Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper August 13, 2020 A Life Well-Lived, Not Long-Enough Dave Evans devoted his time to help schools, athletic associations and needs-based organizations; helping the neediest, youngest and hungriest.
By Mount Vernon District Supervi- FHYAA Treasurer, a board member of mul- accelerated affordable housing acquisitions. Mount Vernon sor Dan Storck tiple non-profit organizations and an ethi- During the past few years, Dave has been a community bike cal employer. This numerical acumen was a board member and Vice President of United ride, now in its ith deep sadness, I have to natural accompaniment to his true passion: Community (formerly UCM). As Allison De- fifth year. share the news of the sudden baseball. A life-long Mets fan, Dave chan- Courcey, Executive Director, shared with me During the past loss of one of our finest com- neled his love of baseball into supporting when she heard the news, “He was a game several months, Dave Evans Wmunity members, Dave Evans. his girls as a softball coach, groundskeeper changer, playing a SIGNIFICANT role in rais- our worlds have A member of the Mount Vernon community and league manager for more than a decade ing up United Community with professional- turned upside down, but we are grounded for 30 years, Dave’s ethics, leadership, car- — as well as a regular at Orioles, and later ism, needed expertise, and pragmatism, al- by the constant of family and the friends we ing, and business skills made our communi- Nationals, games. ways focused on best serving our vulnerable choose to be our family. Dave’s sudden pass- ty a better place. He devoted his time to Dave’s decades-long service to Burgundy community.” Yep, that’s Dave. ing has given many of us time to pause and help our schools, athletic associations and Farm Country Day School as a board mem- When we met the summer before our truly reflect on the importance and precious- needs-based organizations; helping the ber and benefactor helped to build on their first year of high school, our difference in ness of relationships, and that now is the neediest, youngest and hungriest members commitments to the natural world, environ- appearance belied the many similarities we best time to let the people you care about of our community. Dave also built La Prima mental learning and sustainability. These shared in our commitments to people and know how much they mean to you and the Food Group, one of the largest catering firms same values and commitments ran deep in community — and later in our lives to busi- difference they’ve made in your life. in the Metro region, employing almost 200 his daily life, from his frequent bicycle com- ness and public service. Doing things the So my best friend from adolescence to be- people. He will be missed for all of those muting to collaboration between La Prima RIGHT way, with integrity, always mattered coming grandfathers, my brother, my advi- things and especially by his lifelong friend and organic farmers, including daughter and was the central principle of Dave’s life sor in all of life’s living: I will be loving you — me. Margaret’s Groundworks Farm. These busi- and work with others. and missing you forever. Thankfully, I am The loves of Dave’s life were his “girls”: ness collaborations and other commitments My favorite personal memories of Dave not alone and will be supported by so many his partner and wife of 47 years, Teresa; to sustainable business practices earned La will always include his love of football and others whose lives you impacted. Thank you daughters Elizabeth, Margaret and Made- Prima the distinction of being the highest pride in blocking for the future only two- for sharing a life rich with integrity and car- line; and granddaughter Eleanor. He was an rated green caterer in the Metro area. time Heisman Award winner, Archie Griffin ing with your family, friends, employees and over-the-moon, proud #girldad. Affordable housing along the Richmond (which made for much bantering over the community. Working with numbers came easily to Highway Corridor is never easy. While serv- years); the beat-up 1960 Studebaker which For others who wish to share a public or Dave, who transferred that skill to his early ing on the board of Good Shepherd Hous- served as the high school class’ shuttle; and private message or memory of Dave, please work as a CPA and later as a business owner. ing, Dave used his leadership, people, and our shared love of the Grand Canyon, hik- go to the link https://bit.ly/DHE20, where He used his financial skills to make things spreadsheet skills to build relationships ing and exercise. It was his inspiration and his family has set up a message board for work for other people, as a long-serving with CaptialOne and Fairfax County that our collaboration that created the Tour de the community. Moving Schools to Dismantle Systemic Racism
NAACP holds virtual the conversation with the community about how we can deliberately, carefully, safely Town Hall. ease back into school,” he said. Hampton said she and others in health By Mercia Hobson and science fields were not comfortable The Connection with information the County’s Health De- partment shared. airfax County NAACP held a virtual As a solution, Brabrand said he was work- Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Presi- ing with the Virginia Department of Health Fdent Sean Perryman moderated discus- and County Health Department for guide- sion between Education Committee Chair Su- lines and metrics. They would establish de- jatha Hampton, Ph.D., Fairfax County Public cision-making policies on how to dial-up or, Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand Ed. Sean Perryman, president Sujatha Hampton, Ph.D., Scott Brabrand, Ed.D., if necessary, dial-down students attending D, and other staff. They focused on Fairfax of the Fairfax County Education Committee Superintendent of Fairfax in-person school. The district would make County NAACP Education Committee Priori- NAACP Chair of the Fairfax Coun- County Public Schools certain health conditions were as low risk ties 2020-2021 created to ensure educational ty NAACP as possible. Brabrand announced the public equality of rights and eliminate race-based would see the “first draft at our August 18 