Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection …connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/2018/1… · 30.10.2018 · terns around the National Mall; survivors

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ October 25-31, 2018 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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October 25, 2018Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper

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By Steve Hibbard

The Gazette

For the fifth year in a row,about 120 members ofthe “Walk with MEE”team that supports

Michael Erlandson, 10, partici-pated in the LLS Light the NightWalk last Saturday in Washington,D.C. The three communities ofWaynewood, Collingwood, andRiverside in Mount Vernon haveraised $100,000 for the Leukemia& Lymphoma Society (LLS) –which came primarily from thesame 100 families in those neigh-borhoods. They’re on track to raise$30,000 this year from local resi-dents and businesses alone.

Michael and his family who livedin Waynewood in Alexandria havesince moved to Colorado Springs,Colo., in July where dad Mike, 41,works for the U.S. Army at FortCarson. Michael is now leukemia-free, but they came back to visitfriends who have been so support-ive and do the walk.

During the LLS Light the NightWalk, all the supporters (and

Michael’s friends) carried red lan-terns around the National Mall;

survivors carry a white lantern;and there’s gold lanterns for re-

membrance of people who havedied.

“We are overly thankful for notonly the donations and supportthat the community has given usbut we are especially thankful forall of the friends and people wethink of as family now — the close-ness in those relationships thatwe’ve developed over the years.This is a very tight-knit commu-nity and people care about theirfellow neighbor and fellow man,”said dad Mike Erlandson.

Added wife Sandi Erlandson,40: “We’re an Army family thatwill move all the time, but becauseof this, Waynewood will always behome to us…. Even when wemoved away, we knew we wouldstill come back for (the walk).”

According to Maureen Beddis,42, chairman of team Walk withMEE, the community has been in-credibly generous, loyal, and help-ful. “It’s amazing when I thinkabout how our one small cornerof the world has raised more than$100,000, and a lot of times itcomes from the same people andtheir repeated giving to this char-ity,” she said. “It started with

Local Communities Raises $100,000 for LLSMichael Erlandson, 10, in Light the Night Walk, is now cancer-free.

Michael Erlandson and his friends wear Light the Night T-shirts in preparation for theLight the Night Walk, which took place in Washington, D.C. last weekend. Front fromleft: Griffin Melley, Max Melzer, Kyle Kasprzyk, Nik Ciovacco, Michael Erlandson, andBowen Mayo; second row: Gabriel Erlandson, Cam Olsen, Brendan Forti, and AbbyBeddis.

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By Mike Salmon

The Gazette

The bike path network inthe eastern part of FairfaxCounty was on the agenda

at the monthly Fairfax Advocatesfor Better Bicycling (FABB) meet-ing, on Thursday, Oct. 18 at theSherwood Regional Library inMount Vernon.

FABB has these meetingsthroughout the county to learnabout biking issues in that particu-lar part of the county, said SonyaBreehey, FABB vice president. Theagenda included the trails inMount Vernon that are connectedto the upcoming EMBARK plan,but also the eastern part of Spring-

field and Kingstowne. District Su-pervisors Jeff McKay (D-Lee) andDan Storck (D-Mt. Vernon) werethere to highlight issues from theirdistricts. “There are a lot of needs,”said Breehey.

Meetings with FABB are valuablearound the county to extend theconnections with bicyclists, saidStorck. “I think it’s a smart moveon their level to connect with

people,” he said. According toStorck, there is $6.5 million appro-priated to further refine the biketrail connection between Jeff ToddWay and the Mount Vernon BikeTrail, which includes a separatebike and pedestrian bridge overDogue Creek, and trail paving inspots where its lacking. “We’rehoping there’s enough money to

Bike Connectivity Part of Discussion at FABB MeetingCounty supervisors highlight bike efforts in Mount Vernon and Lee Districts.

On-road bike trails are a part of the county network oftrails, including this one along Telegraph Road, justinside the Mount Vernon District boundary.

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2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ October 25-31, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


News

The Boy Scouts Colonial Districtrecognized two Eagle Scoutsfrom the Alexandria and Mount

Vernon area during its Inaugural Colo-nial District Community Friends of Scout-ing Event at Belle Haven Country Clubon Oct. 4.

The Colonial District has launched over77 Eagles, 2,632 merit badges earned byBoy Scouts and recorded 23,367 hoursof community service by adults andscouts.

The two Eagle Scout Emissaries areDimitrius Leopold from Troop 1515 andNoah Phillip Ventura from Troop 1509.Each Eagle Scout Emissary will help pro-mote Scouting in the Alexandria and Mt.Vernon communities.

Their Eagle projects include Eagle ScoutProjects include collecting over 1,400 pairsof shoes for Souls 4 Souls and designing,fabricating and installing directional signsin over six-miles of trails over a 10-monthperiod and 380-plus hours at WoodmarshTrail at Mason Neck Refuge.

For these two young men, their path toEagle involved a collective total of 117camping nights, completed high adventuretreks such as Goshen, National Youth Lead-ership Training (NYLT) Leadership Acad-emy, Summit and Northern Tier, and servedin leadership roles including; Senior PatrolLeader, Order of the Arrow Chapter Chief,NYLT Staff and Venturing Vice President ofPrograms. Todd Bolick, Tony Buchard, Noah Ventura, Dimitrius Leopold, and

Keith Gray.

Eagle Scout Emissaries Named

Jeans and Jewels Jubilee Benefits Rising Hope

Master of Ceremonies Rev. Dr.Brian Brown, pastor of WoodlawnFaith Church. The Jeans and JewelsJubilee dinner, dance and auctionraised about $45,000 to supportthe mission of Rising Hope on Oct.12 at the Waterford in Springfield.

Rising Hope founding pastor Rev. Keary Kincannon and his wife, JudyBorsher, left, with Major General Carl McNair (U.S. Army, Ret.) and AmySeesholtz.

Jeans and Jewels Jubilee chairMarcia Ward, seated, and commit-tee member Sharon Emory.

Attendeesenjoyed linedancingfollowing thedinner andprogram.

Leigh Rosenmund’s framed hand-craftedembroidery raised $400 for Rising Hopeduring the live auction.

Photos by

Steve Hunt/Rising Hope


See Bulletin, Page 22

News

Mount Vernon District Supervisor DanStorck joined more than 100 residentsof Montebello Condominiums on Satur-

day morning, Oct. 20, to plant a ceremonial flower-ing dogwood tree and celebrate the community’s lat-est initiative to preserve its natural woodlands.Montebello occupies 37 acres, including large spreadsof mature forest, on Mount Eagle Drive, rising abovethe 5900 block of Richmond Highway.

Sponsored by the condo community’s GroundsCommittee and Environmental Club, the event cul-minated a six-month Montebello Tree Donation Pro-gram, launched last April on Arbor Day. Residentswere invited to donate a tree to honor a special per-son while helping to enhance Montebello’s woodedenvironment. In all, 94 trees of 11 species were do-nated this year by 48 households and groups offriends—88 through cash contributions by residentsand six live trees donated by a tree nursery on be-half of a Montebello resident.

Donors chose their preferred species from a list,provided by Natural Resources Design, that identi-fied tree species native to the Chesapeake Bay re-gion. Eighty of those trees were planted in the daysprior to the ceremony, in locations throughoutMontebello’s woods that are best suited to supporttheir health. Storck’s was the 81st tree to go into theground, with the rest due to be placed as they ar-rive.

Observing that Saturday’s cool, damp morningmade it “a perfect day for trees,” Storck praisedMontebello as a “community that knows, appreci-ates, and revels in tree — when you drive aroundhere, that’s all you see.” He added that, “Trees are apart of us,” that breathing in the air they provide isessential to life, and that “the shade, pleasure, andjoy they provide will be with us the rest of our lives.”

Lynn Tjeerdsma, representing Montebello’s Boardof Directors, thanked the donors for “being willingto look forward,” noting, “The trees we plant heretoday will be cherished for years to come.” He addedthat this year’s tree planting is part of Montebello’songoing program to replace invasive plant speciesin natural areas and encourage understory growth.Other current work includes conducting a large-scaleerosion control project, restoring a mile-long hiking

trail, and updating outdoor stairways and bridges.Montebello residents who led the tree donation

project include Virginia Hodgkinson, chair of thecondo’s Grounds Committee, and Don Barnes, chairof the Environmental Club. Don Hinman, chair ofthe Communications Committee, was emcee for theevent.

‘A Perfect Day for Trees’Storck praises Montebello Condominiums.

Supervisor Dan Storck (left); Don Hinman(center), chair of Montebello’s communi-cations committee and emcee for theevent; and Lynn Tjeerdsma (right),Montebello Board vice president andliaison to the Grounds Committee.

By the NumbersMontebello Tree Donation Program❖ 94 donated trees, planted or scheduled❖ 11 species of donated trees: Dogwood, Black Cherry,

Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Southern Red Oak, AmericanHolly, Eastern Red Cedar, Chestnut Oak, Witch Hazel, RedMaple, Sycamore.

❖ 6 month project, kicked off Arbor Day, April 27, 2018❖ 48 donors—individuals, families or groups, in memoriam

or appreciation

Submit civic/community announce-ments at ConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

SOBER-RIDE FOR HALLOWEENFree Sober Rides. Saturday, Oct. 27,

10 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 28, 4a.m. Area residents, 21 and older,may download Lyft to their phones,then enter a code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive a no cost(up to $15) safe ride home. WRAP’sHalloween SoberRide promo codewill be posted at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 onwww.SoberRide.com. The SoberRidecode is valid for the first 1,500 Lyftusers who enter the code.

DONATIONS NEEDEDUCM Needs Help. United Community

Ministries (UCM), 7511 FordsonRoad, Alexandria. Inventory is low ondisposable diapers especially sizes 4,5, 6; canned tuna and other cannedmeats like chicken; and low-sugarbreakfast cereals. Shop and donate

with their Amazon Wish List at:bit.ly/UCM_FoodPantry_AmazonWishList.Email Assistant Food Pantry ManagerVon [email protected] orvisit at www.ucmagency.org.

THURSDAY/OCT. 25Public Comment Deadline. The

Virginia Department of Rail andPublic Transportation (DRPT)announces a 45-day public commentperiod for it’s proposed policy andguidelines for transit capitalprioritization and urban transitagency strategic plans. The proposedplans are available online atdrpt.virginia.gov/transit/tsdac/public-comment. Comments on theplans can be sent to Jen DeBruhl [email protected] or DRPT,600 East Main St., Suite 2012,Richmond, VA 23219.

SATURDAY/OCT. 27Father Gerry Creedon Honored.

