Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper August 13, 2020 A Life Well-Lived, Not Long-Enough Dave Evans devoted his time to help schools, athletic associations and needs-based organizations; helping the neediest, youngest and hungriest. By Mount Vernon District Supervi- FHYAA Treasurer, a board member of mul- accelerated affordable housing acquisitions. Mount Vernon sor Dan Storck tiple non-profit organizations and an ethi- During the past few years, Dave has been a community bike cal employer. This numerical acumen was a board member and Vice President of United ride, now in its ith deep sadness, I have to natural accompaniment to his true passion: Community (formerly UCM). As Allison De- fifth year. share the news of the sudden baseball. A life-long Mets fan, Dave chan- Courcey, Executive Director, shared with me During the past loss of one of our finest com- neled his love of baseball into supporting when she heard the news, “He was a game several months, Dave Evans Wmunity members, Dave Evans. his girls as a softball coach, groundskeeper changer, playing a SIGNIFICANT role in rais- our worlds have A member of the Mount Vernon community and league manager for more than a decade ing up United Community with professional- turned upside down, but we are grounded for 30 years, Dave’s ethics, leadership, car- — as well as a regular at Orioles, and later ism, needed expertise, and pragmatism, al- by the constant of family and the friends we ing, and business skills made our communi- Nationals, games. ways focused on best serving our vulnerable choose to be our family. Dave’s sudden pass- ty a better place. He devoted his time to Dave’s decades-long service to Burgundy community.” Yep, that’s Dave. ing has given many of us time to pause and help our schools, athletic associations and Farm Country Day School as a board mem- When we met the summer before our truly reflect on the importance and precious- needs-based organizations; helping the ber and benefactor helped to build on their first year of high school, our difference in ness of relationships, and that now is the neediest, youngest and hungriest members commitments to the natural world, environ- appearance belied the many similarities we best time to let the people you care about of our community. Dave also built La Prima mental learning and sustainability. These shared in our commitments to people and know how much they mean to you and the Food Group, one of the largest catering firms same values and commitments ran deep in community — and later in our lives to busi- difference they’ve made in your life. in the Metro region, employing almost 200 his daily life, from his frequent bicycle com- ness and public service. Doing things the So my best friend from adolescence to be- people. He will be missed for all of those muting to collaboration between La Prima RIGHT way, with integrity, always mattered coming grandfathers, my brother, my advi- things and especially by his lifelong friend and organic farmers, including daughter and was the central principle of Dave’s life sor in all of life’s living: I will be loving you — me. Margaret’s Groundworks Farm. These busi- and work with others. and missing you forever. Thankfully, I am The loves of Dave’s life were his “girls”: ness collaborations and other commitments My favorite personal memories of Dave not alone and will be supported by so many his partner and wife of 47 years, Teresa; to sustainable business practices earned La will always include his love of football and others whose lives you impacted. Thank you daughters Elizabeth, Margaret and Made- Prima the distinction of being the highest pride in blocking for the future only two- for sharing a life rich with integrity and car- line; and granddaughter Eleanor. He was an rated green caterer in the Metro area. time Heisman Award winner, Archie Griffin ing with your family, friends, employees and over-the-moon, proud #girldad. Affordable housing along the Richmond (which made for much bantering over the community. Working with numbers came easily to Highway Corridor is never easy. While serv- years); the beat-up 1960 Studebaker which For others who wish to share a public or Dave, who transferred that skill to his early ing on the board of Good Shepherd Hous- served as the high school class’ shuttle; and private message or memory of Dave, please work as a CPA and later as a business owner. ing, Dave used his leadership, people, and our shared love of the Grand Canyon, hik- go to the link https://bit.ly/DHE20, where He used his financial skills to make things spreadsheet skills to build relationships ing and exercise. It was his inspiration and his family has set up a message board for work for other people, as a long-serving with CaptialOne and