discrimination in the school district. gether. … I’m committed to doing the work ism without talking about COVID and the Work Session.” Throughout the 90-minute conversation, … I am serious as the leader of this system, shutdown of schools. It was going to impact Hampton challenged Brabrand to live up to about taking us where we need to go and Black students as well as students of color HAMPTON voiced concern that the majori- the school district’s ideals, push for change and I want to be a partner with the NAACP in disproportionately. ty of County support staff who worked with employ metrics and firm deadlines to goals. doing that,” Brabrand said. Brabrand said Covid exposed many ineq- vulnerable school populations had not been “I’m watching you like a hawk,” Hampton The Town Hall began with a discussion uities in the school system. “We are going to reached to participate in earlier district sur- said. on COVID-19 and how to protect vulnerable do everything we can to have a very strong veys. According to Hampton, unions repre- Brabrand responded that in partnership, FCPS students, faculty and staff. Perryman virtual start and have all of our kids con- they should “watch together and learn to- said they couldn’t talk about systemic rac- nected. And we will have metrics to begin See NAACP, Page 10 McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. This year marks our 40th year in Alexandria, and we are celebrating our investment in helping to build our town into the thriving community it is today. To learn more about our Associates and our firm, visitwww.WeAreAlexandria.com #WeAreAlexandria
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2 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News You can read any of this week’s 15 papers digital editions here: www.ConnectionNewspapers.com/PDFs
Photo by Michael Lee Pope/GAZETTE PACKET Richmond Highway Judges in courthouses across Virginia may soon need to be on call at night to consider Corridor Improvements search warrants. Fairfax County Environmental Document Available for Review Night Court This project will make improvements along three miles of Richmond Highway (Route 1). The project is being done in two phases: Jeff Todd lice Chief Maggie DeBoard. “Criminals with full rein Way to just north of Frye Road (Phase 1), and then just north of Frye Road Lawmakers to consider to run their sex trafficking and all the things they do to Sherwood Hall Lane (Phase 2). Due to additional analysis and design eliminating no-knock at night without us having the ability to quickly get refinements over the last several months, the project team is working on a into a residence or an establishment anywhere where phased approach that will allow the right of way process and construction we don’t have the legal right to be without a search to happen concurrently. warrants and creating warrant.” In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and new hurdles for nighttime HERE IN ALEXANDRIA, police executed six no-knock 23 CFR Part 771, an Environmental Assessment (EA) was approved by warrants in 2018 and five in 2019. For far this year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for review and comment at according to Alexandria Police Department spokes- search warrants. a NEPA public hearing held on October 29, 2018. Due to project design man Courtney Ballantine, one no-knock warrant has By Michael Lee Pope been issued so far this year in the city. He says the refinements since the public hearing, additional environmental analysis GAZETTE PACKET police department views these kinds of warrants as a was required. necessary way to handle difficult situations a handful Pursuant to 23 CFR 771.119(f), a Revised EA has been prepared to he sad and tragic case of how a police de- of times each year. address what potential effects or new circumstances of these changes in partment in Kentucky mishandled the ex- “Banning them concerns us because there is a rea- ecution of a warrant after midnight has son for them,” said Ballantine. “It’s either to take the project design. The revised environmental document along with the prompted soul-searching among police somebody into custody who’s very violent or has the revised Socio-Economic Technical Report are both available for public T (www.virginiadot.org/richmondhighway) agencies and law-enforcement officers across the potential to be violent or to protect evidence.” review on the project website country. Now lawmakers in Virginia are about to con- The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police opposes or during business hours at VDOT’s Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 sider banning no-knock warrants and creating a new the effort to ban no-knock warrants, setting up a clash Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please call ahead at 703-259-3358 or requirement that judges — not magistrates — sign off next week in Richmond between law-enforcement TTY/TDD 711 to make an appointment with appropriate personnel. on search warrants executed at night. agencies and the Democrat majorities in the House “Kicking down people’s doors in the middle of the and Senate. When Democrats finally seized power Submit your written comments by August 31, 2020 to Ms. Anissa Brown night is bad,” said Andrew Elders, policy director for earlier this year after a generation out of power, they at the address above or by e-mail to [email protected]. an advocacy group known as Justice Forward Virgin- considered several criminal justice reform efforts but gov. Please reference “Richmond Highway Corridor Improvements ia pressing lawmakers for reform. “It creates volatile ended up delaying most of them while the Virginia Environmental Document” in the subject line. situations where people are more likely to feel threat- Crime Commission studied various proposals. Now ened, and someone is more likely to get hurt in the that the issue is red hot because of nationwide pro- VDOT ensures non-discrimination and equal employment in all end.” tests in reaction to the deaths of George Floyd and programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of Members of the General Assembly will be returning Breonna Taylor, House and Senate Democrats are the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special to