Good Shepherd Housing and Family

Services will posthumously honorFather Gerry Creedon, long-timepastor of Holy Family Church in DaleCity who passed away in November2018, with its Public Service Awardat the annual Windows IntoWonderland Gala on Saturday, Oct.27, 2018. The award honors publicofficials for outstanding andimpactful public service actions thathave furthered the mission of GoodShepherd Housing in combatinghomelessness and improving the livesof people in need. Father Creedonserved as pastor of Good ShepherdChurch in Alexandria, 1979-91. Hewas a critical team member inguiding the parishioners whofounded GSH in 1974 as anonsectarian independent agencyproviding affordable housing. Formore information, visitwww.goodhousing.org.

VolunteerFest. A region-wide day ofcommunity service helps nonprofitsaccomplish tasks they would nothave time or resources to do on theirown. Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/volunteerfest.php for

Bulletin Board


*These meetings will be held in conjunction with planned I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan meetings. Fall meeting materials will be available at http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/planning/fallmeetings/ beginning October 15, 2018.

Comments will be accepted until December 13, 2018.

The Commonwealth is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need further information on these policies or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, please contact the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Title VI Compliance Officer at 804-786-2730 or the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s Title VI Compliance Officer at 804-786-4440 (TTY users call 711).

Monday, October 15, 2018at 4 p.m.

Culpeper District Office1601 Orange RoadCulpeper, VA 22701

Wednesday, October 17, 2018* at 4 p.m.

Blue Ridge Community CollegePlecker Center for Continuing Education

One College LaneWeyers Cave, VA 24486

Monday, October 22, 2018*at 4 p.m.

Southwest Higher Education CenterOne Partnership Circle

Abingdon, VA 24210

Thursday, October 25, 2018*at 2 p.m.

(Note: Start time has changed)Holiday Inn - Valley View3315 Ordway Drive NW

Roanoke, VA 24017

Tuesday, November 13, 2018at 4 p.m.

Hampton Roads District Office7511 Burbage DriveSuffolk, VA 23435

Thursday, November 15, 2018at 4 p.m.

Homewood Suites–Chester12810 Old Stage Road

Chester, VA 23836

Monday, November 19, 2018at 4 p.m.

Lynchburg District ComplexRamey Memorial Auditorium

4303 Campbell AvenueLynchburg, VA 24501

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 4 p.m.

Fredericksburg DistrictOffice Auditorium86 Deacon Road

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Thursday, November 29, 2018at 5:30 p.m.

NOVA District OfficePotomac Conference Room

4975 Alliance DriveFairfax, VA 22030

If you cannot attend a meeting, you may send your comments on highway projects to Infrastructure Investment Director, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected].

You may send comments on rail, public transportation, and transportation demand management to Public Information Officer, DRPT, 600 E. Main St., Suite 2102, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or [email protected].

Public MeetingsFall Transportation Meeting

You are invited to participate in public meetings held by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The meetings will begin with an open house followed by a public comment period. At the open house you can learn about various transportation initiatives, as well as Virginia’s project prioritization process (SMART SCALE), Virginia’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, and the VTrans Multimodal Transportation Plan. Representatives from the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment and Departments of Transportation and Rail and Public Transportation will be in attendance to highlight their transportation programs and discuss your ideas and concerns about Virginia’s transportation network. The open house will be followed by a public comment period, where you can provide comments about the various initiatives. Comments will be accepted at the meeting and may also be submitted via email or online at www.CTB.Virginia.gov.

Public Meetings* to be held at the dates, locations and times listed below:

Ft. Hunt/Hollin Hall $579,9007923 Jackson Road

Wonderful one level living in great location! Waynewood Elementary. Gorgeous 3 BR, 2 BA home, fully renovated, with a large contemporary addition that includes a beautiful Great Room w/ a stone fireplace. Unique features throughout home. Stunning kitchen w/silestone counters, maple cabinets, gas cooktop,

SS appliances. Custom-made wide barn door separates bedrooms from living room. Open floor plan. New french doors open to lovely maintenance free deck. Solar outdoor lighting. Lovely landscaping. Privacy fenced bkyd. Large shed. Hardwood floors throughout. All major systems replaced in recent years.

Alex/Engleside $1,300,0008734 Lukens Lane

4.128 acres zones R-2 for sale. There are 2 lots: 4/0 acres w/house (Tax Map 1101 01 0043) and .128 acre vacant land (1101 01 0043A). House on Property sold “AS IS” and NO ACCESS given or allowed. Land Value only. Water, sewer, gas, electricity available. This land is adjacent to the houses on Halley Farm Ct. which were built in the 2010-2011 time frame.

Alex/Mt. Vernon Woods8102 Martha Washington

Precious 3BR, 1BA Rambler – Perfect Starter Home – Double pane windows and updated bath plus wood burning fireplace– Large deck overlooks the beautifully landscaped, deep, fenced backyard-Perfect for the grill. Roof 2016, A/C Compressor 2017, HWH 2018 -- 10 minutes to Ft. Belvoir, 17 mins to Old town, Alex.

COM

ING

SOON

Ft.Hunt/Collingwood on Potomac$729,900

8313 Cedardale DriveBeautiful 5BR/3BA home w/carport in sought after Ft. Hunt community with easy access to GW Pkwy and Mt. Vernon Bike Trail just blocks away. Waynewood Elementary. Home provides lots of space including finished attic as a bonus room.

Hardwood floors throughout 4 of the 5 levels. Anderson glass doors off of dining room lead to large deck overlooking lovely fenced back yard w/garden shed. Updated kitchen and baths. Fireplace in living room. Large family room in lower level is bright and cheerful.

OPEN

SUNDAY

1-4

Alex/Mt. Vernon Grove $670,0009343 Boothe Street

Check out this large, beautiful updated Colonial on a stunning lot, a short walk from the Potomac River. Updated Kitchen & Baths w/ DBL pane windows. 5BRs, all on the upper level-beautiful hdwd

floors on main and upper levels. Large partially finished basement & 2 car garage w/side entry plus circular driveway. 5 minute drive to Ft. Belvoir, 20 mins to South Alexandria. Spectacular home, lot and location at a very reasonable price.

SOLD

Alex/Stratford $589,9002601 Culpeper Road

Lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with carport in popular Stratford on the Potomac. Situated in sought after Stratford Elementary school district. Well maintained home. Replacement windows. Freshly painted interior with refinished hardwood floors. Beautiful landscaping. Updated baths. Family room with gas fire-place. You’ll love it!!

OPEN

SUNDAY

1-4

McLean/Fountains At McLean $234,900

1537 Lincoln Way #304LOCATION!

Beautiful 1BR unit in heart of Tysons near shops/mall/restaurants/metro/495/Toll Rd, commuters dream! Upgraded bathroom & kit w/granite

countertops. Kit w/breakfast bar is open to living room which flows out to spacious private balcony and storage closet. Bedroom w/walk in closet. Full washer & dryer in unit. A MUST SEE!

OPEN

SUNDAY

1-3

OPEN

SUNDAY

1-4

The following incidents were reportedby the Mount Vernon District Police Sta-tion.

PURSUIT: 6300 block of RichmondHighway, Oct. 21, 12:35 a.m. Officerswere called to the area for a car that wasdriving around a parking lot, trying toblock other cars in from leaving. Whenofficers tried to speak with the driver,she drove off hitting an officer’s cruiser.Officers chased her car and ended thepursuit with a precision immobilizationtechnique (PIT) maneuver. The driver,a 46-year-old woman from New York,was arrested and charged with hit andrun, assault on a police officer, speed toelude and reckless driving.

UNLAWFUL INJURY / DESTRUC-TION OF PROPERTY: 8226 Russell

Road (7-11), Oct. 17, 2:26 p.m. Officersresponded to the 7-11 for a man whohad just assaulted several people andwas jumping on the hood of an SUV.Officers found the man in the parkinglot. He took an aggressive stance withthe officers and was not compliant withtheir request. A 34-year-old man fromAlexandria was arrested for unlawfulinjury, destruction of property, obstruc-tion of justice, simple assault,trespassing, and drunk in public.

OCT. 22LARCENIES2700 block of Arlington Drive, pack-

ages from residence2000 block of Huntington Avenue,

purse from location3100 block of Lockheed Boulevard,

cell phone from location8200 block of Russell Road, cigarettes

from businessOCT. 17LARCENIES7900 block of Richmond Highway,

merchandise from business1600 block of Belle View Boulevard,

merchandise from business7700 block of Richmond Highway,

purse from business7900 block of Fort Hunt Road, purse

from business6600 block of Richmond Highway,

merchandise from business8600 block of Richmond highway,

merchandise from business2000 block of Huntington Ave, money

from residence

Crime


News

When a child shows up at a clinic operatedby Neighborhood Health among thethings noted by clinicians is whether the

girl or boy has a heavy warm coat to wear with coldwinter days fast approaching.

In October, Christian Relief Services was madeaware that Neighborhood Health had a backlog ofabout a dozen children on a waiting list for coatsand Executive Director Paul Krizek stepped in tomake that waiting list disappear.

On Oct. 22, Krizek met with Neighborhood HealthDirector of Behavioral Health Courtney Riggle-vanSchagen, LCSW, and Family Support Supervisor HirutBelete to distribute coats to the families of the chil-dren on the waiting list at its Mount Vernon locationat 6677 Richmond Highway.

Thanks to its supporters, Christian Relief Serviceswas able to provide 24 brand new coats to Neigh-borhood Health, more than enough for every childon the waiting list, and enough to distribute to thosewho show up in November and December withoutproper outerwear.

In addition, Christian Relief Services distributed

dozens of pairs of heavy duty, American-made socksto the families helping to keep these children warmoutside all winter long — from head to toe.

Christian Relief Services Executive Director Paul Krizek with Neighborhood HealthDirector of Behavioral Health Courtney Riggle-van Schagen, LCSW, right, and FamilySupport Supervisor Hirut Belete, left, with moms and children grateful to receive anew winter coat.

Providing Winter CoatsAt Neighborhood Health Clinic in Mount Vernon.

Christian Relief Services Executive Director Paul Krizek spoke in Spanish with parentsat Neighborhood Health.

Neighborhood Health Director of Behav-ioral Health Courtney Riggle-van Schagenand Family Support Supervisor HirutBelete, left, matched up coat sizes withchildren.



Opinion

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A Connection Newspaper

By Paul Krizek

State Delegate (D-44)

ThroughoutA m e r i c a nhistory, com-munity col-

leges have provided an im-portant pathway to highereducation for individualsfrom all socioeconomic backgrounds. Theywere founded in the early 20th century withthe belief that a more skilled workforce wouldresult in a stronger workforce. That remainstrue to this day where these schools offer anarray of programs to strengthen our workforceincluding associate degrees, vocational pro-

grams, and certificate pro-grams among many others.These degrees prepare youfor any type of career for a

fraction of the cost of a four-year university.Last month, I was fortunate to tour the North-ern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Al-exandria campus and I want to share what Ilearned.

