Mayor needs to “… speak out, lead.

Silence [about ICE raids] makes us complicit.”Nonsense. The City Council is barely able to

effectively address our local needs. It must notspend time and money engaging in trying tonullify legal federal programs. Progressivescalling everyone who comes to the U.S. an “im-migrant” mixes legal and illegal immigration— on purpose. The U.S. has a legal entry pro-cess and laws to control illegal entry. Since the

progressives apparently do not like the U.S.controlling illegal entry they should work onCongress to change the laws. Our elected rep-resentative lawmakers: Beyer, Kane andWarner should be very willing to help.

In the meantime, the Council should stick tolowering taxes and improving services — andas all taxpayers know, they have a lot of work.

Edward M. Templeman

Letters to the Editor


Pet Gazette Packet

The HappiestThe happiest dog in Alexandria is Murph, a Golden Retriever-mix wholoves living in the city. Whether he’s attending festivities with his folks,going for his daily walks in the neighborhood, going to see the vet, orjust relaxing at home, Murph is so friendly and happy and always has abeautiful smile for everyone he meets. Murph is six years old and comesto Alexandria from Puerto Rico where he was rescued by the Lost Dogand Cat Rescue Foundation. Murph was only seven weeks old when hemade the trip with his mom and siblings in July of 2013. On Aug. 2, 2013he came to his “forever” home in Villamay with Terrence Snyder andSunny O’Malley who agree “Murph is just the best boy ever.” They lovehim and appreciate him always.


Entertainment

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

ONGOINGMusical: “Be More Chill.” Extended

through Aug. 2, at the Ainslie ArtsCenter on the campus of EpiscopalHigh School, 3900 West BraddockRoad. Be More Chill follows nerdyloner Jeremy, who ingests asupercomputer called a “SQUIP” inorder to become cool and popular. BeMore Chill is directed by IzzySmelkinson with music direction byMarika Countouris. In addition tomounting the first professionalproduction of the show in the D.C.metro area, Monumental TheatreCompany will also be employing anall-female design team. Visitwww.monumentaltheatre.org/be-more-chill.html for tickets.

Junior Golf Fairfax Camps, Clinicsand Competition. Burke Lake GolfCenter is located at 6915 Ox Road,Fairfax Station. Pinecrest Golf Courseis located at 6600 Little RiverTurnpike, Alexandria. Twin LakesGolf Course is located at 6201 UnionMill Road, Clifton. Oak Marr GolfComplex is located at 3136Jermantown Road, Oakton. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/junior.

❖ In one-session introductory JuniorGolf clinics, kids and teens learnbasic golf rules, etiquette of thegame, get familiarized with differenttypes of clubs and acquire skills forputting and chipping in a social andrelaxed environment. Clubs andpractice balls provided. Clinics areoffered at Burke Lake, Oak Marr andPinecrest golf courses for $15 each inAugust.

❖ Golf camp week-long sessions are stillopen – campers learn putting,chipping, iron and woods play fromcertified instructors in a friendly,group atmosphere. Course etiquetteand best safety practices will teachkids and teens fundamentals whilethey socialize and have fun. Clubs arenot required but suggested. Allcampers will receive a certificate andgolf fun pack upon camp completion.Burke Lake Golf Center and TwinLakes Golf Course offer half daysummer camp, Pinecrest Golf Courseoffers both half and full day summercamp options. Oak Marr GolfComplex offers half day spring andsummer camp through Everybody

Golf School.❖ Course-ready juniors will enjoy the

Junior Club Championship, Aug. 16,8 a.m.-noon at Burke Lake GolfCenter. Golfers participate in an 18-hole individual stroke competition.Competitors will be separated intothree divisions with first, second, andthird place prizes available in alldivisions. Lunch provided. Call 703-323-1641 to register.

The Producers – A New MelBrooks Musical. Through Aug. 17at The Little Theatre of Alexandria,600 Wolfe St. Max Bialystock, theone time king of Broadwayproducers, is hungry to strike it rich.Leo Bloom, an accountant withdreams of someday becoming atheatre producer, discovers that theycould get richer by producing a flopinstead of a hit. They start by findingthe worst show, worst director, andworst actors. When their newproduction, “Springtime for Hitler,”turns out to be a smash success, theplan is thrown off and the partnerslives are thrown into chaos. Note:This show contains language andadult themes. $29-$34. Visitthelittletheatre.com.

Registration Open: NVSO. TheNorthern Virginia Senior Olympicsfeatures more than 60 events thatchallenge the mind as well as thebody. New games this year: jigsawpuzzle and line-dancing. The gamesrun Sept. 14-28. There will be no on-site registration. Paper registrations,available at most local recreation andsenior centers, must be postmarked

by Aug. 24. Online registrations mustbe completed by Aug. 31 atwww.nvso.us.

Art Exhibit: More Than A Body.Through Aug. 4, gallery hours, atTarget Gallery at Torpedo Factory ArtCenter, 105 N. Union St. TargetGallery, the contemporary exhibitionspace for the Torpedo Factory ArtCenter, presents their competitiveannual solo exhibition featuringNorthern Virginia-based artist JuliaKwon. Kwon uses traditional Koreaninspired textiles to create a dialogueon othering and objectification sheexperiences as a Korean-Americanwoman. Visit torpedofactory.org/target.

Ceramics Go Casual. Through Aug.4, gallery hours at Scope Gallery,ground floor Studio 19 of theTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105North Union St. The “Siestaware”Kiln Club show features calm colorsand organic contours in a collectionof blissed out dishes and shapelysculptural work by the Kiln Clubartists. Call Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288 or visitwww.scopegallery.org.

Living Legends of Alexandria:African American Activists.Through Aug. 10, Tuesday-Saturday,10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the AlexandriaBlack History Museum, 902 WytheSt. Living Legends of Alexandria:African American Activists highlightsthe work of African American menand women who have madeimportant contributions to thegrowth and productivity of the City

of Alexandria. Call 703-746-4356 formore.

Art Exhibit: “Some Like It Hot.”Through Aug. 25, gallery hours atPotomac Fiber Arts Gallery, TorpedoFactory Art Center, Studio 29, 105North Union St. Potomac Fiber ArtsGallery presents its juried show,“Some Like It Hot” featuring work byartists and craftspersons influencedby the weather and the beautifulcolors of the summer season. Themedwork will be eligible for recognitionby the jurors. Non-themed work mayalso be exhibited. Free admission.Visitwww.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com orcall 703-548-0935.

