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Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ August 3-9, 2017 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Alexandria

August 3, 2017

See Bringing, Page 4

See New Principal, Page 4

WellbeingWellbeingPage 11

See Shooting, Page 5

By Vernon Miles

Gazette Packet

Counc i lwomanRedella “Del”Pepper can re-member how it

all started. As she stood at theedge of Colesanto Park in DelRay, she remembered a timewhen parts of the east end ofthe city were completely over-whelmed with drug dealingand other violent activities. Fora few hours for just a few days,Pepper remembered everyonein the neighborhoods that wereworst hit by the drug epidemiccoming out into the streets andgathering with the police insufficient numbers that, if onlyfor a moment, they were able

By Vernon Miles

Gazette Packet

The school year hasn’tstarted yet at T.C. Will-iams High School, but

incoming Principal Peter Balas isalready making waves. After meet-ings with faculty and staff, Alex-andria City Public Schools has an-nounced that the school’s admin-istrative organization will undergoa complete restructuring.

Previously, instructional and stu-dent support programs were sepa-rated, with some administratorshandling students and others han-dling faculty.

“What I wanted to do was cre-ate a leadership structure thatwould enhance both student sup-port and teacher support [by] re-moving the barrier betweenthose,” said Balas.

In the new model, there is onelead administrator for curriculum,instruction and assessment, with

10 administrators for instructionand student support working un-der the lead administrator. Twopositions will be dedicated to theMinnie Howard Campus ratherthan cycling up to TC each yearwith the rising class. Two positionswill be assigned to support theInternational Academy and theEnglish Learners program. The re-maining six positions will be di-vided into six groups called Acad-emies, groups of students fromvarious grade levels assigned toone administrator and counselorthey remain with throughout theirtime at TC.

Before transitioning to theMount Vernon Community Schoolfive years ago, Balas worked as ateacher and administrator at TC.Balas said the new system reflectsthe setup initially put in place atthe school when it was reopened.

“I’ve been here for differentcycles of leadership,” said Balas.

By Vernon Miles

Gazette Packet

Weeks after a loneshooter opened fireon congressmen and

staffers at the Eugene SimpsonStadium Park, gunfire once againerupted in the Del Ray streets justtwo blocks to the north. On July27, three people were travelling ina car along E. Howell Avenuewhen they were ambushed. A 19-year-old woman, 21-year-old man,and a 49-year-old man were in-jured by the gunfire and crashed

National Night OutBringing policeand residentstogether.

From left: Volunteer Jeremy Lenzner, Volunteer WillieSquires, Medic Mark Souder, and Volunteer JayJohnson man the grill at Colesanto Park.

Officer Nick Ruggiero hands out icecream to Ashton Quandique near thethe Charles Houston Recreation Center.

Planning Commissioner MelissaMcMahon (right) paints Aryah Charity’sface (left) outside the Charles HoustonRecreation Center.

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Shooting in Del RayJuvenile suspect arrested.

The victims’ vehiclecrashed after theshooting.

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Restructuring TCSchool counseling systemreorganized by incoming principal.

to shut down the open drug market in their streets.It was in that spirit that National Night Out was

created. National Night Out is a community-po-lice awareness event held the first Tuesday of Au-gust. The program started in 1984 with the ideaof taking the streets back from the rampant drugepidemic. This year, 33 neighborhoods across Al-exandria hosted National Night Out events.

“We’ve been sponsoring this for … I can’t evencount how many years,” said Rod Kuckro, presi-dent of the Del Ray Citizens Association. “Theneighborhood really likes it. It serves a purpose.

It makes people feel good and you get a differ-ent appreciation for what [first responders] do.Every year, it seems like one or two more neigh-borhoods seem to participate.”

In Del Ray, the event takes place less than aweek after a shooting left three victims criticallyinjured. Pepper called the shooting deeply un-settling and said the city needs to work to ad-dress conflicts before they turn violent. ButKuckro says this kind of incident is an anomaly

2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ August 3-9, 2017 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


NewsAlexandria Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

By Vernon Miles

Gazette Packet

It was the worst kept secret in the his-tory of the Alexandria Police Depart-ment. As soon as Chief Michael Browntook the stage in the Rock It Grill,

most of the chatter in the room stopped.People were already whispering about whatwas going to happen next. Any lingeringdoubts were swept away when the full ’80’ssynth pop hit “Footloose” started up. Brownstarting singing for just a couple minutesbefore he paused to introduce a guest.

Kevin Bacon.Alexandria has a strange love affair with

Kevin Bacon. In 2015, Kevin Bacon and hisbrother Michael stopped by Port City andSugar Shack, also singing the title trackfrom “Footloose” during his visit to the lat-ter. The Bacon Brothers were in town overthe weekend to perform at the Birchmere.The Six Degrees Organization, a groupfounded by Kevin Bacon to help supportlocal causes, helped organize the event withthe Rock It Grill and Nelson’s KaraokeShowtime to support the Alexandria PoliceFoundation.

“Alexandria has been really good to usover the years,” Kevin Bacon said.

Bacon left shortly after performing, butthe karaoke was just getting started. Citi-zens and public officials alike shared beersand songs to raise money for the Police

Foundation.“I’m on a first name basis with the Alex-

andria Police and I respect what those guysdo,” said Danny Huston, who sang “Deador Alive.” Huston confessed that he hadheard before the show that the Bacon broth-ers might be there. “I take any opportunityto support them.”

Later, city leadership joined in, with Coun-cilman Willie Bailey and attorney KathyPuskar singing Wild Cherry’s “Play that

Funky Music” and Mayor Allison Silberbergsinging “Twist & Shout” by the Top Notes.Each performer went around the room witha bucket collecting donations as votes forbest performance. The karaoke event raised$3,400 for the COPS, Kids and K9 programs.

By Michael Lee Pope

Gazette Packet

When Alexandria Chamber ofCommerce Chairman DakHardwick was trying to sell the

idea of 40 Under 40 last year, it wasn’t ob-vious to everyone. He recalls one meetingin which a participant asked a question thattook Hardwick by surprise.

“Are there actually 40 people under 40 inAlexandria worth recognizing?” the personasked, according to Hardwick.

The answer is clearly yes. Not only werethere 40 people last year, but the chamberrecognized another class of 40 Under 40 lastweek at the United Way building in OldTown. And next year’s ceremony is alreadyin the planning stages.

“This community begins and ends withpeople like you,” Mayor Allison Silberbergtold the honorees. “People who work hardin our business community, our nonprofitcommunity, people who work hard for ourchildren and our veterans.”

This year’s class of honorees includes ev-eryone from the principal of T.C. WilliamsHigh School to the public information of-ficer for the Alexandria Police Department.It includes teachers and architects, religiousleaders and nonprofit executives, activists

and lawyers. It even includes the Appetitecolumnist for the Gazette Packet.

“I’m just glad I made it in before I turned40,” said former School Board member KellyCarmichael Booz, who is now with theAmerican Federation of Teachers.

Winners were evaluated on professionaland scholastic accomplishments, commu-nity and volunteer impact as well as theirgoals for lasting impact in Alexandria. Thegoal is to recognize men and women underthe age of 40 in a variety of fields, includ-ing business, technology, nonprofits, civic

life, public service, education and the arts.This year’s event was sponsored by PotomacConference Center.

“By honoring their successes, we hope to

Cut Loose The Police Chief, the Mayor, and Kevin Bacon walk into a bar ...

Attorney Kathy Puskar (left) andCouncilman Willie Bailey (right)sing “Play that Funky Music.”

Photos by Vernon Miles/Gazette-Packet

Chief Michael Brown (center) sings “Footloose” with Michael Bacon(left) and Kevin Bacon (right)

“The Alexandria Police Foundation is in-credibly important to us,” said Brown. “Theydo things like sponsor kids for youth camp.It gives us a chance to engage with the pub-lic and brings the community closer to thepolice department.”

Mayor Allison Silberberg congratulates Alexandria Chamber of Com-merce chairman Dak Hardwick on pulling off a second year of awards.

Photos by Michael Lee Pope/Gazette Packet

T.C. Williams Principal Peter Balasand former Alexandria SchoolBoard member Kelly CarmichaelBooz hold their awards.

Chamber Celebrates Tomorrow’s Alexandria40 Under 40 feted by titans of industry at United Way headquarters in Old Town

inspire others to take the lead and work toensure tomorrow’s Alexandria is a top placefor business and careers,” said Joe Haggerty,president and CEO of the chamber.


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News

Bringing Police and Residents TogetherFrom Page 1

William Cromer (on motorcycle) andAliana Cromer (center) with DeputyTim Wauhup.

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in the neighborhood.“We’re a commuter corridor here, largely our

law enforcement issues are traffic and park-ing-related,” said Kuckro. “We’ve had carbreak-ins, side mirrors knocked off, stuff likethat.”

Overall, Kuckro said the city has been prettyresponsive to the neighborhood’s concerns.After local residents complained about ram-pant speeding problems, police on motorcyclesmonitored the area and caught several speed-ers. Kuckro said the tickets left a noticeableimpact on local speeds.

“We were excited about it this morning,” saidRyan Poyante, a nearby resident. “It’s great tohave the kids come out and really meet theneighborhood.”

“This is really emblematic of this neighbor-hood,” said Morgan Tomassian.

On the other side of the Metro line, theBraddock community came out to the CharlesHouston Recreation Center for face-painting,cornhole, and other activities.