Here in Northern Virginia, we are lucky tohave one of the best community colleges inAmerica. NOVA has six campuses, is the larg-est in the Commonwealth, and is the 15th larg-est community college in the nation with over75,000 students. You could fill an entire foot-ball stadium with NOVA students. The most

popular degree among students is for IT andCyber Security. We have seen over the past fewyears just how important cybersecurity is andthe technology field is one of the largest grow-ing sectors in the country, especially here inNorthern Virginia. Currently, there are over23,000 job openings in the technology sectorjust in this region. That is the fourth most re-gional job openings in the technology sectoracross the country. But, right now theworkforce pipeline to fill these jobs is insuffi-cient. NOVA prepares its students to fill thisvoid with the necessary degrees, certifications,and internships. So if you know someone look-ing to enter the technology field make sure totell them about the IT and technology pro-grams at NOVA.

For those students looking to receive abachelor’s degree, community college is aninvaluable resource. At NOVA you can pursuevarious different degrees including GeneralStudies. Students are able to finish up all theirgeneral education credits so that the last twoyears can be spent on degree specific work.Additionally, spending the first two years at acommunity college can save families and indi-viduals thousands of dollars while still receiv-ing a quality education. The cost of four-yearcollege continues to skyrocket with the totalstudent loan debt in our country totaling $1.48trillion according to a recent study fromStanford University. After completing yourassociate’s degree, you can head to one of our

many fantastic Virginia schools to completeyour undergraduate degree. Now, one of thekey issues many students face upon gradua-tion is general education credits not transfer-ring correctly. However, NOVA works with uni-versities to facilitate successful credit transfers.Furthermore, NOVA has a joint admissionagreement with George Mason University thatguarantees all classes taken at NOVA will trans-fer to George Mason and is working on secur-ing similar agreements with other Virginiaschools. Here in Mount Vernon and Lee dis-tricts, we are very excited about the prelimi-nary discussions between NOVA, the Board ofSupervisors and School Board for a potentialpartnership between Fairfax County PublicSchools and NOVA for a presence on RichmondHighway. While plans are still in the prelimi-nary stages, this would be a much-needed ad-dition to our community. Currently, the clos-est college is the NOVA campus in Alexandria,which can be problematic for individuals with-out access to consistent transportation.

In Virginia, we are lucky to have greatchoices for higher education in our four-yearand two-year institutions. NOVA is no excep-tion and serves as a model to community col-leges across the country. If you are consider-ing attending or sending a family member tocollege, I strongly encourage you to examinethe opportunities NOVA has to provide to seeif it is the best academic and economic fit. Tolearn more please visit www.nvcc.edu.

Valuing Community College

Commentary

See Letters, Page 12

ProtectFloodplainsTo the Editor:

This spring along the GeorgeWashington Parkway, I was heart-broken to see huge old growth,healthy trees fall down under theirown weight in soil too saturatedto support their roots. My familyenjoys walking the path along theriver, marveling in the history andnature all around us.

My children asked me why aseemingly healthy tree falls to theground and I explained that thesoil is too saturated with water toprovide a strong anchor for the oldgrowth tree roots. I can answer thewhy question, but I can’t answerthe “what can we do now” ques-tion alone.

If this spring is an indication ofwhat we can except for rainfallfrom now on, we need to do moreto maintain floodplains, explorealternatives to the impervious sur-faces that come along with everynew development and developplans for stormwater manage-ment.

The proposed comprehensiveplan amendment to build a resi-dential space in the 100-yearfloodplain of Dogue Creek is adangerous proposition. Flood-

plains are a necessary part of theecosystem, providing a place for

floodwaters to absorb into thesoil and return to surface orgroundwater. Filling in and build-ing on floodplains means you willreduce its storage capacity therebyremoving the ecosystem’s naturalprocess for handling floodwater.Filling in this land to build uponalong with the increased impervi-ous surface from the developmentwill increase the risk of down-stream flooding of communitieswith no little or no flood protec-tions in place.

Maintaining and preservingfloodplains provides many ecosys-tem benefits and can improveproperty values due to natural aes-thetics and access to recreationalopportunities. Maintaining flood-plains can reduce flood

damage and cleanup costs aswell as ensure fast recovery fromflood events because water has aplace to go.

In many areas of the country,flood losses are rising annuallyalong with an increase of environ-mental degradation surroundingwater-related resources. The an-ticipated changes in climate fur-ther affect the

frequency of flood events andrising coastal waters.

Floodplains have been viewed as

suitable sites for human develop-ment provided the structures areelevated to minimize flood dam-age. This ignores the ecosystembenefit of leaving floodplains un-developed to ensure floodwatershave a place to expand. Floodsalone do not cause damage or suf-fering, but our decisions to live,work, and play in floodplains do.Accounting for the flooding pro-cess and avoiding developments infloodplains can effect positivechange in communities.

I urge the Planning Commissionto refuse this change. The Plan-ning Commission should continueto set a strong precedent to pro-tect floodplains to avoid furtherdevelopment along Dogue Creek,Little Hunting Creek and else-where in the county. The proposeddevelopment is within an area des-ignated by Fairfax County as anEnvironmental Quality Corridor(EQC) and part of a Resource Pro-tected Area (RPA). Fairfax Countyguidelines advise to avoid distur-bances in such areas except “inextraordinary circumstances.” De-velopment in this parcel will sub-ject Dogue Creek to additionalpolluted runoff which subjects thePotomac Estuary and greaterChesapeake Bay watershed to in-creased pollution. I support theFairfax County Department of

Planning and Zoning’s recommen-dation to reject the proposed plan.

Kathleen TurkAlexandria

The writer is pursuing her master’s de-gree in environmental management atUMUC.

Redeveloping8800 SiteTo the Editor:

I have been reading the lettersby individuals about the proposedproject at 8800 Richmond High-way. I live a short distance fromthe proposed project and am veryactive in my neighborhood andwith the Mount Vernon Council ofCitizens’ Association (MVCCA)and formerly as a board memberof the SFDC, so I have been veryinvolved in trying to improve Rich-mond Highway, seeing it revital-ize and redevelop. I am shockedby the letters of opposition sent into this paper, as they are a trav-esty.

Six years ago, myself and acouple of neighbors met with thecounty staff (Planning and Envi-ronmental) and asked what wecould do as a neighborhood to fa-cilitate a redevelopment of the

Letters to the Editor


News

The Virginia Department of Transportation isholding a fourth public information meeting andpublic hearing on the Environmental Assessment(EA), part of the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA), Monday, Oct. 29 on plans to improve al-most three miles of Richmond Highway from JeffTodd Way to Napper Road in Fairfax County.

The proposed design will widen the road fromfour to six lanes, provide bike paths and sidewalkson both sides of the road, and reserve the medianwidth necessary to accommodate Fairfax County’sfuture Bus Rapid Transit plans for dedicated bus-

only lanes. Preliminary engineering has been fullyfunded by federal, state, and county sources, aswell as the Northern Virginia Transportation Au-thority. The public is invited to stop by between6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School,8515 Old Mount Vernon Road, to learn more aboutthe project, review preferred design plans and pro-vide input on the Environmental Assessment.VDOT staff will be available to answer questions.A presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

Visit www.virginiadot.org/richmondhighway formore details.

Richmond Highway Corridor Improvements Project limits.

Improving Richmond Highway


News

Local Communities Raises $100,000 for LLSFrom Page 1

The Erlandsons: Mike, 41, Sandi, 40, Carlie,13, Michael, 10, and Gabriel, 6, on the Na-tional Mall before the Light the Night Walk lastyear.

Michael Erlandson and his friends during last year’s LLS Light theNight Walk. His friends are carrying red Ianterns to show support andhe has a white lantern as a survivor.

Sandi Erlandson and MaureenBeddis at the Light the Night Walkon Saturday night.

Michael. It’s bigger than justus. We’re helping currentpatients, future patientswith leukemia, lymphomaand other cancers.”

When Waynewood resi-dents found about Michael’sillness, Beddis said they or-ganized everything to help— from gas to grocery torestaurant gift cards and ameal train delivery for overa year. “They knew someonein our community was inneed and they wanted tohelp,” she added.

Michael’s ordeal started inMay 2014 when he was tiredand not able to keep up withhis friends. When they dis-covered a mass in his chest,he was diagnosed with leu-kemia. His mom said thefirst eight months consistedof intravenous chemo-therapy and spinal taps,which kept him out ofWaynewood Elementarywith low blood counts andhospital stays due to fevers.He began maintenancetherapy in April 2015, which

“She thought it would be family-friendlyand fit with the Waynewood community,”said Beddis, who is vice president of mar-keting at the Vision Council in Old Town.

Mike Erlandson said the money raisedduring the walk principally goes to cancerresearch. “Michael already has a researchgrant in his name that was funded throughthe first couple of walks — of donationsraised in this community, so there is a di-rect line of donations in this communitygoing to help future generations of peoplesuffering with cancer. Hopefully one daywe’ll get a cure. That’s the goal,” he said.

Mike Erlandson said he has Tri-Care cov-erage with the Department of Defense, sohe has no outstanding medical bills fromall the treatments. “Having no out-of-pocketcost gave us the opportunity to say, ‘Hey,

we need to pay this forward.’ Essentially,we weren’t up at night worrying about pay-ing medical bills. Maureen Beddis is theforce that has brought the community to-gether and generated such a wonderfulfund-raising effort,” he said.

Sandi Erlandson added: “She’s a rock star.She organized everything from day one. Ithink everybody in this neighborhood feltit was one of their own that got sick, sowe’re giving back.”

Sandi Erlandson said they absolutely loveColorado Springs. “We miss our friends andfamily out here. It’s a beautiful place. It’sgiven us an opportunity to start over as afamily that doesn’t have cancer. Nobody outthere knows that Michael was sick. Nobodyknows that he had cancer,” she said.

Mike Erlandson said his son’s desire whenthey moved to a new place was that he getsa new start as just another kid and not thekid with cancer. So, he tries to do normalthings like playing ice hockey; rooting forthe Washington Caps and the Nats, andplaying baseball in the spring.

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Supervisors Highlight Bike Efforts in Mount Vernon, Lee DistrictsTour De Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon District Supervisor DanStorck invites all to join him for a communitybike ride on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 8:30 a.m.,starting and ending at the Fort Hunt Park inMount Vernon. There are two routes – a 17-mile route and a 32-mile route.

pave some new parts of that trail,” Storcksaid.

McKay has always been a supporter of abike network in Lee District, as well as anintegral bike network throughout thecounty. “I am pleased to have partneredwith FABB and VDOT to ensure bicycling isan integral part of our transportation net-work,” said McKay. On-road trails are partof McKay’s efforts on Jeff Todd Way and inKingstowne, on Lake Village Drive. Accord-ing to the Fairfax County Department ofTransportation, they are looking to put bikelanes on sections of Brandon Avenue, and

Bland Street in Springfield. Behind EdisonHigh School, Castlewallen Drive has beenrepaved with new striped parking lanes tocalm traffic as well.

