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Statewide ResultsJoe Biden 704,541 53.33%Bernie Sanders 305,493 23.12%Elizabeth Warren 142,280 10.77%Michael Bloomberg 127,655 9.66%Tulsi Gabbard 11,231 0.85%

8th Congressional DistrictJoe Biden 95,000 49.12%Bernie Sanders 40,095 20.73%Elizabeth Warren 32,064 16.58%Michael Bloomberg 19,860 10.27%Tulsi Gabbard 1,189 0.61%



Virginia Presidential Primary 2020 ResultsBiden Wins VirginiaFairfax CountyJoe Biden 121,865Bernie Sanders 57,085Elizabeth Warren 29,633Michael Bloomberg 28,131Tulsi Gabbard 1,794

Arlington CountyJoe Biden 33,975Bernie Sanders 13,263Elizabeth Warren 14,062Michael Bloomberg 6,682Tulsi Gabbard 383

City of AlexandriaJoe Biden 20,782Bernie Sanders 7,586Elizabeth Warren 7,628Michael Bloomberg 4,243Tulsi Gabbard 246

Unofficial Results as ofmidnight on Election Day.

See House Versus, Page 5

By Michael Lee Pope

The Gazette

Democrats and Repub-licans in the GeneralAssembly like to seethemselves as adver-

saries. The real enemy, they liketo say, is down the hall.

The House of Delegates and theVirginia Senate are famously atodds with each other under thebest of circumstances. This year,though, tensions between oppositesides of the Capitol have boiledover into a new kind of rivalry. Andit’s not just that they face eachother in an annual basketballgame or even that they make apoint of pronouncing “sine die”differently. This year, as Democratsseized control of both chambers,tensions between the House andSenate reached epic proportionsthat could end up having conse-quences for everything from theminimum wage and gun controlto redistricting and who is allowedto officiate weddings.

“We’ve got to go back to thepeople and say here’s what I prom-ised, and here’s what I did,” ex-plained Del. Ken Plum (D-36). “Bycontract the Senate, candidly, canrelax a few years before they goback to voters. And I think thatmeans they are a little less respon-sive on issues that we might sayare very popular.”

One of the most important dis-tinctions between the two cham-bers is that the House of Delegatestraces its history back to 1619. TheSenate, by contrast, is an after-

thought in Virginia government. Itwas created in 1776 as a kind ofmodern update to the Council ofState, where lifetime members of-fered advice to the governor andserved as the highest judicial bodyin the colony. These days, theHouse has two-year terms, and theSenate has four-year terms.

“When you’re in the Senate, youhave more measured opportunitybecause you have a four-yearterm,” says Senate MinorityLeader Tommy Norment. “And youcould give an aggressive vote inyear one, but you would havethree years to rehabilitate yourself.I think the Senate, as it’s currentlyconstituted even with the Demo-

cratic majority, is a little more de-liberate.”

THAT DELIBERATION has beena source of tension this year, start-ing in a dramatic fashion duringthe first day of session in January.House Democrats in leadershipprepared what they thought wouldbe a routine function of appoint-ing a committee of House and Sen-ate members to inform the gover-nor of their organization. Nor-mally, the committee has fourmembers of the House and threemembers of the Senate. But whenthe House sent that document overto the Senate it came back withan amendment changing the com-

position of the committee to threeHouse members and three Senatemembers.

“What they really wanted wasequality on the conference com-mittee for the budget,” says Del.Alfonso Lopez (D-49), the Housemajority whip. “And they were try-ing to establish a precedent forhaving all the reasons in the worldto insist on having six and six orfive and five or seven and sevenso that they have an equal say onthe final budget.”

When the House Democraticleadership first saw the Senateamendment, some thought it wasa joke. Perhaps the new SenateDemocratic leadership were play-ing some kind of practical joke onthe first day of session, which isdominated by pomp and circum-stance. The committee in questionwas just a ceremonial gathering towalk upstairs and inform the gov-ernor that the chambers are orga-nized and ready for business.

“So we walk down the hall andask what’s going on, and the Sen-ate lays into us about this has beena long time coming and just be-cause it’s always been this way itdoesn’t need to be this way,” re-calls Del. Marcus Simon (D-53),

the House majority parliamentar-ian. “We just came off the cam-paign trail, and we just workedlike heck for each other becausewe’re all on the ballot at the sametime. We’re doing joint town hallsand joint campaign events. We’refriends, and all of a sudden they’rescreaming at us.”

Simon recalls that tense meet-ing ended in an ultimatum.

“You just tell the governor thathe won’t be able to do the State ofthe Commonwealth this year,”senators told House leaders, ac-cording to Simon.

The new House leadershiphuddled with Speaker EileenFiller-Corn to figure out how torespond to demands from the newSenate Democratic leadership.They eventually came up with aplan to hoodwink the upper cham-ber: appoint a House committeeof seven members to separatelyinform the governor that theHouse was organized. The ideawas that the Senate would assumeit was a six-member committee,and they would follow suit withsending six members to inform thegovernor that the Senate was or-ganized. The plan worked, and

House Versus Senate Conservative upper chamber underminesprogressive House of Delegates.

A statue of George Washington stands at the center of thehallway between the House of Delegates and the VirginiaSenate, two chambers that have been at odds with eachother this year.

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2 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v March 5-11, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


News

City Hall Democratic Precinct CaptainMario Velasquez, standing at left,mans the Alexandria DemocraticCommittee table alongside Ron andHazel Rigby outside City Hall March 3during the “Super Tuesday” Demo-cratic presidential primary election.

A sample ballot prepared by theAlexandria Democratic Committee

shows the 14 names that appeared onVirginia’s Democratic presidential

primary ballot. To help avoid confu-sion, the ADC crossed off names ofcandidates that dropped out of the

race prior to the March 3 voting.

Photos by

Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

The Center forAlexandria’s Childrenraised $65,000 as ithonored community

philanthropist Brooke SydnorCurran and Inova Health SystemsFACT Director Mary Hale at itsannual CAC Gala Feb. 27 at theOld Dominion Boat Club.

Hale received the 2020 Out-standing Dedication toAlexandria’s Children Award andCurran was honored with the 2020Champion for Children Award.

“Mary and Brooke are emblem-atic of the impact we can have inthe lives of our community’s chil-dren,” said Center Board ChairKerry Donley in bestowing theawards. “Brooke has envisioned afuture where all of Alexandria’schildren, regardless of their back-ground or circumstance, are ableto succeed in school and life ashappy, healthy individuals. We aregrateful to be a beneficiary ofBrooke’s efforts to uplift children’slives.”

Commonwealth Attorney BrianPorter commended Hale for herdedication to ensuring that sexualassault patients will no longer suf-fer long delays in receiving ser-vices for trauma.

“Thanks to Mary’s dogged advo-cacy for victims of abuse, InovaHealth System in Fairfax is nowthe only hospital in Northern Vir-ginia that has a forensic team thatserves patients in need around the

clock. Mary ensured that survivorsof abuse are cared for promptlyand respectfully,” Porter said.

In addition to Porter, Mayor Jus-tin Wilson and Chief of PoliceMichael Brown were among the150 attendees of the event.