Richmond next week for a special session to re- feeling the heat to take action now. assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, write the budget in the wake of COVID and consider a “It would be my preference that we not say the po- contact VDOT Civil Rights at 703-259-1775. host of criminal-justice reforms. Although the special lice can enter your home without announcing them- session on criminal justice reform was called in re- selves,” said Claire Gastanaga, executive director of State Project: 0001-029-205, P101, R201, C501, B617, B650, B651, B618, B649 sponse to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the ACLU of Virginia. “I want to be sure that when UPC: 107187 the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville has sparked warrants are served on people, they are done with Federal: STP-5A01 (686) calls for reforming how no-knock warrants are exe- probable cause and that they are done in a way that’s cuted, especially in the dead of night. Last week, Sen- respectful of the person’s inherent right against search ate Democrats introduced a bill to eliminate no-knock and seizure, particularly in their own home.” warrants and require a judge to sign off on nighttime search warrants. THE ROLE OF JUDGES is a central part of the debate “All that does is allow a criminal to hang up a shield to say they’re in business at night,” said Herndon Po- See Night Court, Page 9
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 v 3 News
Photos contributed Adrian with Captain Johnson at the Penn Daw Station in Mount Vernon. Emergencies with Autistic People Now Have ‘Adrian’s Resource Care Kits’ Alexandria teen’s Eagle Scout project now part of Fairfax County Rescue squads’ toolkit. By Mike Salmon The Connection
large part of 17-year-old Adrian Allred’s life has been immersing himself in the Boy Scouts, and Arecently Adrian created “Adrian’s Resource Care Kits,” to earn his Eagle Scout The “Draken 818,” Sea Scout troop at Badge. Adrian’s kits are full of materials that Belle Haven Marina. are described as anxiety and autism comfort items, and as a part of his eagle badge re- near the station. They introduced the ARC quirements, Adrian supplied the kit to the kit, and this kept the child’s attention while Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department the rescue squad investigated the situation. to use as a tool when they are responding to Officials said this was a success. calls that involve autistic people or people in There is a video on the Fairfax County Fire extreme anxiety. and Rescue Department website about ARC, But more than that, it’s a way for him, a and at the end, letters flash up on the screen, teen who is high functioning autistic, to help “Thank You Adrian!” others with all levels of autism. Completing Adrian’s pretty humble about all the at- the steps for the badge was another way to tention. work out of his comfort zone, while achiev- “It’s interesting,” Adrian said. ing a goal, helping rescue squads responding to autistic individuals. From Cub Scout to Seascouts “It’s been great for him,” said his mother The Boy Scouts of America have been an Jennifer Allred. “This has helped him work ideal organization for Adrian, since his days with his communication skills.” of Cub Scouting in Pack 1509 in Fort Hunt. The kit contains headphones, sensory Although the family now lives in the Virginia balls, fidget spinners, pipe cleaners, stretchy Hills area of Alexandria, Adrian is affiliated men and flavored tongue depressors, which with the Sea Scout program at Belle Haven are Adrian’s favorite. These kits are now car- Marina off the George Washington Memori- ried by 42 medic units in Fairfax County, and al Parkway. There he is part of “Draken 818,” when they are working with an individual a Sea Scout Troop. “He enjoys the Sea Scout with autism or calls involving mental health program,” said Jennifer Allred. “Boy Scouts crises, the kit might be just the thing they has been fantastic for him,” she said. need to help induce calm while the rescue Last year, at the jamboree in Summit, workers tend to the task at hand. West Virginia, Adrian was there for 10 days, The resource kit, called the “ARC,” was interacting with 45,000 scouts from all over used recently when Medic 421 was respond- the world, and his mother could see this was ing to a situation in the Fair Oaks area helping Adrian. “It changes your focus,” to where a nonverbal child was found alone be at an event like this, she said. 4 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Rex Reiley RE/MAX Allegiance 703-768-7730 Celebrate Women’s Suffrage Month [email protected] Ft. Hunt/Hollin Hall $629,500 1905 Clayton Place at Workhouse Arts Center NEW Beautiful contemporary home with open floor plan in sought LISTING after Hollin Hall community zoned for Waynewood Elementary. 1600 sq.ft. One level living w/ 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Renovated ith the upcoming Centennial of the Rat- kitchen and baths. Wall of windows in back overlooking private backyard. Sits on a quiet cul de sac with lovely landscaping. Blocks to George Washington Parkway and Potomac ification of the 19th Amendment guar- River. Neighborhood shopping center. Fabulous location. anteeing women the right to vote in the United States, the Workhouse Arts Alex/Olde Mill Condominiums $249,000 W 5704 Shadwell Court #95 Center is holding special Thursday evening Drive-In Cozy 2 bedroom 2 bath condo, 3 miles from Fort Belvoir. 