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Customers line up out the New over Wilson door for a free hand-crafted drink of their choice at Philz Boulevard Coffee on Wilson Boulevard.

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U.S. Postage U.S. News, Page 3 STD PRSRT Photo by Shirley Ruhe/The Connection Photo February 20-26, 2019 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Black History Month: A Look at African American Art Promoting and preserving a part of history. nervous,” said Kourtney Riles of the exhibit By Marilyn Campbell art history and everyday life. He believed called, “An Examination that his life’s purpose was to use art to heal. of Feminist(s) Subjec- espite his predilection for visual “Art is my emotion. Art is my memories. Art tivity in Modern and arts, Allen Carter, an African is my life. I create the essence,” he once said. Contemporary African DAmerican boy growing up in “He paints poor people, he paints people American Art.” pre-civil rights era Arlington, who are fishing or people who are having Art plays a vital, but might not have been granted entrance into dinner at the table … his work is very vast,” often overlooked role in some the nation’s museums due to segre- said Carter’s daughter, Cecilia Carter. African American his- gation. Still, he persisted, and years later Carter’s exhibit is particularly notewor- tory, not just during he became a lauded artist, distinguished thy to some African-American art histori- Black History Month, teacher and mentor to underprivileged chil- ans who point to a recent study showing but all year long, ad- dren. And in February — African American that just 2.4 percent of all acquisitions and vises Angela Black, who History Month — his work is being shown gifts and 7.6 percent of all exhibitions at has taught art history. in an exhibit, “Big Al Carter: A Retrospec- 30 prominent American museums have “Art is a way of preserv- tive,” at the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art. been of work by African American artists. President of Fred Schnider Investment Group, LLC ing our history,” she While his work is part of the permanent col- The recent Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Founder of the Fred Schnider Gallery of Art, said. “It tells our story lections of both the Smithsonian Institution Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey of Marty Schnider with Allen “Big Al” Carter’s daugh- and we need more pro- and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, this is the 181 art museums in North America found ters, Cecilia Carter (left) and Flora O. Stone (right) fessionally trained art- first exhibit of Carter’s work in the Wash- that African Americans are greatly under- ists who can do that.” ington, D.C area since his death in 2008. represented in mainstream art museums as tistic talents and we need more students to Carter’s exhibit, which features rarely “Big Al’s family has given us an incred- directors, curators, conservators and edu- take chance on a non-mainstream career seen artwork from his daughters’ private ible gift by sharing his art, allowing us to cators. Those who study African American and pursue jobs in museum administration. collection, runs through March 3 at the Fred continue to reflect on his life, his art and art say that solving this dilemma requires a In order to make any changes, we need to Schnider Gallery of Art, 888 N. Quincy his message for future generations,” said year-round approach. have a seat at the table.” Street, Arlington. Several pieces will be Marty Schnider, president of Fred Schnider “We can’t just focus on it during Black One such aspiring decision maker is re- available for sale. Investment Group and founder of Fred History Month,” said African American art cent a George Mason University graduate “The exhibit and his work reflect every- Schnider Gallery of Art. historian Crystal Johnson, Ph.D. “These two who landed a position as the co-curator of thing that he’s been through, what he’s seen, As a painter, printmaker, sculptor and statistics go to hand-in-hand and prove an exhibit at Howard University. “I’d worked and what other people have been through muralist, Carter, also known as “Big Al” what we already know. We need more Afri- with an exhibition, but I’ve never had the and seen,” said Big Al’s daughter Flora O. drew inspiration from his life experiences, can American students to explore their ar- chance to curate before. I was excited and Stone, Carter’s daughter.

2 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection Editor Steven Mauren News 703-778-9415 or [email protected]

Workers spent hours cutting steel on the bottom of the bridge, as it hovered over the pier.

Over Wilson Boulevard Photos by David R. Moss The Ballston Quarter pedestrian bridge was moved into place on Saturday, Feb. 16, Spectators watch the spanning Wilson Boulevard. More photos, see www.davidmossphoto.com. final placement. Finding Inspiration through Eyes of an Artist Teresa Carandang The Connection

rlington artist Sandi Parker plays with a range of themes from im- “Friendly pressionistic interpretations of A Rivals” seascapes, landscapes and cityscapes to her vibrant acrylic abstracts. Her paintings have won awards and she has participated in juried shows around Vir- ginia, including the Art League at the Tor- pedo Factory. Her “Ohio Sunset” showed a sunset fading into dusk with trees silhou- of Gallery Underground and etted against it. This perspective won first Gallery Clarendon. Aside from prize at last year’s “Power of Nature” ex- staging the monthly exhibits, Photos by Teresa Carandang/The Connection hibit at Gallery Underground that was juried she also organizes receptions Sandi Parker with her artwork by the DC artist Lilian Thomas Burwell. for both galleries. Gallery Un- Two of Parker’s abstract paintings, Manet, Parker painted places she loves from two swimmers from derground has a first Friday re- “Energie Violette I” and “Energie Violette colorful gardens to the calm waters of the competing schools ception while Gallery II” were specially commissioned by the Crys- sea. A decade later, she embarked on a new are seen shaking Clarendon is on the second Fri- tal City Business Improvement District phase by taking a class on abstract art from hands after a race is day of each month. This is part (BID) as part of its Art Walls initiative. Her local artist Bud Hensgen. For Parker, her on display at Gallery of the Arlington Artists Alliance 10x10 inch paintings were enlarged to abstracts are “all about color and texture,” Clarendon until the goal to bring “local art more ac- 10x10 feet. They are now displayed in Crys- how she likes to experiment with different end of the February. cessible to the community.” tal City as part of the Wall Art program. textures, using hardware tools and adding Parker is also a Photo by Sandi Parker Parker is one of the many art- Parker took art classes in high school and “thick layers of paint.” supporter of the Ar- “Ohio Sunset” ists who has a studio at Crystal college where she mostly did pen and ink Inspired by her children who played a lot lington community. City’s Gallery Underground. drawings. In 2000, she studied oil painting of sports, Parker also created sports-themed While her children were still studying in Her next goal is to paint some cityscapes. under Jane McElvany Coonce, a long-time paintings, resulting in a solo show Arlington, she received an award for her She loves street art and finds ideas walking art instructor at the Arlington County Adult inMOTION which featured 20 paintings of volunteer work for Arlington schools. To- around the streets of Richmond and New Education program and a founding mem- Arlington High School athletes where she day she is immersed in supporting York City when she visits her children. ber of the Arlington Artist’s Alliance. tried her best to “capture action, drama, and Arlington’s artistic community. Previously She also has a jewelry line called Through what she learned from class and touching interaction between players and a board member of the Arlington Artists SandiSea Designs, making jewelry from sea inspired by her favorite painters Monet and coaches.” Her painting “Friendly Rivals” of Alliance, she is now the managing director glass and pottery shards from the sea. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 3 Opinion ArlingtonThe Connection