“It brings a level of humanity to both sides,to see people working and playing,” saidGarrett James, from the Northern Virginia Ur-ban League’s Young Professionals Network.“Relationships affect the way we treat eachother. No one thing will solve everything, butevents like National Night Out help …. Alex-andria police have a good reputation. There’sstill a ways to go, still room for improvement,but that dialogue is happening here.”

Abbey Oklak works in a local architecturefirm and lives in the Braddock neighborhood.At National Night Out, she was helping to paintfaces.

“I’ve been doing this for about three or fouryears,” said Oklak. “It’s fun and it’s good tomeet your neighbors. I live here and work here.Being part of the community is important tome …. We’re a changing neighborhood. Every-one should feel involved.”

While there aren’t many law enforcementissues in her neighborhood, the series of ho-micides that took place over the last two yearsstill concerns residents. In 2016, a revengecycle left two dead just a block away from therecreation center.

“Neighborhood safety is a big concern,” saidOklak. “We had shootings here last year. It wasa shock. You don’t think that happens in yourbackyard. Knowing the police are out here isreassuring.”

Nick Ruggiero is the officer in charge of com-munity policing for the Alexandria Police De-partment. It’s his 13th National Night Out. Hisdaughter accompanies him on his rounds wear-ing the Scruff McGruff the Crime Dog costume.Ruggiero says he promised her a new pair ofsneakers in exchange. The Charles HoustonRecreation Center is their seventh and finalstop of the evening. As he hands out ice cream,many of the parents and some of the childrenapproaching recognize him and chat.

“We get to know everyone in the commu-nity,” said Ruggiero. “It makes people morewilling to talk to us. Kids know some of theofficers by first name.”

In the past, Alexandria has had issues withlocal citizens who witnessed a crime not com-ing forward with information. Ruggiero saidcommunity policing partially aims to make lo-cal residents feel more comfortable with thepolice and more willing to talk about thosetypes of issues. In one of the Braddock Road

homicides last year, Ruggiero said it was citi-zens coming to police officers they knew andtalking to them that helped to break the case.

“I’m a firm believer that those peoplewouldn’t have come up to us if they hadn’tknown us,” said Ruggiero. Specifically,Ruggiero said having a police officer as a resi-dent has helped build relationships in theBraddock Road community. After a string oflocal homicides in 2015, the Alexandria PoliceDepartment worked with Alexandria Redevel-opment and Housing Authority to have a po-lice officer as a resident in the local affordablehousing.

“When you know your community, policingis a lot easier,” said Aaron Taliaferro, the resi-dent officer living in the Braddock Road neigh-borhood. “You can solve issues better and workwith local people. It makes life easier.”

New Principal Restructures TC AdministrationFrom Page 1

“I’ve been here when things performed welland times where it struggled. When we had areputation as a low achieving high school in2009 and 2010, there was a leadership transi-tion. One thing that was created was a newadministrative type structure.”

But Balas said assigning counselors to cer-tain classes left some faculty underutilized andothers overloaded.

“Instead of having grade level counselors,all counselors have an even caseload,” saidBalas. “In a senior year, each counselor would

have around 200 seniors. For a counselor tomanage 200 seniors became daunting task.Then at end of the year, [those counselors] aretrying to onboard the incoming 9th grade class.Now, [the new system] gives a each counselor40-45 seniors.”

No new positions were added as a result ofthe restructuring. Two administrative positionswere reprogrammed into classroom supportpositions.

“When I was talking to teachers and students,there were some clear themes in what I washearing,” said Balas. “There were factors out-

side of the classroom that seemed to be pre-venting teachers from being successful; thingslike attendance, behavior, academic perfor-mance of students, the culture of the school.What we needed to do was create a structurethat allowed for more direct support for thestudents at a manageable level for teachers.”

As a result of this change, Balas said studentsmay have a different counselor for the nextyear. Balas said there will be an introductionat the start of the year for students to the newcounselors and helping students learn how toaccess the support structure.


News

Shooting in Del RayFrom Page 1

into another car.Details on the shooting are lim-

ited. Because the victims survived,the names of those shot will notbe released to the public. All werehospitalized after the shooting instable but serious conditions. Thesuspect, a 17-year-old city resi-dent, was arrested later that dayafter a search by the police. As ajuvenile, the suspect will also notbe named but will be charged withmalicious wounding. Police wouldnot speculate on a motive but saidthe suspect was known to the vic-tims.

Immediately after the shooting,police closed off the surroundingarea and asked citizens to stayaway. Local residents flocked tothe scene; some were residentstrying to get home, others werecurious onlookers trying to findout what happened.

Alex Milliken was getting break-fast with a friend when they heardgunshots; they rushed outside andsaw a swarm of police cars head-ing down the street. David Cava-lier was at the YMCA when heheard gunshots, eight or 10 inquick succession.

For Virginia Amos, the shootinghappened at her front doorstep. Alocal Realtor, she was inside herhome working at her desk whenshe and her husband heard gun-fire outside. Amos said her hus-band went out the door to find outwhat was going on. When shejoined him, she found three peoplesitting on the curb with bloodstreaming from wounds. Nearbywas a crashed car, but the shooterwas gone.

Victims of the shooting onthe curb of E. Howell Av-enue.

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By Shirley Ruhe

Gazette Packet

It all started with the piano bench. RuthiPostow Birch was about 11 or 12 livingin rural Alabama where she says her

mama wanted her to take piano lessons tobe popular at parties. So her father boughtan old piano with a crumbling piano bench,which her daddy said he would repair.

Her momma said, “You don’t know howto build a piano bench,” but he said, “Justdo the next right step and then the next step

and if you come on somethingyou can’t do, just find some-one who can do it.” It tookhim three years including thepieces that he painstakingly

inlaid on the top.Birch says what she learned from her

daddy is to take one step at a time and tosimplify. “Do the next right step. Poor peoplehad to solve their problems, had to handlethings simply.” Birch grew up on a red dirtroad in Alabama and her daddy kept say-ing, “Get off Petain Street; get your educa-tion.” She said her daddy told her what todo but her momma showed her how.

Birch’s recently-released memoir, “How toBuild a Piano Bench: Lessons for Successfrom a Red-Dirt Road in Alabama,”chronicles the life lessons she learned andhow she applied them to build a career inbusiness development in downtown D.C.

Birch says the first interview is like thefirst date; it all starts with the interview.Her favorite interview was a sweet little girlthat the HR person, a pretty stiff humanbeing, sent to an interview for a bank teller

position. She got a second interview butwhen the HR person caught Birch after-wards, he looked shaken. “The girl had said,‘I claim this job in the name of Jesus.’ Well,turns out she got the job. Her momma hadalways told her if Jesus wants you to get ityou will.”

Birch says her daddy was a rogue and awomanizer, charismatic with blue eyes, tall,funny. “The women all loved him. Mymother had character, but my daddy was acharacter.” She and her daddy were joinedat the hip until elementary school. “When Iwas a baby I did everything with him.“ Shecontinued, “The worst thing my mommacould say about me was ‘you’re just like yourdaddy.’ I did not want to be that person,

but when he went into a room, he lit it up.”But when she became more of an adult,

she grew to appreciate him. “He was com-plicated.” He was a tugboat captain andwhen he came into port, he would do aprizefight. She says she always knew he wasa very smart man. But he was frustratedbecause he resented the fact that he couldn’tmake something of himself. “He died at 90something. He used it all up.” Birch saysshe was the baby “and the day he died Iceased to be the perfect person.”

Birch started writing her book 12-13 yearsago. She said, “I had all this down home,blue collar wisdom I had been sharing withpeople and I was going crazy. It had to beshared.” So she just started writing stories.She would come home from work to herplace in Georgetown and start writing at 2p,m. “I wrote every day. Once I had itchunked up, I put down segments to avoidADD run amuck with all the 12 chapters.Then I glued them altogether.”

She sits in the “middle room” of the nearlyblock-long garden surrounded by a faintly-tinged pink hydrangea bush and her spe-cialty roses in pots. This is her favorite spotwhere she sometimes balances her com-puter on her lap as she works on her nextbook, a biography of her husband. She nowhas about 8,000 words about Ron Birch, thefirst chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Ted Stevensfrom Alaska. “He was the other guy in aroom full of giants. They listened to him.”Sometimes she works in what is now herden, the original main room of the houseconstructed in the 1700s with two subse-quent additions in the late 1800s and 1980.

Birch has also written a novel about hermother called EvaMay. It is finished but notpublished. “Someday I’ll come back to it.”She explains her mother was a born-againChristian, liberal, opinionated. She hadviews of right and wrong and “would evenstand up to the preacher.” Birch said peopleadored her. “She grew up as the child of

divorced parents and was discriminatedagainst. “I guess that’s one of the reasonsshe was so adamantly fair and opposed tosegregation. She was the finest person I’veever known.”

It took Birch’s daddy three years to re-build the piano bench and he painstakinglyinlaid patterned pieces on the top. WhenBirch quit her career in business develop-ment to start her own business and gotthe advice about how many new busi-nesses fail, she went back to the lessonsof her daddy. “Just do it, an outgrowth ofwhat I did, one step at a time.” She hasthe piano bench, now a piece of folk art,displayed in her library, but she said, “Inever learned to play the piano.”

The winner of this year’s Mother’s DayMakeover Contest by Old Town Smiles isDorothy Rockow. The staffvoted unanimously forRockow who is local to thearea and has been battlingMS for many years. Herdaughter, Emi Potter-Rockow, entered her into theMother’s Day MakeoverContest saying, “No matterhow bad she feels or howmuch she’s hurting, shenever fails to put everyoneelse before herself.”