The Center is the city’s onlyChild Advocacy Center and pro-vides a safe haven and profes-sional help for abused and ne-glected children.

Additionally, it offers programsthat strengthen families throughits signature Learn & PlayGroupprogram and community trainingto empower adults to protect chil-dren.

As a public-private partnership,the Center relies on private, localand state funding. “It’s importantfor us to get the word out, to helpthe community see and under-stand the work that we do,” saidcommunity volunteer Kim Davis.

Of the funds raised at the Gala,$12,000 will be earmarked to cre-ate the Center’s 10th Learn &PlayGroup.

Primarily funded through pri-vate donations, the popularPlayGroup program fills a void forchildren ages 0 to 5 years and theircaregivers.

Founded in 2007, the Center forAlexandria’s Children providescomprehensive services to chil-dren who have reported abuse. Ithas expanded its scope to includeprevention, education and out-reach programs aimed at eliminat-ing child abuse within the commu-nity through training programsand the specialized Learn &PlayGroup program aimed atstrengthening families.

www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org

‘Champions for Children’CAC Galaraises $65,000.

Commonwealth Attorney Brian Porter, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and former ACTPresident and CEO John Porter at the Center for Alexandria’s Children annual benefitFeb. 27 at the Old Dominion Boat Club.

The Center for Alexandria’sChildren honoredRunningBrooke’s Founderand CEO Brooke SydnorCurran, left, with its 2020Champion of ChildrenAward and Mary Hale, InovaHealth System FACT Direc-tor, with its OutstandingDedication to ChildrenAward at its annual benefitFeb. 27 at the Old DominionBoat Club.

4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ March 5-11, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

The City of Alexandria, theAlexandria Health Department, Inova Health

System, and the Alexandria CityPublic Schools will hold an onlinevirtual information session onThursday, March 12, from 8 to 9p.m., to provide information andanswer questions about theCOVID-19 coronavirus. The ses-sion will be accessible atalexandriava.gov/Health.

Panelists will include Dr.Stephen A. Haering, director of theAlexandria Health Department;Dr. Rina Bansal, president of InovaAlexandria Hospital; Dr. GregoryC. Hutchings Jr., superintendent ofAlexandria City Public Schools;and Mark B. Jinks, city manager.The panelists will take questionsabout the COVID-19 coronavirus;how individuals can protect them-selves and those around them;how government and the healthcare sector are preparing for ad-ditional impacts from the virus;and how businesses and nonprofitorganizations can help. Questionsmay be submitted in advance atalexandriava.gov/Health, or asked

live during the online session us-ing the social media, text message,and phone information on thewebpage.

A recording of the session willbe available online after the ses-sion ends.

Public health agencies continueto closely monitor the global out-break of respiratory illness causedby COVID-19, which was first de-tected in Wuhan City, China, andreported in December 2019. Atthis time, Virginia continues tohave no confirmed cases of the vi-rus.

How Can I Protect Myself,My Family and My Business?

There is currently no vaccine toprevent COVID-19 infection. How-ever, everyday preventive actionshelp prevent the spread of respi-ratory viruses like COVID-19, aswell as influenza and the commoncold, including:

❖ Washing your hands often byrubbing them together with soapand water for at least 20 seconds.If soap and water are not available,

Online Information SessionOn COVID-19 Coronavirus

See COVID-19, Page 18


News

lawmakers avoided what could have beena disaster on their first day in office.

“This was like real serious anger that Iwas seeing,” recalls Simon. “And that was abig surprise to have that kind of enmity withthe other body.”

TENSIONS BETWEEN the House andSenate have become a defining theme ofthe General Assembly session this year, es-pecially after bills crossed over from onechamber to the other. Senators have beenmodifying the more progressive elementsof the House agenda. Perhaps the most strik-ing example of this is the effort to increasethe minimum wage. House members ap-proved increasing it to $15 an hour acrossVirginia by 2025. Senators took a regionalapproach that wouldn’t increase the mini-mum wage in Hampton Roads until 2034.

“I just want to slow this down a bit andgive the business community an opportu-nity to adjust,” explained Sen. DaveMarsden (D-37). “I’m very concerned thiswill have a huge impact on the state bud-get, and it’ll have a huge impact onVirginia’s economy.”

Del. Mark Levine (D-45) got several billsthrough the House that floundered in themore conservative Senate. Perhaps the mostsignificant was the assault-weapons ban,which passed the House but was killed in a

Senate subcommittee. Gov. Ralph Northamasked Levine to carry the bill for him, andhe considers it one of the biggest missedopportunities of the session. Levine also hada bill that would have removed many of theonerous requirements for who gets to offi-ciate weddings in Virginia, eliminating re-quirements he viewed as unconstitutionalcomingling of church and state. Then endresult is that almost anyone would havebeen allowed to officiate weddings, an ideathat passed the House unanimously but diedin the Senate.

“I come, perhaps, from a more traditionalera that it should be someone in the com-munity that has some gravity,” explainedSen. Chap Petersen (D-34). “Maybe it’s astate delegate. Maybe it’s a judge. Maybeit’s a pastor. But it’s not anybody off thestreet.”

Senators like to think of themselves ashaving a bit more decorum than the House,where members have a tendency to be a bitraucous. This became an issue when law-makers were considering a bill introducedby Del. Dawn Adams (D-68) that wouldhave legalized spitting in public. The ideawas that police might use the prohibitionto target people for harassment, so elimi-nating the prohibition was viewed by manyas a criminal justice reform — until it gotto the Senate, where freshman Sen. Joe

House Versus SenateFrom Page 1

See House Versus, Page 18


People

By Jeanne Theismann

Gazette Packet

The residents ofGoodwin House Alex-andria took a tripdown memory lane

during a special exhibit of wed-ding dresses and photographs dat-ing from the 1950s and ‘60s at theFeb. 14 Lasting Love showcase incelebration of Valentine’s Day.

“My husband David and I weremarried in 1970 in a little town inSouthwest Virginia,” said EleanorKarro as she stood next to herwedding gown on display. “I chosea Vogue pattern and had my dressmade by a local seamstress.”

Carol Lewis married for the sec-ond time in 1993.

“We had known each other for10 years or so before we got mar-ried,” said Lewis, who was wid-owed in 2015. “A few years beforethe wedding, my husband wantedto buy me a dress and Shepherdsof Australia had just opened inTysons. So that is the dress I woreon my wedding day.”

Lewis and her husband had ablended family that grew to in-clude six grandchildren and onegreat-grandchild.

“He was the love of my life andmy best friend,” Lewis said.

Other tales of love included Ed-ward Mott, who married his wifePriscilla in 1958 at Christ Churchin Alexandria. The high schoolsweethearts dated off and on forsix years before Ed said he “verynervously” proposed to her.

“Try to be nice to your wife,” wasEd’s marriage advice as he dis-played a photo of Priscilla to honorher memory. The couple was mar-ried 61 years before Priscillapassed away in May 2019.

Gloria Gibson had two weddingdresses on display during theexpo: her own dress from 1952and that of her mother, who mar-ried Gibson’s father in 1927.

Gibson and her husband Johnwere married for 66 years beforehe passed away in July 2018. Herbiggest piece of marriage adviceis “to be willing to compromise.”