“Moving forward, it’s vital that we con-tinue to increase connectivity and access so

that everyone who wants to has the optionto bike. I am committed to continuing tofind appropriate locations and opportuni-ties to make this possible,” McKay said.

One of the needs is a link from CinderBed Road to the Franconia-SpringfieldMetro station, a highlight of the “Cinder BedBikeway,” a project that has been looked atby Fairfax County for a few years. This wason the meeting agenda with help from ChrisWells, the Fairfax County bike and pedes-trian coordinator. Cinder Bed Road is a roadin the western part of the Mount VernonDistrict that is home to warehouses, officesand the Newington bus lot. On the north-ern end of Cinder Bed, where the road ends,

a bike trail continues into the woods alonga creek, and has a connection to IslandCreek that is on Beulah Road. The trailabrupty ends in a wooded area, but haspotential to be a connector to the Metro sta-tion. The first phase of the project wouldhave the bike trail going through thewooded area to the station on the other sideof the rails, and cyclists would park theirbikes and cross a pedestrian bridge to thestation. Currently, pedestrians use thatwalkway when coming in from the BeulahRoad-Island Creek area on foot. “We areworking on the segments along Cinder Bedand north to the Metro,” said Wells, but phaseIII on the map is not part of the plan now.

is daily oral chemo, and once a month hegot intravenous chemo through his port;and every three months he got a spinal tap.He then developed an immune disorderbecause of the first treatments, which ledhim back to the hospital for one month.

Today, Michael is cancer-free; he finishedhis last treatment in November 2017. InJuly, he rang a bell at the Walter Reed Medi-cal Center with his doctors and nurses thatsignifies completion of his treatments. “Sonow he just goes for a checkup once amonth — a complete blood count to checkhis normal blood levels,” said SandiErlandson. Sandi Erlandson began research-ing nonprofits that were connected to theircause and she suggested that they do somefund-raising and get a team to walk withMichael at the LLS Light the Night Event.



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Letters

The Power of PinkMore than 700 participantsjoined together for the thirdannual Walk to Bust CancerOct. 14 at Fort Hunt Park,raising $80,000 for the Na-tional Breast Center Founda-tion to help uninsured andunderinsured women getbreast cancer screenings andtreatment. From left areMartha Carucci, executivedirector of the NationalBreast Center Foundationand walk organizer (holdingJulia Saunders); breastcancer survivor AleseiaSaunders; Dr. DavidWeintritt, founder, NationalBreast Center and Founda-tion; and Alexandria MayorAllison Silberberg. Seewww.nationalbreastcenter.com.

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8800 site. We got background information on thePlan, Zoning, and Environmental factors, all of whichseemed to be trumped by the fact that it is zoned aheavy Commercial category, C-8 along the frontage,while the plan recommendation is for private open-space. That open-space plan recommendation wasimpossible to accomplish as long as it was a C-8.

In 2014 the MVCCA asked former Mount VernonSupervisor Gerry Hyland to authorize a Comprehen-sive Plan Amendment to add a “residential option”to 8800 Richmond Highway. Supervisor Hylandwrote a Board Matter that was approved by theBoard of Supervisors, (BOS). The Board Matter di-rected the county staff to develop a ComprehensivePlan Amendment, (CPA), allowing a “residentialoption” on the site. This action would do two things:1) through redevelopment of the site the commer-cial by right would be removed, and 2) the commu-nity and county would have a shot to remediate theenvironmental issues, through private sector dollars,should a developer be interested.

The staff dragged their feet. When asked for a sta-tus report on the requested CPA by the MVCCA andSupervisor Hyland they stated they would address8800 Richmond Highway as part of the Embark Plan,as it was being written at that time. Then we had anelection, Gerry Hyland stepped down and Dan Storckbecame our new supervisor. The staff finished theEmbark Plan but did not include the C-8 property inthe plan.

Once again, Supervisor Dan Storck asked theBoard of Supervisors, through a Board Matter, todirect staff to write a CPA to add a “residential op-tion” to 8800 Richmond Highway, however, not sup-porting any application at the time, and this is wherewe are now.

I have reviewed all of the technical and engineer-ing reports that were done and provided to thecounty and I am flabbergasted that the informationin them is not being discussed nor addressed by theopposition: Such as the Corps of Engineering wet-lands report and delineation, or the Flood PlainStudy that was approved by the county Departmentof Public Works and Environmental Services.

The Flood Plain Study proved that the currentflood plain lines were incorrect and needed to bechanged. Once the application is approved, the re-ports and appropriate paperwork will be sent toFEMA to correct the lines. We all also need to un-

derstand that the Flood Plain Study concluded thatthis area was not a functioning flood plain either,which the DPWES signed off on. Most of the site thatis proposed for the townhouses is not only not a func-tioning floodplain (has no effect on the actual floodplain), it is above the elevation for the flood plainand is way outside of the wetlands delineation, butis already heavily compacted with rock, macadam-ized with asphalt and filled with concrete footingsfrom 70 years of previous commercial uses. So howis this area that is not a functioning floodplain, not afunctioning EQC or RPA considered for environmen-tal preservation, when the county has stated there isno plan or money to do so? Well clearly that is purebunk.

Around 1990 the current owner’s family donated17 acres of their land to the Fairfax County Park Au-thority, through which Dogue Creek mostly passes,has sat untouched and unnamed. I first heard of PoleRoad Park within the past several months. I laughedwhen I heard this name, thinking, “Well at least wehave a name for this untouched property owned bythe Park Authority.” Also, this site was first devel-oped in 1955 and has been heavily used for over 70years with buildings, parking lots, amusement parkrides, etc Does that make for a site that is a EQC orRPA and is zoned C-8 a pristine environmental andopen-space asset? Of course not.

This proposal will finally cut back on the com-pacted, asphalt and concrete by 40 percent and bringin clean fill that will raise the site above any of thesurrounding areas including the shopping center di-rectly adjacent and the townhomes behind.

This proposal will finally clean up the site and adda true RPA and EQC adjacent to the stream, clean upthe wetlands that are also filled with 70-year-old con-crete slabs and asphalt, remove invasive species andprotect the stream’s banks from further erosion.

Denying the proposal will be a slap in the face ofreal environmental cleanup and protection, a slap inthe face of revitalization of a poor, by- right, zonedC-8 parcel and a slap in the face of an opportunity toclean up and make environmental improvements byadding sorely needed higher end residential on thisneglected portion of the highway. What the oppo-nents are not saying is the other option … will be aC-8 by-right development.

Karen PohoryloAlexandria



See Mastering, Page 27

By Trudi Van Dyke

Mosaic artist Nina Tisara makes herhome in Alexandria nestled in a sce-nic landscape and surrounded by anarray of artwork. The personality of

her living spaces invites introspection and apprecia-tion of her work as well as other pieces she has col-lected.

“Stay close to nature, it will never fail you” (AlbertEinstein) may be the unspoken bond that Nina ex-presses in the intimate and emotionally chargedmosaics she designs. By Immersing herself in herenvironment and using intricately cut shards of tileto create an atmosphere Nina leads her viewers toshare her creative passion by her mastery of a seem-ingly unlikely ancient medium.

Mosaics are a form of decorative art in which smallslices or fragments of pottery are used to create apattern or a picture. The ancient history of using tilesas floor decoration stretches back to 2000 BC. Nina’sindividualistic painterly style is founded in the in-credibly tiny chips she meticulously crafts. Each smalltile is cut numerous times by hand to just the perfectshape. Equally important is the way the colors of herpalette flow from tile to tile capturing the tiniestnuances of shade and hue. After the composition iscompleted the tiles are then grouted into place al-low the spacing to become an integral part of eachoriginal design. “Like sculpting in clay the processallows the image the freedom to evolve,” explains

the artist. I was afforded the privilege to peak over her shoul-

der as she explained the many step processes involvedin fashioning original mosaics. Nina starts with adesign, often an inspiration in nature or contempla-tive pastoral images as jumping off points. The avidand accomplished photographer will sometimes startwith one of her own photos establishing a founda-tion to launch a composition. Then the painstakingprocess gets underway with cutting, arranging, glu-ing, grouting and cleaning and more of each of thesteps before she declares it done. Nina’s work can beidentified by a tiny iconic Gecko discreetly hiddenamong the tiles at the end of the process. In fact,you have to search for it. It implies a satisfaction forthe artist and the viewers sense there is somethingspecial about how the artist mastery of her creativecompositions leads her to “sign” her work with a tinycharm.

She began an art career as a photographer grow-ing from freelance to incorporating her own studioin 1985. Tisara Photography is now owned by herson, an acclaimed photographer, Steven Halperson,leaving Nina to pursue her mosaics as well as amyriad of other activities that contribute to the phil-anthropic fiber of her community.

Nina credits her first mosaic teacher in an adulteducation class, Gene Sterud, as mentor and friendwith encouraging her to tackle the intricacies of the Photo by Steven Halperson/Tisara Photo

“Serenity” by Nina Tisara,11x14 porcelain tile mosaic. 2018.

Entertainment

Mosaics: Mastering an ancient medium.

ONGOINGBeginnings & Endings. Through Oct.

28, at Scope Gallery, 105 NorthUnion St., Studio 19 of the TorpedoFactory, Alexandria. A Ceramic GuildShow offering a timeless tale of clayart focused on starters and sweets.Enter a fairyland of treasures asfrosted cupcakes transform intoshaker and creamer sugar sets andtapas trays bring hand painteddragons and fantastic flora and faunato life. Call Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288, visit www.scopegallery.org,www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/scope.

Exhibit: ‘Autumn Gold.’ ThroughOct. 29, featuring Nina Tisara’sintricate mosaic art at ColdwellBanker Residential Brokerage, 310King St., Alexandria. RSVP [email protected].

Art Exhibit: “Symmetry – Balancein an Asymmetrical World.”Through Oct. 28 at Del Ray ArtisansGallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.,Alexandria. Exhibit showcases theartists’ visions of symmetry. Thecamera, used as a tool, reveals theartist’s vision and produces apersonal – typically evocative oratmospheric, yet balanced –statement. Visitwww.DelRayArtisans.org/event/symmetry.

Pumpkin Patch. Through Oct. 31,Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.;Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. atImmanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606Seminary Road. All net profitssupport the church’s outreachactivities at the community, regionaland international levels. Thepumpkins are grown on the NavajoIndian Reservation near Farmington,New Mexico. Visit www.immanuel-on-the-hill.org for more.

Row by Row Junior. Through Oct.31, local quilt shops like Artistic

Artifacts (4750 Eisenhower Ave.) arewelcoming children participating inRow by Row Junior to their shops.It’s the junior version of thesummertime travel event for quiltmaking fans known as Row by RowExperience. Kids visit shops inperson, collect a free sewing pattern,and find inspiration in colorful,creative world of sewing. At home,families can find free tutorial supportand activities online by visitingwww.rowbyrowexperience.com orwww.artisticartifacts.com for localquilting.