Creative Summer Programs.Through Aug. 31 at Del Ray Artisans,2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Del RayArtisans’ Creative Summer Programsis a series of workshops exploring thearts. Learn techniques inphotography (macro andSmartPhone), painting, sculpture,mixed media, jewelry-making,sketching, and more; and discoverhow to use art for affirmation,communication, and intention.Details and registration atDelRayArtisans.org/programs/creative-summer/.

Mount Vernon Farmers Market.Wednesdays (through Dec. 18), 8a.m.-noon at Sherwood Hall RegionalLibrary, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane.The McCutcheon/Mount VernonFarmers Market opened May 1 withan array of farm-fresh produce andlocal foods, plus some new features

(fresh brewed coffee!). 17 localfarmers and producers will sell fresh,locally grown vegetables and fruits;meats; Chesapeake Bay seafood;breads and pastries; honey, jams andjellies; milk, cheese and eggs; herbsand plants; and more. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets.

Band Members Needed. Join theMount Vernon Community Band, agroup of players who enjoy playingmany styles of band music in arelaxed atmosphere. Rehearsals areTuesdays 7:30-9:30 p.m. in theMount Vernon High School BandRoom, 8515 Old Mount VernonRoad. No auditions. All instrumentsneeded. Contact Eric Leighty directly703-768-4172 or visitwww.mvbands.com/join-us/.

THURSDAY/AUG. 1Fort Hunt Meetup, Walk with a

Ranger. 10:30-noon at Fort HuntPark, 8999 Fort Hunt Road. Join anational park ranger on a 1.5 milewalk through historic Fort Hunt Park,be prepared to learn about someWorld War II secrets. Meet at Area Eparking. Free. Call 703-235-1530 formore.

Summer Recess. 4-7 p.m. at 2425Eisenhower Ave. (on the grassyknoll). Enjoy live music, happy hour,lawn games, and food. Visitwww.FB.com/AlexandriaEcon formore.

High-fire sea otter and raccoon mugs by Peggy Reichard of Accokeek, Md.; high-fire sculptural wavy reed vase byMarsha Lederman of Arlington, Va.; crystalline-glazed soft Summertime blue and green bowl by Bikki Stricker of FallsChurch, Va.; and Woodfired tea set in seafoam by Stephen Lally of Alexandria.

Ceramics Go CasualThe “Siestaware” Kiln Club show features calm colors and organic contours in a

collection of blissed out dishes and shapely sculptural work by the Kiln Club art-ists.

Drift dreamlike into endless combinations of color as lazy glazing encourages

hues in dreamy greens and soothing blues on vases, bowls and plates. The showruns through Aug. 4, gallery hours at Scope Gallery, ground floor Studio 19 of theTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union St. Call Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288 or visit www.scopegallery.org.

By Hope Nelson

My Persian Table event atA La Lucia, Aug. 1

A La Lucia owner and chef MichaelNayeri is hosting a second rendition of

his “My Persian Table”menu on Aug. 1. The five-course menu will take din-ers on a tour of Persian cui-sine ranging from appetiz-

ers to a fish course, a meat course anddessert. Wine pairings are optional. 315Madison St. $70. Reservations recom-mended.

Port City Brewing OktoberfestRelease Party, Aug. 2

Sure, the sun may still be beating downwith intense ferocity and you may be

working in one last beach weekend beforeschool starts again, but Oktoberfest is rightaround the corner, and Port City is preparedwith the release of its popular Marzen-stylelager. The brewery opens at noon for an all-day celebration of Oktoberfest in August.Das Pretzel Haus will be on site with tradi-tional pretzels to add a little heft to thelaunch. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Noon-10 p.m.

Mozzarella Fest atCheesetique, through Aug. 11

Del Ray’s premier cheesemonger is giv-ing patrons a peek behind the cheese-mak-ing curtain with a focused multiweek tourof all things mozzarella. From a “Mozza-rella, Etc.” class to special menu items(Caprese smashburger, anyone?) to aNegroni cocktail to wash it all down,Cheesetique is rolling up its sleeves and

getting into the stretchy, gooey thick ofthings. 2411 Mount Vernon Ave.

Alexandria RestaurantWeek, Aug. 16-25

Summer Restaurant Week is a time ofcelebration for restaurants hailing from allcorners of Alexandria. From Belle View’sDishes of India to Shooter McGee’s in theWest End, from North Old Town’s Hank’sPasta Bar to Hops n Shine in Del Ray, there’sa menu and a location for every palate.Thirty-five dollars gets you a three-coursemeal or dinner for two at dozens ofAlexandria’s eateries, but plan ahead andmake a reservation — most restaurants dobook up.

Second Annual DRPWing Fest, Aug. 17

Do you have what it takes to win theWings of Doom Hot Wing Eating Con-test? Or are you just a wing aficionadowith nothing to prove? Either way, DelRay Pizzeria is celebrating both wingsand those who love them with its sec-ond annual Wing Fest. Expect half-pricewings at the parking-lot party (as wellas inside the restaurant all day), and $10pays your way into the contest.

Three craft breweries – Firestone,Vasen and Stone – will offer up specialtybeers to cool off your palate. 2218 MountVernon Ave. 3-7 p.m. $10 for contestentry.

Hope Nelson owns and operates the KitchenRecessionista blog, located atwww.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her anytime at

[email protected].

5 Dates to Circle in August

Appetite


lostdogandcatrescue.org

lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer

owned or known

AdoptDonate

VolunteerVolunteers needed for

adoption events,fostering,

transportation,adoption center

caretaking and more.

Entertainment

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Jones Point Lighthouse

Jones Point MeetupJoin a national park ranger to explore the long history of this little piece of land

and see the last remaining inland lighthouse on the Potomac River, once a beaconto boat captains and commerce on the river. Saturday, Aug. 3; and Saturday, Aug.17, 11 a.m.-noon at Jones Point Park, Jones Point Drive. Free. Call 703-235-1530or visit www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/jonespoint.htm for more.

