Alexandria Times

Vol. 14b, No. 47 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. NOVEMBER 22, 2018

“It’s not lost on me that I’m really coming home to where all the music began ...” - Charles Esten

FILE PHOTO Council voted to give the city ongoing control of the Torpedo Factory at its public hearing on Saturday. City takes perma- nent control of Torpedo Factory

PHOTO/AMAZON MUSIC Staff to work with art- City Manager Emily Baker Charles Esten performs at the CMT Music Festival last summer. ists on vibrancy plan said staff feel that “things BY MISSY SCHROTT have been going pretty well in the building” and want to From Alexandria Council voted unani- continue management in or- mously at its public hearing der to enhance vibrancy and on Saturday to give the city programming. to Nashville and back permanent control of the With the vote, council af- Torpedo Factory. firmed the city’s control and Country star Charles Esten “Bradlee, this was my stomping The art center has been directed staff to develop a returns to his hometown to grounds right here,” Esten said from a under what was intended to vibrancy and sustainability perform at the Birchmere booth in Atlantis, sipping coffee under be temporary city control BY MISSY SCHROTT the disguise of a baseball cap, surround- since October 2016. Deputy SEE TORPEDO | 13 ed by Sunday morning breakfast-goers. The few times a year Charles Esten In the rest of the country, Esten is returns to Alexandria to visit friends or known as the singer and actor who’s INSIDE spend holidays with family, his first stop performed at hundreds of national and Obituary Public Hearing after the airport is usually Atlantis Piz- international venues, starred as Deacon Artist Mary Ann Stevens Council votes to zeria & Family Restaurant in the Bradlee dies at 89. consolidate BARs. Shopping Center. SEE ESTEN | 8 Page 6 Page 12

Matthew McCarthy 703-236-1366 ® NOVA 4617 Duke St, Alexandria 2 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES

Holiday Toy Drive I am collecting unwrapped toys & books benefiting

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Windmill Hill Park re-opens Heating & Air Conditioning The city held a ribbon cut- 703-683-1996 ting for Old Town's Windmill Hill Park on Nov. 17. The open- Serving your neighborhood since 1980 ing ceremony included remarks from Mayor Allison Silberberg Proudly supporting and other city officials, who highlighted the park’s im- Alexandria provements. Council approved the Wind- Turkey Trot mill Hill Park Shoreline Project in 2015. Since then, the city Thursday, November 22nd, has replaced a failed bulkhead 9:00 a.m. to noon and eroding shoreline along To register go to the Potomac River with about www.alexandriaturkeytrot.com 1,200 feet of “living shoreline.” Other improvements in- www.rbincorporated.com clude new natural and polli- nator-friendly habitat areas, a connecting waterfront trail from Ford’s Landing Park to Shipyard Park, improvements to water access points, seating walls and picnic areas, renova- tion of the Gibbon Street out- fall and a renovated dog park. The park is located at 501 S. PHOTOS/HAL HARDAWAY Union St. Top: Mayor Allison Silberberg speaks with residents at the park [email protected] reopening. Above: The renovated park. Council approves Fairlington Presbyte- rian Church affordable housing project

At its public hearing Sat- on the corner of King and of continuing their mission urday, council approved a de- Menokan streets, will be ap- in the community. velopment special use permit proximately 100,900 square At the hearing, supporters and site plan for an afford- feet and will include an un- from the church and commu- able housing project at Fair- derground parking garage nity praised the project and lington Presbyterian Church. with 83 parking spaces. To its contribution to the city’s The proposal, brought provide adequate church affordable housing supply. forward by Fairlington Pres- parking, the existing surface Those who spoke in oppo- Alexandria's byterian Church and Wesley parking lot will be reconfig- sition expressed concerns Housing Development Cor- ured and the new parking ar- about the increased density Holistic Dentist poration, involves convert- rangement will provide dual and the size of the develop- We are proud to offer ing a surface parking lot into parking, according to the ment. a new 81-unit multi-family staff report. Council voted unani- General & Preventative Care for Families affordable housing building. The church’s congrega- mously to approve the proj- Green, holistic and homeopathic solutions The multi-family build- tion began discussing the ect. Orthodontics and ortho alternatives ing, located at 3846 King St. project in 2016 with the goal [email protected] Cosmetic and custom smile design center New ‘No Turn on Red’ restrictions Sleep and airway wellness clinic The Department of restrictions at intersections tiative to improve safety Dr. Sheri Salartash Transportation & Environ- throughout the city as part on Alexandria’s streets, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, FAAIP and Certified Holistic Mouth Doctor mental Services is install- of the implementation of ing new “No Turn on Red” the City’s Vision Zero ini- SEE RED | 4 dental-alexandria.com • (703) 745-5496 • 3116 Mt Vernon Ave 4 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WEEKLY BRIEFING RED FROM | 3 orities developed by an in- T&ES staff advises resi- terdepartmental collabora- dents and visitors to stay according to a news release. tion team. While analyzing alert to potential new traf- The new signage will be crash data, staff found that fic patterns across the city. implemented over the com- turning-movement crashes For more information about ing months at 10 intersec- were found to be among the Vision Zero and the loca- tions throughout the city. most common crash types tions for these restrictions, The change is a result of in Alexandria, according to please visit alexandriava. city staff analysis of crash the release. gov/visionzero. Give the Gift of Wellness data and engineering pri- During implementation, [email protected] Purchase a gift certificate today

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ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

PHOTO/CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN ‘Rock the Block’ supports Missing and Exploited Children Residents ate their way tims, families, law enforce- ing Vermilion, Columbia through Old Town at “Rock ment, social service agen- Firehouse, Pizza Paradiso, ~~ Canine Special Health Needs Care ~ ~ Extra patience may be required to adopt Flash. At the Block” on Nov. 14. cies, mental health agencies Augie’s Mussel House, var- agePuppies 4, he is require ~energetic, GRATEFUL surgery and sometimes. needs encouragement ~ “Sarah’s Fund” to The fundraiser was es- and others when they need ious food trucks at Market provides Shelter pets with needed procedures. 2-year-old Labrador mixslow Patsy down. made a long journey. tablished to raise money help with a missing, ex- Square, Mia’s Italian Kitch-

EvacuatedThis puppyfrom a will shelter soon undergoin Jacksonville an operation after to Hurricane repair for the National Center for ploited or recovered child. en, The Majestic, Urba- Michael,“pulmonicHe’s shelost traveledastenosis”, leg, but withto gained Alexandria, donations perspective from hoping Alexandrians. on to what’s find a Missing and Exploited Chil- Ticketholders were able no 116 and Virtue Feed & important; be happy each day, and love those dren, a national nonprofit to enjoy unlimited food and Grain. Your five-dollarhome donation of her adds own. to Sarah’s Fund and around you. Flash well knows this credo, and hopes organization that works to drink at participating Old -mschrott@ together with contributions of others, ensures that She plansfor to adazzle home Adoptersof his own with to share her expressive the love. face, provide assistance to vic- Town restaurants, includ- alextimes.com knowledge ofmedical commands care is (ask there her when to “Sit!”) needed. and cuddly

ForFORdemeanor. MORE iNF oINFORMATION about She is aalexa ABOUTsnuggle-bug, SARAH’SNdria’ FUND,S to adoptable be PLEASE sure. CALL 703-746-4774Forpet moreS, plea info OR VISIT aboutSe viUSS ATourit www. www.alexandriaanimals.org. adoptableALExANDRIAANIMALS pets, please.OR visitg/DONATE alexandriaanimals.org. THANk yOU McAlister’s Deli opens new Alexandria location THANKtHaNK YOU You The Alexandria Animal Shelter’s Pet of the TheThe Alexandria Alexandria Animal Animal Shelter’s Shelter’s Pet of Pet the of the McAlister’s Deli, a fast-ca- open daily from 10:30 a.m. to At the ribbon cutting cer- WeekWeek isis sponsoredsponsored byby DiannDiann Hicks,Hicks Carlson,finding Week is brought to you by Diann Carlson, sual sandwich chain, opened 9 p.m. It serves hand-crafted emony, the first 50 guests in findinghomes homes for pets for andpets humans,and humans, alike. alike. finding homes for pets and people, too. a new location in Alexandria sandwiches, fresh salads, gi- line received $50 McAlister’s www.diannhicks.comwww.diannhicks.com on Nov. 12. ant stuffed spuds and McAlis- gift cards, in addition to sev- The restaurant, located at ter’s Deli Famous Sweet Tea, eral other giveaways. REALTORS® 7704 Richmond Highway, is according to a news release. [email protected] WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 5

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BY DENISE DUNBAR painting “Beach Scene” was on exhibit at the Virginia Mary Ann Stevens, one Museum, while her water- of the original Torpedo color “The Hair-Do” hung Factory artists who helped in the National Academy start the art center, died show. peacefully at home on Nov. Marian Van Landing- 6. She was 89. ham, founder and first di- Stevens was best known rector of the Torpedo Fac- for her portrait painting, tory, knew Stevens for more primarily in oil, though than 40 years as both a she was a versatile artist friend and fellow artist. She who also worked in pastel, held Stevens’ art in high re- acrylic and watercolor. Her gard. work was frequently part “Hers were very elegant, of shows at the Art League peaceful kinds of paintings. gallery and the Target Gal- She also did very good por- lery at the Torpedo Factory. traits,” Van Landingham Two of the more presti- said. “Her work had a re- gious shows that she took fined quality about it. She part in were “Virginia Art- was an accomplished art- ists: Juror’s Choice” at the ist.” Virginia Museum in Rich- Stevens’ daughter, Mar- mond in 1976, and the 157th garet, said her mother’s annual exhibition at the work was varied. National Academy of Design COURTESY PHOTO in New York in 1982. Her oil Mary Ann Stevens, in her painting smock, stands in front of her work in her studio. SEE STEVENS | 7 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 7

