Pet Gazette - Connection Newspapers

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ February 26 - March 4, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

February 26, 2015Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper

Attention

Postmaster:

Time-sensitive

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Requested in home

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Alexandria, VA

Permit #482

Pet GazettePage 4-5

See Mount Vernon, Page 20

See Bulova, Page 20

By Tim Peterson

The Gazette

When Alexandria resi-dent NatashaMcKenna was re-

moved from life support and diedon Feb. 8, the Fairfax CountySheriff’s Office posted a release onthe county website. It was an up-date to an earlier post on Feb. 5that explained McKenna was aninmate at the Fairfax County AdultDetention Center who experienceda “medical emergency” on Feb. 3.

McKenna was scheduled to bemoved to the Alexandria AdultDetention Center that day. Whenshe fought against deputies trans-porting her, they used tasers torestrain her, according to the re-lease. At that point, the FairfaxCounty Police Department wasnotified and an investigation ofMcKenna’s “in-custody inmatedeath” began.

Feb. 19, the Police Department

released another update, an 800-word description of the eventsleading up to McKenna’s arrestand death: She had called FairfaxCounty police herself on Jan. 25to report being assaulted. Officersaccompanied her to a hospital andthrough a record check discoveredan outstanding arrest warrant forassaulting an Alexandria policeofficer back on Jan. 15.

Though the officers involvedhave yet to be named, the contentand amount of information re-leased in under two weeks sinceMcKenna’s death is comparable tothat which it took the county overa year to release following the of-ficer killing of Springfield residentJohn Geer.

According to Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors SharonBulova, that was indicative of theboard’s commitment to “making astronger effort than before tomake sure that we’re putting out

Tim Peterson

The Gazette

In his 30 years as a certifiedpublic accountant with thefirm PBMares, Sean O’Connell

has worked in Harrisonburg,Fredericksburg and spent close tothe last decade in northern Vir-ginia. In becoming involved withthe 60-year-old Mount Vernon-LeeChamber of Commerce, the big-

gest differencehe saw wasthe first twolocations eachhad regionalchambers withvast foot-prints.

“In FairfaxCounty, thereare over eight

Bulova: CommissionTo Review PoliciesGroup would include citizens, legalcommunity and other organizations.

New Chairman forChamber of CommerceSean O’Connell looks to expandand increase dialogueamong membership.

SeanO’Connell

Pet Gazette

Once upon a time, a skinny, lonely, skittish hound dog named “Lily” showed up on a pet adop-tion site. Two fair tween princesses hounded their parents to “pahleeeeeez” go visit this cute,cuddly, homeless urchin. Well, it was love at first sight/lick/bite and so “Lily” came to live at

our humble castle in the kingdom of Stratford Landing. After several days —and umpteen pairs of flipflops — her name was changed to Luna (a joint decision by the subjects of the kingdom as she 1.failed to respond to her given name, Lily, and 2. has one blue “moon” eye and one brown, harkeningto a sort of possessed look). So Luna (aka Looney) thus discovered her happily ever after home. Herflip-flop eating ways have luckily gone by the wayside. She now enjoys any opportunity to romp in thesnow, chase her mean feline sister, Tilly, and stalk her squeaky yellow tennis balls in the yard. Sherecently celebrated a “school’s off” snowfall with her sister, Anna. And they all snoozed happily everafter. — Carrie Ustun

2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ February 26 - March 4, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Pet Gazette

Mount Vernon Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

By Kristen Auerbach

Director of

Communication and Outreach

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Since 2013, Fairfax County has beenthe largest jurisdiction in theUnited States with a placement rateof animals above 90 percent. Last

year alone, nearly 2,500 animals wereadopted, which is nearly double the adop-tions just two years earlier.

