Alexandria Gazette Packet 25 Cents Vol

Alexandria Gazette Packet 25 Cents Vol. CCXXV, No. 25 Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper June 25, 2009 Parker Gray Murders Relieving A March 9, 2005 in the 700 block of North Fayette Street: Eric Jones, 25, was sentenced to 13 years for murdering Corey Hargrow, 21. The two men, both Alexandria natives, had been friends since childhood. Prosecutors did not E present a motive for the murder, which happened in the Andrew Adkins public-housing complex. MONTGOMERY ST Van Dorn C B ST B Dec. 7, 2005 in the 400 block of North Patrick Street: David Murphy, 37, R A was gunned down in front of his house while working on his truck. Police have D D T O S C K yet to arrest anyone in this case. D ON R D T C Dec. 27, 2005 in the 800 block of Montgomery Street: Sebastian Carter, Y Station 22, was sentenced to 43 years for the murder of Lawrence Sims, 22. Court R N A HING E records show that the two men had an ongoing dispute, culminating in a heated S

H T A

dispute that ended with Carter shooting Sims several times at the edge of the S City, Metrorail James Bland public-housing complex. N

TE ST K D April 19, 2007 in the 800 block of North Patrick Street: Darrell Watson, H NW T representatives C

E 19, was sentenced to two life sentences for the murder of Nathan Travis Lee, 31, I

R AY ST PENDLETON S and Mark Anthony Collins, 28. Watson, who was a resident of a public-housing T

E meet with A NF

unit in Chatham Square, shot the two men after a dispute over a game of dice. N T P Y 1 E July 19, 2007 in the 900 block of North Henry Street: Gerald Dwayne A P commuters. N SST Curtis, 42, was sentenced to three years for the voluntary manslaughter of N Ricardo Lloyd Cherry, 29. After a day of fighting with each other at the G PRI NCESS ST MBU

Carpenter’s Shelter, where they were both staying, Curtis stabbed Cherry. U ST By Tommy Hill F Sept. 22, 2007 in the 400 block of North Columbus Street: No arrests. N B A COL N F Gazette Packet A G Jan. 18, 2009 at the intersection of Buchanan Street and Princess Street: N H C Akeem Chappell, 16, Jamal Berry, 20, and Joshua Moore, 18, have been charged U with the murder of a 50-year-old taxicab driver named Khalil Siddiqi. B he parking lot at the Van H June 18, 2009 in the 600 North Payne Street: A 45-year-old Pennsylva- Dorn Street Metrorail Sta- nia man who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service was found dead of T Graphic by Laurence Foong/Gazette Packet tion was clogged with trauma to the upper body. cars, buses, and shuttles as commuters poured out of the station exit during rush hour on Friday Neighborhood Struggles with Another Murder afternoon. The congestion has become typical at the station. With For many in the Parker Gray, news of homicide was familiar drill. the surge in residential and commercial development of the sur- By Michael Lee Pope Sometimes not. found lying in the 600 block of North Payne rounding area in recent years, the Gazette Packet Welcome to Parker Gray. Street suffering from trauma to the upper station’s parking lot and bus bays “It’s a problem,” admitted Melissa Luby, body. Police officials refused to disclose the cannot accommodate the volume t’s a routine residents of the Parker who has lived in the neighborhood since cause of death, although they identified the of vehicles transporting commut- Gray neighborhood have come to 1986. “Maybe we need more police cover- victim on Monday as Michael James Horton. ers to the station. Iknow too well. First, there’s a squad age. It doesn’t seem to me that the commu- “We’re asking for the public’s help to find One major strain on the park- ron of cruisers with flashing strobe nity police here are as visible as they used to out what he was doing in the area,” said ing lot has been the many private lights. Then the yellow police tape goes up. be.” Ashley Hilderbrant, who declined to explain shuttle buses that use the lot to Eventually a press release from city officials Whatever the reason, Parker Gray has be- the circumstances of his death. “Any infor- pick up and drop off Metrorail rid- asking residents if they know any details of come location of more murders than any mation would be helpful to our detectives.” ers. Private shuttles, like the ones the crime. After family members have been other part of the city. Since 2005, nine of the Horton was wanted by the United States run by the Manhattan Interna- notified, the victim is publicly identified. 22 murders in Alexandria have taken place Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task tional Limousine Service, provide Then there’s the wait for results of the au- here. The latest happened last week, when a vital link between this outlying topsy. In most cases, a suspect is arrested. a 45-year-old man from Pennsylvania was See Once Again, Page 4 station on the Blue Line and the many residential centers in the area. “In recent years, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people accessing the station One Year In, Sherman Retains Aggressive Agenda through shuttles,” said Jim Maslanka, Division Chief of Tran- history, that this school community year into the job, Sherman’s vision sit for the City of Alexandria. Change in schools: Fast beats slow. came together years ago and did of bringing the school community Steven Taubenkibel, Washington the right thing for kids,” said back together to address a new set Metropolitan Area Transit Author By Mark Giannotto est achievement, the creation and Sherman back in August. “I told Gazette Packet integration of T.C. Williams High the staff that this is like turning See One Year In, Page 22 See Battling, Page 4

School. the page. There’s a wonderful

t was the middle of August Sherman turned on the DVD and chapter that precedes it and the 22314 VA exandria, Al To: 1604 King St., King 1604 To:

ted and Dr. Morton Sherman was took himself back to another era next chapter that we’re going to Reques Service Address I material.

two days from officially be- for Alexandria. He had seen the write together is not ‘Remember

ginning his new job as superinten- movie before, but when the begin- the Titans’, but ‘Imagine the Ti- Time-sensitive

Postmaster: dent of Alexandria Public Schools. ning credits rolled and the screen tans.’ We’re going to imagine to- Attention

With that in mind, he sat down to flashed “Alexandria, Virginia” for gether as a school faculty and as a

Permit #482 Permit

watch “Remember the Titans,” a the first time, Sherman got emo- community what the next chapter VA Alexandria,

PAID symbol of what some say was the tional. of excellence is going to be.” Postage U.S.

Alexandria school system’s great- “It was an important part of our Now 10 months and one school STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Council Notebook The Long Goodbye Tuesday’ night’s meeting at City Hall had all the bittersweet pa- thos of a last day of school or a high-school commencement ceremony. There were speeches and platitudes and promises to stay in touch. Memories were shared and a poem was read into the record. There were even a few tears. In the end, the last meeting of the current City Council offered an opportunity for three outgoing members a chance to say goodbye to their seats on the dais. “We have a very collaborative council, and sometimes I guess that looked suspiciously machine-like to some people,” said outgoing Councilman Tim Lovain. “But really it was just friends working together.” Each was presented with a resolution encapsulating highlights of their service, creating a rough draft of a legacy for departing council members. Lovain was applauded for his efforts to create a streetcar system in the city and do away with plastic bags. Out- going Councilman Justin Wilson was honored for his attempt to thwart delivery of unwanted copies of newspapers as well as his granular knowledge of budget detail, with the resolution ex- Mayor Bill Euille and members of the plaining he “was known by city staff for being familiar (or want- Frank E. Mann Field Dedicated Alexandria Ace’s management and ing to be familiar through budget memo requests) with every the Alexandria Little League joined with Anita Mann and her children and grand- line item in the proposed budget.” And outgoing Councilman children and friends for a dedication and ribbon cutting of the Frank E. Mann Ludwig Gaines was celebrated for his efforts to save the Burke Baseball Field on June 5. Former Alexandria Mayor Frank E. Mann died in 2007. A Library, his work to create a gang-prevention task force and his memorial plague will be placed at the field. The plaque notes Mann’s service as endeavor to create a poet laureate for the city. mayor and Alexandria council member and Virginia state delegate, many of his “The debt that I owe I suspect I’ll be paying after this meeting is accomplishments during his tenure and his effort to bring a minor league baseball over,” said Gaines. “By cleaning the garage.” team — The Alexandria Dukes — to Alexandria. He was also remembered for his leadership roles and participation in the Alexandria Optimists, The Alexandria Cha Ching Harmonizers and Boys and Girls Club. Because of the rain, the dedication was held inside the Cora Kelly Recreation Center. It’s not every day that city officials save taxpayers $12.5 million. But that’s what happened on the third floor of City Hall on Tuesday, where senior city officials were able to use some financial black magic mixed with a measure of creative financial management and a healthy dose of good luck. Goal: Individualizing Help First there was a refinancing of debt previously issued by the Washington Transit Authority, which represents the city’s share Campagna Center. “This is now a key part of the stra- of a portion of the WMATA Metro Matters capital improvement Outgoing School Board tegic plan, which is a monumental achievement.” program. That’s estimated to save $3 million over 20 years. Then member leaves behind In one-on-one meetings and in public forums, city officials were able to become the first jurisdiction in the Un- Rivera championed the idea of creating individual tied States to issue Build America Bonds, which were created as legacy of targeting plans for struggling students. Modeled on “individu- part of the stimulus package and include a 35 percent interest- alized education programs” that are legally required rate subsidy from the federal government. In total, the city sold students who need help. for students in special education, Rivera envisioned $80 million worth of 20-year obligation bonds this week at an the documents as a way to create metrics for strug- interest rate of 3.28 percent. That’s seven-tenths of a percent less gling students. She first started talking about the idea than last year, which was 3.99 percent. By Michael Lee Pope after the Advancement Project and Tenants and “This is a number that may set a record or be pretty close to it,” Gazette Packet Workers United released a 2007 report titled “Ob- said Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks. “It was a very good day stacles to Opportunity” that accused the school sys- for the city of Alexandria.” am Student has a goal. According to a docu- tem of maintaining a “two-track system,” a college- ment outlining his path to academic success, bound track for the privileged white minority and a Green Shoots SSam hopes to improve his Algebra I grade separate one that marginalized Latino students. average by 60 percent to 70 percent by the “Eileen did a lot of the heavy lifting after that re- Hotel occupancy rates have fallen. Meals taxes are down. Fore- end of the third quarter. Then there’s port was released,” said John Liss, ex- closures are up. Yet city officials say are seeing what they de- Sally Student. She hopes to achieve an ecutive director of Tenets and Workers scribe as “green shoots” in the economy. For example enhanced 85 percent average score on her math United. “She listened to us and heard our revenue-collection methods have added $300,000 to city coffers. quizzes. Mary Mathematician plans to concerns and then took action.” And Alexandria’s unemployment rate dropped from 5.1 percent score 80 percent on tests. in February to 4.7 percent in April. None of these students are real, but AFTER SUPERINTENDENT Morton “This number is not adjusted for seasonality and tends to de- each of them has an “individualized Sherman took control of the city school crease every April,” wrote City Manager Jim Hartmann in the achievement plan” — the Alexandria system, Rivera expressed her concerns most recent financial report. “But it is a sign of encouragement and Public School’s new documents geared to him about the achievement gap in the was slightly more than half the national unemployment rate in April.” to help students who are failing in one city — especially among Hispanic stu- or more class. It’s a concept that’s been dents. Once again, she advocated for Dairy Godfather advocated for years by outgoing School individualized plans for struggling stu- Something about Alexandria invites its own set of rules. The sun Board member Eileen Rivera, although dents. Those discussions led to the cre- and the moon might not necessarily revolve around the city, but it her efforts to create such a program ation of 3,000 “individualized achieve- sometimes seems that way — especially for the offspring of City were largely ignored during a time when Eileen Cassidy ment plans” that are now guiding expec- Council officials. Take Eli Wilson, son of Councilman Justin Wil- board members were focussed on get- Rivera tations for students throughout the sys- son. When the 4-year-old scion of Alexandria politics was informed ting rid of former Superintendent tem. that President Barack Obama made a weekend appearance at Rebecca Perry and finding a replacement. Now, as “Our first plans will focus on achievement in math- Del Ray’s Dairy Godmother, he wondered if anybody more impor- Rivera plans to leave office next week, the division’s ematics, as stated in division goals,” said Deputy tant was there. implementation of the individualized achievement Superintendent Cathy David in a November presen- “Was the mayor there?” asked the boy, according to an anec- plans is a legacy that Rivera leaves behind. tation on the program. “Yes, we have tried to write dote related later by his father. “She was talking about this long before anybody plans before, and again, for many students, these — Michael Lee Pope else joined the bandwagon,” said Michele Brandon, coordinator of educational enrichment at the See Individualizing Help, Page 7 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 3 News Battling Congestion at Van Dorn Street Station

From Page 1 two bus-length shuttles,” said Robert P. Schmitt of the Metro Parking Office, “but ity spokesman, estimated that nearly 25 one day we’ll be dealing with 12.” percent of the roughly 3,700 weekday commuters at the station use the shuttles. MANY COMMUTERS at the meeting ar- Taubenkibel noted that some private gued for the establishment of a designated shuttles have been idling in the station park- area for shuttles within the station parking ing lot’s Kiss and Ride zone, disobeying lot. However, Maslanka said, “The fact of posted traffic regulations and blocking traf- Photo by the matter is, the station was not designed fic in the lot. Shuttles provided by private for this kind of activity.” The lot’s size makes companies are restricted from using the lot’s any large-scale realignment nearly impos-

bus bays, reserved for Fairfax Connector, Louise Krafft sible. Alexandria Dash, and Metrobus vehicles. As the Washington Metropolitan region But for lack of space elsewhere, some continues to experience new commercial shuttles have resorted to using the exclu- and residential development, the strains felt sive bus bays. at Van Dorn Street are becoming common