Ghost & Graveyard Tour. ThroughOct. 31, 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Fridayand Saturday. Tour departs fromAlexandria Visitor Center, 221 KingSt., Alexandria. You’ll follow an 18th-century costumed guide by lanternlight through the streets ofAlexandria’s historic district. You’llhear ghost stories, legends andfolklore. You will also hear aboutunsolved mysteries, tales of romanceand angry ghosts looking for revenge.Appropriate for ages 9 and up.Admission: $15 adults; $10 ages 7-17. Call 703-519-1749 or visitwww.alexcolonialtours.com.

Pink Hat Protest Paintings.Through Nov. 4 at The Art LeagueGallery, 105 North Union St., Studio21, in the Torpedo Factory,Alexandria. Through encaustic waxpaintings, Julia Dzikiewicz expressesher perception of rising racism,misogyny, and violence in the UnitedStates. Dzikiewicz creates herimmense, evocative paintings withencaustic wax, an ancient andarchival medium, by fusing layers ofbeeswax, pigment, gesso, and resin.Visit www.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780.

Art Exhibit: Seeing the Light.Through Nov. 6, gallery hours atBroadway Gallery, 5641-B GeneralWashington Drive, Alexandria.

www.metrostage.org.Dollhouse Exhibit. Through

December, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10a.m.-4 p.m. at Alexandria BlackHistory Museum, 902 Wythe St.Alexandria. Exhibit “Our Alexandria”Dollhouse Collection. The exhibitcaptures some of the forgottenbusinesses, people, and institutionsthat made African American familiesstrong – church, school, and family.Other exhibits are also on site.Suggested admission $3 per person.Visit www.alexandriava.gov/museums or call 703-746-4356.

THURSDAY/OCT. 25Open Doors Breakfast. 8-9 a.m. At

Belle Haven Country Club inAlexandria. The event offers acomplimentary breakfast and theopportunity to hear from former andcurrent Community Lodgings clientsin the transitional and affordablehousing, and youth educationprograms. Donations are encouragedto assist the organization in itscontinuous efforts to provide a safeand supportive environment forfamilies facing homelessness.Register at Eventbrite via thefollowing link https://bit.ly/2QOS843.

Spitfire Book Club. 3:30 p.m. atJames M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library,2501 Commonwealth Ave.,Alexandria. A book club for schoolaged girls. Visit alexlibraryva.org formore.

Halloween Spooktacular Concert.5:30-8 p.m. At West Potomac HighSchool, Springbank Auditorium,6500 Quander Road, Alexandria. Jointhe West Potomac Orchestra for the3rd Annual Halloween SpooktacularCarnival and Concert. Carnivalbegins at 5:30 p.m. Food trucks, facepainting, cake walk, costume contest(no masks), and games. Concert

“Seeing the Light: VirginiaLandscapes and Beyond,” is a soloexhibition by Bradley Stevens. Hisstyle is contemporary realism––rooted in classical training, yet boldlydepicting the modern world with hispenetrating eye.

Young at Art Exhibition. ThroughNov. 8, Monday-Friday, 5-10 p.m. atthe Durant Arts Center, 1605Cameron St., Old Town Alexandria.Call 703-746-5560 or [email protected].

Rooms: a Rock Romance. ThroughNov. 11, Thursdays and Fridays at 8,

Saturdays at 3 and 8, Sundays at 3and 7 p.m. at MetroStage inAlexandria. The play is set inGlasgow in the1970s. Monica, anambitious singer-songwriter meetsIan, a reclusive rocker. They quicklybecome entangled creatively andromantically with their music andtheir quest for stardom taking themfrom Glasgow to London andultimately New York City. A grittyrock musical exploring the universaldesire to escape and create, to loveand explore. Tickets are $55. Call thetheatre at 703-548-9044 or visit

CalendarSubmit entertainment announcements at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/.

The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.

Tanya Anisimova, cellist

‘Scottish’ASO presents Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 “Scottish” 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov.

3 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 4915 East Campus Drive, Alexandria andSunday, Nov. 4., 3 p.m. At George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 CallahanDrive, Alexandria. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, led by Music DirectorJames Ross, celebrates the past and present of American music. Featuring TanyaAnisimova, cellist. Tickets: $20-$80 adult, $5 youth, $10 student. Visitwww.alexsym.org or 703-548-0885.

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Entertainment

By Hope Nelson

It doesn’t take much time in Alexan-dria to realize that this city does Hal-loween right. And the festivities aren’tlimited to Oct. 31; rather, they stretch

out over weeks, with decorations poppingup citywide as soon as October begins andevents lingering all month long. Here are afew must-visit restaurants, cafes and bars

to visit to get into the spirit.Costumes optional, but al-ways encouraged.

Halloween Dogfish Head TapTakeover at Sweet Fire Donna’s,Oct. 27

Carlyle’s popular barbecue joint becomeshome to the neighborhood’s spiciest Hal-loween party, complete with costume con-test and food specials. Taste an array ofDogfish Head favorites to wet your whistleand aim to get a prize for your top-tier dis-

guise. 510 John Carlyle St. 6 p.m.-1 a.m.

Monster’s Ball at Chadwicks, Oct.27

Cocktails, costumes, ghoulish eats and aphoto booth are the name of the game atChadwicks’ celebration of the season. A DJwill be spinning tunes, so get ready to danceand kick off Halloween week. 203 TheStrand, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

West End Farmer’s Market Hallow-een Parade, Oct. 28

Bring your kids and dogs out to thefarmer’s market – in disguises, naturally –for a Sunday parade at the farmer’s mar-ket. And bring your family’s A-game: Thebest costumes, for humans and animals, willwin a prize. Then stick around to trick-or-treat at the vendors’ tents for the rest of theday. 4800 Brenman Park Drive. 10 a.m.

Post-Parade Patio Party at Stomp-

ing Ground, Oct. 28In Del Ray for the Halloween parade?

Stick around the neighborhood’s favoriteSouthern-fried brunch-and-lunch spot tochow down on a special limited menu’sworth of fare. Word on the street is, thekitchen will be doling out some sausageballs for the occasion. 2309 Mount VernonAve. 3-6 p.m.

“Hallo-WINE” Big Red Night atSonoma Cellar, Oct. 30

Take a spin through six red wines at anautumn-themed tasting at Sonoma Cellar.These robust reds come from the likes ofCass Winery, Etude Winery, Stags Leap andmore. “Trick or treat like a grownup,” thecafé urges, and with this lineup you’ll cer-tainly be well on your way. 207 King St.6:30 p.m. $25.

Halloween at Brabo, Oct. 31Brabo’s Chef Sebastien Rondier is on tap

to debut his “Roasted Pumpkin MoulesFrites,” mussels paired with roasted pump-kin and cream sauce, to kick All Hallow’sEve off in style. At the bar, get into the Hal-loween spirit in more ways than one withthe La Sorciere, featuring chile liqueur, gin-ger beer, agave and lime juice. 1600 KingSt.

Hole in the Wall Halloween atCaptain Gregory’s, Oct. 31

Join the other guests at Captain Gregory’sfor a spooky evening filled with themedcocktails and festive eats. The intimatespeakeasy will be transformed into Hallow-een Headquarters, so don’t forget to wearyour best costume in order to raise yourchances of winning a prize. 804 N. HenrySt. 7-10 p.m. $75.

Hope Nelson owns and operates the KitchenRecessionista blog, located atwww.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any timeat [email protected].

7 Places to Eat, Drink Your Way Through Halloween

Appetite

begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free,donations are welcome. Visit:www.westpotomacorchestra.org

Historian Peter Stark. 7 p.m. AtGeorge Washington’s Mount Vernon,3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.,Alexandria, in the Robert H. andClarice Smith Auditorium. Free. PeterStark presents “Young Washington:How Wilderness and War ForgedAmerica’s Founding Father.” Visitwww.mountvernon.org.

NOW THRU DECEMBER.Dollhouse Exhibit. At Alexandria

Black History Museum, 902 WytheStreet, Alexandria. Exhibit “OurAlexandria” Dollhouse Collectioncaptures some of the businesses,people and institutions that madeAfrican American families strong-church, school and family. Otherexhibits are also on site. Suggestedadmission $3 per person. Hours areTuesdays to Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/museum or call 703-746-4356.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 25-28Book Sale. At Ellen Coolidge Burke

Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road,Alexandria. Come support the libraryand pick up books, CDs, and DVDs atdiscounted prices. Free. ContactAnton Murray [email protected].

FRIDAY/OCT. 26Artist Reception & Halloween

Party. 6-9 p.m. Torpedo FactoryArtists @ Mosaic, 105 District Ave.,Fairfax. Artists display theirinterpretation of ‘animal, vegetable,mineral’ through a variety ofmediums in a new show at TorpedoFactory Artists @ Mosaic. Theexhibition will be on display throughNov. 18 and the gallery is openWednesday through Sunday from 11a.m. - 7 p.m

Zombie Escape. 6:30-10 p.m. atCarlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street,Alexandria. Cost is $30/online; $40/door. D.C. was one of the first citiesto fall when the apocalypse began. Assuch, Alexandria was a close seconddue to proximity. Now, you mustnavigate your way through zombieinfested territory to claim what

supplies are on your list and make itback to your base safely. Call 703-549-2997.

Bark or Treat Canine Cruise. 6:30p.m. and 8 p.m. At Alexandria CityMarina, 1 Cameron Street,Alexandria. Come out with yourcostumed canine and cruise to someHalloween tunes along the Potomac.Halloween treats will be on board. Besure to have your four-legged friendin their best costume. Admission: $20adults; $15 ages 2-11; dogs free. Visitthe websitewww.potomacriverboatco.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/OCT. 26-27Ghostly Tales. 7-10 p.m. at Carlyle

House, 121 N. Fairfax Street,Alexandria. Tickets: $5. Joinstorytellers from Alexandria’sFootsteps to the Past and onSaturday join storytellers fromCarlyle House on the front lawn forghostly tales of Alexandria’s past. $5per person. No registration required.Call 703-549-2997.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 26-28Grief & Ghost Tours. 7:30-9:30 p.m.

at Lee-Fendall House Museum &Garden, 614 Oronoco Street,Alexandria. Cost $10. CelebrateHalloween with a look at Victorian

mourning traditions coupled with storiesof deaths and mysterious encountersat the Lee-Fendall House. Learn moreabout the rituals and customs behindour modern day funeral practices.Tours will be offered starting at 7:30p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. Visitthe website www.leefendallhouse.org

SATURDAY/OCT. 27Waterfront Beer Garden. At

Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street,Alexandria. Sponsored by Port CityBrewing Company. Enjoy award-winning craft beer plusentertainment. Enjoy Port City’sPorter, Optimal Wit, Colossal 7 andthe newest beer in their Lager Series,Baltic Porter. The beer garden alsofeatures DJ G from 2 to 4 p.m.,American Beer History Trivia from4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and bites fromMia’s Italian Kitchen from 2 to 7 p.m.

