Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

August 1, 2019Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper

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InsidePet GazettePet Gazette

See Mansion, Page 13

Pet GazetteCapt. Jack Sparrow enjoys wildlife watching from his perch on his new family’sboat. See pages 4-5.

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By Elissa Esher

The Gazette

Collingwood Mansion,a historic property onGeorge Washington’sRiver Farm, is set to be

demolished before Christmas ac-cording to the Fairfax County offi-cials. The owner, Tyler Murrell,plans to replace the building witha modern home and pool.

“Every time you lose a bit of his-tory you change the feeling andsense of an area,” said MountVernon District Supervisor DanStorck. “It’s always sad to see abuilding like this go.”

Murrell, whose father foundedthe Five Guys restaurant chain,bought the property for $2.6 mil-lion in 2015. The demolition per-mit was approved by FairfaxCounty on July 1. Murrell did notrespond to a request for comment.

Built in 1852 by gentlemanfarmer Henry Allen Taylor,Collingwood consists of nearlynine acres of land and two storiesof colonial revival architecturealong the Potomac River betweenOld Town, Alexandria and GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernon.While the property was used as afarmhouse for the first time byTaylor, local legend holds that theoriginal structure was GeorgeWashington’s overseer’s house inthe 1780s.

Archeology and CollectionsBranch Manager Elizabeth Crowellof the Fairfax County Park Author-ity believes occupation of theCollingwood property may dateback even before Washington.

“There are two archeologicalsites on the property,” Crowellsaid. “We’d like to continue exca-vations both concerningCollingwood artifacts and con-

cerning artifacts from nativeAmerican occupation there. Wethink there is a high probability ofsuccess with both, but until we digwe’ll never know.”

Crowell said the current demo-lition will not affect the archeo-logical sites. However, the countycannot require the owner to allowfurther excavation on the twosites.

“We’d love to know more andwe’d love if he supported us, buthe has no obligation to,” saidCrowell.

COLLINGWOOD HAS BEENremodeled and repurposed onmultiple occasions throughout itslife. After Henry Allan Taylor’sdeath in 1856, Quaker landownerStacey Snowden purchased theproperty, having recently moved toVirginia as part of the mass migra-tion of Quakers from New Jerseyfrom which many residents of theMount Vernon area descend.Stacey, along with his two broth

Collingwood MansionTo Be DemolishedMt. Vernon residents mourn a150-year-old regional landmark.

Sign next toCollingwood’s front gate

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2 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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

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OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

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

Peter Crouch 703.244.4024 www.CrouchRealtyGroup.com

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

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

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

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

OPEN SUN 8/4, 1-4

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

Waldi Crawford 703.629.5655Sue Dickerson 703.380.0153

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

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

Mary Farrell 703.969.5522www.ChooseMaryFarrell.com

OPEN SUN 8/4, 2-4

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

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

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsMount Vernon Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or gazette@connectionnewspapers.com

See Marine Patrol, Page 14

By Mike Salmon

The Gazette

Marine Patrol 1 pulled out ofthe docks on the OccoquanRiver, and headed outthrough the no wake zone

to the Potomac River as it does several timesa week, but this time was a little different.

The boat is part of the Fairfax CountyPolice Department, and officer Tim Juddgrabbed the binoculars as what appearedto be a yellow seaplane was flying low tothe water in the distance.

Judd’s partner Alan Cordray commentedhow each patrol they take on the river wasdifferent, but a seaplane was an unusualsight. Due to the river’s proximity to Wash-ington, D.C. and several military bases lin-ing the corridor, there are flight restrictionseverywhere and the seaplane caughteveryone’s attention.

“This is pretty much a no-fly zone,” hesaid, adding he had “never seen one outhere.”

The low altitude alarmed them as well.“He’s just staying under the radar,” Cordraysaid, as he pointed the boat down river andaccelerated. The plane crossed from theVirginia side to Maryland side of the river,and down Mattawoman Creek, going outof sight. “He knows he’s not allowed there,”added Judd, who manned the radio, call-ing other units, including the FCPD helicop-ter, who got word to the Federal AviationAdministration. They pulled up to a Mary-land Department of Natural Resources boaton the creek, talked with the officer, andwatched the airplane pass over and out ofsight. “We’re waiting to hear back from theFAA,” Cordray said. They filled out a com-puter-based log so their event was recorded

but nothing came of it and the officers re-sumed their patrol on the river. Just anotherday for Marine Patrol 1.

“The way he was dodging, definitely alittle interesting,” Judd said.

