Vol. 12, No. 43 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper OCTOBER 27, 2016 Consensus emerges around new school boundaries PHOTO/CHRIS TEALE ‘Who We Are’ sheds light on unseen residents Social services advisory ing their stories of interacting board premieres new video with and being helped by the promoting city services city’s department of community BY CHRIS TEALE and human services. In just four and a half min- One interviewee describes utes, the faces of numerous city residents come on screen, shar- SEE WHO WE ARE | 6 PHOTO/CHRIS TEALE Attendees at a community meeting last Thursday at Francis C. Hammond Middle School listen to a presenta- tion about Alexandria City Public Schools’ redistricting, a process that has not been carried out since 1999. School board set for faced a capacity crunch, as extend the process — to the January vote at end of enrollment has increased by 2017-2018 school year and redistricting process 3,200 students since then and then to 2018-2019 — to in- BY CHRIS TEALE is not expected to plateau un- clude details around a pro- Alexandria City Public til 2030. posed new elementary school Schools appears to be moving The new effort, which be- on the West End and other closer to a new set of bound- gan in March 2015, aims to factors. Under the proposal, aries at the elementary school enable more students to at- existing office space would be COURTESY PHOTO level, with the Alexandria City tend elementary schools in retrofitted for use as a school. CHAMBER HONORS LOCAL BUSINESSES Hunt Burke, School Board expected to vote the neighborhoods where they The new boundaries are set chairman and CEO of Burke & Herbert Bank, is honored by the Alex- in January. live and reduce the number of to go into effect for the 2018- andria Chamber of Commerce as its 2016 Business Leader of the Two community meetings those bussed across the city. 2019 school year. Year at the chamber’s annual business awards. In the other cat- last week gave residents the ACPS anticipates enrollment At a meeting last week at egories, The Campagna Center was named Association/Nonprofit Business of the Year; Access National Bank was named Rising Star opportunity to examine sev- to rise by 4 percent each year Francis C. Hammond Middle Business of the Year; Alexandria Cupcake won Small Business of eral proposals under consid- for the next five years. School, attendees were pre- the Year; Halt, Buzas & Powell, LTD won Medium Business of the eration and the ability to leave The new school bound- sented with four options, down Year; Carr Workplaces was named Large Business of the Year; and anonymous feedback on Post- aries initially were slated to from five earlier this month. In the overall business of the year award went to Cotton & Company, it notes by each plan. go into effect in time for the a presentation by third-party LLP. In addition, town crier Ben Fiore-Walker won the Spirit of the Chamber Award. Since ACPS last redrew current school year. But the its boundaries in 1999, it has school board twice voted to SEE REDISTRICTING | 8 CARDINALS REACH WCAC TSALT SPICES UP FASHION SEMIFINALS - PAGE 18 IN ALEXANDRIA - PAGE 21 2.... | OCTOBER 27, 2016 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner I Sell More Because I Do More! Since 1988 Celebrating 28 Years There are many qualities and skills that go into being an excellent real estate professional. Christine prides herself in putting her clients first, that means being accessible 24/7 and responding quickly to their needs. Here is what her clients say about working with her: Christine is an exceptional full service agent. We went through a number of other agents She works twenty times harder than the with no success ... then we found Christine. average real estate agent. She coordinated all I was not only amazed at the effort she put the contractors to prepare my home for sale into finding us a buyer, but in all she did to — painters, floor refinishing, drywall and help us prepare the house for the closing in electrical. Then she arranged the staging. a very short period of time.” She sold the house is less than a week!” - JACK AND KATHY, QUAKER HILL - MARY ELLEN, ROSEMONT Christine handled everything for the sale of In 27 years as a career military officer who our home and the purchase of our new home. has moved around the world, Christine was Scheduling people to do work, letting them clearly the #1 agent we’ve worked with. She in, she is awesome!” gets results, thinks two/three steps ahead - MATT AND MARY, ROSEMONT and always did what she said she would do. Additionally, her personal and caring attitude Professional Credentials & Awards: to real life family issues was truly humbling.” #1 AGENT IN THE OLD TOWN OFFICE FOR 15 YEARS! WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE’S TOP 100 AGENTS - NICK AND JULIE, ROSEMONT IN 2015 & 2016 Christine was always responsive, provided REAL TRENDS