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Be Part of the Pet Connection @ArlConnection he Pet Connection, a twice-yearly adopt your pet, or examples of amazing feats identify everyone in the photo, give a brief An independent, locally owned weekly special edition, will publish the last of your creatures. description what is happening in the photo, newspaper delivered week of February, and photos and Do you volunteer at an animal shelter or and include address and phone number (we to homes and businesses. T Published by stories of your pets with you and therapeutic riding center or take your pet to will not publish your address or phone num- Local Media Connection LLC your family should be submitted by Friday, Feb. visit people in a nursing home? Does your busi- ber, just your town name). 22. ness have a managing pet? Is your business Email to 1606 King Street We invite you to send stories about your pets, about pets? Have you helped to train an assis- [email protected] or submit Alexandria, Virginia 22314 photos of you and your family with your cats, tance dog? Do you or someone in your family online at www.connectionnewspapers.com/ dogs, llamas, alpacas, ponies, depend on an assistance dog? pets. Free digital edition delivered to your email box. Go to Editorial hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, Or take this opportunity to memorialize a For advertising information, email connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe rabbits, or whatever other crea- beloved pet you have lost. [email protected] or call 703- tures share your life with you. Just a cute photo is fine too. Our favorite 778-9431. Tell us the story of a special bond between a pictures include both pets and humans. — Mary Kimm NEWS DEPARTMENT: child and a dog, the story of how you came to Please tell us a little bit about your creature, [email protected] [email protected] Letters to the Editor Steven Mauren Editor health workers and other professionals estab- hood and become community leaders. By the 703-778-9415 [email protected] Return to lished an array of resilient neighborhood in- time the Civil War commenced, Jones’ farm stitutions. Several survive to this day. consisted of seventeen acres, twelve of which Jean Card Green Valley? had been cleared for cultivation. Jones’ prop- Production Editor To the Editor: Green Valley’s Origin erty eventually became the southern extension [email protected] The following is an open letter to the residents of In 1719, John Todd and Evan Thomas re- of the Green Valley community. In the early Shirley Ruhe Nauck. ceived a land grant within the area that is now stages of the community’s development Jones’ Residents of the Nauck community would Contributing Photographer referred to as the Nauck neighborhood. Rob- home served as a school, a church and a meet- like to rename our community “Green Valley.” and Writer ert Alexander later acquired the land. In 1778, ing house. [email protected] For unknown reasons, the county made a de- Alexander sold his property to John Parke Throughout the decades before and after the cision to officially change or refer to our com- Custis, whereupon the land became part of Civil War, the Jones family expanded their Eden Brown munity as “Nauck” and drop “Green Valley” Contributing Writer Custis’ Abingdon estate. During the mid-1800s, farm, sold land to fellow African Americans to many years ago. [email protected] Gustavus Brown Alexander owned much of the help create the Green Valley neighborhood, and area that became Nauck, which at the time was became community leaders. By 1900 this The Present Nauck Community called Green Valley. It has been stated that it is neighborhood in eastern Arlington County be- ADVERTISING: The Nauck Community — bordered by Army- doubtful that any of the early settlers of North- came the largest black community in terms of For advertising information Navy Country Club, Four Mile Run, South [email protected] ern Virginia made a more significant and large- both geography and population. This large 703-778-9431 Walter Reed Drive and South 16th Road — scale contribution to the development of Ar- population supported both a church and school features African-American roots that predate lington and have received less credit and rec- within the community. The early strength of Debbie Funk the Civil War. Records from the 1840s show ognition for it than the Fraziers of the Green Green Valley was due, in large part, to the pres- Display Advertising/National Sales that free blacks like Levi and Sarah Ann Jones Valley Estate. Anthony Frazier built Green Val- ence of the Jones family who actively sold land 703-778-9444 [email protected] bought land, built homes and sometimes found ley Manor in 1821 on what is now the Army- to fellow African Americans. After the war neighbors by selling portions of their lots. Navy Club. William Frazier, Jr. acquired from ended in 1865, Thornton and Selina Gray, an A surge of growth came with the start of the David Griffin the Alexander family several hundred acres of African American couple that had earlier been Marketing Assistant 20th century when an influx of former slaves ground straddling lower Long Branch, a tribu- slaves at Arlington House, purchased a small 703-778-9431 arrived as the federal government shuttered tary of Four Mile Run. The lands were known piece of property in the area in 1867. [email protected] its nearby Freedman’s Village. as Green Valley, perhaps named for James In the 1970s the community started to be- Classified & Employment Faced with encroaching segregation, Green Green, who lived on the land near the present come heavily referred to by “official Arlington” Valley residents became self-sustaining as en- Advertising location of the clubhouse at the Army-Navy as Nauck, rather than what it was commonly 703-778-9431 trepreneurs, educators, religious leaders, Country Club.. known as. It then raises the question why was Green Valley Manor was cited in the floor of it still commonly referred to as “Green Valley” Editor & Publisher a valley about a hundred yards from Long when it was recorded in Alexandria County in Mary Kimm Branch The estate included what are now the 1885 as “Nauck?” Was the new Arlington [email protected] Oakridge Elementary School, the Gunston County, started in 1920 bound by recordings @MaryKimm Middle School, Shirley Park, and Arna Valley of Alexandria County? If they were not bound, Executive Vice President