With more than 4,500 animals comingthrough its doors in 2014, the shelter imple-ments creative ways to find homes for themany homeless cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rab-bits and other small animals. Here are justa few of the ways the shelter is finding newways to save more lives:

* 150 foster families provide temporaryhousing to pets needing a break from theshelter. In addition to caring for puppies andkittens as well as animals recovering fromsurgery or illness, foster families can takean animal into their home for shorter timeperiods. Fosters take dogs on one-hour fieldtrips or can take a dog home for the week-end, to give it a much-needed break fromthe stress of the shelter environment. Oldercats sometimes wait many months to find apermanent home, so foster families takethem home for 30 days of TLC while they’re

waiting.* In May of 2013, the shelter started a

Facebook group. Today, with more than20,000 people following the shelter onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter, more thanhalf the shelter’s adopters say they first sawtheir pet or the shelter itself on social me-dia. In the past, a pet with a special medi-cal need would have previously waitedmonths for an adopter. Now that same petusually finds a home within days of its pic-tures and story are shared on social media.

* The shelter has 300 volunteers who givedaily love, enrichment and exercise tohomeless pets. Dogs play in groups, go onoff-site walks, and get kennel breaks fouror five times every day. Treat-dispensingtoys, stuffed and frozen Kong toys and otherenrichment items keep shelter dogs busythroughout the day. Cats and small animalsget to enjoy play time in one of the shelter’scat rooms every day and are constantlycared-for by dedicated volunteers. All of thishelps shelter pets be happy, healthy andready to meet their new families.

Because the shelter has been so success-ful at placing animals, there are sometimesempty spaces on the adoption floor. When-ever there is space, they take in animalsfrom under-resourced and overburdenedshelters in D.C. and rural Virginia. In 2014,nearly 500 dogs and cats were transferred

in to the shelter, where they were adoptedto loving homes.

In addition to adoptions, the shelter of-fers classes for adults and kids, dog obedi-ence, Scout badge programs, birthday par-ties, book club, and a pet loss support group.To learn more about shelter programs or to

view adoptable animals, visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter.

Want to know how to help your local shel-ter? In addition to volunteering, fosteringand donating, all shelters in the area haveFacebook pages. By following your localshelter, you can help spread the word aboutall the great pets waiting to meet their for-ever families.

Contributed Photo

Griz was transferred to the theFairfax County Animal Shelter froma rural rescue partner and wasadopted by Jared Nieters, TaylerClancy and her daughter Hayden.

Contributed Photo

Griz is now the well-known shopmascot at Jared Nieters’Haymarket Bicycles LLC.

Volunteers, social media assist in pet adoptions.

Shelter Gets Creative To Save Lives

Sage, the cat, hasbeen with us just over2 years. She was a res-cue, found in anabandoned homewith a litter of kittens.It took a long time toearn her trust. Now,she’s my shadow,sleeping at my feetwhile I work. The dogtaught her how to begfor treats, which ispretty funny to watch.Sadie, the Sheltie, hadparents who were res-cued. The litter of 7pups was a surprise tothe man who took theadult dogs in. We’vehad Sadie since shewas an 8 week oldball of fluff. When shewas young, she triedto herd the boysaround the backyard.She has been a terrificfamily dog and turns13 this April.

— Renée

Ruggles

At WestgroveDog ParkThe snow didn’t stop thesemembers of the WestgrovePack from bringing theirdogs to play. The park isopen to the public and thecommunity support hasbeen greatly appreciated.Information on using thepark can be found ondisplays, there, and on thePack’s website:www.westgrovepack.org.

Flynn (left) has some funplaying with a tennis ball, inthe snow, along with hisbuddy. This half of the park isopen, year round. It will get astone dust surface, in thespring.

Photos by Renée Ruggles/the Gazette


To Advertise Your Faith Community, call Karen at 703-917-6468

Good ShepherdCatholic Church

8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria VA, 22309Tel: 703-780-4055 Fax: 703-360-5385 www.gs-cc.org

Loving as Christ loves, serving as Christ serves

Monday6:30 pm Mass (Español)Saturday Evening5:00 pm Vigil Mass6:30 pm Vigil Mass (en Español)Sunday7:30 am; 9:00 am (with SignLanguage Interpreter &Children’s Liturgy of the Word);10:30 am; 12:00 Noon; 2:00 pm

(en Español); 6:30 pmWeekday & SaturdayMornings: 9:00 am Mass,preceded by Rosary (on FirstFriday, Mass followed byEucharistic Adoration)Thursday & FirstFriday of the Month:7:30 pm Mass (Español)preceded by 7:00 pmEucharistic Adoration

Mass Schedule

Awesome small group hiking and play adventures in fresh air & open spacesfor puppies to seniors. Please call for complimentary consultation.