3rd Annual Tour de MountVernon. 8:30 a.m. at Fort Hunt Park

in Mount Vernon. Join SupervisorDan Storck for a community bike ridein the Mount Vernon District. Riderswill have the option of riding a 32-mile route, or just joining in for thefirst 17 miles for a shorter route.Thisride will showcase the many hiddentreasures, cultural and environmentalresources The Mount Vernon Districthas to offer.

Coastal Cleanup. 9-11 a.m. AtOronoco Bay Park, 100 MadisonStreet, Alexandria. This cleanup hasbeen coordinated by Clean VirginiaWaterways for the last 23 years, andis also sponsored by the City’sDepartment of Transportation andEnvironmental Services (T&ES)Stormwater Management Divisionand Public Works Services Division,and the Department of Recreation,Parks, and Cultural Activities(RPCA). Volunteers will meet at theend of Madison Street near theRowing Clubhouse. RSVP to WisdomGbediame [email protected] Oct. 25. Registration will occur atthe end of Madison Street onSaturday morning.

Kayak Cleanups at Four Mile Run.9 a.m.-noon at The Conservatory

Center at Four Mile Run Park, 4109Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Parkingdetails will be provided to those whoRSVP. The Four Mile RunConservatory Foundation willcontinue to deploy its fleet of kayaksto collect litter along the streambankof Four Mile Run this fall. Visitwww.fourmilerun.org for more.

Trick-or-Treat with the Boo-tiques.Starts at 10 a.m. Throughout OldTown Alexandria. Free. Start trick-or-treating early and stop by the dozensof shops of the Old Town BoutiqueDistrict dishing out treats to goblinsand ghouls of all ages beginning atopen of business. Visitwww.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com

Walking with Washington. 10 a.m.-12 noon. At Alexandria Visitor Center(Ramsay House), 221 King Street,Alexandria. Free. Explore importantsites associated with GeorgeWashington in his hometown ofAlexandria. This guided walking tourof historic Old Towne coverssignificant people and events inWashington’s life and in Americanhistory. No reservations required.Visit www.washingtonbirthday.com

Opening Day of LibraryFestivities. 10 a.m. starts. At John

Marshall Library, 6209 Rose HillDrive, Alexandria. Join library staffand the community for Opening Dayfestivities, including ribbon cuttingceremony with VIPs at 10 a.m., 123Andrés at 11 a.m. There will bemonsters, storytime, music byRitorno a Musica, teen gaming,technology open house, face paintingand glitter tattoos.

Halloween Pumpkin Hunt. 10:30a.m.-4 p.m.At Lee-Fendall HouseMuseum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St.,Alexandria. Cost $5/adults; $15/children. Alexandria’s ghosts andgoblins will fill the garden withhundreds of colorful toy-filledpumpkins for children to discover.Other activities include crafts to takehome, a sticker station, temporarytattoos, spooky stories, a costumeparade with prizes as well as drinksand refreshments. Every participatingchild receives a pumpkin — nepumpkin in each of the pumpkinhunt sessions will have a certificatefor a special prize hidden inside.Costumes encouraged. [email protected]. Visitwww.leefendallhouse.org.

Archaeology Waterfront WalkingTours. 11 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m. at

Calendar

Del Ray Halloween ParadeThe 22nd Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade takes place on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. Allare welcome to march in the parade along Mount Vernon Avenue, which begins at E.Bellefonte Ave. and ends with a party at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center fields featur-ing live music, free refreshments, children’s games, awards for Best Decorated Stroller,House, Business & Best Pet Costume, and more. The event is free and open to all. Formore information, visit www.visitdelray.com/halloween. Free costume distribution forchildren in need will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mt.Vernon Recreation Center.


Entertainment

the foot of King Street at the site ofInterim King Street Park, and end atHotel Indigo. As part of the PortsideHistory series of activities at the OldTown waterfront, join an expert-ledtour to learn more about newdiscoveries, significant finds, and thehidden history that has been revealedthrough historical documentary dataand excavation. Tickets are $20 perperson with proceeds from the tourgoing to the Save our Ship fund.Advance registration required. [email protected] orcall 703-746-4399.

Howl-O-Ween. 2-4 p.m. At Lena’sWood-Fired Pizza and Tap, 401 E.Braddock Road, Alexandria. “Howl-O-Ween” is the Animal WelfareLeague of Alexandria’s (AWLA)annual canine costume contest.Costumed canine contestants canenter as a solo act or a themed groupof up to three dogs with one handler.Advance registration is $25 for onecostumed entry (individual or group,including one person) and $10 toattend. Children under the age of 12can attend for free. All registrationsinclude 10 free tickets with whichattendees can vote for their favoritecostumed canines, and the top threecostumed entries will receive prizesprovided by Alexandria RestaurantPartners. Visit www.AlexandriaAnimals.org/Howl-O-Ween2018.

Copyright Issues. 2 p.m. At LocalHistory/Special Collections Library,717 Queen Street, Alexandria. Free.Come learn about copyright and howyou can and cannot use materials fordisplay or online and traditionalpublication. Contact Anton Murray [email protected].

Trick-or-Treating at MountVernon. 3:30-6:30 p.m. At GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernon. Join thecostumed interpreters for a special

opportunity to trick-or-treat in thehistoric area, and a special scavengerhunt is available for our moreadventurous guests. All trick-or-treaters are invited to join in thechildren’s costume parade around theMansion at 5 p.m. Special tradedemonstrations, like wool carding,spinning, and fish net making, willtake place in the historic area.Tickets: $14/adult (12 and up); $8/youth (11 and under). Generaladmission tickets are sold out, butadditional tickets are available forMount Vernon members. Call 703-780-2000 to reserve your tickets.Visit www.mountvernon.org/halloween

Escape the Sanderson Witches.6:30-10 p.m. At Carlyle House, 121N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria. TheSanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocushave returned; this time to a new citywith new hopes of having cluelesschildren at their beck and call. Whilethey hunt for a new lease on life,your group must pass severalobstacles to ensure the children inthe city are safe. Only a spell fromthe very book that brought them backcan send them back from where theycame. Work together, solve thepuzzles quickly, and banish thewitches using a spell of your own.Admission: $30 online; $40 at thedoor. For tickets, visitwww.novaparks.com.

Masquerade Ball. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St., Alexandria. Cost $45.Inspired by the season, disguiseyourself and dance the night away atthe Masquerade Ball at Gadsby’sTavern Museum. Come dressed inyour favorite pre-19th centurycostume and don’t forget your mask.Enjoy live music, English countrydancing, cash bar and dessert

collation. Pre-19th century periodattire or cocktail attire welcome.Reservations required. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov.

SUNDAY/OCT. 28Doggie Trick-or-Treat. 1-3 p.m. At

The Dog Park, 705 King St.,Alexandria. It’s that time of yearagain. You and your family —especially your doggies — are invitedto come to Old Town and trick-or-treat together. They will have treats,sales and a costume contest. Come toThe Dog Park in Old TownAlexandria to get your map and havepictures taken, then tour the rest ofthe participating stores to get moretreats and find a sale or two in town.Visit www.thedogparkva.biz

Del Ray Halloween Parade. 2 p.m.The parade, which begins at E.Bellefonte Avenue, ends with a partyat the Mt. Vernon Recreation Centerfields featuring live music, goodiebags for children, free refreshments,children’s games, awards for BestDecorated Stroller, House, Businessand Best Pet Costume. The event isfree and open to all. Among theevents: Pet Costume Contest andStroller Decorating Contest. Fordetails and categories, visitwww.visitdelray.com/halloween.Spooky Bean Halloween: After theparade from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.,families can enjoy the Spooky BeanHalloween Maze, constructed byBean Creative. This free event isappropriate for all ages, and locatedon the 2200 block of Mount VernonAvenue. Visit www.visitdelray.com/halloween.

OCT. 29-31Special Halloween Ghost Tour. 7

Art Exhibit: ‘Symmetry –Balance in an Asymmetrical World.’

Exhibit showcases the artists’ visions of symmetry. The camera, used as a tool,reveals the artist’s vision and produces a personal – typically evocative or atmo-spheric, yet balanced – statement. Through Oct. 28 at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Visit www.DelRayArtisans.org/event/symmetry.

Symmetry – Balance in an Asymmetrical Worldpostcard, photograph by David Heckman.


Entertainment

p.m. Tours starts at the AlexandriaVisitor Center, 221 King St.,Alexandria. It wraps through theback roads of Old Town stopping atplaces like The Christmas Attic, JohnDouglas Brown House, OldPresbyterian Meeting House, andmany more. Tour takes visitors pastChrist Church to other less-visitedstops like the Freedom House. Ateach stop guides cover a briefbackground of the location, whathorrible event occurred there, andwhat modern day paranormalphenomenon was detected.Admission: $12 adults; $10 seniorcitizens and students, active dutymilitary and veterans; $5 children;free for ages 5 and under. Visithttps://discoveralexva.wordpress.com.

TUESDAY/OCT. 30Halloween Party. 6-8:30 p.m. at Ivy

Hill Cemetery, 2823 King Street,Alexandria. Volunteer Alexandria’sHalloween Party in partnership withIvy. No speeches or program — justfun. Join them for some cool air atthe cemetery’s vault, best costumeaward, a tour, live music, readings,food, beer and wine, and networkingopportunity. [email protected] or703-836-2176. Visitwww.ivyhillcemetery.net.

Getting to Know Ghana. 7 p.m. AtKate Waller Barrett Branch Library,717 Queen Street, Alexandria. JesusKotei will share an insider’s accountof the historically rich country ofGhana. Free. Contact Anton Murrayat [email protected]. Visitthe website atwww.alexlibraryva.org.

OCT. 30 AND 31Poe in Alexandria. 7:30-9:15 p.m. at

The Alexandria History Museum atThe Lyceum, 201 S. WashingtonStreet, Alexandria. Actor David Keltzrecreates one of Edgar Allen Poe’s19th-century speaking engagements.This year’s program will includeCritical Reviews, Hymn, The Cask ofAmontillado, The Pit & the

Pendulum, The Raven, and Eldorado.Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and theperformance runs 8–9:15 p.m., eachnight. Cost $15. Call 703-746-4994.Reserve online atshop.alexandriava.gov.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 31Trick-or-Treat. 5-7 p.m. At Carlyle

House, 121 N. Fairfax St.,Alexandria. Free. Join them for agood old fashioned trickery andtreats. Bring your little ghosts,goblins, princesses and action heroesto one of Alexandria’s most haunteddwellings for a fun evening of freetrick-or-treating, games, and crafts.

