Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper September 2, 2021 Electrical Event Cause of Mount Vernon House Fire

n Wednesday, Aug. 25, at approximately 6:39 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Fort Belvoir Fire and Emer- Ogency Services responded to a house fire in the 8100 block of Orville Street in the Mount Vernon area of Fair- fax County. Units arrived on the scene of a two-story, single-family home with thick, black smoke showing from all sides of the house. Crews worked quickly to control, and eventually ex- tinguish, the fire. There were no reported civilian or firefight- er injuries. Two occupants were home at the time of the fire. The oc- cupants discovered the fire and evacuated. 9-1-1 was called. Smoke alarms were present and sounded after the occupants discovered the fire. Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in the living room. The fire was caused by an unspecified electrical event involving the wiring for a table lamp. Two occupants have been displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined. Damages as a result of the fire are approximately $208,412.

Photos contributed Fire in Mount Vernon last week displaces family. Lorton Fire Station Gets a Makeover Station just off Lorton Road is upgraded to meet the expanding population in the area. By Mike Salmon The Connection

he Lorton Volunteer Fire Department is getting an expanded fire house Twith modern accommodations in a $14,790,000 makeover to bring firefighting capabilities in the eastern Lorton area up to meet the needs of a growing population. The new two-story station is an approx- imate 23,000 square-foot facility, with four drive through apparatus bays to accom- modate their equipment and a larger staff to support the Fire and Rescue operations, Photo by Mike Salmon/Gazette along with a volunteer firefighters space. Lorton Fire Station upgrades include spaces for the county staff and the Lorton Vol- The facility provides expanded living and unteer Fire Department. support spaces, along with a training tower. ton Road, between Hooes and Workhouse To accommodate the construction and Certification, said Sharon North, communi- Roads. County officials broke ground on that renovation activities, the crew moved out of cations representative at the Department of $30 million dual-use facility last May. It in- their former quarters in 2018 into temporary Public Works and Environmental Services. cludes 34,000 square feet for police, 23,000 accommodations and a temporary station on This improved station in eastern Lorton square feet for animal services, and 20,000 Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection the same 3.3-acre site. The project is sched- will soon be providing public service in the square feet of outdoor space for use by ani- Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay at uled to be completed soon so the crew can area alongside the new South County police mals, a fuel island, and parking. The facility, the groundbreaking of the South County move back into their permanent spaces. The station and animal services shelter which a two year project, is scheduled for comple- station last May. project is scheduled to receive LEED Silver is under construction further west on Lor- tion in spring 2023. McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. For more than 40 years, our Associates have lived in and supported Alexandria, 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

OPEN SAT 9/4 & SUN 9/5, 2-4

Wilton Woods | $1,100,000 Stratford Landing | $1,074,000 Riverside Gardens | $759,000 Charming house built by renowned architect Charles Charming craftsman-style home with over 4,500 SF This home has it all - location, condition, and price! Crain & updated for today’s lifestyle. 6 bedrooms, 4.5 of living on a double lot. Nestled beside Little Hunting The charming front yard and entry welcomes you into baths, kitchen with breakfast area, bright family room, Creek this 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath home features a 2-car the bright living room with large picture windows, and fabulous office. Beautiful landscaped yard with garage, a graciously sized finished lower level, and a wood burning fireplace, and open to the dining space. swimming pool set on almost 1/2 ac. 6009 Beech Tree Dr flat, oversized yard. 8826 Camden Street 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 1907 Old Stage Road Rebecca McMaster 703.814.0598 Kristen Jones 703.851.2556 Alexis Bogdan 703.965.6556 www.MPHhometeam.com www.KristenJones.com www.AlexisBogdan.com

OPEN SUN 9/5, 2-4

Stratford on the Potomac | $729,900 Glenmore | $660,000 Hawthorne Manor | $640,000 Lots of natural light & hardwood floors greet you as you Excellent opportunity close to Old Town and an easy Terrific split foyer on a non-thru street with five enter this delightful home on over a 1/4-acre lot. Large commute to DC. 3-bedroom home with loft/bedroom/ bedrooms and three full baths. Master bedroom kitchen walks out to the deck overlooking the fenced, extra family room along with a fully-updated eat-in with ensuite bath and generous closet space. Large lush backyard. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, large family room kitchen. Living room with wood-burning fireplace. corner lot with composite deck in the backyard. 6202 & more! HayesWoodHomes.com 2503 Stirrup Lane Large yard and 1-car garage. 139 Moncure Drive Thornwood Drive Chris Hayes 703.944.7737 Lynn Cooper 202.489.7894 Sandy McMaster 571.612.9018 Gordon Wood 703.447.6138 www.LynnCooperHomes.com www.McEnearney.com

COMING SOON

Hybla Valley Farms | $620,000 First River Farms | $559,900 Belle View | $310,000 One level home has been lovingly maintained and Charming and fully updated 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath Beautiful two-bedroom unit with a covered porch updated! Living room with wood-burning fireplace, townhouse. Backs to Little Hunting Creek and nature in the heart of Belle View Condos. Lovely courtyard hardwoods throughout except carpet in bedrooms, preserve. Neighborhood includes a pool, tennis courts, setting and view from the porch. Updated kitchen with beautiful updated kitchen, year-round sun porch off and playgrounds. Enjoy all of the conveniences of the stainless steel appliances, farm sink, and pass-through dining area. 2804 Woodlawn Trail Ft. Hunt community. 8259 Clifton Farm Court opening to the dining room. 1406 Belle View Blvd #C2 Phyllis Sintay 703.472.3563 Kim Fazio 703.244.3889 Heidi Burkhardt 703.217.6009 www.psintay.com www.KimFazio.com www.RealtorHeidiB.com

Serving the Washington, DC Metro Area since 1980. 703.549.9292 | 109 S. Pitt Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | McEnearney.com

2 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. For more than 40 years, our Associates have lived in and supported Alexandria, News helping to build our town into the thriving community it is today. To learn more about our Associates and our firm, visitwww.WeAreAlexandria.com Crisis in Afghanistan Reverberates Locally #WeAreAlexandria Afghan Americans How to Help The local resettlement agencies for the Northern OPEN SAT 9/4 & SUN 9/5, 2-4 speak out. Virginia area are: By Mercia Hobson CATHOLIC CHARITIES The Connection https://www.ccda.net/need-help/immigrants-and-refu- gees/migration-and-refugee-services/