MARINE PATROL 1 is a full-time job fortwo county policemen, and a part time gigfor a handful of others that come over fromother positions on the force, or within thecounty. Judd, for example, is a school re-source officer from Kilmer Middle Schoolin Vienna who is a marine officer who shiftsto the boat for the summer. The boat parksin Belmont Bay Harbor Marina, next to thePrince William County boat, and patrols theriver from the Woodrow Wilson Bridgedown to Belmont Bay, and more when theneed arises.

In the case with the seaplane, MarinePatrol 1 crossed over into Maryland watersand into the mouth of Mattawoman Creek.

A majority of the time, MP1 enforces theno-wake rule in Belmont Bay, the OccoquanRiver, Pohick Bay and out on the river, re-spond to emergencies, enforce alcohol lim-its for boaters and encourage safe boating.Fairfax County is responsible for patrolling

up the Occoquan River nearly to the townof Occoquan, north to the Woodrow Wil-son Bridge and all other inlets and creeksthat are considered Fairfax County. Whenrequested, they assist in Alexandria andArlington waters as well, but the river aboveArlington is a little too rocky, and Montgom-ery County authorities cover that area. At afew points in Fairfax coverage area, the riveris more than 70 feet deep.

On a good weekend in Belmont Bay, thereare 300 boats so it’s a busy time. As far asthe no-wake rule, “you need to be going asslow as you can,” said Cordray. A boat caus-ing a wake in those areas can shake otherboats, overturn a fisherman in a canoe, orcause boats that are docked to hit together,causing damage to the hulls. It can be ex-pensive. A big wake causes erosion on theshoreline as well. All boaters need to havepassed a boating course if their boat is 10horsepower or more, and the officers checkon that as well.

“We all started as regular police officerson the street,” Cordray said.

On July 4, they got a call that a womanwas in distress up near the bridge, so theyheaded up there and were caught in a thun-

derstorm. She somehow cut off part of herfinger and needed help.

“We’re more or less an ambulance on thewater,” Cordray said. “Depends on the day,what’s going on, we’re pretty busy,” headded.

Drinking and driving a boat is “BWI,” andthey enforce that as well, but find the boat-ing community helps out with that as well.If they see a fellow boater that’s had toomuch to drink, they help get the boat backto the docks in other ways, they said.

Marine Patrol 1 is a boat with an alumi-num chambered hull, an air conditionedand heated cabin, twin 300-horsepowerengines and other special accessories thatare needed out on the water, like forwardlooking infrared radar for seeing things thenaked eye cannot. There is sonar for mea-suring the depth, which is important on theriver. “This is not just your pleasure boat,”said Judd. The $350,000 boat was built bySAFE Boat Co. located in Bremerton, Wash.

While the meandering channel is good forboating, there are parts that are not as deep,and in low tide, this can be a problem for apleasure boat flying along unaware. If they

The Alexandria fireboat passes just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.At Belmont Bay Harbor Marina, the Fairfax County boat parks next tothe Prince William County boat.

Policing the River in Marine Patrol 1

Officer Tim Judd looks at the questionable seaplanein the distance.

The Fairfax County officers discuss the seaplane withan officer from the Maryland Department of Re-sources.

Police boat playsmany roles onlocal tidal waters.

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4 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Pet Gazette

By Barbara S. Moffet

Animal Welfare League of

Alexandria

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by Tom Berube

Nanny explores Theodore Roosevelt Island.

Photo by Tom Berube

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

SeniorsforSeniors.The Animal Welfare League of

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

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

Photos by Abbey D.

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

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

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

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Ft. Hunt/Hollin Hall $570,0007923 Jackson Road

Gorgeous home offers 1 lvl living w/contemporary open floor plan in sought after Ft. Hunt community zoned for Waynewood Ele. This beautiful home has been completely remodeled & has stunning architectural features including an addition which has a Great rm w/high vaulted ceiling, a stone FPL,

2 skylights w/remote controlled shades, & a 2nd full bath, master bedrm, & enclosed washer/dryer area. Kitchen has SS appliances & silestone counters & shaker style maple cabinetry. Both baths ren-ovated. New French doors off of Great rm open to beautiful 2 year old deck made w/low maintenance composite material, overlooks private, fenced bkdy. This home is a GEM and is in a great location!