Pet Gazette

Photo taken by his godmother, Tina Jones

Cobi Boggs-Roys

My daughter Rebecca doesn’t have herown pet yet, but she works with 45 ofthem at The Center for Human-AnimalInteraction. Dogs like this tiny Yorkienamed “Winnie” have a special jobs offer-ing healing therapy for patients at VCUMedical Center, and even reduce stressduring final exams for students at VCU. Weall know the healing power of a pet, andthese Dogs On Call take that job veryseriously. To find out more about thiswonderful program visit this linkwww.chai.vcu.edu.

— Anne Holloway

Sam and Frodo are both rescue cats.Frodo, the big orange guy with the furryfeet, came from Home Alone Feline Rescuein 2011. He is part Maine Coon and partAmerican bobtail. Lou and I had beenthinking about getting a second cat as acompanion for Frodo when I ran into LeeDistrict School Board member TammyKoufax at a community event in Spring-field in August 2013. Tammy and her kidswere fostering a litter of feral kittens thathad been found behind a restaurant inWashington D.C. When Lou and I sawTammy’s photo of the smallest kitten, atiny tiger tabby, we fell in love. Eventually,so did Frodo, once he got over Sam tryingto steal his toys and occasionally snatch-ing his treats away. We love watching thetwo cats chase each other around. Animalsadd so much to your life.

— Sharon Bulova

Chairman of the Fairfax County

Board of Supervisors

Keila Vernon with twin Elsa Rosser

Tillie enjoys a warm break— Ann Vernon

Tillie ponders the presence of her newfriend ...

— Ann Vernon


For more information: www.RexReiley.comEach Office Independently Owned and Operated

[email protected]

Rex ReileyRE/MAX Allegiance

Alex./Mt. Vernon Manor$370,000

8717 Falkstone LaneBuilders, Contractors: AHandyman Special! Comesee this 3-level Colonial inprestigious Mount VernonManor. Great bones, lovelylot but needs a completemakeover. 4 BR, 2.5 BA,sunroom addition plus a

small basement. Endless potential and priced to sell. 6 minutes toFt. Belvoir, 17 mins to Old Town Alexandria, and 30 minutes toNational Airport. $100,000 below tax assessment!

Alex./Yacht Haven$875,000

4505 Dolphin LaneRecent VA appraisal of$900,000. 4,000 sq ft of reno-vated luxury in this 5 BR/4 BASplit – Updates: Kitchen, all 4baths, spectacular cherry hdwdfloors – Great room opens tobeautiful sun rm addition whichopens to spectacular 35K deck

which overlooks unbelievable custom landscaped back yard. Walk to fantas-tic marina, clubhouse and pool. Two updated HVAC systems plus tanklessHWH – the list goes on and on. Nothing better in all of Mt. Vernon!

Alex./Riverside Estates$474,900

8302 Bound BrookLovely 4 BR, 2.5 Bath Splitw/large 1-car garage w/workstation. Meticulously main-tained; stunning hdwd flrs,beautiful cherry kitchen cabi-nets, 3 BRs & 2 BAs on mainlevel. Lower level offers awarm & cozy family room

w/gas FP, den w/L-shaped wet bar, 4th bedroom, half bath plus SGD tolovely patio. Walking distance to elementary and high schools. 5 minutesto Ft. Belvoir, 30 mins to Nat’l Airport. Great Buy and Priced Well!