“The many shuttles delivering commut- /Gazette Packet throughout the Metrorail network. “These ers from local residential centers to the sta- station designs were made 25 years ago,” tion have been causing a serious traffic is- Jorge Nevares, director of community rela- sue,” said Taubenkibel, “and they have also tions for the Metro’s Disadvantaged Busi- been causing a pedestrian safety issue.” ness Enterprise, said at the meeting. “As the region continues to develop, our needs are A COMMUNITY MEETING held at the changing. We have experienced similar Days Inn Alexandria on Thursday, June 18 Shuttle buses/car pooling vans wait for residents to board at the Kiss & problems at stations along the Orange Line brought together commuters, shuttle pro- Ride entrance of the Van Dorn Metro station. in Arlington.” viders, Alexandria City officials and Metro- Few shuttle-users at the meeting last week politan Transit Authority spokespeople to Maslanka. Gregory Golubin, owner of the Manhattan were satisfied with the short-term adjust- discuss short- and long-term solutions to the To further relieve the crowded lot, all International Limousine Service, to officials ments presented by the City and Metrorail, station’s traffic issues. shuttles greater than 26 feet in length will at the gathering. “The City is just throwing and officials were unclear about more dra- City and Metrorail officials unveiled a no longer be permitted to drop off commut- a Band-Aid on the problem.” matic, long-term solutions. One of the only series of new regulations to help encour- ers in the station parking lot. Such larger Only two of the shuttles regularly deliv- matters upon which both the officials and age a smoother, safer flow of traffic. Traffic shuttles will instead drop off along the south ering to the station parking lot are greater the commuters present at the meeting could police at the station will ensure that shuttles side of Eisenhower Avenue, adjacent to the than 26 feet, meaning that the Kiss and Ride agree was the need for more meetings on stay out of the bus bays and do not stand station. zone may continue to be congested. And, the subject in the future. In the mean time, idly in the Kiss and Ride zones. “Because of But such announcements were met with as commuters, City and Metrorail officials officials with both the City and Metrorail the lot’s size, one or two vehicles standing opposition by a number of the shuttle users mutually recognized, the traffic situation will monitor the station’s traffic situation in the wrong place can keep the entire traf- and providers present at the meeting. “This will only worsen as the area’s development and the changes brought by the adjust- fic situation from running smoothly,” said is not a proper design adjustment,” said continues. “Today we’re only dealing with ments. Once Again, Neighborhood Struggles with Murder From Page 1 years, he has also worked to use environmental design to reduce the opportunity for “... the one constant besides crime is the presence of Force for possession of cocaine, burglary crime, such as increasing lighting and clear- and violation of probation. A wanted poster ing shrubbery. concentrated low-income housing.” issued by the Marshalls Service indicated “This is not an area of the city that’s tar- — Leslie Zupan, president, Inner City Civic Association Horton was considered “armed and danger- geted,” said Police Chief David Baker. “In ous,” describing him as an individual with some cases, people who have committed tion of public-housing in the area is part of 90-unit Andrew Adkins development built “violent tendencies” who is a “known drug crimes in this neighborhood have indicated the problem, pointing to a 2005 murder that in 1968. Some neighborhood residents see user.” Warrants were issued in September to us that they come back because they have took place in the Andrew Adkins public- the area’s history of racial segregation and and December, and the task force began legitimate family or friendship connections housing complex and a 2007 murder com- public-housing concentration as factors that looking for him since February. to this part of the city that go way back.” mitted by a public-housing resident in have created a complicated set of demo- “Frankly we were a little surprised when Many neighborhood residents applaud Chatham Square. But Melvin Miller, who is graphic challenges. we heard the news,” said Michael Bachman, the work of police officials, who have imple- chairman of the Alexandria Redevelopment “This neighborhood is burdened with the supervisory deputy marshal on the task mented a Strategic Response System to use and Housing Authority, said that he thinks naivete of social engineering,” said Sarah force. “We didn’t know he was down there.” data analysis in deployment decisions. For some neighborhood residents have a ten- Becker, who has lived in Parker Gray since some residents of the area, the challenges dency to overstate the relationship between 1987. “Until the city comes up with a new NEWS OF THE MURDER has rekindled presented by violent crime in Parker Gray crime and public housing. brand for this neighborhood, the kinds of long-simmering frustration among some are more about the city’s planning policy “Some people see African-Americans crime we’ve seen here will keep happening.” residents that their neighborhood has be- than policing strategy. standing on the corner and think that drugs After news of the most recent murder in come the city’s most violent enclave in the “I believe that with all the enormous are being sold, but that’s not true,” said the neighborhood broke, Mayor Bill Euille city. Meanwhile, prosecutors are gearing up changes that have happened in our neigh- Miller. “When I look at the police reports, I requested that the city manager brief City for two murder trails next week involving borhood in the last 20 or 30 years, the one don’t see any indication crime is higher Council members on crime in the neighbor- a taxicab driver who was killed in the neigh- constant besides crime is the presence of around public housing than anywhere else hood. Although he said he wanted to learn borhood earlier this year. Police officials say concentrated low-income housing,” said in the city.” more about the data before commending addressing crime in the neighborhood is a Leslie Zupan, president of the Inner City Decisions made in the middle decades of on whether the area needed more commu- top priority, and they have already taken a Civic Association. “In my opinion, that may the 20th century concentrated a number of nity policing or different planning policy. number of measures to combat violent serve as a magnet for criminal activity.” public-housing sites in the neighborhood, “Crimes are going to happen, but why crime in the streets of Parker Gray. Police including the 15-unit Ramsay Home built they are happening in this neighborhood is Chief David Baker said his department has OVER AND OVER AGAIN, criminals are in 1942, the 66-unit Samuel Madden de- a good question,” said Euille. “I don’t want stationed one community officer here as drawn to the area near the Braddock Road velopment built in 1945, the 194-unit James to prejudge or conclude anything until all well as two residential officers. In recent Metro station. Some say that a concentra- Bland development built in 1959 and the the facts are in.” 4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News 3 Cubic ft. Shredded Hardwood Mulch $2.99 60-75% OFF Bulk Mulch REG. 29.99 19.99 cu. yd. ALL POTTERY Washington’s Largest Online Encore Azaleas $12.99 Selection Reservations: HOSTA 20% OFF 25% OFF HERBS Over 100 Varieties All 2008 Nursery Stock Jackson & Now Serving Perkins Roses 35% OFF FREE ESTIMATES HARDSCAPE/LANDSCAPE Alexandria PERENNIALS Over 1000 Varieties 25% OFF Cactus, Bonsai, Orchids PA. Wall Stone Sale Open 9-7 • 7 Days Convention and 9023 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA GROUND COVER SALE 703-573-5025 Visitors 2 miles west of I-495 on IVY VINCA 99 Rt. 50 (Vienna Metro) Association Approximate 100 50 Pots $24 CravensNursery.com launches service to aid businesses.

By Kristen McCarthy Gazette Packet

ith the state of the economy, online Wdinner reserva tions may be one solution to help boost local businesses. The Alexandria Conven- tion and Visitors Association launched this service last month on its Web site through an affilia- tion with the company Fish Bowl which is connected with Live Booking — a major restaurant booking agency in Europe. So far, the Web site has had more than 100 users for the online res- ervation system. However, there is no specific breakdown as to how many locals versus tourists have used this service since it was just recently set up. “It has helped with convenience because it provides up to the minute availability with the restaurants participating,” said Emily Hellewell, who is the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Associa- tion communications manager. Providing the user with a chance to look at an overview of the restaurant, its telephone number, along with a map of its location, allows the user to plan their $2 off for a foursome $1 off a Jumbo Bucket evening accordingly. It also indi- with this coupon cates local businesses, landmarks with this coupon and attractions that are near the Expires 8/31/2009 Expires 8/31/2009 restaurant. Online reservations have al- •Softball/Baseball Batting Cages ready helped some local busi- •Bermuda Grass Tees nesses. “Since I started back in •Lessons by PGA Professionals

See Online, Page 24 11801 Leesburg Pike, 703•430•8337 Herndon, VA www.woodysgolf.com Owned & Operated by Correction Woody Fitzhugh One of the photos on page 8 of Former PGA TOUR player the June 18 Gazette Packet, “Spring for Alexandria,” should have identified Joyce Jefferson, one of the Parent Leadership Train- ing Institute of Alexandria graduates, and Lyles Carr as they are getting ready to paint a room in the Animal Shelter. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 5 Alexandria/Old Town 121 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

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6 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Exchange Students Bid Farewell to TC Individualizing Help

Finding From Page 3 DESPITE THE THREAT of opportunities censure, Rivera kept making plans and the interventions public statements about the and friends. embedded in them were suc- achievement gap — drawing cessful. Unfortunately, our pre- special attention to the Hispanic vious endeavors have not met dropout rate and racial dispari- By Erica Kicak- the needs of all our students.” ties in test scores. Those con- Vanderhoeven As the “Obstacles to Oppor- cerns were validated in April, Gazette Packet tunity” report pointed out, when a report issued by the Vir- Alexandria’s school system had ginia Department of Education will miss like ev- lingering disparities in test identified Alexandria as having erything, the Yukiko Yamaguchi and Neeracha scores, discipline practices and the highest dropout rate of any “Ifamily, the Sunthonthip Karlo Oehring counseling di- jurisdiction in school — every- rectives. Using Northern Vir- body I think,” said Neeracha Sunthonthip. Neeracha, many things through school, like a trip to the plan- standardized “She was ginia — a trend Gift, is one of the four exchange students who spent etarium. She also enjoyed experiencing life in this test score data that was particu- this school year in Alexandria, attending TC Will- area and cites Old Town as one of her favorite places from the Virginia talking about larly alarming iams High School. Gift, from Thailand, Yukiko that she visited. Yukiko, who visited Arizona and New Department of among the city’s Yamaguchi, from Japan, and Karlo Oehring, from York City, was struck by the different geography of Education, the this long before Hispanic stu- Germany, will be returning to their respective coun- the United States. It’s the “same country but its re- report’s authors anybody else dents, who have tries on July 1. ally different,” she said. All of the students noticed show that white a dropout rate of The exchange students came in August and started how much their English improved. Yukiko said that students in Alex- joined the 24.8 percent. school two weeks after their arrival. TC itself was learning English by speaking English was one of her andria outper- “One of the one of the biggest changes. “Here there are no rules. favorite parts of the entire experience. She was also form other stu- bandwagon.” major challenges I thought, ‘all things are free.’” said Yukiko, who went excited that she was able to learn French in a school dents statewide — Michele Brandon, I’ve had over the to a strict all-girls high school in Japan. Gift, who class, and also learn some Spanish from her friends. while black and coordinator of educa- last three years is participated on the cross country and winter crew Karlo, who says that he is “pretty sure I’m very Latino students getting the teams, did volunteer work, and was a member of American now,” told a story about trying to talk to consistently tional enrichment, School Board to the Art club and the Asian club, said that two of her his mother in German on the phone this past week. scored lower Campagna Center focus on issues favorite things were her astronomy and TV produc- After he’d gotten off the phone with her, she told a than their coun- like the increas- tion classes — two courses not available at her school friend that his German was “crappy” and that she terparts in other parts of the ing dropout rate, in Thailand. could barely understand him. commonwealth. Although especially among Hispanic stu- There was some difficulty in adjustment. “People All three students want to make sure to stay in Rivera said the report galva- dents,” Rivera said at the time. always noticed at first that I was not an American, touch with all of the people they met here. When nized her to action, she said “If we keep on doing what we’re like how I dressed and what I said,” said Karlo, who asked if she was excited to return home, Yukiko said that few of her colleagues were doing now, we’re going to keep was on the tennis team, did fall crew, and went to “It’s like 50 and 50, ‘cause I’m really excited to see willing to take action. on having the same problems.” most of the TC basketball games. Yukiko and Gift my family and my friends, but here I have to say “That report was a real black But the new leadership in the also mentioned how difficult it was having to con- goodbye [to my host family and friends].” Yukiko, eye for the school system,” said school system was not content stantly speak English, as well as how difficult the who sang and played piano with the TC Williams Rivera. “I would bring these is- with doing the same thing. In- language barrier made making new friends in the choir, is actually considering coming to study music sues up during out School stead, the individual achieve- U.S. at an American college, “because I’m learning En- Board meetings, but nobody ment plans were being rolled Karlo, a skier, took a lot of skiing trips over the glish and I don’t want to forget .... I like English. I wanted to talk about it.” out across the system. Already, winter and learned snowboarding. Gift experienced like the United States.” Meanwhile, the toxic rela- more than 3,000 plans have tionship among School Board been created for students strug- members was festering and pre- gling for math. Administrators venting a public discussion of say they hope to expand the the report and its consequences. program into other areas as get Relationships first became a better idea of how students strained after four School Board are responding to the new members weren’t consulted be- model. Meanwhile, several fore former Superintendent groups that advocate for His- Rebecca Perry was informed panic and immigrant students that a majority of board mem- are recognizing Rivera for her bers were interested in conduct- longstanding support for the ing a search to replace her. The individualized education pro- situation intensified when grams. Last week, she received former School Board Chairman an award from a group known Claire Eberwein had the locks as Building Better Futures, a changed at the division’s head- group launched in 2003 to help quarters on Perry’s last day. students who speak English as “After Claire Eberwein threat- a second language prepare for ened to censure me for talking college. to the press, I actually wrote a “Eileen has always been a resignation letter,” said Rivera, friend to Latino and immigrant adding that School Board mem- students, which is why the stu- A video created by two of Nancy Bort’s seventh-grade science ber Sheryl Gorsuch ripped it up. dents wanted to recognize her First Place classes at Francis C. Hammond Middle School won first place at a “There were days when I would with the award,” said Krishna Youth Summit sponsored by Earth Force, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the have rather had a root canal Levya, director of Building Bet- protection of watersheds. “Holmes Run... and Other Streams. How They Affect Your than go to a School Board meet- ter Futures. “These plans are Environment!” uses a mock newscast and commercial in addition to a trash- ing. But I knew that closing the helping many Latino students adorned character named Eco Dude to educate the public on ways they can cut achievement gap was worth the get the specialized attention down on trash and prevent it from getting into waterways. To help protect the agony.” they need to succeed. environment, students subsequently created reusuable shopping bags to give away. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 7 Alexandria Opinion Gazette Packet