SOLD

Alex/Riverside Estates $699,9008334 Blowing Rock Road

Start with Riverside Estate’s Popular “B” Model Colonial, add a 2 car garage, above that large garage add a huge addition consisting of 2BRs, & a 3rd full bath; not done yet, throw in a large in-ground swimming pool & separate hot tub, both updated in 2016, last but not least build a beautiful 12’x9’ covered screened porch looking out at the

pool & hot tub. Also, freshly painted interior, refinished hdwd flrs on main & upper lvls. Furnace & A/C replaced in 2016. Updated kitchen & baths. What you have…a once in a lifetime home which is expanded to offer a wonderful in-law/Nanny’s suite, & lastly on a wonderful, quiet cul-de-sac!!

SOLD

Alex/Mt. Vernon Forest $654,9009209 Volunteer Drive

Beautiful 2 lvl, 3BR, 3BA Split on a spectacular, landscaped .6 acre lot. Meticulously maintained & updated, i.e., roof replaced 2001, w/30 year shin-gles, furnace & A/C 2013, Superior Triple Paned Windows 2001, kitchen is open to the dining rm & has a lovely ceramic tiled floor & granite counters. Baths all updated in the past 3 yrs. Master bedrm

expands into previous #2 bedrm & has a huge walk-in closet. The master bath is large & gorgeous. Finished lower lvl offers a huge (12x18) #3 bedrm & lovely L-shaped family rm w/wood burning FPL, also large & very organized laundry & utility rooms. The lower lvl walks out to a lovely, beautiful bkyd which backs to private woods. Great location for commuting-5 mins to the back gate of Ft. Belvoir (S), 15 mins to Old Town, Alexandria (N), & 30 mins (N) to Reagan National Airport - This is a Great Buy!!!

Alex/Oxford $1,149,9004201 Kimbrelee Court

Spectacular all-brick colonial home w/2 car garage on a cul-de-sac in exclusive Mt. Vernon waterfront community of Oxford. Partial water views and a beautiful multi-tiered deck. Five bedrooms & 4.5 baths. Grand 2 story foyer entryway. Large eat-in kitchen w/numerous upgrades & double butler pantry. Formal living & dining rooms. Family room off kitchen w/brick fireplace.

Library on main level w/built-in bookcases. 4 bedrooms & 3 baths on upper level, huge master suite w/large luxurious bath. Fully finished lower level w/5th bedroom & full bath, exercise, tv, & game rooms. Newly refinished hardwood floors. Recent updates include new roof (2019), new windows (2019), new deck (2018) High-end kitchen appliances (Wolf double oven; Subzero refrigerator). Main & lower level HVAC replace 2016. Backyard fence (‘16). It’s a wonderful home!

Alex/Riverside Estates $583,0008318 Cherry Valley Lane

Popular updated “B” model Colonial w/4BRs, 2.5BAs, 2 gas FPLs & a single car garage, all on a beautifully landscaped lot. Numerous updates: refinished hardwood floors on main & upper levels, freshly painted interior, double pane windows & a

delightful screened porch overlooking a beautiful bkyd. Family rm on main level w/a gas FPL & a 2nd gas FPL in the finished basement. 10 mins to Ft. Belvoir- 30 mins to Natl’ Airport. This market is hot so come on over & take a look.

SOLD

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Alex./Mt. Vernon $499,9008541 Mt. Zephyr Dr.

Great price for this lovely two level solid all-brick home with garage on 1/3 acre in Mt. Vernon community. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Renovated eat-in kitchen, spacious and open, with sliding glass doors to private backyard. Charming front living room with ample windows, and wood burning fireplace with

white, colonial style mantel. Spacious lower level has finished family room w/ 2nd fireplace and a bonus workroom. Conveniently located near Ft. Belvoir (10 mins), GW Parkway and Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria, Pentagon, and D.C.

COM

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By Elissa Esher

The Gazette

If you ever thought you couldn’t help man andman’s best friend with one purchase, you’rewrong. Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats, a 2-year-old nonprofit native to the Mount Vernon

area, sells canine snacks made by young adults withspecial needs and teaches job skills in the process.

Pawfectly Delicious began when Mount Vernon resi-dent Anne Tuccillo noticed a lack of employment op-portunities for her son, Bryan, after he aged out ofstate services for disability. Taking matters into her ownhands, Tuccillo decided she would create a job for herson. After noticing dogs eating a friend’s ginger Christ-mas ornaments off the tree, Tuccillo was inspired toteach Bryan and a few other young adults with similardisabilities to make and sell ginger dog treats.

“There is a great need for employment for youngadults between the ages of 18 and 30 with disabili-ties,” said Charlie Flynt, executive director of PawfectlyDelicious Dog Treats, and Bryan’s attendant, “Afterthey graduate high school they can participate in aswim team in the summer and a few other small things,but besides that there isn’t much to do. We’ve alwaysfound staffing to be easy for that reason.”