THURSDAY/NOV. 1Music Makers. 4 p.m. At Beatley

Central Library, 5005 Duke Street,Alexandria. Free class goes from Nov.1, 8, 15, 29. Practice your rhythm bymaking music as a group withpercussion instruments. Ages 6-8.Visit www.alexlibraryva.org.

FRIDAY/NOV. 2Computer Basics Class. 10:15 a.m.

At Ellen Coolidge Burke BranchLibrary, 4701 Seminary Road,Alexandria. Free. Learn the basics ofusing a computer with an

overview of Windows 7 and MicrosoftOffice 2010 applications. Also findout the best strategies for locatinginformation on the Internet. Visitwww.alexlibraryva.org

Opening Reception: “ConnectingThreads.” 7-9 p.m. At Del RayArtisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.,Alexandria. The exhibit features thework of regional artists showcasingtraditional and non-traditional waysto manipulate fiber and highlightsnarratives where textiles and fibertrigger nostalgia. See the exhibit anddonate new towels for Carpenter’sShelter from Nov. 2-25. Visitwww.DelRayArtisans.org/event/connecting-threads

NOV. 2-25Art Exhibit: “Connecting

In ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’Metro School of the Arts students rehearse for “BillyElliot the Musical.” The six MSA students were selected tojoin the 10-time Tony Award winning musical cast, thatwill be performed at Signature Theatre from Oct. 30 –Jan. 6, 2019. Back row (from left): Sofia Cruz, SimoneStraub-Clark, Anya Jones, and Jacob Anderson. Front row(from left): Annie Dodson and Maya Stumpf. Tickets canbe purchased at www.sigtheatre.org. The Academy atMetropolitan School of the Arts is a college preparatoryperforming arts program for emerging young artists,grades 7-12; see www.metropolitanarts.org.

Photo courtesy of Metro

School of the Arts

Calendar


SHOW DATES:

OCT. 13 - NOV. 3, 2018

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

www.thelittletheatre.com

Gothic horror comes to life – and death – on stage.Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a

wickedly theatrical picture of the world’s most famous vampire.

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From Page 22

Entertainment

medium. She did her first mosaic in 2004 and im-mediately became hooked on the quality of its medi-tative process to find just the right pieces of unglazedporcelain to interpret the composition.

At her most mesmerizing and inspiring her worktackles and interprets nature by indulging many lay-ers of respect for the beauty of creation. The smallwork “Ode to Spring” demonstrates how the artistcan see through the iconic cherry blossom depictionsand transform them in a more meaningful and per-haps even spiritual experience. The 24” square “Au-tumn Symphony” uses both horizontal and verticalinterpretations to provide immersion into the fullspectrum of fall. It is almost as if the season is beingcaptured by the spirit of the trees as they prepare forthe coming winter. The linear effect of the leavescaptures the slow process so often taken for grantedwith changing seasons.

Equally powerful and understated mosaics presentwith a three dimensional effect by harnessing thepatterns of shape and color in the landscape. Ninacaptures each season in individual works and pon-

ders and interprets the forest with thoughtful careand planning. It is easy to imagine the artist in peace-ful indulgences, much as a poet, translating herthoughts into tiny chips to achieve work sought af-ter by her collectors.

“Serenity” tackles a different challenge. One ofseveral works with an ethnic inspiration she trans-forms a figurative study into a mosaic portrait. Herinterpretation of the personality of the woman iscaptured with nuances of her facial features as wellas the drapes and folds of the fabric enhancing herpose. As in all her work the background successfullyplays the difficult role of receding and yet enhanc-ing the subject.

This widely collected artist has been included innumerous group exhibitions but her work can bemost appreciated when given the opportunity to viewit in a serene setting. The artist will present her workat the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Nov. 2 - Dec.28. She can be reached for more information about“adopting” or commissioning her work by [email protected].

Trudi Van Dyke is an independent fine art curator, specializ-ing in fine craft, and formerly director of the Torpedo Factory.

Threads.” At Del Ray Artisans,2704 Mount Vernon Ave.,Alexandria. The exhibit features thework of regional artists showcasingtraditional and non-traditional waysto manipulate fiber and highlightsnarratives where textiles and fibertrigger nostalgia. See the exhibit anddonate new towels for Carpenter’sShelter from Nov. 2-25. Visitwww.DelRayArtisans.org/event/connecting-threads

SATURDAY/NOV. 3Classic Car Show. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. At

River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Drive,Alexandria. Meet at River Farm forcars, food, and fun. Registration: $20per show car. Spectators: $5 (walk-inor bicycles, kids under 12 free); $10(per car). For more information, [email protected] benefit the AmericanHorticultural Society and itsheadquarters, River Farm. [email protected]. Visitthe website www.ahsgardening.org.

First Tour. 11 a.m. At Kate WallerBarrett Branch Library, 717 QueenStreet, Alexandria. Free. Come learnabout the unique treasures held atthe Local History / SpecialCollections the first Saturday of everymonth. Visit the website:www.alexlibraryva.org

”Bound to the Fire.” 11 a.m.-12:30p.m. At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum,134 N. Royal Street, Old TownAlexandria. Historical archaeologistand historian, Kelley Deetz, willdiscuss her new book, Bound to theFire: How Virginia’s Enslaved CooksHelped Invent American Cuisine.Cost is $12 per person and $10 forFOAA/ASPBH members. Tickets maybe purchased online atwww.Alexandriava.gov/Shop.

Story Time for Little Historians. 11a.m. At The Alexandria Black HistoryMuseum, 902 Wythe Street,Alexandria. Every first Saturday of themonth at 11 a.m. the Alexandria BlackHistory Museum will host a children’sstory time in the Alexandria BlackHistory Museum. This week: BabyRattlesnake bold by Te Ata. Join usfor cultural stories and creative craftactivities that introduce world historyand folklore. Explore the museumexhibits afterwards to learn aboutlocal Black History. For a limited time,

complete the scavenger hunt for ourspecial dollhouse exhibition and takehome a prize. All ages welcome, butmost suitable for children 4 – 7 yearsold. Admission is $3 per person. Call703-746-4356.

Betsey Mason’s Letter. 2 p.m. AtMartha Washington Library, 6614Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria.Associate Curator Jessie MacLeod,from George Washington’s MountVernon, will provide a presentation:“Thank God it is now in your hands”:Unpacking Betsey C. Mason’s Letterto John Augustine Washington III.MacLeod will connect Mason’s letterwith a key journal entry byMagistrate John AugustineWashington III on the 1845 trial offive enslaved men from Huntley fortrespassing. Call 703-768-2525.

Country-Western Dance. 7-9:30 p.m.At Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710North Chambliss Street, Alexandria.The Northern Virginia Country-Western Dance Association will holda dance. Lessons, 6-7 p.m. Opendancing, 7-9:30 p.m. A DJ providesmusic. 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. Visitwww.nvcwda.org.

ASO Presents: Mendelssohn’sSymphony No. 3 “Scottish.” 8p.m. at Rachel M. SchlesingerConcert Hall, 4915 East CampusDrive, Alexandria. The AlexandriaSymphony Orchestra, led by MusicDirector James Ross, celebrates thepast and present of American music.Featuring Tanya Anisimova, cellist.Tickets: $20-$80 adult, $5 youth,$10 student. Visit www.alexsym.orgor 703-548-0885.

SUNDAY/NOV. 4Fall Festival FUNdraiser. 2-5 p.m. At

Agudas Achim Congregation, 2908Valley Drive, Alexandria. Fall FestivalFundraiser benefitting Agudas AchimPreschool. There will be games,prizes, crafts, bounce house, facepainting, a petting zoo (from 2-3:30p.m.) and music by Alexandria’sRainbow Rock Band (starting at 3:30p.m.). Email:[email protected]. Visit

the website: https://www.facebook.com/events/470913836727081/

ASO Presents: Mendelssohn’sSymphony No. 3 “Scottish.” 3p.m. At George Washington MasonicMemorial, 101 Callahan Drive,Alexandria. With pre-concert talk at2:15 p.m. The Alexandria SymphonyOrchestra, led by Music DirectorJames Ross, celebrates the past andpresent of American music. FeaturingTanya Anisimova, cellist. Tickets:$20-$80 adult, $5 youth, $10student. Visit www.alexsym.org or703-548-0885.

Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. 7 p.m. AtGeorge Washington MasonicMemorial, 101 Callahan Drive,Alexandria. The Nordic Fiddlers Blocis a fiddle trio from Norway, Swedenand the Shetland Islandsºwhose useof harmony, rhythm, riffs and basslines creates a sound that leaves thelistener enthralled but at the sametimeºdumbfounded that the soundonly comes from three fiddles.Tickets $18/advance; $20/door. Fortickets, visit http://www.focusmusic.org/buy-tickets.Contact Herb Levy [email protected] or 703-380-3151.

MONDAY/NOV. 5Poetry Workshop. 6:30-8 p.m. at

Durant Arts Center, 1605 CameronSt., Alexandria. “Building CulturalBridges” with Wendi R Kaplan, PoetLaureate. At these workshops, poetrycan be read and written. The PoetLaureate and literary programs arepart of the Office of the Arts, adivision of the AlexandriaDepartment of Recreation, Parks andCultural Activities. The workshopsare free; to register, RSVP [email protected] or visitwww.alexandriava.gov/Arts.

WEDNESDAY/NOV. 7Dino-vember. 4 p.m. At Kate Waller

Barrett Branch Library, 717 QueenStreet, Alexandria. Free. SimpleSTEAM activities with a dinosaurtheme. All materials supplied, noregistration required. For childrenages 5 and up. Visit the website:www.alexlibraryva.org.

Mastering an Ancient Medium

Calendar


Sports

By Jon Roetman

The Gazette

Members of theWest Potomacfield hockeyteam entered

the Gunston District tourna-ment final confident that theycould play with defendingchampion T.C. Williams.

When senior captainGabrielle Vitali scored in thethird minute of the Oct. 18contest, the Wolverines be-lieved they could win.

Vitali scored the game’slone goal with 27:40 remain-ing in the first half, freshmangoalkeeper Jillian Ward hadmultiple key saves and WestPotomac captured its first dis-trict championship in morethan two decades with a 1-0victory over T.C. Williams atthe Minnie Howard Campusin Alexandria.

The Titans held a 10-1 ad-vantage in penalty cornersand spent much of the con-test on the attack, but theWolverines found a way tomake Vitali’s goal hold up.

The district championshipwas West Potomac’s first since

they believed they could win and [the goal]just helped to solidify [that it could hap-pen].”

T.C. Williams, the tournament’s No. 1seed, defeated West Potomac, the No. 2seed, twice during the regular season, eachtime by a score of 1-0.

A pair of one-goal results proved theWolverines could hang with the Titans.Getting the goose egg off the scoreboard,

however, took their confidence to a differ-ent level.