Old Town Smiles staff were moved by herability to smile through the pain, alwaysfocusing on those around her.

The dental office, located at 500 Mont-gomery St., takes great pride in giving backto the community. They typically perform4-6 full-mouth complimentary makeoversthroughout the year. Dr. Kim Kitchen andDr. Seema Ahmed, the two dentists of the

Akhona Bhengu of Alexandra has beennamed a 2017 Citi Foundation Entrepre-neurship Fellow, a summer leadership de-velopment and internship program for Net-work for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)alumni. Citi Foundation EntrepreneurshipFellows serve as role models to youngpeople in NFTE summer programs and dem-onstrate how the entrepreneurial mindsetcan serve them in giving back to their com-munities, while supporting their educa-tional and career paths.

Bhengu will be a mentor at the DC-Balti-more NFTE BizCamp this summer. Duringher NFTE classes, she invented Athena, asports bra with pockets, and competed inthe Semi-Finals for the NFTE DC-Baltimorearea. Bhengu says her time at NFTE taughther to never give up and that losing isn’t abad thing; it’s just a time for further devel-opment and improvement. She will attendVirginia Commonwealth University this falland major in Mass Communications & En-trepreneurship and Marketing.

People

Lessons for Success from a Red-Dirt RoadMemoir chronicleshumorous lessonslearned step by step.

People

At Work

Photos by Shirley Ruhe/Gazette Packet

Ruthi Postow Birch sits in the denof her historic house on S. St.Asaph Street relating stories of herlife in rural Alabama that inspireher recently-released memoir,“How to Build a Piano Bench:Lessons for Success from a Red-Dirt Road in Alabama.”

Ruthi Postow Birch says it took herdaddy three years to build thispiano bench with the inlaid piecesacross the top. But the life lessonsshe learned from his simple, step-by-step approach have translatedinto a successful business .

Makeover Contest Winner Namedpractice, believe that these makeovers pro-vide much more than a new, glittering smile.

“These makeovers are life chang-ing for our patients. Once they areconfident with their smile we haveseen them become motivated toseek employment, reconnect withloved ones, and live an overallbetter life,” said Kitchen.

Old Town Smiles receives itscharity work and pro bono casesfrom many sources including itscorporate sponsorship of Dress ForSuccess and referrals from exist-

ing patients who have nominated lovedones in need. This past year, the office hasperformed full makeovers for several de-serving, financially struggling local commu-nity members including: a woman recentlyreleased from prison on a non-violent mis-demeanor living in a halfway house, ahandyman and artist at an Alexandria thriftshop, and a neighborhood grocery store em-ployee.

Dorothy Rockow

Bhengu Chosen Entrepreneurship Fellow

Akhona Bhengu

For more information, visit nfte.com, likeNFTE on Facebook at Facebook.com/NFTE,and follow NFTE on Twitter at @NFTE.


Former T.C. Williams, University ofMaryland and NFL Indianapolis Coltsstandout Ratcliff Thomas will lead

the Ratcliff Thomas Foundation’s 2nd annualYouth Football Camp Aug. 3 in partnershipwith the City of Alexandria’s Parks and Rec-reation Department.

The camp will be held on the grounds ofGeorge Washington Middle School from 6-8 p.m. An estimated 150 participants areexpected to attend. Led by the Ratcliff Tho-mas Foundation, former NFL and collegeplayers and coaches will teach high perfor-mance techniques, skills, drills and funda-mentals.

“Our hope is to increase participation inthe Alexandria youth football programcitywide, and to get our youth moving inthe direction of healthy wellbeing andphysical fitness activities,” Thomas said“The city will supply the equipment, fieldand facilities. We want to make this a greatexperience for our kids.”

Registration can be done online throughthe city’s Parks and Recreation Departmentor in person at the field. Arrive no later than

5:30 p.m. to register for the camp.To learn more about the mission of the

Ratcliff Thomas Foundation or to supportthe Youth Football Camp, visitwww.ratcliffthomasfoundation.org

— Jeanne Theismann

Photo contributed

Former NFL standout RatcliffThomas will lead the RatcliffThomas Foundation’s 2nd annualYouth Football Camp Aug. 3 atGeorge Washington Middle School.

Youth Football Camp Offered

News

NFL’s Thomas, citypartner to teachgridiron skills.


Opinion

By Alessandra Colia

Northern Virginia Executive Director

Urban Alliance

Each August, many recent high-schoolgraduates embark upon their first se-mester of college. Most have little-to-

no professional work experience. Most alsohave little more than a hazy idea of what ca-reer path they hope to pursue.

Not Erica Ware.When Erica graduated from T.C. Williams

High School last year, she already had a year-long professional internship under her belt andthe confidence and self-awareness to identifyand pursue her passion. But at the beginning

of her senior year, Erica’sstory was very different.

Erica applied for an in-ternship through UrbanAlliance, a nonprofit orga-

nization that partners with corporations toempower youth from underserved communi-ties to expand their horizons through paid in-ternships, professional training, andmentoring. Erica had no professional workexperience before joining the program, andunderwent six weeks of job-skills training be-fore being placed at Alexandria Renew, a localwater resource recovery facility, for the schoolyear.

Working in the lab at Alexandria Renew in-tensified Erica’s passion for science, and helpedher to realize that pursuing what she loves canlead to a more fulfilled life.

“Urban Alliance helped inspire me to changemy major by learning how to take control ofmy life and what I want to do with it, becauseat the end of the day it is about me and notwhat others want or think that I should do,”

Erica said.Now Erica is a first-

generation collegestudent studyingchemistry at VirginiaCommonwealth Uni-versity.

Unlike Erica, 2017T.C. Williams HighSchool graduate Ti-Jee Smith knew whathe wanted to do with

his life when he came to Urban Alliance, butdidn’t know how to get there. Like most stu-dents in our program, he wanted more mean-ingful work experience than the typical after-school jobs available to students fromunderserved communities. And working at theAlexandria Chamber of Commerce, he got justthat.

Ti-Jee couldn’t initially see a connection be-tween the Chamber and his own ambition toopen a cosmetology business. However, expo-sure to business professionals and trainingworkshops throughout the year helped Ti-Jeelearn many of the skills he will need to be-come a successful entrepreneur. He also dis-covered talents, such as event planning andmarketing, that he never knew he had.

Apart from their high school and work withUrban Alliance, Ti-Jee and Erica also have an-other significant commonality: they hail fromthe often unseen side of Alexandria.

This city has consistently been named oneof the nation’s best places to live, with a me-dian household income of $89,000, low crimerates, a beautiful and historic downtown, andproximity to the nation’s capital. But beneaththis exterior are thousands of young peoplewho lack the resources and connections to find

meaningful employment that will put them ona path to self-sufficiency.

Over half of the seniors at T.C. Williams, thecity’s only public high school, come from low-income households and are on free or reducedlunch. There is a clear need for increased eco-nomic opportunities among Alexandria’syouth. Paid internships are a solution.

According to the National Youth EmploymentCoalition, work-based learning opportunitiesthat balance academics with paid work expe-rience allow low-income youth to supportthemselves while they acquire the skills andcredentials needed to succeed in the work-place. Our uniquely comprehensive approachto youth employment combines paid, profes-sional internships with one-on-one mentoring,job-skills training, personalized case manage-ment, and alumni support to help underservedstudents gain access to the opportunities andnetworks that will help them push through theopportunity divide to succeed in college andbeyond.

In 1996, then-Justice Department lawyerAndrew Plepler asked students at AnacostiaHigh School what they needed to be success-ful. One honest young man answered, “I needa job.” That conversation led to the foundingof Urban Alliance, and over 3,000 internshipslater, the model still works.

Economically-disadvantaged students facefar too many barriers to professional develop-ment. Access to paid internships should notbe one of them. As Erica and Ti-Jee’s experi-ences illustrate, paid internships provide cor-porations with eager and dedicated new tal-ent, and give students invaluable skills andconnections. All it takes is a business willingto invest in young talent. Together, we canchange a young person’s path.

Letters to the Editor

Commentary

Paid Internships Can Change Teens’ Paths www.AlexandriaGazette.com

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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

See Letters, Page 9

SnapshotClouds of greatness — the beauty of art throughout the sky.

CyclingDeja VuTo the Editor:

I read with interest, along witha bit of frustration, Mr. TownsendVan Fleet’s letter from last week

“Cycling Through Stop Signs.” Hechronicled the same things I wit-nessed almost exactly 3 years agowhen I sent a similar letter to theeditor titled “Cycling Anarchy.”Cyclists speeding through stopsigns in Old Town, the yelling ofobscenities or rude gestures by

cyclists if anyone dares to callthem on it, pedestrians being al-most hit, it was all unfortunatelyvery familiar. My initial letter inAugust of 2014 touched off a vol-ley of additional letters weighingin on the issue. Over severalmonths many people wrote letters

describing their own experienceswith dangerous cyclists, while cy-cling defenders attacked pedestri-ans and blamed drivers or roaddesign.

The issue was somewhat ad-dressed in October of 2014 whenseveral cycling organizationsweighed in. The Washington AreaBicyclist Association set up campon Union Street during theevening commute to encouragecyclists to obey the laws. Later theAlexandria Bicycle and PedestrianAdvisory Committee did their ownstudy. The Advisory Committee’sown observations of the cyclistswere “When you observe thesethings first hand, you say this justisn’t right, we’re not happy withthe behavior that we see.” Over ayear later, in September 2015,there was finally a public hearingon the topic where the city offeredplans to help resolve the cyclistand pedestrian concerns.