Photo by Michael McMorrow/The Connection (Avalon), as well as land from Pentagon City why did they continue to refer to it as Green Jerry Vernon and the River House almost to the banks of Valley for the first 50 years of its existence 703-549-0004 Four Mile Run. (1920-1970)? Was it because John D, Nauck [email protected] The Frazier properties were extensively oc- was a former Confederate Army soldier and cupied and used by the Union Army through- the Green Valley Manor was extensively occu- Editor in Chief out the Civil War. In 1924 Green Valley Manor pied and used throughout most of the Civil War Steven Mauren Art/Design: was destroyed by fire, originating from causes by the Union Army? Laurence Foong, John Heinly, that have never been conclusively established. During 1874-1875, John D. Nauck, a former Ali Khaligh This may be a hint to why the Green Valley Confederate Army soldier who had immigrated Production Manager: name was dropped and Nauck established. from Germany, purchased parcels of land in Geovani Flores African Americans began to purchase prop- South Arlington (some 30 years after Levi and erty and settle in the Green Valley area during Sarah Ann Jones) and began subdividing it. CIRCULATION that period. Among the early African Ameri- Prior to that time the areas was known as [email protected] can property owners were Levi and Sarah Ann Green Valley. Some articles state he purchased Jones. In 1844 Levi and Sarah Ann purchased 69 parcels (acres) and others state he pur- 14 acres of land in eastern Arlington along Four chased 46 parcels (acres). John Nauck held at Mile Run with a down payment of $200 and least one political office in the area, lived on an additional $235 to be paid over a period of his property and subdivided and sold the re- five years. Throughout the decades before and mainder. During the post-war period, the area Where Is It? after the Civil War, the Jones family expanded attracted several African American families See page 11 for the answer. their farm, sold land to fellow African Ameri- residing in Freedman’s Village and other loca cans to help create the Green Valley neighbor- See Letters, Page 10 4 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Philz Coffee opens its first store in Virginia. New at Ballston Exchange

By Shirley Ruhe By Shirley Ruhe/The Connection The Connection

arge or small? Light, medium or Lcreamy?” The barista at Philz Cof- fee on Wilson Boulevard stretches two fingers to show how much milk each represents in a cup of the hand-crafted cof- fee.“ Philz opened its first Virginia store on Feb. 7 and handed out free coffee plus tastes of avocado toast and labneh toast on Valentine’s Day. A line of customers stares at the black- Chris Knight, center, describes board, listing specialties with names like himself as the one-man opening Silken Splendor, Ether, Canopy of Heaven. team for Philz Coffee around the The line has been 20 strong starting at the country. door and extending the length of the counter since 8:30 a.m. ally people start out with the familiar and Chris Knight who describes himself as part then start to explore new drinks. of the opening team, “well, the one-man Knight says he travels around the coun- opening team,” said, “We start with black try opening Philz Coffee locations. He has coffee and then make it to your taste. We just come from Bethesda where they opened are known for our personalized approach.” a store last month. “I’m a wanderer. Actu- He says the two most popular coffee choices ally I grew up in the LA and live in San Fran- by far have been the Tesora, which is a com- cisco. I’ll spend the summer in Chicago.” bination of caramel, nuts and butter, and Knight says it takes about two and a half the iced Mint Mojito, “even in winter. You months to open a store from the lease sign- have a lot of iced drinkers here.” ing. “The building permits usually take the Knight says tasting the coffee drinks is longest.” similar to wine. For instance, the Philhar- He said, “We heard a lot of great things monic is a medium roast “with an earthy about the Ballston Exchange area. It feels undertone and then the cardamom spice we the same here as the DC locations, but dif- add kicks in at the end.” Knight says usu- ferent. It’s friendlier.” Knight said.