When Karro was asked abouther best memory from her wed-ding day, she didn’t hesitate.

“We couldn’t find the weddingflowers at the church,” said Karro.”So my husband never lets me for-get that I was late to my own wed-ding.”

Memory Lane Goodwin House holds ‘Lasting Love’ expo.

Eleanor Karro holds a photo of herself as a bride as shestands next to the gown she wore on her wedding day in1970 during the Feb. 14 Goodwin House Alexandriawedding expo.

Nancy Gamble and Betsy Ramirez of Goodwin HouseAlexandria adjust the neckline of the 1040s weddingdress featured at the Feb. 14 Lasting Love Wedding Expodisplay of wedding gowns and photographs.

A resident looks at bridal photos and dresses from morethan 50 years ago during the Feb. 14 Lasting Love Wed-ding Expo at Goodwin House Alexandria.

Elsie and Tom Smolinski display their wedding photofrom 1962 at the Lasting Love wedding expo Feb. 14 atGoodwin House Alexandria.

Carol Lewis stands beside the dress she wore for hersecond marriage in 1993 at the Feb. 14 wedding expo atGoodwin House Alexandria.

Photos by

Janet Barnett

Gazette Packet


By MaryAnne Beatty

Director of Communications

Senior Services of Alexandria

Spring is right around the cor-ner, and so is the next ses-sion of the Senior Academy

which is open to Alexandria resi-dents and those who work in Al-exandria who are 60 and older.The Senior Academy is perfect fornewly retired or new residents toAlexandria who are looking forways to get involved in the com-munity. Participants will learnhow their local government oper-ates and what services and pro-grams are available. “As a new re-tiree, I wanted to learn as muchas I could about the city I had livedin for years,” said Mary Hennigana recent graduate. “The SeniorAcademy touched on so many top-ics of interest. Every presentationreinforced all the reasons why theCity of Alexandria is such a greatplace to live.”

This is the 8th Senior Academysession that Senior Services of Al-exandria and the City’s Office ofCommunications are presenting.It will begin on Wednesday, April1 at City Hall. The class meets thefirst four Wednesdays in April from10 am to 12:30 pm.

Attendees will hear from differ-ent city leaders and non-profits ontopics including how the city for-mulates its annual budget to whatrecreational activities are availablefor older adults. Participants willmeet at the following locationswith designated topics:

❖ April 1 - City Hall - Getting toknow your City and How You CanMake a Difference

❖ April 8 – Police Headquarters– City Services for Seniors

❖ April 15 – Charles HoustonRecreation Center – CommunityResources

❖ April 22 Sept. 11 - BeatleyCentral Library – Leisure, Culturaland Educational Opportunitiesand a graduation luncheon.

Applications are now being ac-cepted until 5 p.m. on Friday,March 20. You can request an ap-plication by calling Senior Servicesat 703-836-4414, ext. 110 or visitseniorservicesalex.org or the city’swebsite at alexandriava.gov/Acad-emies

News

CallingAlexandriaResidents 60+Spring sessionof the SeniorAcademy startsApril 1


Opinion

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Gazette PacketAlexandria

By Char McCargo Bah

A visit with Calvin D. Terrell in Alex-andria, Virginia was like going backin time. He was born in 1935 in theWest End section of Alexandria

when it was known as Falls Church. The Afri-can Americans in the West End were a close-knit family. Many of the individuals that livedin that area during the time that Calvin wasborn had been there prior and during the civilwar. These families were interrelated by bloodand marriage.

As a young boy, Calvin lived with his god-parents, William and Ida Wanzer. When he was

younger, he had a job deliv-ering papers in the West Endneighborhood. This job al-lowed Calvin to know all ofthe families that lived in the

Seminary, Quaker Lane and King Street areas.His paper route included the Virginia Theo-logical Seminary area as well.

Going down memory lane, Calvin can namefamilies throughout the West End especiallyfamilies who lived near Oakland BaptistChurch on King Street; they were the Wanzer,Crone, Douglas, Henry, Terrell, Colbert, Belkand Robinson families. He also rememberedthe slaughtering of pigs in the neighborhood,especially at Mr. Wood’s house.

Calvin said, “It was a lot of chickens run-ning around the community and my dad had acow.” It is hard to image that King Street andQuaker Lane had livestock running around inthe yards and streets.

Calvin remembers when the U.S. Army Campwas located at the present day Safeway and atthe local gas station. He also remembers what

the landscape was like before Farlington andParkfairfax were built. He said, “That we usedto walk from Seminary to Green Valley in Ar-lington, Virginia. We would go to a baseballgames in Arlington.”

After the building of Farlington andParkfairfax during the 1940s, one could nolonger see Green Valley from Seminary Roadbut one was still able to walk to Green Valleyby using a back road.

Also Calvin saw the great boxer Joe Louistraining in the area of West End. Calvin saidthat Joe Louis sometimes stayed in Arlington,

in the black neighborhood. He said, “My el-ders told me that boxer Joe Louis sometimesstayed at my uncle William and my auntRebecca Terrell Boswell’s house in Arlington. Ichecked with a couple of older residents ofArlington and they confirmed that Joe Louisstayed at a boarding house in the Johnson Hill’sneighborhood in Arlington. Calvin continuedhis story about Joe Louis by saying that, “Joewould jog from Green Valley in Arlington toQuaker Lane, to Bailey Cross Roads and to KingStreet.” I asked Calvin if he ever went to anyof Joe’s fights? He said, “No. We just listenedto Joe’s fight on the radio.”

Where T.C. Williams stands today was oncea thriving African American community thathad built their homes, but “urban renewal” and“eminent domain” forced many families tomove out of the neighborhood. Calvin wit-nessed all those changes. Before the T.C. Will-iams was built, an African American four-roomschool known as, “Seminary” served the com-munity. The African Americans in that neigh-borhood made many contributions to the his-tory of West End and the development of thecommunity.

Calvin’s memory of his neighborhoodtouches the heart. He also recalls the manyfamilies he knew that have left the Seminaryarea.

For Calvin, he reminisces about those goneby days when he used to deliver newspapersto the neighborhood and had conversationswith the neighbors.

Char McCargo Bah is a published author, freelancewriter, independent historian, genealogist and a LivingLegend of Alexandria. She maintains two blogs, http://www.theotheralexandria.com and http://www.findingthingsforu.com.

The Way It Was: Calvin D. Terrell

Calvin D. Terrell.

The Other

Alexandria

Letters to the Editor

One Job: Passthe AssaultWeapons Ban

Senator Scott Surovell can writeall the lengthy explanations hewants about his no vote on theassault weapons ban. However, heand Senators Petersen andEdwards were sent to Richmondwith a clear message from theirconstituents. Pass the AssaultWeapons Ban. That’s

what your constituents said theyexpected you to do but apparentlyyou thought you knew better. As aresult of your irresponsible action,we might both pay a price.

Kevin BergenMount Vernon

Deserve $15?Nick Riviere’s and Tony

Hedgepeth’s op-ed insisting tha allVirginia workers deserve a $15/hour minimum wage, regardless of

cost-of-living in their locale, failsto factor in economic reality. Inhigh-cost locales such as ours,employers should be able to afford$15, but in low cost ones, such aminimum wage might put toomany out of business. The finalminimum wage, once it is fullyphased in, not only should be in-flation-adjusted, but should bebased on cost-of-living in the lo-cale where the job is located. Thiswould be a proper model for thefederal government to consider.