www.AlexandriaGazette.com To long, happy, useful, Newspaper of Alexandria An independent, locally owned weekly Top Ten Secrets productive and meaningful life. newspaper delivered to homes and businesses. 1606 King Street This is a month filled with graduations and hook; it’s not about the other person at all. It’s energy trying to make the math come out even. Alexandria, Virginia 22314 graduation messages. Last month the speech for about you, about the kind of person you want The trouble is, the only place where the math NEWS DEPARTMENT: graduates at my daughter’s Earlham College struck me to be, about how you define yourself as a moral comes out even is in math. as one of the best. Here, squeezed to less than 20 To discuss ideas and concerns, agent. And forgive yourself when you trip over Call: 703-917-6431 percent of its original, are excerpts from the Baccalau- Fax: 703-917-0991 reate address by Chuck Yates, professor of history. your own feet and fall flat on your face. NUMBER TWO: Keep your scriptures handy. e-mail: —Mary Kimm We all need scriptures. What’s good about [email protected] NUMBER SIX: Know what you think, but scriptures is that they put us in touch with the Steven Mauren UMBER TEN: Figure out what more important, know why you think it. What wisdom of others who’ve gone a lot farther Editor, 703-917-6431 [email protected] you like to do and then find you believe is nobody’s business but your own, down the road than we have. The scripture I someone who’ll pay you to do it. but the rub is that belief guides behavior, so rely on most frequently is very simple, and goes Michael Lee Pope N Reporter, 703-615-0960 But don’t go where the money is knowing why you think what you think is a like this: “God, grant me serenity to accept the [email protected] good; go where the work is good, where the precondition for knowing why you do what you things I cannot change, courage to change the Steve Hibbard good comes from the difference the work do. things I can, and wisdom to know the differ- Associate Editor, 703-917-6407 makes in your life and the lives of others. ence.” [email protected] NUMBER FIVE: Remember that other people Mark Giannotto Sports Editor, 703-917-6409 NUMBER NINE: Get to know the locals. Re- want you to take them just as seriously as you NUMBER ONE: Love. Paul told the [email protected] member: they live here; they know how the want them to take you. If you don’t understand Corinthians, there are three things that last system works here; they know who the mov- your opponent’s position well enough to make forever. They work together — faith, hope, and ADVERTISING: To place an advertisement, call the ad ers and shakers are. The locals are your neigh- your own persuasive defense of it, at a mini- love — each one woven through the other two department between 9 a.m. and bors. The locals are your community. The lo- mum that probably means you haven’t been into a fabric that never tears, never wears out, 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. cals are your lifeline. paying attention. and always gives warmth and shelter. But love, Display ads 703-838-0302 Classified ads 703-917-6400 Paul said, love is the main thing. Employment ads 703-917-6464 NUMBER EIGHT: Ask for directions. You NUMBER FOUR: Take care of yourself. Hold So here I am, telling you to love. Love your- Julie Ferrill might as well get used to the idea that you’re it in your heart that taking care of yourself is selves. Love each other. Love this magical mys- Display Advertising, 703-927-1364 going to get lost now and then. So ask for di- not the same thing as being selfish. … And terious heart-breaker of a world we live in. [email protected] rections. There’s no shame in not knowing the there’s this one other thing that’s absolutely Love it for what it can become. But love it for Jane Hughes way. essential if you want to do your best job of what it is too. If you choose love, you create a Display Advertising, 703-838-0302 [email protected] taking care of yourself: never take yourself too center of gravity for yourself that will help you Ginger Krup NUMBER SEVEN: “To thine own self be true.” seriously. stay balanced no matter what happens. Display Advertising, 703-702-1372 … And when you mess things up, be the first Yate’s address ended with a crowd-pleasing [email protected] one to step up, and own up, and do what you NUMBER THREE: Remember that most of round of the Beatle’s “All You Need Is Love.” Andrea Smith can to fix what you broke. the time, most of it isn’t going to make much For the full address, see www.earlham.edu/ Classified Advertising, 703-917-6401 [email protected] And forgive — always forgive. Forgiveness sense to you. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t documents/pdf/baccalaureate/ Barbara Parkinson is not about letting the other person off the make sense. Most of us spend a lot of time and 2009address.pdf Employment Advertising 703-917-6418 Letters [email protected] Publisher Inadequate Jerry Vernon Keeping Focus on Students Editor & Publisher Vetting? Mary Kimm By Dr. Morton Sherman 3. Transforming the two large middle schools Editor in Chief Alexandria Superintendent of Schools To the Editor: Steven Mauren into five autonomous middle schools and begin- Photography: ning the application process for IB Middle Years In an earlier letter, before the Louise Krafft, Robbie Hammer t the close of my first school year in Alex Programme as we create more personalized, cus- recent City Council election, I com- Art/Design: mented on the candidacy of Coun- Zohra Aslami, Geovani Flores, andria City Public Schools, I am grateful tomized, engaging environments. Laurence Foong, John Heinly, A cilwoman-elected Alicia Hughes, John Smith, Stu Moll, Wayne Shipp for and humbled by the honor of serving These initiatives and others emphasize conti- noting that all we knew about her Production Manager: as superintendent. The remarkable history of Al- nuity of instruction and connectedness of students, Jean Card exandria is a daily reminder of the importance in teachers, programs, and the community. They pro- was her ambition. Today those words seem almost prophetic. As Editor Emeritus: this community in setting high standards, break- vide a framework for more personalized focus and Mary Anne Weber ing down barriers, and serving as a model for our creativity that will enable our students to solve it turns out we were ignorant of country. problems, examine issues from a global perspec- many things about Ms. Hughes, CIRCULATION: 703-917-6481 including that she might not be a Circulation Manager: During this school year, I have visited nearly all tive, employ higher level thinking strategies and Ann Oliver ACPS classrooms, met with PTAs and community make meaningful connections to their local and Virginia resident and thus ineli- gible for election to the Council. CONNECTION NEWSPAPERS, organizations, and had ongoing conversations global communities. L.L.C. with student focus groups. These conversations We have made good progress this year. For ex- Surely we must be able to vet Peter Labovitz helped clarify that some structural changes would ample, based on preliminary spring test score in- more thoroughly local candidates President/CEO help to move us ahead, with the full knowledge formation, we are optimistic that both middle for office. Part of the problem was Mary Kimm the lack of any vigorous press scru- Publisher/Chief Operating Officer that structural changes (e.g., school size and or- schools will meet the State accreditation bench- 703-917-6416 ganization) by themselves do not always lead to marks and that, for the first time, both middle tiny. The Democratic Party, which [email protected] higher achievement. Therefore, three significant schools will make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). I am a member, might also have Jerry Vernon done more thorough checking Publisher/Executive Vice President changes set the stage for the more important work Our thanks and congratulations go to our middle 703-917-6404 of curriculum development, professional develop- school staff and students. As with most basic in- about Ms. Hughes. But the princi- [email protected] ment, and accountability: dicators, even though this news is very good, we pal responsibility must fall on the Wesley DeBrosse 1. Incorporating the 9th grade school into T.C. still have work to do. Over 20 percent of our Republican Party of Alexandria Controller which backed her vigorously. Debbie Funk Williams — Minnie Howard campus, with the goal middle school students have yet to pass the SOLs. National Sales, 703-518-4631 of fully articulating programs, curriculum, and As with all public institutions, public dollars Longtime GOP activists were at [email protected] many polling places in May spe- services into one unified school. must be designed to support student achievement A Connection Newspaper cifically urging her candidacy, de- 2. Expanding Jefferson-Houston Elementary as we are mindful of economic conditions. A sig- The Alexandria Gazette Packet is distributed weekly School into a K-8 school and beginning the appli- nificant amount of my time during my first 10 spite the fact that she was running to selected homes in the City of Alexandria. as an Independent. Any owners or occupants of premises that do not cation process for the International Baccalaure- wish to receive the paper can notify the publisher See Update, Page 11 by telephone at 703-917-6480 or by email to ate (IB) Primary Years Programme. [email protected], and the See Letters, Page 9 distributor will be notified to discontinue service.

8 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Letters Old Town $668,000

From Page 8 ment of mine that was utterly and est allegations and that I had not Classic Old Town, completely reported out of con- yet reviewed attorney Gerald Newly Renovated The best rationale for keeping text. Hebert’s challenge of Hughes’s eli- partisan elections at the local level To be specific, when asked by gibility sent to the Voter Registrar, is the sifting and winnowing pro- Mr. Pope during a break in last and Commonwealth and City At- cess that both political parties nor- Saturday’s Council public hearing torneys. Knowing this, Mr. Pope mally exercise. Party stalwarts take to share my thoughts about the forwarded by e-mail to me three the measure of people that aspire blogging, e-mailing and across the days later a copy of Mr. Hebert’s to political office by judging their fence community talk regarding letter (Pope to Gaines e-mail, Tues- participation in civic, business, recent revelations of Alicia day, June 16, 9:15 a.m. – subject and political life. Ambition alone Hughes’s financial challenges and line by Pope: “voting and candi- is not sufficient to win approval. possible Hatch Act violations (in- dacy eligibility of Alicia Hughes”). In this instance, however, the Re- cluding reports that at least one Despite this, my quote was made publicans, hungry for a win, for- blogger impersonating Mr. Pope to appear as if it was in direct re- got their responsibilities to the attempted to post damaging infor- sponse to the challenge to public. As a result, we have a mation to Ms. Hughes on a local Hughes’s residency status and eli- tainted election and a potentially blog), I replied, that “there’s gibility to vote and hold office crippled Council. They owe Alex- clearly an effort in some circles to which it clearly was not. Obvi- andria an apology. discredit Ms. Hughes and chal- ously, there’s a huge difference lenge her qualifications before she between responding to rumor, in- Jack Sullivan takes office.” I followed that state- nuendo and unsubstantiated alle- Alexandria ment by saying that there does not gations and responding to what appear to be much to these alle- has been formally alleged by Mr. gations that would prevent Ms. Hebert on behalf of Alexandria Setting the Hughes from assuming office. residents. Record Straight Quite a departure from what was While at best this may have been reported I said. an error on the part of a reporter, To the Editor My comment was squarely in greater care must be given to ac- 810 South Pitt Street Foolish of me to think that I response to the community talk curately quoting reported com- Wood Floors, Fireplace, Gorgeous could answer a question posed by and alleged Hatch Act violations ments in order to avoid the ap- Kitchen and Baths Gazette Packet reporter Michael and not the allegations regarding pearance of sloppy and outright Lee Pope and have it reported ac- Ms. Hughes’s challenged residency misleading journalism, and in or- curately. To the contrary, I was and eligibility to vote or hold of- der to maintain the integrity of the Diann Hicks deeply disturbed to read in last fice in Alexandria. In fact, I spe- reporting itself. Time will tell 703-628-2440 week’s news article, “Council- cifically informed Mr. Pope that I www.diannhicks.com woman-Elect Challenged,” a com- was not yet familiar with the lat- See Letters, Page 10

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The City of Alexandria has One of the areas which spans different at-risk students, a giant step for Alexandria public office, I set out on a mis made the move to a whole new approach components of the strategic plan is to close City Public Schools closing its achievement Tsion to be an effective represen that will eliminate the multi-tracked course achievement gaps which have for too long gaps. tative of my community and to it put its public school students on — tracks plagued our school system. There are other examples of seeds that serve alongside other committed individu- that took some students to great heights of The one issue above all others — creat- have begun to be planted across the school als determined to make a difference for the success and others to drop out of school and ing higher achievement opportunities division in areas that will reap benefits for children in the Alexandria City Public on the streets. among our students who have not received our children in the years to come. Like ev- School system. Under the wise, thoughtful yet coura- the best of what Alexandria City Public eryone, I am eager to see results. I will be I will forever treasure the privilege to geous leadership of our new Superinten- Schools has to offer — has been the pri- watching, cheering and applauding future champion interests and good ideas to im- dent, Dr. Morton Sherman, we have em- mary driver through thick and thin for my accomplishments. prove our educational system and to ques- barked on a new path. I am grateful for the service on the School Board and to my com- With the knowledge I’ve gained from the tion, debate and deliberate important issues opportunity to have hired and brought Dr. munity. school board and the issues and challenges and policies. Sherman to our school district. I strongly I am heartened that in the final days of I remain passionate about, I will direct some As I reflect on the past three years, I am encourage my fellow board members go- my service on the board, we’re actually able of my free time as a member of the Com- excited about the new direction of the Al- ing on to serve another term, as well as the to report on progress toward closing mission on Women. There, I want to focus exandria City Public School system. It took two new incoming board members, to work achievement gaps, as detailed in our on ways we can better help and advocate us a few years to get to this point — a point hard at continuing the School Board’s division’s first annual report. Progress such for women in our community, many of beyond acknowledging and talking about healthy working relationship with Dr. as the identification of 1,662 at-risk stu- whom are heads of households in our city our many challenges — but a new begin- Sherman based on openness, honesty and dents in K-5, and 1,453 students in grades and play an integral role in their children’s ning where we’re actually developing solu- collaboration. 6-12, and the further drilling down of 1,003 education and livelihood. tions, making real changes and developing The new path we’re taking — which we elementary students at promise for math Thank you, Alexandria, for allowing me the metrics to measure the impact from our wouldn’t have gotten on without our insis- achievement — with 982 of these students to serve you these past three years. departure from the way things used to be tence on developing a new strategic plan now receiving targeted interventions — re- Eileen Cassidy Rivera’s school board term ends done that did not benefit all students in our — addresses many areas that I believe will sulting in 423 elementary students already on June 30. Letters to the Editor

From Page 9 Let’s be very clear what hap- and ruled the halls with discipline. reforms would make them more producing unintended, unpredict- pened: After the May 5 election, You set an example for dignity, likely to vote. able consequences. Dividing our whether Ms. Hughes’s wounds defeated Council member Justin honor, hard work and trust. Our “The reform that garnered the school board elections into dis- are self inflicted or not. This is not Wilson introduced the ordinance sons are better men today for hav- most support, about half of all re- tricts was supposed to produce for me to answer, especially while to move the elections to Novem- ing spent their years at TC with spondents and about three quar- more diversity. The school board a formal inquiry is underway. In ber. Then, during the lame duck you as part of growing up. ters of nonvoters, was voting by has never been any more diverse the interim, we must insist on due term, Smedberg and Lovain ca- God bless, God speed and good mail. than the Council. care and fairness in the process on pitulated in the face of intense luck. Above all, thank you. “About one-third of all respon- Here are two consequences we the part of all involved, including pressure from Mayor Euille. dents found that keeping the polls can predict for Alexandria if all those who report it. Smedberg changed his position Sarah and Joe Schramm open more than one day would voting occurs in November. First and Lovain declared his position, Alexandria encourage their voting, but about all candidates will have to spend Ludwig. P. Gaines both voting for the election Assistant Superintendent for two-thirds of nonvoters wanted more money to gain the voters’ Member of Council change. The ordinance would not Planning and Operations John Por- voting on more than one day. attention. Second all candidates City of Alexandria have passed but for the support of ter will be leaving Alexandria City “In contrast, both voters and will have to compete with candi- either Smedberg or Lovain. Public Schools (ACPS) this summer nonvoters felt that the current poll dates for offices rated as “higher” What’s a voter to do? to become executive director of ACT hours of 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. were con- for notice in the news media. They Election And, to aggravate the offense, for Alexandria, Alexandria’s com- venient and that moving the elec- will also be competing with higher state law prevents the new Coun- munity foundation. tion to a different time of the year office candidates for campaign Debacle cil from reconsidering this decision would not make them any more workers. The task for every Coun- To the Editor: — only the state legislature can likely to vote.” cil candidate will be harder and Last week I wrote about the move the election back to May. Unseemly So there you have it, an actual the voters won’t gain anything flawed process that resulted in Whether you are for or against lo- Decision study based on actual opinions of from that extra effort. Those who Council’s passage of an ordinance cal elections in November, this voters and nonvoters. Ignoring choose to vote will just go to the moving the Council elections from conduct by Council is very trou- To the Editor: actual data in favor of facile as- polls less informed than they are May to November. The conduct of bling. The Alexandria League of sumptions is never a good way to today. individual Council members also Women Voters is the only organi- reach any decision. Changing our In which November will we have deserves to be highlighted. Coun- Tom Parry zation to do a detailed rigorous election law two weeks before the this election? That’s a very mean- cil member Paul Smedberg con- Alexandria study of voting in local elections. end of this Council term was a ingful question which the depart- veyed at the best attended forum, The study was completed in 1999, reckless, haphazard way to do the ing Council dropped on their suc- on April 30, 2009, that he opposed but it is still the only study of its public’s business. It was unseemly. cessors for an answer. If our No- the move to November elections Thank You, kind done for Alexandria in mod- This is particularly so because vember election were held when — he argued that cost savings John Porter ern times. our quirky state law decrees that only candidates for the General were not a reason to move to No- The League members who de- once the date of the Council elec- Assembly were running, the turn- vember elections. Even after the To the Editor: signed the study created two fo- tion is changed to November; it out, if it reflects past elections, election, at Council’s May 16 meet- Thank you, John, for your many cus groups, one of people who can not later be changed back to would not be much higher than it ing, Smedberg expressed skepti- years of service to the City and the never voted in local elections and May. “What is done cannot be un- is for a May local election. If the cism of the change. Council mem- schools. one of people who almost always done,” moans Lady Macbeth as she Council election were held while ber Tim Lovain, who was not re- Congratulations on your move voted in local elections. The study wanders through the night. Like the Governorship or Congressional elected, stated at the March 29 to ACT. Our loss, their gain. committee also did a telephone her, the departing Council did seats were being decided, the com- forum that he was undecided on Your significant accomplish- survey. On page 2 of our study, we something that can not be undone petition for attention would be this issue. Certainly, nobody ex- ments are too numerous to men- describe the feedback from this and will bear the blame if it turns intense. If it were held during a pected Lovain to make up his mind tion. One, however, that is impor- methodology: out badly. Presidential election year, there during the lame duck term after tant to us, is your time as princi- “We asked our survey respon- And it can turn out badly. Elec- being defeated for reelection. pal at TC Williams. You roamed dents whether various election tion law changes are notorious for See Letters, Page 25

10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Opinion Cardiac Care Does More Than Saves Lives