In the several years since, thecity was going to take some actionsand step up enforcement. There

Geri Baldwin


SummerSale

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Opinion

From Page 8

See Letters, Page 10

were supposed to be additionalinterventions and more safety andbicycle education advocacy pro-grams. The city has since addeddedicated bike lanes on KingStreet and made other traffic im-provements. But as Mr. Van Fleet’srecent observations indicate, un-fortunately it doesn’t seem to haveworked and not much haschanged. From my own recentobservations as well, many (if notmost) cyclists still ignore most traf-fic laws, running red lights andblowing through stop signs.

I don’t know what the solutionis but as Mr. Van Fleet suggested,maybe finally ticketing bicyclistsmight work. All I know is that af-ter three years, dozens of lettersto the editors, numerous articles

documenting the problem andpublic hearings, many cyclists stillchoose to ride recklessly and ig-nore traffic laws.

B. MarquisAlexandria

PracticalConsiderationsTo the Editor:

ARHA CEO Roy Priest’s letter tothe City Council, responding to agroup of religious and charitableorganization leaders’ demand formore subsidized and affordablehousing at the Andrew Atkins re-development, states the same sortof business case as ARHA makesto neighborhood civic associa-tions: Essentially, squeezing the

most money out of every public-private partnership project to buildpublic housing in the least expen-sive parts of town where a givendollar amount will build the mostpublic housing units.

Conspicuous by its absence fromthe religious/charitable leaders’letter is Alfred Street BaptistChurch, notwithstanding its his-tory of social activism such that inother times it might have signedon. Alas, it finds itself in the ironicposition of contributing to the lossof affordable housing to make wayfor its megachurch complex. Yet,its religious/charitable colleagues,whose letter lectures ARHA, standconspicuously silent about ASBC.

Religious and charitable organi-zations exist on tax-deductible

Community OutreachVolunteers at the Brother’s Keeper Community Outreach Project on July 29 gather atAlfred Street Baptist Church. Brother’s Keeper provides underserved children andfamilies in the Alexandria community with back-to-school essentials such as backpacks,coats, and classroom supplies. In addition to giving back, the day also includes familyfun activities, food and snacks, and more. In first row are activist Geri Baldwin, withher goddaughter Jasmine, and Toni Dixon, volunteer with Alfred Street Baptist Church’sBrother’s Keeper.


Another Community Partnership


Opinion

From Page 9

donations and are exempt fromproperty tax. Consequently, theyoften lack a firm grasp of the prac-tical considerations with whichgovernment agencies and privatebusinesses must contend. Instead,they wag their fingers at the restof us who must pay the taxes fromwhich they are exempt.

In matters of “social justice,”moral principles and practical con-siderations come into play. A finalproject which weighs all bona fideconsiderations is the best we canhope to achieve.

Dino DrudiAlexandria

StrongLeadershipTo the Editor:

Veterans and military familiesdeserve strong leadership fromVirginia’s next governor. This fall,we have a real choice on our bal-lot. As veterans and Alexandriaresidents, we support Ed Gillespie

for Governor.Virginia is home to nearly

800,000 veterans, meaningroughly 1 in 10 Virginians is a vet-eran. Ed Gillespie is dedicated toimproving career opportunities forour veterans, giving our militaryand veterans a greater voice in ourCommonwealth’s government,leading the Virginia NationalGuard with pride and supportingour veterans, military and theirfamilies. Ed has offered a clear vi-sion and plan to reach these goals.

Ed will work to grow the num-ber of certified companies in theVirginia Values Veterans programwhich connects companies with ahighly skilled, well-educated andeasily trained leadership talentpool: Virginia’s veterans. EdGillespie will improve the absen-tee voting process for deployedservice members. Ed offers strongleadership to ensure our NationalGuard receives the support theydeserve with in-state tuition for allmembers of the reserve compo-nents in addition to working withour business community to in-crease the number of Virginia busi-

nesses to sign the Employer Sup-port of the Guard and Reserve pro-gram pledge. Ed promises to sup-port our military families withimprovements to the Virginia Mili-tary Survivors and DependentsEducation program along with re-newed support for Virginia’s Vet-erans’ Care Centers and broaderavailability of veterans’ mentalhealth dockets to address theunique needs of veterans whocome in contact with the criminaljustice system.

Finally, we should want mem-bers of our armed forces to stay inVirginia upon separating fromtheir service. The economic ben-efits would cascade throughoutVirginia.

Ed Gillespie’s plans are rock-solid signals that he will be thepro-veteran, pro-military and pro-family governor that Virginianeeds.

Shirley Miles, Alexandria,USAF (retired)

Bill Cleveland, Alexandria,USA (retired)

David Cheney, Alexandria,USCG (retired)

By Ioana Lutai

Emergency Preparedness Manager

Volunteer Alexandria

The “Preparing for Emergency Care of YourPet” article published last week by AnimalWelfare League of Alexandria was great!

Volunteer Alexandria, your lead agency for the re-cruitment and management of unaffiliated volunteersduring an emergency, would like to add a few thingsthat might be helpful during these hot days.

Pet owners are advised to carry a photo of them-selves together with their pets in case of separation.

The picture will show ownershipand allow others to assist in identi-fying your pet. Companies and non-profit organizations should consider“pet stations” where pets can actu-

ally rest in the shade and drink water when organiz-ing outdoor events. Here are additional tips on whatto do and how to stay cool during extreme heat:

❖ Get informed by signing up on Alexandria eNewsto receive important news and emergency alerts;

❖ Stay indoors and try to stay on the coolest levelof the house;

❖ Drink plenty of water and limit alcoholic bever-ages;

❖ Dress in loose-fitting clothes;❖ Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles;❖ Eat light meals;❖ Check on family, friends and neighbors.Watch for sickness including heat cramps (muscu-

lar pains and spasms due to heavy exertion) can oc-cur in heat. If you see someone experiencing heatcramps, get the person to a cooler location and re-move excess clothing. Give cool sports drinks. Donot give liquids with caffeine or alcohol and seekmedical attention if the cramps do not subside in anhour, the victim has heart problems, or is on a low-

sodium diet.In case of heat exhaustion (symptoms include

heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness,weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, fainting)move the victim to an air-conditioned place and liedown. Loosen or remove clothing and cool the vic-tim by placing them in a cool shower or bath, or byapplying cool, wet cloths.

Give sips of water or cool sports drinks containingsalt and sugar. Do not give liquids with caffeine oralcohol and seek immediate medical attention if thereis no improvement, the victim is unable to take flu-ids, vomiting occurs, or any symptoms are severe.

In case of a heat stroke, call 911 or the emergencymedical services on site. Heat stroke is a life-threat-ening condition where the victim’s temperature con-trol system, which produces sweating to cool thebody, stops working and the body temperature canrise so high that brain damage and death may resultif the body is not cooled quickly. Symptoms includeextremely high body temperature above 103˚F, hotdry red skin, rapid strong pulse, headache, dizziness,nausea, confusion, unconsciousness. Until the emer-gency medical personnel arrive on scene or duringtransport to the hospital, move the person to a coolerlocation, cool by removing clothing, bath, sponging,applying a cold wet sheet. Do not give the victimfluids to drink.

If you would like to learn more, get trained, orbecome an emergency preparedness volunteer andbe able to train others in various topics such as ex-treme heat, please sign up atwww.volunteeralexandria.org and enter in the searchfield “Become an emergency preparedness volunteer.”E-mail Ioana [email protected] to beadded for upcoming trainings: The Role of the Me-dia in Disasters on Aug. 14 or Active Shooting Train-ing on Aug. 24.

Extreme Heat: Safety Tips

Volunteer

Alexandria


By Marilyn Campbell

August approaches and many headout for sun drenched vacations witha skin-baring wardrobe. This much

anticipated time of year doesn’t come with-out danger, primarily in the form of sun-burn which can lead to skin damage, skincancer, wrinkles and dark spots. Skincaregurus offer suggestions for protecting skinwithout sacrificing time outside.

“Sunscreen is the best protection from thesun,” said Cheryl A. Oetjen, DNP, FNP-BC,assistant professorof nursing at GeorgeMason University.“This can be fromlotions that are SPF30 or higher or froms k i n - p r o t e c t i v eclothing. Wearing ahat can also protectyour face to some degree. Sunglasses shouldalso be worn.”

To maximize the effectiveness of sun-

screen, Oetjen advises being aware of someof the most commonly made applicationmistakes. “Ideally sunscreen should be ap-plied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure,” shesaid. “This gives it time to soak into the skin.Avoiding the water for this time is also im-portant.”

Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.when it’s most intense and use at least oneounce of sunscreen per application, saysOetjen. “The important part of applying sun-screen is ensuring that you are usingenough,” she said. “Fair complexions, red

hair and blonde hairoften are indicatorsof a higher risk ofsunburn, so it’s im-portant to reapplyoften.”

Make sunscreenpart of one’s dailyskincare regimen,

advises Colleen Sanders, RN, FNP,Marymount University in Arlington. “Therecommendation is that you wear sunscreen

every day if you’re going to be outside evenfor a short period of time,” she said. “Itshould be part of your everyday routine.”

Relying solely on the SPF found in somecosmetics like foundation or powder is un-wise, says dermatologist Dr. Lisa Bronstein.“Makeup doesn’t necessarily provide theprotection that it claims to provide,” shesaid. “There are a lot of tinted sunscreensout now that match a variety of skin tonesand also give amazing protection from sundamage.”

“Wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVBprotection as well as a hat will help pre-vent damage, says Sanders. “Common ar-eas that people often forget to cover, andwhere we often find skin cancer, are the tops

Saving Your SkinHow to prevent sun damagewhile enjoying summer vacation.

of ears and the backs of their hands,” shesaid “These are places where people forgetto put sunscreen.”

“Make sure the most sensitive areas arecovered … these areas include the top ofthe ears, lips [and] the nose, added Oetjen.“Zinc oxide can be applied to sensitive ar-eas.”

Infants who are younger than six monthsold should have limited exposure to the sun,says Oetjen.

“The FDA has not approved a sunscreenfor infants under 6 months so it is best forthem to stay in the shade and wear sun pro-tective clothing and hat,” she said. “The skinof infants is thinner and more sensitive tothe sun and sunscreen.”

Photo by Marilyn Campbell

Wearing sunscreen offers the best protection from sun damage.

“Sunscreen is the bestprotection from the sun.”

— Cheryl A. Oetjen,George Mason University

Wellbeing

MS Biotechnology“Where Science is our Business”

http://biotechnology.georgetown.edu

One year with rolling admission

Spring 2018 deadline is 11/15/17

Contact the Program Manager for details

202-687-1501


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

ONGOINGBy the Seashore. Various morning

hours through July 29 at The Lab atConvergence, 1819 N. Quaker Lane.Produced by Arts on the Horizon.Using an imaginative mix ofpuppetry, movement, and sound, thissensory-filled production isspecifically designed for babies andyoung toddlers. Visitwww.artsonthehorizon.org for more.

Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery. Varioustimes through July 30 at the TorpedoFactory, 105 N. Union Street, groundfloor Studio 29. Show is called“Under the Big Top,” highlighting thework of three featured artists: JanetBarnard, Paige Garber, and Anne-Sanderoff Walker. Call 703-548-0935, or visitwww.Potomacfiberartsgallery.comfor more.

Ceramics Show. Various timesthrough July 30 at 105 N. Union St.,ground floor Studio 19. The “Rougharound the Edges” Kiln Club show.Call 703-548-6288 or visitscopegallery.org.

Light and Depth Exhibit. Varioustimes through July 31 in the TheAssociates Gallery at the TorpedoFactory, 105 North Union St., Studio29. Artwork of Marine Weiss andJennifer Brewer Stone is featured.Visit torpedofactory.org.

Adult Woodworking Class. 5-8 p.m.through Aug. 5 at the AlexandriaSeaport Foundation, Union St.Woodworking 101, hosted by ASF’sMiddle School Math ProgramManager, woodworker, and furnituredesigner Nicole Reidinger of HabitatWoodworks. $250. Visitwww.alexandriaseaport.org or call703-778-0977 for more.

Artwork Inspired by NatureExhibit. Various times through Aug.31 at Huntley Meadows Park NatureCenter, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Localartist-photographer Nina Tisara willshare some of her mosaic work in anexhibit entitled “Inspired by Nature.”Call 703-768-2525 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Oil Paintings by Patricia Uchello. 9a.m.-5 p.m. through Aug. 31 at theRiver Farm, 7931 East Blvd. Free.Call 703-768- 6983 or visitwww.patriciauchello.com for more.

Costumes of Mercy Street. ThroughSept. 1, at The Lyceum: Alexandria’sHistory Museum, 201 S. WashingtonSt. To learn more about The Lyceum,visit alexandriava.gov/Lyceum or call703-746-4994.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Relics.Various times through Labor Day atGadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St. Learn the history of themuseum, the purchase and see theoriginal woodwork. Call 703-746-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.orgfor more.

Mount Vernon Farmers Market. 8a.m.-12 p.m., Wednesdays, throughDec. 14. Fresh local food, artisancrafts. Sherwood Library, 2501Sherwood Hall Lane. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/mtvernonmkt.htmfor more.

Student Art Exhibit. Various timesthrough Sept. 15 at the National ArtEducation Association (NAEA)gallery, 901 Prince St. NAEA isexhibiting artwork from across thecountry created by students who aremembers of the National Art HonorSociety (NAHS/high school students)and the National Junior Art HonorSociety (NJAHS/middle schoolstudents). Call 800-299-8321 or 703-860-8000 or [email protected] for more.

CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPSSummer Theatre Camps. Through

Aug. 25, various times at the LittleTheatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St.Preschool-8th graders can learnacting, musical theatre, dancing,improv, Shakespeare, film making.Visit www.thelittletheatre.com or call703-683-5778.

Community Dance. 7:30-9:30 p.m.every third Friday at Hollin HallSenior Center, 1500 ShenandoahRoad. Live music. Tickets are $4. Call703-765-4573.

Life Drawing. Del Ray Artisans offers arange of open life drawing sessionsfor anyone to develop life-drawingskills further. Drop-in for the sessionand bring supplies to draw or paintlive models. Fee ranges from $8-$12.All skill levels are welcome. Del RayArtisans is located at 2704 MountVernon Ave. Visitwww.TheDelRayArtisans.org for aschedule.

The Harmony Heritage Singers(Mount Vernon Chapter ofBarbershop Harmony Society), a

daytime, a cappella, Chorus,rehearses on the 2nd and 4th

Tuesdays, monthly, at Sherwood HallRegional Library, 2501 SherwoodHall Lane, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Newcomerswelcome for fun or to book for aperformance. Visitwww.HHSingers.org, or call Bruce at703-352-5271.

JULY 31-SEPT. 3Ceramics Exhibition. Various times

at the Torpedo Factory Art Center,105 N. Union St. Exhibit called“Flexibility in Clay: Gymnastics andGyrations.” Call Scope Gallery at703-548-6288, visitwww.scopegallery.org for more.

FRIDAY/AUG. 4Free Fitness Classes. Fridays, noon-1

p.m. and Sundays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.through the month of August in JohnCarlyle Square Park, 300 JohnCarlyle St. Local studio fitnessinstructors including Xtend Barre,Pure Barre, Mind the Mat, Pilates Pro

Works, and USPTO Fitness Center.The series will include a range ofclasses including yoga, tai chi,Zumba, barre and kickboxing. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov/CarlyleFunfor more.

SATURDAY/AUG. 5Friendship Firehouse Festival. 9

a.m.-2 p.m. in the 100 block of SouthAlfred Street between Prince andKing streets. The Friendship VeteransFire Engine Association will hold itsannual Friendship Firehouse Festival.Call 703-746-3891 for more.

Tree Fest at River Farm. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at River Farm, 7931 E.Boulevard Drive. The AmericanHorticultural Society and TREE Fundpresent a morning celebrating trees.Call 703-768-5700 for more.

English Garden Floral DesignWorkshop. 9:30-11 a.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. Create the look of a summerEnglish garden for the home using anassortment of cut flowers, greens andgarden materials. Ages 16+. $38 for

the program plus $25 supply fee.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakesusing code 2903883301 orcall 703-642-5173.

Tavern Open House. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St. Features the site-specificpublic art installation “Centennial ofthe Everyday,” public-art exhibition.Call 703-746-4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org.

Historian Lecture. 1:30-3:30 p.m. inthe Watson Reading Room at theAlexandria Black History Museum,902 Wythe St. WWII B-I US NavyBand 75th Anniversary round tablediscussion and presentation. [email protected], orcall 703-746-4356.

Meet the Artist. 3-5 p.m. at TheTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N.Union St., Studio 312. NewPhotographs by Sarah Hood Salomonexhibition runs July 31-Sept. 3. Call703-683-2205 for more.

Meet the Artists. 5-8 p.m. at theTorpedo Factory, 105 North UnionSt., Foundry Gallery. The artistsFierce Sonia of the Torpedo Factoryand Ric Garcia will be opening theirshow Dynamic Duo. Exhibition willrun Aug. 2-27. Visittorpedofactory.org.

Country-Western Dance. 6-9:30 p.m.at Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710 N.Chambliss St. The Northern VirginiaCountry-Western Dance Associationdance, couples and singles of all ageswelcome. Admission for NVCWDAmembers $10; non-members $12;children under 18 accompanied by apaying adult $5. Smoke-free, alcohol-free. BYO refreshments. Seewww.nvcwda.org or call 703-860-4941.

Saturday Cinema at Carlyle. 8:14p.m. on John Carlyle Square, 300John Carlyle St. Caddyshack is thesecond of this series. Free. Visitwww.AlexandriaVA.gov/CarlyleFunfor more.

SUNDAY/AUG. 6Afternoon Teas with a Difference.

3-4:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens,4603 Green Spring Road. CelebrateBritain’s National Afternoon TeaWeek with a “Royale Tea,” offeringyour choice of a glass of champagneat the beginning or sherry at the endof afternoon tea. $42. Adults 21yrs.+. Call 703-941-7987 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring.

Chamber Music Concert. 3 p.m. inThe Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St.Shane Iler presents an afternoon ofmusic by Brahms on the horn, theviolin, and the piano. Free. Visitwww.wmpamusic.org for more.

Frank Sinatra Tribute. 7:30 p.m. atthe Carlyle Club, 2050 Ballenger Ave.Tony Sands is Frank Sinatra in “Itwas a Very Good Year.” $25. Call703-548-8899 for more.

MONDAY/AUG. 7Purple Heart Day. 10:30 a.m. at

George Washington’s Mount Vernon,3200 Mount Vernon Highway, MountVernon. Medal of Honor recipientCapt. Florent Groberg of the UnitedStates Army will give the keynoteaddress. Music for the ceremony isprovided by the U.S. Marine CorpsBand Brass Quintet. A wreath will beon view at the Purple HeartMemorial, located outside of theentrance to the estate. Visitwww.mountvernon.org.