he United States and other coun- LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES tries have welcomed more than https://lssnca.org/take_action/afghan-allies.html 150,000 Afghans and their fami- Tlies since the emergency evacua- ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT tions began in mid-August. Kabul, the capi- COUNCIL tal of Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban on Aug. https://www.ecdcus.org/ 15 after withdrawal of most of the United Because Fairfax County has a sizable Afghan Wilton Woods | $1,100,000 Stratford Landing | $1,074,000 Riverside Gardens | $759,000 States forces. The U.S. and other nations population, it is anticipated that many refugees will Charming house built by renowned architect Charles Charming craftsman-style home with over 4,500 SF This home has it all - location, condition, and price! offered refuge to many Afghans who aided eventually resettle here. Crain & updated for today’s lifestyle. 6 bedrooms, 4.5 of living on a double lot. Nestled beside Little Hunting The charming front yard and entry welcomes you into them during the last twenty years. baths, kitchen with breakfast area, bright family room, Creek this 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath home features a 2-car the bright living room with large picture windows, Afghan interpreters and translators who “America leaves on Tuesday…then you and fabulous office. Beautiful landscaped yard with garage, a graciously sized finished lower level, and a wood burning fireplace, and open to the dining space. worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces will see the killing fields…When you kill or under the Chief of Mission authority at one, the second one is just like a moth you swimming pool set on almost 1/2 ac. 6009 Beech Tree Dr flat, oversized yard. 8826 Camden Street 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 1907 Old Stage Road U.S. Embassy Kabul applied to the U.S. for kill. No problem … God says when you kill Rebecca McMaster 703.814.0598 Kristen Jones 703.851.2556 Alexis Bogdan 703.965.6556 humanitarian visas known as a Special Im- one human being, you are killing the entire www.MPHhometeam.com www.KristenJones.com www.AlexisBogdan.com migrant Visa (SIV) for themselves and their family,” Niaz said. family members. With events rapidly unfolding and the AUROZO NIAZ is 21 years old and lives in OPEN SUN 9/5, 2-4 U.S. racing to complete withdrawal, Three Vienna, an Afghan American born in the local Afghan Americans, twenty years apart United States and daughter of Dor Niaz. in ages, share their perspectives on the troop “The past two weeks, I have been in touch withdrawal, rescue operation, and humani- with the whole Afghan diaspora. We’re try- tarian crisis. ing to support each other at this time, men- tally, emotionally; whatever we can do for SENZEL SCHAEFER of Reston escaped Teh- one another because we are suffering abroad ran, Iran, at age 5 when her family rushed to as we are, domestically. We have been trying the airport in 1979. The family was in Teh- our best to come together and get donations ran for her father’s job, a city editor of the and organize the donations … cash, and ma- Tehran Journal, where he was printing an- terials so that they go directly into the hands Stratford on the Potomac | $729,900 Glenmore | $660,000 Hawthorne Manor | $640,000 ti-Khomeini articles. The Soviet-Afghan war Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection of the refugees,” Aurozo Niaz said. Lots of natural light & hardwood floors greet you as you Excellent opportunity close to Old Town and an easy Terrific split foyer on a non-thru street with five began in 1979 also. Dor Niaz stands outside the family-operated restaurant in Great Falls. She described Go Fund Me solicitations, enter this delightful home on over a 1/4-acre lot. Large commute to DC. 3-bedroom home with loft/bedroom/ bedrooms and three full baths. Master bedroom The family arrived in New York with two collections of money for apart- suitcases. about potentially half of the coun- ment rentals, furnishings, hy- kitchen walks out to the deck overlooking the fenced, extra family room along with a fully-updated eat-in with ensuite bath and generous closet space. Large Because Schaefer speaks Farsi and Pashto, try’s population to be shut down. giene kits, clothes, and school lush backyard. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, large family room kitchen. Living room with wood-burning fireplace. corner lot with composite deck in the backyard. 6202 she spent these last two weeks volunteering Schaefer said Afghans who set- supplies for the children. Aurozo & more! HayesWoodHomes.com 2503 Stirrup Lane Large yard and 1-car garage. 139 Moncure Drive Thornwood Drive for a company with 150 employees in Af- tle in this area are prepared to Niaz said that A-1 Carpet Service Chris Hayes 703.944.7737 Lynn Cooper 202.489.7894 Sandy McMaster 571.612.9018 ghanistan trying to get out. help new arrivals. She told of the in Chantilly coordinated a drop- Gordon Wood 703.447.6138 www.LynnCooperHomes.com www.McEnearney.com “Little did I know what I was getting outpouring of the local communi- off site, and trucks were assisting. into. These people are trapped in Afghani- ty, including an attorney who is “We have 20 to 30 people at a stan today,” said Schaefer. “They call me day helping process the refugee pa- time unloading full on. We orga- COMING SOON and night. They’re pleading; they’re crying; perwork. nized these donations,” said Au- they’re fearful. And so, between my work, Of Americans, she says: “We’re rozo Niaz. “We want to contribute my children, and my life, I’ve spent the bet- in a state of shock because our as much as we can because these ter part of six, seven hours a day emailing government does things that we people coming here are our fami- and messaging them through WhatsApp or don’t agree with; it gets us into ly … It’s a collective culture.” talking to them on the phone, trying to calm these situations, and we are left Photo contributed Aurozo Niaz added that pain, them down. I have nothing to offer them. to pick up the pieces. … The level Senzel Schaefer, Afghan American, and her daughters, pack loss, and grief are a permanent They have no way out of the country. You of pain that reverberates through 100 small backpacks, each with a workbook, markers, and a part of the Afghan identity. “We’re have to understand [it is] 150 people (em- all of America is immense. set of clothes and socks for Afghan refugees. Later, the girls in constant mourning. I ache for ployees). And an average family of five or “We cannot be ungrateful to wrote letters to enclose. my country that I will never have six people.” Schaefer added that President this host country that took us in. the chance to visit … step on the Hybla Valley Farms | $620,000 First River Farms | $559,900 Belle View | $310,000 Biden said the evacuations wouldn’t stop af- … I have lived a great life because of that.” How will the elderly get on? They are being soil of my roots. I ache for the children of ter the withdrawal, but she questioned how kicked out on the street. This is the fabric Afghanistan who have known nothing but One level home has been lovingly maintained and Charming and fully updated 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath Beautiful two-bedroom unit with a covered porch that would look. DOR NIAZ, Great Falls restaurant owner, of a country that has been destroyed,” Niaz war; for the refugees, my brothers and sis- updated! Living room with wood-burning fireplace, townhouse. Backs to Little Hunting Creek and nature in the heart of Belle View Condos. Lovely courtyard “You cannot wrap your head around the left Afghan alone in 1984 at age 17; later he said, with tears. ters, who only wanted peace in a world of hardwoods throughout except carpet in bedrooms, preserve. Neighborhood includes a pool, tennis courts, setting and view from the porch. Updated kitchen with impact of a decision that hits 38 million Af- was able to bring family members, including Niaz will donate, he will volunteer to greed and violence.” beautiful updated kitchen, year-round sun porch off and playgrounds. Enjoy all of the conveniences of the stainless steel appliances, farm sink, and pass-through ghans but also millions of people around the his parents, to join him in the United States. serve as a translator. He will tell the refu- Aurozo Niaz said she and other Afghan dining area. 2804 Woodlawn Trail Ft. Hunt community. 8259 Clifton Farm Court opening to the dining room. 1406 Belle View Blvd #C2 world that were involved in this so-called “As for myself, my family, and my kids, we gees who have arrived in the United States Americans are angry and experiencing sur- Phyllis Sintay 703.472.3563 Kim Fazio 703.244.3889 Heidi Burkhardt 703.217.6009 War on Terror for 20 years. I think 750,000 feel responsible,” said Niaz. “Because Amer- that they are “in the land of opportunity. … vivor’s guilt. They can freely walk down a www.psintay.com www.KimFazio.com www.RealtorHeidiB.com Americans [military] filed in and out of Af- ica, if it takes the risk to bring them over, … There is nothing like it. It will take time for street in the U.S. without a man beside them ghanistan on tour. It’s the biggest of any- then it’s our time to back it up.” you to understand it. It’s not easy, but you and have access to all the resources offered thing of that nature in our country’s history,” “My heart, I’m crying to those people, have to be able to adjust and be flexible.” here. Serving the Washington, DC Metro Area since 1980. Schaefer said. those moms, and dads [left behind]. You Niaz said the terrorists who killed 13 Unit- “The reason I’m a refugee right now is Schaefer hoped for the women of Afghan- grab your kids, your wife, and if you are ed States Servicemembers, at least 160 Af- complete luck. I was born in America and 703.549.9292 | 109 S. Pitt Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | McEnearney.com istan to have found their voices through ed- lucky, you get out; your parents you are leav- ghans, and injured many more, “are the scum ucation and employment. Now she worries ing behind. … There is no welfare system. of the earth. They need to be dealt with.” See Crisis, Page 14 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 3 News

Photos by Glenda Booth

Smooth sumac has bright red fruits or drupes that grow in conical clusters. The group studied New York ironweed, a plant with magenta flowers. Despite Summer’s Swelter, Dyke Marsh Attracts Plant Lovers

By Glenda C. Booth Pokeweed, a herbaceous perennial plant flowers, Chatham told the group that leg- Mount Vernon Gazette More Information: five-to-10 feet high with drooping stems, has end has it that jewelweed sap is a topical www.vnps.org/potowmack/ deep purple berries devoured by some birds. treatment for poison ivy’s itch. The wild let- www.fodm.org t was a steamy, 90-plus-degree day, The berries become fermented and can ad- tuce plants were reaching for the sky, but no but Dyke Marsh’s plants were center dle avians like catbirds and mockingbirds, one recommended them for dinner salads. stage, as 20 enthusiasts had a sweaty, Chatham squeezed together three, half- Chatham said. A widespread wetland plant in Dyke Marsh Ithree-hour, multi-sensory immersion in inch, spicebush twigs and walkers took a Speaking of eating berries, Ford said that is the narrow-leaf cattail, a semi-aquatic the preserve’s diverse vegetation on Aug. sniff. “The twig smells spicy. The fruit tastes arrowwood “makes a great landscape plant plant with erect stems and hotdog-shaped 28. Understanding plants involves seeing, like black pepper,” said Chatham. that will survive in shade and part sun. “Its flowers that grows in shallow water or very touching, smelling and maybe even tasting Sassafras, a woodland understory tree black berries are lipid rich. Fall migratory wet soil. “Pollen cores of Dyke Marsh show nature’s botanical bounty, demonstrated with three different kinds of leaves, was the birds fuel up on them to make it to Costa that they have dominated parts of Dyke leaders Margaret Chatham and Alan Ford of original source for root beer, Chatham said. Rica.” Marsh for thousands of years, since the gla- the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Na- Not only can plants flavor human beverag- Pointing out a waist-high bushy plant with tive Plant Society (VNPS). es, they can give our avian friends a high. pale green leaves and trumpet-like, orange See Plant Lovers, Page 5

Native grape clusters hang down; inva- Eastern gamma grass has male and fe- The buttonbush has ball-like flowers and Margaret Chatham examines the swamp sive porcelainberries reach up. male parts on the same plant. fruit heads. dogwood’s dark blue berries. 4 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Rex Reiley RE/MAX Allegiance 703-768-7730 Summer Plant Lovers [email protected]