By Christine Candio band put down the boxes he tor a multitude of heart conditions and our etary plan. CEO, Inova Alexandria was moving and called 9-1-1 heart surgeons are a complement to an out- Inova Alexandria Hospital takes a team Hospital because something was clearly standing cardiac team with many years of approach to the care of not only cardiac wrong. After arriving at Inova experience in congenital heart conditions, patients but all patients who come through or several weeks, an Alexandria Hospital, she was thoracic aneurysms and heart failure. Even our doors. This integrated and seamless active, stay-at-home diagnosed with a blockage in when the heart is beyond repair, surgeons system continues well after many patients Fmom began each day some of the arteries delivering at the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute in return home. by packing up a few blood to and from her heart. It Falls Church, perform heart transplants, all This patient is a testimony to Inova Alex- boxes in preparation for her became necessary for her to part of Inova’s standard of seamless care. andria Hospital’s cardiac care program. Al- family’s move out of state. The have a triple bypass to save her The woman did very well during her sur- though she and her husband postponed woman decided that she would life. A bypass is a surgery that gery and recovered quickly. After her sur- their move for several weeks to help reduce only spend a couple of hours creates a new route for blood gery she enrolled in Inova Alexandria stress and enable a quicker recovery, they each day sorting and moving because she and oxygen to reach the heart. It is a com- Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation program, were able to relocate to their new home didn’t want to overexert herself. One day mon procedure performed at Inova Alex- which was recently reaccredited by the outside the Washington, DC, area. The state- when she completed her packing for the day andria Hospital for coronary artery disease. American Association of Cardiovascular and of-the art cardiac treatment she received she felt some pain in her shoulder and chest. As part of Inova’s Heart and Vascular In- Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The hospital’s saved her life and the education about heart The woman was also extremely exhausted. stitute in Falls Church, our hospital is well- cardiac rehab team provided suggestions on health and stress management has allowed She sat down to rest but found it difficult equipped to handle any cardiac emergency. how to manage stress, implement a regular her to fully enjoy life and spend time with to breathe and began sweating. Her hus- Our cardiologists can diagnose and moni- exercise program and a heart-friendly di- the people she loves. 10 Months Later

From Page 8 all future decisions and initiatives, months in Alexandria has been we will achieve our vision to: spent on creating a financial Set the international standard roadmap which meets our increas- for educational excellence, where ing enrollments, increasing de- all students achieve their potential mands on students, aging facili- and actively contribute to our lo- ties, and decreasing resources. We cal and global communities. are very proud that we met these I believe that of all places in Photo by challenges while reducing the bud- America, it is here in Alexandria get from the previous year with- that we can make dramatic and

out raising class size or enforcing significant differences in the lives Louise Krafft large scale layoffs. The first guid- of children. Through local, na- ing principle for every budget de- tional, and international partner- cision was: Will it encourage ships, ACPS will become a model higher achievement for every stu- for education. Key to our ongoing

dent? progress is open and honest con- /Gazette Packet The completion of the ACPS versation, based on data and evi- Strategic Plan, which was adopted dence, with a laser-like focus on in March, will include greater de- each student. tail, timeframes, and accountabil- Thank you for the opportunity ity measures. Committing to the to serve the students of Alexan- Plan as the guiding document for dria. Snapshot King Street Metro, June 23, 5:08 p.m.

The Gazette Packet welcomes views on any public issue. The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters to the Editor, The Gazette Packet Write Letters must be signed. Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters are routinely 1606 King Street, Alexandria VA 22314 edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Send to: Call: 703-917-6431. By e-mail: [email protected]

If you do not get The Alexandria Gazette Packet delivered to your home… FIRST CLASS MAILED SUBSCRIPTIONS are now available for the first time with timely postal carrier delivery: $30 for six months. Help us meet the costs of providing first-rate community journalism on newsprint to your household. Call 703-917-6480 or e-mail circulation@connectionnews papers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 11 12 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Daytime Fireworks To Be At Mount Vernon on July 4th

Arts ❖ Entertainment ❖ Leisure

Independence Day at George Washington’s The First Virginia Regiment readies a cannon on the General Washington bows to a young visitor on Inde- Mount Vernon Home Bowling Green. pendence Day at Mount Vernon.

By Ansley LaBarre The Gazette

he Mount Vernon Estate hosts the annual Independence Day celebration this Fourth of July with the mindset there is no Tbetter place to celebrate the birth of a nation than on the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association/The Gazette founder’s doorstep.

THE CELEBRATION begins at 8 a.m. and runs through the afternoon. Mount Vernon does not want participants to be discouraged from this daytime celebration for fear of missing traditional evening fireworks. “Because Mount Vernon is in so many backyards, locals often don’t think of it,” said Emily Coleman Dibella, Mount Vernon’s director of public affairs. The schedule allows participants to come and go as they please while making the Fourth celebration a daylong event. The agenda includes revolutionary reenactments, a reading from the Declaration of Independence and visits from George and Martha Wash- ington. “When George and Martha are here together, which doesn’t happen often throughout the year, they are rock stars. We have top actors who know all about George and Martha and the founding of the country,” said Dibella. Also new to the agenda this year are the daytime fireworks, visible Soldiers marching at Mount Vernon on Independence Day. through colored smoke, and a naturalization ceremony of 100 immi- Schedule ber company of retired musicians from each of the grants performed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. ❖ United States Armed Services’ bands. Dibella describes all the events of the Fourth’s celebration “moving” in All day: “General and Mrs. Washington” will be on hand to greet and take photographs with visi- their own ways, a function of their occurrence in the historical setting. ❖ 12:45 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.: A pyrotechnic sa- tors. In the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center, The list of activities has appeal for all ages and Mount Vernon’s in- lute to America from the home of George Washing- visitors can cool down in the Revolutionary War tent for the celebration is to simply wish the country a “happy birth- ton! Watch as a colorful display of smoke fireworks Theater where “snow” falls on the audience as Wash- day.” Mount Vernon provides an outlet to express gratitude for being are fired over the Potomac river. American while observing the importance of the founding of the coun- ington is crossing the Delaware River. try. They are even providing birthday cake. ❖ 1 p.m.: Mount Vernon’s all-American birth- ❖ “This is such a perfect place to celebrate the birth of our country,” 9:30 a.m.: Re-enactors from the First Virginia day cake will be offered to visitors (while supplies said Dibella. Regiment assemble for inspection by “General Wash- last). ington” on the Bowling Green, where the Declara- tion of Independence will be read by the First Vir- ❖ 1:30 p.m.: Fife and drum corps will perform Saturday, July 4 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ginia Regiment. military music and drills. ❖ 10 a.m.: Visitors may join the George Wash- ❖ 2:30 p.m.: Revolutionary War military dem- Historic Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, salutes the ington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolu- onstrations by the First Virginia Regiment take place country's first commander-in-chief with a display of daytime fireworks tion (SAR) in a procession to George Washington’s on the Bowling Green. during its annual Independence Day event. For the first time ever, visi- Tomb for a special wreath-laying ceremony. tors will be treated to smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired during Summer Farm Life: July has always been a time the finale of the National Concert Band of America’s performance. The ❖ 11 a.m.: A special Independence Day natu- of celebration at George Washington’s farm as it marks event also includes a naturalization ceremony for 100 new citizens ralization ceremony for America’s 100 newest citi- the beginning of the wheat harvest season. To cel- (also new this year), military reenactments, a special wreath-laying zens with the United States Citizenship and Immi- ebrate Washington the farmer, field hands will kick- ceremony, free birthday cake for all (while supplies last), and a visit gration Services. off the season on Independence Day with wheat-tread- from the “first” first couple, “General and Mrs. Washington.” All events ing demonstrations at the George Washington: Pio- are included in regular Estate admission: adults, $15; children ages 6- ❖ 12 p.m.: The annual “Red, White and Blue neer Farmer site. Costumed staff will lead Mount 11, $7; and children under 5 are admitted free. Go to Concert” takes place featuring patriotic favorites by Vernon’s horses as they tread wheat in the 16-sided Visit.MountVernon.org for more information. the National Concert Band of America, an 80-mem- barn at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 13 Calendar

SATURDAY/JUNE 27 Burning Desires. 3-6 p.m. Presented by Empowered Women International. A mixed media exhibition and performing program featuring 11 immigrant, refugee and American- born women artists, all graduates of EWI’s Art Entrepreneur Training for Success. Stained glass Silk, Handmade silk paper. At Convergence Gallery, 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria. From June 4 through July 30.

E-mail announcements to the Gazette, hour program, “Cactus Hill & will get a treat on the house. Visit [email protected]. Pho- Werowocomoco: Everything You Ever www.chateau-animaux.com or call tos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline Needed to Know,” especially for 703-518-5188. is Thursday at noon for the following week’s teachers. At the Lyceum, Alexandria’s Summer Chamber Music Series. 3 paper. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6407 History Museum, at 201 South p.m. Free. Violinist Marlisa Woody and with questions. Washington Street in Old Town pianist. Washington Metropolitan Alexandria. Philharmonic Association. At The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., ONGOING Alexandria. SATURDAY/JUNE 27 The Third Annual Alexandria Film Jazz Jam. 7 p.m. Featuring Rick Festival is soliciting entries from U.S. Benefit Shopping Night. 7-9 p.m. Whitehead trio. Musicians are and international filmmakers. The Twenty percent of the sales will go to encouraged to attend to either just festival will be held Sept. 24–27 at the the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia’s listen or to perform. At the Episcopal George Washington Memorial Masonic children’s feeding program in Kinshasa, church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Temple. This year, the Film Festival is Democratic Republic of the Congo. At Beauregard St., Alexandria. $10. A partnering with Withoutabox, the film Ten Thousand Villages, 915 King reception follows. Call 703-768-5821. industry’s premier online service Street, Old Town Alexandria. Call 703- 684-1435. platform. To submit your film online, TUESDAY/JUNE 30 visit www.withoutabox.com/login/ Huntington Community Festival. 7816. All entries submitted through Noon to 6 p.m. Free. Children’s rides, Hands-on-History Tent Event. 10 Withoutabox will receive an additional games, vendors, giveaways, food and a.m. to 1 p.m. Explore life for children discount. For more information or to live entertainment. Live Performances in the 1700s, both rich and poor, slave obtain entry forms and submission from Pasaporte Latino, Watusi, Spice and free at Carlyle House’s Hands-on- guidelines, visit Hayes, O.U.O. (Of Unknown Origin), History Tent Event. Free. Designed for www.alexandriafilm.org. Call 703-838- Blacksun, The Alan Palmer Group, children ages 3-12 and their parents. 6348. Black L.I.O.N., B the B-Boy, Vocalz, At Carlyle House in Alexandria. Call Maryae, Mike the Ripper, Von (V for 703-549-2997. Vendetta Mix Tape), Disorderly THURSDAY/JUNE 25 Conduct Band, DJ Misterman, plus SATURDAY/JULY 4 Music at Twilight Concert. 7:30 p.m. more to be announced. Contact 703- Features Annie Sidley duo (Original 960-1917, TTY 711. At Huntington Organ Fireworks Concert. 10-10:45 Pop/R & B). At Fort Ward Park (4301 Community Center, 5751 Liberty a.m. Free. Organist-Choirmaster W. Braddock Rd.). Call the Special Drive, Alexandria. Douglas A. Beck. At. St. Paul’s Events Hotline at 703-883-4686 or visit Community Yard Sale. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Episcopal Church, 228 South Pitt www.alexandriava.gov/recreation. at Anthony T. Lane Elementary School, Street, Alexandria. Call 703-549-3312. Paying It Forward Day. 11 a.m. to 3 7137 Beulah St. Hosted by the Handbell Choir Festival Concert. 7 p.m. Free food, free chair massages, a Alexandria Jaycees. Free. Visit p.m. Douglas A. Beck, St. Paul’s Red Cross blood drive, entertainment, www.alexjaycees.org for more. Organist-Choirmaster presents songs, face painting, raffles and more to help Del Ray Music Festival. 10 a.m. to 10 audience participation and a dramatic raise awareness for Catholic Charities’ p.m. Jazz, blues, swing, folk, country, reading of the Declaration of Christ House of Alexandria. At 6295 Celtic, and rock. The majority of the Independence. At St. Paul’s Episcopal Edsall Road in Alexandria. Call 703- musicians that will take the stage are Church, 228 South Pitt Street, 778-4444. residents of the neighborhood as well. Alexandria. Call 703-549-3312. The National Capital Area Affiliate of Guitars Not Guns will be raffling off a SUNDAY/JULY 5 FRIDAY/JUNE 26 Brazen Fantasy Standard guitar valued 1759 Conversations: Establishing Cardinal Brass Band. 7:30-8:30 p.m. at $750. On the fields of Mount Gunston Hall. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Their musical style has been described Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Learn about the early days of the as a mixture of classical to jazz and Commonwealth Avenue. historic plantation. Talk with a Broadway to blues. At Grist Mill Park Volunteer Training. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. costumed interpreter about George as part of the Mt. Vernon Nights Volunteers wanted at Gadsby’s Tavern Mason’s new house and how it was summer concert series. At 4710 Mt. Museum. At 134 North Royal Street. built. Included in site admission: $9, Vernon Memorial Hwy., Alexandria. Contact Michele Longo at 703-838- $8 seniors, $5 ages 6 to 18, younger Call 703-324-SHOW (7469) after 6 4242. free. Gunston Hall Plantation, 10709 p.m. for cancellation updates. Go to Community Concert Band Festival. Gunston Rd., Mason Neck. 703-550- www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ Noon. Free. The National Community 9220 or http://www.gunstonhall.org. performances/. Concert Band Sousa Festival will Summer Chamber Music Series. 3 Lantern Tours. 7-10 p.m. Tour Gadsby’s highlight three bands, at noon, 1 p.m. p.m. Free. Pianist and composer Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) by and 2 p.m.: Auburn Community Band Haskell Small. Washington candlelight with a costumed guide and (IN); Chatham Community Band (NJ); Metropolitan Philharmonic see how guests experienced the historic and Middlesex Concert Band (MA). Association. At The Lyceum, 201 S. tavern and hotel before electricity. $5 Each band performs a concert Washington St., Alexandria. per person, ages 5 and up. The featuring music of “The March King,” Architecture in the Afternoon museum may be closed on some John Philip Sousa, original works for Tours. 2 p.m. Discover the occasions; call 703-838-4242. concert band, featured soloists, architecture of George Mason’s home. Choralis Sings. 7 p.m. Bach’s Mass in B American music, poplar and patriotic This 90-minute tour explores the Minor, with orchestra. At Schlesinger favorites, and a variety and upbeat mansion’s exterior and interior. Find Concert Hall and Arts Center, with music. At the Schlesinger Concert Hall, out why Gunston Hall’s carpenter- Gretchen Kuhrmann, Conductor/ 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. joiner William Buckland and master Artistic Director. At 3001 N. Go to www.musiccelebrations.com. carver William Bernard Sears continue Beauregard St., Northern Virginia to be highly regarded. Regular admission. Friends free. Gunston Hall Community College, Alexandria. SUNDAY/JUNE 28 Tickets $25-35; students w/ ID - $5; Plantation, 10709 Gunston Rd., Mason age 12 and under - free. Info/tickets: Pet Fun. 4-6 p.m. At Chateau Animaux, Neck. 703-550-9220 or http:// www.choralis.org or 703-237-2499. 101-A S. Saint Asaph Street, www.gunstonhall.org. Special Workshop for Teachers. Alexandria. Artist Eric Ginsburg’s artwork will be on display. Special on 9:30-11:30 a.m. Archaeologists and TUESDAY/JULY 7 museum educators will present a two- Zanadoo Treats, pet goodies. All dogs See Calendar, Page 20 14 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 15 16 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 17 18 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com People

Lonnie Rich, state Sen. Patsy Ticer and Chief Mayor Bill Euille, Charlotte Hall and Sue and Steve Levinson. Circuit Court Judge Donald Haddock. Lonnie Rich. Celebratory Cruise

lexandria law firm, Rich Rosenthal Manitta Dzubin & AKroger, LLP celebrated its first anniversary aboard the Miss Mallory on June 10. Guests were feted to a reception at dockside followed by a sunset cruise down the Potomac.