While managing Pawfectly Delicious from theTuccillo kitchen was ideal in the beginning, the bud-

ding nonprofit’s growing number of employees soonmade it necessary to partner with Pulley VocationalCareer Center (a job-training program for studentswith disabilities) and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.Now, Pulley students are making the dough employ-ees at Pawfectly Delicious use to make treats in St.Luke’s industrial-sized kitchen.

The company has also partnered with local busi-nesses such as Nature’s Nibbles, Head to Tail Spa,and Whole Dogz and PawsGo to sell their delicacies.

“We couldn’t do what we do without making con-nections in the Mount Vernon area,” Flynt said. “Itgives us the help we need but also gives our employ-ees a sense of purpose, pride and belonging in theircommunity.”

Most employees at Pawfectly Delicious work in thekitchen two days a week and sell at St. Luke’s famer’smarket on Saturdays. While the young workers areencouraged to use the cookie cutters independently,supervisors employ a hand-over-hand method toguide the cookie cutters of those with less manualdexterity. In this way, even employees with extremeneed can take pride in their work.

For others who require less hands-on supervision,the social training that comes with working at Pawfectly

Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats provides jobsfor young adults with disabilities.

A Paw-Fect Way to Help

Pet Gazette

From left: Bryan Tuccillo, Executive Director Charlie Flynt, Jordann Long, Eliza-beth Klein, and Francesca Baker sell Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats at St. Luke’sFarmer’s Market.

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Supervisor Terry Wilson employs a hand-over-hand method to help employee BryanTuccillo use the cookie cutter.

Employee Neil Dawes creates a package ofdog treats.

See Pawfectly Delicious, Page 7

6 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Opinion

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Best Way ForPedestrians To Cross?To the Editor:

This week, the Fairfax County Board of Su-pervisors endorsed VDOT’s design plans forwidening a 3.1 mile portion of Richmond High-way from four to six lanes. Included in theplans are pedestrian underpasses where thehighway goes over Little Hunting Creek andDogue Creek. I was, frankly, astonished in re-viewing the board’s endorsement that no al-ternative to these underpasses was apparentlyconsidered nor were the prospective costs ofthe underpasses contemplated or discussed.

In May, the Mount Vernon Council of Citi-zens’ Associations (MVCCA) enacted a resolu-tion supporting the underpasses. In their reso-lution, there is no discussion of the cost. I notethat the MVCCA has 41 member associations,a small fraction of the over 200 communityassociations in the Mount Vernon District. Theresolution was passed by a vote of 11-4, mean-ing 11 of the over 200 community associationsweighed in in support of the resolution. I cer-tainly respect their support but note that 11community associations do not provide politi-cal cover for a supervisor to claim they repre-sent the entire Mount Vernon District. Theydon’t. The New Gum Springs Civic Association,representing a community close to where the

By Scott Surovell

State Senator (D-36)

On July 30, 1619, 22 men met inJamestown for what eventuallywould become the longest, con-tinuing, democratically-elected

legislative body in the western hemisphere.They were originally called burgesses and theirmeeting was an experiment in representativedemocracy that changed the world. This week,the nation importantly celebrates the 400thanniversary of that historic gathering.

While the experiment of democracy in theNew World ultimately led to some incredibleresults, Virginia’s democracy was far from per-fect. Some of the most egregious scars were

Virginia’s laws that codi-fied, encouraged, toleratedand forced enslavement onAfrican people, forcibly

first brought to Point Comfort in today’s Hamp-ton a few weeks after the House of Burgesses’first meeting.

For most Virginia’s history, the state had lawsdesigned to discourage voting and perpetuateelite power. In 1619, only adult, white menwho were not enslaved or indentured servantscould vote. After various experiments andBacon’s Rebellion, legislators enacted propertyownership requirements for voting so onerousthat three decades after American indepen-dence in 1776, one-third of adult white Vir-ginia men still were still not allowed to vote.This law especially affected Virginians west ofthe Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact, the legisla-ture did not abolish property ownership vot-ing requirements until 232 years after democ-

racy began in Virginia.When Reconstruction Era constitutional re-

forms pushed voter participation to new lev-els, white backlash brought state-sanctioneddiscrimination openly directed at African andNative Americans resulting in voting policiesdesigned to reduce turnout to only the “right”voters — wealthy white people. Voter turnoutdropped from 264,000 voters in the 1900 presi-dential election to 130,000 four years laterthanks to the poll tax, literacy test and felonvoter disenfranchisement.