FRIDAY/AUG. 2Andes to Romances. 7 p.m. at

Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Anevening of authentic Andeanmelodies from the Latin-Americanrepertoire and international songbook of Juan Cayrampoma andErnesto Bravo, performing as Andesto Romances. Using an array oftraditional Andean and contemporaryinstruments they perform music thatembodies the soul of the Andes whilepaying homage to love, hope,romance and their native land. $15.Visit nvfaa.org or call 703-548-0035.

Mount Vernon Nights: BlueHighway (bluegrass). 7:30-8:30at Grist Mill Park, 4710 MountVernon Memorial Highway.Performances will feature musicalstyles from soul to and pop andbluegrass and rock. Bring a picnicdinner and a blanket and enjoy oneof Fairfax County’s summertraditions. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights formore.

AUG. 2-SEPT. 1Art Exhibit: Fresh Meat. Gallery

hours at Del Ray Artisans Gallery,2704 Mount Vernon Ave. “FreshMeat” features artwork by Del RayArtisans’ newest members from 2018-2019. “Fresh Meat” highlights newfaces and new techniques. OpeningReception: Friday, Aug. 2, 7-9 p.m.Register in advance for a specialacrylics painting workshop onSaturday, Aug. 10. VisitDelRayArtisans.org/event/fresh-meatfor more.

SATURDAY/AUG. 3Friendship Firehouse Festival. 9

a.m.-2 p.m. at Friendship FirehouseMuseum, 107 S. Alfred St. Theannual Friendship Firehouse Festivalis a popular family event presentedby the Friendship Veterans FireEngine Association (FVFEA). Thefestival features antique fireapparatus, craft booths, and displaysby community organizations. Festivalparticipants can visit the FriendshipFirehouse Museum where the 1858hose reel carriage, voted the favoriteVirginia Association of Museums Top10 Endangered Artifact, is on display.Children can explore please-touchartifacts, will receive free fire helmetsand are treated to supervised visitsinside City fire trucks. Free. Food andbeverages available for purchase.Visit AlexandriaVA.gov or call 703-746-3891.

Writer’s Workshop for Adults. 9:30a.m.-4 p.m. at the Durant Center,1605 Cameron St. Alexandria author

Sheila Moses leads a workshop forwriters interested in the young-adultgenre. She will provide tips on tellinga good story and insight into workingwith a publisher to bring the story tomarket. Limited to 20 people. A baglunch is recommended. Advancedreservations are required. Cost is $75and due by July 29. Call 703-746-5565 or visit alexandriava.gov/Artsand scroll to Durant.

Used Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. atSherwood Regional Library, 2501Sherwood Hall Lane. Selection ofover 20,000 gently used books,including children’s books, fiction,history, biography, home and garden,cooking, crafts, sports, religion,travel, CDs, DVDs, and more. Unlessspecially priced, $1 for hard backs,50 cents for large paperbacks, and 25cents for mass market paperbacks.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/friends-of-sherwood-

regional.Story Time for Little Historians. 11

a.m. at the Alexandria Black HistoryMuseum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria.Aug. 21 marks the 80th anniversaryof the 1939 Alexandria Sit-DownStrike. This civil rights protest led tothe creation of the Robert RobinsonLibrary – a segregated library forAfrican Americans. Learn about thismonumental event of Alexandria’shistory. Enjoy cultural stories andcreative craft activities that introduceworld history and folklore.Afterwards, explore the museumexhibits to learn about local Blackhistory. All ages welcome, but mostsuitable for children 4 and older.Admission is $3 per person. Allchildren must be accompanied by anadult. Call 703-746-4356 or RSVP atshop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx.

Jones Point Meetup. 11 a.m.-noon atJones Point Park, Jones Point Drive.Join a national park ranger toexplore the long history of this littlepiece of land and see the lastremaining inland lighthouse on thePotomac River, once a beacon to boatcaptains and commerce on the river.Free. Call 703-235-1530 or visitwww.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/jonespoint.htm for more.

Summer Saturdays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. atGunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Lorton. Join Gunston Hall for asummer of fun. Each Saturday inJune, July, and August, stop by for ahistoric adventure on the groundsand in the Visitor Center. Includedwith regular admission. Call 703-550-9220 or visitwww.gunstonhall.org/visit/guide/upcoming-events.

The Drew-Smith School Reunionand Picnic. Noon-5 p.m. at MartinLuther King, Jr. Park, 8115 FordsonRoad, Gum Springs. Celebrating theCommunities of Spring Bank, Gum

Springs, Hybla Valley, andSpringfield. Share common historywith photos, year books, and tributesto Fairfax County School leaders andcommunity pioneers. Each familymember must have a wristband.Tickets must be reserved and pickedup before the event. Contact: CarolynQuander at 703-772-9440 [email protected]; and Sharon“Shubby” Suggs at 703-371-3388 [email protected]. Order aDrew-Smith Reunion Picnic T-Shirt at703-649-1769 [email protected]. In case ofrainy weather, meet in the Gym atthe Gum Springs Community Center.

Pizzeria Paradiso in the Park.Noon-8 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 1King St. In celebration of VirginiaCraft Beer Month, Pizzeria Paradisoin Old Town will host a beer festivalalong the Alexandria waterfront.Enjoy sips from 30 different Virginiacraft breweries, pizza slices andmeatballs from Pizzeria Paradiso’smobile brick ovens, as well as lawngames, splash golf, and live music.Free admission. Beer tickets are $6and food tickets are $5 each, cash orcredit card at the event. Visiteatyourpizza.com.

Tavern Day. 1-5 p.m. at Gadsby’sTavern Museum, 134 North Royal St.Enjoy 18th-century entertainment,from dancing to dice, duringGadsby’s Tavern Museum’s TavernDay. Experience Alexandria’s five-starhotel of the 18th century during thefree open house. Activities include18th-century dancing, period games,and continuous tours of the historicsite given by Junior Docents (grades4-7). Interested in a period beverage?Rum punch will be available from acash bar. Call 703-746-4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org.