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 5 Entertainment

Submit entertainment announcements with Bill Beverly, author of Dodgers, at www.connectionnewspapers.com/Cal- a dark, coming-of-age journey.. Visit endar/. The deadline is noon on Friday. www.onemorepagebooks.com. Photos/artwork encouraged. Live Comedy: Carlos Mencia. 7:30 p.m. at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike. In ONGOING the past couple years, Carlos Mencia Exhibition: ARTECH. Through Feb. has chosen to go back to his comedic 24, at The Barry Gallery, in the Photo by Steve Hibbard/The Connection roots, performing at a number of Reinsch Library at Marymount comedy stores throughout the University, 2807 North Glebe Road, country – allowing him to share his Arlington. Featuring multi-media newest material with smaller and works by Susan Eder, Alexis Gomez, more intimate audiences. $30-$35. and Jonathan Monaghan. The Visit ArlingtonDrafthouse.com. exhibition focuses on the advancements of modern day FRIDAY/FEB. 22 technology, its influence on the world, and the ways it can be Live Comedy: Carlos Mencia. 7:30 incorporated into the creation of and 10 p.m. at Arlington Cinema & artwork. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.- Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike. In 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 the past couple years, Carlos Mencia p.m. Admission is free. has chosen to go back to his comedic “Cyrano.” Through March 10, at roots, performing at a number of Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., comedy stores throughout the Arlington. Directed by Vato country – allowing him to share his Tsikurishvili and based on the play newest material with smaller and by Edmond Rostand. A brilliant poet more intimate audiences. $30-$35. and soldier, Cyrano de Bergerac Visit ArlingtonDrafthouse.com. apparently has it all – except the The cast of Encore’s production of “Robin Hood” in rehearsal. confidence to win the heart of his FRIDAY-SATURDAY/FEB. 22-23 beloved Roxane. Lacking traditional good looks and the ability to truly “fit Darwin and his Fabulous Orchids. in,” Cyrano partners with his Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 6:30 handsome friend Christian, also in and 7:30 p.m. At David M. Brown Encore Stages ‘Robin Hood’ Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy St., love with Roxane but lacking Cyrano’s way with words. Together, Arlington. Aesthetic, unique, and the two make a formidable suitor as said the St. Ann’s seventh-grader. “She’s very silly intriguing, this introduction to the Cyrano expresses his true feelings for Classic tale of a bandit and goofy and I’ve never really played a character largest and most varied family of plants and to the research carried out Roxane in the only we he feels he can like that. Not only is it hard to get the comedic – through love letters apparently who robs from the rich to by Charles Darwin is an intense, but written by Christian. Synetic Theater effect on the lines, it’s hard not to break out laugh- also entertaining experience. Never will apply their unique physical ing doing it,” she said. look at orchids the same way again. Sponsored by Friends of the storytelling and a stylistic twist to give to the poor in Merry Sam Regardie, 13, of Washington, D.C., plays this commedia-inspired wordless Planetarium. Visit adaptation of Cyrano. Tickets are $20 Will Scarlet, one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men. “It friendsoftheplanetarium.org. and can be purchased online at Old England. was really challenging for me to learn stage com- www.synetictheater.org or via phone By Steve Hibbard bat and fighting with other people because I have FRIDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 22-24 at 866-811-4111. The Connection Convergence: Works by AAC’s not done much of that before,” said the Washing- “Robin Hood.” Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Resident Artists. Through March ton-Latin School eighth-grader. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 3 p.m. at Gunston Arts 10, gallery hours at Arlington Arts With a cast of 26 child actors, ages 9-18, En- Quinn Sumerlin, 14, of Arlington plays Maid Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Featuring Center – Theatre One, 2700 S. Lang a diverse selection of works by AAC’s core Stage & Studio of Arlington is presenting Marian. “She’s a dreamer but she’s had a rough St. Arlington. Presented by Encore twelve resident artists, this exhibition “Robin Hood” from Feb. 22 to March 3, at Gunston life. She’s having to marry this guy who she does Stage & Studio – Theatre by Kids, for Kids. Robin Hood and his merry men examines the current trajectories of Arts Center – Theatre One. not like. She still finds hope and happiness and individual artists, while embodying are on a mission to help by taking the creative dialogue that According to Artistic Director Susan Keady: “The still believes in love,” said the H.B. Woodlawn from the rich and giving back to the characterizes AAC’s residency show is about Merry Old England during the Dark ninth-grader. “I think she’s a very emotional char- poor. Tickets are $15/adults; $12/ children, students, military and program. Visit Ages and Robin Hood is a thief, a bandit who robs acter and a few people she’s close to die and she arlingtonartscenter.org for more. seniors. Visit www.encorestage.org or from the rich to give to the poor. The kingdom is has some very emotional lines which are hard to call the box office at 703-548-1154. ruled by King Richard who is away travelling and take seriously when you’re a ninth-grader. Also, I WEDNESDAY/FEB. 20 in his place his brother, Prince John, is doing a talk really fast so having to slow down is a chal- FEB. 22-27 Sustainable Landscaping: Selecting Native Plants. 7-8:30 terrible job in taxing the citizens and going against lenge,” she said. Lions Club Charity Fundraiser. At p.m. At Columbia Pike Branch all the good will that King Richard has created.” Isa Paley, 14, of Arlington plays the role of Overlee Pool, Bath House - Lower Level, 6030 Lee Highway, Arlington. Library, 816 South Walter Reed She continued: “Robin Hood, who is from the Salome. “She has been raised in riches and spoiled, Drive, Arlington. There’s a palette of Fresh citrus, pecans, and maple syrup plants that is just right and that will Sherwood Forest region, ends up gathering a band but she’s very dim and she’s not entirely aware of for sale. Sponsored by the Northwest thrive in any site’s conditions. Learn of Merry Men, all of whom are thieves, and de- the world around her, but she does pick up on Arlington Lions Club/Charities. Hours are Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; how to select appropriate plants for a fending the poor people. On all the state high- little things. She’s funny and doesn’t have the best site, what is meant by a native plant Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, versus a cultivar, and some best ways, they steal from the caravans and distribute social cues,” said the Wakefield High ninth-grader. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Monday, 9 management practices for installation to the poor.” Oliver Meek, 13, of Arlington plays the role of a.m.-4 p.m.; and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Wednesday, 8 a.m.-2:30 and maintenance of planting bed “I want the audiences to have a sense of the Little John, another follower of Robin Hood and designs. Free. Advance registration p.m. Call 703-528-1130. requested at mgnv.org. Call 703-228- culture and the time in which the play is set — his Merry Men Band. “He’s a funny guy and has 6414 or email [email protected]. through the fights, stage combat, dancing, the an ironic name because he’s not actually little,” FEB. 22-MARCH 8 sense of right and wrong, good versus evil and said the Swanson Middle School eighth-grader. He “She Kills Monsters.” At Mount THURSDAY/FEB. 21 good triumphs over evil, and that history can be said the challenge was finding his character’s spe- Olivet United Methodist Church, Talk on Hillwood Estate’s Garden. really great,” said Keady, who is also the director. cialty. “Each character has a different shtick and 1500 North Glebe Road, Arlington. Show times are Fridays, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. At Little Falls Presbyterian She said that 122 youths auditioned for the show. every character’s personality works together and Church, 6026 Little Falls Road, March 1 and 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Lower Level Friendship Hall, Xander Tilock, 14, of Falls Church plays the title it makes an amazing show.” Saturdays, Feb. 23, March 2 and 9 at Arlington. Sponsored by Rock Spring role of Robin Hood. “Robin Hood is a very adven- 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Written by Qui Nguyen, this Garden Club, Hillwood’s turous character with lots of charisma and deter- Founded in 1967, Encore Stage & Studio (“The- Horticulturist and Garden Manager, comic romp captures the power of Drew Asbury, will speak about the mination to do the right thing and assist the people atre by kids, for kids”) is presenting “Robin Hood” role-playing fantasy games to Hillwood Estate’s cutting garden and through difficult times,” said the Justice High from Feb. 22 to March 3. Show times are Fridays, catapult us from hum-drum lives into worlds of infinite possibilities. Cost is adding cut flowers to a garden’s School ninth-grader. Feb. 22 and March 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. plantings. Club meeting begins at 10 $13/adult; $7/child. Donations will a.m. Optional lunch available after “Some challenges were piecing together the 23 and March 2, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Sun- be taken to support the youth the program with small donation. stage combat, character acting and interacting days, Feb. 24 and March 3, at 3 p.m. The venue is summer mission trips. Visit the website: http:// Visit www.rockspringgardenclub.com with other characters all together, but in the end, located at Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One, 2700 or email mountolivetumc.com/youthplay/. [email protected]. our amazing team accomplished this,” he said. S. Lang St., Arlington. Tickets are $15/adults, $12/ Mystery Writers. 7 p.m. At One More Maggie Donnelly, 13, of Arlington plays the wife children, students, military, and seniors. Tickets are SATURDAY/FEB. 23 Page Books, 2200 Westmoreland St., to the Sheriff of Nottingham. “I am a goofy woman available at www.encorestage.org or by calling 703- Arlington. David Swinson, in Black History Month: Stories and celebration of his detective thriller, who likes to have fun and likes to shop in France,” 548-1154. Quilting. 1-2 p.m. At Columbia Pike Trigger, David will be in conversation Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington. Visit 6 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Calendar