Like many other states, Virginia’s laws alsobarred women from voting until the 19thAmendment became law on Aug. 18, 1920, 301years after the founding of democracy in thewestern hemisphere that we celebrate. Virginiarefused to even ratify the 19th Amendmentuntil 1952. With women voting, Virginia voterturnout jumped from 232,000 in 1920 to305,000 by 1928.

Virginia also has a long history of abusivegerrymandering. In the first 300 years, the leg-islature periodically refused to redraw legisla-tive districts to perpetuate the power ofwealthy landowners in the Tidewater. By 1960,fear of minority, lower-income whites and ul-timately progressive Democrats meant districtshad little relation to population and some con-gressional districts had 50 percent more resi-dents than others. In 1962, Fairfax County wasgiven one state senator after seeing 179%population growth between 1950-60. The U.S.Supreme Court ended this with “one man, onevote” in Baker v. Carr in 1962.

Entrenched power worked to keep minorityinfluence down in other ways. For example,Virginia cities often annexed neighboring

county land as “white flight” gave rise to moreminority voting in cities, particularly in Rich-mond. After many counties converted into cit-ies (cities could not annex land from other cit-ies), the General Assembly enacted an annex-ation moratorium in 1987.

Virginia’s blemished history is one reasonmany Virginians object to efforts to restrictivemeasures like voter identification laws. Whenthe current majority of the House of Delegateswas decided by the flip of a film canister, onecannot help but think that these policies makea difference in maintaining power.

Last month, I was in Greece where democ-racy was invented. As I travelled the countryand saw many old statues, I wondered howmany were hated by subsequent generations,torn down and replaced. I also wondered howa society that achieved so much, ruled thewestern world and created much of the foun-dational elements of western culture couldcome crashing down but exists today with apopulation smaller than Virginia and aneconomy smaller than the states of Oregon orTennessee.

Our current national political environmenthas demonstrated that many basic, norms thatAmericans thought were permanent can beshattered. The last two millennia and Virginia’slast four centuries show that democracy canbe a fickle thing if we do not protect it.

So while we honor the 400th anniversary ofdemocracy in Virginia on July 30, 2019, pleaseremember our scarred history. It has been anhonor for me to serve you as part of this ex-periment started 400 years ago and I will con-tinue to do my best to make Virginia’s democ-racy as strong and participatory as it can be.

400 Years of Democracy and Its Scars

Little Hunting Creek bridge will be locatedopposed the resolution.

Richmond Highway is shared by the MountVernon and Lee Districts. VDOT conducted anon-line survey to which 381 citizens responded.Of those respondents, 58% supported the LittleHunting Creek underpass and 59% supportedthe Dogue Creek underpass. Just over 220 re-spondents do not speak for the over 250,000residents of the combined Mount Vernon andLee Districts.

The proposed pedestrian underpasses are abad idea and are likely exorbitantly expensive.The MVCCA dressed up their resolution bysuggesting safety aspects such as cameras,panic buttons, lights, and emergency alarms.Frankly, none of these items will preclude acriminal from lying in wait within an under-pass and raping and/or murdering a pedes-trian. By the time the police arrive, there willbe nothing but a dead body to collect.

The solution is actually quite simple, sosimple that our politicians, eager to spend ourlimited funds, won’t consider it. At the loca-tions where the bridges over these creeks willbe located, brightly lit and boldly painted cross-walks should be installed complete with traf-fic signals actuated by pedestrians so they cansafely cross the road. The cost should not ex-ceed low six figures and pedestrians crossingRichmond Highway in that manner will bemuch safer than those walking through an

underpass where a criminal can easily lie inwait and pounce on an unsuspecting person.Why provide a convenient ready-made venuefor criminals at high taxpayer expense?

In an era in which it has been widely reportedand documented that Northern Virginia re-ceives from Richmond only 25 cents for everydollar of tax money we send to Richmond, it isimperative that our politicians act with fiscalresponsibility, even those who are running forre-election with no opposition. I urge VDOTto consider my suggested solution for pedes-trians crossing Richmond Highway and reducetheir budget for this project accordingly, sothose funds can be reallocated to NorthernVirginia for more pressing concerns.