25 movies, a Girl Scout Gold Award Project virtual event NEW LISTING minutes to DC on GW Parkway. Top level unit with cathedral and a suffrage-related art exhibit, all planned for the OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 ceiling, wood burning fireplace, attic storage, and private month of August. balcony overlooking woodlands. Master bedroom has large walk-in closet. Both bathrooms have been recently updated. Separate laundry room off To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the rati- kitchen! Enjoy walks through Jackson Abbott Wetland Refuge, with tennis courts and fication of the 19th amendment in 2020 the museum playground. Minutes to Ft. Belvoir (S). presents the story of the imprisonment of the 72 Suf- Alex/Mt. Vernon Grove $659,900 fragists at the Occoquan Workhouse in 1917, and an 4207 Robertson Blvd. event on these grounds that marked a turning point Welcome to this large beautiful 2 story split situated on an expansive, flat, .34 in the Women’s suffrage movement. The Lucy Burns hoto contributed acre lot w/a fenced bkyd, & 1 car side entry garage. A major renovation in 2015 to include: new roof, kitchen opened up to living & dining rooms w/granite Museum will honor 91 years of prison history on the The Lucy Burns Museum will commemorate 91 counters & center isle, SS appliances, cherry cabinets & oak floors to match the rest of the refinished hdwds, site. The Workhouse Arts Center funded, designed, years of prison history on the site — the Work- painted interior w/crown molding, 6 panel doors throughout. A/C replaced in 2019. Large 19x12 deck off the and renovated a new museum, restoring a decrepit house Arts Center funded, designed, and reno- dining area, also installed in 2015. 2 wood burning FPLS inspected & improved as necessary. All 3 baths remod- eled as well. This is a tremendous buy & ideally situated in Mt. Vernon. 5 mins to Ft. Belvoir (S), 17-18 mins to S. prison building vacated in 2001. Peeling paint and vated a new museum, restoring a decrepit prison Alexandria (N), 27 mins to National Airport (N) & 28-30 mins to the Pentagon (N). Nothing like it on the market!! rusting cell bars gave way to a space to tell the story building vacated in 2001. of the women imprisoned at the Workhouse a century Alex/ Riverside Estates Upper $600’s 8503 Cherry Valley ago for demanding the right to vote. The sacrifices of during the 100th Anniversary of the Amendment, we Riverside Estates’ largest split foyer model (Concord) w/2 car garage COMING these heroic suffragists are honored in the museum. remember these courageous suffragists who never SOON & lots of updates, i.e., roof 2001, HVAC 2012, baths 2009, furnace 2001, Thursday evening Drive-In Movies: Bold Women in gave up the fight for equality.” updated double pane windows 2019. Kitchen was opened to the dining & living rooms & is absolutely stunning: granite & quartz counters, large island w/seating capacity & History Film Series will be held every Thursday eve- “We are honored that the Women’s Suffrage Cen- beautiful hdwd floors. MBR & MBA share a lovely gas FPL to add charm to the master suite. A large ning in August. This partnership between the Work- tennial Commission approached us to feature movies lower level offers a family rm which also has a gas FPL, a 4th BR & & 3rd full bath. Plenty of storage house and the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Com- about powerful and bold women in history at our behind the 2 car garage. Large lovely fenced bkyd, perfect for entertaining. 7 minutes to Ft. Belvoir (S), 15 minutes to Alexandria, (N), 25 mins to National Airport (N) and 33 mins to the Pentagon (N). mission is just one of dozens of programs and virtual Drive-In theater,” said Workhouse Board Member events throughout the month. Lura Bovee. Anna Layman, Executive Director of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission said, “This year See Suffrage Month, Page 7
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 v 5 News Huntley Meadows Park offers solitude Mount Vernon Get-a-Way from the pandemic and rhetoric. By Mike Salmon Photos by Mike Salmon/The Connection The Connection NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY 08/14/2020 10:00 am hen social distanc- (Adults) Learn how to use a ing is in order, DSLR and tripod to capture imag- Huntley Meadows es of the natural world around us. WPark is the perfect spot to escape from the pandemic WETLAND AT DUSK WALK rumors, social media finger point- 08/15/2020 7:45 pm ing, and quarantining that is driv- (Adults) Join park naturalists ing some of us crazy. for a relaxing stroll through Hunt- Huntley Meadows is a park ley Meadow Park’s forest and wet- dominated by wetlands and for- land paths. ests that occupies a space from Telegraph Road to Lockheed Bou- NATURE DRAWING LEAVES levard in southeast Fairfax County. 08/22/2020 10:00 am It is a great place for bird watch- (Adults) Leaves come in many ing and hiking, with a half-mile shapes, sizes and colors and are boardwalk portion of the trail that Sometimes nature needs a important parts that allow plants goes out over the wetlands. Left Birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles are the full-time residents at helping hand so the land to thrive. Drawing leaves is a fun alone, silt would fill in and the Huntley Meadows. doesn’t take over. way to improve your observation- wetlands would disappear and it al skills. Join Huntley Meadows would eventually return to a forest like oth- ley mansion, a Federal period villa built for was converted to a dairy farm. Ownership Park naturalists as we develop our drawing er parts of the county in this area. Thomson Francis Mason in 1825 as a sum- changed several times, and in later years, skills practicing with various leaf shapes. Huntley Meadows Park contains 1,261 mer retreat. This house is located near the after being abandoned, the house endured acres of diverse habitats including meadows, main entrance to Huntley Meadows Park. considerable vandalism, before the county SECRETS, SPIES, SPUTNIK AND HUNT- wetlands, and forest. To date, 321 species of Historic Huntley is on the National Register bought it in 1989. LEY wildflowers have been identified in the park of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Throughout the year, Huntley Meadows 08/23/2020 10:00 am and more than 200 bird species have been Register and the Fairfax County Inventory of is home to many county-sponsored activi- (Adults) Take a stroll on the less visited identified in the wetlands of Huntley Mead- Historic Sites. Over the years, Historic Hunt- ties such as nature photography, art classes, side of Huntley Meadows Park to uncover a ows Park. ley was used as a summer retreat, a grain nature walks and historic presentations. The history of spies and espionage, In addition to the wetlands area, Hunt- farm, encampment for Civil War troops of following activities are scheduled at Huntley ley Meadows is home to the Historic Hunt- the 3rd Michigan Infantry, and eventually Meadows in August: See Huntley Meadow, Page 9
