Alexandria Times Vol. 17, No.3 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper. JANUARY 21, 2021 “I want everybody to get better because America gave us a chance that our country did not give us.” - Yodit Gulelat, owner, Van Dorn Pharmacy The watch, the vaccine and the pharmacist Yodit Gulelat’s quest Gulelat, who immigrat- get through her expanding to honor her father’s ed to the U.S. from Ethiopia line of elderly patients. legacy through service in 1986, worked non-stop to “She was there … walking BY WILL SCHICK process the winding line of back and forth to the pho- patients. tocopier copying people’s PHOTO/ DOUG GUILER At around 9 a.m. on Jan. “I didn’t see her take a sip licensed healthcare cards, Seen from Old Town, a National Guard ship cruises the Potomac 15, Yodit Gulelat, the own- of water,” Pamela Norton, on top of administrating the River ahead of the inauguration. er of Van Dorn Pharmacy, director of business develop- vaccine. So, it was taking at found herself facing down ment for a local architectur- least 10 minutes a person, a growing line of elderly al firm who had been at the and you know, it’s cold and patients eager to get their pharmacy throughout the people are standing outside,” Across the river COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccination process, said. Norton said. A look at Alexandria “Hotels in and around pharmacy had just received Norton had come to the Norton said she assisted hotels in the days be- Washington D.C. are typi- its first batch of Moderna pharmacy that morning to Gulelat in answering ques- fore the Inauguration cally at capacity for presi- vaccine doses from the Cen- see if she would be eligible tions from people in line BY ALLISON HAGEMAN dential inaugurations, and ters for Disease Control and for a vaccination but said and helping to move those it’s a highlight that we look Prevention, and the line out- she found herself quickly In the past, presidential forward to every four years,” side her door was ballooning. volunteering to help Gulelat SEE VAN DORN | 8 inaugurations for Alexandria Kate Ellis, the general man- were jubilant and filled with ager of Hotel Indigo and pres- visitors. ident of the Alexandria Hotel INSIDE People from all over the Association, said in an email. Late night review country would go into Wash- On the night of Jan. 6, ington D.C. during the day to after a mob of President Alexandria see the President-elect get Donald Trump’s supporters Celebrates Women board fight sworn into office and then stormed the Capitol, Alexan- Learn the history of come back to Alexandria dria hotels, much like their Alexandria’s women as Councilors emotion- feedback during a conten- hotels at night. This year, D.C. counterparts, faced at- essential workers. ally debate options tious legislative meeting on in the days leading up to tendees of the “Save Ameri- Page 4 for civilian oversight Jan. 12 that stretched be- the inauguration, the city’s ca” rally spending the night. of police yond 2 a.m. visitors were more National In D.C., hotels received BY CODY MELLO-KLEIN Although council has Guard than tourists. Both backlash on social media for Seniors been unified in the need for the Capitol riot on Jan. 6 and hosting Pro-Trumpers and Hermitage Northern City Council voted to such an oversight body over a virtual inauguration due to The Line DC, a luxury hotel in Virginia celebrates arrival send a series of models for the last year, the lengthy, COVID-19 meant extra secu- the nation’s capital, issued a of COVID-19 vaccine. a civilian police oversight rity and fewer guests at ho- Page 11 board to the community for SEE REVIEW BOARD | 10 tels in the city. SEE INAUGURATION | 6 2 |JANUARY 21, 2021 ALEXANDRIA TIMES TTHHAATT''SS RRIIGGHHTT,, ALEXANDRIA HISTORIC DISTRICT OFFICE | 400 KING STREET WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM JANUARY 21, 2021 | 3 WEEKLY BRIEFING Sen. Warner commemorates Does Your Dog Need a Friend in the MLK Day at Shiloh Baptist Middle of the Day? PHOTO/THE OFFICE OF SEN. MARK R. WARNER (D-VA) 15, 30 & 60 Min. Visits Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) com- Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & memorated Martin Luther King Overnight Options Available Jr. Day on Monday by volunteer- ing at Shiloh Baptist Church’s drive-thru food distribution event. Alongside other volunADOPT- ABLE PET OF THE WEEK teers, Warner assembled and handed out packages of food and supplies that would go to- Ask About ward helping 500 local families, Our Puppy according to a news release. Packages Schedule A Consultation Today! 