H. Jay SpiegelMt. Vernon

Letter to the Editor:

Commentary

Write The Gazette welcomes views onany public issue. The deadline for all materialis noon Friday. Letters must be signed. Include

home address and home and businessnumbers. Letters are routinely edited for libel,

grammar, good taste and factual errors.Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Gazette

1606 King St., Alexandria VA 22314By e-mail:

gazette@connectionnewspapers.com

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

From Page 5

Delicious is more beneficial.“We’re teaching them to manage

the conflicts and minor catastro-phes that would come up in a moreserious work environment,” Flyntsaid. “Like, what happens if youdrop an entire tray of cookies? Theywon’t get in trouble here, we justshow them how to deal with it.”

Neil Dawes, an employee atPawfectly Delicious who has beenresponsible for putting togethertreat bags for almost a year, saidhis work for the nonprofit hashelped him overcome some of thesocial anxiety he experiences be-cause of his autism.

“I’m proud that working here hasmade me work more efficiently andalso build relationships with mycoworkers,” Dawes said. “That wasone challenge I had to overcometo work here — getting to knoweverybody. It takes me a while toopen up to people. But now I havea lot of good friends here.”

Dawes is not the only one whohas changed through this oppor-tunity. Joey Cahill, a non-verbalautistic employee, found it hard tofind a job because of his lack ofsocial ability. Since working at

Pawfectly Delicious, where his af-finity for art is channeled into cut-ting out dog treats, he is becom-ing more vocal and has generatedcreative ideas, such as suggestingthe employees wear chef’s hats.

“Giving these kids pride in a jobwell done is the most important thingfor us,” Flynt said. “For most of theseyoung people, a single, quiet purposeis like heaven. Just to put the treatsin a bag, close it, be able to say ‘Imade that’ and sell it to someonemeans so much to them.”

Flynt said the nonprofit hopesto expand in the future to bothhelp more unemployed youthswith disabilities and spread aware-ness of the problem.

“It gives locals a good productalong with a way to interact withand help these young people whowant so much to belong,” Flynt said.“We are not just helping people withdisabilities. We believe we are help-ing the whole community.”

For purchases, donations andemployment inquiries, visitPawfectly Delicious’ table at St.Luke’s Episcopal Church Farmer’sMarket (Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.,8009 Fort Hunt Road) or visit https://www.pawfectlydelicious.org.

Pawfectly DeliciousPet Gazette

8 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Entertainment

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

ONGOINGMusical: “Be More Chill.” Extended

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

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

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

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

Golf School.❖ Course-ready juniors will enjoy the

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

of Alexandria. Call 703-746-4356 formore.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drift dreamlike into endless combinations of color as lazy glazing encourages

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

By Hope Nelson

My Persian Table event atA La Lucia, Aug. 1

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

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

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

Port City Brewing OktoberfestRelease Party, Aug. 2

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

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

Mozzarella Fest atCheesetique, through Aug. 11

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

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

Alexandria RestaurantWeek, Aug. 16-25

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

Second Annual DRPWing Fest, Aug. 17

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

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

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

hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.

5 Dates to Circle in August

Appetite

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Entertainment

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Jones Point Lighthouse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SATURDAY/AUG. 3Friendship Firehouse Festival. 9

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

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

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

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

regional.Story Time for Little Historians. 11

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

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

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

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

Springs, Hybla Valley, andSpringfield. Share common historywith photos, year books, and tributesto Fairfax County School leaders andcommunity pioneers. Each familymember must have a wristband.Tickets must be reserved and pickedup before the event. Contact: CarolynQuander at 703-772-9440 orcquander@outlook.com; and Sharon“Shubby” Suggs at 703-371-3388 orSuggsSharron3@gmail.com. Order aDrew-Smith Reunion Picnic T-Shirt at703-649-1769 orpopcornsbg2@cox.net. In case ofrainy weather, meet in the Gym atthe Gum Springs Community Center.

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

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

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

10 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Entertainment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org for more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neighborhood Night Out. 5:30-8:30p.m. at Polk School, 5000 Polk Ave.Neighborhood Night Out is open toall and includes hot dogs, picnicfoods and ice cream treats. It issponsored by the Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Association.There will be two Moon Bounces forthe kiddies and Captain Token theMagician will be entertaining theaudience. Local politicians will be onhand to talk with BSVCA residents,along with members of theAlexandria Police, Fire and Sheriff’sDepartments. Free. Contact NightOut chairman Sean Casey atscasey2037@gmail.com. Volunteersto help serve the food and organizegames for the children are alsowelcome.

A Night at the Theatre with

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY/AUG. 9Alexandria After Work Concert

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

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

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

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Entertainment

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Dyke Marsh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

performances/mt-vernon-nights formore.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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People

By Elissa Esher

The Gazette

Local life coach Richard Griffin believes inter-acting with horses is sometimes more benefi-cial to his clients than interacting with people.