Alex./Mt. Vee Manor$2,200

8276 Jake PlaceSpectacular 3-level brick endunit with spacious entry levelgarage. This home is meticu-lously maintained and spar-kles throughout. Freshlypainted and new carpetgoing in this week on main

and upper levels. Private deck looks out back to the woods. 5 mins toFt. Belvoir (S), and 15 minutes to Huntington Metro and Old Town(N). This is a GEM!

Alex./Riverside TerraceC.P. $325,000

3425 Ramsgate TerraceContractor/Handymanspecial. Great potentialfor 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2level split. Needs exten-sive work but lots ofpotential. Will be pricedin mid 300’s. 5 minutes

to Fort Belvoir, 15 minutes to Huntington Metro & Old TownAlex. Contact Rex with questions.

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Pet Gazette

By Gerald A. Fill

The Gazette

Thinking of acquiring apet dog or cat foryourself or the family? If

so, then consider the dog and catrescue organizations in the areawho offer for adoption a multitudeof healthy animals of differentbreeds, types, ages, and sizes.Through their efforts in partner-ship with Petco and PetSmart in the Route 1 corri-dor and other retail stores elsewhere in the MountVernon region, there are a large selection to choosefrom.

Here are a few organizations offering dog and catrescue services, dog obedience training and, for somevery motivated owners who have an interest andwhose dog qualifies, there is a therapy dog trainingand certification program.

Last Chance Animal Rescue partners with 30 Petcoand PetSmart retail stores in Maryland, D.C., andVirginia. They are a regionally-based non-profit thatannually places 10,000 cats and dogs for adoption.They acquire cats and dogs by visiting high kill shel-ters in eight states and bring them to the metro areato display them at various retail stores and othervenues to gain visibility and adoption opportunitiesfor homeless or abandoned cats and dogs, while alsofeeding, housing, and caring for the animals.

Last Chance Animal Adoption Center partners withPetco at 6612 Richmond Highway. The center is lo-cated inside the Petco retail store, and is managedby volunteers seven days a week. Last Chance hassimilar partnership programs throughout the metroWashington area. Its mission is “to minimize the eu-thanasia of homeless pets through adoption and pro-viding low cost high quality spay/neuter for bothdogs and cats.”

OBEDIENCE TRAINING is another type of service

offered through Petco for dogowners. For a select number ofdogs and their owners, the obedi-ence training can result in theirowners being offered an opportu-nity for their dogs to be trained astherapy dogs who, if they pass arigorous training program, willreceive certification and autho-rized to visit and provide comfortto sick patients of all ages in resi-dential homes, nursing homes,

and hospitals. Certified Mentor Dog Trainer MikeTomai, a part-time Petco employee, said that visitsby therapy dogs to sick and elderly is a great sourceof comfort and love to a needy person. Therapy dogtraining takes approximately 12 weeks.

For a dog to be awarded a certification as a CanineGood Citizen, and be eligible for Red Cross TherapyCertification, the dog and his or her owner/handlermust pass a 10-point certification program.

Tomai works full time as a 6th grade school teacherat Fort Belvoir. Tomai was born and raised on a farmand has been around and working with animals allhis life and stated his affection for the work trainingdogs.

Those interested in entering an obedience train-ing program and/or having their dog considered fortraining and certification as a therapy dog may con-tact Tomai at: [email protected] or call 321-626-124 or visit Petco.

Norah Atchue, who has three therapy dogs, said,“I visit hospitals, nursing homes, and a kid’s libraryreading program with my three certified therapydogs: Mojo, Stout, and Sophie. It has been so re-warding to see how happy people are to see my dogs.People whose pain is severe smile to see the dogs;sick kids who are in-patients kiss my dogs, and mili-tary men who are in PTSD units hug my dogs. It is apriceless experience for me.” Atchue and her therapy

Volunteer DrexelWallace supervises

and cares for one ofthe rescue dogs.

Wallace was one ofthree U.S. Navy

personnel volun-teering at the

Adoption Center.

MichaelTomai,Petcomentordogtrainer

Therapy dogin training:

English Bull-dog, “Mack”

with hisowner/ han-

dler, AlbaReyes at his

side.

