Marching for change
Transcription
Marching for change
WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 1 Vol. 9, No. 35 Alexandria’s only independent hometown newspaper August 29, 2013 Homicide exposes previous problems Report reveals nursing home lacked policies dealing with combative residents By erich wagner A Del Ray nursing home that was the site of a January homicide has a history of service and policy deficiencies, including one that may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the death of an 82-year-old patient. On January 8, two residents of the Envoy of Alexandria, located at 900 Virginia Ave., got into a fight, according to police accounts. Edward Heitz was hospitalized briefly and released back to the nursing home. But he died just a few days later — January 11. The incident was not considered a homicide until May, when the medical examiner’s office determined blunt-force trauma was the cause of death. The suspect in the homicide is a 62-year-old resident of the facility, but police are undecided on pressing charges, citing both men’s pre-existing medical conditions. According to publicly available federal inspection records of nursing homes on the receiving end of Medicare funding, several deficiencies have been documented at Envoy in recent years. They range from not developing policies preventing the mistreatment of residents to quality of care and include minor administrative issues. Envoy of Alexandria reported that it had corrected the problems listed in a December report January 7 — a day prior to the fighting incident. But a February complaint investigation report obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by the Alexandria Times — through a Freedom of Information Act request — indicated that the fight brought to light additional problems at Envoy. The report, which health officials believe Heitz’s death triggered, found that the nursing home lacked necessary policies to deal with combative or easily agitated residents. “[The] facility staff failed to develop a comprehensive care plan to address behaviors for two of five residents in the survey sample,” the inspector wrote. The report focuses on two residents: a patient known as resident No. 2 and a former patient referred to as resident No. 5. Although No. 2 had been through several room changes since his admission in 2009 — as well as two documented altercations with roommates — the inspector said that his care plan did not adequately address his behavior. “The comprehensive care plan dated [August 6, 2012,] documented … ‘Assess resi- photo/National archives Local activists crossed the river to attend the March on Washington in 1963, among them Ferdinand Day. Fifty years later, Alexandrians are reflecting on the seminal event. Marching for change Locals recount MLK’s effect on city race relations By Erich Wagner Looking back on the March on Washington, it’s easy seeing it as a watershed moment for the civil rights movement. But Ferdinand Day remembered being happy that the event exceeded the low expectations held by many at the time. “I was very impressed,” said Day, who attended the August 28, 1963, rally and made history himself by becoming the first black Alexandria School Board chairman. “The first march gave us hope, with all types of people com- ing to Washington expressing the same views that we had about civil rights and freedom and jobs.” The many events marking the 50th anniversary of the march and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech over the past week have Alexandrians thinking about their connections to the seminal moment as well as how race relations in the city have evolved. At the time of the march, Alexandria was still steeped in racism and segregation, Day recalled. “It was a typical southern city with all of the problems of the Deep South,” he said. “As a result of the march, people began a trend to correct some of those things. It was the beginning of real hope that there would be greater justice and fair play in the area.” Audrey Davis, acting director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, said that it helped roll back discriminatory practices throughout the city. “At stores, African-American women couldn’t try on something basic like hats or gloves so they just had to buy them, because it was thought that white people wouldn’t buy them,” said Davis, whose father attended the March on Washington. “That was the way it was throughout the South, and it was certainly that way in Virginia. SEE Homicide | 8 procedural mishap delays tax Hike — Page 19 SEE MLK | 6 2 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 3 In Your THE WEEKLY BRIEFING School board chairwoman backs lawsuit against Richmond Alexandria School Board chairwoman Karen Graf is drafting a resolution in support of a recently filed lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state agency tasked with taking over struggling local schools. Graf revealed her plans at an August 22 school board meeting, on the heels of the release of preliminary results of the statewide Standards of Learning tests. Although the embattled Jefferson-Houston School made marked gains on math scores in the 2012-13 academic year, it’s unlikely the institution will receive accreditation next month. Without it, the school remains under threat of a state takeover, which local officials adamantly oppose. The Norfolk City School Board and the Virginia School Boards Association filed a lawsuit August 21 in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk challenging the legality of the Opportunity Educational In- win two tickets on the Mount Vernon Cruise! Identify the photo below and where it was taken for a chance to win. or writeTo enter, email letters@alextimes.com with your answer to 110 S. Pitt St., Alexandria, VA 22314. One winner will be chosen at random from the winning entries submitted before noon Tuesday. A different photo and hint will be featured each week between now and the end of summer, so keep your eyes open as you meander around Alexandria! Where am I? #14 file photo Jefferson-Houston is among the schools likely facing state takeover. Local officials are opposed to letting Richmond run the school. stitute. The newly formed state agency oversees and takes over troubled schools. In a statement, opponents of the state institute said that the law establishing the agency violates a provision of the commonwealth’s constitution handing control of school operations to local officials. And critics say the power to create school divisions rests with the state Board of Education, not the legislative branch. Graf, who was not available for comment Tuesday, said at last week’s meeting that the board will consider the resolution next month. - Erich Wagner The proposed menu includes coffee from M.E. Swing Coffee Co. — which also calls the neighborhood home — iced tea, and a choice of salads and smoothies. Bender and VanderGoot expect to serve about 100 customers a day at the store, which will offer 30 seats and open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Patrons can enjoy their purchases at counter seating or in an attached dining room, Once a place by the shipyard where many took note Of vessels built here like the Potomac longboat. The O & A came near and the tunnel still stands, Where the cars rumbled through with goods going inland. Next, a water venture operated on this site Then the Feds claimed the space — it was gone overnight. The ruins stood as a reminder of times gone by, Then one day they disappeared in the blink of an eye. Congratulations to last week’s winner, Kilo, who correctly identified the clue as the ice well at Gadsby’s Tavern. Coffee shop planned for The Avenue If all goes according to plan, Del Ray will welcome yet another coffee shop in the near future. Co-owners Daniel Bender and Sara VanderGoot hope to open Seva Cafe at 2016 Mount Vernon Ave., the former home of Mind and Media, according to documents filed with City Hall. Though it will not offer cooked meals, the cafe will serve an array of drinks and salads. Times Sponsored By: potomac riverboat company according to plans filed with City Hall. The blueprints also call for a playroom in the rear of the restaurant. Bender declined to comment about the project. - Derrick Perkins Departing from Alexandria City Marina Purchase Tickets online or visit our ticket booth 703.684.0580 - potomacriverboatco.com 4 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES CRIME Federal prosecutor for Alexandria region to step down next month U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride, whose district includes Alexandria, announced last week that he will step down from his post at the end of his four-year term next month. MacBride has held the position since his appointment by President Barack Obama in 2009 and prosecuted everything from financial crime and political corruption to terrorism. MacBride also created the Virginia Financial and Securities Fraud Task Force, a part- nership with civil regulators to investigate complex financial fraud cases in and out of state. During his tenure, MacBride was successful in the conviction of former U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) for illegal conduct and bribery. And he has spearheaded the ongoing investigation into the borrowing practices of Gov. Bob McDonnell (R). “It has been a dream job to serve as U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia for the last four years,” MacBride said in a statement. “My first job as a lawyer was clerking for Judge Henry Morgan here 21 years ago, and my wife and I have lived and raised our children in the district.” Upon his departure September 13, an acting U.S. attorney will replace MacBride until Obama can present a new appointee for U.S. Senate confirmation. - Erich Wagner POLICE BEAT The following incidents occurred between August 22 and August 28. www.alextimes.com Visit us online. More opinion. More entertainment. More sports. More news. More Alexandria. 58 Thefts 20 Assaults 0 Assaults with a Deadly weapon 0 SEXUAL OFFENSEs Drug Crimes 8 Vehicle thefts 9 Breaking & Enterings 6 robberies 4 Source: crimereports.com *Editor’s note: Police reports are not considered public information in Virginia. The Alexandria Police Department is not required to supply the public at large with detailed information on criminal cases. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 5 6 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES MLK FROM | 1 “I think a lot of attitudes changed [in the wake of the march]. A lot of people worked together, and [a lot of people] saw whites and blacks worked together and could be a part of something really big and that these rules about segregation made no sense and had no reason.” Day said the collaborative nature of the March on Washington sparked a similar effort photo/national archives The March on Washington sparked improvements in equality and race relations in Alexandria, according to Ferdinand Day, who attended the rally. image/Library of congress Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the march. in the Port City. “There has been progress, and it was brought about by blacks and whites, the human relations commission, the NAACP and the Urban League all working together to bring change,” Day said. “There are still far greater things that need to be done. … There needs to be greater improvement and enlightenment of progressive ways to improve job opportunities, housing, incarceration and school problems.” Although City Councilor John Chapman had not been born early enough to witness the worst instances of local segregation, he still has seen the progression of race relations. “There has been a huge shift ... for the good,” Chapman said. “People can now expect to sit in classrooms and be graded on an equal basis as their peers of a different color.” While race relations are still important, Chapman sees the next front in the fight for equal rights coming not along racial lines, but socioeconomic ones. “We are experiencing a transition from issues of racial inequality to economic inequality,” he said. “How we deal with inequality when it comes to economic opportunity and prosperity, that’s a challenge for my generation. We had to dig down deep and look at how we structure organizations and government and evaluate how people continue to live and ask, ‘Are they able to in fact pursue the American dream, and what does that mean?’” WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 7 Volunteer needs an attitude adjustment Dear Hobie & Monk, I’m a corporate guy, and the expectations for appropriate behavior and job performance are very clear in my professional setting. It has become increasingly frustrating in my volunteer organization, however, to see one person in particular spoil the enjoyment and effectiveness of our group. Do you have any recommendations for how to handle a volunteer who’s making everyone else miserable? - Coping with a party-pooper Hobie: I’m assuming this fellow volunteer is merely annoying, rather than inappropriate in a way that necessitates immediate dismissal from the organization. My advice for handling “The Annoying One” is akin to firefighters’ advice for dealing with self-conflagration: stop, drop and roll. When the volunteer is spoiling something, stop what’s going on in the moment and drop a hint or two: “Tom, I think we’re supposed to let the Boy Scouts set up the tents themselves. Step away from the hammer.” Or: “Bernice, maybe the board could set the agenda together. Step away from the gavel.” And if none of this shapes a change in behavior but you’re really invested in continuing to volunteer, find a way to roll with it and enjoy yourself. Tom and Bernice may eventually burn out anyway. Monk: You would do well to apply Hobie’s fire-safety measures when things heat up at your volunteer organization, but you also might consider adopting a fire brigade mindset. You know, every- Hobie and Monk are two Alexandria women with husbands, children, dogs, jobs, mortgages, unmet New Year’s resolutions, obsessions with impractical shoes, English novels … and Ph.D.s in clinical psychology. Their advice, while fabulous, should not be construed as therapeutic within a doctorpatient context or substituted for the advice of readers’ personal advisors. thing goes better when you’re all working as a team. You might enlist the help of similarly minded colleagues. Presumably, your group will agree on a few basic performance standards and share the responsibility for conveying organizational expectations to new and knuckleheaded volunteers. To submit questions to Hobie & Monk, email hobieandmonk@alextimes.com. Holistic Medical Doctors Treating the Cause. Not Just the Symptoms. We are experts at a whole body / mind approach to optimal wellness and healing including the scientific use of acupuncture, nutrition, vitamins, supplements and herbs. 