library.arlingtonva.us/locations/ columbia-pike-branch-library/ for more. Feel the Heritage Festival. 1-6 p.m. At Charles Drew Community Center, 3500 23rd St., South, Arlington. Wide variety of live entertainment – from Gospel music to African drumming/dancing. Artisan vendors will offer products ranging from bath and beauty to clothing and handcrafted jewelry. Non-profit and community organizations will display information about programs available to Arlington residents. Free dental screenings. 2-6 p.m. Sweet Home Café Chef Jerome Grant to judge Best Soul Food cook-off entries. The festival welcomes local residents each year to learn about the historically African-American neighborhoods while enjoying live entertainment, delicious food and dozens of vendors. Other offerings will include face painting, balloon art and giant games – checkers, chess and Chinese checkers. Visit the website www.parks.arlingtonva.us/feel-the- heritage-festival or call 703-228- 3329. Author M.K. England. 3 p.m. At One More Page Books, 2200 Westmoreland St., Arlington. England will discuss her YA sci-fi adventure, The Disasters. The Breakfast Club meets Guardians of the Galaxy when hotshot pilot Nax Hall is framed for a terrorist attack on the elite Ellis Station Academy, from which he’s just been expelled. Visit www.onemorepagebooks.com. Black History Month Sing-a-long. 3-4 p.m. At Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington. Visit library.arlingtonva.us/locations/ columbia-pike-branch-library/ for more. Jane Franklin Dance’s Border. 5:15 p.m. At Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St., NE, Washington, D.C. Experiences and perspective on bias told through personal stories, movement and visual art. Featuring Emily Crews, Carrie Monger, Kelsey Rohr, Amy Scaringe, Brynna Shank, Rebecca Weiss with Ken Hays and Richard Nyman. $25. Visit www.atlasarts.org/events/border/ or call 202-399-7993, ext. 2. Family Skate Nights. 6:30-9 p.m. At Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd St., South, Arlington. Time to add roller skating to the calendar of weekend evening fun. Enjoy a live DJ, moon bounce and fun on wheels. The cafe will be open for snacks./ $2 per person; skate rental is $3. This is a cash only event. The Arlington Chorale. 7:30-9 pm. At Westover Baptist Church, 1125 Patrick Henry Drive, Arlington. Join The Arlington Chorale for “Light in the Darkness” – a diverse selection of songs to warm the soul and lighten the spirit. Free with donations

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Talk on Urban Agriculture. 6:30- She Kills Monsters 8:30 p.m. at Westover Branch This is a play by Qui Nguyen. Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington. Discussion on Urban Comic romp captures the power Agriculture - “Grow What You Eat: of role-playing fantasy games Starting Your Own Vegetable to catapult us from hum-drum Garden.” Learn easy-to-implement lives into worlds of infinite practices for selecting a site, and possibilities. Free. Donations evaluating and improving soil. Find will be taken to support the out which plants grow best locally, youth summer mission trips. which are best planted directly via Show times are Fridays, seeds and which are typically Feb. 22, March 1 and 8 at transplanted as seedlings. Discover 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. how to attract pollinators and other 23, March 2 and 9 at 7:30 beneficial insects. Learn to identify p.m.; and Sunday, March 10 and manage pests, weeds and at 2 p.m. Cost is $13/adult; diseases. Get free seeds and a $7/child. At Mount Olivet vegetable garden calendar United Methodist Church, 1500 customized for the region. Free. North Glebe Road, Arlington. Visit Advance registration requested at mountolivetumc.com/youthplay for mgnv.org. Call 703-228-6414 or more. email [email protected].