Meet the Author. 7 p.m. at TheAthenaeum, 201 Prince St. AnEvening with KaNikki Jakarta: Booksand Poetry. Visit www.nvfaa.org orcall 703-548-0035.

TUESDAY/AUG. 8Simpson Gardens Stroll. 11 a.m. at

Entertainment

Carlyle FunWake Up Wednesdaysare happening everyWednesday throughSeptember from 7-9:30 a.m. at the DukeStreet Tunnel Con-necting Carlyle toKing Street Metro.Free coffee with apurchase of a donut,entertainment fromlocal performers.www.alexandriava.gov/CarlyleFun

Carlyle FitnessFree fitness classes on Fridays from noon-1 p.m. and Sundays 9:30-10:30 a.m. throughthe month of August in John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St. Local studiofitness instructors including Xtend Barre, Pure Barre, Mind the Mat, Pilates Pro Works,and USPTO Fitness Center. The series will include a range of classes including yoga, taichi, Zumba, barre and kickboxing. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/CarlyleFun for more.



So much fun, it should be illegal! This modern musical will take you on a journey of

self-discovery with ridiculously playful and entertaining song-

and-dance numbers.

SHOW DATES:JULY 22 - AUGUST 12, 2017

Little Theatre of Alexandria600 Wolfe Street • 703-683-0496

www.thelittletheatre.com

RestaurantRestaurantRestaurant

127 N. Washington St., Alexandria • 703-548-4661Smoke-Free Restaurant

www.lerefugealexandria.com

Fresh Jumbo Soft Shell Crabs

Summer Specials • Cold Soup Trio • Stuffed Avocado with Crabmeat • Cold Salmon Platter • Asparagus with Fresh Smoked Trout

Patio seating available

Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens,420 E. Monroe St. Stop by and chatwith the VCE Master Gardeners whomaintain the Simpson ParkDemonstration Gardens and see whatis in bloom. Have all your gardeningquestions answered too! Noregistration necessary. Visitmgnv.org/events/mgnv-events/ formore.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 9Wake Up Wednesday. 7-9:30 a.m. at

the Duke Street Tunnel ConnectingCarlyle to King Street Metro. Freecoffee with a purchase of a donut,entertainment from local performers.Every Wednesday throughSeptember. www.alexandriava.gov/CarlyleFun.

Summer Reading Puppet Show. 10-11 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens,4603 Green Spring Road. Youngstory lovers are entertained by apuppet show presented by CarouselPuppets. Ages 3+. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes or call 703-642-5173.

SATURDAY/AUG. 12Garden Stroll and Ice Cream

Social. 10 a.m.-11:30 at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. Stroll the summer gardenswith a Master Gardener docent, thencool down at an ice cream social inthe 1784 Historic House. $12. Call703-941-7987 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/.

Art of History. 10 a.m.-noon atGadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St. Art-focused tour of the“Centennial of the Everyday,” thatviews history through the lens ofcontemporary art. $15. Call 703-746-

4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org.

AUG. 12-138th Annual Alexandria Summer

Sidewalk Sale. Various times,participating stores throughout OldTown and Del Ray. VisitVisitAlexVA.com/SidewalkSale formore.

SUNDAY/AUG. 13An Outlandish Geek Tour. noon-1

p.m. at at the Apothecary Museum,105-107 S. Fairfax St. Learn about afew of the herbal medicines featuredin Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander”series of novels, from cascara todauco seeds. Tour recommended foradults only. $15. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov/Apothecaryor call 703-746-3852.

Summer Chamber Music Series. 3p.m. Washington MetropolitanPhilharmonic Association at TheLyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Jointrombonist Tyler Castrucci, alongwith violist William Neri, and cellistMolly Jones for an afternoon ofchamber music. Free. Visitwww.wmpamusic.org for more.

Medical Music Group. 4 p.m. atRachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall,4915 East Campus Drive. “Music YouCan’t Refuse,” concert. $20-50,veterans and students free. Visitwww.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter/ [email protected].

Documentary Film Tour. 7:30 p.m.at The Birchmere, 3701 MountVernon Ave. Alexandria. Hosted byCalek and SIR NOFACE ProducerJustin Holstein, the “SIR NOFACELIVES” tour offers attendees thechance to be among the first to seeCalek’s mind-bending SIR NOFACE

documentary, which chronicles theAustralian Government-sanctionedparanormal investigation of CockatooIsland. Visit sirnoface.com for moreinformation.

TUESDAY/AUG. 15Genealogy Talk. 1-3 p.m. at the Hollin

Hall Senior Center, 1500Shenandoah Road. Learn how to usevarious record groups to find yourpre- and post-Civil War Virginiaancestors and their plantation fromgenealogist Char McCargo Bah. Visitwww.mvgenealogy.org for more.



THURSDAY/AUG. 17Garden Tour and Tea. 1-3 p.m. at

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road. Tour the gloriousgardens with a Master Gardenerdocent who will lecture about GreenSpring past and present. Afterwards,enjoy a traditional English afternoontea. $32. Call 703-941-7987 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring for more.

Sierra Hull in Concert. 7:30 p.m. atThe Birchmere, 3701 Mt. VernonAve. Visit www.birchmere.com formore.

AUG. 17-SEPT. 17Wizard of Hip. Various times at

Entertainment

By Hope Nelson

Even in the dog days of summer, no moss isgrowing under the restaurants in town.From beer pairings to drag brunches, here

are several options to keep your August interest-ing.

Rustico’s Near & Far Beer Series, Aug. 7During the dog days of summer, what could be

better than sipping some cool Scandinavian beersand daydreaming of colder climes? Next Monday,Rustico pairs just such beverages with a five-coursemenu to bring the Nordic vibe to Alexandria. Whilethe food menu is as-yet unannounced, the beer

list is intriguing indeed. From theEvil Twin Classique Imperiale — asaison that comes by way of Den-mark via New York — to Denmark’s

Mikkeller Black Hole, an imperial stout that mightperhaps drink more like a dessert than a beer, brewlovers will be sure to have something new to try.Tickets are $55; reservations are required. 827Slaters Lane.

Larry’s Crawfish Boil at Society Fair,Aug. 12

Society Fair is back with another rendition oftheir crawfish boil. With all-you-can-eat crawdadsand all the fixin’s — boiled potatoes, corn on thecob, and Andouille sausage, just to name a few —the restaurant’s bistro will be hopping with down-home Louisiana-style flavors. Tickets are $35 each;diners can choose from several seatings, ranging

in time from noon to 8 p.m. 277 S. WashingtonSt.

Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-27If it’s August, it’s time for Alexandria’s Summer

Restaurant Week. More than 60 restaurants willtake part in this year’s summertime event, and thetasting menus and special deals abound. Fromhigher-end mainstays such as Jackson 20 and Ver-milion to the more grab-and-go bites of Haute Dogand Meggrolls, the slate of participants is expan-sive and bound to appeal to every palate. Bonus:Hummingbird, the new restaurant from Cathaland Meshelle Armstrong, is offering prix fixe spe-cials as part of the week — a perfect time to get asneak peek into one of Old Town’s newest spots.www.visitalexandriava.com/restaurants/restau-rant-week/

Sparkle Saturdays Drag Brunch atHank’s Pasta Bar, Aug. 19

On the third Saturday of the month, Hank’s PastaBar takes weekend dining to a new level with itsdrag brunch. Blending a hearty meal with a per-formance — this month hosted by Summer Knightand featuring Whitney Guccigoo and GadfrieArbulu — Hank’s gets the weekend started in style.Tickets are $25 apiece and include an array ofoptions from the brunch menu; reservations arerequired. 600 Montgomery St.

4 Foodie Dates to Circle in August

Appetite

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


MetroStage, 1201 North Royal St.Featuring Thomas W Jones II as hejourneys from adolescence toadulthood as Afro Jo with originalmusic by William Knowles and twoback-up singers. Call 703-548-9044or visit www.metrostage.org.

AUG. 18-27Alexandria Summer Restaurant

Week. Area restaurants offer $35 fora three-course dinner or $35 dinnerfor two; select locations offeringlunch from $10-20/person. Visitwww.AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.comor call 703-746-3301 for more.

SATURDAY/AUG. 19Casting Leaves in Concrete

Workshop. 9:30-11 a.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. Green Spring staffdemonstrates casting and paintingtechniques and assists participants inmaking one to take home. $40 forthe program plus $25 supply fee. Call703-642-5173 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring for more.

Gardening Author Talk. 3-4:30 p.m.at the Barrett Branch Library, 717Queen St. Nancy Lawson, a naturalistand columnist for All Animalsmagazine, will talk about her recentbook, “The Humane Gardener:Nurturing a Backyard Habitat forWildlife.” Visit alexlibraryva.org.

SUNDAY/AUG. 20Tea and Princess Diana Lecture. 1-

3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens,4603 Green Spring Road. Explore themany faces of Diana: fairytaleprincess, style icon, humanitarianand mother. Afterwards, enjoy a

traditional English afternoon tea.$32. Call 703-941-7987 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring for more.

DEADLINE AUG. 20Open Invitation for Chorus.

Rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. onTuesdays at the Northern VirginiaCommunity College Alexandriacampus, 5000 Dawes Ave. [email protected] or call 703-845-6252.

MONDAY/AUG. 21Alexandria Chamber Golf

Tournament. 1 p.m. at the MountVernon Country Club, 5111 Old MillRoad. Hot dogs and brats, beverages,reception, dinner, prizes.Sponsorships available, contact MariaCiarrocchi [email protected].