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Interests: System Menopause, Male Balancing,MA, Bio-Identical Presenter: NutritionistHormonal Cheryl Mirabella, CHHC Hormones, Thyroid Issues, Fatigue, Acupuncture Location: 1225 Martha Custis Dr., Suite C-1,Medical Alexandria, VA 22302 and Complementary Cancer Care RSVP Rosemarie Rose, MD, DABFM Special Interests: Neurotransmitter Diseases including ADHD, Fibromyalgia, Migraines and Parkinson’s Disease Meet our Nutritional Health Coaches Cheryl Mirabella, CHHC Katherine Sumner CHC 1225 Martha Custis Drive, Suite C-1, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Call: 703.671.2700 Your Hormone ExpertEmail: - Thyroid, Adrenal & Menopause info@CaringDoc.com Now Accepting New Patients 703.671.2700 Sign up for Our Newsletter & Educational Seminar Invitations! www.CaringDoc.com 703.671.2700 8 | August 29, 2013 homicide FROM | 1 dent for effectiveness of prescribed medication in addressing resident’s mood/behavior issues,’” the report said. “No further information regarding ALEXANDRIA TIMES the resident’s behaviors was documented on the care plan.” On January 8, resident No. 2’s patient record included a physician order for a room change, without explanation. Resident No. 5 only had moved into the facility Decem- ber 20, 2012, but the inspector wrote that there were several documented incidents of agitation — from curses and insults leveled at staff to throwing chairs during his previous stay at an assisted living facility — in weekly progress reports. Those incidents were not adequately reflected in his care plan. The report stated that No. 5 had a “re-admission” January 9, one day after the altercation leading to Heitz’s death. And in Envoy’s response, which outlined plans to correct the issues brought up in the report, the facility said, “Resident No. 5 was discharged” January 11 — the day of Heitz’s death. In an interview with an Envoy social worker, an inspector brought up No. 5’s agitation incidents. “When asked if she was aware of any behaviors exhibited by resident No. 5, [the social worker] stated, ‘Not that I saw; I heard reports that he got upset and would pull his fist but never hit anyone,’” the report said. “[When] asked if resident No. 5’s behaviors should be care planned, [the social worker] stated, ‘Yes, they should have been.’” The inspector noted that the director of nursing and administrator at the facility “stated that they were unaware of the documented behaviors of resident No. 5.” MaryAnn Griffin, director of the city adult services office, said that while she could not speak specifically about Envoy or the homicide, all long-stay nursing home patients are required to have comprehensive plans of care established within two weeks of admission. And those plans must be updated on a quarterly basis. Griffin said the documents should address behavioral issues as well as any mental or physical impairment. LaKesha Davis, executive director at Envoy of Alexandria, did not return calls for comment. But in the facility’s response to the report, the nursing home said it had corrected all issues by March 7. “An [sic] review of current residents in the facility was conducted on or before [March 7] to ensure that behaviors are addressed on their plan of care,” wrote Envoy officials. “The staff development coordinator will re-educate staff on addressing resident behaviors on the plan of care ... “The unit manager/designee will review 10 percent of the residents with behaviors on a weekly basis for [three] months to ensure that behaviors are addressed on the residents’ plan of care.” WHO CARES? WE DO. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM VHC121Al xa driaTim s Lay ut 1 7 8 13 4 32 PM Pag 1 August 29, 2013 | 9 Virginia Hospital Center has just been named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America. Virginia Hospital Center has just been named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Truven Health Analytics. This award is particularly exciting because it is based on facts – about quality, safety, patient experience and more. And that's great news for the health and happiness of Alexandria, Virginia families. We're less than 20 minutes from Alexandria on North George Mason Drive in Arlington, VA. Visit us online at virginiahospitalcenter.com. 10 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Former nursery school will again welcome children New owners plan for pediatric dental office By Derrick Perkins The sale of the former Carver Nursery School — announced last week after months of anticipation — will see the building once again serve local children as a pediatric dental office. More importantly, the estimated $695,000 deal between local developer William Cromley and VSPD Properties LLC settles a longstanding fight for the building’s future. Cromley bought the 200 block N. Fayette St. building for a little less than $500,000 about five years ago, but his plan to demolish it sparked backlash from residents who file photo Local developer William Cromley planned to replace the former school with environmentally friendly condos. Though he later helped preserve the Parker-Gray neighborhood landmark, Cromley said giving up on his design wasn’t easy. consider the property as one of the few remaining vestiges of the Parker-Gray neighborhood. Though Cromley received the city’s go-ahead to supplant the rundown structure with condos, opponents successfully sued to prevent demolition. The settlement — struck between Cromley, his critics and city officials — put the project on hold for two years, as all sides looked for a buyer interested in preserving the building. Not a single party stepped forward. But when the deadline passed in February, which put the property’s future back in Cromley’s hands, the developer announced a change of heart. And shortly thereafter Cromley revealed he had found a prospective buyer, though he said little else about the pending deal or interested N ational & International Award Winner B est Selling Author for treating children and party at the time. He still is keeping mum on the people behind VSPD — at their behest — but said the reason behind their anonymity was “nothing nefarious” and that their identities will become public knowledge as they renovate and expand the building. In the meantime, Cromley is pleased to put the property, and land-use battle, behind him. “The good news for the neighborhood: It’s an appropriate use and a good community use,” he said. “Again, I’m really happy with the outcome.” His former critics agree with him — for the most part. Boyd Walker and Gwendolyn Day-Fuller, who spearheaded the campaign to save the building, applauded the move. Still, they had hoped the building might have been used in a way that paid homage to its past role in the historically black community. Built in the 1940s, the schoolhouse served local black children before transforming into an Ameri- can Legion post. “I’m very happy that it’s not going to be demolished; I would have loved to have seen it used as a school or something like that. But certainly I’m happy it will be used in a positive manner,” Day-Fuller said. “I’m happy to see that it will serve children in one way at least.” While Day-Fuller and Walker celebrated the salvation of a neighborhood landmark, Cromley noted the building’s preservation came with a cost: a shining example of environmentally friendly modern architecture. “When things are preserved, things are lost. What I had designed there was cutting-edge architecture with cutting-edge environmental technology,” Cromley said. “I’ll never get that opportunity again, nor will the city get that opportunity again to get that type of building. I certainly don’t want to sound like sour grapes, but it should be mentioned.” teenagers without psychiatric drugs 30 years experience for Adult Individual & Marriage Counseling Dr. DaviD B. Stein Clinical Psychologist 1240 N. Pitt St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone for appointment 804-837-8071 file photo Years of litigation and public debate kept the future of the one-time nursery school and American Legion post up in the air until developer William Cromley inked a deal with VSPD Properties LLC earlier this month. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 11 Hostel project dealt major setback Building landlord nixes deal, rents space to school district By Derrick Perkins Paul Cianciolo spent years pursuing his dream of opening a hostel in Alexandria — only to watch it unravel just before becoming reality. The young businessman learned last week that his prospective landlord had received a more palatable offer from Alexandria City Public Schools for the building along the 200 block of S. Peyton St. The last-minute switch leaves plans for a hostel in south Old Town in limbo. “We were in the final negotiations on the lease, going back and forth with the attorneys and all of that, kind of finalizing all the little details,” Cianciolo said. “I was expecting to get the lease back and getting ready to sign it and get going on [the project], and the owner came back and said, basically, he had another offer.” The owner of the property, listed as JRN 216 Peyton LLC, had been hesitant to enter into a lease before the hostel partners had received City Hall’s permission to open in Alexandria, Cianciolo said. So the two sides agreed to draw up the contract after the project got city council’s blessing. But that was no walk in the park. Cianciolo and his partner, James Brogan, faced fierce opposition in June from neighbors, who worried the hostel would invite trouble. The concerns varied, but many feared the idea of strange people wandering about in the same neighborhood as daycares. Add to that the hostel’s plan to serve alcohol — local wine and beer — and it took a bit of convincing. Ultimately, though, city council granted Cianciolo’s wish, though with a few caveats. And he hoped to open as early as this fall — until receiving the bad news from his prospective landlord. Christina Mindrup, a local business expert with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, described the tentative agreement that Cianciolo struck as one of two ways entrepreneurs generally navigate the early stages of launching a new venture. Business owners also often sign a lease with a condition that absolves the agreement if they can’t get the city’s OK for the project. “The landlord may have just said, ‘I’m not willing to take the risk on this,’ and all of the sudden this other lessee comes along,” Mindrup said. “It’s a shame. It’s good for the City of Alexandria [that the space will be filled], but it’s a shame for the hostel. We’ll try to help them regroup and find another location.” Cianciolo is less understanding. He estimates they put between $3,000 and $4,000 into the project, only to be sent back to square one. Though he’s still committed to opening a hostel, Alexandria may not be a good fit, he admitted. “It feels like a failure, but we’re not giving up on it,” Cianciolo said. “It’s just tough for a small business to come in and kind of start something from nothing these days.” alextimes.com 12 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES GET OUT OF TOWN Battlefields by bicycle Soak up Civil War history on two wheels By Derrick Perkins photo/derrick perkins A short walk from the trail at the Spotsylvania Courthouse battlefield offers visitors a view of eroded Confederate trenches and unit monuments. There’s no better way to tour the battlefield than on bicycle, says our guide while we look at a faded and wrinkled