The $15/hour minimum wage’sadvocates fail to fully understandthe drawbacks. The $15/hourminimum wage is really a “livingwage” designed to lift full-timeworkers out of poverty, differentin concept from the traditionalminimum wage which was a wagefloor that put a moral limit on howlittle an employer could pay andstill maintain a worker’s dignity.$15/hour minimum wage advo-cates are engaging in a bit of de-ception in that they are trying tochange the underlying under-standing of what minimum wage

means. In this respect, the $15/hour minimum wage is a radicalnotion which moderate Democratsrightly would insist be phased inmore carefully than advocates de-sire.

Even moderate Democrats areengaging in abuse of languagewhen they call doubling minimumwage in barely a decade “gradual”when it is really radical. That it isnot radical enough for some couldcreate a backlash even redistrict-

The Connection welcomes views on any public issue.The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed.Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are

routinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail: [email protected]

Write

ing (thought to add four House ofDelegate seats to blue NorthernVirginia) cannot overcome. Be-cause ten percent is sometimesconsidered the limit of de minimis,smaller annual increases of 50-70cents per year would make moresense. This would take even high-cost Northern Virginia until 2032to reach the “living wage” thresh-old.

Dino DrudiAlexandria


News

Bernie Sanders Rallies with ThousandsAt St. James Sports in Springfield

The massive crowd assembled at The St. James listens to Sanders.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders(I-VT) held a rally with U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN)in Springfield on Saturday, Feb. 29. Sanders addressed

the thousands of supporters packed onto the indoor field at TheSt. James Sports, Wellness, and Entertainment Complex as hemade a final push for votes before the Super Tuesday primaries.

Rep. Ilhan Omar energizes the crowd beforeintroducing Democratic presidential candidateSen. Bernie Sanders.

Friends from Arlington at the rally: (from left)Ammar Khalid, Sibtay Haider, and DaniyalRahim.

From left, Mohammad Haider from Alexandriaand Usman Sheikh from Herndon. Sheikh be-came a US citizen last year and is excited to beable to vote in this year’s presidential election.

Yashoda Premysler from Falls Church.

Photos By

Tom Manning

The Gazette


Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

March is self-injury pre-vention month, a timewhen mental health

profes-sionals work to raise aware-ness of the condition, recognizethe signs and work to remove thestigma. Known by clinicians asnon-suicidal self-injury, the behav-ior is described as intentionallyharming oneself without intendingto end one’s life. The populationmost likely to engage in self-harmbehaviors range from middleschool through college, accordingto the American Psychological As-sociation.

“When teens begin engaging incutting behavior it is typically be-cause they are feeling over-whelmed by intense feelings oremotions and don’t have the cop-ing skills to manage or respond tohow they feel, said therapist CarolBarnaby, MSW, LCSW.

“Adolescents might self-injure todistract themselves from intensenegative emotions of sadness oranger, or emotional numbness,added Jerome Short, Ph.D., Asso-ciate Professor of Psychology atGeorge Mason University. “Theymay also want to punish them-selves or express a need for help.”

Cuts and burns on the wrists orthighs are among the most com-mon signs of self-injury. “Parentsmay notice their children have un-explained cuts, burns, or bruises,”said Short. “Adolescents may wearclothing or bracelets to coverthemselves even in very warm set-tings. Parents may find knives orrazors in their children’s rooms ornotice they are missing from thehome.”

“Other signs that your child may

Inflicting Pain to Gain ReliefSelf Injury Awareness Month is a timeto learn about the condition and erase the stigma.

be cutting include marks on theskin from scratching, using a pa-per clip or skin picking, advisesBarnaby. “Multiple similar markson the skin in close proximity forwhich your child has no explana-tion,’ said Barnaby.

While cutting and burning one-self causes pain initially, that paincan evolve into relief. “Sometimescutting can be habit-forming orbecome compulsive, said Barnaby.“This in simple terms, means thatthe more the person cuts the morethey feel the need to do it and theirbrain associates cutting with re-lief.”

Stacie Isenberg

Jerome Short

Teens might turn to self-injuryas a way of regulating their emo-tions. “For teens who are feeling alot of strong and intense emotions,self-harming releases the body’snatural opiates and endorphinsthat help them manage their feel-ings,” said Joanne Bagshaw, Ph.D.,Professor of Psychology at Mont-gomery College. “On the flip side,a teen who is shut down or whofeels numb might self-harm to feeltheir feelings. Alternatively, self-harm may be for the teen to com-municate that they need help.”

Several factors might triggerself-inflicted injuries. “Childhoodabuse and conflicted parental re-lationships may trigger self-injury,”said Short. “Self-injury may be asign of depression, anxiety, sub-stance use, or post-traumatic stressdisorders.”

Parents who suspect that theirchild might be engaging in inten-tional self-injury should avoidcriticism and seek mental healthtreatment. “Parents should not ig-nore the problem,” said Short. “Ifchildren engage in life threaten-ing behavior, they should takethem to a hospital.”

Noticing those marks, however,could require careful attention.“Teens who self-injure often hidethe marks that self-injury mightcause,” said Child PsychologistStacie Isenberg, Psy. D. “For ex-ample, they may wear a long-sleeved shirt in hot weather ifthere are marks on their arms ormultiple bracelets if there aremarks on their wrists.”

“If parents feel that their teen isengaging in self-harm behaviorsthey should show compassion fortheir child and get help, addedBarnaby. “Self-harm behavior is verytreatable with early intervention.“


People at Work

By Shirley Ruhe

Gazette

Shannon Brady places a 22-pound bag of Meow Mixon her metal cart beside abag of wet cat food. “The

Meow Mix is for David. He has fivecats and feeds the feral cats in theneighborhood.” David is her firststop of the eleven on thismorning’s AniMeals deliveryroute.

Brady pulls up at David’s apart-ment on S. Whitney Street andcarries two large bags of kitty lit-ter down a muddy incline to thebackdoor patio where she deliversthe monthly supplies. “This is onlythe second time in four years thatit has rained on my Thursday de-liveries. I’m glad I wore my wa-terproof boots.”

A quick knock on the door. “Let’ssee if he is home.” Brady headsback to her car to get two addi-tional bags of dry and wet cat food.No sign of David but the insidecurtain parts open at the corner.“That little kitty there is Morris.He sees the bags of cat food out-side the patio door, but we have

bed at her feet. Brady deposits twolarge bags of dog food next toPopkin’s chair. Brady explainsPopkin had a couple of auto acci-dents and, “we got this dog for herin 2013. Then a year into it thedog got cancer.” So Popkin held afundraiser to raise funds for treat-ment of the dog.

Popkin explains she has just re-turned from Capitol Hill and Rich-mond to raise awareness aboutbrain injury. She is also involvedin disseminating informationabout service dogs and writes aregular column in “The BrainHealth Magazine.” As she leaves,Brady bids farewell to Popkin. Sherubs Bud’s ears before she walksout the door. “Bud is my favorite.”