Floral Design Workshop. 1:30-3p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603


Entertainment

High-fire contrast stoneware jewelry holder with earring hanger and ring basin byChris Coyle of Glenn Dale, Md.; High-fire stoneware bowl glazed ocean blue with spi-raled peek-a-boo detailing by Klaudia Levin of Silver Spring, Md.; Impressed porcelainceramic collander for berries, cherries and more by Ana Cavalcanti of Bethesda, Md.;High-fire sgraffito contrast platter with etched turtle by Shirley Gromen of Arlington,Va.; Petite woodfired geometric vase with pricked detailing by Roni Polisar ofBurtonsville, Md.

Art Exhibit: Piercings, Clay Body Art and CarvingThe season is shaping up to be steamy as designs are working out, clay bodies are shaping up, donning some fierce detail-

ing in “Piercings, Clay Body Art and Carving.” Ceramic Guild art becomes less hippie and more hipster as artists go epic withan aggressive take on decoration outside the bowl. The exhibit runs Aug. 5-Sept. 1, gallery hours at Scope Gallery, Studio 19of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union St. Call 703-548-6288 or visit www.scopegallery.org.

Friendship Firehouse FestivalThe annual Friendship Firehouse Festival is a popular family event presented

by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association (FVFEA). The festival featuresantique fire apparatus, craft booths, and displays by community organizations.Festival participants can visit the Friendship Firehouse Museum where the 1858hose reel carriage, voted the favorite Virginia Association of Museums Top 10Endangered Artifact, is on display. Children can explore please-touch artifacts, willreceive free fire helmets and are treated to supervised visits inside City fire trucks.Saturday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. AlfredSt. Free. Food and beverages available for purchase. Visit AlexandriaVA.gov or call703-746-3891.

Green Spring Road. (16-Adult) Create asummer flower arrange–ment withthe help of certified floral designerBetty Ann Galway. Learn how toproperly care for and handle flowersalong with learning creative designideas. $39/person for the programand a $30/person supply fee.Register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code 0D2.61CA orcall Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

Author Event: Mark Bergin. 2-4p.m. at Alexandria Police AssociationHall, 3010 Colvin St. Author MarkBergin’s career as a police officerspanned nearly 30 years and put himin close encounters with a difficultand often overlooked issue inAmerican culture: police suicide.Currently, more police officers arelost to suicide than to conflicts in theline of duty. Bergin brings awarenessto this weighted issue in his debutwork, “Apprehension” and plans todonate a portion of his sales directlyto the National Police SuicideFoundation and similar programs.Visit markberginwriter.com for more.

Workhouse Mural Project andFestival. 3-6 p.m. at WorkhouseArts Center, 9518 Workhouse Road,Lorton. Visit the inauguralWorkhouse Mural Project (WMP) andFestival. This one-day event is thefirst mural project of its kind inFairfax County and will showcase thecreativity of regional artists whoseprimary art form is mural painting.This outdoor festival include livepainting, live music andperformances, food trucks, cash bar,local vendors and sponsor booths,and more. $15-$20. RSVP atwww.eventbrite.com/e/workhouse-mural-project-and-festival-tickets-61120026645. VIsitwww.workhousearts.org/ for more.

Harry Potter Birthday Tour. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The Stabler-LeadbeaterApothecary Museum, 105-107 SouthFairfax St. In honor of Harry Potter’sbirthday, the Stabler-LeadbeaterApothecary Museum is offering anadults-only tour: The Real WorldScience Behind Harry Potter. Explorethe muggle science and medicinewith tour guides, raise a toast toHarry’s birthday with a magicalcocktail, and allow Professor SeverusSnape to ensnare your senses as hedemonstrates his magical skills.Tours of 20 people will begin everyhour. $20 per person. Call 703-746-3852 or visitwww.apothecarymuseum.org.

Country-Western Dance. 7-9:30 p.m.at Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710North Chambliss St. The NorthernVirginia Country-Western DanceAssociation will hold a dance withlessons, 6-7 p.m. and open dancing,7-9:30 p.m. A DJ provides music.Couples and singles of all ageswelcome. Admission for members$10; non-members $12; children

under 18 accompanied by a payingadult $5. Smoke-free, alcohol-free.

BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org for more.

SUNDAY/AUG. 4Dyke Marsh Meetup, Walk with a

Ranger. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at BelleHaven Park/ Dyke Marsh WildlifePreserve. Enjoy the outdoors on this2-mile walk with a national parkranger to see the largest freshwatermarsh in the nation’s capital. Bring apair of binoculars for viewing aneagle’s nest and other marsh life.Free. Call 703-235-1530 or visitwww.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/dykemarsh.htm.

Junior Docent Tours. 2-5 p.m. atGadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St. These young historians,grades 4 and older, will be on handto share highlights of the tavern andanswer questions as guests journeythrough the museum. Great forfamilies as children connect with thebuilding through their peer tourguides as well as for adults lookingfor some inspiratio. Included inregular admission: $5 adults, $3children ages 5-12, and 4 and underare free. Call 703-746-4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org for more.

Chamber Concert Series. 3-5 p.m. atThe Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St.The Washington MetropolitanPhilharmonic Association sponsors achamber music series, weeklythrough Sept. 15, at the Lyceum inOld Town featuring small ensemblesand soloists. This week’s performancefeatures Lisa Park, violin, and AlbertKim, piano. Free. Donations areappreciated. Visitwww.wmpamusic.org or call 703-799-8229.

Fort Hunt Park Concerts. ThroughAug. 25, Sundays, 7-8 p.m. at FortHunt Park, Pavilion A, 8999 FortHunt Road. All are welcome for freecommunity concerts held at FortHunt Park every Sunday. Free. Visitwww.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/forthuntconcerts.htm for performer.

AUG. 5-SEPT. 1Art Exhibit: Piercings, Clay Body

Art and Carving. Gallery hours atScope Gallery, Studio 19 of theTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105North Union St. The season isshaping up to be steamy as designsare working out, clay bodies areshaping up, donning some fiercedetailing in “Piercings, Clay Body Artand Carving.” Ceramic Guild artbecomes less hippie and more hipsteras artists go epic with an aggressivetake on decoration outside the bowl.Call 703-548-6288 or visitwww.scopegallery.org.

TUESDAY/AUG. 6Jones Point Meetup. 11 a.m.-noon at

Jones Point Park, Jones Point Drive.Join a national park ranger toexplore the long history of this littlepiece of land and see the lastremaining inland lighthouse on thePotomac River, once a beacon to boatcaptains and commerce on the river.Free. Call 703-235-1530 or visitwww.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/jonespoint.htm for more.