Great American Eclipse. All day atHistoric Huntley Meadows Park,3701 Lockheed Blvd. Learn thescience behind eclipses and how toview them safely, solar eclipse glasseswill be provided to attendees at allthe programs. $7 to $12 per person.Visit go.usa.gov/xNvvb for more.



THURSDAY/AUG. 24Historian Lecture. 7 p.m. at The

Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. MeredithBarber is a local historian andstudent at William and Mary.Through research at the NationalArchives, she discovered previouslyunknown Athenaeum history duringthe Civil War including itsemployment as a logistics center bythe Union Army. $5, free for NVFAAmembers. Visit www.nvfaa.org or call703-548-0035.

SATURDAY/AUG. 26Garden Terrarium Workshop. 1-

2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens,4603 Green Spring Road. Begoniaenthusiast Johanna Zinn providesinformation on this genus andteaches techniques for creating aterrarium. $38 plus supplies. Call703-642-5173 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring for more.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 26-27Begonia Show and Sale. 9 a.m.-4:30

p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603Green Spring Road. Show sponsoredby the Potomac branch of theAmerican Begonia Society. Free. Call703-642-5173 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring for more.

SUNDAY/AUG. 27Sister Musicians Concert. 7:30 p.m.

at The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. VernonAve. Artists and sisters Shelby Lynneand Allison Moorer will perform insupport of their upcoming release“Not Dark Yet.” Visitwww.birchmere.com for more.

MONDAY/AUG. 287th Annual Charity Golf

Tournament. 8 a.m. at Fort BelvoirGolf Club 8450 Beulah St., FortBelvoir. Benefit for America’s “AdoptA Soldier,” an established nonprofitorganization who has throughgrassroots volunteerism, donations,and partnerships; provides a positiveimpact to our nation’s wounded,deployed service members,hospitalized military children,homeless veterans, veterans and theirfamilies. Email [email protected] for more.

MONDAY/AUG. 28Fall Vegetable Gardening. 7-8:30

p.m. at the Beatley Library, 5005Duke St. Learn inexpensivetechniques to extend the harvest andeven enjoy some of the crops in thedead of winter. Visit mgnv.org or call703-228-6414 for more.

Entertainment

‘FlexibilityIn Clay’Ceramics ExhibitionJuly 31-Sept. 3 at theTorpedo Factory ArtCenter, 105 N. UnionSt. Exhibit called“Flexibility in Clay:Gymnastics and Gyra-tions.” Call ScopeGallery at 703-548-6288, visitwww.scopegallery.orgfor more.

Bottles by

Polina Miller


Abogados de habla hispana para familias trabajadoras

Criminal Law

Landlord/Tenant Law

Consumer Protection

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Please call to register

Free Saturday Legal Seminars once a month

August 5, 2017 at 9:00 A.M.

A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM WITH

AFFORDABLE SLIDING-SCALE FEES

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Executive Director: Jonathan Y. Short, Attorney at Law

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(703) 962-7286

Opinion

By Dan Brendel

Last Tuesday VOICE, a faith-basedcoalition, packed St. Joseph’s Catho-lic Church in order to convey its so-

cial justice interests to attending City Coun-cil members. We put forward an agendaaround two particularly critical issues ar-eas — affordable housing and public tran-sit. On a summer weeknight, we thoughtwe’d turn out maybe 100 people. More than200 came.

“Seek the welfare of the city to which Ihave exiled you; pray for it to the Lord, forupon its welfare your own depends,” said

the Rev. Donald Fest ofSt. Joseph in his open-ing remarks, quotingthe Old Testament

prophet Jeremiah. “We’re here tonight tospeak to the welfare of this city … for uponit our own welfare depends. From theprophet Isaiah … ‘No more shall there beheard the sound of weeping and the criesof distress. … No longer will they buildhouses and others live in them, or plant andothers eat. … [My people] will long enjoythe work of their hands.’ That has not beenthe case for many people of the city of Al-exandria. … Our fight for equality and jus-tice in Alexandria is far from done. For wehear ‘the sound of weeping and the cry ofdistress,’ as was heard at the time of theprophet Isaiah.”

Fest described how gentrification hasforced households to move away from thecommunity around St. Joseph, a 102-year-old black Catholic parish. Gentrification alsoputs a heavy demand on congregations’ministries, as people require increasing as-sistance for food, rent, utilities and rentaldeposits. “This is not right. It is wrong,” hesaid. He described how public transit short-comings lopsidedly hurt lower-incomepeople.

Kenia Walker, a resident of the RamseyHomes public housing community, said:“I’m from this area, this is home. … Afford-able housing … shouldn’t mean a decisionabout paying your rent, buying groceries,having transportation, when you workhard.”

Linda Harris, a Ramsey resident and

Commentary

Pressing Council for Housing and Transit Reform

Photos by Phyllis Johnson

More than 200 local residents and congregants turned out to push CityCouncil for housing and transit reform at a nonpartisan event, held July25 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Linda Harris, a public housingtenant, expressed her desire thatredevelopment not cause herdisplacement from Old Town.

Jefferson-Houston crossing guard, said: “Iwork every day with those children, I lovethem to death. And I would be so hurt” tobe separated from them.

Jonathan Winters, an Alexandria residentand Metro technician, said: “I take pride inmy job. I know a lot of times when you guysare on trains and buses that are brokendown and hot cars, naturally you look forsomebody to blame. And the ones you seeare us, the frontline workers, not the peoplewho actually make the decisions. The truthis, the system has been underfunded for 40years.” Yet the Washington MetropolitanArea Transit Authority (WMATA) currentlyproposes to address budget shortfalls in partby cutting services, privatizing jobs and re-ducing benefits.

Kevin Harris, president of the AlexandriaRedevelopment and Housing Authority(ARHA) Residents’ Association, and Jenni-fer Tolbert of the Old Presbyterian MeetingHouse, co-chaired the action.

Of the council members who attended,Willie Bailey and John Chapman commit-ted their full support, and Justin Wilson andTim Lovain their qualified support, for ourhousing asks, as outlined by the Rev. Rob-ert Malm of Grace Episcopal Church: thatRamsey residents can remain in Old Townduring and after redevelopment; that all 90public housing units at Andrew Adkins be

rebuilt onsite; that council and ARHAstrengthen Resolution 830, a bilateralagreement to replace demolished publichousing units one-for-one; and that coun-cil include at least $8 million housing sub-sidy in future city budgets. Wilson also com-mitted to meet again with VOICE leadersand ARHA’s new CEO to discuss these is-sues further.

“I am a product of low-income housing,affordable housing, and I was able to pur-chase a home. I called it that ‘affordableescalator’ that the city offered,” said Bailey.“And now that escalator has slowed downand really probably stopped.”

Wilson said he supports returning “more”

than the slated 60 public housing units toAdkins but that the “brutal math” of eco-nomics is a constraint. However, I hope noone misconstrues the latter to mean thatour present course is mathematically inevi-table. The Request for Proposals for Adkins,and the developer’s original proposal, in-cluded all 90 units. ARHA has chosen tooffsite some units. The city and ARHA’s doc-trine of poverty “deconcentration” as a so-cial good is empirically contestable. It, too,is a choice, and one that strikes me as be-ing euphemistic.

Lovain said he’s “nervous about pledges.”But there is perhaps a fine line betweenpledges and mere planning. We rightly ap-plauded council’s recent decision to fundthe Church of the Resurrection’s affordablehousing project. Still, that funding cameonly in the 11th hour of the budget processvia an unrepeatable tax hike. The city’sHousing Master Plan, contradicting otherof Lovain’s remarks, says the city’s “best”tool is “a consistent, reliable source of an-nual funding.”

“We indeed have much to celebrate, butwe need a sustainable plan,” saidResurrection’s Betsy Faga. “The city mustdo its part by increasing its funding for af-fordable housing. We believe affordablehousing funding belongs in the Capital Im-provement [Program],” which earmarksmonies up to 10 years in advance for allmanner of other critical city investments.

Lovain, who sits on the Northern VirginiaTransportation Commission (NVTC), com-mitted to most of VOICE’s immediate tran-sit asks: to meet with Metro workers; to helpenable VOICE leaders to brief the NVTC onan alternative plan for $1 billion in dedi-cated WMATA funding; and to push WMATAto disclose the analyses and assumptionsunderlying General Manager PaulWiedefeld’s current proposed budget.Lovain equivocated about supporting moreaffordable housing in new development onWMATA-owned land. VOICE also intends topursue these asks with Councilman PaulSmedberg, a member of WMATA’s board ofdirectors.

The author, an Alexandria resident, is a memberof VOICE and writes on faith issues for the GazettePacket.


Announcements

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Announcements Announcements

Announcements Announcements

ABC LICENSEFikir Cafe trading as Fikir Cafe,

3815 S George Mason Dr. Ste C,Falls Church, VA 22041-3763.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises / Mixed Beverage

Restaurant license to sell or manufacturealcoholic beverages. Konjit Abebe, Owner. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this

license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

Legals

ABC LICENSEOLD DOMINION BOAT CLUB trading

as OLD DOMINION BOAT CLUB, 0 PRINCE STREET,

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22314-3343.The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a WINE &

BEER ON & OFF PREMISES license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. HERBERT M BERG, BOG’s. NOTE: Objections to the

issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing

legal notices. Objections should be registered

Legals

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION NUMBER 170703

The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seek--

A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held August 2, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at ACPS Central Office located at 1340 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314

All questions must be submitted via email, with the notation, “RFP 170703, Pre-K Center Retrofit” on or before 3:00 p.m. on August 11, 2017

Sealed electronic proposals ACPS’ Vendor Self-Ser-vice System on or before 3:00 p.m. August 17, 2017 -

Offerors submitting proposals in the Vendor Self-Service System should also send (1) one original response on a USB flash-drive, labeled as “RFP 170703, Pre-K Center Retrofit”, on or before 3:00 p.m. on August 17, 2017

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/purchasing. Registration on the Vendor Self Service system at https://acps.munisselfservice.com/ is required

Meloni Hurley Procurement Manager

Legals LegalsOBITUARY

Martha Manchester MichieOn Thursday, July 27, 2017

of Richmond, VA. Beloved

wife of the Late H. Norwood

Michie, Jr. for 38 years.