Nancy Belmont, Tony Anne and Ed Beemer. and Kristine Mayo and Gerald Ragland.

Amie Hess, Miriam Castellanos and Dionne Castro. Nadine and Ken Boland join friends at Amie Hess and Mark Falsone. the boat party.

Photos by Louise Krafft/ Gazette Packet Erin and Sean Dunston.

Greg Hunanian, Lana Manitta, Neena and Daniel Dzenitis. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 19 Calendar

From Page 14

Pinhole Photography Workshop. 4-5:30 p.m. Photographers age 10-15 can step inside a camera obscura to explore the simple science behind the art of photography. Visit www.artatthecenter.org for details. Color Mixing as Science and Art. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Children ages 4-10 are invited to explore the wonders of color mixing, creating a custom palette of tints, hues and shades. Visit www.artatthecenter.org for details.

WEDNESDAY/JULY 8 “An’s Insiders View of Today’s USO” Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hosted by the Springfield/Alexandria Women’s Connection. At the Springfield Golf & Country Club. The cost of $17 includes the luncheon and free childcare. Reservations must be made by noon, Monday, June 6, to 703-569-4670 or 703-876-4780 or email to [email protected]. Pamela Horton, an Airport Service Specialist of the USO at Reagan and Dullas Airport, will share heartwarming stories and experiences and talk about today’s USO. Nancy O’Meara, will speak about rebuilding her life as a divorced woman and single mother. Beat the Heat Summer Studio. 1:30-3:00 p.m. On Wednesday “The Fine Art of Jazz,” an exhibi- afternoons artists of all ages are invited to follow a weekly routine of tion highlighting the names and working with a drawing material to begin, followed by an activity with faces synonymous with the paint or collage and ending with time to work with clay. Visit www.artatthecenter.org. Kansas City tradition of American jazz, at the Alexandria Black THURSDAY/JULY 9 History Museum at 902 Wythe The Great Zucchini. 11 a.m. A magic show with laughs. Recommended for Street. The exhibition will run ages 2 & up. At Barrett Library, 717 Queen St., Alexandria. Call 703-838- through Saturday, Aug. 8. The 4555, ext. 3. Alexandria Black History Mu- seum is open Tuesday through SATURDAY, JULY 11 Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Used Book Sale. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, suggested admission is $2. Go to Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610. www.alexblackhistory.org.

Music Listings

Know of a local venue that we don’t have July 21: The Rippingtons featuring 9:30-12:30 a.m., plus micro brews, specials listed? Contact Steve Hibbard at Russ Freeman and more. No cover charge. Mondays are [email protected] or call July 23: Hiroshima Salsa night, with free dance lessons and 703-917-6407. July 24: Jimmy Thackery and the salsa music. Tuesdays are Poker Night, Drivers, and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Impe- with free Texas Hold-’Em tourneys. The Athenaeum of Alexandria rials 201 Prince Street; call 703-548-0035. July 25: Dave Alvin and the Guilty Cowboy Cafe North Nvfaa.org. Women, featuring Sarah Brown, Cindy 4792 Lee Hwy., Arlington. Call 703—243- July 9 at 7 p.m. - Carol Gaylor and Bruce Cashdollar, Amy Ferris, Kristy McWilson 9882. Katsu. $10 tickets online at nvfaa.org. and Lisa Pankratz with Eilen Jewell Band The August 13 at 7 p.m. - One Eye Closed, fea- July 29: David Cook with Green Duke’s Bar and Grill turing Les Thompson, founder of the River Ordinance 1755 Duke St., Alexandria. Call 703-838- Nitty-Gritty Dirt July 30: Jody Watley 9602 or visit Royal Restaurant July 31: Deanna Bogart and the Tom www.dukesandwindsor.com. (now smoke free) Austin Grill Principato Band Live Acoustic music, every Friday 801 King St., Alexandria. Call 703-684- Night. Shows from 5:30-9 p.m. 8969. Bistro Europa 715 King St., Alexandria. Call 703-549- Evening Star Café “What’s for Dinner?!” Bangkok Blues 0533. 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Call You don’t have to think too hard, let us solve this classic question. 926 W. Broad St., Falls Church. Call 703- 703-549-5051. Visit 534-0095. http:// Cameron Perks www.eveningstarcafe.net/. In addition to our award winning menu, we have added www.bangkokblues.com/. 4911 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria. All some popular specials that add variety for everybody taste. events are free. Visit Fireflies The Birchmere www.cameronperks.com or 703-461- 1501 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Call Real food, for real people at reasonable prices. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 6900. 703-548-7200. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call Live bluegrass music Sundays during Monday - Kids Night 703-549-7500 or visit Caribbean Breeze brunch, starting at 11 a.m. No cover Burger Night (Kids eat 1/2 price) Each child must be accompanied by adult having entree. www.birchmere.com. 4100 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington. Call charge. June 25: Jazz Attack! featuring 703-812-7997. Tuesday - Greek Night Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun and Richard Salsa Lessons every Wednesday at 7 Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restau- Lamb Marinated and Roasted for 3 hours, Elliot p.m. rant June 26: Herman’s Hermits featuring 555 S. 23rd St., Arlington. Call 703-685- Athenian Roast Chicken, Moussaka! Peter Noone Calabash of Alexandria 0555. June 27: The Seldom Scene and The 7305 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Comedy Show every Monday night at Wednesday - All American Night Dillards 703-765-0222. Live Music every Saturday 8 p.m. Meatloaf, Chicken Fried Chicken. Va. Ham June 28: The Soul Sista Serenade night at 9 p.m. with no cover charge. Karaoke every Tuesday, Thursday, Fri- featuring Conya Doss, Sy Smith, Maya Open mic on Wednesdays and karaoke on day and Saturday at 9 p.m. Thursday - Italian Night Azucena and M.C. YahZarah Thursdays. Visit http:// Drag Show every Sunday at 9 p.m. Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, Calamari July 3: Amel Larrieux is cancelled calabashofalexandria.com. July 8: Les Nubians The Fish Market Friday - Fish Night July 9: Alex Bugnon and Paul Taylor Carlyle Club 105 King St., Alexandria. Shows at 9 p.m. Crab Cakes, Shrimp & Scallops over penne pasta with white sauce July 10: Roseanne Cash with Dean 411 John Carlyle St. Visit Call 703-836-5676. Visit Fields www.thecarlyleclub.com or 703-548- www.fishmarketoldtown.com. Saturday -Steak and Chop Night July 11: Old Time Banjo Festival, fea- 5953. turing Mike Seeger, Bruce Molsky, Cathy June 25, 6:30-10 p.m. Terry Lee Ryan; Galaxy Hut Prime Rib, Lamb, Surf and Turf, Pork Chops, and Moussaka Fink and Marcy Marxer, Clarke Buehling, June 26, 7:30 p.m.-midnight, Daryl Davis; 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Shows be- the Old 78’s and Adam Hurt June 27, 6:30-12 a.m. Doc Scantlin and gin at 9:45 p.m. $5 cover. Sunday July 12: Kindred the Family Soul the Imperial Palms Orchestra. www.galaxyhut.com Brunch served 7am - 2pm July 16: The Robert Cray Band with Dine in or call ahead and your dinner will be ready for pick up. John Forte Clarendon Ballroom Iota Club and Café Dinner hours 2:30-9:30pm July 17: Oleta Adams 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703- 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703- July 18: Bill Kirchen and the Ham- 469-2244 522-8340. 730 North Saint Asaph Street mer of the Honky Tonk Gods and Alexandria, VA 22314 Ruthie and the Wranglers Clarendon Grill Ireland’s Four Courts (703) 548-1616 July 20: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “How 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, 703-524- 2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703- Big Can You Get 100 Years of Cab 7455. www.cgrill.com. Party D.C. events 525-3600. www.irelandsfourcourts.com Ample Free Parking Calloway” every Wednesday. Live dance music from 20 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Entertainment Del Ray Music Festival Saturday

Celebrate the rich diversity and talent of the com- will feature a variety of music including jazz, blues, munity at the Third annual Del Ray Music Festival on swing, folk, country, Celtic, and rock. The majority of Saturday, June 27. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. the musicians that will take the stage are residents of on the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Fields, 2701 Com- the neighborhood as well — something that makes this monwealth Ave., the Del Ray Music Festival will in- an extra special show for the performers. Visit the Web clude music, food, games, and a chance to ring in the site at www.delraymusicfestival.com or email summer with your friends and neighbors. The festival [email protected]. Main Stage 15-Minute Stage 10 a.m. Swing Command (Swing Dance Band ) 10:45 a.m. CSA (Bluegrass) 11 a.m. Sioban Quinn and Michael Bowers (Blues/Folk) 11:45 a.m. Youth Fife and Drum Group I’m Phillip Norris - Your Alex Neighbor 12 p.m. Ampersand (Rock) for probably budget. Let 12:45 p.m. TC Williams Jazz Band as long as me give you a 1 p.m. Subtle Madness (Rock) you’ve lived quote on that 1:45 p.m. Steven Selman in Alex. My project or 2 p.m. Chicken Fried Swing with Karl Straub wife and I repair you’re (Swing/Rockabilly) grew up here. thinking 2:45 p.m. 24-7 Band (Rock) I’m a finish about. My 3 p.m. 50 Man Machine carpenter prices are (Celtic Caribbean Rock) 3:45 p.m. 24-7 Band (Rock) w/28 yrs. reflective of 4 p.m. Brad Linde Ensemble (Jazz) 4:45 p.m. Celtic Society of Southern experience meticulous, and I take great pride in the times. Maryland My work is completing jobs on time, and on 5 p.m. Kate Moran Band (Pop/Rock) 5:45 p.m. Celeste Starchild Finish Carpentry & Trim Works 6 p.m. Gulley Jimson Quartet (Rockabilly) 6:45 p.m. Tim Parks Licensed • Bonded • Insured. 7 p.m. David Dodd and his band Shiner (Rock) 7:45 p.m. Jeff Stapleton References Upon Request. 8 p.m. Naked Flames (Rock) 8:45 p.m. Paul Caffrey 703.684.5215 9 p.m. Dagmar and the Seductones (Rockabilly)

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Christ the Saviour Good Shepherd Anglican Church Catholic Church “To Love & Serve the Lord with Mass Schedule Gladness & Singleness of Heart” Saturday Evening Weekdays 5:00 pm; 6:30 pm (en Español) (Mass or Communion Service) Location - Washington Mill ES 9:00 am (followed by Rosary) 9100 Cherrytree Drive Sunday Children’s Liturgy of the Word 7:30; 9:00; 10:30 am; 12:00 Noon Sundays (Sept.-July) during 9:00 am Old Town’s most authentic country Worship Service - 10am 2:00 pm (en Español) Mass (English) 6:30 pm Mass (Starts Sept. 7) Sign Language Interpreter Inter-generational Sunday School - after service Sunday at 9:00 am Mass Vicar, The Rev. Huey J Sevier 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria VA, 22309 French restaurant since 1983 www.christthesaviouranglican.org Tel: 703-780-4055 Fax: 703-360-5385 www.gs-cc.org Loving as Christ loves, serving as Christ serves 703-953-2854 IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI, WASHINGTON STREET UNITED METHODIST SYNOD…703-549-0155 CHURCH…703-836-4324 Summer Specials MESSIAH EVENGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES- UNITARIAN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CHURCHES- ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, ELCA...703-765-5003 MT. VERNON UNITARIAN...703-765-5950 HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST...703-960-8772 GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH…703-780-4055 NATIVITY LUTHERAN CHURCH-ELCA….703-768-1112 ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH…703-836-3725 CHURCHES- UNITY Dover Sole • Bouillabaisse CHURCHES- AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL-ZION ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH…703-836-4100 ORTHODOX UNITY IN ALEXANDRIA…703-931-8507 ALLEYNE AME ZION CHURCH…703-548-3888 SAINT APHRAIM SYRIAC…201-312-7678 ALL SAINTS OF AMERICA...703-417-9665 SYNAGOGUES Frog Legs • Beef Wellington CHURCHES-ANGLICAN CHURCHES-CHRISTIAN CHRIST THE SAVIOR... 703-953-2854 HIS KINGDOM MINISTRIES... 703-313-5029 AGUDAS ACHIM ST. ANDREW & ST. MARGARET FIRST CHRISTIAN OF ALEXANDRIA CHURCHES- PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION…703-998-6460 • Coq au Vin OF SCOTLAND… 703-683-3343 CHURCH... 703-549-3911 CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH...703.768.8510 ALEXANDRIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH…703-683-3348 SYNAGOGUES-ORTHODOX CHURCHES- APOSTOLIC CHURCHES-CHRISTIAN SCIENCE OLD PRESBYTERIAN MEETING HOUSE…703-549-6670 CHABAD LUVAVITCH OF • Soft Shell Crabs LOVE OF CHRIST CHURCH…703-518-4404 FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST HERITAGE PRESBYTERIAN…703-360-9546 ALEXANDRIA-ARLINGTON…703-370-2774 ALEXANDRIA...703-549-7973 MT. VERNON PRESBYTERIAN…703-765-6118 CHURCHES- BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH…703-549-4766 SYNAGOGUES- REFORM • Cold Salmon Platter ALFRED STREET BAPTIST CHURCH…703-683-2222 MT. VERNON...703-768-2494 BETH EL HEBREW BAPTIST TEMPLE CHURCH…703-548-8000 CHURCHES-UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATION…703-370-9400 DEL RAY BAPTIST CHURCH…703-549-8116 • Chef Specials DOWNTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH…703-549-5544 CHURCH OF CHRIST ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST...703-765-6555 FIRST AGAPE BAPTIST COMMUNITY OF FAITH…703-519-9100 ALEXANDRIA CHURCH OF CHRIST…703-836-3083 BEVERLY HILLS COMMUNITY UNITED THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALEXANDRIA…703-684-3720 METHODIST...703-836-2406 OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS PROVIDENCE- ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH…703-683-2565 CHURCHES- EPISCOPAL DEL RAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH...703-549-2088 ALEXANDRIA I WARD...703-683-7577 SHILOH BAPTIST…703-683-4573 EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-683-0798 FAIRLINGTON UNITED METHODIST ALEXANDRIA II WARD...703-549-9891 MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH...703-256-1239 ST. AIDAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-360-4220 CHURCH....703-671-8557 COLONIAL II SINGLES WARD...703-313-6249 VICTORY TEMPLE…703-370-2233 ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH... 703-780-3081 ROBERTS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST OLD TOWN SPANISH WARD...703-519-9545 PLYMOUTH HAVEN BAPTIST...703-360-4370 ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-765-4342 CHURCH...703-836-7332 BELLE HAVEN WARD 703-780-4789 127 N. Washington St., Old Town ST. MARK EPISCOPAL CHURCH...703-765-3949 ST. ANDREWS UNITED METHODIST KINGSTOWNE WARD...703-313-6140 CHURCHES-BRETHREN CHURCHES- CHURCH OF GOD CHURCH…..703-751-4666 FRANCONIA WARD...703-313-6147 GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH…703-548-1808 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH…703-549-5500 703-548-4661 ALEXANDRIA CHURCH OF GOD...703-548-5084 MT. VERNON WARD...703-780-9577 CHURCHES-LUTHERAN WASHINGTON FARM UNITED SALVATION ARMY ALEXANDRIA BUDDHISM EPIPHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH-ELCA….703-780-5077 METHODEST...703-780-4696 CITADEL ....703-836-2427 Smoke-Free Restaurant THE VAJRAYOGINI BUDDHIST CENTER...202-331-2122 EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH….703-765-5003 GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN To Advertise Your Faith Community CHURCH-ELCA….703-548-8608 call Karen at: (703) 917-6468 www.lerefugealexandria.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 21 Schools KENWOOD SCHOOL Educational Excellence at an Affordable Price Sherman: One Year In