That’s why, in 2014, Griffin began taking his clientsto Little Burgundy Farm and using their experienceat this small stable to guide the rest of their therapy.The method, called equus coaching, combines thepractices of equine therapy and life coaching to cre-ate a space where clients enhance their leadership,communication, and relational skills through work-ing with a horse.

“Horses can’t lie,” Griffin, who is certified both asa life coach and an Equus Coach Master Facilitator,said. “Any issues my clients have — negative emo-tions, passivity, aggression, self-doubt — all comeout when a horse doesn’t respond well to what they’retrying to get it to do. If you’re sending out negativemessages through your body language and commu-nication, you may never know it until you work witha horse because people will never be as blunt withyou as they are.”

A movement begun by Californian life coach KoelleSimpson in 2006, equus coaching seeks to, as statedon Simpson’s website, restore clients’ “empowermentand self-trust” by using the horse as a “mirror” oftheir emotions. To generate this effect, the coach putstheir client in a round pen with a horse attached to alunge-line. After a short demonstration, the coachthen asks the client to make the horse perform cer-tain small tasks, such as walking in a circle aroundthem, trotting, or changing direction.

“Whenever a crisis arises in the wild, a herd ofhorses will always follow whichever of them seemsto have the clearest, most calm idea of how to es-cape,” said Griffin. “I help clients learn to be goodleaders, good communicators, good employees,whatever by teaching them to communicate in theclearest way possible what they want to happen with-out using words.”

While the ultimate goal of equus coaching dependson the client, Griffin said his clients primarily wantto work on their relationships — whether that bewith a partner, boss, child, or parent. Griffin also useshorses in team-building workshops with corporategroups, in leadership coaching for those stepping intopositions of power, and for those simply wanting tofind out more about themselves. Most of Griffin’s

clients have little to no prior experience with horses.Pam Ray, founder and CEO of Building STEM

Bridges and STEM4Parents, said that Griffin’s equuscoaching made her a more effective leader as shewas starting her business. “I grew up in a thinkingworld,” said Ray. “But it turns out horses don’t com-municate based on thinking. They communicatethrough feeling, intention, and vision in the moment.They wait for you to lead, follow when you do sowell, and show pride in their energy and stance whentogether we achieved a common mission in the ring.Now, that pride is exactly the outcome I want withclients, business partners and even my family.”

Griffin often uses horse work as a way to identifyhis client’s issues in the first session. Then, he andthe client discuss observations they both made dur-ing that session in future traditional life coachingsessions. “Life coaching is different than traditionaltherapy in that we are preparing the client for thefuture rather than trying to solve issues in their past,”Griffin said. “By getting my clients in front of a horse,I can see what’s going on inside them emotionallyjust by watching the way they and the horse interactin the first session. If their first reaction is ‘I don’tthink this horse likes me,’ for example, I know there’sa little insecurity going on. Then we can integratewhat I observed and what they learned with the horseand apply it to their lives in future sessions.”

For more information on equus coaching, see:https://koelleinstitute.com/about/who-is-koelle/

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

A New Kind of Equine TherapyLife coach Richard Griffin uses horses to helphis clients become better communicators.

Life coach and equus coach RichardGriffin.

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News

Mansion To Be DemolishedFrom Page 1

The Collingwood mansion.

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ers, transformed the area from farmland to the neigh-borhood as it is known today.

“Because we’re so close to big, American land-marks like Mount Vernon, we forget how importantthe Snowdens were to this area — which used to becalled Snowden, Virginia,” said regional historianTammy Mannarino. “These guys named our roads,built a public steamboat to transport tourists fromDC to Mount Vernon and started the first one-roomschoolhouse in the neighborhood. Collingwood wasright at the heart of all of that.”

Mannarino said the Snowdens established a postoffice at Collingwood, held monthly meetings thereconcerning local agriculture, and made Collingwooda stop where tourists could picnic on their way toMount Vernon by steamboat. Additionally, StaceySnowden served as district supervisor while livingat Collingwood.

FOLLOWING THE DEATH of Stacey Snowden,Collingwood was repurposed as a restaurant until,in 1942, it was leased by Pennsylvania Central Air-lines as a dormitory and training facility for pilotsduring World War II.

“Many country estates in Fairfax County were be-ing put to use for war purposes at that time, andairlines were providing a lot of military service,” saidMannarino. “It made a lot of sense at the time,though it seems strange now.”

Mannarino said several renovations were made tothe house during this time. She also said that it isrumored, though never proven, that the house wassimultaneously used for intelligence purposes.

