Alexandria Times Vol. 16, No.16 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. APRIL 16, 2020 Senior safety Care providers, the city. Nevertheless, facilities work to senior living facilities, protect and engage nursing homes and se- at-risk population nior services organiza- BY MISSY SCHROTT tions throughout Alex- andria are working hard One population that to protect this vulnera- has been especially hard ble population. hit by the coronavirus is While seniors are adults age 65 and older. already at-risk because It’s unclear how of their age, many also many older Alexandri- have underlying medi- ans have tested posi- cal conditions, such as tive for COVID-19, as heart or lung disease, the Alexandria Health that put them at a high- Department is not re- er risk for developing leasing personal infor- more serious complica- mation, including age, about the 248 cases in SEE SAFETY | 9 PHOTO/CODY MELLO-KLEIN The Birchmere had to cancel or postpone all shows through May and let go of the majority of its staff after the coronavirus hit. Council discusses revised budget Live from quarantine Staff presents board and re-evaluating Local arts organizations struggled to get refunds for tick- INSIDE FY2021 funding what FY2021 would look adapt to social distancing ets they purchased months ago. cuts to city leaders like for the city. Jinks’ BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN In the age of social distanc- Crime BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN budget version 2.0 totals ing, the figurative thousand Resident arrested for violating $753.3 million, a 5.8 per- On Tuesday evening, the miles of Carlton’s biggest hit are quarantine order in Hawaii. After releasing a re- cent reduction from the night singer-songwriter Vanes- suddenly a harsh reality. Page 4 vised FY2021 budget original $799.9 million sa Carlton was scheduled to per- The global pandemic is hit- with significant cuts proposed FY2021 bud- form at the Birchmere, the seats ting hard across the entertain- and changes on April 7, get. and stage at the venerable music ment industry, and local theaters Seniors City Manager Mark Jinks “In mid-February I hall were empty. and live music venues are feeling Help older Alexandrians stay and city finance staff presented a budget of Due to social distancing mea- the effects even more acutely. connected while isolating. brought the budget be- approximately $800 mil- sures put in place to combat the “There’s a lot of small great Page 13 fore council on Tuesday. lion. The economy was coronavirus, live music venues clubs that are not gonna make it The financial and growing, things were across the country have been through this,” Greg Oelze, own- economic fallout from looking good. We looked forced to push back or cancel er of the Birchmere, said. the coronavirus outbreak to make some enhance- shows and let go of their staff. “I just started my 54th year Arts was significant enough ments and some addi- Theaters have stopped perfor- at the Birchmere and I’ve had Review of the Strokes' "The to warrant city staff go- mances halfway through their New Abnormal." ing back to the drawing SEE BUDGET | 10 seasonal runs. Audiences have SEE ARTS | 5 Page 15 2 |APRIL 16, 2020 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Selected Sales in 2020 Top Row — Active Listings 302 S Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 4 bed | 3.5 bath | $1,920,000 1118 Old Cedar Road, McLean, VA 22102 | 6 bed | 4.5 bath | $1,645,000 606 President Ford Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302 | 5 bed | 5.5 bath | Under Contract Middle Row Sold on 4/15/20: 6103 Olivet Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315 | 3 bed | 2.55 bath | $735,000 Sold on 4/3/20: 3609 Bent Branch Court, Falls Church, VA 22041 | 3 bed | 3.5 bath | $910,000 Sold on 4/3/20: 2428 Davis Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22302 | 4 bed | 2.5 bath | $810,000 Nancy Perkins Bottom Row +1 703 402 5599 Sold on 3/17/20: 517 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 3 bed | 2.5 bath | $1,580,000 [email protected] Sold on 1/16/20: 801 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 3 bed | 2.5 bath | $1,026,000 Watch My Film: NancyPerkins.ttrsir.com Sold on 1/14/20: 823 Church Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 2 bed | 2 bath | $720,000 Shop for your next home from the safety of your home. List your home safely with extensive virtual tours, videos, and live streaming. This is a new era in real estate. Let me design a strategy to meet your real estate needs, surpass your expectations, and assure your health and safety. I am ready to help. Old Town Brokerage 400 South Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 | +1 703 310 6800 ©2020 Sotheby’s International Realty A liates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty A liates LLC. Each O ce Is Independently