What’s happening in the City of Fairfax cityOCTOBER 2020 scene LEFT: Historic Blenheim. ABOVE: Historic Resources Specialist Andrea Loewenwarter reads the “diary on the walls” at Historic Blenheim. SEEING THE UNSEEN AT HISTORIC BLENHEIM he Historic Blenheim house on Old the country’s 19th century immigration story. trip to a popular novelty store and purchased Lee Highway is a time capsule from “Some became ill, others died on the battle- a blacklight, the type of lamp often found illu- the Civil War era. The walls inside field, and others went on to lead productive minating neon psychedelic posters with pur- the circa 1859 house are covered in lives,” explains Loewenwarter. She is driven plish light on the walls of college dorm rooms. Tdrawings, signatures, and all manner of graffiti by an endless curiosity about the men’s Loewenwarter returned to Blenheim’s scrawled in various media by Union soldiers lives and how they fit into our regional and attic and shined the blacklight on the low, encamped there for a year at various times national story. “What were their thoughts on angled ceiling. She says she “squealed with beginning in spring 1862. Historic Resources the war? Did their thoughts change? Why continued on page 6 Specialist Andrea Loewenwarter has been did they fight? These soldiers represent a deciphering the messages left on their “diary microcosm of our history.” on the walls” since 1998. She has spent the One incomplete signature bedeviled Loe- INSIDE CITYSCENE past two decades identifying the soldiers (123 wenwarter for about 15 years. She could so far!) researching their service records, and make out what appeared to be the letter F, City News ......................2 fleshing out the lives of these mysterious but the rest of the inscription had faded away. Getting to Know So Lim ...........3 ghosts from Blenheim’s past. Adding to the challenge of identifying what Some may wonder why anyone would word or name the letter was part of was that Council Reporter .................3 spend so much time studying fading inscrip- the F also could have been a P or T. “With tions and doodles left by long-dead soldiers. 19th century script, you never know,” she Academic Excellence ..............4 Of the artifacts, Loewenwarter says, “They says. “Lots of loops! It had always puzzled Vote! 2020 Election Info ...........5 tell us about the common solider, troop me, but I knew something else was there.” movements, and they tell us the stories of In 2015, Loewenwarter was researching Council Reporter .................6 individual soldiers.” Many of the soldiers new ways to study Blenheim’s walls when Five Minutes with Satoshi Eto ......7 who signed Blenheim’s walls were from for- she came across an article about ultraviolet eign countries, and their stories are part of light. Eager to try something new, she took a Helping Hands Profile .............8 FairfaxVa.gov 1 neighborhoods at least once every two weeks. Heavy leaf fall or inclement weather City News may affect leaf collection. Information: fairfaxva.gov (search “leaves”), 703-385-LEAF. Reminder: City Hall Open by Appointment Prepare for Inclement Weather: Consider Service Providers, Fairfax City government services continue to Communication be provided as usual — and Fairfax City Hall is open to customers by appointment only, As winter looms, continue your safety routines: CURIOUS CITIZENS including DMV Select. Make an appointment maintain your emergency kits and prepare for by phone or via fairfaxva.gov (click on City the season. Make provisions now for possible What’s the difference between Hall Open by Appointment). Please note: winter emergency services, such as snow DIY and contractor projects? General District Court and Office of Elections removal, home repairs, and tree limb manage- Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are com- do not require appointments. Visitors access ment. Family, friends, homeowner associations, pleted solely by household members the building via the east atrium door (facing and neighbors may offer recommendations. who live in the home, including yard George Mason Boulevard). Please wear a Identify multiple ways to reach friends and fam- work and home improvements. The city face covering. Information: fairfaxva.gov, ily in case some media is unavailable, including collects this debris curbside. Contractor 703-385-7800. telephone/text, messaging apps, and social projects include work by non-occupants, media. Write down contact information: keep a such as friends, relatives and profes- Personal Property Tax Payments copy in every emergency kit, and share with all sionals — even when assisting house- Due October 5 household members in case of separation. hold members. The city does not collect debris from contractor projects. Ques- Fairfax City personal property and vehicle Animal Adoptions tions: [email protected], registration fee payments are due by October 703-385-7837. 