Neighborhood Night Out. 5:30-8:30p.m. at Polk School, 5000 Polk Ave.Neighborhood Night Out is open toall and includes hot dogs, picnicfoods and ice cream treats. It issponsored by the Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association.There will be two Moon Bounces forthe kiddies and Captain Token theMagician will be entertaining theaudience. Local politicians will be onhand to talk with BSVCA residents,along with members of theAlexandria Police, Fire and Sheriff’sDepartments. Free. Contact NightOut chairman Sean Casey [email protected]. Volunteersto help serve the food and organizegames for the children are alsowelcome.

A Night at the Theatre with

Kiwanis – The Producers. 7 p.m.(doors and reception); 8 p.m.(curtain) at The Little Theatre ofAlexandria, 600 Wolfe St. The plot issimple: a down-on-his-luck Broadwayproducer and his mild-manneredaccountant come up with a scheme toproduce the most notorious flop inhistory, thereby bilking their backers(all “little old ladies”) out of millionsof dollars. Only one thing goes awry:the show is a smash hit. $35. Allproceeds from ticket sales supportthe Kiwanis Foundation ofAlexandria: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-at-the-theatre-with-kiwanis-tickets-61446430929.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 7Ready, Set, Grow. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road. This highly interactive,professional development workshophelps teachers sprout successfullearners in their PK-5 classroom. Theworkshop features cross-curric–ular,standards-aligned lessons andresources that use Virginiaagriculture and natural resources toengage learners in science,mathematics, language arts andsocial studies. Leave with resourcekits full of cur–riculum, books,posters and a class set of laminatedVirginia maps. Free. Space is limited,and registration is required. Call 703-642-5173 to register.

THURSDAY/AUG. 8Fort Hunt Meetup, Walk with a

Ranger. 10:30-noon at Fort HuntPark, 8999 Fort Hunt Road. Join anational park ranger on a 1.5 milewalk through historic Fort Hunt Park,be prepared to learn about someWorld War II secrets. Meet at Area Eparking. Free. Call 703-235-1530 formore.

Summer Recess. 4-7 p.m. at 2425Eisenhower Ave. (on the grassyknoll). Enjoy live music, happy hour,lawn games, and food. Visitwww.FB.com/AlexandriaEcon formore.

FRIDAY/AUG. 9Alexandria After Work Concert

Series: Massive Donut. 6-8 p.m.at Lloyd House, 220 N. WashingtonSt. Join on the second Friday of themonth for a concert sponsored byThe Folklore Society of GreaterWashington (FSGW) and The Officeof Historic Alexandria. Locations willrotate between Lloyd House and theAlexandria History Museum at TheLyceum. Great music with asuggested donation for themusicians. No ticket required. Beerand wine for sale; light refreshmentsavailable as well.

Mount Vernon Nights: The GetRight Band (funk rock, reggae).7:30-8:30 at Grist Mill Park, 4710Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.Performances will feature musicalstyles from soul to and pop andbluegrass and rock. Bring a picnicdinner and a blanket and enjoy oneof Fairfax County’s summertraditions. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights formore.

Mirror Mirror: David Shulmanwith Tillery. 9 p.m. at WaterfrontPark, 1 King St. The City ofAlexandria commissioned a series oforiginal site-specific performances forthe sound-responsive, interactiveinstallation Mirror Mirror. Composerand violinist David Schulman andOrange Grove Dance will perform onselect dates between July andOctober. All performances are freeand feature lawn seating. Lawnchairs and blankets are encouraged.Leave pets at home. Visitalexandriava.gov/publicart fordetails.


Entertainment

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Dyke Marsh

Dyke Marsh Meetup, Walk with a RangerEnjoy the outdoors on this two-mile walk with a national park ranger to see the

largest freshwater marsh in the nation’s capital. Bring a pair of binoculars for view-ing an eagle’s nest and other marsh life. Upcoming dates include Aug. 4, 11, 17,25 and 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Belle Haven Park/ Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve. Free.Call 703-235-1530 or visit www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/dykemarsh.htm.

Application Deadline: MasterNaturalists. The Virginia MasterNaturalist program trains volunteersto provide education, citizen science,and outreach to help conserve andsteward natural resources and publiclands. Master Naturalist volunteersgain certification through state-approved natural history courses.Recognized experts in a wide rangeof disciplines such as ecology,botany, herpetology, ornithology,forest and aquatic ecosystems, andmore provide fun and interactivetraining. Volunteers must commit toat least 40 hours of service and eighthours of continuing educationannually to become certified.Training session is Mondays, Sept. 9-Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Long BranchNature Center. Visit www.armn.org.

SATURDAY/AUG. 10War of 1812 in Alexandria. 10 a.m.-

noon at Lee-Fendall House Museum& Garden, 614 Oronoco St. Guidedwalking tour of people and places inOld Town associated with the War of1812 and the British occupation ofAlexandria in 1814. $10 in advance,$15 at the gate. Visitwww.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-548-1789.

Family Fun: Summer Arts alFresco. 10:30-11:30 a.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. (5-Adult) Combine naturalelements and various art media tomake a cre–ative art project to takehome. Children must be accompaniedby a registered adult. $10/person.Register online atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/ using code A13.B32E orcall Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

Summer Saturdays. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. atGunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Lorton. Join Gunston Hall for asummer of fun. Each Saturday inJune, July, and August, stop by for ahistoric adventure on the groundsand in the Visitor Center. Includedwith regular admission. Call 703-550-9220 or visitwww.gunstonhall.org/visit/guide/upcoming-events.

Mount Vernon Nights: PaulReisler & Three Good Reasons(folk jazz). 7-8 p.m. at TheWorkhouse Arts Center, 9518Workhouse Way, Lorton.Performances will range from discoto Indian Bollywood and acousticblues to big band.Bring a picnicdinner and a blanket and enjoy oneof Fairfax County’s summertraditions. Come early to theWorkhouse Arts Center to explore itsvibrant arts scene. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/

performances/mt-vernon-nights formore.