From Page 1 So Sherman sought to give the of issues isn’t near completion. city’s schools direction. To do that, But his stamp is evident. With Sherman visited with more than Preschool dropout rates and achievement 40 civic groups, holding several thru gaps he deemed “unacceptable,” open community forums to get a Sherman has gone about recreat- sense for what Alexandrians were Sixth Grade ing the city’s middle schools. He looking for. He started monthly has begun to address shortcom- brown bag lunches with the PTA •Financial Aid Available ings in the city’s special education Presidents of every Alexandria programs and elementary schools. school, something long overdue •Small Classes And in some cases, he has re- according to those involved with vamped the entire curriculum, the meetings. •Individual Attention bringing in ideas from outside the “I’ve noticed a major shift in the area. sense that he has reached out to Most importantly, though, he the parent community for input in has brought a new tone to a very positive way, and it’s not just Register before July 4 Alexandria’s schools, one that ac- asking for opinions, but also invit- & save $150 off knowledges its deficiencies and ing parents to participate in the de- has taken an aggressive approach cision- making process,” said Sept. 2009 tuition. towards correcting them. Melynda Wilcox, the outgoing PTA “When we hired Dr. Sherman, Council president. She cited we knew we were getting an indi- Sherman’s status as a father and vidual unafraid of change and grandfather as well as his blog and tackling big problems,” said wife Debbie, a special education 4955 Sunset Lane School Board chairwoman Yvonne teacher, as other factors in her Folkerts, who is currently leading comfort level with the superinten- Annandale, VA a board review of Dr. Sherman’s dent. 703-256-4711 first-year performance. “He’s lead- “His outreach has been out- ing us to have courageous conver- standing, that’s probably where he www.kenwoodschool.com sations and leading us to embrace shines,” said School Board mem- Established Since 1957 the challenges we have. We ber Charles Wilson. brought him in here to make some changes and that’s what he’s do- WHAT SHERMAN discovered ing.” from these encounters were passionate parents concerned about THOSE WHO WORK with issues like the city’s middle schools Sherman on a daily basis all have never achieving the adequate the same question and it has noth- yearly progress status set by the ing to do with low test scores. No Child Left Behind Act and Does the man ever sleep? Ac- achievement gaps that had some cording to a number of people, it’s white students passing standard- not unusual to receive an email ized tests at more than double the from the superintendent time rate of their black counterparts. stamped at three or four in the All this in Alexandria, where morning. more money is spent per pupil Despite that, “he’s full of en- than any other jurisdiction in the ergy,” said outgoing PTA Council Washington, D.C. area. president Melynda Wilcox. And “Alexandria city public schools almost immediately upon begin- had become a bit insular, it’s like ning his new job, Sherman used somebody pulled up a professional that vigor to engage the commu- veil over the beltway,” said nity. Sherman, sitting in his office sip- When he arrived in the area last ping a Diet Dr. Pepper earlier this summer, Sherman was entering a week. “The fact that we have ac- time of great tumult for Alexan- cepted underachievement for up dria and the 16 schools it supports. to 30 percent of our kids has been His predecessor, Rebecca Perry, disturbing. … Where’s the national had been fired by the School Board consultants that have connections thanks to a divisive 5-4 vote ear- to universities, where’s the recruit- lier in the year. The School Board ment across the country for some chairwoman at the time, Claire of the best brains anywhere to try Everwein, had stepped down cit- and address some of the forward ing a move to Austria. T.C. Will- thinking issues that we have?” iams principal Mel Riddile left the Immediately, Sherman reached school system to join a Reston- for a higher standard. He ended based association. The school’s the practice of hanging a banner athletic director, Kerry Donley, was celebrating “This school is fully also newly departed, with a run accredited.” The first line in his for the Virginia House of Delegates new mission statement read “Set on his mind. Even the Titans’ state the international standard.” And championship winning basketball he made some visible changes. coach, Ivan Thomas, had left the He incorporated the 9th grade building following the 2007-08 school at Minnie Howard into T.C. school year. See Change, Page 23

22 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Schools Trusted Dental Care Your Doctor Would Recommend. Change: Fast Beats Slow Rejuvenate your smile and restore your youth! From Page 22 long as they’re going in the right direction,” Williams. He expanded Jefferson-Hous- said Wilson. “But it does makes me nervous ton Elementary School into a K-8 program, sometimes.” beginning the application of the British-style international baccalaureate primary years THOSE DOUBTS have fueled Sherman in program. He brought in outside consultants recent months. He admits the critics prob- like Lucy Calkins of Columbia University, ably made him work more and drive his staff who revamped the elementary-level writ- even harder to make sure the implementa- ing program. And most notably, he made tion of his ambitious middle school program Dr. Michael Rogers – the decision to transform Alexandria’s two goes as smoothly as possible. Trusted by the community and committed to the latest technology and highest standards. large middle schools into five smaller acad- But he scoffs at the notion that he’s mov- • Featured on NBC4 with emy schools. ing too fast, that he should wait a year to Doreen Gensler’s Healthline • Featured Dentist at NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo test his proposals. • Selected as a Top Dentist in Checkbook Magazine HIS BIGGEST PROPOSAL, and perhaps “This is drastic for Alexandria,” Sherman • Published in Washington Woman, Washington his most controversial, is this “re-creation” said. “But when I talk to folks across New Parent, Ladies Home Journal, Perfect Smile Magazine & TMJ News-n-Views of the middle schools in Alexandria. Recent York or California, some of the proposals research has concluded that success at the I’ve put forward are fairly standard for Michael B. Rogers, DDS middle school level has a direct correlation them. … So I should sit in this office and Dennis J. Holly, DMD Testimonials to dropout status later on in high school. worry that somebody is upset I’m moving 4850 S. 31st Street, Suite A, Arlington, VA 22206 “As a surgeon, I rely on Dr. Rogers and his team to manage Coupled with a report that said during too quickly when kids’ educational lives are the patients non-surgically to help avoid the need for the 2007-08 school year 89 percent of white stake? I can’t have it. There’s enough body 703 . 671 . 1001 surgery. I regard him as one of the premier dentists in the www.FairlingtonDental.com non-surgical management of TMJ Disorders.” students at George Washington Middle of research out there to tell us how it should —Dr. Joseph Arzadon School passed standardized tests compared be done, how it could be done, how kids Cosmetic Dental Services: Unique Dental Services: “Very professional environment, excellent level of service, with less than 50 percent of their black will learn. We’re not making it up, we’re • Porcelain Veneers including Lunineers® • Dental Sleep Appliance counterparts, Sherman went into action. not pulling stuff from the clouds.” up-to-date dental technology.” — Anne • In Office Whitening • Computer Preview of New Smile His plan to separate George Washington The sky, though, is where he sees the limit “Pleasant attitude and personal attention – took my • Invisalign® Clear Braces and Hammond Middle Schools into five of Alexandria Public Schools. Over the past Concierge Services: concerns seriously.” — Mary autonomous academy-style schools was ap- year, since Sherman’s arrival in Alexandria, • Relaxing, Spa-Inspired Atmosphere “Organized, timely, and pain-free and you develop Pain Management: ® proved by the School Board earlier this the School Board has gone from divisive 5- • Relax and enjoy Direct TV or music relationships with your patients.” — Kim month and will go into effect in 2009-2010 4 votes to near unanimity on most issues. • Non-Surgical TMJ Treatment during your appointment school year. All five schools will have ap- But even though test scores are slightly up •The Magic Wand-virtually • Interest Free Financing “The best customer service of any office by far! You treat your patients with respect and courtesy in a way that is proximately 450 across the board painless anesthesia • Complimentary parking extremely rare.” — Nancy students, with after just one year principals, teach- “The fact that we have with a new re- ers, counselors, gime, new prob- and students stay- accepted underachievement lems have ing together all cropped up. With three years. for up to 30 percent of our an influx of 700 Sherman’s hope is kids has been disturbing.” unexpected stu- to create a learn- dents this past ing environment — Dr. Morton Sherman, year and private based on small Superintendent of Schools school enrollment class sizes, down across the customization, and personalization. He said board thanks to the recession, Sherman is this week that everything — teachers, prin- expecting an additional 1,000 students to cipals, schedules — have been completed populate the city’s elementary schools in the and the five schools could open tomorrow next five years. if necessary. If it works, Sherman wants to On the back of the door to his office is a implement this “multiplex” style of learn- piece of construction paper listing seven of ing at all levels of the Alexandria school the city’s elementary schools that are clas- system. sified as either “Uh-Oh” or even worse “Oh “We think it’s terrific and more than that My” in terms of how overcrowded they we think it’s responsible” said Sherman of could be by 2010-2011. the new middle school plan. “We’re not go- Still, 20-25 percent of Alexandria students ing to just accept kids dropping out any- are not passing standardized SOL tests and more.” even Sherman admits the special education But his plans have been met with some programs in Alexandria must be overhauled resistance. The cost-neutral plan adds no so that all students are learning similar con- new faculty to the middle school level, tent, rather than simply being separated due which has some critics echoing Rhodessa to disabilities. Bender, whose son is a sixth grader at It remains to be seen whether Sherman’s George Washington. vision will come to frution in Alexandria. “How can you make the classes smaller Full test scores for his new middle school when you have the same number of stu- program and his K-8 “elemiddle” experi- dents and the same number of teachers?” ment at Jefferson-Houston won’t be conclu- she wondered. “I don’t think [APS] were sive for a few years. being very forthcoming with us.” “We had fallen into complacency of al- Despite those complaints, the School most accepting mediocre results,” said Board passed the middle school proposal Sherman “Some of our kids were great, but despite concerns that the superintendent we’ve unleashed some power and we’ve had was moving too fast to implement his plan. some quick results. I’m really excited about “I’d rather have those problems with the next couple of years. I think we’ll take someone going too fast than have to kick our place on the world stage, I’m absolutely someone in the butt to speed them up as certain of that.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 23 People Legal Notices Legal Notices

Washington Street, zoned OC Commercial. APPLICANT: ASCPT

Information about the above item(s) may be obtained from the Department of Planning and Zoning, City Hall, 301 King Street, The girls Room 2100, Alexandria, with the Virginia 22314, telephone: (703) 838-4666 Charles Barrett Alexandria Board of Architectural Review ABC LICENSE Old & Historic Alexandria District Bottle & Cork, Inc trading as Unwined Belleview, Junior 1600 A Belleview Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307. LEGAL NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING The above establishment is applying to the Varsity wait VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC in the ======BEVERAGE CONTROL for a Wine & Beer off ======Premise/Delivery Permit license to sell or hallway to be manufacture alcoholic beverages. called in to A public hearing will be held by the Alexandria Vanessa Moore, President Board of Architectural Review on WEDNES- the DAY, JULY 8, 2009 beginning at 7:30 PM in ABC LICENSE competition. Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, HKP Good News, Inc. trading as Kimchi House, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia on the 8537 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309. following applications: The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC CASE BAR2008-0235 BEVERAGE CONTROL for a Beer/Wine on Request for approval of alterations & signage at Premises license to sell or manufacture alcohol- 134 N. Royal St, zoned CD ic beverages. Hye Kyong PANG, President Commercial. APPLICANT: City of Alexandria ABC LICENSE Photos by Lorton Arts Foundation, Inc trading as The Louise Krafft/ CASE BAR2008-0192 Workhouse Arts Center, 9517 Workhouse way, Request for approval of alterations at 408 Duke Lorton, VA 22079. Gazette Packet St, zoned RM Residential. The above establishment is applying to the APPLICANT: Nels Nordquist VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL for an Annual Mixed CASE BAR2009-0016 Beverage Special Event License to sell or Request for approval of alterations at 117 S. manufacture alcoholic beverages. Sharon Lee St, zoned RM Residential. Mason, Executive Director APPLICANT: Ken & Esther Carpi ABC LICENSE Cheer CASE BAR2009-0106 The Christmas Attic, Inc trading as The Request for approval of alterations at 809 Christmas Attic, 125 S Union St, Alexandria, VA Chetworth Place, zoned RB Residential. 22314. The above establishment is applying to APPLICANT: Howard Jennings the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL for a retail license-gift Gathering CASE BAR2009-0115 shop(beer/wine) license to sell or manufacture Request for approval of alterations at 205 N. alcoholic beverages. Fay Hobbs-Carter, Patrick Street, zoned RB Residential. President APPLICANT: Residential Management Realty, Inc. ABC LICENSE ore than 200 el- Unwined, Inc trading as Unwined Online, 1600 ementary schools CASE BAR2009-0116 B. Belleview Blvd. Alexandria, VA 22307. The Request for approval of alterations at 421 S. above establishment is applying to the VIRGIN- cheerleaders con- Columbus Street, zoned RB Residential. IA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVER- M APPLICANT: Christopher C. & Kay M. Morell AGE CONTROL for a Internet Wine Retailer li- verged in the gym cense to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverag- at TC Williams High School for the CASE BAR2009-0117 es. Vanessa Moore, President Request for approval of alterations at 123 S. annual cheerleading competition West Street, zoned CD Commercial. Public Notice Pursuant to the in April, hosted by the Alexandria APPLICANT: Valda Anderson Voluntary Remediation Program Department of Recreation, Parks CASE BAR2009-0119 At 4109-4125 Mt. Vernon Avenue Request for approval of signage at 102 N. (VRP00472) & Cultural Activities / Recreation The Mount Vernon Junior Varsity squad take the floor. Fayette Street, zoned CD Commercial. Services Division. APPLICANT: Knit-a-Gogo, Inc. Property Address: 4109, 4115, 4121 & 4125 Mt. Vernon Avenue Deputy Director of the city rec- CASE BAR2009-0120 Request for approval of signage at 210 King Alexandria, VA 22305 reation department William Street, zoned KR King Street Retail. Chesley welcomed all to the an- APPLICANT: Le Tache Lingerie Tax Map Numbers: 007.01-02-19, 007.01-02- 20, 007.01-02-21, 007.01-02-22 nual event. EZ Street of 93.9 CASE BAR2009-0121 WKYS and Sheeba Reese served as Request for approval of alterations at 429 N. St. VRP Applicant/Owner: City of Alexandria Asaph Street, zoned RM Residential. Masters of Ceremonies. The com- APPLICANT: Wilson Grand, LLC. The City of Alexandria enrolled the Site in the Virginia Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) petition was judged in three divi- CASE BAR2009-0122 administered by the Department of Environmen- sions: the Pee Wee’s, the Juniors Request for approval of alterations at 416 N. tal Quality (VDEQ). This notice is to fulfill the Union Street, zoned RM Residential. public participation requirement (9 VAC 20-160- and the Varsity. Five area recre- APPLICANT: Fred L. Brewer 120 (A) (3)) of that program. Remediation has been implemented and the participant is in the ation centers competed: Charles CASE BAR2009-0123 process of submitting the results to the VRP. Houston, William Ramsay, Mt. Request for approval of demolition at 209 S. Any questions or comments about the remedia- Fairfax Street, zoned RM tion of the Site are welcome during the 30 day Vernon, Cora Kelly and Charles Residential. public comment period. APPLICANT: David Kiernan & Mandy Locke Barrett. Special guest perfor- Description of Remediation/Nature of Re- mances by the Hot Topic Twinkle CASE BAR2009-0124 lease/Proposed Land Use Control: The envi- Request for approval of alterations at 209 S. ronmental impact on the properties is presumed Stars, Hot Topics Rising Stars, The Fairfax Street, zoned RM Residential. to be a result of releases from the Site’s historic Young Titans Dance Team, Hot APPLICANT: David Kiernan & Mandy Locke uses in combination with fill material imported in the 1950’s. Former Site uses include a retail Topics Lightning Stars, Shining CASE BAR2009-0125 paint store, gas station and dry cleaner. Site in- Request for approval of alterations at 216 vestigations found reportable concentrations of Stars and the William Ramsay Rec- Wilkes Street, zoned RM Residential. lead, petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated reational Center Dance Troupe The Charles Houston Center Junior Varsity division per- APPLICANT: Craig Hudnell solvents in the groundwater and reportable levels of arsenic in the soil. A total of 55 tons of im- entertained the audience. forms. CASE BAR2009-0126 pacted soil was excavated and disposed of off- Request for approval of demolition/encapsula- site. Air testing at 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue con- tion at 607 S. Fairfax Street, zoned RM firmed no adverse impacts to indoor air quality. Residential. A groundwater deed restriction will be placed on APPLICANT: Catherine M. Cotell the properties to prohibit use of groundwater. Online Reservations: Now Serving CASE BAR2009-0127 Contact for Additional Information or to Sub- Request for approval of addition/alterations at mit Comments: To comment or request addi- 607 S. Fairfax Street, zoned RM Residential. tional information regarding this Site contact From Page 5 APPLICANT: Catherine M. Cotell Daniel Imig at The City of Alexandria, Office of restaurant reservations, but it also posts local activi- Environmental Quality, City Hall, 301 King ties on its Web sites. The user is able to book hotel CASE BAR2009-0128 Street, Room 3000, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703- Request for approval of alterations at 528 N 746-4070, [email protected] December, we have had an average of over 200 reservations and find local shopping places such as restaurant reservations per month. My business has clothing boutiques, antiques, specialty stores, home improved by that much and more during the same and garden and jewelry stores. Local activities include period,” said Troy Clayton, owner of Geranio Res- art and music festivals, along with food tastings and taurant. garden meetings. Laurent Janowsky, the owner of La Bergerie has There are more than 85 restaurants to choose from found that online reservations has helped to improve for a night out. Cuisine ranges from Italian to Nuevo his business and has helped with customer satisfac- Latino, Thai and French. E-mail: [email protected] tion, “I think it’s a wonderful tool.” For more information about online reservations, go to VisitAlexandriaVA.com’s Web site not only provides www.VisitAlexandriaVa.com. 24 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Neighborhoods