accepted. Visit arlingtonchorale.org/. nature center to practice poses WEDNESDAY/FEB. 27 Determined to Rise: Women’s representing the plants and animals Crescendo Chamber Music Historical Activism for Equal found, then end with a short Concert. 7:30 p.m. at Wakefield Rights. 7-8:30 p.m. At Arlington relaxation. No prior experience High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St., Public Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., needed, bring a yoga mat if possible, Arlington. Don’t miss the young Arlington. Visit but not required. Ages 7-10. $5. string players of the Crescendo library.arlingtonva.us/locations/ Register at registration.arlingtonva.us program at its winter chamber music central-library/ for more. using #622929-C. concert. Live Comedy: Carlos Mencia. 7 and Natural Selection. 1:30 p.m. At David 9:30 p.m. at Arlington Cinema & M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike. In Quincy St., Arlington. This screening THURSDAY/FEB. 28 the past couple years, Carlos Mencia of “Natural Selection” celebrates the Alliance For Housing Solutions. has chosen to go back to his comedic landmark publication of “On the 5:30-7 p.m. At 3100 Clarendon Blvd., roots, performing at a number of Origin of Species” and the Suite 200, Arlington. Come enjoy comedy stores throughout the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. drinks, networking, and an informal country – allowing him to share his Join Darwin on his voyage with the conversation about affordable newest material with smaller and HMS Beagle to the Galapagos Islands housing with Arlington County Board more intimate audiences. $30-$35. where he was inspired to develop his Chair, Christian Dorsey. Remarks Visit ArlingtonDrafthouse.com. later theory of transmutation by from Christian at 6 p.m. This free natural selection. From the comfort event is open to anyone interested in of Down House in Kent, Darwin housing affordability in the SATURDAY-SUNDAY/FEB. 23-24 himself will explain the mechanism community. RSVPs are not required Spoon, Toons & Booze Rocks! Noon of natural selection to the audience, but will help in planning. Email the at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, and support it by showing many name(s) of those attending to 2903 Columbia beautiful examples in nature. The ahstaff@allianceforhousingsolutions. Pike, thrill of a scientific discovery, the Arlington. Live adventure of science and the beauty out rock n’ roll of nature are central in this show. FEB. 27-MARCH 5 fantasies at Sponsored by Friends of the Lions Club Charity Fundraiser. At Spoons, Toons Planetarium. Visit Overlee Pool, Bath House - Lower & Booze Rocks! friendsoftheplanetarium.org. Level, 6030 Lee Highway, Arlington. Favorite Celestial Navigation. 2:15 p.m. At Fresh citrus, pecans, and maple syrup Saturday David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 for sale. Sponsored by the Northwest morning and N. Quincy St., Arlington. How to get Arlington Lions Club/Charities. weekday from here to there? Darwin’s theory Hours are Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; afternoon of evolution has its roots in his Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, cartoons on the voyage on the HMS Beagle, on which 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Monday, 9 big screen plus he spent five years as the naturalist. a.m.-4 p.m.; and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4 a special menu Explore storm glasses and sextants, p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. of episodes the 19th century technology that Call 703-528-1130. featuring rock brought Darwin and his specimens stars, band safely home. Sponsored by Friends of breakups, the Planetarium. Visit FRIDAY/MARCH 1 musical friendsoftheplanetarium.org. Jurassic Adventure Family Night. numbers, band Cell. Cell. Cell. 3 p.m. At David M. 6-8 p.m. At the Arlington Mill parodies, Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy Community and Senior Center, 909 battles of the St., Arlington. This is the story of the S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington. Step bands, some trillions of cells that form human back in time to when dinosaurs bodacious bodies, from the beginning as a roamed the earth at Arlington Mill shredding from single cell to the complexity of a Community & Senior Center. Family an animated whole body. Join Raj and Sooki on a Nights @ The Mill are free drop-in Bill & Ted and totally ex-CELL-ent immersive programs for families that take place maybe journey. Get shrunk down by the on the first Friday of every month. something Shrink-a-tron, go back in time with Enjoy fun dinosaur games, make your that’s truly, the Retroscope and see an exploded own dinosaur mask and test your truly, truly view of all the body systems courtesy skills at our dinosaur egg scavenger outrageous. of the Cell-o-tron. Sponsored by hunt. Jurassic times call for Jurassic Hosted by Friends of the Planetarium. Visit measures. Visit parks.arlingtonva.us/ SecretFormula’s friendsoftheplanetarium.org. locations/arlington-mill-community- cartoon and center/. cereal experts Family Fun Night-For Individuals Michael Austin MONDAY/FEB. 25 with Disabilities. 6:30-8 p.m. At and Nell Casey. The Embattled Vote in America. 3- Langston-Brown Community Center, Cost is $15. 4:30 p.m. At Arlington Central 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington. Visit Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Families of children with disabilities ArlingtonDrafthouse.com. Arlington. Encore Learning will ages 4-17 can drop by Langston- present a lecture on “The Embattled Brown Community Center. No pre- Vote in America: From the Founding registration is required during this SUNDAY/FEB. 24 to the Present.” Allan J. Lichtman drop-in event. Families will be Yoga at Long will discuss his newest book about immersed into a monthly theme Branch. 10- past and current battles to secure the featuring various therapeutic activity 10:45 a.m. at right to vote. His book details the stations including gross motor, Long Branch founders’ failure to provide federal sensory, art, large games, a quiet Nature Center, protection for the conduct of room and more! $2 per person. Visit 625 S. Carlin elections. This has led to ongoing parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/ Springs Road. battles between political parties to langston-brown-community-center- Start with a structure local election laws to gain park. fun short walk, political advantage. Call Encore return to the Learning at 703-228-2144. 8 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Calendar

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 1-3 “Robin Hood.” Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 3 p.m. at Gunston Arts Center – Theatre One, 2700 S. Lang St. Arlington. Presented by Encore Stage & Studio – Theatre by Kids, for Kids. Robin Hood and his merry men are on a mission to help by taking from the rich and giving back to the poor. Tickets are $15/adults; $12/ children, students, military and seniors. Visit www.encorestage.org or call the box office at 703-548-1154.

SATURDAY/MARCH 2 Fort C.F. Smith Park Walking Tour. 9-10 a.m. At C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington. Free. Fort C.F. Smith was one of the last Union forts built to protect Washington during the Civil War. Learn about the park’s history, the role of the fort and the soldiers stationed there in the Civil War. Dress for the weather. Terrain will be uneven and possibly muddy. Call 703-228-4775. Turtle First Aid. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. At Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington. Join rehabilitators and vets in this six- hour class to learn the basics of care for rescued local turtles. Morning session: Turtle Care Intro covers natural history, diet, housing, common illnesses and injuries, and how to help wild turtles. Afternoon session: Turtle First Aid with veterinarians on how to recognize and handle a variety of issues with sick and injured turtles. They’ll also do hands-on diagnosing with live turtles. $35. To register go to wildliferescueleague.org. Bring snacks and lunch. Teens ages 15 and up are welcomed, but must be accompanied by a registered adult. Call 703-228-6535. Plot Against Hunger Spring Garden Kick-Off. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. Learn how to support Arlington Food Assistance Center with fresh produce from a home garden or community plot. There will be presentations on seed starting, composting, and lasagna and container gardening; exhibit tables on winter gardening and edible landscapes; and demonstrations of fruit tree pruning. Also free vegetable and herb seeds. Free. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Call 703-228-6414 or email [email protected]. Fort Ethan Allen Park Walking Tour. 12-12:45 p.m. At Fort Ethan Park, 3829 N. Stafford St., Arlington. Free. Fort Ethan Allen was built by the Union Army in September 1861 to command the approach to Chain Bridge and has the most extensive remaining features of any Civil War fort in Arlington. Explore the earthworks and discuss how and why the fort was built. Dress for the weather. Terrain will be uneven and possibly muddy. Call 703-228-4775. Family Skate Nights. 6:30-9 p.m. At Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd St., South, Arlington. Time to add roller skating to the calendar of weekend evening fun. Enjoy a live DJ, moon bounce and fun on wheels. The cafe will be open for snacks./ $2 per person; skate rental is $3. This is a cash only event.

