Alexandria Times Vol. 15, No. 16 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. APRIL 18, 2019 Council Landmark approves Mall plan Del Ray advances BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN Gardens Landmark Mall, Alexan- dria’s major West End devel- Restaurant seating opment project, took a sig- procedure dominates nificant step forward, as city deliberations council approved a revised master plan for the long-ges- BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN tating site during its public hearing on Saturday. City council approved According to the Depart- a special use permit for a ment of Planning and Zoning combination of 100 indoor staff report, the new master and outdoor seats at the plan, deemed a “refinement” Del Ray Gardens restaurant of the 2009 master plan, fea- on Mount Vernon Avenue tures a transportation hub during its public hearing on to connect the Landmark PHOTO/MISSY SCHROTT Saturday. The number was Mall area with the rest of FLORA Roots & Stems owners, Mark and Amy Eggers. a compromise between the original 64-seat request and SEE LANDMARK | 13 the 155 seats the planning commission recently recom- mended. The plant people INSIDE Council members and Tall Ship community members large- U.S.S. Providence replica will ly supported the application Del Ray couple opens floral design business officially sail into Alexan- from Del Ray Gardens, but dria’s marina this summer. BY MISSY SCHROTT their questions about the Page 8 process by which seating ca- pacity is determined result- Husband-and-wife duo Mark planted the seeds for their custom Tying the Knot ed in extended deliberations. and Amy Eggers grew a small floral design business. Mayor Justin Wilson met The proposed site, which business out of their mutual love “Essentially, we were always his wife Alex at political occupies two lots on 1503 for plants and their long history in just trying to figure out something convention. and 1505 Mount Vernon the Del Ray neighborhood. that we could do together, because Page 19 Ave., will feature a mix of The couple met 30 years ago we truly, actually are friends aside indoor and outdoor seating, while attending high school in from being married,” Amy said. Seniors with an emphasis on outdoor Fairfax County. Last year, after How to combat loneliness nearly 20 years of marriage, they SEE FLORA | 14 and isolation in older adults. SEE SEATING | 10 Page 27 2 | APRIL 18, 2019 ALEXANDRIA TIMES At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Alexandria, we live here, we work here, we play here! Charmer, A Must See! 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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM APRIL 18, 2019 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING Council defers decision on Hugo Black house BAR appeal City council deferred its The vote and public hearing historic 619 S. Lee St. prop- vote on proposed changes to on the item have been de- erty has drawn opposition former U.S. Supreme Court ferred to council’s May 14 from some in the communi- Justice Hugo Black’s house legislative meeting in order ty and from several local and to May, according to city to complete the necessary regional historic preservation spokesman Craig Fifer. public notifications process, organizations. At question is Council was originally according to Fifer. whether the proposed chang- supposed to hear the BAR The proposed renovation es violate a historic preserva- appeal on the proposal at its and demolition by owners tion easement. public hearing last weekend. Lori and Nigel Morris at the [email protected] Restaurants to hold Old Town Cocktail Week The inaugural Old Town events, according to Visit ings of cocktails featured in Cocktail Week will spotlight Alexandria. the book, a Hoptails event Alexandria’s growing craft The week kicks off with at Chadwicks with Port City cocktail scene from May 3 Art on the Rocks at the Brewing Company on May 8 ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK to 11. Torpedo Factory on May 3. and a trio of cocktail semi- Participating restau- Other events include a Ken- nars at Columbia Firehouse rants will provide special tucky Breakfast Stout Derby on May 11. cocktails and tastings while Party at Mason Social on For a full schedule of historic sites, boutiques and May 4, an Old Town Drinks