'Life Finds a Way' a West End Oasis
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Alexandria Times Vol. 17, No.30 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. JULY 29, 2021 A West End oasis Winkler Botanical Preserve is a hidden gem, providing a tranquil natural space BY OLIVIA ANDERSON An unassuming gravel pathway at the end of a street lined with townhomes leads to the Winkler Botanical Preserve, a 44-acre park tucked away in Alexandria’s West End that also happens to be lo- cated right off of I-395. Replete with paved hiking trails, a collection of diverse plant species and an undulating waterfall pouring into a large pond, the park is the city’s sec- ond largest, yet arguably most underutilized, green space. For the first time since 2019 and the second time in its 40-year history, the secluded preserve partnered with Northern Virginia Regional Park COURTESY PHOTO Authority last weekend to provide a walking tour The Alexandria Drive-In attracted more than 20,000 people during its nearly year-long run. during which experts talked about the privately owned site’s extensive history and the details be- hind its native flora and fauna. The tour was part of an effort to expand aware- ‘Life finds a way’ SEE WINKLER | 6 side service, classical music concerts sprout- Alexandria Drive-In was a pandem- ed in secret gardens and, surprisingly, the ic-era community effort screen of a drive-in movie theater became a BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN beacon of hope for the city. The Alexandria Drive-In’s rise to prom- When Dr. Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Gold- inence during the pandemic was one of the blum, famously said, “Life finds a way” in the most unexpected success stories of 2020. For 1993 classic “Jurassic Park,” he was referring almost a year, the drive-in has provided res- to the evolutionary miracle, the way that life idents with a pandemic-safe form of enter- can adapt to survive and thrive. tainment and a way to support local nonprof- During the last year of a global pandem- its through ticket sales. ic that irrevocably changed how people live, At a time when most people were lost in work and play, those words became more rel- the dark – isolated from family and friends evant than ever. Despite the darkness caused or at a loss for what to do – residents flocked by loss and uncertainty, there were glimmers to the shining silver screen of the Alexandria of light in the ways people adapted to the Drive-In like moths to a flame. “new normal.” In Alexandria, restaurants shifted to curb- SEE DRIVE-IN | 11 INSIDE Bikeshare Alexandria Celebrates Women Real Talk PHOTO/OLIVIA ANDERSON TPB reviews planned The story of suffragist Caroline Hal- Learn the right time to sell Summer campers honed their carpentry skills by building expansion. lowell Miller. your home. log cabins at Winkler Botanical Preserve. Page 17 Page 19 Page 22 2 | JULY 29, 2021 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner Cheering on our Olympians! Noah Lyles, Tynita Butts-Townsend, and Troy IsLey JEFFERSON MANOR | HUNTINGTON METRO $549,000 Fabulous and affordable Metro living!! Enjoy all the convenience and comforts in this renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath, brick semi detached home. Welcomed by and enclosed front porch, this light filled 3 level home is move-in ready to enjoy so you can relax and enjoy the summer! This home is surrounded by mature. trees, perennial gardens and a patio. The updates include kitchen, HVAC, roof, bathrooms, refinished wood floors, windows and enclosed front and back bonus rooms!! Minutes to METRO, Bob and Ediths, shops and restaurants! COMING SOON | ROSEMONT $885,000 Located in the heart of sought after ROSEMONT PARK, this 3 level, 3 bedroom, 2 full, 2 half bath brick townhome is situated on a quiet tree lined street. Natural light streams in this bright and airy home. Over the past few years it has had numerous updates: HVAC, roof, kitchen, bathrooms & exterior! The main level features an open floor plan with high ceilings, crown molding, recessed lights, wood floors, a separate dining, gas fireplace, powder room & coat closet. The spacious kitchen has a built-in banquette & bar area. Enjoy morning coffee on the deck & evening cocktails on the patio - wonderful deck off kitchen w stairs to lower patio and low maintenance landscaped back- yard. Upper level has 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths, lower level is finished with built-ins, tiled floor and half bath. It’s an easy stroll to both the Braddock Road and King Street metros, 1/2 block from Naomi L. Brooks Elementary (fomerly Maury Elementary School), convenient to Del Ray and Old Town farmers’ markets, restaurants, shops, tennis courts and three playgrounds. Christine Garner (703) 587-4855 Weichert My Priorities Are Simple...They’re Yours! For additional information & Photos, Go