From Page 4 Photos by Glenda Booth Alex/Riverside Estates $699,000 3105 McGeorge Terrace This lovely brick split with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,500 finished sq ft and attached garage can be ciers melted and raised the sea level yours! Settled in a charming cul-de-sac, with to the current level of Chesapeake Bay UNDER CONTRACT Winter time views of Little Hunting Creek! and the Potomac River,” local botanist Updated kitchen with quartz counters, stainless Elizabeth Wells has written. Cha- steel appliances and grey wood-look tile floors compliment the lovely white cabinets. The tham said that cattails are very salt bathrooms are updated and have marble tile floors. tolerant and because of widespread Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the main winter salting to de-ice roads they are level and updated double paned windows. Quick and easy access to Little Hunting Creek to launch your kayak and enjoy the spectacular wildlife spreading across the country up and down the creek. 5 minutes S to Fort Belvoir - 2 minutes to Mount Vernon Estate & GW Accurately identifying some plants Parkway - 15 minutes N to Old Town - 25 Minutes N to National Airport and approximately 35 requires eyeballing them up close, minutes to DC and the Pentagon. Chatham said. She and Ford are part Vienna/Acadia Condo $389,900 of the chapter’s Grass Bunch, mem- 9480 Virginia Center Blvd. Unit 120 bers who specialize in hard-to-identi- Beautiful 2BR, 2BA Condo located in South fy grasses, sedges and rushes. These Vienna. Good Sized Bedrooms each with their own walk-in closet and bath. Kitchen is open to the enthusiasts can spend 45 minutes eating area and family room & has beautiful corian analyzing the stem, spikes and other countertops. Attractive laminated flooring through parts of a plant. Describing Indian the kitchen, family room and hallways. Don’t miss the office station and the lovely balcony off the family room. 2 convenient garage spaces below are love grass, Chatham said, “For some Alan Ford points out the bladdernut’s capsule-like fruits. reserved for this unit. Tremendous community amenities highlighted by a wonderful swimming you have to get a magnifying glass to pool, gym, recreational room and office room. Finally, a perfect location with quick and easy access look at the tips.” to Rt. 66, 495 and Rt. 50. If you want to leave your car behind, a quick 2 block walk will put you at the Vienna Metro Station. This wonderful property can be yours to enjoy!! They pointed out a bullrush along the shoreline called common three- Alex/Engleside Village $410,000 square that was traditionally used for 8425 Woodlawn Street If you are looking for a beautifully maintained caning. SOLD Cape Cod just bursting w/charm & perfect for a Despite Summer’s Swelter, The leaders also ventured into plant starter home, here it is!! 3BR, 1BA, double pane reproduction. Directing the group to windows, high quality wall to wall carpet & a lovely, & well-maintained kitchen & bath. If you a stand of eastern gamma grass, Ford have small children, you can walk them next door said that it has both male and female to Woodlawn Elementary. You can sit out on your parts. “The squigglies on the bot- swing on your covered porch & imagine how your Great Grand Parents spent a good portion of their evenings years ago. Location- Lot–Charm & well maintained, will all come to mind as you Dyke Marsh Attracts Plant Lovers tom are female; the danglies on top tour this property. Shopping & restaurants are readily available up & down Route 1–Old Town are male,” clarifying with a snicker, Alexandria is 15 minutes (N), Ft. Belvoir 5 minutes (S), National Airport 25-28 minutes (N) & flowers, Chatham told the group that leg-“Those are not scientific terms.” the Pentagon/D.C. 30 minutes (N). A large .32A lot w/mature trees & a beautiful backyard w/an original stone exterior FPL & a 3-person swing are inviting you to relax or entertain. The garage end has it that jewelweed sap is a topical The group learned that some plants is detached & offers plenty of room for your car & tools. A 12x12 shed will handle your lawn treatment for poison ivy’s itch. The wild let-are host plants for butterflies, the only equipment. Very few homes left in Mt. Vernon for <$450K. This is ONE! tuce plants were reaching for the sky, but noplant species that certain butterfly cat- Alex/ Riverside Estates $780,000 one recommended them for dinner salads. erpillars use to lay their eggs and feed. 8515 Mount Vernon Highway A widespread wetland plant in Dyke MarshA common example is monarch but- Possibly the most stunning curb appeal in all of SOLD is the narrow-leaf cattail, a semi-aquaticterfly caterpillars that feed exclusively popular Riverside Estates. It adequately sets the scene for this spectacular renovated & expanded plant with erect stems and hotdog-shapedon milkweed leaves. Dyke Marsh’s FODM Board member Carolyn Bednarek showed walkers the 4BR, 3BA Contemporary. Inside you will find flowers that grows in shallow water or verywater hemlock near the boardwalk is fallen fruit of a yellow buckeye tree. beautiful hardwood floors, recessed lights, crown wet soil. “Pollen cores of Dyke Marsh showthe host plant for the black swallow- molding, energy efficient double pane windows, six panel doors, & 2 gas FPLs. A magnificent & expanded kitchen opens to the dining room & living room, boasting of granite counters, SS appli- that they have dominated parts of Dyke tail butterfly. Chatham cited University of Delaware told the group, “We should respect the web of life. ances, gorgeous cabinets & lovely marble flooring. The baths are updated including a whirlpool Marsh for thousands of years, since the gla-entomologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy who says that oak It all works together. When you take out a part, you tub, travertine tile & heated floors. The dining room & Master bedroom each have beautiful decks trees support more life than any other North Ameri- don’t always know the consequences.” He elaborated which look out over a beautifully landscaped & fenced back yard. The lower level offers a 4th BR, See Plant Lovers, Page 5 3rd BA, office, exercise room & utility room. Finally, a large detached 2 car garage w/water & can tree. “Oaks are important larval hosts for over 500 that introduced plant species that did not coevolve electric which includes room for a workshop PLUS stairs to a floored upper-level w/tons of storage insects; tulip trees, for over 350,” said Chatham. Both with native insects and wildlife usually lack native space. Walk to MVHS & Riverside Elementary. 7 mins (S) to Ft. Belvoir, 15 mins (N) to Old Town tree species are in Dyke Marsh. controls and can outcompete native species. & Huntington Metro, 25-27 mins (N) to Pentagon, National Airport & D.C. This will go Fast. The Virginia Native Plant Society, founded in 1982, The VNPS chapter and the Friends of Dyke Marsh seeks to further the appreciation and conservation of hosted the walk in memory of Patricia Salamone, an the state’s native plants and habitats. Explaining why officer in both organizations who passed away on native plants are important, chapter President Ford March 19, 2021.

Margaret Chatham examines the swamp dogwood’s dark blue berries. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 5 Opinion

Open the www.MountVernonGazette.com Gates @MtVernonGazette An independent, locally owned weekly It is now well known that newspaper delivered Enid Annenberg Haupt saved to homes and businesses. River Farm from a possible Published by sale to the Soviet Union by This plaque is located next to the Local Media Connection LLC making a donation of $ 1 front of the main house at River 1606 King Street million to the American Hor- Farm and acknowledges Enid Annen- Alexandria, Virginia 22314 ticultural Society (AHS) in berg’s gift to AHS in 1973. Free digital edition delivered to 1973 that allowed them to your email box. Go to purchase River Farm with the un- closed to the public? connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe derstanding, and on the condition, that the property would be open to Anne Wilson Fafara NEWS DEPARTMENT: the public. Save River Farm Committee [email protected] Why then are the gates still Alexandria, Va. Signs located outside the front gates of River Farm on Aug. 10, 2021. Jeanne Theismann [email protected] @TheismannMedia

Mercia Hobson Community Reporter Detailing Relief in Dollars [email protected] By Sen. Adam Ebbin safety of our students and staff is to broadband is still out of reach. But that will Mike Salmon Contributing Writer to ensure that schools have high change with the passage of this budget bill. The [email protected] n Monday Aug. 2, the quality ventilation and HVAC sys- General Assembly allocated $700 million to VirginianGeneral Assem- tems. That is why the General As- bring high-speed broadband to every home and Ken Moore Contributing Writer Obly convened in Rich- sembly allocated $250 million to business in the state by 2024. (Currently some [email protected] mond for a Special Session to repair and improve these systems 234,000 still remain unconnected!)

