Vol. 11, No. 50 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper DECEMBER 10, 2015 Police investigate death in Four Mile Run Park Homicide in Arlandria is the Arlandria park, suffering city’s fourth of the year from what officers described at BY CHRIS TEALE the time as “apparent injuries.” For the second time in as He was reported missing on many months, the Alexandria November 28 in the area near Police Department is investi- Four Mile Run Park, and was gating a homicide in one of the described by police as a victim city’s public spaces, as a man of previous crime and in danger. was found dead in Four Mile Police spokeswoman Crys- Run Park on December 4. tal Nosal said that he suffered a Local officers working in felonious assault in the spring, conjunction with the Fairfax COURTESY PHOTO and that given this history, offi- County Search and Rescue Ur- Eduardo David Chandias Alm- cers had not ruled out the pos- ban Team found the body of endarez, 22, was found dead in sibility of the homicide being Four Mile Run Park on December city resident Eduardo David 4 after going missing a few days Chandias Almendarez, 22, in prior near the Arlandria park. SEE HOMICIDE | 6 School board wrestles with capital budget plan Proposed West End school Schools Superintendent Al- November 16, with capacity causes middle school vin Crawley presented his pro- projects the main topic of dis- capacity worries posal for the capital budget last cussion as members looked at BY CHRIS TEALE month, and with Alexandria potential projects and how they City Manager Mark Jinks City Public Schools’ enrollment relate to the district’s long-range may not submit his city budget issues weighing heavily on facilities plan, formally adopted proposal until next month, but board members’ minds, work in July. the fiscal planning season al- sessions on the proposal were But many board members ready has kicked into high gear split into capacity and non- expressed unease at the intro- PHOTOS/LAURA SIKES for the Alexandria City School capacity needs. ACPS projects duction of a new elementary SCENES OF HOLIDAY CHEER Santa Claus arrives by a city Board, as it works on its 10-year enrollment will continue to school on the West End and its fire rescue boat (top) to a large crowd awaiting him Saturday at the city dock ahead of an appearance at the Torpedo Factory. Hundreds capital improvement plan for the grow at an average of 3.6 per- impact on the redistricting pro- of people came out on a warm Saturday evening in Del Ray to hear 2017-2026 fiscal years. cent annually over five years, cess. Crawley’s proposal would Christmas carols from the T.C. Williams choir before the neighbor- But the ongoing redistrict- and plateau in approximately retrofit existing office space for hood's tree lighting ceremony (middle). Former U.S. Sen. John War- ing process and the need to syn- 2030. school use in time for the 2017- ner (bottom) is joined by his wife Jeanne (left) and Mayor-elect Allison Silberberg at the reviewing stand at Saturday's Scottish Christmas chronize timelines complicates The first work session on Walk in Old Town. For more photos, see PAGE 29. this year’s discussions. Crawley’s proposal came on SEE ACPS | 8 TRUE True industrial-style lofts within the revitalized 1847 historic structure. LOFT STUDIO & ONE BEDROOMS TWO BEDROOM LOFTS PENTHOUSE LOFTS IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN from $2,000 / mo. from $3,850 / mo from $4,500 / mo LIVING LIVEATTHEMILL.COM NOW LEASING 703.337.0727 2 DECEMBER 10, 2015 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Christine Roland Garner I Sell More Because I Do More! Since 1988 The time to sell is now. Let me put my 27 years of experience to work for you! OLD TOWN PORT VECCHIO SEMINARY RIDGE $1,725,000 $1,299,000 $1,099,000 Historic home fully restored on “Captains Row”, just 1 block from the river and King Street! 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 full baths, 2 fireplaces, random width wood floors and custom built-ins. Spacious lower level with tall Rarely available “09 Tier” condo on the desirable SE Gorgeous updated home backing to ceilings. Roof top deck corner with panoramic water views from every room! parkland on a quiet cul de sac! and beautiful garden 3 bedroom, 3 baths, with approx. 