to: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM JULY 29, 2021 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING Aces advance to championship The Alexandria Aces The Aces play in the Cal beat the Silver Spring Ripken Collegiate League, Thunderbolts in both which includes six teams games played during the total in the region. The Cal Ripken Collegiate Aces were in second place League semi-final this in the league, behind Big past week. The champi- Train, going into the play- onship best of three series offs, with a regular season against Bethesda Big Train record of 20-15. The Aces kicks off today at 7 p.m. at and Big Train both have Shirley Povich Field, and playoff records of 2-0 go- the Aces will host the sec- ing into the championship ond game on Friday at 6:30 series. p.m. at Frank Mann Field. [email protected] Troy IsLey wins first COURTESY PHOTO The first Old Town Speed & Style festival took place in May 2019. Olympic match Alexandrian boxer High School alumnus, Old Town Festival of Speed Troy IsLey secured an class of 2017, and box- early victory in the To- es for Alexandria Box- kyo Olympics, winning ing Club. He is one of the & Style to return his Round of 32 middle- first professional boxers The Old Town Festival of The free event will fea- The night beforehand, weight boxing match, 5-0, to represent Team USA Speed & Style will return in ture more than 100 su- a ticketed dress-up event against Vitali Bandarenka in the Olympics. IsLey’s person on Labor Day Week- percars and vintage mo- called the King Street of Belarus, on Monday. Is- professional boxing debut end, according to a news torcycles from around the High-Octane Ball is set Ley will compete today in was February 2021, and he release. world. It will also include to take place and will in- his second match, Round is signed with Top Rank The second annual a fashion demonstration in clude food, wine and live of 16, against Gleb Bakshi and Antonio Leonard Pro- event will take place on which local boutiques, sa- music. of Russia. motions. Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 lons and area retail brands For more information, IsLey is a T.C. Williams [email protected] p.m., spanning from low- will showcase styles from visit festivalspeedstylealex. er King Street to Market the themed cars on display, com. Square. according to the release. [email protected] Cameron Station Speak Easy features city’s carjacking suspect legislative director arrested Police arrested a man on Station Boulevard. The The latest episode of politics, including the pe- the last Wednesday of ev- who is the suspect in a two victims in the vehicle Speak Easy, the Alexandria culiarities of working for a ery month and features confirmed armed carjack- did not sustain any injuries, Times’ podcast, features Democratic super minori- one on one conversations ing that occurred on Tues- according to a news release. Sarah Taylor, the city’s leg- ty in the Oklahoma state with the people who make day night, according to the A helicopter was called in to islative director. senate, the intensity of Alexandria tick. Check out Alexandria Police Depart- assist in the investigation, Taylor sat down with Virginia General Assembly the latest episode on Spoti- ment. and police took the suspect Times Editor Cody Mel- sessions and the strategy fy, Audible and Apple Pod- The incident occurred on into custody at 9:20 p.m. on lo-Klein to talk about her of state level politics. casts. Tuesday around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. career in state and local Speak Easy releases on [email protected] in the 500 block of Camer- [email protected] 4 | JULY 29, 2021 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WEEKLY BRIEFING Alexandria nonprofits receive Heating & Air Conditioning 703-683-1996 Inova grants AInova Health Sys- powerment, The Cam- partnerships that address tem awarded $240,000 in pagna Center, Carpenter’s population health needs Community Health Fund Shelter, The Child and and promote equity, ac- grants to 14 nonprofits in Family Network Cen- cording to the release. In the DMV, including seven ters, Nueva Vida, SCAN 2021, in order to address Keeping Alexandria nonprofits, ac- of Northern Virginia and the needs of residents Alexandrians cool cording to a news release. United Community. during the pandemic, Ino- The local nonprofits The Community Health va doubled its funding for for over that received grants in- Fund is used to invest in community health grants. 40 years. clude Capital Youth Em- the community through [email protected] COVID-19 cases surge www.rbincorporated.com Alexandria is experi- ment. There were 16 new izations and deaths due to encing another surge in cases of COVID-19 report- COVID-19 are occurring COVID-19 cases caused ed on Tuesday, and the among those who are still primarily by the highly city had a seven-day mov- unvaccinated, according contagious Delta vari- ing average of 13.3 cases.