STEVENS FROM | 6 “I remember it being a very sweet, nice person. A lot of fun,” she said. “[Mom] caring kind of individual.” “She considered herself would say, ‘Put your old Mary Ann Stevens was mostly a portrait painter, clothes on because we’re born in Memphis, Tennes- but she created beautiful going to go down there, and see to Michael Joseph Bosi landscapes and still life,” we’re going to get dirty.’ … and Annabelle Bosi on Nov. Margaret Stevens said. Once her studio was there 26, 1928. She was the wife “There were many por- I went in a lot with her on of the late Marine Corps. Lt. traits done of me, my sister Saturdays. I would spend Col. Marvin Hamilton Ste- and my father. My whole the day.” vens, who died in 1987. childhood was sitting for Van Landingham said in She was the mother of portraits,” she said with a the early years, before the Catherine Stevens Quinn laugh. building was renovated in of Cincinnati, Ohio and Margaret Stevens said 1983, Stevens’ studio was Margaret Stevens (Rich- her mother was drawn to right at the building’s en- ard Shaffer) of Alexandria. art at a young age. She said trance on King Street and She is also survived by five she didn’t begin to pursue that Stevens served as both grandchildren and three art as a career, though, un- a greeter of visitors and as great-grandchildren. til her father, who was in the “lookout.” Stevens attended Mem- the Marine Corps, was sta- “She greeted people as phis State University and tioned in Hawaii, and the they came in. … She would studied art at the Universi- family spent several years always recognize if anyone ty of Hawaii, the Corcoran living there. famous came in the build- School of Art and the Art “I have a lot of slides ing,” Van Landingham said. League of Alexandria. Her that they both took when “There were people who paintings and drawings we were there,” Margaret came in – Virginia politi- are in private collections Stevens said. “She was defi- cians and congress-people around the world. nitely inspired by the beau- – and my mom had a good Burial will be at Ar- ty of Hawaii.” eye for recognizing peo- COURTESY PHOTO lington Cemetery at a lat- Van Landingham said ple,” Margaret Stevens said. Standing at her easel, Mary Ann Stevens works on a portrait in oil. er date. The Art League is Stevens and her family had One of those famous arranging a show of Ste- pitched in to help open the people to come into the art said Stevens continued to “She loved the factory vens’ work, the proceeds of Torpedo Factory in 1974. center was then Supreme come to her studio even and she wanted to continue which will support the Art “We painted and cleaned Court Chief Justice Warren when it obviously required a to be part of it,” Van Land- League. in that summer of ’74,” Van Burger, who commissioned great effort to do so. ingham said. “She was a [email protected] Landingham said. “Artists Stevens to do a portrait of painted and cleaned that his wife. Margaret Stevens building. … Families all still has the note the Chief helped. … That same time Justice wrote her mom after Margaret and her sister the portrait was completed. were [young]. They helped.” Margaret Stevens said Margaret Stevens said her mother kept her studio, that the summer the Tor- which eventually was moved pedo Factory opened was to the third floor, until she memorable. was 86. Van Landingham

COURTESY PHOTO Mary Ann Stevens sketching at her drafting table. 8 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES

COURTESY PHOTOS Left: Jones Point and Charles Esten rehearse for their performances next weekend. From left to right, John Leary, Charles Esten, Art Schmalz and Roddy Ring. Right: Charles Esten and Art Schmalz at the College of William & Mary in 1988.

ESTEN FROM | 1 Nashville, Tennessee with ten said. with his family when he was ed to make people laugh,” Es- his wife, Esten is back in For the past four years, in third grade. He said he and ten said. “As I got older, I used Claybourne in the six-season Alexandria not only to cele- Esten has performed at The his sister – local land-use at- to watch movies. I remember hit TV series “Nashville” and brate Thanksgiving with his Birchmere during the holi- torney Cathy Puskar – had to seeing ‘Rocky’ and how that appeared on “Whose Line is it family, but to perform at the days. This is the second year acclimate to a new city and inspired me. It could bring Anyway?” and “The Office.” Birchmere this Saturday and that his opening act has been school while going through you to tears and make you In Alexandria, he’s known Sunday. Jones Point, a local bluegrass their parents’ divorce. want to run up a thousand as Chip Puskar, a T.C. Wil- “Willingly or not, these band composed of musicians “As I look back, we were steps or go 10 rounds in the liams graduate and class people were all my first au- with whom Esten attended very blessed that if we were ring. … I was moved by what I clown who grew up doing dience when I was joking middle school, high school going to go through such just saw. So wanting to make improv, playing football around or playing music as a and college. a thing, it was here in Al- people laugh expanded to and performing with bands kid, so it’s really just the best Born in Pittsburgh, Es- exandria,” Esten said. “My wanting to make them cry or around town. to get to come back, especial- ten moved to the Rosemont grandparents are just up the make them scared or whatev- Permanently based in ly in a great venue too,” Es- neighborhood in Alexandria hill from Maury, so I was able er the project does.” to walk right down the hill Roddy Ring, the guitarist to school, and it was a won- and banjo player for Jones derful elementary school. Point, said his first memory We immediately both had of Esten in high school was of a whole set of friends that him clowning around. In honor of the 32 innocent and talented students and faculty who were killed by a gunman at many of them are still our “I remember it very well: Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, the VTV Family Outreach Foundation is hosting the friends today, so Alexandria, ninth grade French class, I feel very fortunate to have the first day,” Ring said. “Church & State” Play Reading & Raffle Drawing been raised in Alexandria. I “He and Kieran Mulroney, know that it made me who I … who were best buddies, Monday, December 10, 2018 were sitting in the back be- 6:30 PM (Reception) | 7:30 PM (Play Reading) | 8:30 PM (Talk Back w/ Jason Odell Williams) am in so many ways.” Metro Stage | 1201 N. Royal Street, Old Town, Alexandria Growing up attending Al- ing class clowns, and my first exandria City Public Schools, thought was, ‘What a couple Esten said he was known as a of obnoxious jerks they are.’ ONE ELECTRIC BIKE clown, accumulating several And then by the end of high JUST 320 TICKETS!!! “wittiest” and “class clown” school we were all best bud- $32 FOR A TICKET superlatives over the years. dies.” Following the play reading, we will be raffling off a He said he found an outlet Esten said reuniting with The Play Reading $2295 Comfort Cruiser Electric Bike by featuring special guests: for his humor in various tal- those lifelong friends like ent and improv shows, once Ring was one of his favorite

from Pedego Alexandria performing at Wolf Trap in a parts about returning to Al- children’s festival. exandria. Esten said his lifelong ap- “I have so many friends titude for comedy contribut- that absolutely adored grow- Jason Odell Williams Jim Moran Playwright Former Congressman (VA-8) ed to his decision to pursue ing up here, but what we NOTE: The holder of each raffle ticket is automatically $32 per person entitled to a one hour test drive on an electric bike. acting. wanted to do took us away “When I was little kid I REGISTER @ BIT.LY/VTVPLAYNRAFFLE wanted to be a clown. I want- SEE ESTEN | 11 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 9

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ESTEN FROM | 8 from it, and I have so many friends that what they want- ed to do allowed them to stay right here, so they’re here,” he said. “For those of us that left, it’s always a joy to come back. So much changes over the years, but there’s a lot of continuity.” One thing Esten said has become a ritual is meeting up with the members of Jones Point to hang out and infor- No matter how you say it, some Medicare mally play music. In addition Advantage plans have $0 premiums. to Ring, who graduated from I am a licensed independent sales agent, and I want to help make your healthcare dollars go further. T.C. Williams with Esten in COURTESY PHOTO Get the benefits you may need with a Medicare Advantage plan*, such as: 1983, Jones Point is composed The 1987 promo photo for Esten's college band, N'est Pas. • Doctor’s office visits and hospital coverage • Prescription drug coverage** of Art Schmalz, who gradu- • Maximum annual out-of-pocket protection ated in 1984, and John Leary, they, in a real way, made me tar playing songs we know.’ • Preventive coverage who graduated in 1987. The think, ‘Well maybe this is That’s real. That was real Plus the extras you may want: • Convenient mail-order pharmacy option band’s current drummer is more than just a pipe dream. when I was singing on ‘Nash- • Wellness programs This is something I can try,’” ville,’ and I was thinking of • Emergency coverage at home and when you travel Dennis Whelan, a 1983 Bish- • And so much more! op Ireton graduate. Esten said. “So I owe them Alexandria, so to play it in If you’re becoming eligible for Medicare and have questions, call today After high school, Esten, that, that they were the ones Alexandria is amazing.” for help choosing a plan that fits your needs. Schmalz and Whelan attend- – before anyone else that we Leary, Jones Point’s lead ed the College of William knew had – that they were vocalist, said the band is ex- Montavius Euwing & Mary. The three joined going to try to follow their cited to perform in front of a Licensed Sales Agent the same fraternity, Theta dreams there, so I think that familiar audience. 7033426925 (TTY: 711) Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Delta Chi, and formed the sort of opened the door for “It’s neat that Alexandria https://stageide-www.humana.com/ band N’est Pas, successfully me to try the same.” … is such a tight knit com- touring around Virginia and Like Esten, Bader and munity. It’s nice to know North Carolina. Whelan was the Mulroney brothers have so many folks from Alex- also Esten’s first roommate starred in numerous films andria who are going to be *Not all benefits listed may be available on all plans, in all areas, or in a single plan benefit when he moved to California and TV shows over the years. there,” he said. “When we package. **Plans are available without prescription drug coverage. This is not a complete after college. “It’s kind of wild that this played there last year, all of description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or member cost-share may change on While the group members handful of guys who came up us having grown up here, we January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your part B premium. This is not a complete listing of plans available in your service area. For a complete listing, please have played in various bands through T.C. Williams and just had so many family and contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/ 7 days over time and taken different the Alexandria school sys- friends in the area. It’s sort of a week or consult www.medicare.gov. Some plans may not be available in all areas. career paths, Schmalz said tem at the same time ended like some people describe Al- GHHJ6MMEN_GEN_AD their common thread was Al- up going to do these things,” exandria as Mayberry, where exandria. he said. “But I think it almost my high school principal was “The paths kind of wind certainly had something to also my little league coach, around and cross and cir- do with the opportunities and he was in the audience.” cle back among one another they were offered here in Al- Esten said it’s his relation- with all these connections exandria and the chances to ships and his ties to Alexan- that go way back, and you express yourself in that way.” dria that make the Birchmere can ultimately trace all the At his shows next week- performances special. way back to Alexandria and end, Esten said he plans to “I’m just really grateful our childhood,” he said. pay tribute to Alexandria in specific to so many peo- 8-9 40% off After moving to Califor- with certain songs that make ple that made an impact on 9-10 30% off nia, Esten got his “break” into him think of home. me and made me who I am 10-5 20 % off the industry with a theatrical “There’s one [song] that I today, and just in general to Includes all shoes, apparel, and gifts. debut as Buddy Holly in a Lon- play here called ‘Back Home’ this town and the fact that I Does not include jewelry don production of the musical for obvious reasons,” he said. was fortunate enough to be “Buddy” in the early 90s. He “That song always made me raised here,” Esten said. “It’s said it was his high school think of Alexandria. This is not lost on me that I’m real- friends Kieran and Dermot where as a boy I chased fire- ly coming home to where all Mulroney and Diedrich Bader flies. The song says, ‘Fireflies the music began and to this A free gift with any purchase over $150. who motivated him to pursue dancing in the yard under a group of friends that were The free gift is a Fraser Fir candle. Additionally, anyone who makes acting as a career. blanket of stars. The sound playing it too.” a purchase will receive a coupon for $20 off to use in December.