571-438-2323 Police investigate serious car crash Shop Apparel, Gifts & Pet Supplies at www.PassionatelyPets.com/Shop Alexandria police are ing across the parking lot, ing to the release. currently investigating a ve- according to the release. Filipeanu was arrested hicle crash that occurred on The vehicle was driv- and charged with maiming Tuesday afternoon and left en by Catalin Filipeanu, a of another resulting from an Alexandria resident in 52-year-old Alexandria res- driving while intoxicated. critical condition and result- ident, who remained at the As police investigate v the ed in him losing both legs, scene of the crash until po- crash, those who witnessed according to a news release. lice arrived. the incident are encouraged At around 2:30 p.m. in a The victim was taken to to contact Investigator Jor- parking lot in the 200 block a local hospital where, due dan Young with at 571-414- of Van Dorn St. a 59-year- to the crash, he lost both his 8975 with any relevant in- old Alexandrian was hit by legs and remained in critical formation. a vehicle as he was walk- but stable condition, accord- [email protected] ~~ Canine Special Health Needs Care ~ ~ Three candidates file for City CouncilExtra race patience may be required to adopt Flash. At Puppies require surgery sometimes. “Sarah’s Fund” Three candidates filed Richard Kirk McPike. Elnou- – announcing agethey will4, he not is energetic, and needs encouragement to their paperwork to run for Al- bi is an engineering proj- seek reelection, the raceprovides for Shelter petsslow with down. needed procedures. exandria’s City Council this ect Manager at Washington council is wide open. week, after two city council Metropolitan Area Transit Pepper announcedThis puppylast will soon undergo an operation to repair members announced they Authority and vice-chair and year she would not“pulmonicHe’s be lostrun- astenosis”, leg, but with gained donations perspective from Alexandrians. on what’s would not be running for re- precinct captain of the Alex- ning for reelection, after important; be happy each day, and love those election, according to Angela andria Democrats. Gaskins is spending 36 years onYour council. five-dollar donation adds to Sarah’s Fund and Turner, director of elections a member of the Alexandria Bennett-Parker aroundannounced you. Flash~ Hooray well knows for the this Red, credo, White and & hopes Blue ~ together with contributions of others, ensures that and general registrar. Transportation Commission this past week that shefor has a home2-year-old of his McGrawown isto all sharesmiles. How the could love. he not be, when The candidates will be and Agenda Alexandria, and her eyes set on the Virginia medical careeverything is there makes when this sweet needed. Labrador mix so happy! running for the June 8 Dem- McPike is chief of staff to House of Representatives and Long walks in cool weather? Amazing! Other dogs? The more the ocratic primary ahead of the Congressman Mark Takano. the 45th District FORseat,FOR MOREoccu INF- OINFORMATION ABOUTmerrier! ALEXATreats? ABOUT He’ll SARAH’SN takeDRIA’ them allFUND,S please. ADOPTABLE PLEASE Cats? Well, CALL he loves general election in November. With two current coun- pied by Del. Mark Levine, who 703-746-4774PETS, PLEA OR VISITSE VIUSS ATIT WWW. www.alexandriaanimals.org.ALEalmostXANDRIAANIMALS everything. .ORG/DONATE The city council candi- cil members – Councilor announced he is running for Meet McGraw online at: AlexandriaAnimals.org/ dates are Abdel-Rahman Del Pepper and Vice Mayor lieutenant governor. Adopt-By-Appointment Elnoubi, Alvia Gaskins, and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker [email protected] T THHANANKK YYOUOU THANK YOU TheThe AlexandriaAlexandria AnimalAnimal Shelter’sShelter’s PetPet of of the the Diann Carlson Times launches ‘Photo of the week’WeekWeek isis sponsoredsponsored byby DiannWeichertDiann Hicks,Hicks Old TownCarlson,finding A new element makes timely topics in Alexandria, residents. Readersfindinghomes are enhomes -for pets for andpets humans,andRealtors humans, alike. alike. its debut on the first page such as this week’s image of couraged to submit photos 703-628-2440 in this week’s Alexandria National Guard troops on for possible publication toww w.diannhicks.com Times Opinion section: pho- the city’s waterfront. Other [email protected]. “Because everyone to of the week. Some weeks, weeks, the photos will be of deserves a home.” these photos will be about nature, schools, art and city [email protected] 4 |JANUARY 21, 2021 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Alexandria Celebrates Women Women have been essential workers since Alexandria’s beginning BY GAYLE CONVERSE were praised by the likes of Department of Community AND PAT MILLER Thomas Jefferson and cous- and Human Services and EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION in George. the Alexandria Emergency If you are looking for employment: During the American From Alexandria’s begin- Child Care Collaborative to The City of Alexandria's Workforce Development Center, a Revolutionary War, an Al- nings to today, women have utilize the Coronavirus Aid partner of the American Job Center network, offers staffing exandria woman who had stepped up to serve as essen- Relief and Economic Securi- solutions that provide businesses with employees who are raised eight children also tial workers in times of crisis.