National Geographic map, depicting the meandering journey of the armies before their collision in Gettysburg. Bob Steenstra, owner of Gettysbike Tours, didn’t need to sell us. After all, we reserved the tour weeks earlier and had risen early on a chilly April morning to meet up in the parking lot of the national park’s visitor center. But Steenstra wanted us to know why we had paid to pedal along a roughly 13-mile route with him rather than take advantage of the roads winding throughout the battlefield. On two wheels, he said, you get a sense of the terrain that the soldiers marched and fought across in July 1863. And it wasn’t long before the veteran guide was proven correct. The best example, perhaps, is Little Round Top. The scene of intense fighting on the second day — and the spot where the battle’s outcome hung in the balance as Confederate soldiers nipped at the Union Army’s flank — doesn’t look like much from below. The perspective from the base of the hill, though, belies the commanding view offered by the jutting rock face above. And the ride up (the toughest stretch of the four-hour grand tour) leaves the rider with a firm understanding of the obstacle it presented to the waves of men clad in gray. The tour features a few other inclines, but Steenstra takes his group on a generally level route and adjusts his pace to your skill level. During frequent stops, he launches into detailed accounts of the battle, jumping nimbly from big-picture strategy to individual tales of heroics or horror. Though not carried out in chronological order (an impossibility given the different events occurring all across the lines during the three days of fighting), Steenstra offers a riveting — and easy to follow — narrative of the harrowing fight. His account takes riders through the narrow streets of Gettysburg, across wide and rolling fields, and into wooded thickets. Having toured the battlefield by car twice before — once with a guide and once without — there’s no arguing with Steenstra: taking two wheels rather than four is the way to go. Inspired by the spring jaunt, I decided to visit two other battlefields a little closer to home earlier this summer. Fredericksburg, situated about 50 miles south of Alexandria, is a great jumping-off point to tour several pivotal points of the Civil War. With our trusty Schwinns, we spent our first day on the quiet and heavily wooded SEE BIke | 22 photo/derrick perkins Touring a Civil War battlefield, like Gettysburg, is best done on two wheels. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM Calendar of Events To have your event considered for our calendar listings, please email events@alextimes.com. You can also post your event directly to our online calendar by visiting www.alextimes.com. Now to September 1 ALEXANDRIA SUMMER RESTAURANT WEEK For 10 days, more than 50 restaurants throughout Alexandria will offer a $35 prix-fixe three-course dinner or $35 dinner for two. Foodies can savor the flavors of the city’s distinctive collection of eateries — from fine dining to casual neighborhood gems. Time: Various Location: Various Information: 703-746-3301 or www.visitalexandriava.com August 29, 2013 | 13 Now to September 30 OCCUPIED CITY: LIFE IN CIVIL WAR ALEXANDRIA EXHIBITION This exhibition examines life in an American town seized and held by its federal government, following Virginia’s decision to secede from the Union in May 1861. Explore the experiences of Alexandrians and others who lived here during this tumultuous time through their words, as well as period photographs and collections items. Suggested admission is $2. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Location: The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Information: 703-746-4994 or www. alexandriahistory.org Now to December 31 MARSHALL HOUSE INCIDENT EXHIBITION The deaths of Union Col. Elmer Ellsworth and secessionist James Jackson at the Marshall House Hotel along King Street during the Federal occupation of Alexandria on May 24, 1861, stirred patriotic fervor in the north and south. This exhibit at Fort Ward features objects from the museum collection — like a star from the flag which had flown over Marshall House and loan items from the Mary Custis Lee chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy — to tell this notable story about the event that launched the Civil War in Alexandria. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Location: Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road Information: 703-746-4848 or www. fortward.org Now to January 4 AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACTIVISTS EXHIBITION Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing project, conceived by Nina Tisara, to create an enduring artistic record of the people whose vision and dedication make a positive, tangible difference to the quality of life in Alexandria. Over the years, 13 African-Americans have been chronicled as part of the project: Ferdinand Day in 2007-08; Lillie Finklea, Carlton Funn Sr., Eula Miller, Melvin Miller and Bert Ransom in 2008-09; Nelson Greene Sr. in 2010; Lynnwood Campbell in 2011; Lillian Patterson, Gwen Menefee-Smith and Dorothy Turner last year; and Willie Bailey Sr. and Rosa Byrd this year. Admission is $2. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Location: Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Information: www.alexandrialegends. com or www.alexandriava.gov/blackhistory Now to September 1 ALEXANDRIA SUMMER RESTAURANT WEEK For 10 days, more than 50 restaurants throughout Alexandria will offer a $35 prix-fixe three-course dinner or $35 dinner for two. Foodies can savor the flavors of the city’s distinctive collection of eateries — from fine dining to casual neighborhood gems. Time: Various Location: Various Information: 703-746-3301 or www. visitalexandriava.com August 29 FILM SERIES: ‘MOONRISE KINGDOM’ Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, this film tells the story of Sam and Suzy, two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact and run away together into the wilderness. SEE calendar | 14 14 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES calendar FROM | 13 Time: 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Location: Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Information: 703-746-1702 CARAVAN OF THIEVES New England’s Caravan of Thieves return to Alexandria in support of their recent release, “The Funhouse.” The album is exemplary of a band on the high road to musical perfection and channels pop bliss. Tickets are $20. Time: 8 p.m. Location: Old Town Theater, 815 ½ King St. Information: 703-544-5315 or www. oldtowntheater1914.com August 31 THE OUTLAWS With original singer, songwriter and guitarist Henry Paul as well as original drummer and songwriter Monte Yoho, the Outlaws released their first album in more than decade last year with “It’s About Pride.” The group is also known for singles such as “There Goes Another Love Song” and “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky.” Tickets are $35. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Information: 703-549-7500 or www. birchmere.com September 1 MAYSA The jazz singer returns to The Birchmere on the heels of releasing her latest album, titled “Blue Velvet Soul.” Tickets are $45. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Information: 703-549-7500 or www. birchmere.com September 2 CITY OFFICES CLOSED The city will close city offices for the Labor Day holiday. Time: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Location: Various Information: www.alexandriava.gov September 3 AUTHOR TALK Mary Radnofsky will discuss her book, “Escape From Romania to 9/11: Rebuilding the American Dream,” which was written with Liviu Borota. Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Location: Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Information: 703-746-1702 “I’ve made a lot of good friends since moving to the Hermitage.” —John Mutchler h Move into one of our featured apartments and take advantage of special incentives, saving you thousands. Call 703-797-3814 for details. h Enjoy the Carefree Lifestyle You Deserve I f you’ve been thinking about moving to the Hermitage, now is one of the best times ever. We’re offering special incentives on our beautiful featured apartments. And once you’ve settled in, you’ll discover why many people like you have made the move: the chance to experience a new lifestyle with an array of services and amenities. Just ask resident John Mutchler, who appreciates the freedom from home maintenance and the opportunity to participate in clubs and social activities. Our residents also rave about our superb dining service, our courteous and helpful staff, and an overall feeling of caring and security that comes with living at the Hermitage. You’ll also gain peace of mind knowing that health care and supportive services are available right here, if you ever need them. For more information, call 703-797-3814. September 4 EXPLORE THE NATURAL WORLD A Buddie Ford Nature Center naturalist will come to talk about various topics (and possibly be accompanied by live animals). The event is for kindergartners through fifth-graders. Time: 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Location: James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Information: 703-746-1705 September 5 FIRST THURSDAY IN DEL RAY This event along Mount Vernon Avenue will feature music, exhibitions by local organizations and businesses open late with special activities. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. Location: Mount Vernon Avenue Information: Contact Pat Miller at 703-258-4516 or pmiller1806@ comcast.net September 6 MAMMOVAN Global Health College will host George Washington University’s Mammovan to promote breast health screening to women 40 and older. Mammograms are free to those who meet financial eligibility requirements. Otherwise insurance will cover the screening. Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Global Health College, 25 S. Quaker Lane Information: 202-741-3252 OPENING RECEPTION: ONE PERCENT This all-area artist show Alexandria, VA www.Hermitage-Nova.com is about defining and depicting the 1 percent of anything each artist chose in a representational, abstract or symbolic form in any media. Come chat with the artists in the show and other art appreciators during the official opening of this exhibit, which runs through September 29. Time: 7 to 10 p.m. Location: Del Ray Artisans gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Information: www.thedelrayartisans. org STEEP CANYON RANGERS This North Carolina band plays traditional bluegrass music with a progressive flair for more people than any other bluegrass group in America thanks to their partnership with Steve Martin. In 2011, their collaboration “Rare Bird Alert” earned them all Grammy nominations and the coveted IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award. Steep Canyon Rangers released their latest album, “Nobody Knows You,” last year. Tickets are $29.50. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Information: 703-549-7500 or www. birchmere.com September 7 - 8 11TH ANNUAL ALEXANDRIA KING STREET ART FESTIVAL Come discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography and ceramics. This popular outdoors, community festival will feature art for every taste. More than $15 million in art will be on display, and visitors will meet the artists behind the work. The event is free. Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Location: King Street, Royal and Fairfax streets Information: 703-746-5592 September 7 APD: FREE CHILD IDENTIFICATION EVENT The Alexandria Police Department — in partnership with the community and human services department, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and the Center for Alexandria’s Children Inc. — will host a SafeAssured Child Identification event for city residents. Free SafeAssured child identification kits will be available to families with children 16 and younger. Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Police Headquarters, 3600 Wheeler Ave. Information: 703-746-1909 BOOK LAUNCH: ‘ALL OUR YESTERDAYS’ Cristin Terrill, an Alexandria resident, will launch her young-adult novel, “All Our Yesterdays,” at Hooray for Books! The novel has already caught many people’s attention, and the story has been optioned to be a full-fledged motion picture. Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Location: Hooray for Books! 1555 King St. Information: 703-548-4092 or www. hooray4books.