“I have no doubt that of their rusty string gui- [email protected] 2205 Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301 |kiskadeeshop.com | 703.549.0813 12 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Parker-Gray and Old and Historic BARs to be consolidated Contentious topic comes to temperate We had all kinds of letters from ... conclusion different spectrums in the packet that BY MISSY SCHROTT support this proposal, and I think Council voted unani- that's really impressive and I think mously at its public hearing is a testament of the great work that on Saturday to consolidate staff did to engage the community.” Alexandria’s two locally reg- – Justin Wilson, ulated boards of architectur- vice mayor al review, putting a relatively agreeable end to a once-con- tentious issue. proposal. those concerns.” Vice Mayor Justin Wilson “I certainly had expressed Wilson praised the final and Councilor Paul Smed- FILE PHOTO concerns about the possible proposal. The Parker-Gray and Old and HIstoric boards of architectural review berg first proposed the con- diminution of the histor- “It is rare that something will be consolidated after a unanimous vote from council on Saturday. solidation of the Old and His- ic African American role in that starts off relatively con- toric Alexandria District BAR Parker-Gray. pal planner with the depart- terms of the BAR and the troversial ends up [like this],” and the Parker-Gray District Leading up to council’s ment of Planning and Zon- Parker-Gray area … [but] I Wilson said. “I mean, we had BAR in April. In the months vote on Saturday, city staff ing. think that the way [staff] all kinds of letters from all that followed, the topic be- worked with the community The new BAR will be laid out the selection and kinds of different spectrums came a source of contention to ensure that the two BARs composed of one property the process and balancing it in the packet that support on council. It drew sparks could fuse without compro- owner from each group, two will be key, and I’m happy to this proposal, and I think between Wilson and Mayor mising the separate history architects and three at-large try it. I do just want to make that’s really impressive and Allison Silberberg, who re- and culture in each district, members. sure, given the history with I think is a testament of the peatedly expressed concerns especially the black history Silberberg said the new the African American com- great work that staff did to about the merger’s impact in Parker-Gray, according to board’s composition eased munity with regard to the engage the community.” on the black community in Catherine Miliaras, a princi- her initial qualms about the city, that we were mindful of [email protected]

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PHOTO/MISSY SCHROTT The Torpedo Factory's annual Patrons' Show takes place in February, in which people from all over participate in the tradition of purchasing donated artwork to benefit the Art League. Here, patrons study the artwork and prepare their rankings.

TORPEDO FROM | 1 to get into the work of where ing that morale has been low are we going and what does in the art center since the plan for the art center over that vibrancy and sustain- city assumed management the next year. ability look like, but this de- two years ago. The timing of the pro- cision needs to be made first “The city should not be posal being brought before and that’s why we’re bring- in the business [of] deciding council has drawn expres- ing it forward to you now.” what art is made in the TFAC $25 until November 30 sions of frustration from Vice Mayor Justin Wilson and who gets to make it,” some artists, who said it was and Councilor Paul Smed- artist Betty Grisham said. too fast for adequate com- berg agreed with the speed Grisham brought up a munity input. City Manager of the process. proposal that the Torpedo Mark Jinks brought the pro- “In reality, we’ve been Factory Artists Association posal before council at its having this same debate for had put together to assume Nov. 13 legislative session, eight years now … at least management of the center. having alerted artists only a eight years, maybe even nine The organization had sub- week before on Nov. 6. or 10,” Smedberg said. “So mitted the proposal with the Councilor John Chapman I’m glad you brought this help of outside consultants asked Baker to explain the forward because we need to and had gotten no response THETHE CREMATIONCREMATION GARDENSGARDENS reasoning behind the timing force the question.” from the city. ATAT of the proposal. During the public hear- “It was treated with a to- IIVYVY HHILLILL CEMETERY “We don’t think that con- ing period, speakers advo- tal lack of respect or consid- tinuing on and waiting and cated for both sides of the eration,” she said. “I honest- having more discussions issue. ly cannot say I feel our ideas about the operations is go- Several Torpedo Facto- have been heard or our opin- ing to progress any further,” ry artists spoke against city ions respected.” Baker said. “We really need control, many of them stat- Other Torpedo Facto- ry artists simply expressed frustration about the timing. The city should not be in the “I’m not saying anyone business [of] deciding what has done anything wrong art is made in the TFAC and in this process,” artist Lisa Schumaier said. “I just who gets to make it.” think the timing was a littleFour new gardensIVYHILLCEMETERY.NET set in 22 acres of natural beauty for paying – Betty Grisham, wrong.” tribute to a loved one. Ground burial sites also available. artist, Torpedo Factory Keeping Alexandria’s703.549.7413 heritage since 1856 SEE TORPEDO | 14 2823 King Street, Alexandria 2823 KING ST. ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302 | 703.549.7413 [email protected] | www.ivyhillcemetery.net 14 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES SPORTS There is nothing we are asking ALEXANDRIA council to decide today that will impact the jurying. … We are asking for the opportunity to explore and SPORTS ROUNDUP have those conversations. … We The Alexandria Times sports roundup includes re- are all committed to excellence cords and game results for the prior two weeks in two of art and high quality of art sports per season for Alexandria’s four local high here. How those decisions are schools: Bishop Ireton, Episcopal, St. Stephens and St. Agnes and T.C. Williams. Records will be presented al- made is something that has to phabetically, while results will be listed by date. be part of this conversation.” This fall, the sports included are football and field – Emily Baker, hockey. We will also be running photos with captions deputy city manager from games and encourage readers to send timely pho- tos for submission to [email protected]. We will also continue covering games from various sports, as TORPEDO FROM | 13 of the center as a unique and sions over the coming year. well as running sports features about Alexandria ath- vibrant art institution. “There is nothing we are letes. On the other side of “The Friends welcomes asking council to decide to- the issue, several speakers the intent of the City of Al- day that will impact the ju- voiced support for city man- exandria to create a stable rying. … We are asking for agement. environment for the future the opportunity to explore BOYS' FOOTBALL Matthew Stensrud, chair of our great art institution. and have those conversa- of the Alexandria Commis- We as friends see a role and tions,” Baker said. “… We are sion for the Arts, spoke in opportunity for working co- all committed to excellence School Record support the proposal and re- operatively with the Torpe- of art and high quality of art Bishop Ireton 1-9 quested that the commission do Factory artists and the here. How those decisions Episcopal 6-3 act as a leader in the process. City of Alexandria to further are made is something that “We recognize the chal- this goal.” has to be part of this conver- SSSAS 5-5 lenge that lies ahead,” he During council’s delib- sation.” T.C. Williams 4-6 said. “Some artists fear their erations, Mayor Allison Sil- Wilson said he was frus- voices will be lost. Others berberg and Councilor Del trated with the discussion are frustrated with the road- Pepper asked about the ju- about jurying, and urged the Scores the past two weeks: blocks artists within the rying process. Pepper said council to make the decision Nov. 10 factory have built to neces- she had heard from commu- and move forward quickly sary change. The vibrancy nity members that the city with the process. Episcopal W 25-21 @ Woodberry Forest and sustainability plan is has not been abiding by the “What’s before us is a a strong first step toward a TFAA-established selection plan to make a plan,” he unified mission for the arts system for artists. said. “All this stuff before center.” Baker said the proposal us, the jury process, that’s GIRLS' FIELD HOCKEY Larry Goldberg, president before council did not have irrelevant. That’s part of of the Friends of the Torpedo any implications on the ju- the plan. It’s not what’s be- Factory art center, spoke in rying system, and that that fore us. …. I think the fact School Record support of the continuation would be part of the discus- is the city manager’s rec- Bishop Ireton 9-5 ommendation is to bring forward a plan and I think Episcopal 7-12 we should do that pretty SSSAS 15-7 darn quickly. My view is this should be done by the time T.C. Williams 9-3 we recess in June. This is not something that should Scores the past two weeks: be drawn out the entirety of 2019. This should not take Nov. 6 that long.” B.I. L 5-0 @ Trinity Episcopal School (VISAA After council’s unani- tournament) mous approval of the city manager’s recommenda- tion, staff will work on the Nov. 7 vibrancy and sustainability SSSAS L 2-0 @ St. Catherine’s School (VISAA FILE PHOTO plan over the next year. quarter-final) The Torpedo Factory is a staple on Alexandria's waterfront. [email protected] WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 15 Times LIFE WELL LIVED Living Floating away stress and anxiety