Fairfax County that our collaboration that created the Tour de the community. Moving Schools to Dismantle Systemic Racism NAACP holds virtual the conversation with the community about how we can deliberately, carefully, safely Town Hall. ease back into school,” he said. Hampton said she and others in health By Mercia Hobson and science fields were not comfortable The Connection with information the County’s Health De- partment shared. airfax County NAACP held a virtual As a solution, Brabrand said he was work- Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Presi- ing with the Virginia Department of Health Fdent Sean Perryman moderated discus- and County Health Department for guide- sion between Education Committee Chair Su- lines and metrics. They would establish de- jatha Hampton, Ph.D., Fairfax County Public cision-making policies on how to dial-up or, Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand Ed. Sean Perryman, president Sujatha Hampton, Ph.D., Scott Brabrand, Ed.D., if necessary, dial-down students attending D, and other staff. They focused on Fairfax of the Fairfax County Education Committee Superintendent of Fairfax in-person school. The district would make County NAACP Education Committee Priori- NAACP Chair of the Fairfax Coun- County Public Schools certain health conditions were as low risk ties 2020-2021 created to ensure educational ty NAACP as possible. Brabrand announced the public equality of rights and eliminate race-based would see the “first draft at our August 18 discrimination in the school district. gether. … I’m committed to doing the work ism without talking about COVID and the Work Session.” Throughout the 90-minute conversation, … I am serious as the leader of this system, shutdown of schools. It was going to impact Hampton challenged Brabrand to live up to about taking us where we need to go and Black students as well as students of color HAMPTON voiced concern that the majori- the school district’s ideals, push for change and I want to be a partner with the NAACP in disproportionately. ty of County support staff who worked with employ metrics and firm deadlines to goals. doing that,” Brabrand said. Brabrand said Covid exposed many ineq- vulnerable school populations had not been “I’m watching you like a hawk,” Hampton The Town Hall began with a discussion uities in the school system. “We are going to reached to participate in earlier district sur- said. on COVID-19 and how to protect vulnerable do everything we can to have a very strong veys. According to Hampton, unions repre- Brabrand responded that in partnership, FCPS students, faculty and staff. Perryman virtual start and have all of our kids con- they should “watch together and learn to- said they couldn’t talk about systemic rac- nected. And we will have metrics to begin See NAACP, Page 10 McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. This year marks our 40th year in Alexandria, and we are celebrating our investment in helping to build our town into the thriving community it is today. To learn more about our Associates and our firm, visitwww.WeAreAlexandria.com #WeAreAlexandria FIRST OPEN SUN 8/16, 2-4PM Plymouth Haven | $1,450,000 National Landing | $1,399,000 Clifton | $1,895,000 Custom designed and built in 2001, this luxury home Unsurpassed View! 3 bedroom, 3 full bath, double Absolutely stunning Craftsman-style Farmhouse on 6.3 showcases refined elegance. The premium half-acre condo at Waterford House in National Landing. 3,000 acres. This home seamlessly blends luxury & casual lot features a striking slate patio in the back and SF in this luxury high rise! The heartbeat of Washington, lifestyles with open floor plan, 7 large bedrooms, 6 full & mahogany front porch. Renovated kitchen includes DC! 1200 Crystal Drive #1413, 1414 1 half baths, wrap-around porch, & a fantastic finished many special features for the chef! basement. 3-car oversized garage with space above. To arrange a private showing, contact Janet Caterson Price 703.622.5984 Peter Crouch 703.244.4024 Sandy McMaster 571.259.2673 www.JanetPriceHomes.com www.6811CliftonRoad.com VIRTUAL OPEN SAT 8/15, 2PM FIRST OPEN SAT 8/15 & SUN 8/16, 2-4PM Belle Haven Terrace | $724,900 Stratford Landing | $719,500 Stratford Landing | $635,000 Rarely available! Perfection is in the details! 3-bedroom, Highly sought-after 2-level home on a cul-de-sac. 4 One level living in sought-after Fort Hunt community 2.5-bath raised rambler with oversized 1-car garage, bedrooms, 2 full baths, updated kitchen with granite just around the corner from Little Hunting Creek. Much updated kitchen & baths, amazing lower level walk- counters and stainless appliances, wood floors bigger than it looks with open kitchen & dining room, out, partially finished with large full bath.