events, visit OldTownCock- other businesses will offer book release party at The tailWeek.com. more than 20 seminars and Hour on May 7 with tast- [email protected] Elizabeth Bennett-Parker named a top rising leader ~~ Canine Special Health Needs Care ~ ~ Vice Mayor Elizabeth Ben- elected officials, on Tuesday, leaders focused on expanding Extra ~patience Meet may Young be required Frank to adopt ~ Flash. At Puppies require surgery sometimes. “Sarah’s Fund” nett-Parker was selected as according to a news release. opportunity and developing Thisage 7-year-old 4, he is energetic, Bulldog isand the needs Shelter’s encouragement resident “cool to one of 20 leaders from across Established seven years innovative ideas that spur provides Shelter petsslow with down. needed procedures. dude”, content in any situation. He loves peanut the country to join NewDEAL, ago, NewDEAL – Develop- economic growth, according This puppy will soon undergo an operation to repair a selective national network ing Exceptional American to the release. butter“pulmonicHe’s treats, lost butastenosis”, leg, Frank but with gainedrarely donations says perspective no from to aAlexandrians. snackon what’s of any of Democratic state and local Leaders – is a network of 169 [email protected] type. “Allimportant; the more be belly happy to eachrub,” day, is Frank’s and love motto. those He’d Your five-dollar donation adds to Sarah’s Fund and preferaround to be you. your Flash only wellone knows(human this or credo, canine), and because hopes togetherfor a withhome contributions of his own ofto others,share the ensures love. that then there’s moremedical lap care room is therefor Frank. when needed. He is wondering why you haven’t come to meet him already. Car crash on FORFOR MORE INF OINFORMATION ABOUT ALEXA ABOUT SARAH’SNDRIA’ FUND,S ADOPTABLE PLEASE CALL FOR703-746-4774 FUTHERPETS, PLEA INFO OR VISITS ABOUTE VIUSS ATIT WWW.OUR www.alexandriaanimals.org. ADOPTABLEALEXANDRIAANIMALS SHELTER.ORG/ PETS,DONATE PLEASE VISIT www.alexandriaanimals.org THANK YOU Seminary Lane THANKTHANK YOU YOU The eastbound lanes of the 5000 block of Semi- TheThe AlexandriaAlexandriaDiann Hicks AnimalAnimal Carlson Shelter’sShelter’s PetPet of of the the WeekWeek isis sponsoredsponsored byby DiannDiann Hicks,Hicks Carlson,finding nary Lane were closed due to a traffic crash on Mon- Associatefindinghomes Brokerhomes for pets for • andWeichertpets humans,and humans, Old alike. Town alike. day evening around 9 p.m., according to the Alex- 703-628-2440 www.diannhicks.com andria Police Department’s Twitter. While there was The Alexandria Animal Shelter’s Pet of the Week major damage to the vehicle, there were no serious is brought to you by Diann Carlson, finding COURTESY PHOTO injuries to the people involved. homes for pets and people, too. 4 | APRIL 18, 2019 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WEEKLY BRIEFING Spring2Action celebrates Join us for Easter! record-breaking year Maundy Thursday Foot Washing, Agape Supper, Alexandria’s ninth an- million raised this year repre- dollars. and Eucharist, April 18, 6:30 PM nual day of giving last week sented a 15 percent increase “We are so proud to be Good Friday, April 19, 7:30 PM broke records and raised over last year. part of such a generous com- $2,038,032.88 for 162 local In addition to the money munity,” Heather Peeler, Easter Sunday, April 21, nonprofits, according to a raised, ACT awarded $40,000 president and CEO of ACT for 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM news release. in prizes to the nonprofits Alexandria, said in a state- This year’s Spring2Action, that raised the most dollars ment. “Once again, Alexan- Easter Egg Hunt hosted by ACT for Alexandria, and donors. The Alexandria dria came together to support following the 10:30 AM service brought out more donors, dol- Soccer Association received the nonprofits that are essen- lars and nonprofits than ever the most donors, while Run- tial to our city.” 1608 Russell Rd, Alexandria • 703-683-0798 • www.emmanuelonhigh.org before. The more than $2 ningBrooke raised the most - [email protected] Beyer Subaru donates $24,874 to Together We Bake Beyer Subaru presented ities, as well as hometown profit’s website. a check for nearly $25,000 nonprofit Together We “Our donation of $24,874 – raised through its Share Bake.