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 15 Raising a toast to ‘The World’s End’ By Richard Roeper The World’s End is a tavern. It is the last stop on the golden mile — a legendary, unfinished pub crawl that still haunts one Gary King 20 years after the night he and his best mates tried but failed to down one pint apiece in each of the 12 joints along the way. As we see in the perfectly conceived, hipster-nostalgic opening sequence in “The World’s End,” Gary was a young king of sorts in 1990, a charismatic, devil-may-care teenager leading “The Five Musketeers” on a pub crawl through the idyllic city of Newton Haven, a pub crawl that was punctuated by beer, brawls, fistfights and more beer. Cut to present day. Four of the musketeers have grown up. Jobs, marriage, children, suits, ties — all the trappings. Not Gary. He’s still dressing, drinking and acting like he did two decades ago. Desperate to re-create the greatest night of his life, Gary talks his mates into a return to Newton Haven, where they’ll finish that pub crawl. Following the zombie apocalypse comedy “Shaun of the Dead” and the buddy-cop sendup “Hot Fuzz,” this is the third genre spoof from writerdirector Edgar Wright, writer-actor Simon Pegg and the invaluable actor Nick Frost, and it’s the best of the terrific bunch. (The three films are referred to as the “Cornetto trilogy,” a reference to the ice cream company, because — well, you already know all this if you’re one of the legions of hard-core fans, and you don’t need to know any of it to enjoy the hell out of these films.) Pegg plays Gary, the selfcentered misfit who either doesn’t realize or doesn’t care how pathetic he looks to the mainstream world. His reluctant buddies include Paddy Considine’s Steven; Eddie Marsan’s Peter; Martin Freeman’s Oliver — and Nick Frost’s Andy, Gary’s former best friend who’s still nursing a grudge (and rightfully so) over something Gary did way back in the day. Gary and his mates are chagrined to see many of their favorite pubs have fallen victim to “Starbucking,” with nearly identical interior designs, from the placement of the dart board to the chalkboard menus to the overly buffed floors. It’s all quite well-rendered. If “The World’s End” continued on as a British “Big Chill,” we’d all have quite the fine moviegoing experience. But then something startling happens, and though the trailers (and much of the online discussion about the film) reveal the massive plot twist, I’ll still issue the obligatory SPOILER ALERT. Suffice to say there’s a reason why some of the familiar faces in Newton Haven haven’t aged in 20 years, and there are elements of “The Stepford Wives,” “The Martian Chronicles” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” at play here. When Gary gets into a fight with a robotic young upstart, his opponent bleeds blue “blood” and is able to heal from injuries that would kill a human. Once Gary and the guys realize the town has been invaded, with a sizable percentage of the population now halfalien robot and half-human, their solution? Continue the pub crawl! Maybe if they keep moving and they keep drinking, they won’t fall victim. It’s a brilliantly stupid plan. “The World’s End” contains some of the funniest stunts and battle sequences in recent memory, with Frost executing some particularly nimble moves. You gotta love an alien whose legs wind up where her arms used to be — and it doesn’t slow her down one bit as she just keeps on swinging. Even after some tragic setbacks, Gary keeps on barging into pubs, pouring a pint himself if the places have been destroyed and abandoned. He’s on a quest that’s only symbolically about those beers, and he’ll be damned if an alien invasion is going to stop him. Even as “The World’s End” segues into a spot-on scifi satire (and say that three times fast), it stays true to its reunion-movie roots as well, with Gary and Andy working out their differences in the midst of all the insanity. It’s the end of the world, and they don’t blow it. 16 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com Savio’s Italian Restaurant & Bar Wine up to not just a place to drink tea... 2 people / 3 courses Teaism for only $35! Asian-inspired, healthy & creative! open seven days a week until 10 pm 682 N St. Asaph Street 703-684-7777 50%off! $ 35 Dinner-for-Two Menu for Restaurant Week 516 S. Van Dorn St • Alexandria, VA 703.212.9651 • saviosrestaurant.com www.bastillerestaurant.com Casual elegance at your doorstep! RestauRant Week August 19 - september 1st 3 course lunch $20.13 • 3 course dinner $35.13 Happy Hour Monday-Thursday, 5:30-7 p.m. 1201 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Reservations: 703-519-3776 WHO CARES? WE DO. Email comments, rants & raves to letters@alextimes.com WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 17 To advertise in the next Bridal Directory please call the Alexandria Times sales team at 703-739-0001 18 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Let’s Eat A special advertising feature of the Alexandria Times Zento adds zest to Old Town Make a note: Zento Japanese Restaurant is another dining delight in Old Town that opened earlier this summer at 693 N. Washington St. The whole experience works well at Zento. The restaurant offers delicious cuisine, fantastic prices, friendly service and a cheery ambience that makes this spot a place to check out sooner than later. “I’m thrilled to have opened Zento in Alexandria because the people are so friendly and they seem to enjoy going out to eat,” says owner Max Tangjaitaweesuk. And people seem to enjoy Zento’s scrumptious fare, which is prepared with high-quality, fresh ingredients. The sushi, sashimi, ramen, udon, teriyaki and tempura are hands-down outstanding. There also are box specials for lunch and dinner as well as other meals like miso soup and a house salad and rice. Zento also nails portion sizes, which are just right, but everyone should still save a bit of room for fried ice cream. One diner called the dessert treat “amazing.” On Friday night, an informal survey of diners at Zento revealed that not only did they love their dishes of choice, but also that 100 percent of patrons will definitely return in the near future. That is quite the endorsement. For commuters, Zento provides a nice stop on the way home from work, either to pick up dinner or enjoy the daily happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Sushi, various starters — like fried calamari and crispy salmon rolls — beer, wine and sake are available during happy hour. As an added bonus, Zento is child-friendly, with high chairs and booster seats for the younger ones. Zento zooms to the top of muststop restaurants in Old Town with tasty sushi and sashimi as well as wonderful service. So swing by this great Japanese restaurant and experience something new — and appetizing — this summer. For more information, call 703-566-3695 or visit www. zentorestaurant.com. Zento opens from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Serving Country French Cuisine since 1983 Le Refuge W here From the founder of BuyPied 1 Entrée One Au deGet Cochon FREE you can Dine-in Only experience the tastes and ambiance of a paris (except Friday and Saturday) cafe Without leaving *Does not include the special du jour. Offer good until 9/13. the city limits . 235 Alexandria, VA VA 22314 22314 235 Swamp Swamp Fox Fox Road Road Alexandria, Alexandria, 235 SwampFrom Fox Road the founder of VA 22314 From the founder of Across from Eisenhower Metro Station Across from Eisenhower Metro Station Across from Eisenhower Metro Station 703-329-1010 • Open 7 Days a Week 703-329-1010 • Open 7 Days aVAWeek Alexandria, 235 SwampFox FoxRoad Road Alexandria, VA 22314 22314 235 Swamp Across from Eisenhower Metro Station Across from Eisenhower Metro Station 703-329-1010 DaysaaWeek Week 703-329-1010 •• Open Open 77 Days Au Pied Cochon Au Pied dedeCochon 127 N. Washington St. 703.548.4661 WWW.lerefugealexandria.com $14. $14. 95 95 $14. $14. 95 $29. 95 $14. $14. 95 95 50 $29. 95 $14. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Special Advertise your business or service. Contact Kristen Essex at kessex@alextimes.com 703.739.0001 Alexandria, VA 22314 235 Swamp VA 22314 235 Swamp Fox Fox Road Road Alexandria, Only) VA 22314 235 Swamp Fox(Dining-in Road Alexandria, 2 entrees and a bottle Metro of wineStation for Across from Eisenhower Eisenhower Metro Station Across from Across from Eisenhower Metro Station 703-329-1010 • Open 7 Days a Week Maine Lobster Dinner 703-329-1010 • Open 7 Days aVAWeek Alexandria, 235 Swamp Fox Road VA 22314 22314 235 Swamp Foxfrom Road Alexandria, Everyday PM to closing (After6:30 6:30pm) Across from Eisenhower MetroStation Station Across from Eisenhower Metro Maine Lobster Dinner Mainefrom Lobster Dinner 703-329-1010 • Days Week 703-329-1010 • Open Open Days aaWeek Everyday 6:30 77PM to closing Maine Lobster Dinner From the6:30 founder of closing Everyday from PM to Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Special S m singing Au Pied de Cochon Edith Piaf songs every Friday night Only) imone (Dining-in archand 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for From the founder of 50bring you Yves and Lobster Oyuna, your hosts, Maine Dinner theyour founder of bring you Yves andFrom Oyuna, hosts, the idealfrom neighborhood bistro. Everyday 6:30 PM closing (After 6:30pm) to the ideal neighborhood bistro. Maine Lobster Dinner Au Pied de Cochon Au Pied de Cochon WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 19 Procedural flub postpones utility tax increases Mistake will cost city $275,000 By erich wagner City Councilor Justin Wilson was checking his monthly bills when he noticed a rather unorthodox red flag: His electricity bill hadn’t gone up. Wilson realized, after examining the various monthly taxes and fees, that his utility tax cap was still $2.40 and hadn’t increased to $3. It should have; city council had voted on it before leaving for summer recess. “Well, you know, I pay attention to my bills, and I said to someone earlier, ‘I pay attention to my bills, and I pay attention to the city’s bills,’” Wilson said. “[When] I got my bill last week that was a bill covered completely in the new fiscal year, I said, ‘Uh oh, something’s wrong,’ and I didn’t know if it was Dominion [Virginia] Power’s mistake or a city issue, so I sent a note to staff.” City Manager Rashad Young confirmed Tuesday that City Hall had erred. During the sprint to the end of the city’s legislative session in June, staff had forgotten to schedule a public hearing and final vote on the measure, which includes a 10-percent rate hike for businesses. Councilors had agreed upon it during the budget process. “During the docket management process, we enter the bills into the electronic system for first reading, and then when the council acts, we enter it again to schedule the second reading and public hearing, but we just did not put that back into the system,” Young said. He has directed city staff to enter new legislation next month when Wilson and his colleagues return to session. The plan is to put the measure into effect October 1. In the meantime, the oversight will cost the city around $275,000. “The city plans to resolve this situation by constantly monitoring revenue collections throughout the year and controlling expenditures when possible to ensure this does not cause any service impacts,” Young said. In the future, according to stock photo Though city council agreed to raise taxes on utility fees, a mix up at City Hall meant they never voted on it. SEE Tax | 20 Setting the agenda Budget process, Internet access top city council’s priorities By erich wagner Included in the issues that city councilors will address after returning from summer recess are improving competition for high-speed Internet access as well as introducing a multiyear budget process. While the Alexandria City Council will begin preliminary planning for the budget when the legislative session kicks off September 10, Mayor Bill Euille said that he wants to discuss adopting a two-year budget process. Taking a longer view could make financial planning easier and more accurate, he said. City Councilor John Chapman said the benefits of multiyear budget planning outweigh the potential drawbacks. For example, he expects it will push city agencies and outside organizations dependent on lo- cal tax dollars to prepare properly or risk being left out in the cold. “I think the downside to it can be that if you don’t get money, you don’t get it for two years instead of one,” he said. “We might have more competition and urgency from partners or agencies surrounding the money, and I also think that will hopefully push groups, agencies or partners to develop some outcomes and expectations of outcomes when we do give out funding. “It forces us to think a little bit longer into the future, so I’m for it.” But Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg will need a bit of convincing before agreeing to replace a process that city leaders have relied on for decades. “That came up last year at the retreat, and I think [City Councilor] Justin [Wilson] brought it up,” Silberberg said. “[We’ve] always had the system we have, so I’m curious to hear about the pros and cons of each. I’m not wedded to switching and not against it either. ... I’d like to talk to economists and see what other well-managed cities are doing. “Personally, I want to make sure we’re careful about decisions like that.” Along with multiyear budget planning, Euille also wants to improve broadband and fiber-optic Internet access in Alexandria. “We need to be active in the effort to expand broadband throughout the city,” he said. “It could be through pilot programs, or it might be specific to certain neighborhoods, but we need to see what we can do to make it a reality. “It’s long overdue. We keep getting businesses and others asking, ‘Why can’t we have fiber?’ And if we keep waiting for others to bring it, we probably won’t ever get there.” Silberberg believes the best way of promoting investment in tech infrastructure could SEE agenda | 22 file photo Mayor Bill Euille wants to weigh adopting a multiyear budgeting process during the upcoming legislative session. 20 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Will more education spending fix schools? courtesy photo A report issued by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, found that increasing education spending doesn’t always produce results. Report questions role of money in academics By Kathryn Watson Maybe Jessie J. was onto something with the lyrics, “It’s not about the money, money, money” — at least, when it comes to state spending on education. Virginia isn’t giving an accurate price tag when it comes to per-pupil spending, basically failing taxpayers with a D-minus for transparency — just as many of the state’s schools are failing students — according to a new report by the libertarian Cato Institute. And when states such as Virginia don’t show the real price tag on per-pupil spending, they cloud the reality that per-pupil spending has soared over the past 40 years. tax FROM | 19 Online all the time – alextimes.com Young, the city hopes to avoid similar slip-ups by scheduling public hearings along with first readings. “We’ll just automatically schedule that second meeting,” he said. “It’s easier to remove something from the docket rather than add it a second time.” Wilson said it was unfortunate that the mistake hap- Test scores haven’t. “Certainly, I think it adds to the public perception” — even if that’s hard to measure, said Jason Bedrick, policy analyst with the Cato Institute who authored the report. Per-pupil spending is about $14,000 in Virginia, according to Cato. Virginia’s per-pupil spending data is missing a few key elements, according to the report. There is no total dollar figure for actual expenditures, including things such as pensions for teachers and administrators. The state also doesn’t list that data over time, making it tough for people to track actual spending. Here are three myths people often have about K-12 public education spending nationally, debunked. SEE schools | 21 pened. But he feels confident about the new procedures, including one that will — in future budget cycles — consolidate tax and fee changes into a couple of pieces of omnibus legislation for passage simultaneously. Doing so will prevent such errors from happening again. “It’s not an incredibly large amount of money,” Wilson said. “But hey, I guess it actually ended up like a little bit of a tax break for residents.” WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 21 State confirms hearing on Norfolk Southern permit request courtesy photo Norfolk Southern is seeking state permission to expand the operation at its West End facility, which local officials oppose. State environmental officials will hold a public hearing on Norfolk Southern’s request to expand the scope of its West End ethanol facility, but the details remain up in the air. City officials petitioned the state Department of Environmental Quality to hold public hearings in Alexandria after learning of Norfolk Southern’s plans to more than double operations earlier this year. Before the company can expand, it must secure an air permit from Richmond. While a VDEQ official confirmed Monday that there would be a hearing, no date or location has been set. But officials expect to determine both in short order. The transportation giant caught city council unaware when it quietly took the first step toward expanding its facility, which is located about schools said. “In recent years, there’s been a slowing in the rate of growth, and if you adjust for inflation between 2008 and 2009, there was a dip slightly,” Bedrick said. “But otherwise, really, we’ve seen persistent growth in education spending.” FROM | 20 STATES DON’T SPEND ALL THAT MUCH ON STUDENTS In a recent survey, U.S. citizens guessed that — on average — that states spend just less than $7,000 per pupil. The actual figure, according to Education Next and Harvard University’s Program on Education, which conducted the study, is just less than $14,000. “The public vastly underestimates the amount of money that’s spent per pupil on public education,” Bedrick said. THE AMOUNT PER PUPIL HAS PLUMMETED DURING THE GREAT RECESSION That just isn’t true, Bedrick SUCCESS COMES DOWN TO MONEY The average amount spent on a student’s entire K-12 education has — adjusted for inflation — soared from $56,903 in 1970 to $164,426 in 2010, according to the Cato Institute. What about math and reading scores? Well, they haven’t changed. “At a certain point, it’s not clear that resources — obviously you need a certain amount of resources to provide a stone’s throw from Cameron Station. Officials only learned of the company’s plans in May after receiving notification from Richmond. The lack of communication did not sit well with Mayor Bill Euille, who directed City Attorney Jim Banks to explore Alexandria’s legal options while also asking VDEQ for a local hearing. Even if the hearing happens in Alexandria, city officials are pessimistic that they can convince Richmond to refuse Norfolk Southern. City Manager Rashad Young warned that the company’s request was “relatively minor” as far as the state was concerned during a council meeting in May. Despite seeking the air permit, Norfolk Southern spokesman Robin Chapman said the company has not decided whether to expand its transloading operation in Alexandria. 1804 Mount Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301 Classes in guitar, piano, brass instruments, voice, dance, musical theatre & percussion 703-836-2427 Registration now open. Less than $8/Class Contact: cheryl_gage@uss.salvationarmy.org ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK - Derrick Perkins a good quality of education — but at a certain point, there’s no good evidence that resources are determinant,” Bedrick said. Encouraging school choice and empowering parents to make schools competitive is the way out of the upward spending cycle, Bedrick said. “You want parents to be able to choose the school that best meets their children’s individual needs and that competition makes schools more responsive to the needs of parents,” Bedrick said. “So, we don’t think that it primarily comes down to a resource issue.” Kathryn Watson is a reporter for the Virginia Bureau of Watchdog.org, and can be reached at katie@watchdogvirignia.org. ~ Ready, Set, Let’s Go ~ Athletic? Like to hike and jog? Here is your new Best Friend, young Duke. Half hound, half terrier and 100% fun, he will be your loyal companion and personal trainer. Duke promises to keep you in top form with his daily exercise routine. His cross-fit regime will inspire and delight you, bringing a smile to your face and joy to your heart. Visit the shelter and meet our duke this week, your perfect work-out partner! Visit www.alexandriaanimals.org or call (703) 746-4774 Thank You! The Alexandria Animal Shelter’s Pet of the Week is sponsored by Diann Hicks. 703-628-2440 www.diannhicks.com 22 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES agenda FROM | 19 photo/derrick perkins After touring the nearby battlefields, downtown Fredericksburg boasts excellent spots to refresh and refuel. be disappointed by the multitude of placards expounding FROM | 12 on the bloody fight. A view of weather-eroded Confederate Fredericksburg Battlefield just trenches at the aptly named outside of town. The route “Mule Shoe” — so called for is rolling and — at times — the shape of the rebel lines — steep, but very doable on bike. is well worth dismounting and The nearby site of the taking a short walk out onto Battle of Spotsylvania Court- the field. house, which we tackled our The two battlefields offer second day in the area, offers a the ambitious traveler polar better ride for enthusiastic cy- opposite experiences. Though clists, and history buffs won’t Spotsylvania Courthouse is by bike far a better trip into the past, Fredericksburg offers easy access to a quaint downtown reminiscent of Old Town. And on two wheels, an intrepid visitor can easily ride from the battlefield into town for a drink and bite to eat. It probably doesn’t need repeating a third time, but just in case you haven’t realized it yet: A trip to the battlefield is better on bicycle. Potomac Belle Yacht Charters A Private Yacht for all Occasions! Located at the Alexandria City Docks 703-868-5566 • www.potomacbelle.com www.alextimes.com be through competition. She said in some parts of the city it seems like cable and Internet options are “Comcast or bupkis.” “It seems to me that in the future we’ll probably have Wi-Fi everywhere, then perhaps that is an option that the city should consider down the road,” she said. “But in the meantime we need more competition.” But Euille isn’t the only city official coming with an agenda this fall. Chapman said he’s preparing legislation — mirroring a bill passed this summer in Prince George’s County — that provides the city with the first right of refusal to purchase, or enables local nonprofits to purchase, properties for use as affordable housing. “It’s going to be different [from the Prince George’s County legislation], but I’ve been sitting down with city staff to see what we think we can get done,” Chapman said. “[I’m] working with the development community on it to find a happy medium there … as well as empower some of the nonprofits to make sure that they can have the strategic plans in place to take advan- tage of this.” For Silberberg, she wants to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses in Alexandria, possibly by providing a roadmap showcasing the necessary steps before opening a store. “One person told me that he had walked in to handle one thing and then found out by chance, ‘Did you handle this or that?’ And he found out at the last second — just before his grand opening — that he needed to do one or two things in addition to that,” she said. “He said it was very stressful.” Silberberg also wants to set up a “conservation shield” for city parkland and open space, partially in light of the buzz surrounding the aborted proposal to lease Hensley Park to private developers for a sports and entertainment complex. “As we become even more dense than we already are, it’s all the more critical that we have that open space so that people can reflect and get out of their four walls,” she said. Councilors also will grapple with such lingering concerns this fall as how to regulate food trucks in Alexandria as well as zoning and development issues like the city housing master plan. Breaking news. Real time updates. WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 23 At Home Back in black (and white) By Elaine Markoutsas With black and white, there’s no middle ground. It’s high-contrast. Crisp. Classic. In home design, the teaming is a perennial favorite — one as beloved as it is in apparel, especially by purists. It has its place in traditional decor, with styles from Art Deco to Country French (think toile prints) to Neoclassical. And, of course, it’s about as modern as it gets. It runs the gamut from sleek black-tie Hollywood glam to romantic country casual, where the fabrics may be washed linens and soft plaids and the finishes matte and distressed. But this year, black and white has emerged as one of the big furnishings stories. It started across the pond, where it was not a coincidental occurrence, at the big Paris show, Maison et Objet. It continued on this year’s fashion runways, from Dolce&Gabbana oversized horizontal stripes to Jason Wu black-on-white luxe embroideries to Marc Jacobs animal prints — zebra, snow leopard and giraffe — as well as cheeky op art prints and Louis Vuitton’s playful checkerboard. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from all that black and white is its current moxie — from color blocking (bold swaths side-by-side a la Mondrian) to distinctive pat- terns (houndstooth, chevron, stripes, op art and geometric designs are packing the most punch). “The energizing power of black and white is not confined to apparel,” says Ron Fiore, creative director for Bernhardt Furniture. “Black-and-white combinations are easy to live with, grounding and mix with any palette. Stripes are familiar, and to mix a floral pattern with black-and-white stripe is kind of cool.” What’s especially cool is the unexpected — teaming up a traditional silhouette and frame with a very modern cover. Holly Blalock, vice SEE Black | 28 Photo/CR Laine An 18th-century-inspired chair gets a sassy new attitude with linen upholstery that teams blocks of black and white. The Aledo chair, from CR Laine, measures 29-inches wide, 26-inches deep, 37-inches tall and sells for $1,375 as shown, in Tess Oyster and Inspire Onyx. HOME OF THE WEEK Striking spaces in a timeless escape This stylish home is sited on picturesque grounds, surrounded by mature trees and lush plantings. The timeless floor plan and elegant upgrades work together to create a beautiful atmosphere that is ideal for both casual everyday living and stylish entertaining. Enter into a beautiful two story open foyer. You will love the gracious living room and dining room spaces on the main level- both rooms have beautiful treed views. The gourmet kitchen features sparkling granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a warm brick fireplace and a large family room. Beamed ceilings and stylish pendant lighting and a dramatic back splash add to the allure and space. With four large bedrooms (and a potential fifth) this home is approximately 3500 square feet of beauty. An oversized two car garage, workshop, enormous laundry room and recreation room along with great storage complete this package. The private exterior is heavily treed with sumptuous landscapes and hardscape – move right in. At a Glance: Location: 1700 Mason Hill Drive Alexandria, VA 22307 Classic beauty with New Orleans style balcony in a very private location. Price: $789,500 Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 3 2 Car Garage Gracious and elegant open space. Contact: Janet Caterson Price 703-960-5858 For interactive virtual tour visit http://janetpricehomes.com. EuropEan HandcraftEd furniturE, antiquEs & VintagE accEssoriEs Summer Clearance Sale Up to 75% off European Country Living 1006 King Street, Alexandria,VA 22314 TEL (703) 778-4172 OnLinE ShopECL.com Facebook “f ” Logo Follow Us CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps 24 | August 29, 2013 Our View Lessons for preservationists With the sale of the former Carver Nursery School, we can close the book on one of Alexandria’s many land-use controversies. But let’s not let it go to waste. No, let’s see what we can learn from this years-long squabble for a historic landmark — or example of community blight, depending on your point of view — in the ParkerGray neighborhood. For those who haven’t followed the story, developer William Cromley bought the property about five years ago. But his plans to replace the building with an environmentally friendly piece of modern architecture quickly ran afoul of neighborhood preservationists. They sued and successfully forced Cromley — and the city — to spend two years looking for a buyer who might save or repurpose the building, which served black children during segregation. When the two-year mark passed in February, though, not a single person or organization had stepped forward. The fate of the one-time nursery school was back in Cromley’s hands. But the developer had moved on to other projects. Giving up on his plans for the property, he successfully found a buyer who will expand and repurpose the ramshackle structure. It’s a story with a happy ending. But we see a few lessons that the community can draw from it, so Alexandria can hopefully avoid years of strife when another landmark is put on the chopping block. Perhaps most importantly, we need to be proactive. Alexandrians care about preserving their past but, as we saw with the former nursery school, the Old Town Theater and even with the waterfront redevelopment plan, too often wait until the last moment to leap into action. Going forward, neighborhood preservationists (all good people with good intentions) must identify the things and places worth saving before they get slated for redevelopment. After important landmarks are selected as worthy of preservation, plans for raising money — whether it comes from grants, deep-pocketed donors or crowdfunding — must be drawn up. And this fiscal roadmap must consist of more than, say, petitioning City Hall to hand over taxpayer dollars. Lastly, we must embrace compromise. Yes, in a perfect world the former Carver Nursery School would serve the neighborhood as a museum, community center or even educational facility as grassroots preservationists had wished instead of a dental office. But, at the end of the day, the building has been saved. Preservation sounds nice, but it requires work. In this case, Cromley ended up doing most of the heavy lifting. It was a generous gesture. We can’t count on other developers being so community-spirited. ALEXANDRIA TIMES Opinion “Where the press is free and every man is able to read, all is safe.” - Thomas Jefferson Your Views Jefferson-Houston was on the road to success, but no longer To the editor: In the August 8 edition of the Alexandria Times, former school board chairman Arthur Peabody argued that Jefferson-Houston School is actually a success and state education officials were using too rigid numerical measures in evaluating educational progress (“Jefferson-Houston’s dirty little secret? It’s a success story”). He basically rehashed the arguments made to the Virginia Board of Education in October, when Superintendent Morton Sherman and former board chairwoman Sheryl Gorsuch unsuccessfully sought a pass on accreditation for the troubled school. Their arguments were not convincing then and they aren’t convincing now. According to the Virginia Department of Education, in 2012-13 some 93 percent of schools (1,716 in all) were fully accredited. This included many Title I schools and even a few with 100 percent of the students eligible for free or reduced meals. (Meanwhile, Peabody wrote that 73 percent of Jefferson-Houston students are eligible for subsidized meals.) Still, less than 1 percent of Virginia schools were denied accreditation as Jefferson-Houston was. It is preposterous to argue that the state’s regulatory benchmarks are unfair when so many schools across the state make the grade, including those with similar demographics. Like others who have volunteered — or been recruited — to defend Sherman, Peabody blurs the history of the school’s accreditation efforts by sweeping under the rug past compliance with state standards. It’s time to set forth the facts once again for the record. State Standards of Learning tests are administered near the end of an academic year, and the results are used to determine status for the following academic year. For examSEE success | 26 WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 25 Next governor must sustain Virginia’s energy supply To the editor: Virginia’s upcoming gubernatorial election is likely to be one of the most important in the past decade. The commonwealth has been named one of the top five states in which to do business for the past five years. In fact, our business-friendly climate helped the state’s GDP reach a record $445 million last year. While many factors contribute to this success, none are more important than Virginia’s balanced energy policies. These policies are the result of electing pragmatic leaders eager to pursue energy development of all types. Indeed, this leadership has enabled Virginia to move toward an “all of the above” approach that serves as a model for the nation. [If] outof-state, antidevelopment activists have their way, Virginia’s energy pragmatism — and continued economic growth — could be at risk.” According to the Energy Information Administration, nearly 40 percent of the state’s electricity is provided by nuclear energy and 34 percent is generated using natural gas. At the same time, energy from renewable sources has doubled in recent years and provides 5 percent of Virginia’s electricity supply. Add it all up and nearly 80 percent of the commonwealth’s electricity comes from low, or zero, emission sources. The remainder of the state’s electricity is provided by coal. This industry is not only of great importance — last year it fueled $2.9 billion in economic activity and 10,637 jobs — but also helps keep our energy costs low while providing the stability needed for continued economic growth. This is a critical point when considering that the commonwealth’s electricity use is expected to grow by 1.5 percent each year. At this rate, Virginia will need to expand its energy supply by 14.6 percent to meet expected demand through 2020. While the state’s renewable energy portfolio target will help, coal will continue being an important part. However, if out-of-state, antidevelopment activists have their way, Virginia’s energy pragmatism — and continued economic growth — could be at risk. In fact, Californian billionaire and activist Tom Steyer recently announced he intends to pump millions of dollars into the state’s gubernatorial election to “send a national message about the power of climate-oriented politics.” Regardless of this, Virginians already know that the state is an energy leader. This is evident by the state’s diversity in electricity production, its renewable electricity objectives and the fact that, in 2010, the commonwealth’s vehicle fleet was ranked eighth for the portion of alternative-fueled vehicles in use. For this reason, Consumer Energy Alliance is proud to host the 2013 Virginia Energy and Opportunity Forum: A Discussion with Virginia’s Gubernatorial Candidates. The forum — being held at George Mason’s School of Law today — will allow state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) and Terry McAuliffe SEE Governor | 26 The Business Plan with Bill Reagan Smart entrepreneurs get help with financing For many business owners, understanding their financials can be a struggle. Figuring out financing for the startup or expansion of a business may be difficult to grasp. This is a perfect example of why an entrepreneur should contact the Alexandria Small Business Development Center for help. Financial guidance is among the free services offered at the center. Savvy business owners know that routinely reviewing their financial statements with experts makes them better managers. They know that it makes sense to do an annual fiscal checkup. They know at the first indication of needing working capital, an expansion loan or even a startup loan that the most efficient approach they can take is to work through their business plan and loan request with an expert. Some have equated this process with getting coached for an interview. Our business analyst, Jack Parker, has been a part-time member of the team for 15 years. In that time — along with helping manage finances — he has assisted more than 235 business owners and startup entrepreneurs obtain loans or investments totaling more than $63.5 million. As a retired banker, Jack knows what loan officers expect to see. They want requests that clearly show how a loan will be repaid and expect the applicant will provide sound financial projections supported by My View Bill Reagan written assumptions. Some bankers indicate they have greater confidence in requests that involved help from the center. Their experience is that center-assisted applicants typically are better prepared — and therefore pose less of a risk. Thanks to our strong partnerships with local financial institutions, bankers often refer prospective borrowers to the center for guidance. Ten Alexandria banks are financial supporters of the center, and many of their lenders work closely with Parker to connect business owners with the right services. This includes helping business owners develop strong banking re- lationships, establish lines of credit and seek financing. Being unprepared for a loan application can prove perilous. Many prospective borrowers might not realize that when a loan application is turned down, it can affect your credit rating. Alexandria business owners have access to a free resource that can work with them to fine-tune their loan or line-of-credit application so that it answers almost every question a loan officer will ask. That way, they approach a lender with confidence in the plan they’re presenting and hold a much greater chance of being approved. Whether or not a business owner needs financing, it behooves them to have a strong and confidential relationship with their bank. We are glad to have a resource to help Alexandria business owners develop such relationships and better manage the financials of their business. The writer is the executive director of the Alexandria Small Business Development Center. 