2,200 sq. ft. of living space and 5 bedroom (4 upper), 4.5 baths with over 3800 sq. ft. of living space. with patio and Koi a fabulous enclosed sunroom. Spacious Owner’s suite with balcony, Gourmet kitchen, Great room with fireplace & access to large screened pond. 2 garage parking spaces, a “wine cellar” and 2nd large storage room. porch. Huge walk-out lower level with recreation room, guest suite Wonderful amenities and services! and bonus room. 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Living room with fireplace, built-ins and French doors to patio. and spacious 4th level Living room with fireplace, kitchen with heated floors, SS appliances & Gourmet kitchen, Master suite with updated bath, wood floors on main with roof top terrace. granite counters and beautiful baths with Travertine marble. Fenced yard level. Custom closet organizers and recessed lighting throughout. Christine Garner (703) 587-4855 My Priorities Are Simple...They’re Yours! For additional information & Photos, Go to: www.ChristineGarner.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM DECEMBER 10, 2015 | 3 THE WEEKLY BRIEFING Shop Around the Corner U.S. Sen. Mark Warner hosts city students A special advertising feature for Christmas tree trimming of the Alexandria Times On Monday, U.S. Sen. Mark of a dual English-Spanish lan- “Consistently excellent work.” Warner (D-Va.) hosted 50 sec- guage curriculum, sang Span- Metropolitan ond-grade students from Mount ish-language renditions of holi- Paint and Home Vernon Community School at day classics such as “Rudolph Improvements Inc. his office in the Russell Senate the Red-Nosed Reindeer” for building for a Christmas tree- Warner and helped decorate trimming party. the tree with their own hand- Warner, himself an Alexan- made ornaments. dria resident and previous gov- According to the U.S. De- ernor of Virginia, purchases a partment of Agriculture, Vir- Virginia-grown tree each year ginia ranks seventh in tree BEFORE AFTER to display in his office. This production, with nearly half a Hire Us year’s is a 14-foot Fraser Fir million Christmas trees har- 703-220-6494 tree from Mt. Rogers Tree Farm vested based on the most re- Take a look at our project portfolio and testimonials in Grayson County, Va. cent available data. www.MetroPaintHomeImprovements.com The students, who are part - Chris Teale City searching for poet laureate, poetry contest entries . The city’s office of the arts through the three-year term of ming from the DASH buses motto announced Monday the search service; must accept the poet lau- “Keep Alexandria Moving,” or ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK for a poet laureate to promote reate post as a ceremonial role, other aspects of city travel. Win- an appreciation of poetry as an which includes presentations of ning poems will be published and art form, promote creative writ- work appropriate for all audienc- placed on DASH buses and trol- ing and reading of literature and es; and be at least 18 years old. leys for April’s 2016 National Po- promote literacy through poetry. Writers are also invited to etry Month and May. The individual will serve as poet submit poetry for the "DASHing The online submission dead- laureate for three years, and will Words in Motion" poetry con- line for both is January 10 at succeed Tori Lane Kovarik, test, hosted by the city’s office 10:59 p.m. More information whose term expires in March. of the arts and the Alexandria and links for the online applica- Individuals can nominate Transit Company. The poetry tion forms is available at the of- themselves or be nominated by contest encourages quality writ- fice of the arts website at www. someone else. Nominees must ing by writers and poets 16 years alexandriava.gov/arts. For ad- distinguish themselves in the or older, who have lived, worked ditional information, contact the field of poetry through the body or studied in Alexandria. poet laureate at poet@alexandri- of work created; be a resident of The competition looks to en- ava.gov; or call the office of the the city for a minimum of one courage a broad range of inspira- arts at 703-746-5588. year and maintain residency tions and subject matter, stem- - Chris Teale ~~ Canine Oh! What Health Fun! Care ~ ~ The dogs & cats waiting at the Shelter would like to City announces performance reports and survey Puppies require surgery sometimes. “Sarah’s Fund” thankprovides those ofShelter you petswho with have needed already procedures.