terested in taking up the sport, go to Although things slow down a bit in the Seminary Valley www.alexandriarugby.org. summer, there are a few neighborhood ac- NEW ACQUISITION This column is full of congratulations: Kudos to Will Augustine, a rising 5th tivities to put on your calendar. Don’t miss A broadside advertising Goerge P. Hill It seems like yesterday when a bumper grader at Polk Elementary School, who just the July 20 quarterly meeting of the Crackers and Cakes was bought for the li- crop of five year olds headed off to Polk took first place in a hydroplane regatta in Brookville-Seminary Valley Civic Associa- brary through the efforts of Ellen Donald Elementary School, and now they are Tabor City, NC. For those of you not in the tion at 7 p.m. at the Beatley Library. Aug. 3 and Elaine Hanes. A copy was passed headed to college. On Thursday, Seminary know, hydroplanes are small racing boats; is this year’s date for the Neighborhood around. Valley will have a bumper crop of high the regatta was a sanctioned American Night Out, at Polk Elementary School — Local history hours are now only MWF school graduates: Makda Aman, Mia Brown, Power Boat Association event. Will’s par- always a fun event. Sept. 26 marks the re- and one Saturday each month. Patrick Cox, Eni Maho, Katie Jones, Emily ticipation in the Junior Hydro Class contin- turn of the Mile Long Yard Sale. Haitsuka, Linzi Burstein, Larry Dow, Abby ues a longtime family tradition of boat rac- BETH EL Keller, Jesse Schaffer, Marc Grosser, Hannah ing; his grandfather, dad Gary (who started — Mia Jones Melissa Miller outlined for us the 150-year Levy and Simon Conn. racing at age 12), an uncle and a cousin all [email protected] history of Beth El Hebrew Congregation. Neighbor Vaughan Ambrose and his wife, compete. Will says that the best races are Katrina, welcomed their third son to the when the competition is a close one. BABY TEA neighborhood last week. The newest addi- They say the apple does not fall far from Taylor Run The misses Addison Taylor Rowe, aged 7 tion, Tad, joins his brothers James and Julian the tree, and in our household this certainly LOCAL HISTORY weeks, and Hailynn Nicole Rowe, 3 1⁄2 and is settling in well on Naylor Place. rang true as the school year came to a close. Friends of local history heard an inter- years, recently received friends at the home Jeff Murphy can tell the Ambroses a few Yours truly was voted “Most Musical” in her esting report from Rose Dawson, Alexan- of their grandparents, Nancy and John things about boys. He has five! And has 1978 graduating class at Santa Ynez Valley dria Library head, at their annual meeting. Rowe. coached his T.C. Williams’ Rugby team to Union High School. Lo and behold, daugh- Confronted with a 14 1⁄2 percent budget Among those present were Suzanne its first state championship. Our Sutton ter Maria was voted “Most Musical” in her cut, Dawson managed to maintain staff with Thomson Rowe (their mother), Murray Place neighbor is passionate about the sport 8th grade Hammond Middle School class, no firings, no shutdown. Richey, Joanne Grimes, Rhee Earl, Barbara and deserves credit for putting together the son Sam was voted “Most Musical” at the She cut the security budget, the cleaning Wollon, Karen Myers with daughter Kristi, team after only a few seasons. The Titans’ Minnie Howard Campus of T.C. Williams, budget, and the book budget, while increas- 3 1⁄2, Dot Neumann, Elaine Anderson, Pat victory was decisive, beating Menchville and daughter Katie received the John Phillip ing fines and fees. Laane, and Judy Albarelli. (Newport News) 28-0. Rugby is catching on Sousa award for musical achievement from Dawson urged the Friends to work for for Alexandrians of all ages; if you are in- the T.C. Williams Band. more funds next year. — Lois Kelso Hunt Letters to the Editor

From Page 10 ing. place. ule. And then the economy tanked. Not that long ago, activists like the late On the heels of a City Council race and a Coupled with “the Great American Black- would be no competition for attention. Ben Brenman and others, who would be statewide primary contest that over- out,” otherwise known as the digital con- Council candidates just wouldn’t get any. seen sitting in the same seats attending all whelmed our community with political version which has left millions with either This Council on its way out of office has Council meetings, keeping our “Town Hall” signs during one of the most beautiful times no TV reception or more limited program- created a future in which Council candi- spirit alive, and often influencing Council of year, and which placed an unfortunate ming options than before, my suggestion dates will run for office in virtual secrecy votes by testimony or just by “button-hol- burden on local roads maintenance officials, would be a step in the right direction, no and those elected will serve the city anony- ing” Council members during meetings, together we can take this simple, biparti- matter how backward it might at first glance mously. The League of Women Voters be- would frequently be heard to say, “Council san step to avoid contributing to the prob- appear. For years, life 24/7 has been about lieves that local elections and local govern- works for us; we’re the citizens here.” He lem over the coming months. “the stuff,” or how much can be crammed ment are important. They deserve their own was referring to his fellow activists; the ones into a day, or what of either can be bragged campaign season devoted to local issues and who cared enough to show up and make Del. David Englin about to impress and pass, poorly, for con- their own election day. their voices heard. 45th District versation. The reverse, prodded by finan- Seems only long-serving Del Pepper and cial malaise, and brought into perspective Katy Cannady outgoing Ludwig Gaines remembered that by more physically limited options for shop- President, healthy attitude. Alexandria has been made When Less ping and entertainment, should usher in the Alexandria League of Women Voters lesser for the loss of our past effective ac- Can Be More onset of a trend of real and meaningful com- East Oak Street, Alexandria tivist voices, and now by Council’s duplici- munication and putting the intrinsic value tous action. To the Editor: of human beings first. Despite all the inter- The Post Office wants to eliminate Satur- minable hoopla leading up to June 12, Best So Long To Citizen Stephen Newman day delivery and close and/or consolidate Buy has just posted quarterly profits down Participation Alexandria its retail locations. I think USPS should take 15 percent, with a 6 percent decline in same it a step further and just shut down com- store sales. It appears that despite the hype, To the Editor: pletely on weekends. Many Post Offices al- there was no stampede to upgrade or pur- As a 33-year Alexandria resident and gen- Let’s Limit ready have APCs which can complete many chasing frenzy, but rather a resignation of erally Democratic Party supporter, I am Campaign Signage routine transactions; the rest could be simi- cash strapped consumers to do without. The writing to express my dismay and disap- larly equipped. There are convenient out- Post Office has an opportunity to harness pointment at the Mayor and four City Coun- To The Editor: lets just about everywhere that potential this change in collective mentality to its cil members who voted to reschedule City Now that my Republican opponent has customers frequent, and if you just need to benefit and to lead by high profile example elections to November (“City Elections Re- formally declared her candidacy, I have purchase first class stamps, well, there’s al- at the forefront of a national movement, as scheduled,” June 18) despite significant asked her to please join me in a simple ways the grocery store. But the most im- we necessarily scale back and revamp our opposition. pledge to help preserve the beauty and char- portant reason to implement such a change lives, one industry and one person at a time. As your article stated, the change was acter of our community: is societal; let me explain. Less can be more. Really... made despite the contrary recommendation Let us pledge that we will only place our I grew up in a time when there were Blue of a Mayor-appointed committee, chaired campaign signs in the yards of our support- Laws, those now seemingly pesky and ar- Karen Ann DeLuca by activist Dick Hobson (a former delegate ers and not litter them throughout our com- chaic rules that forbade most forms of com- Alexandria and City Council candidate), and 3/4 of the munity along public rights of way and in merce on Sundays, a time which was re- speakers — that is, the people who cared other public spaces. We ought to commit to served as sacred for God, for family, or for enough to show up to voice an opinion. So this with no loopholes and no exceptions; I unstructured downtime, the proverbial Write Council voted to substitute their own opin- will ensure that nobody from my campaign, forced day of rest. Over the years, as lives Letters to the Editor ions and to exchange quality participation our local Democratic organizations, or any got busier and more complicated, the week- The Gazette Packet for mere increased numbers of voters de- other group puts my signs anywhere other end became increasingly utilized to “catch 1606 King Street spite those who took the trouble to state than in the yards or windows of my sup- up,” do the shopping, take care of home Alexandria VA 22314 otherwise. Councilman Wilson’s comment porters. The morning of Election Day on related business. It spiraled out of control Call: 703-917-6431. By e-mail: that he represents “all Alexandrians, not just Nov. 3, let us place no more than four of when the pursuit of leisure became indulged [email protected] those who show up here” is especially gall- each of our signs outside of each polling in with the precision of a work week sched- www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 25 Alexandria Gazette Packet Sports Editor Mark Giannotto Sports 703-917-6409 or [email protected] School’s Out, NVSL Now in Session Despite rainy weather, opening weekend brings enthusiasm, excitement about new season. swim team become a close-knit group, push- By Maddie Meyer ing each other to improve during practices The Gazette Packet and events. Youths of all age groups enjoy different lthough it was a rainy start to the aspects of the season. Twelve-year-old Northern Virginia Swim League Lauren Harkes loves to “compete in the Aseason, nothing could dampen races and relays.” She swims for Sully Sta- the team spirit at Highland Park tion and believes that wearing “Sully tat- Pool. In its first home meet of the year Sat- toos” helps get the team pumped up for the urday, Highland Park defeated Sully Station meet. Nine-year old Joey Deal of Highland II, 205-187, in an event more about the face Park enjoys the face paint, which was clear paint and spirit than any end result. As when trying to view his face beneath a wall events progressed, swimmers cheered on of green face paint. their teammates from under umbrellas and The excitement at the meet could be seen tents, screaming to support friends in the throughout the pool. As athletes lined up part-fun, part-competitive atmosphere that and organized themselves into lanes, en- permeated throughout the more than 100 ergy and excitement took the place of any Northern Virginia pools that kicked off the pre-race jitters. Younger swimmers struggle NVSL season last weekend. to stay seated, while older teammates give Lauren Harkes, 12, dives head first to start her 50-meter freestyle race Many said the start of swim season marks during last week’s opening swim meet between Highland Park and the beginning of summer. Athletes on the See New Season, Page 27 Sully Station. Photos by Maddie Meyer/The Gazette Packet

From left to right: Caroline Gerke, Laura Joey Deal, 9, swims breast stroke for Highland Mueller, Grace Sklopan, and Paige Barwick David Thompson, 8, completes his 25-meter Park. cheer on their teammates. breaststroke race. Kayaking for a Cause Alexandria siblings raising money to participate in upcoming Junior Olympics.

By Mark Giannotto “I stuck with the whitewater part,” said The Gazette Packet Malakoff, who along with 11-year-old sister Eliza, will be holding a Learn to Paddle Courtesy of iam Malakoff has a distinct memory fundraiser along the Potomac River near Lof when his fascination for paddling Glen Echo this Saturday to help raise money down rapids-filled, whitewater riv- so their entire team of Junior Olympic quali-

ers began. He was just four years old when fiers from the Bethesda Center of Excellence David Malakoff his father, an avid canoe enthusiast, bought (BCE) can make it to Ottawa, Canada for him and his older brother “a clunky rec the July 3-12 competition. boat” to learn how to canoe with. “We’re raising money but we’re also hop- It was a far cry from the rapids that he ing that some of them will stay and join the maneuvers down daily along the Potomac program,” said Liam of Saturday’s event, River in preparation for this summer’s Jun- which is being held in conjunction with ior Olympics, but a passion had been born. Liam and Eliza’s coach, Dana Chladek, a Liam Malakoff of T.C. Williams in action on his whitewater canoe. Malakoff quickly moved from the big ca- two-time Olympic medalist in kayaking. He and sister Eliza are helping teach paddling lessons along the noe to a whitewater boat and by age 12, Potomac River this weekend to raise money for their upcoming trip had bought his own whitewater canoe. See Kayaking, Page 32 to Ottawa, Canada for the Junior Olympics.

26 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Sports ALEXANDRIA BASEBALL New Season for Swimmers IS BACK!