BY MARA BENNER its customers three types of float tanks, an enclosed pod, What do D.C. United’s an open pool or a cabin-like Wayne Rooney, Olympian enclosed pool. Carl Lewis, singer-songwrit- One of the very first er Peter Gabriel and actor questions usually asked Susan Sarandon all report- of Synergy’s owner, Chris edly have in common? They Jones, is if the tanks are float. They float for wellness communal or private. The and health benefits such as answer is all three options deep relaxation, stress re- are private with a private lief, pain management and shower and amenities. The to enhance their focus and only area that is commu- creativity. nal is a separate tranquility They are not alone. The room available after a ses- Floatation Tank Association sion. This room is perfect says there are 365 float cen- for journaling, sipping a hot ters throughout the United herbal tea or simply resting. States. An estimated 250 Jones is used to the next centers have opened in the question that arises: What’s past five years, indicating it like to float? the growing popularity of The first time Jones en- floating. Seven tered a tank, he COURTESY PHOTO of those float a c k n o w l e d g e s The Floataway Tranquility Float Tank provides the traditional 'pod' experience. The tank is equipped centers are lo- thinking, “This with attendant call button, internal lights with user control, full airflow design ventilation and a music cated in our local is weird.” He system. region and offer had served in this unique well- the Army, Air post-traumatic stress disor- quiet his mind and provide He decided to purchase ness option for Force and Navy der, sleep apnea and trau- the mind-body connection. an in-home float tank and mind, body and for 26 years un- matic brain injury. His med- He was not sure what to ex- began a regiment of float- spirit rejuvena- til retiring in ical team’s treatment plan pect as he entered the tank. ing daily. It didn’t take long tion. March 2016. As was prescription drugs and Jones was pleasantly sur- until he saw the health ben- he neared retire- counseling. Neither of these prised to find his mind drift efits. Jones and his medical Alexandria’s MARA BENNER ment, the mil- prescribed solutions were off and upon exiting the team were amazed when he float center itary requested high on Jones’ list. tank he was very relaxed. He was able to eliminate all of In Alexandria, Syner- a full physical exam of him Jones decided to seek al- resonated with the experi- his prescription drugs. gy Float Center located on and diagnosed Jones as be- ternative solutions to help ence and its impact on the 1240 N. Pitt St. opened last ing 80 percent disabled. him with his PTSD symp- whole of him – body, mind November. Synergy offers His diagnosis included toms, including support to and spirit. SEE FLOAT | 21 ARTS HOMES CALENDAR 'Billy Elliot' Festive tabletop November events The heartwarming story of a boy dream- New approaches to setting your Take photos with Santa, bask in ing of becoming a dancer | Page 17 table for the holidays | Page 18 holiday lights and more | Page 20 16 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES ARTS The Lamplighter Seasonal wreathmaking From the office to the bedroom, this simple lamp is so versatile it workshop with Laura Dowling fits in any décor! Come in and see for BY LOUISE KRAFFT yourself what makes this the hottest selling lamp in the store! The first in a new series of quarterly workshops was held Sunday afternoon at the head- quarters of the American Hor- ticulture Society, River Farm. Available in 6 different finishes Former chief floral designer at the White House Laura Dowl- 1207 King Street Alexandria, VA ing led the sold-out class in a 703-549-4040 seasonal and holiday wreath- www.lamplighterlamps.com making workshop. Dowling in- troduced the group to updated Williamsburg-style wreaths using layers of greens, berries and flowers. All of the partici- pants received copies of Dow- ling’s new book, “Wreaths: A Christmas Carol 11/30-12/16 With How-to Tutorials.” Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable, To begin, the materi- bitter old miser travels with als were assembled. For the ghostly guides through greens, port orford cedar, or- egonia and asparagus plumo- Christmas past, present, and sa fern were used. Fruits and future to find the true meaning flowers included hyperecum, of the holidays. Complete rosehips, nandina and Dutch with special effects, Victorian hydrangea. Floral supplies in- carols, and Tiny Tim. cluded a wrapped hay wreath form, 18-gauge rustic wire Buy tickets early at our (for hanging), floral craft wire box office or online! for securing the greens, wired Above: Laura Dowling sticks for adding the berries 600 Wolfe St, Alexandria | 703-683-0496 demonstrates how to and flowers along with gar- secure the greens to w w w thelittletheatre co m . . dening sheers. the wreath form. Starting with the base Left: The oregonia IN BUSINESS green materials after se- branches are trimmed SINCE 1987 curing the 18-gauge wire to 5-6 inch lengths. for hanging, floral wire is Below: Susan Gwozdz holds up her complet- wrapped and tied as an an- ed wreath for review. chor around the wreath. Us- PHOTOS/LOUISE KRAFFT ing one hand, small bunches of stems are gathered and held against frame while the other hand crosses the wire over the base of the stems to secure them in place. This process is repeated until the Additions and Alterations frame is covered. After secur- Interiors and Exteriors Call Us Today ing the selected berries and flowers to wired sticks, the • Kitchens • Baths • Basements - - 703 533 2423 embellishments are added to • Roofs • Windows • Siding for a no obligation discussion about complete the wreath. • Handyman HOW WE CAN HELP YOU! For more information on Class A Builder ~ License #2705 057273A upcoming workshops visit [email protected] | www.wardsremodeling.com www.ahsgardening.org WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 17 ARTS ‘Billy Elliot,’ a heartwarming and electrifying musical

BY JORDAN WRIGHT

The story of “Billy El- liot” is a tender tale of a boy who dreams of becom- ing a dancer while grow- ing up in a working-class mining town in Ireland. But it’s so much more. It’s a universal story of hope, identity and overcoming the odds when everything seems stacked against you. Battling against a macho culture dictated by gener- ations of miners who be- lieve a boy’s education re- quires boxing lessons – all the better to defend them- selves in a drunken pub fight, I suppose – young Billy shows indomitable grit in overcoming the rig- idly proscribed barriers to self-fulfillment. Backdropped against a year-long miners’ strike in response to the policies of Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative government, the town rallies in a show PHOTO/CHRISTOPHER MUELLER of solidarity by vowing not Owen Tabaka (Billy Elliot) and the cast of Billy Elliot at Signature Theatre. to cross the picket lines. Billy’s dad and big brother ishing cast led by Liam IF YOU GO ballet, tap, modern dance, Tony, Jamie Ecker as Billy’s Tony picket daily, battling a Redford and Owen Taba- aerial acrobatics – move late mother, Olivia McMa- phalanx of police who crack ka alternating as Billy; the Run dates: Through Jan. 6 over Peter Pan wannabes – hon/Vivian Poe as Debbie, heads and terrorize the pro- spectacular Nancy Ander- Where: Signature Theatre and singing too, of course, Stephawn P. Stephens as testers. “It’s about our his- son as Billy’s gutsy dance (Shirlington Village), Redford mesmerizes the au- Big Davey, Harrison Smith tory. It’s about our rights,” instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson; 4200 Campbell Ave., dience with his elfin charm as Mr. Braithwaite, Grant Billy’s dad proclaims. Chris Genebach as Billy’s Arlington, 22206. and precise moves. Also Richards as Older Billy, Sol- For tickets and information: Megastar Sir Elton John widowed dad, Jackie; Dan notable is his seemingly omon Parker III as London 703-820-9771 or visit wrote the music in collab- Manning as George, the effortless ease and emo- Dancer. www.sigtheatre.org. oration with Lee Hall, who boxing coach; the incom- tional depth in connecting Scenic design by Jason wrote the book and lyrics parable Catherine Flye as suitable to quote those in with the other cast mem- Sherwood, costume de- for the film and the musi- Billy’s Grandma; and a re- a family newspaper, I offer bers. More than two dozen sign by Kathleen Geldard, cal, as well as the screen- markable young actor/tap this somewhat restrained children and adults are also lighting design by Aman- play for Steven Spielberg’s dancer/singer, Jacob Thom- line: “It’s not a bloody tea dancers in this production da Zieve, sound design by “War Horse.” Making its as Anderson, as Billy’s com- dance,” says George, chas- giving us enough hoofing, Ryan Hickey with Assistant Broadway debut in 2008, ic, crossdressing playmate, tising a reluctant Billy to boogieing and pirouettes Director and Dialect Coach this electrifying produc- Michael. bash his pal in boxing class, for two-shows plus, all Rex Daugherty. tion won Tony, Grammy and As expected in a coal “Whack him in the head.” to the sounds of a nine- Academy Awards for “Best mining town, the language But let’s talk about the piece orchestra led by Tom Jordan Wright writes about Musical.” is salty – magnificently dancing. Press night gave Vendafreddo. food, spirits, travel, theatre Director/Choreographer salty with f-bombs tem- us the mind-blowing tal- Heartwarming, electri- and culture. Visit her website Matthew Gardiner gifts us pered by that particularly ents of Redford, a kid you fying and highly recom- at www.whiskandquill.com in this Signature Theatre appealing, hilariously dry, couldn’t take your eyes off mended. or email her at Jordan@ production with an aston- Irish-accented wit. Not of. Highly accomplished in With Sean Watkinson as WhiskandQuill.com. 18 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES HOMES Old Town’s Oldest French Restaurant! Le Refuge Accepting Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve reservations beginning November 23!