allocate federal American Rescue in elementary and secondary Small businesses can also expect $250 mil- ADVERTISING: Plan Act (ARPA) funds and ap- schools. This funding will require lion in relief via RebuildVA grants and $50 mil- For advertising information point judges to fill eight vacancies a local dollar-for-dollar match, lion in tourism and marketing grants to draw [email protected] on the Virginia Court of Appeals. yielding a $500 million invest- customers back in and start to make up for the 703-778-9431 The judicial slots were created by ment. The upgrades are estimat- incredible impact the pandemic had on hos- Debbie Funk legislation passed earlier in the ed to cover 80% of all needed pitality and destination based small business- Display Advertising/National Sales year to create an automatic right to appeal and HVAC repair and replacement capital projects es in Virginia. To prevent future tax increases 703-778-9444 [email protected] proportionately increase the number of jurists in Virginia schools, modernizing our education on small businesses and ensure Virginians get to meet the heightened case load. For the first infrastructure across the Commonwealth. the help they need if they are or become un- Helen Walutes time since COVID hit Virginia, the House and During the pandemic, mental health issues employed, the General Assembly deposited Display Advertising, 703-778-9410 [email protected] Senate have returned to their respective cham- and addiction have become drastically more $862 million into the depleted coffers of our bers in the Capitol. Due to close quarters, our prevalent, leading to devastating impacts on Unemployment Trust Fund. We also allocated David Griffin desks are surrounded by plexiglass to prevent families and overburdening our psychiatric $91 million to improve the efficiency at which Marketing Assistant 703-778-9431 possible transmission of the increasingly com- hospitals to the point that, in mid-July, state the Virginia Employment Commission process- [email protected] mon COVID-19 Delta variant. facilities were forced to stop admitting new pa- es, adjudicates, and disperses unemployment Unlike previous special sessions, the Senate tients. The final budget bill provides the neces- benefits. The current system was overwhelmed Classified & Employment Advertising and House agreed to limit legislative action to sary funding to staff up and open more admis- during the peak of COVID-19, and continues to 703-778-9431 a single bill which allocates $3.2 billion of the sion slots in these critical facilities, and makes fail many Virginians in getting the help they de- $4.3 billion in ARPA funds, and makes sever- a massive, $485 million downpayment on im- serve. I am hopeful that these investments will Publisher al emergency policy changes through budget provements to our mental health and substance finally bring a resolution to this issue. Jerry Vernon language. Federal guidance limits the General abuse treatment programs in Virginia. Righting Finally, the General Assembly continued to 703-549-0004 Assembly to spending these funds to respond to the trajectory for these services will create a work on a core priority of mine: preventing evic- [email protected] COVID-19 and its economic impacts, providing brighter future. In concert with improvements tions and increasing affordable housing. We ap- Editor & Publisher increased pay to workers essential to respond- to mental health services, the General Assembly propriated a combined $750 million in housing Mary Kimm ing to the pandemic, and investments in water, invested an additional $354 million in public assistance, $250 million of which will be used to [email protected] sewer, and broadband infrastructure. While we health including facility infrastructure improve- cover overdue mortgage bills, taxes, insurance, @MaryKimm are focused on these critical issues, some of my ments and modernization of our public health and HOA fees. To learn how to access these Art/Design: Republican colleagues had different ideas, filing technology to ensure that Virginians can re- funds, visit https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/ Laurence Foong, John Heinly, amendments to the budget which would have ceive high-quality services. rmrp. Because of this major influx in rental relief, Ali Khaligh Production Manager: banned “critical race theory” (a legal theory ex- To continue to improve public safety, we also and the end of the federal eviction moratorium, Geovani Flores amined in some law schools) in public schools, allocated close to $93 million for anti-violence we also prohibited landlords from taking any ac- and blocking common sense protections for initiatives, including $75 million to increase tion to obtain possession of a rental unit for non- CIRCULATION transgender students. I am glad my motion to state police and state supported sworn officers payment of rent unless they have first applied for Circulation Manager: rule these amendments not “germane” to the of sheriffs’ departments salaries to competitive rental assistance and their tenant refused the as- Ann Oliver [email protected] budget bill was sustained and we were able levels, $13.2 million for support services for sistance or did not qualify for the funding. This is to move forward with a budget focused on the victims of crime including sexual and domestic one of the most important actions we have taken A Connection Newspaper needs of Virginians. violence, $4 million to improve mental-health this special session, and will protect tenants and Under that guidance, the Senate Finance and training for law enforcement to implement landlords alike from the painful, economically Appropriations Committee leadership gathered the new “Marcus Alert” system which requires devastating process of evictions. input from members over the last month to mental health professionals respond with police With the Governor’s signature, these histor- share with Governor Northam before the Gov- officers that are called to deal with a person in ic investments will begin flowing, shovels will ernor finalized his proposed spending plan. I crisis, and $5 million in gun violence preven- go into the ground, businesses will continue was happy to see $50 million in funding for the tion programs. opening, and Virginians will begin to feel some Alexandria’s Combined Sewer Overflow reme- The social distancing we have practiced over weight lifting from their shoulders as a more diation project included, which will reduce the the past year has, in many cases, only been robust safety net is constructed. A firm base has cost burden on ratepayers. possible because of affordable access to reli- been laid for the future of our Commonwealth, As parents, students, and educators prepare able internet — from online school, to work, and I look forward to building on it in the years to return for a fully in-person school year, their to accessing e-books from the library, to tele- to come. safety and ability to learn best is top-of-mind to health services, the internet has been a lifeline It is my continued honor to serve the all of us. A key way to improve the long-term for many. However, for many Virginians, access 30th District. 6 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News

www.MountVernonGazette.com Body of Virginia @MtVernonGazette Woman Found An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered in Potomac to homes and businesses. Published by Local Media Connection LLC River

1606 King Street The United States Park Police Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (USPP) located the body of Antika “Katie” Junrakan, age 27, in the Free digital edition delivered to your email box. Go to Potomac River near Waynewood connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe Boulevard in the afternoon of Aug. 31. NEWS DEPARTMENT: On Aug. 30, 2021, Junrakan was [email protected] reported missing along the George

Jeanne Theismann Washington Memorial Parkway. [email protected] The investigation remains open as @TheismannMedia USPP detectives follow up on ac-

Mercia Hobson tive leads. Community Reporter If you have information about [email protected] this incident, please contact the tip Mike Salmon line at (202) 610-8737, USPP_ti- Contributing Writer [email protected]. You can remain [email protected] anonymous. Ken Moore Contributing Writer [email protected] COVID Case at

ADVERTISING: For advertising information Mount Vernon [email protected] 703-778-9431 High School

Debbie Funk An employee at Mount Vernon Display Advertising/National Sales High School reported testing pos- 703-778-9444 itive for COVID-19, the school [email protected] administration said in an email to Helen Walutes parents. Display Advertising, 703-778-9410 The Fairfax County Health De- [email protected] partment (FCHD) will identify and David Griffin communicate with close contacts Marketing Assistant of this individual and tell them 703-778-9431 what action to take, such as testing [email protected] or quarantine. Classified & Employment If you do not receive a call from Advertising the Health Department, you have 703-778-9431 not been identified as a close con- tact to this case. Publisher When the FCHD has completed Jerry Vernon 703-549-0004 its contact tracing and investiga- [email protected] tion of this case, FCPS will send an email to notify you the FCHD has Editor & Publisher Mary Kimm closed the case. [email protected] If you have questions, you may @MaryKimm contact the Fairfax County Health

Art/Design: Department at 703-267-3511 or Laurence Foong, John Heinly, email [email protected] Ali Khaligh (monitored 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. week- Production Manager: days). Geovani Flores FCPS maintains a COVID-19

CIRCULATION Dashboard that shows daily cas- Circulation Manager: es at https://www.fcps.edu/re- Ann Oliver turn-school/fcps-confirmed-covid- [email protected] 19-case-reporting. This provides information on our division health A Connection Newspaper metrics and COVID-19 cases. This information is being shared to keep families informed and aware as we all work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at https://www.fcps. edu/blog/stop-spread. For more information on COVID-19 Supports and Resourc- es, please visit https://www. vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/#- COVID-19-resources

See News, Page 11 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 7 News

Virginia has new protections for renters, Facing Eviction but temporary measures expire next year.

By Michael Lee Pope GAZETTE PACKET

he clock is ticking for renters across Virginia who are in danger of being evicted. Now that the Tfederal moratorium on evictions is over, landlords are finally able to start filing paperwork at the courthouse. That means a wave of evictions could be on the horizon for people of color and low-income Virginians who have been disproportionately hit by job and income loss during the pandemic, ac- cording to data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. “People are worried,” said Jon Liss, ex- ecutive director at Virginia New Majority. “There’s a huge concern about a massive wave of evictions, both nationwide and in Virginia.” Last month, members of the General As- sembly approved a new protection for rent- ers who are struggling to make ends meet. Landlords who want to evict tenants for non-payment of rent are now required to ap- ply for federal relief before evicting anyone. That’s just one of the many new require- ments on landlords, who must wait 45 days to move forward with an eviction if a rent re- USAFacts lief application is under consideration. Ulti- Virginia has Virginia has spent more than a third of its federal rental assistance funds, a much higher percentage than most states mately, though, those temporary protections in the race to get the funds to renters who are facing eviction. will run out June 30, 2022. “We’re concerned that the lifting of the CDC moratorium will embolden landlords to increase their mass eviction filings,” said “If these tenants get Larisa Zehr, a legal fellow at the Legal Aid Justice Center. “Mass eviction filings are al- evicted for not pay- ways a problem in Virginia, but that will be an increased problem right now because so ing their rent, that many people are still struggling to pay rent because of the pandemic.” becomes what I call