Loving mother of Jack (Kim)

Michie, Bill (Michelle) Michie,

Tom (Jean Ann) Michie, Kathy

Aucott, and Bob (Robin)

Michie; Preceded in death

by one grandson, Jackson

Michie; Grandmother of

22 grandchildren; and 12

great-grandchildren. Family

and friends may call at

Everly Wheatley Funeral

Home, 1500 W. Braddock

Road, Alexandria, VA

22302 on Thursday, August

3, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm.

Funeral service at St. Paul’s

Episcopal Church, 228 S.

Pitt St, Alexandria, VA 22314

on Friday, August 4, 2017

at 11 am. Interment at Ivy

Hill Cemetery. Memorial

contributions may be made

in her name to University of

Minnesota Masonic Children’s

Hospital for Juvenile Arthritis

Research, 200 Oak Street SE,

Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Pauline E. Reynolds, 92, of Christiansburg departed this earth on July 30th, 2017. She was

born on June 30, 1925, in Asheville, NC. to the late George W. Dial and Orabelle (Fowler) Dial.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter R. Reynolds, Sr.; Step-daughters and

Louise Reynolds, Jean Wright; Step-sons, Walter Reynolds, Jr., Charles Reynolds, Alan Cecil

Reynolds; Sister, Ethel (Eugene Sr.) Drayton; Sisters-in-law, Ruth Dial and Ethel (Harry) Reyn-

olds-Eaves; Brothers, Haywood Dial, James Dial; Brother-in-law, Edgar (Queen) Reynolds, Jr.

She is survived by her sons Ronald Jackson of Arlington, Va. and Glenn Brown of Roanoke,

Va.; Daughter Nanette Dial of Christiansburg; her only surviving sibling, Ernest Dial of Capital

Heights, MD; Sister-in-law, Ethel Dial; Daughters-in-law, Barbara Reynolds of NC and Delores

Reynolds of VA; and an abundance of loving family and friends.The home going service will

hour before the service.

Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, VA.

Obituary Obituary

Alex, Hollin Hills7419 Hopa Ct

HADLEY AND ASSOCIATESESTATE SERVICESAugust 4 & 5 10-3 pm

Estate Sale


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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

And speaking, a few weeks late, of my“whirled,” (see July 5, 2017 column, “Not anAuto-Matic Fix); at least as it relates to mynext week or so: 24-hour urine collection onTuesday, pre-chemotherapy lab work onWednesday, in the Connection office onThursday, chemotherapy infusion on Friday,continuing anxiety concerning the previousWednesday’s CT Scan/awaiting results frommy oncologist followed by our usual post-scanappointment with him Friday a week later todiscuss my future: status quo or the greatunknown; coinciding with the typical eatingchallenges/post-chemo side effect which lastsa week to 10 days after treatment. If this cycleof gloom doesn’t sound like fun, you’re right,but it’s a living/my life and I’m extraordinarily(I didn’t want to say “damn”) lucky to be ableto live it.

And recently having spoken to a new stageIV, non-small cell lung cancer “diagnosee,”who’s on a 24-hour morphine drip andPercocet every four hours because he’s inconstant pain, I know how amazingly fortu-nate I am/have been since being originallydiagnosed in late February, 2009. Sure, I’vehad my share of pain and discomfort, but inthe medical-measuring system I’d give it a “1.”Hardly the stuff with which nightmares aremade (see column in a few weeks, as yetuntitled).

I’ve always been a great believer in con-text. Not so much comparison because whatyou see and what you get are not necessarilyrelevant, comparatively speaking, but morethat the circumstances are all relative. It takesme back to Popeye the Sailor Man, whoapologizing to no one, always said: “I ‘yamwhat I ‘yam.” And so am I. When I see othercancer patients at the Infusion Center, when Italk to cancer survivors, when I hear or read ofother cancer patient circumstances, I try tolive and learn, not take it personally, andcount my blessings. Given the hand that I wasdealt back on Feb. 27, 2009 I wouldn’t say“Wild” Bill Hickok (and his black aces andblack eights) came to mind, but my life,according to the “11 month to two-year”prognosis I was given, certainly passed beforeme – and much sooner than I had anticipated.

In spite of my diagnosis/prognosis, and themiscellaneous ups and downs that I and mostcancer patients endure, I’ve never given in tomy oncologist’s initial assessment. It was sounbelievable hearing such grim news, espe-cially considering that I was age 54 and a half,that it almost seemed like an out-of-bodyexperience, sort of like Scrooge in CharlesDickens “novella, “A Christmas Carol.” Surewe were listening attentively and asked ourshare of questions, but it didn’t seem real oreven about me, sort of. I mean at this junc-ture, I had no pain and no symptoms and nofamily history of cancer – and I was a life-longnon-smoker. Yet here I was, in the bulls eye ofa dreaded disease with no known cure receiv-ing a modest life expectancy/two percentchance of living beyond five years.

But eight years and five months later, here Isit, breathe and try to write some wrongsabout a life mostly unexpected, and one inwhich I haven’t sweated too many details norconcerned myself with the “nattering nabobsof negativism,” to quote former VicePresident, Spiro T. Agnew, specifically as itrelates to lung cancer outcomes. Which aredramatically improving.

New drug approvals and increased fundingfor lung cancer research has infused hope intolung cancer patient’s lives. Routines withwhich us lung cancer patients/survivors havebecome accustomed will be less routine andwill make our lives more fulfilling. It might notbe perfect, but it’s definitely a life worth liv-ing.

Week to Weak Business DirectoryTo Advertise Your Business, Call Karen at 703-778-9422

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Good is not good, where

better is expected.

-Thomas Fuller

An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mis-

takes that can be made in his subject and how to avoid them.-Werner Heisenberg

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

THURSDAY/AUG. 3Registration Deadline. The 10-week Alexandria

Community Police Academy provides anopportunity for residents to learn about variousaspects of the Police Department, such asadministrative philosophy, internal policies andthe guiding principles of law and ethical conductgoverning the delivery of police services. Classesare a combination of lecture and interactiveactivities. The academy will be held everyWednesday from 6:30-10 p.m. at the PoliceDepartment’s Headquarters at 3600 WheelerAve in the Community Room, located on the 1stfloor. Classes run Sept. 6-Nov. 15, 2017. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov/police and searchCommunity Police Academy or e-mail theVolunteer Office [email protected].

MONDAY/AUG. 7Ad Hoc Waterfront Construction

Monitoring Group. 5 p.m. City Hall, SisterCities Room 1101, 301 King St. Contact JackBrowand at [email protected] or703-746-5504.

Alexandria Democratic Committee Meeting.7:30-9 p.m. in the Auditorium, Minnie HowardSchool, 3801 W. Braddock Road. Starts withvoter registration/Farmer’s Market VolunteerTraining. Bring canned foods for ALIVE. Call703-549-3367 for more.

FRIDAY/AUG. 11Free Bus Ride. Passengers who donate new

school supplies (i.e. backpacks, notebooks,crayons, etc.) when they board a DASH bus onFriday, Aug. 11 and Monday, Aug. 14, willreceive one free ride on DASH. Riders are askedto give their school supply donations to the busoperator when boarding. Last Year, FACE wasable to help thousands of students start theschool year with backpacks and essential schoolsupplies.

Resource Fair. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at NorthernVirginia Community College’s AlexandriaCampus. In partnership with Fairfax County andthe City of Alexandria, Northern VirginiaCommunity College’s Alexandria Campus willhost a resource fair for skilled immigrants called“Rebuild Your Professional Career in the U.S.” toprovide a forum for conversation and theopportunity for community members andprofessionals to share their experience and learnabout strategies for job searching, credentialsand training. This work conference is free andopen to the public. Registration is required, andspace is limited; visit www.eventbrite.com andsearch workforce conference. Call 703-324-7280, TTY 711 or email [email protected] more.

MONDAY/AUG. 14Free Bus Ride. Passengers who donate new

school supplies (i.e. backpacks, notebooks,crayons, etc.) when they board a DASH bus onFriday, Aug. 11 and Monday, Aug. 14, willreceive one free ride on DASH. Riders are askedto give their school supply donations to the busoperator when boarding. Last Year, FACE wasable to help thousands of students start theschool year with backpacks and essential schoolsupplies.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 16Backpack Stuffing Marathon. Volunteers

wanted for FACE’s Backpack Stuffing Marathon.Call FACE at 703-619-8414.

The following incidents were reported by the Alex-andria Police Department.

MONDAY, JULY 31The Alexandria Police Department is conducting

a sudden death investigation in the 500 block ofFour Mile Road. There is no danger to the public.

SUNDAY, JULY 30The Alexandria Police Department is investigat-

ing a commercial robbery in the 200 block of WGlebe Road. Three male suspects stole several cellphones from a business.

Bulletin

Crime Report


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