Brady says that AniMeals ismore than delivery of food.Through networking with othergroups the Animal Welfare Leagueof Alexandria is able to solve prob-lems and to provide additionalassistance. “Toni called me oncewhen I was in Washington Statefor a cousin reunion. She has apainful fall and couldn’t walk herdog.” So Brady called back to theAnimal Shelter, and they arrangedto find a regular dog walker untilPopkin was able to resume.

Mary Lee Anderson, ExecutiveDirector of Senior Services of Al-exandria (SSA) says the partner-ship between non-profit organiza-tions like hers and city agenciesunderlies the strength of this op-eration. Eligibility for AniMeals isdetermined through AlexandriaDepartment of Social Services us-ing income-based criteria.

The eligible names are providedto Norma Roberts who is theAniMeals volunteer coordinatorfor Senior Services of Alexandria.Roberts calls each person once amonth to determine what they arelooking for that month and pro-vides the list to the three driverswho pick up and deliver the sup-plies from the Animal WelfareLeague each month. She says someanimals may have special needs orspecial diets.

Although the community, busi-ness and sometimes Amazon over-stocks provide most of the suppliesthat are delivered, the specialneeds supplies often have to bepurchased. Anderson says this iswhere grants play a role.

Anderson says this effort allstarted 6-7 years ago when she gota behind the scenes tour of theVola Lawson Animal Shelter oper-ated by the Animal WelfareLeague. “They told me theycouldn’t believe how many dona-tions they got. ... They said theyneeded to get them out into thecommunity.” This gave her an ideaso she went to the Alexandria Di-vision of Aging, and a partnershipbegan with the City of AlexandriaSocial Services and SSA to beginthe AniMeals program. Last yearthey served 61 animals.

Brady says many of these peoplewho receive the pet supplies livealone, and their pet gives themsomeone to wake up to and careback. This program means theydon’t have to choose between foodfor themselves and food for theirpets.

Animals are Hungry, Too AniMeals monthly deliveriesprovide food for needy animals.

to be careful. Morris likes to sneakout the door.” Brady points to atable with a brightly-colored blan-ket left outside to give the neigh-borhood cats a warm place to hideduring bad weather.

The next person on the deliveryroute is Betty. “She has a black andwhite dog and a cat.” Brady knocksbut there is no answer. Brady liftstwo bags of cat food over a shortstone wall and places them onBetty’s patio.

On down the street to Francine’sapartment in a high rise on S.Whitney Street. “These key codesdrive me crazy,” Brady says as shebalances her two heavy bags withthe information sheet. “Francinelikes to have both wet and dry catfood.”

“AniMeals,” Brady calls out butno answer at the door so Bradyleaves the sacks of food in the hall-way outside the door. “Sometimesshe is there, and sometimes she isout.” Brady keeps careful notes onwhat she leaves at each place andwhere she has put it. “We are re-spectful of where they want it.Sometimes their balance isn’t sogreat.”

Shannon Brady loads up her AniMealsdeliveries for her regular monthly Thurs-day route.

Bud, Toni Popkin’s yellow Labrador servicedog, is curled up in his bed at her feet butgets up when he spots a treat from Brady.

Next is Toni Popkin on N.Howard Street. Popkin calls out tocome in. Bud, her yellow Labra-dor service dog, is curled up in his

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See Bulletin, Page 18

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

SATURDAY/MARCH 7Energy Masters Event. 9:30 to 11 a.m. At

ParcView Apartments, 5380 Holmes Run Pkwy.,Alexandria. Virginia Cooperative Extension andEcoAction Arlington invite you to an eventcelebrating the completion of energy efficiencyimprovements to the 1,000th apartment unit forthe Energy Masters program. Light refreshmentswill be served and will be followed by a programwith remarks from hosts, Wesley Housing, theprogram partners and elected officials. After theprogram, they’ll offer tours of an apartment unitwhere Energy Masters will demonstrate theirwork, and the tenant will talk about theprogram’s impacts.

MONDAY/MARCH 9Foster Parent Orientation. 6-7:30 p.m. At

Alexandria Department of Community andHuman Services, 2525 Mt. Vernon Ave.,Alexandria. The City of Alexandria will hold afree, no obligation information session forprospective foster parents. An agencyrepresentative will be on hand to answer anyquestions and explain the requirements to fosterand/or adopt. Go to the Mt. Ida Street sideentrance of the DCHS building. To RSVP, call703-746-5858 or [email protected].

PARTICIPATE IN 2020 CENSUS EFFORTSCouncilman Canek Aguirre is encouraging residents

to participate in Census volunteer efforts to raiseawareness about the 2020 Census and reachAlexandria’s hard-to-count populations. Aguirreserves as Chair of the City of Alexandria’sComplete Count Committee. A list of upcomingvolunteer opportunities can be found below:

❖ St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Saturday, March 7, 11a.m., Old Town, Alexandria.

❖ 2020 Census Ambassador Training - Sunday,March 15, 2 p.m., James Duncan Branch Library,2501 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria.

In March and April, Councilman Aguirre and Citystaff will participate in panel discussions at citylibraries to discuss the importance of theCensus.

❖ 2020 Census Information Session – Saturday,March 28, 3 p.m., Barrett Branch Library, 717Queen Street, Alexandria.

❖ 2020 Census Information Session – Monday,March 30, 7 p.m., Duncan Branch Library, 2501Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria.

❖ 2020 Census Information Session – Saturday,April 11, 11 a.m., Burke Branch Library, 4701Seminary Road, Alexandria.

THURSDAY/MARCH 12ALX 2020 Women’s Leadership Forum. 7:30-

10 a.m. At The Westin Alexandria, 400Courthouse Square, Alexandria. The ChamberALX’s 2020 Women’s Leadership Forum,presented by The LizLuke Team at Long & FosterRealtors. The forum will bring together citizensat all stages of their careers for a morning-longprogram designed to provide interactivediscussion, inspiration and professionaldevelopment. Cost is $65 for Members | $85 forNon-Members | $300 for 5-Pack of Tickets |$600 for 10-Pack of Tickets.

FREE TAX PREPARATIONThe City of Alexandria is offering free tax

preparation to qualifying residents. Taxpayersare eligible if their income is belowapproximately $35,000 for individuals and$55,000 for families. Expert volunteers fromCommunity Tax Aid, Inc. will ensure thattaxpayers apply for all applicable credits anddeductions — especially the Earned Income TaxCredit and the Child Tax Credit, which peopleoften don’t realize they are eligible to receive.Sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m.to noon, and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.,from now through April 11, at the Departmentof Community and Human Services (2525Mount Vernon Ave.). Persons seeking tax

Bulletin Board


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

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

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

Life Drawing Sessions. Now thruDec. 9. At Del Ray Artisans, 2704Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.Looking for a chance to hone yourfigure drawing skills? Del RayArtisans offers a range of open lifedrawing sessions for just thispurpose. Just drop in for the sessionand bring your supplies to draw orpaint the live models. Fee rangesfrom $8-$12. All skill levels arewelcome. Visit DelRayArtisans.org/life-drawingStudent Art Exhibit. Now thruMarch 28. At the Gallery atConvergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane,Alexandria. The Alexandria All CityHigh School Art Exhibition hosted bythe Convergence Arts Initiativereturns Feb. 7 – March 28 for its fifthyear. 2020’s experience will feature90 Alexandria high school studentsrepresenting six high schoolsincluding public, private, andindependent spanning over 10

different mediums of art. Returningfor 2020’s collaborative event arestudents from Bishop Ireton,Episcopal High School, T.C. Williams,St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School,Commonwealth Academy, and TheHoward Gardner School. ArtistsReception: Friday, Feb. 21 from 7 – 9p.m.