Another Community Partnership Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper March 24, 2016 6 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Suffrage Month
From Page 5 toric event happened right near us. Many of us take our rights for Movies begin on Thursday, Aug. granted, so it’s important to see 13 and include Harriet, Moana, what efforts and struggles these Suffragette and A League of Their women went through,” said Emma Own. Tickets and more informa- Skog, creator of the project. tion here https://www.workhou- To register for the event please searts.org/drive-in-movies/. visit https://www.workhousearts. In addition, South County High org/lucyburnsmuseum/ School student and Girl Scout, Workhouse Arches Gallery and Emma Skog, will host a virtual Girl award winning artist Julia Dzik- Scout Gold Award project called iewicz is displaying her Suffrage “100 Years Later: How Women Got related mixed media art in the the Right to Vote.” For her project, Workhouse Muse Gallery in Build- she developed children’s educa- ing W-16. When Julia realized that tional materials for the Lucy Burns she was creating art in the same Museum. place that suffragists engaged in The event will take place on protest that swayed national opin- Aug. 18, 2020, the actual centen- ion and eventually won women the nial of the ratification of the 19th right to vote, she began a series of Amendment, and will include an large and small paintings honoring introduction to Lucy Burns, a time the suffragists. travel puppet show, an interview “The power of art is only par- with Laura McKie, Lucy Burns Mu- tially held in what viewers see seum director, and a game about on the canvas. The true power is women’s firsts. There will also be in changing how viewers see the fun activities and prizes. rest of their lives. In my encaustic “I selected this project because paintings, layering wax like the I feel it’s important to learn about accumulation of history, I seek to injustices and understand our his- remind women and girls of their tory, and many kids in my area potential to change the world,” don’t know that a significant his- said artist Julia Dzikiewicz.
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@MtVernonGazette August COVID-19 Update An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered to homes and businesses. Published by Cases here in Northern Virginia have remained Local Media Connection LLC
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Free digital edition delivered to be said about the rest of the country. your email box. Go to connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe By Delegate Paul Krizek NEWS DEPARTMENT: [email protected] s we head deeper into summer, I wanted to provide you with the latest Jean Card news with respect to the COVID-19 Production Editor [email protected] Apandemic. Our cases here in Northern Virginia have Andrea Worker remained steady on a downward trend, even Contributing Writer [email protected] a month into our Phase 3 reopening, which means that our community has been diligent in Jeanne Theismann following the facial covering regulations, stay- [email protected] @TheismannMedia ing home as much as possible, and have main- tained physical distancing wherever possible. ADVERTISING: Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about For advertising information the rest of the country. [email protected] 703-778-9431
COVIDWISE APP: Last week, Governor Debbie Funk Northam and the Virginia Department of Health Display Advertising/National Sales (VDH) announced that the Commonwealth is 703-778-9444 launching a new free app that will notify users [email protected] if they may have come into contact with another If you test positive for COVID-19, the app ceedings related to failure to pay rent will be Julie Ferrill app user who has tested positive for COVID-19. makes it easy to report your positive test. The halted. The reality is that evictions will still be Real Estate, 703-927-1364 Virginia is the first state in the nation to use this app would then notify any individuals you a problem one month from now. The economic [email protected] technology. The roll-out of this revolutionary have been in contact with during the last 14 ramifications of so many families being forced Helen Walutes app will give Virginia a significant leg up with days who also use the app, so that they can from their homes in a matter of weeks would be Display Advertising, 703-778-9410 contact tracing, and will hopefully help to con- take precautionary measures. I encourage catastrophic. There must be a more permanent [email protected] tinue flattening the curve and controlling the everyone to download this free app, avail- and sustainable solution to help families stay in David Griffin spread of COVID-19. able through iOS and Android, as the app is their homes during this pandemic. Marketing Assistant According to Virginia Department of Health, designed to be more effective as app users 703-778-9431 [email protected] the app is designed to protect each users’ priva- increase. I hope that this app can help give HUNGER HELP: It is refreshing to see so many cy. The app does not collect, use, or store any Virginians some more peace of mind as we go companies and nonprofits throughout Virginia Classified & Employment of your personal information or location data. about our days while wearing our masks and come together with our state government to Advertising 703-778-9431 It does not ask for your name, address, email, physical distancing because I know it has done provide resources to help families affected by etcetera. Your device will not share your iden- so for my staff and family. the COVID-19 pandemic. One example, Sentara Publisher tity or personal information. Instead, the expo- Healthcare and Optima Health, in partnership Jerry Vernon sure notification system is based on Bluetooth EVICTION STAY Governor Northam has also with Truist, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and 703-549-0004 Low Energy and uses anonymous tokens. On a announced that the Supreme Court of Virginia the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, have [email protected] daily basis, your phone downloads a list of all has issued a stay on evictions through Sept. 7, kicked off a new statewide initiative to bolster Editor & Publisher