Owned And Operated. SIR1 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM APRIL 16, 2020 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING PK Move e-book available State legislation allows city to PK Move, a nonprofit that organization leaders hope offers parkour and natural the e-book will help seniors movement programs, is now prevent falls and overcome remove controversial statue offering an electronic book other obstacles that could re- download for seniors over 50, sult in a hospital visit during Gov. Ralph Northam (D- of history involved in this the Confederacy in January, according to a news release. the current public health cri- VA) signed a piece of legis- and there’s a lot of symbol- knowing the legislation had a The e-book, “PK Silver sis, according to the release. lation on Saturday granting ism involved in this. I think good chance of being passed. Forever: Your Parkour Fitness The e-book download localities the authority to for many of our residents Conversations are ongoing, Toolkit (Pandemic Edition),” costs $2.99 and all pro- remove Confederate statues this was a symbol of a battle Wilson said. Because the covers the basic exercises ceeds go to PK Move. Any- and monuments, a power that advanced the slavery of Daughters own the statue from the PK Silver Program one unable to afford the previously held by the state. our fellow residents. I think and the City of Alexandria and is targeted at seniors e-book during this time The legislation direct- for others of our residents, owns the land, a compromise currently at home due to the can email admin@pkmove. ly impacts the Appomat- it symbolizes a history of will need to be agreed upon state-wide stay at home or- org to have the cost waived. tox statue, which sits at the those who died for a cause,” for the statue's ultimate re- der, according to the release. Visit www.pkmove.org to intersection of Prince and Mayor Justin Wilson said. moval and display. Although PK Move has learn more and for a direct South Washington streets City council unani- As for what will replace cancelled classes and in-per- link to download. in Alexandria and has been mously recommended that the statue, Wilson said on- son meetings at this time, [email protected] at the center of an ongoing the Appomattox statue be going concerns about traffic controversy in the city for moved to a lot outside the safety at the intersection years. Lyceum in 2016. The city – a driver crashed into the The Confederate stat- also advocated for state statue in December – means ue, owned by the United authorization to move the the spot might be empty in Daughters of the Confed- statue. This effort was the future. eracy, was built in 1889 to blocked by Republicans in “My guess is that given commemorate those sol- the state legislature, but so many residents also ex- diers who left Union-occu- was revived by Democrats pressed concern just about pied Alexandria and joined after they won majorities the traffic safety aspect the Confederate Army. But in both the Virginia House of that statue, it would be the statue, like many Con- of Delegates and the state unlikely that we would put federate memorials, is also Senate last November. anything in that place,” part of a complex history. The city began a dia- Wilson said. “Obviously, there’s a lot logue with the Daughters of [email protected] Clubhouse at Crest of Alexandria FAIRFAX COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CREST OF ALEXANDRIA CONDOMINIUMS 4-Level Condominiums | 1–2 Bedrooms | 1–2 Bathrooms 5,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with a yoga studio and fitness center | On-site activities coordinator Outdoor kitchen and firepit | Walking trails, parks, gardens, pickleball courts | Pet Friendly CALL 703.268.1265 TODAY TO LEARN MORE! Income and other financial restrictions apply. Must qualify through Fairfax County Affordable Dwelling Unit program. For further questions visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/housing. 6107 Fairview Drive Alexandria, VA 22315 4 |APRIL 16, 2020 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WEEKLY BRIEFING CRIME Health department Alexandria woman arrested in reports four COVID-19 Hawaii for quarantine violation An Alexandria woman As of April 1, any person initiated where they were fatalities in Alexandria was arrested in Hawaii on traveling between any of informed again of the 14- April 10 for disobeying the the Hawaiian Islands is day quarantine order and A little over a month cases in the city continues state’s quarantine orders, also required to self-quar- advised to proceed directly since the Alexandria to increase, a new mod- according to a news release antine. to their accommodations.” Health Department re- el from the University of from the Kauai Police De- Marvin and Schwarze Less than two hours ported the first case of Virginia’s Biocomplexity partment.