26 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Waterfront plan opponents don’t have a choice – they must fight To the editor: The Alexandria Times appropriately applauded the Alexandria Aces for their 4-3 near-comeback against Bethesda Big Train in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League playoffs. Just as the Aces didn’t quit when they were down 4-0, the waterfront folks shouldn’t give up just because City Hall has the votes to approve the redevelopment plan. Their continuing opposition to waterfront hotels is not “opposition for opposition’s sake,” but opposition for principle’s sake. Until the Virginia Supreme Court rules in the city’s favor, the ballgame isn’t over. Even if the court allows City Hall’s waterfront plan — or if city council simply re-passes the plan with the requisite supermajority if the court rules against it — plan opponents must mount a challenge for three reasons. One, the tactics City Hall used to circumvent legal requirements — including suing its board of zoning appeals and denying the board independent legal representation in earlier court cases — constitute a breathtaking abuse of power, which must be fought on principle lest it be relied upon as a precedent and used against other zoning challenges. “The Iron Ladies’” fight is not just about the waterfront; it is a fight for the rights of property owners anywhere in the city to petition for a supermajority vote to change zoning. If their challenge fails, who knows whose neighborhood, stripped of a key tool to fight City Hall’s slick schemes and cozy developer deals, will be next on the chopping block? Secondly, unlike in nearby Arlington County, where bond referenda have forced competence on the county’s heavyhanded, one-party government, Alexandria’s one-party government is a comedy of errors. Multiple votes (the waterfront plan so far has endured three) are necessitated to correct elementary errors. City Hall falls over itself to sacrifice land for publicprivate partnerships for which it lacks legal authority. And legislation is passed against the advice of its appointed committees. Because the politicians have so badly bungled the waterfront plan politically, clean closure of the kind the Times’ August 8 editorial (“If it’s going to be a hotel, let’s make sure it fits”) seeks isn’t possible. City Hall designed a waterfront plan with the expectation of hotels at the two Robinson Terminal properties to moot legal challenges, but instead the proposed hotel is at the Cummings-Turner block. Does approving a hotel there mean three hotels on the waterfront, or does it mean some unplanned, unintended use at one of the Robinson Terminal sites? When Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg attempted to bring Alexandria, this is YOUR Times FROM | 25 closure to the waterfront plan controversy with a one-hotel compromise earlier this year, her colleagues on city council didn’t even press waterfront plan opponents as to whether they would settle the disagreement amicably on this basis. What choice do they have but to continue their opposition when the other side won’t offer a reasonable settlement? Finally, what happens when a neighborhood is sacrificed for overall public betterment? There has been no referendum on the waterfront plan, but we know it cost the city council two voting precincts in the last election. Did the other voting precincts support the waterfront plan or just not care? No neighborhood that fails to stand up for itself is safe from politicians’ and planners’ predations. And a neighborhood that fights to the bitter end is one that cares about itself deeply, with residents bonded in a common cause of self-defense. Those with designs on such a neighborhood will think twice before pressing their schemes. No one will know the disasters avoided because developers and officials did not have the stomach for the fight likely to ensue. The waterfront neighborhood’s continuing opposition will stave off future development catastrophes. - Dino Drudi Alexandria The Alexandria Times newspaper provides our print and online readers with the most comprehensive and localized coverage possible in the City of Alexandria, with a political tint that being in the shadow of the nation’s capital makes inevitable. 110 S. Pitt St. Alexandria, VA 703-739-0001 alextimes.com Governor Whether it’s a shake-up at City Hall or a new milkshake at Dairy Godmother, our attention is focused on Alexandria, allowing us to bring you a unique mesh of city and community news that our fair and historic city on the Potomac deserves. Don’t worry Alexandria — we’ve got you covered. (D) to engage with energy consumers in a wide-ranging discussion about Virginia’s energy future. With the importance of ensuring access to affordable, reliable electricity — and Virginia’s opportunities for offshore oil, natural gas and renewable energy development — it is critical that we hear from both candidates about their energy platforms and policies. This election, and the development and implementation of policies that ensure access to affordable and reliable success FROM | 24 ple, tests administered during 2012-13 will determine status for 2013-14. According to documents prepared for the October state board meeting, JeffersonHouston was classified as provisionally accredited/needs improvement in 2002-03 and 2003-04, a classification that does not include areas of warning. This was two years after Rebecca Perry was hired as superintendent and three years after the disastrous 1999 redistricting. From 2004-05 through 2006-07, Jefferson-Houston was accredited but with warning in several subject areas. However, with each passing year, there were fewer subject areas meriting a warning. By 2007-08, the school was conditionally accredited. Then — based on tests administered in spring 2008, shortly after Perry departed — the school was fully accredited for 200809 with no warnings in any academic areas. Her tenure saw a solid record of improvement leading to accreditation. Contrast this with the school’s history under Sherman, who was hired in June 2008 and arrived in Alexandria at the start of the 2008-09 energy, will be key to continuing Virginia’s economic success. Now, more than ever, we need to move forward with pragmatic energy policies that support energy innovation and economic growth. After all, whether you’re a manufacturer in Virginia Beach or a stayat-home parent in Charlottesville, energy has a huge impact on your everyday life and the state’s continued growth. - Adam Waldeck Executive director of the Southeast Energy Alliance, a regional chapter of the Consumer Energy Alliance school year. In tests administered during spring 2009, the school’s status for 2009-10 slipped back to accredited with warning. With each passing year, more subject areas of warning were added. Finally, the school was denied accreditation altogether last year, when four areas of warning were identified: English, mathematics, history and science. The accreditation history of the school can be found on the commonwealth’s Department of Education website by using this link: tinyurl.com/ k7o5eld. Perhaps Peabody, who was on the school board at the time, has forgotten that — in an August 29, 2008, letter to the Jefferson-Houston community — the newly-arrived Sherman expressed pleasure not only at Jefferson-Houston’s recent accreditation by the state, but also because the school made Adequate Yearly Progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The letter can be found at tinyurl. com/k32syms. It’s fascinating, and also sad, how the school has arrived at this inexplicable place. - Leslie Zupan Alexandria WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM August 29, 2013 | 27 OUT OF THE ATTIC Denise Dunbar Publisher ddunbar@alextimes.com Derrick Perkins Editor-in-Chief dperkins@alextimes.com Kristen Essex Associate Publisher kessex@alextimes.com Patrice V. Culligan Publisher Emeritus pculligan@alextimes.com EDITORIAL Erich Wagner Reporter & Photographer ewagner@alextimes.com Evan Campbell Calendar & Copy Editor ecampbell@alextimes.com ADVERTISING Kristen Essex Director of Sales & Marketing kessex@alextimes.com Patrice V. Culligan pculligan@alextimes.com Marty DeVine mmmdevine@aol.com Margaret Stevens mstevens@alextimes.com Pat Booth Office/Classified Manager pbooth@alextimes.com Graphic Design Ashleigh Carter Art Director acarter@alextimes.com ALEXTIMES LLC Denise Dunbar Managing Partner Prominent resident hit hard by Panic of 1819 C ontinuing the story of Adam Lynn Jr. from last week’s Out of the Attic — which described his residence at 518-520 King St. — is the nearby “tenement” he built at 532 King St. around 1815. Located on the same quarter-block property he’d inherited after his father’s death, this corner spot housed Lynn Jr.’s silver shop soon after the building was completed. Originally, the structure looked quite similar to the one built earlier at 518-520 King St., but the gabled roof and dormers were removed around 1900. A full story and Italianate cornice were added at that time. As seen in this photograph — taken before the building was demolished as part of urban renewal efforts in 1969 — the building had been modernized for commercial use by the mid20th century. In the early years of the 19th century, Lynn Jr. was a wellrespected member of the community and moved in the city’s highest social circles. His skills at commerce — and deft hand as an artisan — were surmounted only by his shrewd ability to take advantage of emerging consumer trends and speculative business opportunities. He constantly moved his home and business locations along the King Street corridor, acquiring new properties and increasing his income through escaped the impact of the nation’s first peacetime financial crisis, but Lynn Jr. was hit hard by the Panic of 1819. Overextended, he immediately attempted to liquidate a few of his properties, including 532 King St., which he tried to convey to his niece’s husband, Thomas Childs, in 1820 for $3,000. But the transaction was contingent on release of a trust held on the property since 1817, which he was unable to remove. With the real estate market in collapse, and crippled by a serious decline in income associated with Alexandria’s economic woes in the 1820s, photo/library of congress Lynn Jr.’s financial fate was sealed. rentals and risky real estate Ultimately, this property ventures. At the same time, joined all of his holdings at he proudly served Alexandria a public auction in Februduring the “Era of Good Feel- ary 1822 and sold for a mere ings” as a community leader, $2,040. Despite greatly restaying heavily involved in the duced circumstances, which religious, political and military left him renting the residence he once owned, Lynn Jr. reaffairs of the city. But as a businessman, Lynn mained a well-loved AlexanJr.’s fortunes were closely drian until his death in Dealigned with those of the city. cember 1835. When economic setbacks beOut of the Attic is provided fell Alexandria after the War of 1812, Lynn Jr. was one of the by the Office of Historic first to suffer. Alexandria. Alexandria banks largely 110 S. Pitt St. Alexandria, VA 22314 703-739-0001 (main) 703-739-0120 (fax) www.alextimes.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send your comments to: letters@alextimes.com Letters must be signed by the writer. Include address and phone for verification (not for publication). Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. Personal attacks will not be published. In response to “Mixed bag: ACPS math scores on the rise, English lags behind,” August 22: Alan Cook writes: National math test scores continue to be disappointing. This poor trend persists in spite of new texts, standardized tests with implied threats or laptops in the classroom. At some point, maybe we should admit that math, as it is taught currently and in the recent past, seems irrelevant to a large percentage of grade school kids. Why blame a sixth-grade student or teacher trapped by meaningless lessons? Teachers are frustrated. Students check out. The missing element is reality. Instead of insisting that students learn another 16 formulae, we need to involve them in tangible life projects. And the task must be interesting. Project-oriented math engages kids. It is fun. They have a reason to learn the math that they may have ignored in the standard lecture format of a classroom. Weekly Poll The Ariail family William Dunbar HOW TO REACH US From the web Last Week Have we, as a society, advanced since Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech? 41% Yes. 38% Maybe, but more work is needed. 21% N o. This Week What is your reaction to the preservation of the former Carver Nursery School? A. It’s a win-win. B. It should be a museum. C. It should have been razed. 