the anonymous tokens associated with positive at his request. I applaud this move, as I joined Virginia’s emergency food support system. The Mary Kimm COVID-19 cases and checks them against the with my colleagues in sending a letter to the “We Care” COVID-19 Virginia Emergency Food [email protected] @MaryKimm list of anonymous tokens it has encountered in Governor earlier this month requesting this ac- Support Plan has begun at food banks across the last 14 days. If there’s a match, the app will tion. The new moratorium began on Monday, the state, and will provide free and accessible Art/Design: notify you with further instructions on how to Aug. 10, and will remain in effect through Mon- meals to families during the COVID-19 pan- Laurence Foong, John Heinly, Ali Khaligh get yourself tested. day, Sept. 7. Until that date, all eviction pro- demic and beyond. Production Manager: Letters to the Editor Geovani Flores Let Us Know Your View CIRCULATION Connection Newspapers welcomes views on any public Circulation Manager: No to Belle View Shopping Center issue. Ann Oliver Letters must be signed. Include home address and [email protected] Redevelopment Proposal home and business numbers; we will only print your name and town name. A Connection Newspaper To the Editor: built-out 60-year-old suburban neighborhood. Letters are routinely edited for length, libel, grammar, The Belle View Shopping Center is located If the owners say they are concerned about good taste, civility and factual errors. in a Community Planning Sector, a Suburban the future of the “car-oriented” shopping center Send letters Neighborhood, according to Fairfax County. in 20 years, they should come back in 10 years Online www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/ letter/ Suburban Neighborhoods, according to the with a proposal. That is an adequate real estate By email: [email protected] County, are planned for little to no change in planning time frame. land use. The County also recommends that This plan proposes too much density for a By mail to: Letters to the Editor The Connection 1606 King St., Alexandria VA 22314 that infill development be of compatible use, neighborhood that already has a lot of traffic. type, and intensity with the surrounding areas. There is also no ability to increase traffic capac- You can comment on our Facebook page or find us The Shopping Center plan fails badly on com- ity in this old neighborhood. on Twitter www.facebook.com/connectionnewspapers patible intensity. This proposal should not be added to the https://twitter.com/alexgazette The Belle View Shopping Center plan is more Comprehensive Plan. https://twitter.com/mtvernongazette suitable for a commercial area along Richmond https://twitter.com/followfairfax Highway, not in the middle of a completely Jim Gearing 8 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Classified WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM To Advertise in This Paper, Call by Monday 11:00 am 703-778-9411
Night Court Announcements Announcements Employment
From Page 3 thing wrong with serving a search Receptionist FT or PT warrant at night.” See Helping, Page 7 over search warrants, and many Fairfax City law firm seeks full time or lawmakers believe they should THE SPECIAL SESSION this year part-time receptionists. Dependability, play a greater role in signing off comes at a time when Democrats maturity, good judgment, professional on search warrants — especially are still figuring out how to handle appearance required. Excellent job for search warrants that are executed their new role in the majority. It also someone entering or returning to the labor market. Full time from 9 to 5 or at night. Last week, Senate Dem- comes at a time when House Dem- Part-time from: 7:45 to 1:15 and 1:15 ocrats introduced a bill requiring ocrats and Senate Democrats are to 6:15. Other minor tasks involved. that search warrants “shall be ex- divided over how to approach the is- Résumés and salary requirements should ecuted only in the daytime unless sue. Senate Democrats have already be sent to JHelmandollar@SurovellFirm. a judge authorizes the execution released their package on policing com . We are an EOE law firm. of such search warrant.” It’s a pro- reform while House Democrats have posal that has the support of the yet to outline their proposal. That newly formed Progressive Prose- means police agencies and sheriff’s cutors for Justice, which includes offices are weighing in on the Sen- commonwealth’s attorneys from ate bill, including some rural parts Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax of Virginia that don’t have as many Announcements Announcements County. judges as urban areas. “A magistrate is going to look at “We’re talking about amending probable cause, and they’re not go- that to say if a judge isn’t available, ing to ask any questions concern- then they can go to a magistrate,” ing whether there’s a safety issue,” said Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36). said Hampton Commonwealth’s “We haven’t agreed on that yet. Attorney Anton Bell, a member We’re talking about it.” of the Progressive Prosecutors for Judges in Virginia are selected Justice. “The safety aspects of what by the General Assembly, a tradi- we are trying to achieve far out- tion that dates back to the com- weighs anyone’s inconvenience.” monwealth’s history with English The proposal to require judg- common-law. South Carolina is es to sign off on nighttime search the only other state where judg- warrants illustrates a divide among es are selected almost exclusively prosecutors. While the idea has the through legislative selection, and support of the Progressive Prosecu- every year brings a new round of tors for Justice, the Virginia Asso- drama over which judges are in- ciation of Commonwealth’s Attor- stalled at courthouses across Vir- Be a part of our neys had no position on the issue. ginia. Magistrates, on the other Announcements Announcements And several prosecutors across Vir- hand, are appointed by the exec- Wellbeing pages, the first ginia have criticized the idea. Flu- utive secretary of the Supreme week of every month. vanna Commonwealth’s Attorney Court of Virginia. Jeff Haislip is the president of the “We have more oversight over association, and