Architecture in Fiber. Now thruMarch 15. At Potomac Fiber ArtsGallery, Torpedo Factory, Studio 29,105 North Union Street, Alexandria.Here, in Alexandria, we aresurrounded by beautiful and excitingbuildings, bridges, parks, andmonuments. Both our local andworldwide architecture serve asinspiration for the pieces in thisshow. Themed work will be eligiblefor recognition by the jurors. Non-themed work will also be exhibited.Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

and weekends, and 10:30 a.m. to 9p.m. on the second Thursday of eachmonth.

Award-Winning Photos Displayed.Now thru March 25. At HuntleyMeadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd.,Alexandria. The Audubon Society ofNorthern Virginia will display award-winning photographs from theNational Audubon Society’s 2019photo contest in an exhibition atHuntley Meadows Park this winter.It’s a perfect fit, as this year’s grandprize-winning photograph was shotat Huntley Meadows. Local amateurphotographer Kathrin Swoboda tooktop honors for her photograph of ared-winged blackbird that appearedto be blowing smoke rings as therising sun backlit the vapor thatformed while the bird sang out on acold day. There will be an openingreception on Sunday, March 8, from

1 to 3 p.m. Call 703-768-2525 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows

NOW THRU MARCH 30Woodlawn Needlework Show. 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. At Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, 9000 RichmondHighway, Alexandria. The WoodlawnNeedlework Show and Sale runs forthe entire month of March, and isopen every day except Tuesdays.Come see hundreds of amazingneedlework pieces, dailydemonstrations, special

exhibits, and more. Cost is $15. Visit thewebsite: http://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/annualneedleworkshow.

THURSDAY/MARCH 5Yacht Haven Garden Club Meets.

9:30 a.m. At the Mount Vernon Yacht

Club at 4818 Tarpon Lane,Alexandria. The program will be onnative plants, Amping up the Garden,by Louis Ratchford, Plant Specialist.Contact [email protected] Visitorsare welcome.

MARCH 5-23“Head Over Heels.” 8 p.m. At Ainslie

Arts Center | 3900 West BraddockRoad, Alexandria. “Head Over Heels”is a celebration of love set to themusic of the Go-Go’s. Based on SirPhilip Sidney’s Arcadia, the royalfamily risks losing their “beat” andmust journey to discover the key totheir realm’s survival. Like in mostmusicals, it may have been in themthe whole time. With hits like, “WeGot The Beat,” “Mad About You,”

Entertainment

By Hope Nelson

From toasting St. Patrick to cel-ebrating – or agonizing – overyour basketball team’s tourna-ment performance, there’s a lot to

do around Alexandria in March. Here aresome of the month’s top picks.

Star Sailor White IPA Release atPort City Brewing, March 6

Alexandria’s own Port City Brewing iscoming out with a brand-new beer this

weekend, its Star SailorWhite IPA. The hazy beer isbrewed with 100% Vir-ginia-grown wheat and hasa fruity subtext that is sure

to yield a very drinkable beer for spring-time. The Star Sailor joins Port City’s lim-ited-release lineup and will be available ondraft or in six-packs. 3950 Wheeler Ave. 3-10 p.m.

March Madness Festivities at JoeTheismann’s, beginning March 15

For college basketball fans, the best partof the season is approaching in short order– the NCAA Tournament. And JoeTheismann’s has you covered for both aplace to view the games as well as somespecial menu items that span the country –and the bracket. Nosh on fried green toma-toes, North Carolina pulled-pork sliders,Impossible chorizo tacos and mini Chicagohot dogs – and fill out a bracket for your-self in the hopes of winning a prize. 1800Diagonal Road.

Irish Whiskey Tasting at Live OakRestaurant, March 17

Naturally, with the celebration of St.Patrick’s Day comes a certain amount ofwhiskey-drinking, and Live Oak is gettinginto the spirit with a tasting. Sample someof the hard stuff straight from Ireland andmunch on some snacks from the kitchen toget you into the Irish spirit. Slainte! 1603Commonwealth Ave. 7-10 p.m. $35.

East Coast vs. West Coast IPATasting at Evening Star, March 22

4 Dates to Circle in March

Star Sailor White IPA Release at Port City Brewing, March 6.APPETITE

New England-style and West Coast-styleIPAs may come from the same family ofbeers, but their end results are incrediblydifferent. Which style will garner the mostfans? An IPA tasting event at Evening Starpits the two coasts against each other fortasters to try. Your ticket nets you unlim-ited beer samples from the likes of Bissell

Brothers and The Veil, plus some snacks tokeep you energized. 2000 Mount VernonAve. 3-5 p.m. $35.

Hope Nelson is the author of “Classic Restau-rants of Alexandria” and owns the KitchenRecessionista blog, located atwww.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any timeat [email protected].

Calendar

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place Saturday,March 7 in Old Town Alexandria.

St. Patrick’s Day ParadeSaturday/March 7, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Parade starts at King and Alfred Streets

and ends at Lee and Cameron Streets in Old Town Alexandria. Presented by theBallyshaners, a nonprofit group that aims to promote and preserve Irish heritage.More than 2,000 participants will march in this year’s parade, including the NotreDame Alumni Band, dog rescue groups, pipe and drum bands, historical re-enac-tors, Shriners and Kena cars, and Irish dancers. Visit www.ballyshaners.org

A Fun Dog Show will be held Saturday, March 7 at OldTown’s Market Square.

Fun Dog ShowSaturday/March 7, 11 a.m. At Old Town’s Market Square, Alexandria. The AWLA

invites the area’s spirited pups to don their favorite costumes on-stage for the titlesof “Most St. Paddy’s Spirit,” “Best Human/Canine Look-Alike” and “Most CreativeCostume.” The Fun Dog Show precedes the Ballyshaners’ St. Patrick’s Day parade,an annual event that brings thousands of spectators to Old Town Alexandria. Marchparticipants will meet at the intersection of King and St. Asaph streets at 12 p.m.to start the parade. This year’s Dog Show will be hosted by McEnearney RealtorBobby Mahoney. Registration is open at AlexandriaAnimals.org/DogShow2020 andwill also be available on-site on March 7 for $30. For information about the St.Patrick’s Day Parade, visit ballyshaners.org.

See Calendar, Page 15


Entertainment

By Steve Hibbard

The Gazette

It’s Hollywood, 1939. Leg-endary film producer DavidO. Selznick is five weeksinto shooting “Gone with

the Wind” when he realizes thescript is awful and the directordoesn’t have a clue. He has a fewshort days to replace them andrestart shooting or the productionwill shut down. Over the courseof five days, three writers franti-cally craft (and act out all of theparts) one of the most belovedscreenplays of all times. Join theLittle Theatre of Alexandria forthis comic romp called “Moonlightand Magnolias” from Feb. 29 toMarch 21, 2020.