From Page 26 ages together in one, fun-filled setting. This season more than 15,000 swimmers will dive into the pool Alexandria Aces Host them advice and try to keep them focused. Parents in NVSL meets. on either side of the pool cheer for their children, as Linzi Burstein, 18, swims and coaches for High- the coaches yell directions from the opposite end of land Park and was a captain for the T.C. Williams Youse’s Orioles the pool. swim team this past winter. “It’s critical I set a good Many of the swimmers see being part of the swim example and demonstrate team spirit and good Saturday at 7pm team as a tradition they have been participating in sportsmanship,” she said of being an older member since they were very young. Once they are older, it is of the team. Burstein helps her younger teammates their job to help out their younger teammates. The stay focused and pushes them to keep cheering dur- Game Night Sponsor team aspect in swimming is unique from other sports. ing the rainy meet. While there are technically no teammates to help And though it may only be the first meet, swim- you out in the water, there are plenty providing en- mers have high hopes for the season. “The goal of Lisa Miller couragement from the side of the pool. the team is to swim the best we can,” said Harkes. And it’s not often a high school senior is cheering Team-oriented goals such as these are what push the State Farm Insurance on an elementary school student, but the NVSL, now competitive and friendly atmosphere of NVSL swim- in its 43rd year of existence, brings children of all ming. Lisa’s Game Night Raffle! Sports Briefs One $50 Visa Card & Butts Wins at the prestigious meet, cementing her status as the Three $25 Visa Cards best high jumper in the country after winning the For your Auto, Fire, Life & Health National Title Nike Indoor title in the event this past winter. Later on day three, Butts came within an inch of Over the first two days of the Nike Outdoor Track another national title in the long jump. Her mark of Insurance Needs, contact Lisa and Field Nationals that took place June 18-20 in 19’11.50 was good enough for second place, a far at www.lisamiller.org Greensboro, N.C., no athlete from the state of Vir- cry from last year when she fouled out of the long ginia could break through and capture a national jump competition in both the Virginia AAA state meet or 703-536-0266 title. On day three, Tynita Butts of T.C. Williams and the USATF Junior Nationals. changed all that. Meanwhile, Danielle Williams of St. Stephen’s/St. By clearing 5-10.50 in the high jump, Butts over- Agnes placed third in the emerging elite 100-meter took first place from Brian Rice of Missouri, and be- dash and 14th in the elite 200 meters. She teamed up came the first Virginian to take home a national title See Sports Briefs, Page 30 Mount Vernon Paint Company (703) 768-1975 Upcoming Games Aces vs. Herndon Braves Monday, June 29 at 7pm Alexandria Gazette Night Aces vs. Silver Spring Thunderbolt Thursday, July 2 at 7pm

Come see the baseball stars of tomorrow play at Four Mile Run Park this summer. Located at 3700 Commonwealth Avenue in Alexandria, behind Cora Kelly School.

$4.00 OFF Per gallon of any Regal Product Must be presented at time of purchase. Collegiate Summer Baseball FREE www.AlexandriaAces.org Drop Cloth and 877-345-FTFT A great night in Alexandria at an Sanding Sponge [email protected] 6229 Richmond Hwy affordable price: only $5.00 for adults and Must be presented at time of purchase. $3.00 for children 12 and under. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 27 703-917-6464 703-917-6400 Zone 3: • Alexandria Employment Zone 3 Ad Deadline: Zone 3: • Alexandria Classified Zone 3 Ad Deadline: • Mount Vernon Tuesday 4 p.m. • Mount Vernon Tuesday Noon

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28 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com 703-917-6400 703-917-6400 Zone 3: • Alexandria Classified Zone 3 Ad Deadline: Zone 3: • Alexandria Home & Garden Zone 3 Ad Deadline: • Mount Vernon Tuesday Noon • Mount Vernon connectionnewspapers.com CONTRACTORS.com Tuesday Noon

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Alexandria, VA 22305 •Announcements 703-802-0483 Now! Complete Tax Map Numbers: 007.01-02-19, 007.01-02-20, 007.01-02- •Real Estate 21, 007.01-02-22 Print Editions Metro Gutter VRP Applicant/Owner: City of Alexandria Online! •Cars The City of Alexandria enrolled the Site in the Virginia Volunta- Clean/Install/Repair ry Remediation Program (VRP) administered by the Depart- The full print editions of all 18 •Trucks • Wood Replace & Wrapping • Pressure Washing ment of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). This notice is to fulfill Connection Newspapers are now the public participation requirement (9 VAC 20-160-120 (A) (3)) available on our Web Site in PDF format, • Chimney Sweeping & Repair of that program. Remediation has been implemented and the page by page, identical to our weekly •Vans participant is in the process of submitting the results to the newsprint editions, including print 20 YEARS EXP. M. C. Lynch VRP. Any questions or comments about the remediation of the advertising. Go to Home Improvement Site are welcome during the 30 day public comment period. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com •RV’s 703-354-4333 Family Owned & Opererated and click on “Print Editions.” metrogutter.com Description of Remediation/Nature of Release/Proposed •Boats Rotten Wood, Wind Damage, Trims, Land Use Control: The environmental impact on the proper- Windows, Doors, Deck, Stairs, Vanity, ties is presumed to be a result of releases from the Site’s his- HANDYMAN HANDYMAN Basement Framing, Garbage Disposal, toric uses in combination with fill material imported in the •Pets 1950’s. Former Site uses include a retail paint store, gas sta- Painting, Power Wash, Siding Repairs. tion and dry cleaner. Site investigations found reportable concentrations of lead, petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated •Yard Sales TAYLOR HANDYMAN Licensed, Bonded, Insured solvents in the groundwater and reportable levels of arsenic in Over 15 yrs Exp ...... Lic & Ins the soil. A total of 55 tons of impacted soil was excavated and 703-266-1233 disposed of off-site. Air testing at 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue •Crafts Gutter repair, wood fencing, confirmed no adverse impacts to indoor air quality. A ground- deck restoration water deed restriction will be placed on the properties to pro- •Hobbies pressure washing, landscaping, A&S Landscaping hibit use of groundwater. ITIONS PPRINTRINT EEDITIONSD bathroom caulking, vinyl floors, Contact for Additional Information or to Submit Com- M •And More! minor electrical, minor plumbing, • Basement Finishing ments: To comment or request additional information regard- general repairs & more • Retaining Walls • Patios ing this Site contact Daniel Imig at The City of Alexandria, Of- fice of Environmental Quality, City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 703-780-4181 • Decks • Porches (incl. 3000, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-746-4070, daniel.imig@alex- screened) • Erosion & andriava.gov For All Grading Solutions 21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements Your RCL HOME REPAIRS • French Drains • Sump Pumps Handyman Services • Driveway Asphalt Sealing Springfld • Burke • Kingstowne Advertising Light Electrical • Plumbing • 703-863-7465 Bathroom Renovation • Ceramic Tile • LICENSED Needs… Drywall Repair LAWN SERVICE LAWN SERVICE 703-922-4190 It Works. LIC. www.rclhomerepairs.com INS. J.E.S Services Week LANDSCAPE & CONSTRUCTION HOME IMPROVEMENT After Week. Repairs & Remodeling: •Patios •Walkways Plumbing, Electrical, & Painting! •Retaining Walls 703 703-455-3858 •Drainage Problems 917-6400 www.ZenouZHomeImprovement.com •Landscape Makeovers No Job too Small Call: 703-912-6886 Free Estimates Place HAULING HAULING Your MASONRY MASONRY •••Hauling••• MOTTERN MASONRY DESIGN Ad Appliance Removal Specializing in Custom Stone and Brick Walkways, Patios, Today! Junk, Brush & Small and Large Repairs • Same Day Service • Licensed, Insured • Reasonable Prices • • Free estimates • All work guaranteed • Free Estimates • Need Dirt? www.motternmasonry.com to your community 703-652-4069 • 703-517-2657 Phone 703-496-7491 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 29 Sports Home & Garden 703-917-6400 Zone 3: • Alexandria Zone 3 Ad Deadline: • Mount Vernon connectionnewspapers.com CONTRACTORS.com Tuesday Noon

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PINNACLE SERVICES, •GUTTER CLEANING AL’S HAULING The Junk & Rubbish MOWING •SMALL REPAIRS HANDYMAN Concrete, furn.,office, A DIVISION OF NURSE CONSTRUCTION Reas. rates •SCREENING yard, construction debris •POWER Low Rates NOVA HOME INSPECTION LIST 703-362- WASHING 703-360-4364 REPAIRS, CERAMIC TILE, 703-802-0483 703-304-4798 cell 8777 GROUP RATES PAINTING, DRYWALL, AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK FREE EST CARPENTRY, CUSTOM WOOD REPAIR, LT. PLUMBING & PLUMBING HAULING ELECTRICAL, POWER WASHING ★★★★★★ RICK’S Since 1964 ANGEL’S TRASH HAULING HAULING POWERWASHING PAINTING We Accept VISA/MC Veterans Yard Debris Decks Interior-Exterior Plumbing Construction Debris, Furniture Sidewalks Deck Staining 703-441-8811 Residential, Office Appliances Houses Gutter Cleaning No job too small & Tree Removal Concrete etc Mobile Homes etc Gutter Guards LANDSCAPING 703-299-4999 FREE ESTIMATES 703-863-1086 703-360-5252 New#- 571-312-7227 RicksHauling1@ aol.com SUMMER CLEAN-UP ROOFING Yard Work, Trees & Shrubs PAINTING PAINTING Trimmed/Removed! Roofing & Siding Mulching, Hauling, (All Types) Gutter Cleaning, etc. & Free estimates! Soffit & Fascia Wrapping S A PAINTING 703-385-3338 New Gutters Chimney Crowns & HOME IMPROVEMENT Courtesy of David Malakoff Interior/Exterior • Custom Paint ANGEL’S Leaks Repaired No job too small Eliza Malakoff of George Washington Middle School in action on her Power Washing • Deck Sealing LAWN MOWING 703-975-2375 Free Estimates Lowest Prices •Trimming •Edging whitewater kayak. She and older brother Liam are helping teach pad- VA Licensed – Insured •Mulching •Yard Cleaning dling lessons along the Potomac River this weekend to raise money for •Hauling •Tree Work TREE SERVICE 703-495-0594, 929-9495 their upcoming trip to Ottawa, Canada for the Junior Olympics. [email protected] 703-863-1086 CHARLES New# 571-312-7227 Mention this ad receive 10% off TREE SERVICE 10% off with ad TheDrainageMan Tree Service, Mulching, Edging Kayaking for a Cause • Specialize land drainage issues Seasoned Firewood SUMMER SPECIAL • 18 Yrs. water management delivered • Design, construction, plants, care From Page 26 10% to 20% OFF All Services Lic. & Ins! • Free estimates one would see traveling along the Potomac 540-829-9917 703.329.1908 Liam, 15, and Eliza, 11, are relative new- River during a nice afternoon. The two usu- Nuance Painting Inc. LandiScapes Inc. - Lic./Bonded/Ins. comers to the sport of whitewater slalom. ally train in the Feeder Canal, a set of rap- Family Owned and Operated ANGEL’S Serving Northern Virginia for Over a Decade A&S TREE & HEAVY In races, they must navigate their boats ids that connects the Potomac River to the Winner of American Painting Contractors TRASH HAULING down a twisting course through a series of C&O Canal. Residential Top Job Award LANDSCAPING •Mulch Spring Clean-up•Planting “gates” hung above flowing water. It can “It’s cool because it’s not just you,” said Residential and Commercial Services Mulching • Sodding • Patios •Clean-up Grounds • Interior and Exterior Painting Decks • Retaining Walls •Lot Land Clearing look like a cross between ballet and pin- Eliza. “You’re not the only force that’s get- • Faux Finishing Drainage Solutions 703-863-1086 ball, as the paddlers bounce over waves and ting you through the river. You definitely • Drywall Hanging, Finishing and Repairs 703-863-7465 New#- 571-312-7227 • Interior Moldings Crown-Chair Rail-Shadow Boxing carve graceful arcs through the poles. Liam have to work with the water.” • Exterior Trim Repair/Replacement will start his junior year at T.C. Williams “The real challenge and sort of the great • Decks cleaned and Sealed this fall. Eliza just completed the sixth grade reward of whitewater canoe or kayak is as • General Contractor Services Employers: • For Evaluation and Consultation Call at George Washington Middle School. you progress and the longer you paddle, the Are your recruiting ads not Liam races in a single-seat canoe and only experience you gain allows you to read the 703-437-3037 working in other papers? started racing competitively in the last year river well,” added Liam. Licensed Insured and a half. His boat looks like a kayak, but The Learn to Paddle workshop is sched- On the web at www.nuancepainting.com Try a better way to fill your We Accept he kneels instead of sits, and uses a single- uled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sun- employment openings bladed canoe paddle instead of a double- day this coming weekend on the Potomac

North ended kayak paddle. He is currently the River near Glen Echo, Md. The workshops Potomac ROOFING ROOFING Rockville nation’s third-ranked under-16 canoe racer, are open to children ages 10-15 with in- Lansdowne 5 Ashburn Cascades Sterling Potomac and recently won a spot on the MidAtlantic structors and the necessary equipment pro- Chevy Great Bethesda Chase 1 Herndon Falls Regional Slalom Team. vided. For more information, contact Dana Reston Dulles Airport Eliza uses a more conventional kayak that Chladek at [email protected] South McLean Riding Vienna Oakton 6 Arlington Chantilly 4 Washington, Sports Briefs Centreville D.C. Fairfax Residential & Commercial Roofing Expert North Clifton Historic Burke Clifton Fairfax Springfield 3 From Page 27 Full Service Roofing Company Station regular season, took the field at Little 2 Simpson Field for the Alexandria Little Repair • Refurbish • Replace Laurel with freshman Lauren Martin and juniors Hill All Major Roof Types Mya Reid and Briana Richardson in the League’s home run derby. 703-455-Roof (7663) • Target your best job candidates emerging elite 4x100 relay. The quartet es- In round one, players had 10 outs to hit Call today for your Free Estimate Lic. & Ins. where they live. tablished a school record of 49.07 in the two balls out of the park. If they hit two • Reach readers in addition preliminaries on Friday. The time wouldn’t home runs, they advanced to the final two to those who are currently stand for more than 24 hours, though. The rounds. In rounds two and three, players WALLPAPERING WALLPAPERING looking for a job. Saint relay broke their record again with a had five outs at which point their totals were • Proven readership. time of 48.97 in the finals. Their time ranks added up and winners decided. In third place, with four home runs in the FEMALE OWNED & OPERATED • Proven results. the Saints at No.12 in the state of Virginia. second and third rounds, was 10-year-old Painting, Wallpaper Hanging, Removal & Repair Little League Home Dylan Elmore. In second place, with seven Over 20 years exp.! home runs in the last two rounds, was 11- Free Estimates! Prompt Service! Run Derby year-old Andrew Tovsky. The overall win- 703-917-6464 • Fax 703-917-0992 ner was Cameron Kicak, who just turned Excellent Refs.! E-mail: [email protected] 703-425-3200 On Sunday June 21, 12 Alexandria little 13 and had 10 overall home runs in the last Great Papers • Great Readers • Great Results! Licensed, Insured, & Bonded! league players from the Majors (the 10-12 two rounds. He hit eight of the 10 in round age group), who’d hit home-runs during the three.

30 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 ❖ 31 32 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ June 25 - July 1, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com