TUESDAY/MARCH 5 Lecture Series: Intelligence. 11- 11:45 a.m. At DEA Museum & Visitor’s Center, 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington. Free. Take a peek into the inner workings of the Drug Enforcement Administration in this 2019 lecture series “Who We Are and What We Do.” Panel discussion with four members of the Intelligence staff. Visit www.deamuseum.org/ lecture-series/2019. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 9 Letters

From Page 4 income housing community for African Americans tions. In 1876, William Augustus Rowe, an African in Green Valley. The government built this afford- American who lived in Freedman’s Village and was able housing project on a parcel of land at Kemper elected to a number of political positions, was among Road and Shirlington Road that Levi Jones and his those who purchased property in the area during family had once owned. Meanwhile, construction that period. Green Valley grew slowly during the late of The Pentagon and its surrounding roads during 19th century. Again it raises the question, why their the war destroyed several older African American names were not considered? communities. Some of those communities’ displaced In 1874, a congregation initially organized in residents relocated to Green Valley, thus stimulat- Freedman’s Village purchased land in the area on ing the neighborhood’s development and increas- which to relocate a building containing an African ing its African American population. By 1952, few Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, (the Lomax A.M.E. blocks in Green Valley were still vacant. Others were Zion Church). The church’s building housed a pub- built nearly to capacity. The neighborhood contin- lic school that was later known as the Kemper School. ued to develop during the remainder of the 20th In 1885, the Alexandria County school board built a century along the lines established many years ear- one-room school nearby. The board constructed a lier. In 2013, the Arlington County Board designated new two-story brick school in 1893 on South Lin- the Green Valley Pharmacy in Nauck as a local his- coln Street. The Arlington County school board later toric district. Not only did many of the businesses replaced that building with a larger facility that now carry the surname Green Valley, e.g., Green Valley contains the Drew Model Elementary School. Carryout, Green Valley Blacksox, Green Valley Park, While the Nauck community’s origins predate the etc., but it was identified as that by most areas of Civil War and John D. Nauck, African American fami- the DMV until its present identification as Nauck. lies like the Jones family formed a seed for the fu- Additionally, the buses and streetcars before them ture, the community’s growth, particularly the first ran from their terminus in Rosslyn to its terminus in half — of the 20th century was fed by migration. In Green Valley, only extending to Shirlington after its particular, Green Valley became a station on a mi- extension of Seminary Road. gration that traces to the end of the Civil War and the establishment of Freedman’s Village in Arling- Rationale for Change ton following the Emancipation Proclamation in William Frazier, Jr. acquired from the Alexander 1863. family several hundred acres of ground straddling From its earliest days and throughout most — and lower Long Branch, a tributary of Four Mile Run. particularly the first half — of the 20th century, The lands were known as Green Valley, perhaps Green Valley and other African American communi- named for James Green, who lived on the land near ties were largely excluded from full participation in the present location of the clubhouse at the Army- mainstream American political and social life and Navy Country Club. From that time, then a part of commerce. As a result, communities had to “do for Alexandria County, through the establishment of themselves.” They made their own institutions, and Arlington County until circa 1970 the area was re- they did their best to provide services for themselves ferred to and known as Green Valley. In the 1970s and their neighbors. They also made their own fun. the three areas where most of its African American Community churches facilitated many of these ac- population was residing, underwent a name change, tivities. i.e., Green Valley became Nauck, Halls Hill became However, the 1902 Virginia Constitution, which High View Park and Johnson Hill became Arlington established racial segregation throughout the state View without the knowledge of the residents as to and restricted the rights of African Americans, why. It was under the name of Green Valley that its stopped the neighborhood’s expansion. African pioneers — surviving Jim Crow Laws, black codes, American property owners continued to subdivide lacking financial backing, becoming economically their lands to accommodate more people, but independent, educating themselves and their chil- Nauck’s boundaries largely remained unchanged. dren, fighting for freedom’ and remembering from During World War II, the federal government con- whence they came — served as an inspiration to all structed Paul Lawrence Dunbar Homes, an 11 acres to celebrate and continue sharing past and present, segregated barracks-style wartime emergency low- ordinary Green Valley resident’s accomplishments. It is this memory we seek to memorialize of the im- portant work of what those residents of Green Val- ley achieved and the legacy they leave for future generations. Taking a page from the following “It’s time to talk