Director Juli Tarabek Blackersaid she was first attracted to thescript by the period and topic. “Ihave been a fan of classic Holly-wood since I was a teenager. As Ilooked more into the script, I fellin love with the screwball natureof it, much like the screwball com-edies of the ‘30s and ‘40s (‘His GirlFriday,’ etc). It also has a surpris-ing amount of depth for a comedy.I typically work on dramas, so itwas nice to have those familiar bitssprinkled in the text,” she said.

She added: “I want the audienceto get a ‘behind-the-curtain’ lookat a movie that everyone knows,and has an opinion about, even ifthey haven’t seen it. Three of thefour characters are based on his-torical figures that the audiencemay or may not know. I want theaudience to get an idea of whatwent on behind the scenes. It wasa lot, and this is only a part of it,”she said.

She said that ultimately, shewants the audience to have a funtime that sneakily makes themthink. “If they leave with a smileon their face but thoughts in theirhead the next day, we’ve done ourjob,” she said.

Assistant Director AlexanderBulova said as an undergraduate,he majored in film and media stud-ies, so when he saw that the LittleTheatre of Alexandria was doing

‘Moonlight and Magnolias,’ heknew he wanted to be involved.“It’s such a funny a script. It strikesjust the right balance between cri-tiquing the dated elements of‘Gone with the Wind’ and celebrat-ing what made it a classic in thefirst place,” he said.

He added: “To me, ‘Moonlightand Magnolias’ is all about the re-lationships we have with oldermedia. Some movies from theGolden Age of Hollywood are justas relevant and entertaining todayas they were 80 years ago. Oth-ers, like ‘Gone with the Wind,’show their age. What are we sup-posed to do with these belovedfilms? Ignore their flaws, or pre-tend they never existed? With‘Moonlight and Magnolias,’ wehope to guide audiences towardstheir own answer (and make themlaugh along the way).”

He said the biggest challenge indirecting was the blocking. “Thisis a dialogue-heavy show, mean-ing that lots of attention had to begiven to line delivery and pacing.While these elements are impor-

tant, they can often come at theexpense of a visually interestingshow. Fortunately, we avoided thatissue. Juli did a great job makingsure that the blocking got the samelevel of attention as the dialogueduring rehearsals. As a result,‘Moonlight and Magnolias’ feelslike an onstage screwball comedy,”he said.

Producer Rachel Alberts said sheloved the script. “I loved the en-ergy; I loved the silliness. We alldeserve a couple of hours to let goand laugh,” she said. The other co-producer is Russell Wyland.

She added: “I love the behind-the-scenes aspect to such an iconicpiece of art. We all think we knoweverything there is to know about‘Gone with the Wind’ but this placeshows us how it was made. It up-ends the perspective of the movie,and in such a fun way!”

She said the challenges wereworking with some of the clichésthat seemed dated. “But creatinga ‘moment in time’ play like thismakes it appear almost historical.Classic Hollywood is a very spe-

cific, very iconic time in Americanhistory. A snapshot of a certaintime and place in our country’shistory,” she said.

Hillary Leersnyder plays the roleof Miss Poppenghul, Mr. Selznick’spersonal assistant. “She takeswhatever crazy task he assignswith a nod and an eyeroll, but ismost often two steps ahead ofwhat he needs. She is efficient andprofessional, but also full of sassand not afraid to poke back at hisnonsense every once in a while.Selznick may not always show it,but he doesn’t know what hewould do without Ms.Poppenghul,” she said.

She added: “Juli wanted Ms.Poppenghul to have a permanentpresence on stage, so a desk forPoppenghul was designed into theset. This choice was fun but chal-lenging for me because I neededto find the balance between react-ing to whatever wildness is goingon while not distracting from it. Italso adds a new layer to adaptingthe business with phones anddoors that has a different context

in the script, but we are always upfor a challenge!”

J.T. Spivy plays the role of BenHecht, a man who is constantlyfrustrated. “The source of his frus-tration comes from being stuck inan industry that he does not re-spect but pays the bills (and be-yond) and living in a country thatrefuses to realize that evil that ishappening in Europe in 1939,” hesaid.

He added: “When working on acomedy, the major component oflaughter is not usually part of therehearsal process. It will be niceto, hopefully, have that from ouraudience.”

The Little Theatre of Alexandriais staging “Moonlight and Magno-lias” from Feb. 29 to March 21,2020. Show times are Wednesdaysthru Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundaymatinees at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $21 and $24. Thevenue is located at 600 WolfeStreet, Alexandria, VA. Visit thewebsite: www.thelittletheatre.comor call the box office at 703-683-0496.

LTA Stages “Moonlight and Magnolias”A comic behind-the-scenes look at the making of ‘Gone With the Wind’.

Victor Fleming (Michael J. Fisher), David O. Selznick (Griffin Voltmann),and Ben Hecht (J.T. Spivy) star in LTA’s production of “Moonlight andMagnolias,” now through March 21, 2020.

Miss Poppenghul (Hillary Leersnyder) starsin LTA’s production of “Moonlight and

Magnolias,” now through March 21, 2020.

Photos by

Brian Knapp

The Connection

Calendar

From Page 14

See Calendar, Page 16

“Vacation,” and “Our Lips areSealed,” you’ll be dancing along inyour seat. Tickets $30/$40. Fortickets, visit https://www.monumentaltheatre.org/shows-events

FRIDAY/MARCH 6Preserving African American

Historic Places. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At The Alexandria History Museum atthe Lyceum, Alexandria. Cost is $60for conference. Building on thesuccess of past programs focused onadvocating for African Americanhistoric resources, including schools,cemeteries and churches, this one-day conference will provide updateson African American historic sites inthe state, provide networkingopportunities, and offer informationon advocacy, documentation and

funding to help build capacity andstrengthen organizations preservingAfrican American historic sites in thestate.

The Thirteen performs Mystic. 7:30p.m. At Virginia TheologicalSeminary, Immanuel Chapel, 3737Seminary Road, Alexandria. TheThirteen, under the direction ofArtistic Director Matthew Robertson,explores humanity’s search for thedivine across time and space in their

upcoming concert Mystic. Mystic isorganized in a series of vignettes. Itbegins with the medieval melodies ofHildegard von Bingen then enters themystical cathedrals of the post-warEurope with the works of Estoniancomposer Arvo. Tickets may bepurchased atwww.TheThirteenChoir.org. Ticketswill be available at the door of theconcert, if the concert is not sold out.Tickets are $35, $30 if purchased in

advance. Discounts are available atwww.TheThirteenChoir.org.

Come Play with Us. 8-10 p.m. At DelRay United Methodist Church, 100 E.Windsor Ave., Alexandria. AlexandriaCitizens Band is recruiting newvolunteer musicians in allinstruments. Join them at Come Playwith Us rehearsals at Del Ray UnitedMethodist Church. The band playsmusic people love to hear, and band


Entertainment

From Page 15

members love to play – Broadway,movies, jazz, pop, marches, patriotic,and classic band music. They haveone of the largest music libraries ofany community band in the country.The program is generously fundedwith a grant from the City ofAlexandria, Office of the Arts’ ArtsGrant Program. If you are interested,send them an e-mail [email protected] 703-920-8675.