Boardwalk Astronomy. 8-10 p.m. atHuntley Meadows Park, 3701Lockheed Blvd. What’s new in thenight sky this summer? Stroll theboardwalk with park naturalists asthey take participants on a tour ofconstellations and comets and shareupdate on astronomical currentevents. Designed for participants 12-adult . $9 per person. Canceled in theevent of rain or other severe weather.Call 703-768-2525 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows.

Mirror Mirror: David Shulmanwith Sarah Marie Hughes. 9 p.m.at Waterfront Park, 1 King St. TheCity of Alexandria commissioned aseries of original site-specificperformances for the sound-responsive, interactive installationMirror Mirror. Composer andviolinist David Schulman and OrangeGrove Dance will perform on selectdates between July and October. Allperformances are free and featurelawn seating. Lawn chairs andblankets are encouraged. Leave petsat home. Visit alexandriava.gov/publicart for details.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 10-1110th Annual Alexandria Summer

Sidewalk Sale. One of the longestrunning seasonal summer shoppingevents returns to the D.C. region’sShop Small destination forindependent boutiques with the 10thAnnual Alexandria Summer SidewalkSale throughout Old Town and DelRay. The event features more than 50Alexandria boutiques. New this year,the King Street Mile comes alive withstorefront activations, giveaways andlive music. VisitVisitAlexandriaVA.com/SidewalkSalefor more.

SUNDAY/AUG. 11Dyke Marsh Meetup, Walk with a

Ranger. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at BelleHaven Park/ Dyke Marsh WildlifePreserve. Enjoy the outdoors on this2-mile walk with a national parkranger to see the largest freshwatermarsh in the nation’s capital. Bring apair of binoculars for viewing aneagle’s nest and other marsh life.Free. Call 703-235-1530 or visitwww.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/dykemarsh.htm.

Apothecary Geek Tour: AnOutlandish Tour. 11 a.m.-noon atStabler-Leadbeater ApothecaryMuseum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Tourthis historic apothecary and learnabout a few of the herbal medicinesfeatured in Diana Gabaldon’s

Outlander series of novels fromcascara to dauco seeds.Recommended for ages 18 and up.Arrive at 10:45 a.m. to check in asthe doors will be locked when thetour begins at 11 a.m. $15. Visitwww.visitalexandriava.com for more.

Livestock Open House Event. 11a.m.-2 p.m. At George Washington’sMount Vernon. Join Mount Vernon’sLivestock team for a self-guided tourof its brand new 12,500-square-footlivestock building featuring spaciousstalls, a tack room, medical facility,grooming area, and office space.Meet Glory, the adorable donkey,and many of Mount Vernon’s horses;some of Mount Vernon’s Hog IslandSheep will be on hand for children topet. Learn about Mount Vernon’s rare

breeds program and the animals thatwould have populated Mount Vernonduring George Washington’s lifetime.The Livestock Open House event isincluded in general admission toMount Vernon. Visitmountvernon.org/livestockopenhouse.

Junior Docent Tours. 2-5 p.m. atGadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St. These young historians,grades 4 and older, will be on handto share highlights of the tavern andanswer questions as guests journeythrough the museum. Great forfamilies as children connect with thebuilding through their peer tourguides as well as for adults lookingfor some inspiratio. Included inregular admission: $5 adults, $3

children ages 5-12, and 4 and underare free. Call 703-746-4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org for more.

Chamber Concert Series. 3-5 p.m. atThe Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St.The Washington MetropolitanPhilharmonic Association sponsors achamber music series, weeklythrough Sept. 15, at the Lyceum inOld Town featuring small ensemblesand soloists. This week’s performancefeatures The United States Army OldGuard Fife and Drum Corps’Historical Ensemble Presents: FromRoyalty to Revolution: Dance, Martialand Civic Music from Europe to theNew World. Free. Donations areappreciated. Visitwww.wmpamusic.org or call 703-799-8229.


Learn About Adver� sing in the Connec� on

and Digital Op� ons!Adver� sing in the Connec� onAdver� sing in the Connec� on

and upcoming special sec� ons: and upcoming special sec� ons:

connectionnewspapers.com/advertisingconnectionnewspapers.com/advertising

or call 703.778.9431

News

Beginning July 29, sworn members of the Alexan-dria Sheriff’s Office will be wearing navy blue in-stead of brown as the agency transitions to new uni-forms. All deputies will wear solid blue uniforms inplace of brown shirts and tan pants and those hold-ing the rank of sergeant and above will wear whiteshirts with blue pants replacing tan pants.

The new uniforms also feature a redesigned shoul-der patch in blue, gold and white colors with detailfrom Alexandria’s city seal and a five-point star as-sociated with sheriff ’s offices throughout Virginia.

The Sheriff’s Office is making this change due todifficulty in obtaining brown and tan uniforms thatwere consistent in color and to allow more optionsfor uniform styles and functionality. Deputies at thecourthouse, serving civil process, and working in ad-ministrative assignments will continue to wear adress pants and buttoned shirt. Deputies working atthe jail will wear a more functional uniform consist-ing of utility-style pants and a short-sleeve golf-styleshirt that is better suited for their duties and workenvironment.

Unveiling New Uniform, Shoulder Patch

From left:LieutenantLynn Oliver,Deputy AilishBengel,Deputy DeonEaddy,Deputy CinieBearden andSergeantBrian Wadein their newuniforms.

Photo Contributed


Elizabeth Babvar Matola Fairchild June 8, 1920 - July 26, 2019

Elizabeth Babvar Matola Fairchild, 99, a successful real es-

tate developer of Alexandria, Virginia, died July 26, 2019.

Born in the small town of Clairton, Pennsylvania on June 8,

1920, her eventful life spanned almost a century. Mrs. Fair-

child was one of nine children of parents Theodore Frank

and Veronica (Lokay) Matola, along with siblings Mary,

John, Andrew, Ann, George, Susan, Verne, and survived

by Irene.

Mrs. Fairchild was married to the love of her life Charles

Marvin Fairchild. They wed July 17, 1952 at the Cathedral

of Saint Matthew the Apostle. Their romance was a true

were prominent real estate developers in the Washington area and throughout the

United States. Notably, they built The Fairchild Building located on Capitol Hill. They

also were among the founders at Guaranty Bank and Trust Company and served on

the Board of Directors. Mrs. Fairchild additionally served on the Board of Directors at

Riggs National Bank of Virginia and also at PNC Bank of Virginia. She was very active

in the community and also supported numerous local charities.