he says would end judges, and they tend to be better Delight in our up creating more problems than it trained and better informed,” said HomeLifeStyle sections, solves. Del Mark Levine (D-45). “Because the second week of every “I think having to do them of our oversight, I can rail against during the daytime hours would the ones who make bad decisions. month. Peek at the top be very difficult for law-enforce- Whereas the magistrates who real estate sales, glimpse ment officers to do their job,” said make bad decisions are kind of Haislip. “They need to act when nameless and faceless and under over-the-top remodeling they can act, and I don’t see any- our control in any significant way.” projects, get practical sug- gestions for your home. Huntley Meadows Celebrate students, camps, schools, enrich- From Page 5 Meadow Park’s forest and wetland paths. ment programs, colleges NATURE DRAWING ANCIENT and more in our A-plus: PLANTS THE TAUX: LIVING WITH THE Education, Learning, Fun 08/26/2020 10:00 am LAND (Adults) Huntley Meadows 08/31/2020 10:00 am pages, the third week of Park’s forests are home to certain Delve into Huntley Meadows every month. plants whose ancestors have been Park’s history and prehistoric past with us since dinosaur times. Join as we examine the lives of the local artist and naturalist Margaret Tauxenent and other First Ameri- Questions? E-mail Wohler to learn about and sketch cans in this region. sales@connection ferns and moss while keeping a complimentary field guide sketch Huntley Meadows Park newspapers.com book. 3701 Lockheed Blvd., or call 703-778-9431 Alexandria WETLAND AT DUSK WALK Call 703-768-2525 for more An expert is someone who knows some 08/29/2020 7:30 pm information, or log on to www. of the worst mistakes that can be made (Adults) Join park naturalists for fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hunt- in his subject and how to avoid them. a relaxing stroll through Huntley ley-meadows/events -Werner Heisenberg www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v August 13-19, 2020 v 9 “Extensive Metastatic News Disease” Business NAACP Holds Virtual Town Hall By KENNETH B. LOURIE Directory From Page 1 Well I certainly don’t like the sound of dressing attendance or grades,” he said. that and I especially didn’t like reading it in WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM Dr. Frances Ivy added they had found the “impressions” part of the radiologist’s sented only 30 percent of those individuals. all schools were not reporting on the same report I received Friday summarizing the Call 703-549-0004 “We need you to protect them,” she said to form. previous Wednesday’s PET scan. Though for advertising information Brabrand. Hampton added that the school Perryman introduced the third Education hardly a surprise given a thoracic surgeon’s district must commit “to gathering data, to Priority of Fairfax NAACP, to increase hiring description of my original PET scan 11 and reviewing the data, to analyzing the data and retention of Black and Latinx teachers, 1/2 years ago: “You lit that thing up like a LANDSCAPING with new metrics that are anti-racist (and) accessing it semi-annually in a public forum. Christmas tree.” Still, I would have rather doing follow ups and having deadlines... Perryman asked, “Don’t we have something read something a bit less ominous. But I Good is not don’t suppose being diagnosed with two good, where Otherwise nothing happens, we just keep like 26 schools that don’t have anything but types of cancer (non small cell lung stage IV better is waiting,” she said. white teachers?” and papillary thyroid, stage II) lends itself to expected. Hampton introduced the second Educa- Brabrand confirmed the district had 25-26 a ‘bit less ominous.’ Besides, ‘less ominous’ tion Priority of Fairfax NAACP, to create an schools that had no instructional staff of col- left the building in late February 2009 when I -Thomas Fuller effective model for the Equity and Cultur- or. He added, “That is a problem, and that is was first diagnosed with a “terminal” disease: al Responsiveness Team by the end of the not acceptable.” non small cell lung cancer. ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL academic year. Brabrand said after hearing Brabrand responded that in the past, Not to make light of such a heavy dose of concerns voiced by members of NAACP and some principals used the resources they had reality but, as Tom Sellick says on his recent others regarding the new Chief Equity Aca- better than others. He said, “This year eq- television commercial for AAG: “This isn’t demic Officer position, he changed course. uity is part of every principal’s goal...There my first rodeo.” And neither is this state- He intended to decouple the role and in- shouldn’t be any discipline disproportion- ment of fact from the radiologist the first stead create two jobs. One would be Chief ality… There shouldn’t be any academic less-than-encouraging news I’ve heard and Equity Officer with a full range for the entire gaps. We have coaches to help us do that... seen. To invoke Jack Palance (Curly) from organization and the other Chief Academic We need to do it at a deeper level and focus “City Slickers” (1991): “I **** bigger than Officer. “I would seek a national consultant it around equity,” Brabrand said. He added that.” I’ve been living with a version of these words for 11 and 1/2 years. Tell me some- to assist us in hiring both those key posi- they would be held accountable. Hampton thing I don’t know. tions,” Brabrand said. said, “You need to put the right people in Nevertheless, I’ll find out what it all LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING Hampton said they were there to help and those jobs. I think that you need to reward means soon enough. Though it might be a bit might have perspectives not yet considered. that sort of attitude.” of a re-hash from a few columns ago stating “You cannot achieve radical transformation, that since all the tumors in my lungs can’t be with exactly the same profile and exactly NEARING THE END of the town hall, biopsied, practically proceeding, my oncolo- the same people at the table. It is not pos- Hampton and Brabrand discussed the estab- gist will never know for certain exactly how sible; and assuming anti-racism