MARCH 6-7Rose Hill Players Present “Oz.” At

Edison High School, Franconia Road,Alexandria. Show times are March 6at 7 p.m.; March 7 at 1 p.m. and 6p.m. All shows $7/adults; $4/kids;$1 kids 2-12 matinee. The timeless“Wizard of Oz” tale has been adaptedinto a dazzling musical.

SATURDAY/MARCH 7Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at

Sherwood Regional Library, 2501Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria.Selection of over 20,000 gently usedchildren’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 https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/friends-of-sherwood-regional.

Country-Western Dance. 7-9:30 p.m.at Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710North Chambliss St., Alexandria. TheNorthern Virginia Country-WesternDance Association will hold a dancewith lessons, 6-7 p.m. and opendancing, 7-9:30 p.m. A DJ providesmusic. Couples and singles of all ageswelcome. Admission for members$10; non-members $12; childrenunder 18 accompanied by a paying

adult $5. Smoke-free, alcohol-free.BYO refreshments. Visitwww.nvcwda.org for more.

Performance Art. 7:30 p.m. AtGeorge Washington MasonicMemorial, 101 Callahan Drive,Alexandria. The Alexandria ChoralSociety (ACS) continues to celebrateits 50th season this year with itssignature gala and will present

ASO Presents: Brandenburgs & Brew on Friday, March 20at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria.

Brandenburgs & BrewFriday/March 20, ASO Presents: Brandenburgs & Brew. 7:30-9:30 p.m.

At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria. Under the directionof Music Director James Ross, members of the Alexandria Symphony presentBrandenburg Concertos No. 3 and 6, Handel’s Entrance of the Queen of Sheba andAlexander’s Feast. Cost is $40/adults; $5/youth. Visit the website:www.alexsym.org

Performance Art, an interactiveprogram that aspires to “interpretvisual art through choralperformance.” Tickets are $25 at thedoor, or $20 when purchased onlinein advance. Senior, student, andmilitary discounts are available.Children under 13 are free. Topurchase tickets visitwww.alexandriachoralsociety.org.


From Page 3

Bulletin Board

preparation assistance will be seen on a first-come,first-served basis, and electronic filing will beprovided. Spanish-speaking volunteers will beavailable. The following documentation isrequired: a social security card for each familymember; photo ID for the taxpayer (and spouse,if filing jointly); W-2 forms and other source ofincome records; receipts or records for expensessuch as child care and education; and, ifpossible, a copy of last year’s tax return.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINSRegistration for 2020 Summer Camps offered by the

City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation,Parks and Cultural Activities has begun.Registration will be available online, or in-person at the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St.).

The 2020 Summer of Smiles Summer Camp Guideis available online, and free printed brochureswill be available in all City of Alexandriarecreation centers and library branches. Theguide contains more than 75 camp optionsavailable to youth ages 2 to 17, including sports;creative arts; computers; nature; performingarts; cooking; excursions; Science, Technology,Engineering and Math (STEM); CampAdventure; and Out of School Time and classiccamps. To register for summer camps and otherrecreation activities, classes and programs, visitalexandriava.gov/Recreation or contact theRegistration and Reservation Office at 703-746-5414.

COVID-19CoronavirusFrom Page 4

use hand sanitizer that has at least 60% al-cohol.

❖ Avoiding touching your eyes, nose andmouth with unwashed hands.

❖ Staying home when you are sick. Avoidclose contact with people who are sick.

❖ Coughing and sneezing into your el-bow, not your hand. Alternatively, cough orsneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissuein the trash, and wash your hands.

❖ Cleaning and disinfecting frequentlytouched objects and surfaces often.

Public health officials’ understanding ofCOVID-19 is continuously evolving. For themost up-to-date information, visitalexandriava.gov/Health.

From Page 5

HouseVersus SenateMorrissey (D-16) gave a speech outliningthe perils of spitting.

The bill legalizing spitting had actuallyalready passed the House and Senate, butMorrissey brought it back for reconsidera-tion and delivered a stemwinder of a speechagainst it.

“You don’t like something, just spit on thefloor,” Morrissey said in an impassionedspeech on the Senate floor. “Spit on Tho-mas Jefferson’s marble walkway. Spit in thebalcony. Spit over the balcony. Spit in anymunicipal building. Pay your taxes, and ifyou don’t like it spit in that municipal build-ing.

Walk out of the courthouse and spit onthe floor, not on the sidewalk outside, whichis illegal, but inside the building.” Othersenators joined in, and the Senate actuallydebated the merits of spitting in public for15 minutes before killing the bill.

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

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

this previously written article from July 2019:

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 purchased 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 everything else you can imagine, running the gamut from “A” to “Z,” for sale. Recently however, in 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 mer-chandise 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), that the steps one takes

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, given the need/

possibly impact multiple individuals/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 local supermarket.” Is that the answer you want to give when all eyes are on you? And saying how much you saved over regular price is unlikely to endear you to any and all of the interested parties on hand. After all, money really isn’t the issue.

Money For What, Exactly?


ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA

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FOR YOUR TOYOTA

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Monticello Park | $1,700,000Monticello 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom home with 5,000 SF of total living area! Garage with entrance to a mudroom. 3 gas and 1 wood-burning fireplace. 4 bedrooms and 3 baths upstairs. George Mason Elementary. 417 Monticello BoulevardLaurel Conger 703.577.6899www.LaurelConger.com

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Alexandria | $819,900Charming 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial. Main level includes living, dining, kitchen and fabulous sun room that leads to deck and fenced-in yard. 3 spacious bedrooms upstairs. Finished basement with bath & storage! 2309 Scroggins RoadJen Walker 703.675.1566www.JenWalker.com

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Liberty Row | $839,000Rarely available, this first-floor Hamilton model exudes charm & style. Gleaming wood floors, double-sided fireplace, custom bookcases, & a to-die-for kitchen. Two master suites with sumptuous baths. Two garage parking spaces. Julian Burke 703.867.4219 www.JulianBurke.com

Alexandria | $434,500Amazing opportunity in lovely Pinecrest community! This 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath home on quiet road boasts two, light-filled master suites. Beautiful hardwood floors, updated systems, new roof, and fresh paint. 6638 Cypress Point RoadHope Peele 703.244.6115 www.ThePeeleGroup.biz

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The Royalton | $555,000Luxury two-bedroom, two-bath condo with new floors, fresh neutral paint, new water heater, stainless appliances, granite counters, balcony off the living room, garage parking and extra storage. Walking distance to King Street Metro!Donna Cramer 703.627.9578www.DonnaCramer.com

Belle View | $375,000Charming 3-level townhome with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath! Main level includes remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, living room, and dining room. Renovated bath & refinished basement, front & back porches! 6524 10th Street Kathleen Dobbyn 703.946.2238Michael Dobbyn 703.489.3709

OPEN SAT 3/7 & SUN 3/8, 2-4

OPEN SUN 3/8, 2-4

20 v Alexandria Gazette Packet v March 5-11, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

page, 10connectionarchives.com/pdf/2020/030420/alexandria.pdf · mario velasquez, standing at left,...

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