5. Late payments will incur a 10 percent When is a good time to adopt a companion penalty, plus interest. Bills have been sent to animal? Now! The city has animals available taxpayers. To request a copy of your bill, call for adoption, and can connect you with regional COVID-19 INFORMATION 703-385-7900 (then press 1). To make partners, such as local animal welfare agen- changes to your bill, call 703-385-7885. cies, to help you find the pets of your dreams. AND RESOURCES Beginning this year, the city will issue To see who’s available for adoption, visit City of Fairfax decals only for vehicles registered at fairfaxva.gov, click on How Do I… and chose fairfaxva.gov/coronavirus [email protected] addresses in Residential Parking Permit “Adopt…a pet” — or contact the Animal 703.385.7800 Districts. Here are your options for timely Control and Animal Shelter Office directly: 703-385-7919, [email protected]. Text FXCCOVID19 to 888-777 for payment of your bill: City of Fairfax-related information n Secure dropboxes at City Hall (on the and updates(visit fairfaxva.gov/ Trick or Treat Trail, October 31 circular driveway and in the parking lot coronavirus for email option) at the atrium’s east entrance) Celebrate Halloween with the city P.O.L.I.C.E. Fairfax County Health Department n Mail (must be postmarked by October 5) along the Trick or Treat Trail, from 10 a.m. to (City’s public health services provider) n Online: click on How Do I … on the city fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19 1 p.m. October 31 at the police station. Cars home page, and choose “Pay Tax & Bills.” 703.267.3511 will drive around the station parking lot, around n In-person: appointments required: visit Text FFXCOVID to 888-777 for police vehicles and equipment, and officers will Fairfax Health District information fairfaxva.gov, or call 703-385-7900 distribute treat boxes. Costumes encouraged Information: fairfaxva.gov, search “personal and updates (visit fairfaxcounty.gov/ (as are face coverings and other appropriate covid19 for email option) property taxes” health safety practices). Info: fairfaxva.gov, Virginia Department of Health [email protected] Download COVIDWISE App vdh.virginia.gov 877.ASK.VDH3 CDC, Centers for Disease The Virginia Department of Health has cre- Control and Prevention ated a new tool in the fight against COVID-19: cdc.gov COVIDWISE, a free app for Apple and In case of emergency, dial 911 Android smartphones that sends the phone alerts if you have been in contact, or have been close to, an individual who has tested Celebrate the city’s 33rd year of positive for COVID-19. The app does not track or store personal information, or use participation in the Arbor Day GPS. Information: vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise Foundation’s Tree City USA program. The city’s Environmental Sustainability Committee will teach you how to plant a seedling Don’t Bag It! Curbside Leaf Collection during a program from 9 to 11 a.m. October 24 at Providence Park. Seedlings planted Begins November 2 during previous Arbor Day events continue to shade and beautify city school campuses. A limited number of tree seedlings will be available to take home. According to the Arbor Curbside vacuum leaf collection will be pro- Day Foundation, “As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon diox- vided November 2 through December 31 in ide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmos- neighborhoods that receive city refuse/recy- phere. Trees provide many benefits to us, every day. They offer cooling shade, block cling service. Please rake leaves loose to the cold winter winds, attract birds and wildlife, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, clean our curb. Bagged leaves are not collected during water, and add grace and beauty to our homes and communities.” The USDA Forest this time. Leaf piles may include light yard Service notes, “Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs debris (grass clippings and weeds) — but not by 30 percent and can save 20–50 percent in energy used for heating.” Gloves are rec- stones, branches, and other large items, ommended for this event. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are required. which may injure workers and damage Those with COVID-19 symptoms should not attend. Individuals are encouraged to take equipment. Leaves are collected in city personal precautions. Please R.S.V.P. to [email protected]. 2 GETTING TO KNOW in getting organized was planned for May 2020; however, it was canceled due to COVID-19. I would like to make sure that COUNCILMEMBER we host our very first Asian American Festival during my term, and hopefully it SO LIM will continue to be included as part of our events. As we have seen so much ethnic division in our country, I believe recognizing Why do you serve on City Council? our cultural differences, and celebrating As we are going through so much growth them, will bring our community together.