THE FEDERAL MORATORIUM on evictions the Scarlet E.” was issued by the Centers for Disease Con- — Christie Marra, trol and Prevention in September 2020. The director of housing advocacy for United States Supreme Court struck down the Virginia Poverty Law Center that moratorium last month, opening the door to landlords across the country evict- ing people who have not been able to pay tracts. These people already have written the rent. Here in Northern Virginia, low-in- leases,” said Petersen, who is often an out- come people are likely to spend 50 percent lier in the Senate Democratic Caucus. “They of their income on rent. The Department of have residential leases, and to try to add Housing and Urban Development suggests these additional obstacles, it’s not correct.” households spend no more than 30 percent Here in Alexandria, city officials are of their income on housing costs, which planning to invest in a workforce of people means many people in Northern Virginia National Equity Atlas known as “navigators” who can work with were caught in a trap. People of color and low-income people in Virginia are disproportionately more likely landlords and tenants to help apply for fed- “You took a very vulnerable population to have experienced job and income losses during the pandemic. eral rental relief. Eventually, though, all that that was walking a financial tightrope ev- federal assistance will dry up. Tenants who ery month to get the rent paid, and you just “moratorium.” The CDCs order applied to pandemic struck. Normal rules of economics have not been able to pay the rent since the pulled out tightrope,” said Christie Marra, people who were unable to pay their rent, no longer applied, and evictions were put on pandemic struck will be facing eviction, and director of housing advocacy for the Virgin- not for other reasons. That means the peo- the back burner to help prevent the spread then the challenge of finding a new place to ia Poverty Law Center. “If these tenants get ple who are now at-risk of being kicked out of COVID-19. Many landlords are eager to live with a paper trail that includes nonpay- evicted for not paying their rent, that be- of their homes are low-income people strug- get rid of renters they view as deadbeats, ment of rent. comes what I call the Scarlet E.” gling to make ends meet during a pandemic. holding down a property without paying the “I think there’s a big backlog of cases, and Marra says don’t expect a sudden rush to “There has never been 100 percent pro- bill. During the Virginia Senate debate on the first period will probably be a -bit rug evict tenants based on violations of leases tection for tenants,” said Marra, noting that the new requirement for landlords to seek ged,” said Stephen Haner, senior fellow at that have nothing to do with non-payment Virginia ranks poorly in terms of protections federal assistance before evicting anyone, the Thomas Jefferson Institute. “ In the long of rent. Landlords who wanted to get rid for renters. state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34) argued that run, I think the changes Virginia has made of a tenant for damage or drugs have been he didn’t want to require too much of prop- will make eviction harder two years from able to evict those problem tenants all along, LANDLORDS AND TENANTS have been erty owners. now, five years from now, six years from which is why Marra bristles at the word in a state of suspended animation since the “We’re changing the terms of the con- now. And you will see fewer evictions.” 8 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News ‘Celebration of Trees’ Campaign Starts Sept 1 By Susan Laume The Connection

ocal environmental organizations want you to know how important it is to plant and pre- serve native plants. The new region-wide pub- Llic education effort, beginning Sept. 1, Plant NOVA Trees, includes this year’s Celebration of Trees. Many events are planned September through Novem- ber. In a collaborative effort, numerous organizations are pooling their resources to offer hosted events with the aim of reversing the decline of native plants and wildlife in Northern Virginia. Celebration of Trees, part of a five year focused drive, seeks to reach out to residents, businesses, com- Native Plants for Northern Virginia munities in general, and to climate vulnerable com- munities in particular, to significantly increase and native landscape can be gradual. Experts say, every preserve native tree canopy in northern Virginia. The native plant helps. hope is that the campaign will encourage everyone to Not sure what to plant? For a list of native trees, install native plants as the first step toward creating shrubs, and perennials and their preferred growing wildlife habitat and functioning ecosystems on their conditions, go to www.plantnovanatives.org. Need own properties. help on tree basics? Read more at www.fairfaxcounty. A key knowledge point in understanding the impor- gov/publicworks/trees tance of native plants is the recognition that native Report your planting at Virginia Forestry’s My Tree plant species co-evolved with native animal species Counts https://arcg.is/WryDG. over many millions of years. Plants provided food and Consider volunteering in your community to plant shelter for animals creating a complex, interdepen- trees or remove non-native plant species. A calendar dent relationship between many species. of events is available at https://www.plantnovatrees. The relationship between native milkweed plants org/calendar. and Monarch butterflies is just one of many such de- pendent relationships in the natural world. A high percentage of insects are known to specialize in par- ticular host plants and cannot eat, grow or reproduce on non-native plants. If host native plants are pushed out by over competing invasive plants, the related na- tive insects could die out. Scientists have already doc- umented a significant decline in insect populations in our part of the world, referred to as the “insect apoc- alypse.” Not a fan of insects and wondering why you should care about their loss? Take a moment to consider in- sects’ role in assuring the continuation of our plant food resources and the lives of animals that sustain human life. Birds depend on insects to survive and raise their young. Studies document bird and animal species decline in areas overcome by non-native, inva- sive plant species. tracts. These people already have written What can you do to help? Plant at least one native Native Black Cherry trees, with Eastern tent cat- leases,” said Petersen, who is often an out-tree now, and replace non-native trees when they die erpillars. These do little damage to the tree and lier in the Senate Democratic Caucus. “They with native species. Consider converting some lawn provide a food source for Robins, Blue Jays, Red- have residential leases, and to try to add areas to beds of native plants. Your conversion to a winged Blackbirds and Cardinals these additional obstacles, it’s not correct.” Here in Alexandria, city officials are planning to invest in a workforce of people known as “navigators” who can work with landlords and tenants to help apply for fed- eral rental relief. Eventually, though, all that federal assistance will dry up. Tenants who have not been able to pay the rent since the pandemic struck will be facing eviction, and then the challenge of finding a new place to live with a paper trail that includes nonpay- ment of rent. “I think there’s a big backlog of cases, and the first period will probably be a bit rug- ged,” said Stephen Haner, senior fellow at the Thomas Jefferson Institute. “ In the long run, I think the changes Virginia has madeNon-native invasive vines were cleared from this mulberry tree in Dec 2020 by volunteer O. Alabi. will make eviction harder two years from… By August 2021 the same tree was reclaimed by invasive vines. Without determined vine remov- now, five years from now, six yearsal from efforts this and many native trees would die. Its fruit is a valuable food source to foxes, raccoons, now. And you will see fewer evictions.” squirrels, and several varieties of birds. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 9 Entertainment 3 Dates to Circle in September

By Hope Nelson Café 44, Michael’s Little Italy, Murphy’s, Old crawling, this year’s event is divided up into The folks at Sugarcoated Bakery will teach Gazette Packet House Cosmopolitan and Mamma’s Kitchen three crawls across three weekends – Sept. you how to decorate your own at a class host- ookies, dining out for charity and are all donating a portion of their proceeds 11, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, respectively, to ed at Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Drive. a three-pronged pub crawl: It’s from Sept. 11’s sales to the FOE, which will keep crowds down. Each weekend features The class, aimed at beginners of all ages, shaping up to be a September of in turn use the fundraising mission to help a distinct set of four restaurants, plus par- will go over a number of decorating how-tos. Cvaried events in Alexandria’s food build an accessible home for a veteran in ticipant gear such as shirts and pint glasses. And don’t fret – if your decorating skills don’t and beverage arena. Here are some can’t- need. The four-hour tour will budget for present themselves in a timely fashion, you miss activities to keep on your radar. APPETITE 50 minutes at each location, plus 10 can always drown your sorrows with a pint of Port City Old Town Pub Crawl, minutes’ travel time. Reservations cider after class is finished. $45. Fraternal Order of Eagles “Dining for Sept 11, 18, and 25 are required; tickets are $25. Charity” event, Sept. 11 The eighth annual Port City Brewing pub Hope Nelson is the author of “Classic Restau- The Fraternal Order of Eagles #871 is tak- crawl is back in action after a virtual year Fall Cookie Decorating Class at Lost Boy rants of Alexandria” and owns the Kitchen Re- ing over several restaurants around town in – and in the spirit of the changing land- Cider, Sept. 28 cessionista blog, located at www.kitchenreces- the name of fundraising for an injured Vir- scape, the brewery has another little trick What better way to get into the autumnal sionista.com. Email her any time at ginia veteran. Bella Napoli, the Fish Market, up its sleeve. Instead of one uber-day of pub spirit than with some fall-inspired cookies? [email protected].

Calendar

SEPT. 3-25 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. ”Stigma” Art Exhibit. At Del Ray Artisans Gallery The week will conclude with a Meet in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon the Makers Tasting Event at Market Ave., Alexandria. The STIGMA exhibit at Del Square. Ray Artisans Gallery features art that shines a light on stigma — how it feels, how it affects SATURDAY/SEPT. 11 lives, and how it can be overcome. Stigma af- Plants & Design: Perk Up Your Fall fects many different people in many different Garden. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (Adult) ways. These art works include viewpoints on September is a great time to inject mental health disorders, HIV, homelessness, some autumn beauty into your home disabilities, sexual orientation, bullying, race garden. Green Spring horticulturist and ethnicity, and more. Open Thursdays Brenda Skarphol discusses dividing 12-6 p.m., Fridays 12-9 p.m., Saturdays and perennials, planting cool season Sundays 12-6 p.m. Visit https://DelRayArti- plants, and beautifying your garden sans.org/exhibits with fall season show-stoppers so it

looks its autumn best. Special empha- SATURDAY/SEPT. 4 sis placed on plants for pollinators and Saving Garden Treasures: Taking Plant Cuttings. other wildlife. $18 per person. Regis- 1:30-3 p.m. At Green Spring Gardens, 4603 ter online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ Green Spring Road, Alexandria. (16-Adult) parks/parktakes or call Green Spring Learn how to propagate plants from cuttings Gardens at 703-642-5173. following simple techniques demonstrated by Green Spring staff. Gain strategies to over- SUNDAY/SEPT. 12 winter your favorite tender perennials so you Tall Ship Providence with Captain can add them to your garden next year and Gregory’s. 1 Cameron St., Alexandria. save money. Take home a starter collection Sail Times: 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. and to begin your own saved treasures. $22 per 3 - 5 p.m. Be immersed in the seaside person. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty. culture and history of rum as we learn gov/parks/parktakes or call Green Spring the history of a maritime favorite. Gardens at 703-642-5173. Guests can come aboard the Tall Ship