“I think knowing that we can score onthem, just in general, gave us a lot of confi-dence that we can actually do this,” Vitalisaid. “Every other game we play, it is al-ways 1-0, them. (With) us scoring, we werelike, oh, we actually have a chance at this.”

Vitali was a second-team all-district se-lection at forward.

“She is a very hard-working se-nior that has really come into herposition in the last couple games,”Hubbard said. “She has just been aspark for us. She has scored somebig goals — she scored [the] game-winning goal against Hayfield, aswell. She’s just really come on as aplayer and helped to lead theteam.”

While Vitali’s goal took care of theoffense, Ward, who is in her firstseason playing field hockey, was akey contributor to the WestPotomac defensive effort.

“She came into a position wherewe just sort of threw her in thegoal,” Hubbard said, “and she hascome up big for us and has playedbetter and better as the season hasgone on and she has gotten moreconfident. She is a rock star. She issomeone to look for next year. Sheis going to be a really, really goodplayer.”

The Titans kept the pressure onwith multiple corners late in thesecond half, but Ward and the Wol-verines preserved the shutout.

How did Ward, who garnered all-district honorable mention, keepfrom getting nervous?

“Oh, I was so nervous,” she said.“I was shaking.”

Well, how did Ward keep hercomposure?

“Deep breaths,” she said. “Justtrying to stay calm. Talking to myteammates when we [were defend-ing] corners helps me calm downa little bit. Knowing that we canwin this really helped me, I think.”

The victory improved WestPotomac’s record to 13-5.

“[Winning a district champion-ship] is unbelievable,” saidHubbard, who has coached theWolverines for a decade. “It is a lotof hard work. It is 10 years of build-ing a program from not a very goodprogram to something that can wina championship. It means every-thing. It’s just amazing.”

Junior forward Bella DeMaso,senior midfielder and captain ClareMadden and sophomore defenderKatie Jo Moery were first-team all-district selections for the Wolver-ines. Senior forward LaurenMcDonald, senior midfielder andcaptain Samantha Ward and jun-

ior defender Halle Jackson earned second-team honors.

Next up for the Wolverines is a Region6C tournament quarterfinal game at 7 p.m.on Thursday, Oct. 25 at West Potomac HighSchool.

“[Winning a district title] is such a bigdeal,” Vitali said. “I don’t think WestPotomac field hockey has won in over 20years. … It is such a joy to bring this homeand hang it up. We’re all very happy.”

West Potomac Field Hockey Wins Gunston District TitleWolverines win first district championship since 1995.

The West Potomac field hockey team won the Gunston District championship bydefeating T.C. Williams 1-0 on Oct. 18 in Alexandria.

Freshman goalkeeper Jillian Ward, left, and the West Potomac field hockey team shutout top seed T.C. Williams during the Gunston District championship game on Oct. 18.

“I think knowingthat we can score onthem, just ingeneral, gave us a lotof confidence thatwe can actually dothis.”

— Senior CaptainGabrielle Vitali

1995, according to Director ofStudent Activities AaronHelmick.

“We were coming in withreally high intensity and Ithink [Vitali’s goal] justproved that they weren’t quiteready for us,” West Potomachead coach Dana Hubbardsaid.

“We just gave it everything we canand didn’t really change how we weregoing to go after it. We knew weneeded to keep the intensity up andkeep them from scoring against us.

“This team has been playing betterand better as the season has gone onand I think this is just validation [of]all the hard work. I think they believedit from the start. On the bus ride over,

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Schools

Parade of ChampionsThe West Potomac High School Marching Band competed at the James MadisonUniversity’s Parade of Champions event on Saturday, Oct. 20t and won third placeout of the 12 bands who competed in Class AAAAA competition. This was the 41stannual band competition at JMU, and the highest placement for the Wolverines inthe AAAAA class. This annual regional event had bands participating from Virginia,Maryland, and North Carolina.

Grand Champion AwardOn Saturday, Oct. 13, the West Potomac Marching band traveled to two marching bandcompetitions. At Hylton High School in Woodbridge, the band won their overall divi-sion. At the 2018 Stafford Showcase at Stafford High School in Fredericksburg, theWolverines came away with first place in five categories: auxiliary, general effect,band, visual and music. They were awarded first overall in the 5A division and re-ceived Grand Champion over all classes. The West Potomac band is under the directionof Steve Rice and Mike Jensen.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

There I was, Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, around 6:30, sitting on my living room couch, club sandwich in hand, preparing for the League Championship Series game 5 between my Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros when as I’ve done a thousand times before, grabbed the remote to turn on the television. Pressing the usual button, I was distressed to see no picture and hear no sound. Having experienced this kind of disappointment numerous times before, I didn’t panic yet. I went about the diagnostic

I checked my remote to see if the batteries

pointed the remote back at the television, but still no response.. Next, as I have been prompted previously under similar circumstances (“Your X-1 platform ... .”), I pulled the plug and waited 30-plus seconds before reconnecting. Thirty seconds later, I re-plugged and still my television

check the status of my computer since they’re “cableized” together. The lights on my modem

one of my desk top icons and was met with the

my worst suspicion. For the moment, 90 minutes before game time, I was out of service (heck, I was out of luck). Finally, I called my cable pro-

I was met with the equally dreaded pre-recorded message: “There has been a service interruption in your area. Service is expected to be restored tomorrow afternoon.” “TOMORROW AFTER-NOON? THE GAME IS TONIGHT!” That was the exclamation I can print. What came next was not particularly complimentary.

For the next hour or so I puttered and mut-tered and did nothing to improve my circum-stances. At 9:30 pm I called my brother to get a score. (He lives in Washington, DC and has a

phone, a k a “stupid phone”). Unfortunately, he had left his cell phone in another room and didn’t hear my call. Frustrated, I swore yet again and trudged upstairs to go to bed. After getting into my “jammies,” I laid down in bed and rolled onto my left side to set the alarm on my clock radio when it hit me (not the clock radio); the baseball game is being broadcast on the radio! And so I scrolled the dial on the clock radio until I heard ESPN radio broadcasters John Shambee and Jessica Mendoza calling the game. If I can’t watch the game, I can certainly listen to it. And so I did, just like I did as a “little-leaguer” all those many years ago listening to Ken Coleman and Ned Martin of the “Boston Red Sox radio network” while living on Athelstane Road in Newton Centre, Ma. Except this time, I wasn’t clutching a transistor radio. I was hands free, listening.

For the next nearly three hours, I laid in bed and listened. Most of the broadcast I heard and some of it I missed as occasionally I fell asleep. But for a time I was transported back in time sort of, before cable television proliferated when the games were broadcast almost exclusively on radio and baseball was seen through the eyes of those sitting in the “Catbird seat,” to quote the legendary Red Barber. Listening to how they described what they saw during the game was how many of my generation - and the preceding generation, fell in love with baseball: “How about that!” to quote the late, great, Mel Allen.

It was a late night, but happily, for me and Red Sox Nation, the Sox won and will now be

since 2013. Game one will be Tuesday night, Oct. 23. I can’t imagine that there will be a repeat non-performance from my cable provider, but if there is, and I am forced to go to plan “B”, radio, I will do so. The circumstances got us a

wouldn’t get us a win in game one, too. After all, it’s not only the ballplayers that are superstitious.

Resorting to Radio

Bulletin Board

From Page 4

more.Community Shred Event. 8:30 a.m.-noon at

Mount Vernon District Governmental Center,2511 Parkers Lane. Members of the communitycan bring their personal documents, for safe andsecure shredding. Crime Solvers suggests a $5donation per bag/box, which is tax deductible.Papers are shredded on-site.

Tour de Mount Vernon. 8:30 a.m. starting andending at Fort Hunt Park in Mount Vernon. JoinMount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck fora community bike ride. Register today to ride orvolunteer. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mountvernon for more.

MONDAY/OCT. 29Richmond Highway Corridor

Improvements. 6:30-8:30 p.m. At Mt. VernonHigh School, 8515 Old Mt. Vernon Road,Alexandria (Enter Door #8). The VirginiaDepartment of Transportation will host a NEPAPublic Hearing and Public Information Meetingon the Richmond Highway Widening project toprovide an update as well as an opportunity forthe public to comment on the project and theassessment. The Environmental Assessment, anenvironmental document, required as part of theNational Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) forthe Richmond Highway Improvements project, isnow available for public review and comment.Copies of the EA will be available at the meetingand VDOT’s environmental team will be at themeeting to discuss the environmental reviewprocess and answer project questions. Publiccomments can be made at the meeting or can besubmitted to VDOT by December 6, 2018. Visitwww.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/richmond_highway.asp for more.

WEDNESDAY/OCT. 31“Embark on Opportunity.” 8 a.m. at Belle

Haven Country Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Road,Alexandria. Learn how the Embark RichmondHighway Comprehensive Plan Amendment willshape the future of the Richmond HighwayCorridor. This event will take the audiencethrough a geographic tour of the corridor, led bythe planners, community leaders, and industryexperts that helped shape Embark RichmondHighway. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/embark-richmond-highway for more.

WEDNESDAY/NOV. 7Seminar on Senior Volunteerism. 9:30 a.m.

at the headquarters of New Hope Housing, 8407Richmond Highway E, Suite E, Alexandria. RSVPNorthern Virginia will hold a seminar on seniorvolunteerism. RSVP, the region’s largestvolunteer network for people 55-years-old andbetter, provides individualized support toseniors who are seeking their ideal serviceopportunities in and around Fairfax County,Arlington County and the City of Alexandria.Free and open to the public. Email RSVPVolunteer Specialist Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403-5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.

MONDAY/NOV. 1232nd Annual Caregivers Conference. 8 a.m.-

3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Alexandria,2932 King St., Alexandria. 32nd AnnualCaregivers Conference: Finding Hope &Harmony in Caregiving is presented by theNorthern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium.$35. Register online at www.eventbrite.com/e/32nd-annual-caregivers-conference-finding-hope-harmony-in-caregiving-registration-48699561700. View or download the conferencebrochure at alz.org/media/nca/documents/NoVA_Dementia_Care_Consortium_Conference_2018.pdf.

TUESDAY/DEC. 4Senior Volunteerism. 10:30 a.m. At Sherwood

Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane,Alexandria. RSVP Northern Virginia will hold aseminar on senior volunteerism. The one-hourevent is free and open to the public. RSVP, theregion’s largest volunteer network for people 55-years-old and better, provides individualizedsupport to seniors who are seeking their idealservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria. RSVP offers more than 200meaningful opportunities that include helpingseniors age in place, assisting local foodpantries, and teaching financial literacy. To signup for the Dec. 4 orientation, email RSVPVolunteer Specialist Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403-5360. Visit www.rsvpnova.org.


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ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

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Documents

Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection …connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/documents/2018/1… · 30.10.2018 · terns around the National Mall; survivors