After the war, Collingwood became a restaurantagain. It was later used as a theatre and a space forcommunity meetings and weddings. In 1977 theNational Sojourners purchased it as a library andmuseum containing over 4,500 books and artifacts.The foundation, however, went into debt, puttingCollingwood back on the market.

Many argue the number of renovationsCollingwood has undergone makes it less importantas a historical site, but Mannarino disagrees.

“We know that Collingwood has been remodeledand repurposed over time, but some might say that’sthe value of it,” said Mannarino. “It’s a house thatevolved to meet the needs of this community. IfCollingwood has to come down, my only hope isthat the owner allows an expert to be present dur-

ing the demolition since it’s our last opportunity toanalyze the evolution of this building.”

WHILE COLLINGWOOD MANSION was listed onthe Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites, thedesignation is only honorary and does not preventthe property owner from modifying or destroying it.The Fairfax County Park Authority could only ask thatthe owner provide photo documentation ofCollingwood as it stands today, which he has done.The property would have to be in the National Regis-ter of Historic Places to be protected from demoli-tion.

Storck said that properties like Collingwood couldbe better defended in the future if citizens communi-cated with state officials.

“Collingwood hasn’t played an active role in ourcommunity for years now,” Storck said. “But thereare some properties that, if lost, would be devastat-ing. In Virginia, we have strong property rights, butthat also means we have no tools or restrictions whenit comes to regional historical sites. The best way toprevent those from being lost is to talk to your statesenators and delegates about having laws that, at aminimum, would cause the developer to consult thecommunity before destroying a building of local sig-nificance.”

According to Fairfax County History CommissionerSallie Lyons, the Board of Supervisors recently cre-ated a Resident Curatorship program in which resi-dents are selected by application to live with reducedrent at historic sites in return for maintaining andrehabilitating the property. The History Commissionis also exploring the use of tax incentives to encour-age owners to restore rather than demolish historichomes.

“The loss of this structure will have somewhat lessof an impact than it might in other areas because wehave so much history around us that reinforces ourcommunity identity,” Storck said. “But, onceCollingwood is gone, we can’t get it back. Ideally, Iwish the owner could build the kind of home they’dlike while also recognizing and honoring this house’srole in making this community what it is today.”Gate to Collingwood property

14 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I would have thought, a DNA Paternity test,

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

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

After all, money really isn’t the issue.

Money For What, Exactly?

News

Officers Alan Cordray and TimJudd at the Belmont Bay Marinawhich is actually in Prince Will-iam County.

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Marine Patrolhit a rock or the bottom, “the boat stops

but they of course don’t,” said Cordray. “Wealways have to be wary of the tides,” headded.

AT TIMES, they work with the dive team,a special team of police officers with scubaequipment who dive for body recovery orevidence retrieval.

The waters of the Potomac River here areconsidered brackish waters, and are par-tially salt water so crabs can be found al-most everywhere south of the WoodrowWilson Bridge. There are crab pots to watchout, along with other things floating in thewater. The ideal time for crabbing is latesummer when the water is saltier, andpoaching crab pots is “a felony in Virginia,”Cordray said.

There has been talk of a high-speed ferryto carry commuters from Prince WilliamCounty to Washington, D.C. but for such aboat to leave the Occoquan River and headnorth, they would most likely have to beexempt from the wake rule to keep with acommuter schedule, and this could causeproblems. The marine patrol looked at theparameters of the proposed ferry, andCordary feels “there would have to be somemajor changes,” he said.

Bulletin Board

MONDAY/AUG. 5Deadline: School Supply Donations. Join

United Community to equip children and youthwho are living in hardship with tools for success,by making a financial contribution or bydonating new backpacks. They especiallywelcome larger-sized, durable new backpacksfor middle and high school students. Gender-neutral colors are preferred for all grade levels.Purchase or collect any of these most-neededitems: 10-pack markers (thick or thin); dry erasemarkers; highlighters; plastic folders; earbuds;pencil boxes or pouches; composition notebooks.A gift of $40 will outfit one student with a newbackpack and basic school supplies. Donateonline at ucmagency.org or make checks payableto United Community (designate “schoolsupplies”). Mail checks to 7511 Fordson Road,Alexandria, VA 22306. Contact Shannon Whiteat shannon.white@ucmagency.org or phone571-255-8993 about other ways to help, withquestions or to plan a donation drive.

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 15www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

FOR YOUR TOYOTA

WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’SPERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL SAVINGS

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16 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com