Providence for tastings and sailing SATURDAY/SEPT. 4 with entertainment by Captain Grego- Garden Talk: Rocks Rock. 10:30-noon. At Green The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style will take place on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Old ry’s. Tall Ship Providence Happy Hour Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Al- Town Alexandria. Cruises. Friday evenings throughout exandria. Explore the beauty of rock gardens the fall, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admis- as Extension Master Gardeners host “Garden sion: $45 per person. Call 703-772-8483. Visit Talk: Rocks Rock!” Learn how to design and American history, the Presidents, Alexandria, and Sunday are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tallshipprovidence.org plant a beautiful display resembling an alpine and the American work force throughout the meadow or a mountain garden with fabulous years in honor of Labor Day. You’ll learn some SEPT. 10-18 THE BIRCHMERE small and dwarf perennials and evergreens. fun and By the Seashore. At Leonadus K. Plenty Amphi- All shows are at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise Not only do these plants boast great longevity, interesting facts as we reveal the answers! Tick- theater at Lee District Park, 6601 Tele- noted. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com. they require little maintenance. This program ets are $20 per graph Road, Alexandria. This sensory-filled Contact The Birchmere at 703-549-7500 or for adults costs $12 per person. Call 703- household, with all proceeds benefiting Gadsby’s production specifically designed for children www.Birchmere.com. 642-5173. Tavern Museum. To ages 0-3 uses an imaginative mix of puppetry, Wed/Thu. Sept. 1 & 2: Jeffrey Osborne $85.00 register, visit gadsbystavernmuseum.us. movement, and sound to take children on a Fri. Sept. 3: DANNY GATTON BIRTHDAY CELE- SUNDAY/SEPT. 5 magical journey to the beach. Dates: BRATION with Johnny Hiland, David Chap- Old Town Festival of Speed & Style. 10 a.m. to FRIDAY/SEPT. 10 Friday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. pell, Tommy Lepson, Big Joe Maher, John 3 p.m. The event will feature more than Art on the Rocks. 5 to 8 p.m. At Waterfront Park, Saturday, September 11 at 10am and 11:30 a.m. Previti, Dave Elliot, Barry Hart, Bruce Swaim, 100 rare and unusual supercars and vintage 1A Prince Street, Alexandria. Experience the Sunday, September 12 at 11 a.m. Steve Wolf, Pete Ragusa, Rick Whitehead, motorcycles from around the world for up- exciting kickoff to Old Town Cocktail Week. Thursday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m. Steven Windsor, & more! $35.00 close viewing enjoyment. It will span across Join the Art League in tasting cocktail cre- Friday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m. Sun. Sept. 5: The Marshall Tucker Band $55.00 three blocks on lower King Street, and around ations and small bites crafted by competing Saturday, September 18 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 Wed. Sept. 8: Blue Oyster Cult $65.00 Market Square - near Old Town’s waterfront. bartenders from favorite local establishments. a.m. Thu. Sept. 9: Julia Fordham $29.50 Presented by Burke & Herbert Bank. Will also Find out who will win Judges’ Choice and Visit the website: Fri. Sept. 10: Al Stewart w/ The Empty Pockets feature a fashion demonstration in which cast your own vote for the People’s Choice https://www.artsonthehorizon.org/by-the-sea- $35.00 local boutiques, salons, and area retail brands award. Admission: $55 per person. Visit shore-2021.html Sat. Sept. 11: Madeleine Peyroux ‘Careless Love will showcase styles from the themed cars on Oldtownbusiness.org Tour’ $55.00 display. The fashion demonstration will take SEPT. 10-19 Sun. Sept. 12: NAJEE $45.00 place from 12 to 1 p.m. Visit the website: SEPT. 10-12 Old Town Cocktail Week. Guests can celebrate Mon. Sept. 13: Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush https://www.festivalspeedstylealex.com/ Stonebridge Artists Tour. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the world of cocktail innovation enjoying w/ Patty Reese & Dave Chappell $45.00 three locations: 1234 Shenandoah Road, unique libations at Old Town Alexandria Tue. Sept. 14: Suzanne Vega – An Evening of THURSDAY/SEPT. 9 2100 Mason Hill Drive and 2219 Martha’s restaurants, bars, and as well as themed New York Songs & Stories $49.50 Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society Virtual Trivia Road, Alexandria. The show will feature the events at boutiques, historic sights, and other Fri. Sept. 17: Reckless Kelly w/ Tyler & The Train Night. 7-8:30 p.m. Grab your favorite bev- work of nine prominent local artists with places. The week will kick off with Art on Robbers $29.50 erage and settle down for some trivia fun displays of painting, prints, bronze, ceramics, the Rocks on Friday, September 10, 5-8 p.m. (with prizes) that will test your knowledge of and photography, all in three relaxed residen- at Waterfront Park, held by The Art League See Calendar, Page 11 10 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8,tial 2021 settings. Friday time is 5-8 p.m. Saturday www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Sign up for

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MOUNT VERNON DISTRICT POLICE INCIDENTS MALICIOUS WOUNDING: 7900 block of Richmond Highway, 8/20/21, 2:53 p.m. A man confronted the victim in the parking lot, assaulted him with a knife then ran away. The victim was taken to a hospital with inju- ries not considered life threatening.

ASSAULT ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: 8300 block of Rich- to all of our papers FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION mond Highway, 8/20/21, 11:13 p.m. Officers responded for complaints of a man acting disorderly. When the man saw officers, he threw a glass bottle shattering it on the ground in front of him and ran away. After a short foot pursuit, the 37-year-old Alexandria man was taken into custo- dy. During the arrest police say the suspect assaulted two officers and was charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, littering and drunk in public. UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE/ASSAULT ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFI- CER/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: 5975 Richmond Highway (Red Roof Inn), 8/21/21, 1 a.m. Officers responded for reports of loud noises and glass breaking coming from a room. When they arrived, a 39-year-old man, was discovered alone inside of a room. Officers learned that he had shot off several rounds causing significant damage to the room. The man was arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment. While at the hospital, the man assaulted an officer. He was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, two counts of destruction of property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, possess firearm while protective order in effect and assault on a law enforcement officer. COMMERCIAL ROBBERY: 7910 Richmond Highway (Walmart), 8/22/21, 9:47 p.m. A man attempted to exit the store without paying for merchandise. When an employee attempted to stop him, a 20-year-old Alexandria man, displayed a knife and took the goods. Officers arrested the man nearby, and he was charged with robbery. VEHICLE PURSUIT: Richmond Highway at Fort Hunt Road, 8/23/21, 2:12 p.m. An officer attempted a traffic stop of a 2008 Honda for a regis- tration violation. The driver sped off through a red light. The officer uti- lized a PIT maneuver to quickly stop the car from fleeing and the driver, a 28-year-old man of Alexandria, was charged with disregarding a police signal to stop.

FCPD CALLS FOR SERVICE SUMMARY Countywide: Date Covered: 8/20/2021 – 8/26/2021 Total Calls for Service: 8,781 Same Company, Same Employees, Total Domestic Related Calls for Service: 218 Total Persons Experiencing Mental Health Crisis Calls for Service: 359 Same Great Value - Now Celebrating 20 Years! Total Crash Calls for Service: 614 Calendar TWO POOR TEACHERS

From Page 10 Sun. Sept. 19: Phil Keaggy $29.50 Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Mon. Sept. 20: Amy Grant $75.00 Sat. Sept. 18: James McMurtry Wed. Sept. 22: Monster Energy Out- $35.00 break Tour Presents: Laine Hardy *All shows are at 7:30pm, unless w/ Kylie Frey $35.00 otherwise noted. Thu/Fri. Sept. 23&24: The High Kings $55.00 BIRCHMERE SHOWS SEPT-OCT. Sun. Sept. 26: Five For Fighting With 2021! String Quartet $39.50 Wed/Thu. Sept. 1 & 2: Jeffrey Osborne Mon. Sept. 27: Christopher Cross $85.00 “40th Anniversary Tour” $59.50 Fri. Sept. 3: DANNY GATTON BIRTH- Tue. Sept. 28: The Robert Cray Band DAY CELEBRATION with Johnny $49.50 Hiland, David Chappell, Tommy Wed. Sept. 29: Tommy Emmanuel, Lepson, Big Joe Maher, John Pre- CGP with very special guest Andy viti, Dave Elliot, Barry Hart, Bruce McKee $59.50 Swaim, Steve Wolf, Pete Ragusa, Thu. Sept. 30: Keiko Matsui $45.00 Rick Whitehead, Steven Windsor, & more! $35.00 Fri. Oct. 1: Preacher Lawson $45.00 Sun. Sept. 5: The Marshall Tucker Sun. Oct. 3: The Stylistics $65.00 Band $55.00 Mon/Tue. Oct. 4&5: Toad The Wet Wed. Sept. 8: Blue Oyster Cult $65.00 Sprocket w/ Althea Grace $75.00 • Electrical (ELE) Fully Insured & Class A Licensed Thu. Sept. 9: Julia Fordham $29.50 Thu. Oct. 7: Lori McKenna “The • Gas Fitting (GFC) Since 1999 Fri. Sept. 10: Al Stewart w/ The Emp- Two Birds Tour” with Mark Erelli 10% down ty Pockets $35.00 $29.50 • Heating Ventilation and Air nothing until the job Sat. Sept. 11: Madeleine Peyroux Sat. Oct. 9: The Guess Who $69.50 is complete for the ‘Careless Love Tour’ $55.00 Sun. Oct. 10 Phil Vassar $45.00 Conditioning (HVA) Sun. Sept. 12: NAJEE $45.00 Mon.Tue. Oct. 11 & 12: An Evening • Plumbing (PLB) past 17 years Mon. Sept. 13: Frank Marino & with Patty Griffin & Gregory Alan Mahogany Rush w/ Patty Reese & Isakov $95.00 • Residential Building (RBC) Dave Chappell $45.00 Wed/Thu. Oct. 13 & 14: An Evening Tue. Sept. 14: Suzanne Vega – An Eve- with Damien Escobar $59.50 ning of New York Songs & Stories Fri. Oct. 15: The Manhattans featuring Free Estimates 703-999-2928 $49.50 Gerald Alston $55.00 Check if your contractor is licensed at the state level Fri. Sept. 17: Reckless Kelly w/ Tyler & Sat. Oct. 16: Raven’s Night 2021 http://www.DPOR.virginia.gov The Train Robbers $29.50 $29.50 Sat. Sept. 18: James McMurtry Sun. Oct. 17: An Evening with Judy Visit our website: www.twopoorteachers.com See Calendar, Page 11 $35.00 Collins $59.50 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 11 Wellbeing Bulletin Board