Charles, Pamela, and Theresa. She dedicated her life to her family and especially loved

Michael, Charles, Alexander, Jessica, Jonathan, Jeremy, Charles, Duke, Hunter, Eliza-

beth, Winston, Garrett, and Lyndsey; 9 great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Bryce, Rylee,

Archer, Zoë, Rory, Darcy, Liam, and Eloise; and, with two more great-grandchildren

coming soon. She educated and inspired everyone she met with her strong values,

faith, and traditions; her legacy will continue for generations to come.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and from 6:00

to 8:00 PM at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home (1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria,

AM, at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW;

Washington, DC., 20036). Interment will be held Friday, August 2, 2019 at 1:30 PM at

Columbia Gardens Cemetery (3411 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201). Recep-

tion will be held Friday, August 2, 2019, at 3 PM at Belle Haven Country Club (6023

made to the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW;

Washington, DC., 20036).

Obituary Obituary

News

Deputies Morgan Garner (right) and Angela Speight atdrug take back location on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Alexandria Police officerDylan Ignacio and volun-teer Mary Luceri collectprescriptions at First Bap-tist Church on King Street.

From Page 1

Taking Back Drugsthe Substance Abuse PreventionCoalition of Alexandria, there havebeen more than 50 opioid over-doses in Alexandria in the pastyear, seven of which were fatal.

The Substance Abuse PreventionCoalition of Alexandria is respon-sible for organizing the “Drug TakeBack Days” and currently holdsfour such events per year. “Wework very closely with our com-munity partners, including thepolice and the sheriff’s office…, inorder to make sure there are of-ficers staffed at each site to actu-ally collect the medication … andpromote the importance of dispos-ing of unused and expired medi-cation,” said Emma Beall, coordi-nator of the Substance Abuse Pre-vention Coalition of Alexandria.

Sheriff ’s deputies, along withpolice officers and volunteers, op-erated four drop off locations dur-ing Saturday’s drug take back. Allfour locations collected a com-bined 300 pounds of medication.No record was kept, however, ofthe kind of medication droppedoff, and those who dropped off themedication remained anonymous.The policy of “Drug Take Back” is:“Don’t ask, don’t tell. We don’t askany questions. It can be your medi-cation, or a family member’s,” saidDeputy Morgan Garner. After col-lection, the medication wasbrought to Alexandria’s wastemanagement facility where, undersupervision from the sheriff’s of-fice, it was destroyed.

The City of Alexandria began“Drug Take Back” in 2010 as partof a national effort led by the Drug

Enforcement Administration,aimed at responding to the rapidlyincreasing number of opioid over-doses. In addition to the quarterly“Drug Take Back” events, the cityhas installed permanentdropboxes at Inova Alexandria

Hospital and the NeighborhoodPharmacy on Mount Vernon Av-enue. Including these permanentdropboxes, the city has collected,and disposed of, more than 6,000pounds of medication since theprogram’s inception in 2010.

Pho

to

s by Liam

Bo

wm

an

/G

azette Packet


Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

THROUGH SEPT. 30Senior Cool Care Program. Through Sept. 30,

eligible Alexandria seniors who need cooling intheir homes can benefit from the City ofAlexandria Senior Cool Care Program. Contactthe Division of Aging and Adult Services to findout if you are eligible. For more information,call 703-746-5999 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or [email protected].

FRIDAY/AUG. 2School Supply Donation Deadline. As the

summer comes to a close, AHDC’s youngneighbors will be headed back to school for afresh year of learning, friendships, andexploration – be a Back2School Buddy and helpget them off to a strong start. Either choose astudent to shop for or donate $35 and AHDCwill do the supply shopping. Visitwww.housingalexandria.org/b2s-buddy toregister or donate.

Application Deadline: Community PoliceAcademy. Get to know the Alexandria PoliceDepartment (APD) in a half-day session. Learnabout various aspects of the Police Department,including: patrol operations, use of forcepolicies, the K9 Unit, Special Operations Team,crime scene investigation and criminalinvestigations. The session will be held atAlexandria Police Department Headquarters,3600 Wheeler Ave., Saturday, Aug. 17, 8:30a.m.-1 p.m. Limited to 45 participants persession. Participants must be at least 18 years ofage and live or work in the City of Alexandria.Criminal history checks will be conducted on allapplicants for final approval of acceptance. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov/Academies or [email protected].

SATURDAY/AUG. 3Open House/Information Meeting. 6:30-8

p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St.Learn more about the League and the benefits ofmembership. Following the Open HouseInformation Session, please join us at theoutdoor screening of Instant Family in CarlylePark. We will walk together to the park. Pleasefeel free to bring blankets and snacks. Free. Visitmembers.jlnv.org/?nd=vms_public_form&form_id=227 to register.

MONDAY/AUG. 5New to Medicare. 10 a.m.-noon at Department

of Community and Human Services, 2525 Mt.Vernon Ave. (Cyphers Room). Learn the basicsof Medicare coverage and choices. Thispresentation is given by Medicare counselorsfrom the Division of Aging and Adult Services.The presentation is free, but registration isrequired. Call 703-746-5999 or [email protected].

THURSDAY/AUG. 8Community Commemoration. 7 p.m. at

Market Square. This is the 120th year sinceBenjamin Thomas was lynched by a mob inAlexandria on the corner of Fairfax and KingStreet. All are welcome to come together for abrief moment of reflection and awareness and tohonor the 12 Black men who were arrested andpunished for attempting to keep the peace.Connect and learn more about the upcomingcommunity events to acknowledge and heal thislegacy of lynchings.

Bulletin

The following incidents were reported by theAlexandria Police Department.

MONDAY, JULY 29The Alexandria Police Department is investigat-

ing an attempted carjacking in the 2700 block ofEisenhower Avenue. There were no injuries andtwo suspects are in custody.

SUNDAY, JULY 28The Alexandria Police Department assisted the

Virginia State Police in the 100 block of CameronStation Boulevard with a traffic stop. A police he-licopter was requested to assist by the VirginiaState Police.