A funeral service should PHOTO/POTTERY BARN be about memories, This predominantly red-patterned dinnerware is a natural for the Christmas table, paired with a textural not high prices. red jacquard throw, inspired by antique designs and red napkins with polyresin white antler napkin rings. Find the right trimmings for Whether your family is in need of immediate service or interested in planning ahead to lock in prices for tomorrow’s needs, your your holiday tabletop ® Dignity Memorial provider can help. BY ELAINE MARKOUTSAS hopefully, remove a bit of well as glassware – has been stress. And new e-tail sites embraced more and more in Call today and find out how to celebrate a For most families, the din- like Fete Home, www.fete- recent years, which plays right life like no other, beautifully and affordably. ing table is the centerpiece of home.com, offer a curated into adding something new holiday events. Whether set assortment of products – in- to the table – and these days, Cremation starting at Burial starting at formally, casually or buffet cluding tableware – that are that often means an artisanal style, it’s the gathering spot eye-catching and distinctive touch. * ** $ $ where favorite seasonal foods across categories from chi- At a recent tabletop show 3,295 4,000 are shared and lively conver- noiserie to modern. It’s a col- in New York, a few current sations flow like the spirits. laboration of two former ex- trends spoke to the kind of The festivities start with ecutives who worked for New products retailers currently fall – and a change in seasons York designer and tastemaker have in their stores or online. in most parts of the country Bunny Williams. Millennials have created some – leading up to Thanksgiv- Even most creatures of of the sea changes, relaxing ing and Hanukkah, and then habit like to tweak their stan- formality in favor of dressed- Christmas and New Year’s dard tabletop settings. Mix up casual, and adding differ- Eve to kick off winter. It’s the something old with some- ent metal looks like gold and DEMAINE FUNERAL HOMES richest stretch of home en- thing gold or something new. copper, as well as more color ALEXANDRIA SPRINGFIELD tertaining, much of which re- Or tap into something holiday to flatware. Also trending is a 703-215-3583 703-436-1841 volves around food. Most of themed, which might include desire for modern looks, which DignityDCMetro.com us want the table to be at its table linens like runners, can include black matte as well coziest, but also special, el- cloths or napkins. And don’t as white dinnerware that can *Cremation includes basic services of the funeral director and staff, transfer of remains to the funeral establishment and crematory fees. Crematory fee is egant, memorable, beautiful forget to fashion some kind of be paired with colorful geo- included. Excludes all merchandise and additional services. Charges may vary depending on selections. and simple. focal point. metrics or other modern pat- **Burial includes basic services of the funeral director and staff, transfer of Many retailers feature The concept of layering terns. remains to funeral establishment, and transportation of remains to cemetery. Price quoted does not include any merchandise, such as casket, or cemetery blogs on their websites to get – mixing up solid colors and property or services. Prices may vary based on selections. you in a holiday mood and, patterns in dinnerware as SEE TABLETOP | 19 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 19 HOMES TABLE TOP FROM | 18 One example is Reign, made Of course, at this time of white dreidel, and there are Often these are salad or des- out of soda lime glass, at An- year, all of the popular season- embroidered white-on-blue sert plates sold in sets of four There are plenty of options thropologie. al motifs are trotted out, often napkins to match. The same and perfect for layering. for dressing the holiday table. Some, like Constellation, as ornaments or other holiday is true with Santas, angels, Textures are a lot more You can’t go wrong with a with its moody deep blue decor. Traditional turkey plat- nutcrackers and reindeer – all prevalent in plates than ever touch of gold or copper. The ground, resemble their names ters or turkey-shaped tureens popular candidates for new before, but they can be in- warm metallics have been – in this case, a smattering of – white and gold offer some imagery, sometimes done troduced in other elements, embraced in home decor – as gold stars, which West Elm contemporary looks – are es- with a wink and a smile, like such as nubby silks and linens, furniture frames, threads in calls “serving up a side of sub- pecially effective in all-white a set of mod reindeers in party jute and bark cloth, as well as woven fabrics, picture frames tle glam.” settings. Whimsically drawn mode. textured vinyls that create a and all kinds of accessories. There are a lot of gold-em- turkeys, angular shapes in a The enormous range of backdrop for everything on On the table, metal char- bellished patterns in usually modern palette, at Crate and products also open the door the table. Faceted vases and gers can add a sleek finishing plain barware. There’s lots of Barrel bring artistry and a to more thoughtful, eclectic bowls also lend texture, along touch, even to casual dinner- gold flatware, as well, some- smile to the table. Other wa- tables. Imperfect squiggly with napkin rings. ware. Gold-rimmed plates or times paired with black or even tercolored looks – pastel-hued stripes, asymmetrical abstract The trick, of course, is mix- serving platters in porcelain other surprising colors, like pumpkins and leaves, as well painted looks, ikats and other ing what you have – plus per- or glass add sparkle. And gold seafoam at Anthropologie. as rich-hued turkeys and birds globally inspired designs, bold sonal touches – to make the can shimmer as splashes or Silver seems to especially – have become staples at Pot- geometrics at Neiman Marcus table setting your own instead sprinkles on white or col- complement blues on a Ha- tery Barn. and geometric patterns – of something you hacked. ored porcelain or on eglomise nukkah table, where a selec- Dreidel and Hanukkah some taken from the shapes With a creative eye and min- plates – reverse painted glass tion of mercury glass candle motifs also are refreshed each of eggs or ornaments – all in a imal outlay, you can freshen – which look as if they have holders can offer additional year. This year at Pottery lively assortment of colors, of- up your holiday table without been brushed with gold leaf. sparkle. Barn, a plate bears a blue-on- fer a rich tapestry for layering. breaking the bank.