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computer skills including MS GIRLS ON THE RUN REGIS- Office, familiarity with office TRATION phone systems, and friendly As students prepare to head back and welcoming demeanor. to school throughout Northern Email FWSLibrary@mountver- Virginia, many parents are non.org to learn more. looking for afterschool activities that not only encourage phys- ONGOING ical activity, but also provide Local, farm-fresh produce – includ- a safe and structured space to ing strawberries and asparagus build their child’s social-emo- –and more will be featured at tional toolbox. Children deserve the now-opened McCutcheon/ to emerge from this crisis Mt. Vernon Farmers Market. strong and hopeful, and at Girls From 8 a.m. to noon every on the Run we are prepared Wednesday (through Dec. to nurture girls’ strength and 22), 16 local farmers and resilience, so they can thrive in food producers will sell fresh, all aspects of their lives. GOTR locally grown vegetables and NOVA will be returning to a 10- fruits; meats; Chesapeake Bay week curriculum and offering seafood; breads and pastries; all in-person teams for the Fall honey, jams and jellies; milk, 2021 season. Currently, 66 cheese and eggs; herbs and sites throughout the Northern plants; and more. The market Virginia region are open for is located at the Sherwood Fall 2021 registration through Hall Regional Library, 2501 September 7, 2021. For more Sherwood Hall Lane. All of information about fall registra- Photo courtesy of Giant the items sold at the market tion, visit www.gotrnova.org. are grown or produced by the Local mobile health clinics can help to make receiving flu and COVID vaccines as well as COVID boost- vendors and come from within er vaccines convenient. STEM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED a radius of 125 miles. The AAAS STEM Volunteers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, stemvolunteers.org, Program (SNAP) EBT cards needs STEM professionals to can be used. As a bonus, the assist K-12 STEM (Science, market will match up to $20 Technology, Engineering, Math- per market visit in SNAP dollars ematics) teachers in school for fruits and vegetables. Get Your Flu Shot districts in the D.C. metro area This year’s vendors are: during the 2021-22 school Arnest Seafood – crab cakes, scal- year. If you care about K-12 lops, shrimp, rockfish, oysters Local health officials say Population Health. “The CDC recommends that the STEM education and have time and more COVID vaccine can be given at the same time as the to share your knowledge with Grace’s Pastries - cakes, pastries students and teachers, send a it’s important to get both flu shot. This can make it more convenient for people and breads, with a Caribbean note to [email protected] with touch to get protected against both infections. As many peo- your home address. Great Harvest Bread - breads and flu and COVID vaccines, ple will be getting COVID boosters in the fall, if they pastries haven’t received their annual flu shot yet, that would FREE CYBER TRAINING Honey Brook Farms - meats and and CDC says they can be be a great time to do so.” The Virginia Cyber Skills Acade- vegetables raised with no chem- “Since the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine do mies (VCSA) is a state-spon- icals, gluten-free baked goods sored training program for House of Empanadas –variety of given at the same time. not contain any live virus, there is no chance of get- NOVA residents financially empanadas ting infected from either one,” Schwartz said. impacted by COVID-19 that King Mushrooms –variety of locally By Marilyn Campbell In an effort to maximize the number of patients who provides free cyber training to grown mushrooms The Connection can receive both vaccines, local pharmacies have set residents ready to start or boost Locust Grove Farm - vegetables and a career in cyber. VCSA was re- herbs up mobile clinics where flu, COVID-19 and COVID-19 cently launched to help current Misty Meadow Farm Creamery - s students return to in-person learning booster vaccines can be administered. cybersecurity professionals with milk, ice cream, cheese and while social distancing and mask mandates “Giant’s pharmacies throughout the area are ready upskilling and those wanting to eggs are less in evidence, local health officials are to help residents get their seasonal flu vaccine with enter the sought after cyberse- No. 1 Sons– pickles, kimchi, sauer- urging residents to get a flu shot to prevent no appointment needed, and often covered in-full curity field with reskilling. The kraut and kombucha teas A program is only open to citizens Ochoa Produce - vegetables, herbs an uptick in the number flu and by most insurance plans,” who are stationed in or perma- and flowers COVID-19 cases. said Sujin Roberge, Manager nent residents of Northern Vir- Traveling Shepherd Coffee Co. – “We could be in for a more “As many people will of Clinical Programs at Giant ginia and is only funded for this variety of freshly roasted coffee serious flu season compared to Pharmacy. “Giant pharmacists year, so applicants should apply Twin Springs Orchard - fruits, veg- as soon as possible. Applicants etables, cheese and more last year, which saw record-low be getting COVID will continue administering can earn certifications from Valentine’s Bakery & Meats - meats flu-related deaths, thanks in COVID-19 vaccines, including a the SANS Institute, a highly and baked goods. large part to people wearing boosters in the fall, if third dose of either Moderna or regarded and well-recognized masks and maintaining social Pfizer vaccine for immunocom- cybersecurity learning platform. ADULT ENGLISH LANGUAGE distance,” said Kurt Larrick, they haven’t received promised individuals. Booster Visit the VCSA website at www. CLASSES vacyberskills.com. The Literacy Council of Northern Assistant Director, Arlington doses of COVID-19 vaccines County Department of Human will be available at Giant phar- Virginia (LCNV) is hosting their annual flu shot VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNI- beginning-level adult English Services macies once approved by the TIES language classes from February “This year, people are out yet it, that would be a CDC.” The Washington Library at Mount to May. Due to the continued and about more, so getting a Health officials say that some Vernon is seeking additional situation of COVID-19, classes flu shot is important.” have questioned the necessi- volunteers to staff its front for the spring semester will great time to do so.” desk. No library experience re- be held on virtual platforms According to the Centers for ty of receiving both vaccines. — Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, quired. Duties include greeting only, which require students Disease Control and Prevention “Even if you have received the and directing Library guests to have a computer, tablet, or (CDC), September and October Fairfax County Health Depart- COVID vaccine, you should and assisting with general Li- smartphone and internet access are generally good times to be ment’s Director of Epidemiology still get a flu vaccine,” said Lar- brary and building operations. to participate. Registration vaccinated against flu. Ideally, rick. “Neither protects from the Available shifts are 9 a.m. – 1 runs through February 5, with and Population Health p.m. and 1 – 5 p.m. Monday – options to register via text mes- everyone should be vaccinated other. The flu vaccine will not Friday. Benefits include access sage, phone calls, or in-person by the end of October. protect you against COVID, and to the estate and behind-the- at certain locations and times. “While we all are focused on COVID-19, flu can also the COVID vaccines will not protect you against the scenes Library happenings, Classes offered this spring include: cause severe illness and death, particularly in people flu. Both flu and COVID are potentially deadly diseas- discounted estate admission * Beginning English Class: provides for friends and family, as well adult English language learners who are older and have underlying medical condi- es that are preventable with vaccinations.” as food and retail discounts. tions,” said Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Fairfax County https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guid- Qualifications include basic See Bulletin, Page 14 Health Department’s Director of Epidemiology and ance/index.html 12 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Classified WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM To Advertise in This Paper, Call by Monday 11:00 am 703-778-9411