TOP 100 AGENTS LIST 2016 IN VIRGINIA TOP REAL ESTATE AGENT, great marketing, always friendly and took NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAGAZINE care of all the details. She made it easy! RANKED TOP 10 OF 7,463 ASSOCIATES IN - RYAN, CARLYLE WEICHERT OFFICES THE TIME TO SELL IS NOW. LET CHRISTINE PUT HER KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR YOU! Christine Garner (703) 587-4855 For additional information & Photos, Go to: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM.... OCTOBER 27, 2016 | 3 THE WEEKLY BRIEFING More than 300 pounds of drugs collected at three take back events Local police officers and spokeswoman Amy Bertsch said for collection and disposal. The sheriff’s deputies, with help that 310 pounds were collected service is free and anonymous, from officials from the Sub- at The Neighborhood Pharmacy with no questions asked. stance Abuse Prevention Co- of Del Ray, First Baptist Church Alexandria Police Department alition of Alexandria and Al- and the Alexandria Police De- spokeswoman Crystal Nosal said exandria Renew Enterprises, partment headquarters. the drugs are taken by APD and collected more than 300 pounds During the events on October given to Virginia State Police in of unwanted drugs and prescrip- 22, citizens could drop off their partnership with the Drug En- tions at three Drug Take Back potentially dangerous expired, forcement Administration, who events last Saturday. unused and unwanted prescrip- then dispose of them safely. Alexandria Sheriff’s Office tion drugs and other medications - Chris Teale Arts for Autism Gala to feature fashion show, art in sixth year The Autism Society of North- event’s master of ceremonies, do it in a way that is fun and in- ern Virginia is preparing for this alongside co-host Natalie Tuck- spiring,” said ASNV president OLD TOWN NEW LISTING year’s sixth annual Arts for Au- er, a local actress. Special guests Barbara Wagner in a statement. tism Gala, slated for November 5 will include Mayor Allison Sil- “The money we raise at the ~ Gracious Historic Home ~ at the Westin Alexandria. berberg, Delegate Jim LeMu- event plays a critical role help- The event will feature works nyon (R-67) and a number of ing our chapter to continue our Well-Located of art and live performances by local business and community mission of building community people of all ages with autism, leaders. through education, advocacy followed by a New York-style The evening will begin with and support.” fashion show with model-fun- a dinner and speakers, followed Dinner tickets are available draisers who walk the runway by live performances and then for the entire program for $175, supported by donations from the runway show. Throughout along with runway tickets for family and friends. The model- the event, a variety of items will $100 for the performances and fundraisers are decked out in ap- be available in live and silent fashion show that include cock- parel provided by local design- auctions. tails and hors d’oeuvres. Visit ers and boutiques. “Arts for Autism offers a www.arts-for-autism.org for NBC4 meteorologist Doug great opportunity for us to edu- more information. Kammerer will serve as this cate people about autism, and - Chris Teale Alexandria Symphony announces fall season The Alexandria Sympho- cital pianist and will be playing symphony performs Saturday ny Orchestra, now in its 73rd the harpsichord in addition to evenings in the Rachel M. season, announced that on conducting the performance. Schlesinger Concert Hall and November 5 and 6, Maestra Pitcairn will be performing Arts Center on the Alexandria Kathleen Kelly, master coach with her 1720 “Red Mendels- campus of NOVA Community for the Washington National sohn” Stradivarius violin, said College. Sunday afternoon ~116 Wolfe Street~ Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz to have inspired the Academy concerts are at the George This wonderful property, one half block Young Artist Program, will Award-winning film “The Red Washington Masonic Nation- conduct Vivaldi’s “Four Sea- Violin.” While she is visiting al Memorial. Parking is free. to the river, has been lovingly restored sons.” The ASO will be joined Alexandria, she will be con- ASO season subscriptions and maintained with great style and taste. by violin virtuoso Elizabeth ducting a master class with the start at $72. Ticket prices Four fully finished levels offer sophisticated Pitcairn for this concert. advanced orchestra students range from $20 to $80 for Kelly has shattered glass at T.C. Williams High School. adults, with $5 youth, and $10 living indoors and the brick-walled patio ceilings in the conducting The ASO is comprised of student tickets. Military, se- adds an extra summertime room. $799,900. world as both the first wom- some of the region’s most ac- nior and group discounts are an and first American to be complished professional mu- also available.