53 votes Take the poll at alextimes.com 28 | August 29, 2013 black FROM | 23 president of merchandising and marketing for CR Laine, a furniture manufacturer based in Hickory, N.C., did that with a couple of recently introduced chairs. The frame for the Bradstreet chair was inspired by an 18th-century chair with a series of turnings on the front arms and feet. “There’s something almost odd about it,” says Blalock. “It turns from thick to thin. It doesn’t follow columnar scale. And the ball at the end of the arm is even more exaggerated. I liked that quirkiness.” And although even the finish of the chair is distressed, Blalock chose a totally modern zigzag pattern for upholstery. For another traditional armchair, the Aledo, Blalock pieced together linen in black and white to create an asymmetrical sassy stripe. “We have always interpreted this chair more traditionally — with hand-blocked prints and matelasses,” says Blalock. “Sometimes you just have to start from scratch and reinvent. When the linens are sewn together, they create this overscale graphic stripe, which completely comes alive.” A sort of color blocking in furniture in the last year or so has teamed light and dark finishes in single pieces. For example, an ebony dresser is set ALEXANDRIA TIMES with contrasting ivory drawers. Also popular are inlays, typically of bone or mother of pearl. Many of these have a range of global sources as well as styles, some with Moorish inspiration. Inlays add textural dimension as well, because they’re essentially like mosaic strips or tesserae that create a pattern. And mother of pearl lends sheen as well. One versatile cube (table as well as stool) recently introduced by Bernhardt is the zebra, which is composed of white bone inlay with black poured resin. Its op-art pattern snakes around the corners and adds a compelling graphic focal point, almost like visual upholstery. The piece certainly will add an exclamation to a quiet corner. Indeed, one enormous advantage of a black-and-white palette is its ability to change attitude, with a simple addition of color. And just about any color is smashing. Lipstick red is a favorite go-to combination for pop. So are yellow and mustard. Cobalt blue or turquoise. Purple, magenta or hot pink. Orange or coral. Lime green or emerald. “Once when I was in New York, I saw a woman in a Kelly green trench coat with a zebra bag,” says Fiore. “It’s an image I’ve never forgotten. When a black-and-white room gets hit with a piece of color, that brings it out even more. The color could be in throw pillows or a slipcover, a funny little ottoman, a couple of vases, a big dish or a book.” So just as in fashion, a single black-and-white piece goes with just about everything — it just depends on how concentrated the graphic is to pull it off. “Black and white is a classic combination which can both ground a room and add a pop of intrigue and excitement,” says New York-based international designer Sara Story. “It is timeless and modern at the same time.” When Story introduced a wallcovering collection called Story late last year, she included a black-and-white palette for each of the five patterns, all contemporary interpretations of Asian motifs. “It’s a way to make it fresh, hip and new,” says Story. “You don’t see too many black-andwhite wallpapers, and I wanted the line to stand out.” If you want to furnish a full room in black and white, you can create an envelope with walls painted simply in either hue, perhaps with contrasting moldings. Choose white or off-white slipcovers for a soft look, and furniture in ebony frames. In this kind of setting, amped-up patterns can be especially effective. Or stick to all-white furnishings with patterned walls — muted or high octane. A black-and-white floral or a wide stripe, perhaps horizontally placed, can be dramatic. Ground it with a graphic blackand-white rug in a different pattern. Then pop in a few black accents: a vase or a lamp. Designer showhouses often spark clever ideas, and with black-and-white themes there often are surprising applications. Earlier in the year, one Photo/Bernhardt With the look of fine suiting, the stylish Gerston slipcovered tuxedo sofa from Bernhardt sports a smaller-scale woven houndstooth. Shown in an all-white envelope with strong black-and-white art leaning against the wall and regal heathered gray and violet accents, the effect is tailored and sophisticated. showhouse in Greensboro, N.C., for example, featured a bedroom with white walls and bedding on a natural linen upholstered bed. The bed was framed in black, with a canopy and curtains in a stripe of varying widths. That same fabric was repeated in the window treatment. But what really punctuated the scheme was a treatment on the ceiling, where the designer had a pair of double borders painted around the room. Another room in the same showhouse did black borders as well, but these were actually applied moldings painted black. For a real modern edge, that’s the kind of edginess that transforms a space. “Graphic shapes breathe new life, making black and white modern,” says Story. “There are a million ways to reinvent it — you just have to keep it fresh.” www.alextimes.com Obituaries DEBORAH L. CRUMP (50), of Alexandria, August 24, 2013 HUBERT S. FINK JR., of Alexandria, August 21, 2013 GEORGE G. GILMOUR, of Alexandria, August 19, 2013 DORIS “DORSEY” JEAN JOSEPH, of Alexandria, August 20, 2013 Obituary Policies All obituaries in the Times are charged through the funeral home on a per-word basis comparable to the space rate offered to nonprofit advertisers. Families may provide any information they wish about a deceased loved one, through all obituaries are subject to editing by the News Department. “In Memoriam” and “Thank You” notices are available through the Advertising Department. Obituaries should be submitted through the funeral home. Each obituary must include the funeral home name for verification. Deadlines are the Monday prior to the issue date. Call 703.739.0001 for details. August 29, 2013 | 29 Weekly Words WWW.ALEXTIMES.COM ACROSS 1 Beat down, as loose dirt 5 Something bestowed 9 Door-fastening device 13Dance derived from the twist 17 “Sacro” addition 19 Half of a TV transmission 20 Rounds and clips 21“... in ___-horse open sleigh” 22 Station identification 24 Make a big stink 25 Opposite of polite 26 Witty reply 27 Autoworkers’ places 30 Character in “Beowulf” 31 True and actual 32 Late “Giant” wrestler 33 Pointed out incorrectly 40Lung-related 42 Prefix meaning “bone” (var.) 43 Old gold coin 44 Infamous Roman emperor 45Lummox 48 ___ a church mouse 51 Workplace honcho 52Wretched 54 Prefix with “lateral” 55Fingerprint made visible by dusting 57 Certain opera singer 58 Place for a planter 59 Parcel 61Desertlike 62 Classic record material 63 “Odds are ...” 69 10-pitch types 72Having no perceptible weight 73 Like Gabriel 77Bard of ___ (Shakespeare’s title) 78 Sanctuaries (var.) 80 Lady Liberty, e.g. 83 Here, in Spain 84 Fictional king with an enormous appetite 86 “... so shall ye ___” 87 Get into easily, as a dress 89 Finish, as a game 90 Clip with scissors 91 Female elephant seal group 93 Celeb’s accomplishment 94 Black thrush (var.) 96 Uses a rhetorical technique 100 Ritchie Valens classic 102 Durable floor, for short 104 Go far and wide 105 They study the early development of living organisms 110 Cause of unusual weather 113 Color deficient 114 Time-honored ceremony 115Keeping detailed drilling records 118“___-Team” (Mr. T’s old squad) 119 Churchill’s “___ Country” 120 Sunburn-relieving plants 121 Pull along heavily 122 Take by truck 123Minus 124 Face up to, as a challenge 125 Tracy’s Trueheart DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Little spasm Withdrawn apple spray Frequent flier’s unit Smaller, as a sum Stomach, in slang Inventor’s brainchild Common evergreens Carnival-game motion Caused damage to Biology 101 subject (var.) Not giving off a scent Inclined to dawdle Hot breakfast fare Like some tournaments Subordinate to 16 “Fly Away Home” flyers 18 Sun obscurer 19 Be part of the crowd? 23 Bird around the shore 28 Before, in a sonnet 29 Delivery preceder 33Finish, as a military operation 34 ___ roll (keeps winning) 35 Having a stiff upper lip 36 Ointment container 37 Mouse’s target, often 38 Take part in a hunger strike 39 “... for what ___ worth” 41Cookie with only one consonant 44 Japanese immigrant’s child 46 Friend in wartime 47 What Jack and Jill did 49 Alda and Rickman 50 Sweeping story 52Crumbly clay mixture used as fertilizer 53 Place for all kidding? 56 ___ Aviv 57 Stinging insect 60 Donkey’s Asian cousin 61“Lucy in the ___ With Diamonds” 62“How I Learned to Drive” Pulitzer-winning playwright 64 Easy score for Kobe 65 Country singer McCann 66Apt first name for a tax adviser 67 Accessory for a Dr. Seuss cat 68 Heavy responsibility 69 It’s bound to be read 70 Lendl or Reitman 71 Distinguished chef 74 The world’s highest capital 75“Here ___ to save the day!” (Mighty Mouse) 76 Yuletide candy shapes 78 Hathaway of “Bride Wars” 79 Art class subject 80 Sinbad’s milieux 81 Dessert tray item 82 Mimicking one 85 Analyze for gold content 86 Greek letter after pi 88 “Allow me ...” 92 Gourmet mushrooms 95 “This is not to be believed!” 96 Incites to ire 97 Hawaiian fare 98 Sport on horseback 99 Puts up drapes 100 Perception factor 101City northeast of Lincoln, Neb. 103 Minuscule amounts 106 Spoken aloud 107 Did the crawl 108 Beginning to phone? 109 Blackthorn berry 111 River near the Sphinx 112 Some wallet items 116 Permit 117Modern navigation aid, for short Last Week’s Solution: 30 | August 29, 2013 ALEXANDRIA TIMES Classifieds LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE CORNERSTONE EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT SUPERMARKET & RESTAURANT EQUIP WAREHOUSE LIQUIDATION AUCTION Thur 9/10 @ 10:30AM PRVW 9/9 8-3 1739 Brightseat Rd. Unit D Landover MD 20785 INVENTORY FROM NATIONAL GROCERS, REFRIGERATION, OVENS, MIXERS, SLICERS, CASES, PRODUCTION EQUIP, HANDLING EQUIP+ PUBLIC LIVE/ONLINE BIDDING 877-726-2828 SAMAUCTIONS.COM Lost Black Cat Paczek went missing on 6/26/2013 on Eisenhower Ave 22304. He didn’t wear a collar, he is very shy. Please call if you’ve seen him 202-246-1298 Clerical assistant Clerical assistant needed to organize and monitor,must be intelligent,have a good manner of communication, must be very good with computers. Salary will be $700 per week. Contact : lgolfman101@gmail.com online all the time @alextimesnews “Like” us on Facebook alextimes.com LEGAL NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS THURSDAY September 12, 2013 - 7:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS, City Hall 301 King Street Alexandria, Virginia Information about these items may be obtained from the: Department of Planning and Zoning, 301 King Street, Room 2100, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, telephone: (703) 746-4666 or on the City’s website at www.alexandriava.gov/ planning. _____________________________ BZA Case #2013-0018 203-205 S Fairfax Street RM Townhouse/Residential Appeal of the determination by the Planning Director that the exception to the RM zone lot requirements for lots of record as of February 10, 1953 in Section 3-1108 of the Alexandria Zoning Ordinance does not apply to 203-205 South Fairfax Street. Applicant: Gina Baum, owner. BZA Case #2013-0019 901 Little Street R-2-5 Residential Request for special exception to construct a sunroom addition in the required north side yard. If the special exception is granted, the Board of Zoning Appeals will be granting a special exception from section 12-102(A) of the zoning ordinance relating to physical enlargement of a noncomplying structure. Applicant: Denise Benoit & William Loveless, owners. Schuyler Ahrens, architect. BZA Case #2013-0020 706 Ramsey Street R-2-5 Residential Request for special exception to construct a second story addition and a two story rear addition in the required north side yard. If the special exception is granted, the Board of Zoning Appeals will be granting a special exception from section 12-102(A) of the zoning ordinance relating to physical enlargement of a noncomplying structure. Applicant: Christine Gasper, owner. BZA Case #2013-0023 315A La Verne Avenue R-2-5 Residential Request for special exception to construct a front porch within the required front yard setback. Applicant: Clare Cherkasky, owner. Alexandria Board of Architectural Review Old & Historic Alexandria District LEGAL NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing will be held by the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review on WEDNESDAY, September 11, 2013 beginning at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia on the following applications: CASE BAR2013-0219 Request for alterations & signage at 801 King St & 803 King St. APPLICANT: David Malek, Thompson Hospitality by Rich Markus Architects CASE BAR2013-0220 Request to partially demolish & capsulate at 1202 & 1204 S Washington St. APPLICANT: Hunting Point Apartments by Laramar Construction Services, LLC CASE BAR2013-0221 Request for an addition & alterations at 1202 & 1204 S Washington St. APPLICANT: Hunting Point Apartments by Laramar Construction Services, LLC CASE BAR2013-0284 Request for signage at 1129 King St. APPLICANT: Cabinet Tile Countertop by Eric Alyatan CASE BAR2013-0290 Request to partially demolish & capsulate at 722 Gibbon St. APPLICANT: Michael J. Sarette & Emily A. DaSilva CASE BAR2013-0291 Request for an addition & alterations at 722 Gibbon St. APPLICANT: Michael J. Sarette & Emily A. DaSilva CASE BAR2013-0292 Request for alterations & signage at 111 S Payne St. APPLICANT: Benjamin & Perla Umansky CASE BAR2013-0293 Request for alterations at 731 Bernard St. APPLICANT: Christopher Ward CASE BAR2013-0295 Request for an accessory structure at 735 Bernard St. APPLICANT: Christopher L. Jones by Warren L. Almquist, AIA CASE BAR2013-0300 Request for re approval of previously approved, expired plans (demolition) at 1107 1111 (odd), 1199, & 1201 1205 (odd) S Washington St. and 1112 1122 (even) & 1200 1204 (even) S Alfred St. APPLICANT: FP Alexandria LLC by John Rust, Rust Orling Architecture Other Business • An informal work session with public testimony regarding the proposed development of Hunting Terrace at 1107-1111 (odd), 1199, 1201-1205 (odd) S Washington St. and 1112-1122 (even) & 1200-1204 (even) S Alfred St. • An informal work session with public testimony regarding the proposed development of the Old Alexandria Health Department Building at 509 & 517 N Saint Asaph St. and 513 & 515 Oronoco St. • An informal work session with public testimony regarding the proposed development of Cromley Row at 317 329 (odd) N Columbus St. Information about the above item(s) may be obtained from the Department of Planning and Zoning, City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 2100, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, telephone: (703) 746-4666. 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