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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 13 Weight For News It ..., Weight Business By KENNETH B. LOURIE Directory Crisis in Afghanistan Speaking of side effects (at least I was in last week’s column, “Enough Already”) being a WWW.CONNECTIONNEWSPAPERS.COM regular part of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy; the big three non-surgi- Call 703-549-0004 Reverberates Locally cal options for cancer patients, I am currently for advertising information experiencing a new side effect which as it hap- From Page 3 pens is a dream come true: weight loss. Which partners to direct people to the right plac- has enabled me to eat to my heart’s content es, Catholic Charities, Ethiopian Commu- without your typical consequences. Meaning ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL not one of the most overexploited, destabi- nity Development Council, Lutheran Social for now, I can be comfortable in whatever food lized countries in the world… I think that’s Services, and some of the other groups that I eat. As Curly Howard of The Three Stooges why we put so much effort into having these have been the frontline …They are the orga- might say: “What an experience!” donations.” nizations that have always worked with im- For my entire life, I have not been thin. Growing up all my clothes were purchased She said the U.S. goes into countries “un- migrant refugee families. [They] are set up in the “Husky Department. In spite of that der the guise of freedom and defense, and to help the process, help them connect with accommodation, my clothes always had to be it conquers, leaving the country in absolute relatives, or help them connect with other let in or let out and nothing ever fit. I’ve stood chaos, abandoning the promises to take care short stay places.” over so many piles of clothes in store dressing of it. … Now our government destroys and Right now, it is “triage,” Wilson said. “The rooms which didn’t fit, and made so many destabilizes these countries, then pats itself first thing you do is make sure they are fed “walks of shame” out of the dressing room and onto the floor (where my mother would LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING on the back accepting the refugees that they and have a safe place to stay. Then you can look me up and down to determine if the shirt, displaced.” begin your wraparound services.” Sever- sweater, pants or short I was wearing had any Aurozo Niaz said the withdrawal is not a al faith groups and congregations, like St redeeming qualities) that it has left a permanent partisan issue; blame is not for one President Mark’s Orthodox based in Fairfax, have con- mark. Most of the time, it was hopeless and I or another but on the U.S empire as a whole. nected with Cornerstones. was forced to retreat back to the dressing room The United States had been intervening in Cornerstones and some other county pro- with even more clothes to suffer yet another Afghanistan since the Carter administration, viders offered safe, short-term quarantine indignity. To this day, some 60-odd years later, I am still traumatized by the years of suffering Aurozo Niaz said. sites for refugees to isolate if needed due to and humiliation I endured as an overweight Summer Cleanup... “We just failed the people of Afghanistan.” COVID. Organizations like Cornerstones are child/adolescent forced to buy clothes for the the backbone of human service that would fall/winter and the spring/summer. Oh, how Kerrie Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, be here for families as they settle in. I dreaded those shopping trips into Boston to Cornerstones said: “We’re worried about “We are the second wave…We will em- visit Jordan Marsh, Filene’s and Kennedy’s. If the families that we serve here who have brace those families and individuals in our it wasn’t for the two Joe & Nemo’s hot dogs I was promised, the day would have been a total relatives that are coming over or still stuck programs, as we would any other families,” loss - for me. there [in Afghanistan] … We work with our said Wilson. However, after years of being fat, tubby, obese (per the health and fitness charts), slow-footed and unable to do even one chin-up Bulletin Board during those annual phys-ed exams in second- From Page 12 ary school; and moreover, never being able to and books to children in need. Assis- lose any weight or change my diet to facilitate tance League’s programs touch the lives of loosing a few pounds, I have stumbled onto Landscape Drainage Landscape Drainage the fundamental skills to understand and hundreds of children in Fairfax and Prince a surprising and quite unexpected remedy (of communicate in English, helping them to William Counties and the City of Alexandria. sorts): lenvima, my thyroid cancer medicine. better engage in the community and advance There are many volunteer opportunities for A 10 mg pill I take once a day, rain or shine their careers. community members to contribute to helping seems to induce weight loss. Now that’s a side * Family Learning Programs (FLP): provides those in need. To learn more, email info@ effect with which I can live. In fact, for an eater English language instruction for parents or alnv.org, or visit www.alnv.org. like me (challenging), living a scan-to-scan caregivers, so that they can better commu- United Community (formerly UCM), 7511 existence when the quarterly results determine nicate with their children and support their Fordson Road, Alexandria, seeks volunteers my immediate future and/or whether my life education. for Food Pantry assistance, Early Learning Classes are $85 with books and assessment hangs in the balance, it doesn’t get any better Center teacher aides, basic needs counselors, included. Registration is required for enroll- than that. youth tutors and mentors, office administra- ment. Please understand that no children tion/data entry, and community outreach. After nearly nine months on this treat- are allowed at in-person registrations. If ment, in speaking to my endocrinologist last Flexible hours and schedules. Opportunities possible, please bring your interpreter for the for all ages to serve, including community week, she happened to mention in response process. Strict social distancing precautions service hours. More info at ucmagency.org/ to a question I asked concerning my short- will be enforced. Face masks will be provided. volunteer-opportunities or email volunteer@ ness-of-breath side effect, about another Registration times and dates are available at ucmagency.org. side effect: weight loss. Ding, ding, ding. We LCNV’s distance learning page (https://lcnv. Operation Paws for Homes, a Virginia based have a winner (without the chicken dinner). org/distance-learning-session/lcnv-classes/), 501(c)(3) organization seeks volunteers, The patient (yours truly) who was apparently or call 703-237-0866. especially to foster dogs. See www.ophrescue. originally misdiagnosed with a terminal form org for information and all volunteer opportu- of lung cancer (stage IV) instead of what would VOLUNTEERS NEEDED nities. have been a very treatable and curable form of STEM VOLUNTEERS. The American Association RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seeking papillary thyroid cancer, known as “the friendly for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) service opportunities in and around Fairfax cancer,” finally got some good news. Unfortu- needs scientists, engineers, mathematicians, County, Arlington County and the City of Al- nately, the re-diagnosis came too late and I’m and physicians to assist K-12 STEM (Science, exandria, offers a wide array of opportunities still on a limited schedule, if you know what I Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) teach- for volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteers mean? (F.Y.I: the nickname given to papillary ers in the Northern Virginia Area, during the enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and thyroid cancer as being friendly is because it’s 2016-17 school year. In the 2015-16 school liability insurance while serving, optional very curable.) year, the numbers of STEM volunteers in mileage and meal reimbursement and are Not that I don’t already eat my share Northern Virginia were: Fairfax County - 40, invited to volunteer group projects and social Arlington - 20, and Alexandria - one. Details gatherings. To sign up for an upcoming of “comfort” food, but by consuming it so of the collaboration are worked out between orientation, email Carly Hubicki at chubicki@ regularly, I usually pack on a few pounds and the teacher and the volunteer, and may volunteerfairfax.org or call RSVP at 703-403- rarely if ever lose weight. My entire life, until involve giving demonstrations, assisting in 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visit www. this recent lenvima revelation, food had never lab experiments, lecturing on special topics, rsvpnova.org. been just for thought. As a result, lenvima has assisting with homework, etc. The hours are Line Dance Instructor needed for the Gum become my second favorite word after “stable,” flexible, and volunteers attend a one-day Springs Senior Program once a week on ei- (scan results). Now it seems, so long as scan training in September before being assigned ther Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Volun- results continue to be stabilizing, I’ll be able to schools. To see how volunteers are assist- teer Solutions, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711. to eat what I want and let the chips fall where ing their teachers, view the video clips at Volunteer Fairfax makes it easy for individuals they may, literally and figuratively. www.seniorscientist.org. To volunteer, contact and families, youth and seniors, corporate [email protected]. groups and civic clubs to volunteer. Fulfill Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for Assistance League of Northern Virginia is an hours, give back, or pay it forward through a The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. all-volunteer non-profit organization that variety service options. Visit www.volunteer- feeds, clothes and provides reading assistance fairfax.org or call 703-246-3460. 14 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Crisis in Afghanistan Reverberates Locally

and books to children in need. Assis- tance League’s programs touch the lives of hundreds of children in Fairfax and Prince William Counties and the City of Alexandria. There are many volunteer opportunities for community members to contribute to helping those in need. To learn more, email info@ alnv.org, or visit www.alnv.org. United Community (formerly UCM), 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria, seeks volunteers for Food Pantry assistance, Early Learning Center teacher aides, basic needs counselors, youth tutors and mentors, office administra- tion/data entry, and community outreach. Flexible hours and schedules. Opportunities for all ages to serve, including community service hours. More info at ucmagency.org/ volunteer-opportunities or email volunteer@ ucmagency.org. Operation Paws for Homes, a Virginia based 501(c)(3) organization seeks volunteers, especially to foster dogs. See www.ophrescue. org for information and all volunteer opportu- nities. RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seeking service opportunities in and around Fairfax County, Arlington County and the City of Al- exandria, offers a wide array of opportunities for volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and liability insurance while serving, optional mileage and meal reimbursement and are invited to volunteer group projects and social gatherings. To sign up for an upcoming orientation, email Carly Hubicki at chubicki@ volunteerfairfax.org or call RSVP at 703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visit www. rsvpnova.org. Line Dance Instructor needed for the Gum Springs Senior Program once a week on ei- ther Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Volun- teer Solutions, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711. Volunteer Fairfax makes it easy for individuals and families, youth and seniors, corporate groups and civic clubs to volunteer. Fulfill hours, give back, or pay it forward through a variety service options. Visit www.volunteer- fairfax.org or call 703-246-3460. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 v 15 16 v Mount Vernon Gazette v September 2-8, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com