Crime report

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Presumably, most of you readers are aware that many supermarkets have a rack located somewhere near the rear of the store that is stocked with off-price merchandise: discontin-ued items, items with damaged packaging, out of season products, etc.

Over the years, I have been a regular checker of this rack looking for such bargains. I have pur-chased breakfast cereal, soup, cookies, candy, and miscellaneous other non-perishables. I’ve even purchased two bags of Kingsford charcoal.

In addition, I’ve seen household products, health and beauty, school supplies; and every-thing else you can imagine, running the gamut from “A” to “Z,” for sale. Recently however, on this rack I saw a product I’m not sure I even thought was available to the general public, and if it was, would not have thought buying it from the discontinued merchandise rack at the supermarket would not have been the way to go. But what do I know? As has been proven many times: not much.

The item? A DNA Paternity Test Kit. I guess, I thought, if this test was necessary, it would involve a physician or at least be administered by a health care professional and/or involve witnesses/legal representation (at least a notary). Going to the supermarket or even the drug store? And then testing yourself without necessarily knowing the precautions and proper procedures appropriate for the task at hand?

There seems as if there’s a bit more at stake here than an at-home pregnancy test, a test with which many of us are familiar. But DNA testing at home?

What is this, the Maury Povich Show?Having not traveled down this particular road

myself, perhaps I’m unaware of the realities. All I know is what I’ve seen on television or read about in the papers.

I guess I just assumed (generally a bad thing),

paternity-type issues were a bit more involved than a visit to the supermarket.

Apparently, this subject is just another where I know very little about, like tools and how to use them, automobile repair, home maintenance, lawn and garden, cooking, and on and on and on. But enough about me.

What about those wanting answers to extraor-dinarily important questions: Who’s the father? And is that my child? Looks can be deceiving so a professional, or so I thought, incorrectly, is brought in to oversee the process.

Nope. No professional need apply. Just go to your local “chemist,” as they say in England. No need to visit “the surgery,” as they also say over there.

go back to your home/work and swab, stick, pin-prick or whatever and the results will be known soon enough if you or someone else is whomever they claim to be or not to be. That is the question which begs an answer, Shakespeare notwithstanding.

It seems only fair that one’s birthright should be gotten wrong. And not that home-testing can’t be trusted. Just the opposite. Nevertheless, some things, like circumcisions, though they can be performed at home (see “Shaky the mohel” from a long ago Seinfeld episode).

I would have thought, a DNA Paternity test,

which could possibly impact multiple indi-viduals/families over generations, be similarly performed in the most careful of conditions. This kind of test has no margin for error – or humor.

“Bought the kit in the discount rack at my lo-cal supermarket.” Is that the answer you want to give when all eyes are on you? And saying how much you saved over regular price is unlikely to endear you to any and all of the interested parties on hand.

After all, money really isn’t the issue.

Money For What, Exactly?


ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

9/30/19.

9/30/19.

20 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. This year marks our 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

Beverley Hills | $879,9003-bedroom, 2-bath classic colonial! Light-filled entry leads to a gracious floor plan. Main level with living room, dining room, updated kitchen & sunroom which leads to deck overlooking fenced in yard.Finished lower level family room/in-law suite. 718 S Overlook Dr.Jen Walker 703.675.1566www.JenWalker.com

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

Alexandria$725,000Huge space in this 2,400-SF end townhouse. Garage sits below a mews-like setting, where the 3-level home itself begins. 4 bedrooms - one on first level - and 3.5 baths! Wonderful elevated brick rear patio. Priced below assessment to allow personalized updates. 43 W Del Ray Avenue

Peter Crouch 703.244.4024 www.CrouchRealtyGroup.com

OPEN SAT 8/3 & SUN 8/4, 2-4

Fairfax | $645,000Priced to allow the right buyer to renovate from attic to basement. Foyer opens to the living room with a gas-burning fireplace, separate dining room, and eat-in kitchen. 4 upper level bedrooms & finished walk-out basement. Hardwoods on 2 levels. 9327 Glenbrook Rd.Kate Crawley 703.888.8141 www.KateCrawley.com

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

Carlyle/Old Town | $425,000Breathtaking views of Masonic Temple, Washington Monument & the Capitol in this bright, airy and turn-key perfect 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath Carlyle Towers condo. Elegantly remodeled kitchen and baths. Garage parking, amenities galore. 2151 Jamieson Ave #1111Karisue Wyson 703.615.0876 www.KarisueWyson.com

OPEN SUN 8/4, 1-4

Woodbridge$335,000Beautiful waterfront community! Feel like you are on vacation, this sparkling light-filled condo is next to Belmont Bay/Occoquan River, miles of walking trails, a wildlife sanctuary and two blocks to Belmont Bay Marina! 440 Belmont Bay Drive #108

Waldi Crawford 703.629.5655Sue Dickerson 703.380.0153

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

Woodbridge$399,900Elegantly appointed Potomac Crest townhome condo. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths.Minutes to Occoquan River & Occoquan’s charming downtown. Recently renovated with gourmet kitchen, gleaming hardwood floors, new carpet, 2 decks & so much more! 12803 Lotte Drive

Mary Farrell 703.969.5522www.ChooseMaryFarrell.com

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

Old Town | $2,290,000Overlooking Windmill Hill Park, this 5-bedroom stunner offers panoramic views of the Potomac. Built in 1820, this historic home was meticulously renovated with improvements that incorporate modern amenities while preserving its charm. Original floors, interior trim, and windows have all been carefully restored. An expanded kitchen boasts premium appliances, Italian Carrara marble, and radiant heated floors. Exposed historic brick, radiant heated floors, high ceilings, windows and a graduated exit stairwell make the basement an inviting space. Lauren Bishop 202.361.5079www.LaurenBishopHomes.com

Fort Hunt | $840,000This rarely available beautiful colonial features three finished levels with a welcoming 2-story foyer, an open floor plan with soaring cathedral ceilings, luxurious master suite, hardwood floors, new carpet, 2 fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, private pool, and patio. David Rainey 703.286.1333www.YourAtHomeTeam.com

Documents

Alexandria Gazette Packet Pet Gazette Packetconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/073119/Alexandria.pdfher skin. She also had a nagging cough. Months of medical care and healing time in