HOME OF THE WEEK Oronoco residence provides relaxed, convenient living

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Location: Various museums Walk Parade, Alexandria’s historic A Thanksgiving morning tradition, Time: Time varies by boutique waterfront shines as dozens of LOCAL HISTORY/SPECIAL Location: Old Town and Del Ray COLLECTIONS TOUR Come learn the Alexandria Turkey Trot is a NOVEMBER 30 brightly lit boats cruise the Potomac signature event in the city and Information: visitalexandriava.com/ River for the Alexandria Holiday about the unique treasures held at region. Welcoming nearly 6,000 blackfriday Boat Parade of Lights, which was the Alexandria Library’s Local History/ runners, and some of the fastest NONPROFIT & ASSOCIATION named a Top 10 Best Holiday Special Collections the first Saturday LEADERSHIP FORUM NOVEM- elite runners on the east coast, the NOVEMBER 24 Parade by the USA Today 10 Best of every month. Turkey Trot is a perfect way to start BER BREAKFAST The Alexandria Readers› Choice Awards in 2017. Time: 11 a.m. your Thanksgiving morning. The Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit & Tommy McFly of TommyShow.com Location: Kate Waller Barrett Branch 43rd annual five-mile run-walk takes SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Association Forum is centered on and NBC4 will serve as the parade Library, 717 Queen St. place on Del Ray roads, starting and IN ALEXANDRIA Small Business quarterly networking breakfasts that announcer. Enjoy festivities at the Information: www.alexlibraryva.org ending at George Washington Middle Saturday is bigger than ever in allow for Nonprofit & Association staff Alexandria City Marina from 4 to 8 the D.C. region’s Shop Small members to network with one anoth- School. Dogs and stroller entrants p.m., including a pop-up beer garden DECEMEBER 8 have their own starting area on the headquarters, where more than 50 er. In addition, these events feature a from Port City Brewing Company northside of George Washington independently owned boutiques in mini session on a topic of the day by featuring their popular seasonal Middle School. Attendees should Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray will an expert speaker. Tidings Ale, a pop-up Vola’s Dockside ALEXANDRIA HARMONIZERS bring two nonperishable food items in offer special in-store activities. The Time: 8 to 9 a.m. Grill and giveaways from Lyft, which ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW: ‘THE cans or boxes on race day to support popular Elf Prize Patrol returns from Location: National Hospice and is also offering 20 percent off your SECRET OF CHRISTMAS’ Cele- nonprofit ALIVE! Optional cash 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. treating shoppers Palliative Care Organization, 1731 ride to the Alexandria Holiday Boat brate the season with a cappella vocal donations are also welcomed upon in Old Town and Del Ray with surprise King St. Parade of Lights with the code harmony. The Alexandria Harmonizers, registration. giveaways. Other highlights include Information: www.alexchamber.com HOLIDAYPARADE18!. Take part in a the area’s premiere a cappella chorus, Time: 9 a.m.; Registration starts at free parking at parking meters, pop- Letters to Santa postcard pop-up from present their annual holiday show, up musical performances by The “The Secret of Christmas.” In addition 8:30 a.m. DECEMBER 1 paper goods boutique Penny Post, Location: George Washington Middle Alexandria Singers and the Alexandria a DIY holiday wood ornament craft to the award-winning Harmonizers, the School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. Citizens Band from 11 a.m. until 1 activity from AR Workshop Alexandria show features their smaller ensemble, Information: www.alexandriaturkey- p.m., a postcard pop-up from Penny SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS WALK and a hot chocolate bar from Dolci TBD, and a new quartet, Better Togeth- trot.com Post, special activities at the Torpedo PARADE Don’t miss Old Town Gelati. Parade-goers are invited to er. The event will be a great addition to Factory Art Center, hands-on arts Alexandria’s most spectacular your holiday season that is fun, moving activities by the Mobile and suitable for the entire family. NOVEMBER 23 Art Lab and holiday Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. tunes and cheer by Location: T.C. Williams High School, TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY DJ Josh Goldman. NOVEMBER 23 3330 King St.. Light up the holiday season with Make a reservation to Information: 703-403-0296 Alexandria’s annual tree lighting. get photos with the PHOTOS WITH SANTA The event will begin with a welcome region’s most beloved IN OLD TOWN Reserve HOW TO CELEBRATE KWANZAA by the Town Crier and remarks from Santa and Mrs. WORKSHOP Have you ever wanted Mayor Allison Silberberg, followed Claus at Hooray for a 10-minute slot for your to celebrate Kwanzaa, but are not by a performance by Santa’s Frosty Books!. Small Business child to meet with Santa by sure how to begin? Join the staff of Follies from the Metropolitan Fine Saturday in Alexandria the ABHM and Marilyn Patterson, CEO Arts Center and a visit with Santa and is a partnership of making a donation of any of Joyous Events, for an informative Mrs. Claus. Visit Alexandria, the size to Hooray for Books! morning that includes the history of Time: 6 to 8 p.m. City of Alexandria, Kwanzaa, and hints on easy to make Location: Market Square, 301 King the Alexandria Small special Santa account, crafts, games, gifts, recipes and St. Business Development which will be used to holiday decorating. Center, the Alexandria Information: 703-746-5592 provide books, toys and Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Chamber of Location: Alexandria Black History BLACK FRIDAY ALEXANDRIA Commerce, the Old games for the Alexandria Museum, 902 Wythe St. Alexandria’s alternative Black Friday Town Boutique District Domestic Violence Information: www.alexandriava.gov/ experience features more than 50 and the Del Ray blackhistory independent boutiques kicking off Business Association. Program’s Holiday Party. PHOTO/HOORAY FOR BOOKS! the holiday shopping season with Time: All Day Time: All day• Location: Hooray for Books!, 1555 King St. 19TH-CENTURY TOYS one-of-a-kind deals on designer and Location: Old Town Information: www.hooray4books.com AND ENTERTAINMENT AT coveted merchandise, including home and Del Ray SHUTER’S HILL At the Shuter’s Hill décor, chic fashions, gourmet food, Information: visitalex- archaeological site, entertainment classic toys and gifts for dogs. Store andriava.com/small- holiday weekend. In 1749, the City of step into the Torpedo Factory Art and toys that belonged to children offers vary, with special discounts businesssaturday Alexandria was officially established Center, located at the Alexandria and adults were discovered. Come throughout the day and more than by three Scottish merchants and City Marina, for their annual holiday hear Alexandria Archaeology talk 10 boutiques opening at 6 a.m., NOVEMBER 25 named after its original founder, John festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. about what was found. including Bellacara, The Shoe Hive, Alexander, also of Scottish descent. Time: 5:30 p.m. Time: 2 p.m. The Hive, fibre space, Red Barn, Today, the city continues celebrating its Location: Alexandria City Marina, 0 Location: Ellen Coolidge Burke MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY Visit Penny Post and Pacers. Sugar Shack heritage with a weekend of festivities. Cameron St. Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road your favorite historic Alexandria Donuts will also open at 6 a.m. and The iconic Scottish Christmas Walk Information: www.visitalexandriava. Information: www.alexlibraryva.org museums for Museum Store Sunday, is offering a free house donut with Parade takes place on Saturday at 11 com/boatparade the day after Small Business the purchase of any seasonal holiday a.m., when dozens of Scottish clans Saturday, for unique and historically PHOTOS WITH SANTA IN OLD drink. The Old Town Boutique District dressed in colorful tartans will parade STORY TIME FOR LITTLE HISTO- inspired gifts with special offers, TOWN Reserve a 10-minute slot celebrates with Plaid Friday, a relaxing through the streets of Old Town, joined RIANS Bring your little learners to seasonal refreshments and more. for your child to meet with Santa and enjoyable alternative to big box by pipe and drum bands from around the Alexandria Black History Museum Participating museum stores include by making a donation of any size stores’ Black Friday that is designed to the region, as well as terriers and for cultural stories and creative craft the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary to Hooray for Books! special Santa promote both local and independently hounds. There will be other festivities activities that introduce world history Museum, the Alexandria History account, which will be used to owned businesses during the holidays. throughout the weekend including and folklore. Story time will take place Museum at The Lyceum, Friendship provide books, toys and games for Look for the plaid bow outside all Old the Taste of Scotland scotch tasting, every first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Museum, Gadsby’s Tavern the Alexandria Domestic Violence Town Boutique District stores to see a holiday Heather and Greens sale 11 a.m. in the Watson Reading Room Museum, Alexandria Black History Program’s Holiday Party. which stores are participating and and The Campagna Center’s Holiday (located next door to the muse- Museum, Fort Ward Museum, Time: All Day shop local this holiday season. After Designer Tour of Homes. um.) Explore the museum exhibits Freedom House Museum, Alexandria Location: Hooray for Books!, 1555 the shopping is done, stay for the Time: 11 a.m. afterwards to learn about local black Archaeology and the Carlyle House. King St. popular City of Alexandria Annual Tree Location: Old Town history. All ages are welcome, but the The museums of historic Alexandria Information: www.hooray4books.com Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. on historic Information: www.campagnacenter. event is most suitable for children 3 are pleased to participate in this Market Square. As the official kick-off to 6 years old. international campaign led by the org/scottishwalkweekend WE LOVE OLD TOWN TRASH to the holiday season in Alexandria, Time: 11 a.m. to noon Museum Store Association. 19TH ANNUAL ALEXANDRIA the ceremony includes a welcome by Location: Alexandria Black History SEE CALENDAR | 21 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 21 CALENDAR CALENDAR FROM | 20 to benefit Del Ray Artisans. The ALEXANDRIA HOLIDAY by making a donation of any size evening includes a reception with SING-ALONG Join the Alexandria to Hooray for Books! special Santa DECEMBER 19 PICK-UP The We Love Old Town hors d’oeuvres and good cheer and Citizens Band for the fun and account, which will be used to SCREENING: ‘INCREDIBLES a performance of the classic Dickens group has hope to improve areas popular Alexandria Holiday Sing- provide books, toys and games for 2’ Join the Charles Beatley Central show. Enjoy and support the arts in Along. They’ll play all your musical in our city. Their mission is to keep the Alexandria Domestic Violence Library for a movie screening of citizens engaged with city staff and your community. favorites, including a narrated Program’s Holiday Party. Incredibles 2 (PG) from Walt Disney to keep Old Town clean, attractive Time: Reception at 6:30 p.m., perfor- version of the magical “Twas the Pictures. All children must be mance at 8 p.m. Night Before Christmas” and a Time: All Day and well maintained. Focuses are accompanied by an adult. Location: The Little Theatre of Alexan- Hanukkah Medley. Warm up your identifying crumbling, loose or Location: Hooray for Books!, 1555 Time: 11 a.m. dria, 600 Wolfe St. voices so you can sing along as missing bricks, reporting vacant King St. Location: Charles E. Beatley Central Information: DelRayArtisans.org/ they entertain you under the baton tree wells also in need of mulch and Information: www.hooray4books.com event/christmas-carol of Mike Evans. Wear your holiday Library, 5005 Duke St. picking up trash. They provide gloves sweaters and Santa hats. Bring your Information: alexlibraryva.org and the managers at Trader Joe's family and friends. There’ll even be provide trash bags and water. DECEMBER 12 some treats. The event is free of Time: 9 to 11 a.m. charge. Location: Corner of North Fairfax and HOLIDAY PARTY Celebrate the Time: 7:30 p.m. King streets holiday season and the end of Location: Del Ray United Methodist Information: weloveoldtown.com another successful year with all your Church, 100 E. Windsor Ave. neighbors at Duncan Library. Information: www.facebook.com/ DECEMBER 11 Time: 7 p.m. events/174884993456719 Location: James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” Ave. DECEMBER 15 THEATER NIGHT AT THE LITTLE Information: www.alexlibraryva.org THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA Don’t PHOTOS WITH SANTA IN OLD miss the Little Theatre of Alexandria’s TOWN Reserve a 10-minute slot performance of “A Christmas Carol” DECEMBER 14 for your child to meet with Santa

FLOAT FROM | 15 COURTESY PHOTO The Float- away Float New research Cabin For supporting floating Two includes New research released an attendant in February of this year call button, titled “Examining the internal lights Short-Term Anxiolytic and with user control, full Antidepressant Effect of airflow design Floatation-REST,” provides ventilation data that matches Jones’ ex- and a music perience. Researchers from system. The the Laureate Institute for cabin allows Brain Research, the Univer- the ability to sity of Tulsa and the Uni- step into the tank and then versity of California found IRON CODE #12 that an hour floatation lie down, sim- ilar to being experience “substantially in a bathtub reduced state anxiety and with a glass significantly reduced stress, enclosure muscle tension, pain and de- that helps pression.” The research fur- with sound ther found that those who proofing. floated “experienced seren- ity, relaxation and overall now offers a “Float it For- information on the “Float it well-being.” ward” campaign that allows Forward” campaign, on its Jones’ personal success donations from the public website: synergy-float-cen- story with floating con- to provide a complimentary ter.business.site. vinced him that other vet- float for veterans, military Website Design & Development erans could also receive the and first-responders in Al- Mara Benner is the founder same benefits. He acknowl- exandria. This is on a first- of Four Directions Wellness, Hosting & Maintenance edges that floating is not for come, first-serve basis and connecting body, mind, everyone, but it does provide available as long as dona- emotions and spirit. The Online Marketing another option for those tions are provided. In the organization is affiliated seeking alternative wellness future, Jones hopes to take with the GW Center for services. this program national. Integrative Medicine. Mara Because some people may The Synergy Float Cen- is also a member of the Del 703.829.0809 not be able to afford the ses- ter answers these and other Ray Business Association’s www.ironistic.com sions, Synergy Float Center questions, and provides more Well Ray community. 22 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Our View We have much to be Opinion thankful for “Where the press is free and every man is able to read, all is safe.” Thanksgiving always seems to come just in time. - Thomas Jefferson During election years – and in Virginia we vote on something most years – it comes just after the election season has ended. This season was particularly heated, though at this point they all seem excessively divisive. While political partisans, internet trolls and many news out- lets highlight the more inflammatory elements of our political discourse and national life, Thanksgiving is a particularly good time to step back and try to regain a bit of perspective. We are thankful to live in a country with free and fair elections, where voters can go to the polls and vote without fear of physical harm. It’s especially heartening to see young people at the polls, casting their ballots and experiencing the democrat- ic process for the first time. We are thankful for the rights we share as Americans, par- ticularly our five pillars: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and the right to own private property. Elements of these pillars are under assault both at home and abroad. May we have the courage to defend them. We are thankful to live in a city with a long and interest- ing history. Alexandria’s charming antiquity is both education- al and a vital aspect of our current economic stability, as peo- Your Views ple travel from around the world to see our historic streets and churches and to learn about our ties to George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, among others. City repeating mistakes in May we have the courage to acknowledge our entire history – including the parts of it of which we should not be proud. May we delineating wetlands also have the foresight to protect what can’t be replaced. We are thankful for the overall economic prosperity of To the editor: lands, only after their original findings our city, state and country. May we never forget that not every- It should be more than obvious to were challenged by other research- one shares in that prosperity. any regulatory agency dealing with the ers, is misspent taxpayer dollars twice We are thankful to live in a city with dedicated public Potomac Yard Metro Station why it is over by the city. The effort also has a servants, particularly our elected officials who put in countless unacceptable for design and build firm high likelihood of failure to properly de- hours for very little compensation. In particular, we give thanks Kimley-Horn to reassess the freshwa- lineate and assess the freshwater tidal for the four outgoing members of city council – Mayor Allison Sil- ter tidal channel wetlands that abut the channel wetlands. berberg and Councilors Willie Bailey, Tim Lovain and Paul Smed- proposed construction staging area for This whole PYMS situation has berg – who collectively have given the city more than 30 years of the project (Alternative B) – the same now devolved to a farce. It is a strong public service. wetlands it egregiously missed in its case of wasting taxpayer dollars on We are also thankful that talented people continue to run for initial report that supported the city’s multiple counts, foolishly coupled public office in Alexandria, and for incoming Mayor-elect Justin Environmental Impact Statement and with the re-hiring of the design and Wilson, Vice Mayor-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and Council- Joint Permit Application. build firm that botched the original ors-elect Canek Aguirre, Amy Jackson and Mo Seifeldein, as well It is wrong and perverse for the city to wetlands assessment. These are not Al- as longtime Councilors John Chapman and Del Pepper. have Kimley-Horn again try and deter- exandria’s, Virginia’s or National Park We are thankful to live in a city where so many people are mine PYMS-impacted wetlands, or for Service’s wetlands – they are the na- engaged with and passionate about our local issues. While regulators to accept whatever findings tion’s. there’s often disagreement about individual decisions, may we they might present this time around The Metro station is not worth the remember that all sides are advocating for what they think is best as scientifically sound. We think Kim- destruction of freshwater tidal wetlands, for our city. We should try to find ways to channel that common- ley-Horn has little credibility in the critical wildlife habitat and NPS’ scenic ality of concern for Alexandria into greater cohesion. matter of properly delineating and as- and historic easement. There are viable As we stop to give thanks on this day of national gratitude sessing likely impacts to the freshwater alternatives that do not cause ecological that dates back to the early Virginians (see today’s Out of the tidal channel wetlands. damage and loss of open space. Attic on page 25) and Pilgrims, may we focus on the many bless- The fact that the city has again -C. Dara, Jimm Roberts, ings in our lives. Yes, we and others can always be better and do called on this firm to assess the wet- Alexandria more. But it’s helpful, even if for just a day, to keep our focus on the positive. The opinions expressed in letters and columns are those of the writers only and do not Happy Thanksgiving, Alexandria. reflect the views, nor receive the endorsement, of the Alexandria Times. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 23