Photo by Michael McMorrow/The Connection about the names of our schools and what they mean and why they matter,” Barbara Kanninen, School Board chair, said at an August 2017 meeting, “It is also time to talk about our communities and the values these names reflect and the messages we are sending, not only to our children, but to our future residents.” Residents of the Nauck Community would like to rename their community “Green Valley/Nauck,” (al- though we prefer the name Nauck excluded, as it was so named and still referred to before for un- known reasons, the county made a decision to offi- cially change or refer to it as the Nauck community and drop “Green Valley.” Although the Jones family purchased and start- ing selling parcels of their land, some 30 years be- fore John D. Nauck, raises the question, “if the name Former water tower of Saegmiller of the area was referred to as Green Valley from its Mansion, 5115 Little Falls Road, inception in the 1700s to the 1970s,” why was the Arlington. name “Nauck” selected and not one of the early Af See Letters, Page 11 10 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Letters Enough About Cancer From Page 10 rican American residents who contributed to its growth, i.e., Jones, Gray or Rowe”? By KENNETH B. LOURIE We find no record or evidence linking Nauck At least that was my intention when I sat to efforts to improve the quality of life for down to write this column. I was planning on its residents. Unlike today’s process utilized highlighting a couple of my pet peeves: One was about people who back into parking spac- by the Arlington Civic Federation in allow- es, an all-too common practice (which does not ing its civic associations to select the name make perfect) that irks me no end and often in- of the area and its association, the Green conveniences me while idling in my car waiting Valley residents were not afforded that op- for the driver to crane his neck and coordinate portunity. Today, we are asking for that op- OPZTPYYVYZ^OPSLIHJRPUNPU[VHOLHKÄYZ[ portunity by requesting our community space, all while blocking my passage. The second peeve also involves cars, but this once again become the Green Valley/Nauck action has potentially far more dangerous con- community in keeping with its rich history. sequences: Drivers who, while motoring along, In today’s time for the community to be completely ignore my car’s blinkers/indicator named after John D. Nauck, a former Con- lights – WHEN THEY’RE FLASHING. federate Army soldier and developer who I was taught that when driving a vehicle and needing to turn/switch lanes, I was to indicate was not known to have made any other that to other drivers by using my blinkers, look contribution to the improvement of the into my mirrors and then move right or left quality of life or values of the residents of accordingly. Moreover, when I observed those Green Valley is not the message we want to ZHTLSPNO[ZÅHZOPUNPUV[OLY]LOPJSLZ0^HZ[V send to our children or future residents. respect their intentions and give them a wide berth. I was not to speed up and interfere with Look at many of the local, national and in- their indications. Unfortunately, the exact oppo- ternational contributions that were made site often happens. by the residents under the banner of Green Though I am still respectful when drivers Valley and to let that name slip into noth- ÅHZO[OLPYISPURLYZP[VM[LUOHWWLUZ[OH[^OLU ingness would be a travesty to their memory. many of my driving brethren see those lights, they react much the same way as a bull does Borrowing further from the schools direc- when he sees red: they SPEED UP, and in their tion, supporters of the renaming — “Nauck” vehicle’s acceleration, they put me and my pas- to include its original name “Green Valley” sengers at risk. If it has happened once – which — argued that it is inappropriate for the it has – it has happened a thousand times. diverse community to venerate a person Unfortunately, neither of these car-related who fought to preserve slavery and whose “misbehaviors” has been able to block out one of my key cancer anniversaries: Feb. 20, memory evokes painful reminders of laws 2009, and as such, I will now be returning to that segregated and excluded African the scene of the semi crime. And though I am Americans from public life. not Billy Shears 20 years after the band taught — Written by Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr. me how to play, I am a lung cancer survivor Please let us know what you think of who 10 years ago on Feb. 20 learned that I had cancer. That was the day when my primary care changing our name back to Green Valley. physician called me at work, about noon-ish on Portia A. Clark a Thursday to discuss the results of my previous President, Nauck Civic Association week’s surgical biopsy. www.ncaarlington.org After declining the offer to come to his VMÄJL0LUJV\YHNLKOPT[VQ\Z[[LSSTL¶^OPJO he did: the growth was malignant. Dumbfound- Ready for Passage ed, I asked for further details, which he politely deferred to an oncologist (a specialty with To the Editor: which I was totally unfamiliar), with whom, In breaking news on Feb 14, Virginia Del- while we spoke on the phone, my primary care egates Ayala and Simon filed new bills that physician scheduled a Team Lourie appoint- would lead to a vote on whether to ratify ment for the following Thursday. ;OPZVMÄJPHSS`LUKLK[OLKPHNUVZ[PJWYVJLZZ the Equal Rights Amendment. A majority which had been going on since I showed up at of the House of Delegates have said they the Emergency Room on Jan. 1, 2009 complain- will vote for the Amendment if it is brought ing of pain in my right side, an inability to take to the House floor. HKLLWIYLH[OHUKKPMÄJ\S[`ILUKPUNV]LY The Equal Rights Amendment will reclaim With an inconclusive X-Ray to not corrob- orate, an otherwise healthy patient with no Virginia’s fame as a birthplace of freedom family history of anything relevant – especially from undue government interference. The cancer, the doctor was perplexed. Fifty days Amendment states: “Equality of rights un- later I learned I had cancer. And so I remember der the law shall not be denied or abridged that day/date, a day which will go down in by the United States or by any state on ac- infamy, so to speak – in my family anyway. The intervening days, as I have written about count of sex.” recently, were spent investigating the cause of A recent scientific poll by the Wason Cen- my original symptoms. Eventually all test results ter for Public Policy of Christopher Newport led to one conclusion: non-small cell lung University found that 81 percent of Virgin- cancer, stage IV. ians want our state to ratify the Amend- Meaning metastatic and inoperable, mean- ment. Virginia has the opportunity to be the ing “terminal.” It was Feb. 20 when I learned my fate. (The following Thursday, Feb. 27, is 38th and final state to ratify the Equal another anniversary; that’s when we met my Rights Amendment. A House vote repre- VUJVSVNPZ[MVY[OLÄYZ[[PTLHUKSLHYULK[OH[T` senting the Virginia poll respondents would life would never be the same, or last nearly as be fitting in the state that forged our repre- long.) sentative government. On July 30 of this But yet here I am, alive and reasonably well, writing about nonsense, mostly, instead of year, Virginia will celebrate the 400th an- cancer, for this week, anyway. Good therapy for niversary of the first democratically elected sure, and a nice change of pace. state legislature in our country. Let’s reclaim the narrative. Our state has evolved. The Equal Rights Amendment is Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative for ready for passage. The Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers. Heather Keppler/Arlington www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 ❖ 11 SPECIAL SAVINGS FOR YOUR TOYOTA

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12 ❖ Arlington Connection ❖ February 20-26, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com