is a fairly lishment of curriculum review committees much of what type of cancer I have. And new thing for systems to be considering, you to study current curricula for racial or cul- since one medicine - from what I’ve been have to be looking for somebody completely tural bias, especially in the areas of Social told, can’t treat both cancers, life expectancy, Summer Cleanup... new, a totally different mindset,” she said. Studies/History/English, and to identify treatment protocols, etc., are likely unclear Hampton offered Brabrand side-by-side resources and teaching practices that could at best. Presumably, we’ll treat the cancer “Traditional vs. Anti-Racist” job descriptions. promote a more inclusive worldview and which is most prevalent, most aggressive Brabrand and Hampton turned their atten- a complete study of the United States and and most treatable/curable? I can only hope tion to racial bias viewed through the lens World History. Such would be completed by that as I sit and write this column, two days before my surgical lung biopsy on Monday, of the disproportionate number of behavior the end of the 2020-21 school year. seven days, approximately, until I hear from incidents in the schools involving Black and Colleen Eddy, Coordinator for Social Stud- my oncologist, I’ll be able to compartmen- brown children. Although the district provid- ies K-12 at FCPS, said they were auditing ex- talize the worst case scenarios - all of which ed School-based Intervention Programs for isting curriculum to remove biased, harmful are out of my control anyway, and try to live Behavior with a consulting system of counsel- and racist resources, creating a transforma- life as normally as possible and avoid any ors, psychologists, social workers and restor- tive curriculum. “That means partnering with rabbit holes of gloom and doom. ative justice specialists, district data showed the right people across the state, focusing on Right now, this is just another blip on the an over-representation of Black and brown the design principles for culturally responsive cancer radar that has been “blipping” for children with behavior incidences. pedagogy, and adopting anti-bias and the an- more than 11 years. Generally speaking, the Patios & Drainage According to Hampton, the mostly white ti-racist outcomes for our curriculum… with medical feedback we receive almost always a mindset to fidelity of doing good work that’s our neighborhood company since 1 teacher workforce “clearly have some is- sounds mediocre (and I don’t mean fair to sues because Black kids are not so bad.” She responsible and has integrity to history.” middling either). And it never sounds worse said, “The problem is that when you only Finally, Brabrand and Hampton reviewed than it did in February ‘09 when I initially 703-772-0500 have teachers who are feeling threatened the admissions process to Thomas Jefferson was diagnosed and given a “13 month to two High School for Science and Technology (TJ). year” prognosis. Unfortunately, having out- by their students to this degree, and nobody lived my oncologist’s expectation by upwards J.E.S. Services is reviewing whether the systems are put in “We want to see obviously that TJ reflects place before they are disciplined, there’s a the population it serves,” Hampton said. She of 10-plus years doesn’t guarantee me any fa- Free Estimates - Fully Licensed & Insured vorable news. That was yesterday (yesteryear, problem…You should be able to look at the questioned why Black teens chose not to go actually). This is today, 2020. However, much Planting andscaping Design IEP for any child that’s there and see their to TJ. Drainage ater Problems has changed/evolved in the cancer-treatment oncrete Driveways, eplacement or ew behavior intervention plan. You should be Brabrand said, “I expect a conversation world. There have been more drugs approved Patios and al s asonry or or Dry aid able to see all the things, all the steps the about TJ with our school board in the com- for the treatment of lung cancer in the last Paver, lagstone, Bric , any style you choose school took before they got there. There are ing months to address a lot of the questions etaining walls o all types few years than in previous multiple decades, … just gigantic, gaping holes where people and solutions, not 20 years of status quo including the introduction of an entire new All work Guaranteed didn’t do due diligence. And that is tragic.” where we have tried to do something, but class of medicine: immunotherapy. It’s not ex- Hampton described differences between we’ve settled around the edges, and it has actly game and match but it is night and day. schools. “It’s a culture thing,” she said. not made a major change. I’m sitting with Still, it’s premature until I’m re-diagnosed Brabrand said there would be new behav- Karen Keys-Gamarra from the School Board, and placed in a new protocol and see the ior codes for the school year. They would, as with Marty Smith, our Chief Operating Of- results - in future CT scans. This pending Brabrand said, “make teachers dive deeper ficer who oversees TJ admissions, myself biopsy may be the storm before the calm or and the principal of TJ on a Governor’s Task vice versa, quite frankly. As I await results, before they’re referring a kid to the office.” my glass remains half full, as always. I just “And we’re going to do a paper review of Force led by the Secretary of Education... have to hope that while waiting for the discipline data...Our issue is solving it sys- and the Board of Education Chair. “ cancer business to become clear, I don’t get tematically... Real-time data tracking for dis- Due to time constraints, not all 2020- so thirsty/anxious that I empty my glass. That cipline; quarterly follow up with Doctor Ivy... 2021 priorities as developed by the Educa- wouldn’t help anybody, especially me. If there’s trends that are of concern around tion Committee and part of its Advocacy and disproportionality, we’re going to address it, Legislative Agenda could be discussed at the Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for just the same way that we would look at ad- town hall. A follow-up meeting is planned. The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
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