Citizen group forms Justice Matters again to save PY wetlands with Bryan Porter To the editor: partial environmental review. How prosecutors handle Forty years ago, a citizen The facts indicate the opposite group named the Dainger- conclusion. field Island Protective Society The ECA has asked the U.S. their ‘gremlins’ stopped an interchange from Army Corps of Engineers and being built off the George Wash- the Virginia Department of En- In criminal cases, prosecutors do “gremlins” because it just feels wrong ington Memorial Parkway into vironmental Quality to deny the not get to choose their evidence. Ev- to bring them to a jury’s attention. As Potomac Yard, near where the city’s request for a Clean Wa- ery prosecutor would enjoy always a young attorney, I attended a trial City of Alexandria wants to ter Act permit that would allow having compelling forensic evidence advocacy course in which the instruc- build a new Metro station today. them to fill in these wetlands and unimpeachable witnesses, partic- tor taught us that an attorney should In 2018, it is the Environmental for the purpose of constructing ularly in preparing a serious case for never address or admit a weakness, for Council of Alexandria, or ECA, a Metro station. Last week, the trial. However, the vagaries of human fear that the jury will believe the pros- that is trying to protect the DEQ informed us that the City existence dictate the exact opposite ecution’s entire case is flimsy. same remnant marshland. of Alexandria would have to result: witnesses always have areas in This is definitely the wrong ap- Once again, wetlands and the submit a new permit application which a defense attorney can “score proach. Above all else, a prosecutor historic character of the Park- because of the serious issues we points” on cross-examina- must establish credibility way are being threatened by a have raised. tion and, in the real world, with the jury. The jury does development that requires the The ECA has also asked it is a rare case where incul- not have to like the prosecu- approval of the National Park the Virginia Marine Resources patory forensic evidence is tor personally, although that Service. As in 1978, the NPS Commission to evaluate impacts located at the crime scene. I obviously helps. However, the has approved a project that will to tidal wetlands in the area, refer to these problems, ex- jury must inherently trust the harm a fragile natural resource which the city’s consultant Kim- tant in every criminal case, prosecutor. There are always that belongs to every American. ley-Horn failed to identify in as ‘gremlins.’ It is a prose- problems in a case. Pretend- Once again, real estate in- their surveys. A hundred years cutor’s obligation to address ing otherwise necessarily terests and city officials are try- ago, Daingerfield Island was these ‘gremlins’ to a jury’s BRYAN PORTER means that the prosecutor ing to build on land that should surrounded by a tidal freshwater satisfaction. is losing credibility with the jurors. not be developed because of the marsh. Remnants of that marsh The realities of criminal investiga- Furthermore, prosecutors who briefly site’s significant aquatic biodi- still exist along the GW Park- tions are often lost on jurors who pri- raise and then provide credible expla- versity, scenic value and impor- way. Destroy these wetlands marily receive their education about nations about their gremlins reap an tance to the health of Potomac and you harm the Potomac and police and prosecutors from televi- added benefit: stealing the thunder of River and Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay too. sion. In the fantasy world of TV, a de- defense attorneys who are certainly Once again, the NPS and the Alexandria is now trying to tective at a crime scene can quickly going to raise those very weaknesses city are failing to compensate use the arrival of Amazon and activate his handy portable tricorder, during their opening statements. Alexandrians for the perma- the Virginia Tech Innovation point it at a pool of blood or a spent The reader may find this surpris- nent ecological damage that will campus to speed up a flawed cartridge case, and within seconds ob- ing, but in the real world of criminal come with a major construction site selection process. There is tain a photograph of the murderer on investigations, it is rare to recover in- project. As in 1978, Dyke Marsh nothing innovative or environ- the device, displayed prominently be- criminating DNA or fingerprints from was the “go-to marsh” for miti- mentally sound about bulldoz- neath a flashing 24-point, bright-red a crime scene. Criminals’ DNA is less gation, though it now appears ing wetland habitat that has ex- banner reading “match.” likely to be found in cases where they that the NPS is angling to re- isted since the last Ice Age. The Not surprisingly, it does not work wear gloves, do not touch the victim store “something” along the fact is, the Metro station could, that way in the real world, but these or when the perpetrator is only at the C&O Canal in Maryland. and should, be constructed else- televised flights of fancy mean that crime scene for a short time. DNA and Once again, Alexandria is in where in the new National Land- many citizens enter the courtroom fingerprints do not magically float danger of losing these wetlands ing. with unrealistic expectations about through the air and any number of en- and the scenic character of the We are not opposed to ex- the prosecution’s ability to produce vironmental factors, such as tempera- parkway because development is panding Metro ridership, but incriminating forensic evidence. Giv- ture, humidity or direct sunlight can valued more highly than the en- we are adamantly against de- en the frequency with which this affect the deposition or recovery of vironment and history. stroying these wetlands to ac- phenomenon is encountered, it has such forensic evidence. In many cases, In 1978, former Interior Sec- complish that goal. ECA intends obtained a name: the “CSI effect,” small bits of DNA or partial finger- retary Stewart Udall was try- to do whatever it can to prevent eponymously named for a popular prints are recovered, but prove to be ing to help the developers. One their destruction. We encourage television program. too scant to use for scientific compar- wonders which politicians have all Alexandrians to join us in For prosecutors, one of the tough- ison. pressured the NPS to approve this fight. est facets of a trial is finding a way to However, the police have an obli- this project today. Alexandria - Andrew Macdonald, gently broach the weaknesses in their gation to undertake a diligent search officials are trying to convince Katy Cannady, Vineeta cases and to provide credible expla- for such evidence at crime scenes. If citizens that this project has Ananad, Erin Winograd , nations to the jury. Many new pros- undergone a thorough and im- ECA Board Members ecutors flinch from addressing their SEE PORTER | 25 24 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES My View | David Howell City’s election pro- Impact of Amazon HQ2 on Alexandria cess is undemocratic It’s official: Amazon is excitement last year when Nes- their workforce walks to work. To the editor: coming. After 14 months of tle announced they were mov- And it isn’t an accident that This is in response to your final report on the speculation, the odds-on fa- ing their U.S. headquarters to Amazon chose an area served mid-term elections for city council. As you report- vorite Crystal City was in- Rosslyn and creating about 900 by three Metrorail stops. Those ed, all of the elected city council members were deed the winner in the HQ2 jobs. areas that will see the greatest sponsored by the Democratic Party. The overall way sweepstakes, but with a twist. We haven’t seen the 5X and most immediate appreci- the election was conducted, from the primary to the Queens, New York will get half multiplier with Nestle and we ation will be those in walking November election, was an absolute sham. There of the planned 50,000 jobs that opine it will be the same with distance – the condos in Crys- was no way that any minority party could possibly Amazon says it will Amazon. But any tal City, Pentagon City and Po- win unless the Democrats did not come out and vote. create over the next way you slice it, tomac Yards (newly rebranded As you may know, at-large elections have been 10 to 12 years. And Amazon will be as National Landing) and those declared illegal in many communities across our in this case, getting creating some huge older neighborhoods of sin- country since the passage of the Voting Rights Act half the loaf may numbers. gle-family homes to the west of of 1965 because they were determined to be dis- turn out to be bet- Bear in mind Crystal City and to the south of criminatory. At-large elections permit the majority ter than getting the that the immedi- Pentagon City. And anything faction in the community – be it racial, religious, whole thing. ate metro D.C. area along a Metro line will benefit. or political – to win all seats on their city council. There is no organically adds But we speculate that over- Therefore, the minorities do not get any representa- doubt this is an about 40,000 jobs a all home prices will rise 20 to tion on the council even though their percentage in enormous win for year to an employ- 30 percent because of HQ2. A the community in many cases would have justified our area, but there ment base of more 5 percent rise in the number one or two seats. are some possible DAVID HOWELL than 2,000,000. of sales doesn’t typically beget This is the same thing that is happening in Alex- downsides as well. And it isn’t as if price hikes like that. We think andria, where the minority parties are being effec- Understandably, in the im- Amazon will plop down those it’s more likely that we’ll see tively shut-out for representation on the city coun- mediate aftermath of an an- new employees tomorrow – it appreciation rates north of 15 cil. In the last election, votes for the Democratic nouncement of this magnitude, will spread over 10 years or percent in the immediate Na- candidates for the Senate and House of Representa- the positives and the negatives more. If we’re right about the tional Landing area because tives were about 80 percent of all votes cast. tend to be exaggerated. I’m multiplier, it’s a boost of about there simply isn’t enough sup- In the city council election, we saw about the not an economist – I’m a Re- 10 percent per year over what ply, and it will be imperative same distribution with the six Democrats receiving altor®. But my colleagues and we would have expected. for jurisdictions to allow for between 70 and 80 percent of the votes when cor- I have studied the D.C. market more dense development. rected for the fact that each voter could vote for up for decades, and would like to Residential real estate Officials from Amazon, to six candidates and the top Republican got more provide a little context for what A lot of the people they’ll Arlington County, the City of than 20 percent of the vote. the likely impact of Amazon’s hire don’t live here now. Let’s Alexandria and the Common- In a fair election, one would assume that the Re- move will be in a number of assume half of the Amazon wealth worked on this for a long publicans should have won about 20 percent of the important categories. hires, as well as half of those time before the announcement city council seats, or about one seat. But because of “multiplier” employees, decide was made. But there will be the way the elections are run in this city, the major- Employment to buy a home. On the high side, community opposition to this ity party is able to effectively shut out any minority There are some pretty ob- that would be 31,000 homes kind of development – because party. vious conclusions. Amazon purchased that wouldn’t have understandably there always This needs to be corrected. says it will employ 25,000 peo- happened if Amazon wasn’t is. One way to correct this is to divide the city into ple – and possibly more – over coming to town – so 3,000 per Rental rates will rise sig- precincts or wards and have people vote only for the next decade. There is also year. nificantly as Amazon boosts the candidates representing their precinct or ward. a “multiplier” that can be ap- There are roughly 68,000 employment. Count yourself Then the city council member representing them plied, as there will need to be homes sold annually in metro among the fortunate if you would truly be representing their interests. more doctors, teachers, dry D.C., so there would be a 4 to have a three-year lease on a Another way, which is not as effective, would be cleaners and a host of others 5 percent increase in the num- unit in South Arlington, be- to not allow any political party primary prior to the to support those new Amazon ber of sales. After several years cause those with leases expir- city council election. All candidates would be on the jobs. We’ve seen some esti- of a sustained recovery in our ing soon are going to see that November ballot with no party affiliation. Unfor- mates of a 5X multiplier – those metro area, we have started to it’s a landlord’s market. tunately, this would probably result in the majority 25,000 jobs will spawn another see a modest slowdown in the party having a caucus to limit the number of candi- 125,000. We believe, however, number of sales and a slight The writer is executive vice dates the party puts on the final ballot. it is more likely that the multi- easing on price appreciation. president of McEnearney The purpose of a democracy is to provide repre- plier will be more like 1 to 1.5, Amazon’s announcement will Associates, a firm of more sentation for all, regardless of religious belief, polit- meaning that taken together, give a boost to that slowing than 380 associates in ical party, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It is the direct Amazon jobs and market. nine offices throughout the shameful that our city has an electoral process that those that will be created will We’ve never seen a compa- Washington metropolitan is not democratic. be somewhere between 50,000 ny culture quite like Amazon’s region. For more information, -James J. Melton, and 62,500. Think about the here – in Seattle, a quarter of visit www.McEnearney.com Alexandria WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 | 25 OUT OF THE ATTIC

Denise Dunbar Early Thanksgiving in Alexandria Publisher & Editor [email protected] Despite conventional history em- response was generally positive, and Missy Schrott phasizing the celebration in Plymouth three years later, Mayor George P. Managing Editor colony in 1621, the first documented Wise designated November 20 a day [email protected] Thanksgiving celebration by English of thanksgiving. Other Virginia cities colonists was celebrated in Virginia held their own observances, including Margaret Stevens on Dec. 3, 1619. An expedition of 38 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Win- Sales Director [email protected] men under the command of Capt. John chester. Woodlief arrived from England to the The holiday did not enjoy an unop- Patrice V. Culligan 6,000-acre Berkeley grant, now Berke- posed acceptance in our town. As ten- Publisher Emerita ley Plantation. sion between the states grew, so did FILE PHOTO [email protected] Following the dictates of their opposition to celebrating this “north- sponsor, the London Company, the Dec. 13.” (Alexandria Gazette, Dec. ern” tradition. In 1858, then-Mayor group declared a day of thanksgiving, 13, 1839). Another writer argued in William D. Massey requested a day ADVERTISING promising it would be “kept yearly and 1850 that 21 other states observed the of Thanksgiving which would include Marty DeVine perpetually ... as a day of Thanksgiv- tradition, and that the town’s lack of closing local businesses. The Common [email protected] ing to Almighty God.” And they kept public health epidemics was as good as Council voted down the request 10 to their promise until 1622, when the any to observe a day of thanks. 3. Some of the council members who Deb Riley settlers were massacred in March. The religious aspect of the holiday voted against the proposal were Ben- [email protected] Alexandria, like many other south- encouraged local clergy to advocate jamin Hallowell and George H. Smoot. Patrice V. Culligan ern municipalities, was reluctant to its spirit, if not its observance. For in- It was the first time the Common [email protected] celebrate Thanksgiving as we know stance, the Rev. Joshua N. Danforth of Council had rejected a mayoral pro- it. Despite President George Wash- the Second Presbyterian Church, pre- posal for a city holiday. Margaret Stevens ington’s proclamation that Nov. 26, sented “A Thanksgiving Oration” to The occupying Union Army reinsti- [email protected] 1789 was to be a national celebration, his congregants on Nov. 27, 1851. The tuted the celebration of Thanksgiving the holiday was often considered a oration was published in the Gazette in Alexandria, as early as 1861. Lin- Tina Franco northern tradition. However, a resi- the next week. coln established the celebration as a Office Administrator [email protected] dent wrote to the Alexandria Gazette The public support for a local cel- national holiday in 1863, and Alexan- in 1839 that they “rejoiced to find that ebration grew so much in 1853 that dria has not skipped one since. the good old-fashioned custom prev- Mayor John Muir declared November alent in the Northern States … was to 24 a local holiday and recommended Out of the Attic is provided by the ART DIRECTOR be observed in Alexandria on Friday, that local businesses close. The local Office of Historic Alexandria. Aleksandra (Sasha) Kochurova [email protected] PORTER FROM | 23 they likely produce. scorched-earth, win-at-all-costs at- As the reader recalls from an ear- tempt to cast doubt on the strength of they do not, they may be overlooking lier column, prosecutors have an eth- the government’s case. CONTRIBUTORS crucial evidence that could bring a ical duty to provide the defense with Next month, I will discuss how the Alexa Epitropoulos violent criminal to justice and they all material, even that which hurts ‘CSI Effect’ can impact a real-world Kim Gilliam become open to accusations of in- their case. With regards to the ‘CSI case, and how prudent prosecutors can Elizabeth Holm competence. The fact that forensic Effect,’ this means that the prosecu- attempt to inoculate themselves from Louise Krafft searches rarely produce incriminating tor must disclose every fruitless police its negative influence on jurors. Jim McElhatton evidence means that the more crime attempt to locate incriminating fo- Dr. Vivek Sinha scene analyses a police detective un- rensic evidence at the scene, handing The writer is Commonwealth’s Jordan Wright dertakes, the more fruitless searches the defense a potent weapon in their Attorney for Alexandria.

ALEXTIMES LLC Weekly Poll Denise Dunbar Managing Partner Last Week This Week Take the poll at alextimes.com The Ariail family Do you agree with City Manager Mark Jinks' proposal Do you think retail stores should promote Suzanne Brock to have the City of Alexandria permanently run the holiday shopping on Thanksgiving Day? William Dunbar Torpedo Factory? A) Yes, I look forward to it. HOW TO REACH US 32% - Yes. B) No, I think it's a terrible idea. 110 S. Pitt St. 52% - No. C) It depends. I might if the sales are good Alexandria, VA 22314 703-739-0001 (main) 7% - They should share control. enough. 703-739-0120 (fax) 9% - I'm not sure. www.alextimes.com 26 |NOVEMBER 22, 2018 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Classifieds DEATH NOTICES Weekly Words DAVID ARNOLD, of Alexandria, Nov. 16, 2018 ELIZABETH A. DEAN (84), of Alexandria, Nov. 14, 2018 LORENE D. DOW (90), of Alexandria, Nov. 11, 2018 JOYCE E. GLOECKLER (82), of Alexandria, Sept. 8, 2018 ROBERT C. HURD (80), of Alexandria, Oct. 23, 2018 IVA L. HUTCHINS (99), of Alexandria, Nov. 6, 2018 CATHERINE D. KANE, of Alexandria, Nov. 10, 2018 WILLIAM D. KANE, of Alexandria, Nov. 6, 2018 ROBERT R. LOGWOOD (88), formerly of Alexandria, Nov. 5, 2018 MARY “BIG MAMA” MAYO, of Alexandria, Nov. 16, 2018 ALICE P. MORGAN, of Alexandria, Nov. 4, 2018 MARY A. STEVENS (89), of Alexandria, Nov. 6, 2018 WILLIAM “WAYNE” RENNER (69), of Alexandria, Nov. 14, 2018

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