TherapyDogs:Sophieand Mojo,a dachs-hund andRott-weiler.

Many dog and cat adoptionopportunities in Mount Vernon.Sharing

Judy Sowanack, volun-teer for Animal Allies.

Pho

to

s by G

erald A

. Fill/T

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azette

See Dog and Cat, Page 10


Fairfax County REAL ESTATE

ZIP CODE AREA 2014 MEAN 2015 MEAN PERCENT CHANGEAlexandria/Mount Vernon 404,687 418,917 3.52Annandale 412,942 435,438 5.45Burke 422,815 438,376 3.68Centreville 369,253 382,393 3.56Chantilly 439,525 451,393 2.70Clifton 640,436 651,446 1.72Fairfax 459,412 476,220 3.66Fairfax Station 632,518 643,923 1.80Falls Church 416,666 433,989 4.16Great Falls 1,032,117 1,042,598 1.02Herndon 458,919 471,829 2.81Lorton 369,023 381,000 3.25McLean 845,113 879,305 4.05Oakton 668,009 681,562 2.03Reston 410,846 423,942 3.19Springfield 399,742 417,057 4.33Vienna 659,582 681,339 3.30

for single family, townhouses and condominiums

2015 Assessments by Area

SOURCE: Fairfax County

The average assessed value of asingle family home in Fairfax County

for 2015 is $620,080, up 3.27%


investigation is ongoing. Themedical examiner will determinecause and manner of death.

Anyone with information isasked to call Fairfax County Policeat 703-691-2131 or contact CrimeSolvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org ortext “TIP187” plus a message toCRIMES/274637.

News

Jesse Matthew, the mancharged with abductingand murdering WestPotomac High School

alumna Hannah Graham, willhave his day in court.

After being indicted by a grandjury in Albemarle County, Virginiaon Feb. 2, Matthew appeared onvideo in Albemarle County CircuitCourt Feb. 18, facing first degreemurder, abduction and reckless

driving charges. He was being heldelsewhere in the county.

Circuit Court Judge CherylHiggins granted the request for ajury trial by Albemarle CountyCommonwealth’s Attorney DeniseLunsford, setting the date for June29 through July 17 of this year,according to a statement from theoffice of the county executive.

— Tim Peterson

Dates Set for TrialOf Jesse Matthew

FEB. 1-APRIL 15Free Tax Preparation. Monday-

Saturday, 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 5-8 p.m. at SherwoodRegional Library, 2501 Sherwood HallLane, Alexandria. For taxpayers withlow and middle income. All ages, withspecial attention to seniors. Federaland Virginia tax returns prepared andelectronically filed by IRS-certifiedvolunteers. Tax questions can beanswered. Bring your photo ID(s),Social Security Card(s), taxdocuments, and your prior year taxreturn.

FRIDAY/FEB. 27Documentary Screening. 1-3 p.m. at

George Mason Regional Library, 7001Little River Turnpike, Annandale.Joinin the launch of the international“Education is Not a Crime” campaign,with screenings of Maziar Bahari’snew documentary film, “To Light aCandle.” Some of the Baha’is in MountVernon are of Iranian background andwere denied the right to highereducation at universities solelybecause of their religious beliefs.There will be a moderated discussionand refreshments after thepresentation. Contact William Collins,703-679-0805 [email protected].

MONDAY/MARCH 2Scholarship Application Deadline.

Noon. The Military OfficersAssociation of America EducationalAssistance is accepting application forthe 2015-16 school year. Studentsunder age 24, who are children offormer, currently serving or retiredcommissioned or warrant officers andchildren of currently serving or retiredenlisted military personnel, who aregraduating high school seniors or full-time college students working towardtheir first undergraduate degree, areeligible to apply. Apply online atwww.moaa.org/education.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 4Comment Deadline. The National

Park Service is accepting publicscoping comments on the Fort HuntPark Site Development Plan andEnvironmental Assessment (SDP/EA)to identify an overall direction forpark management of Fort Hunt Parkwhile defining specific resourceconditions and improvements tovisitor experience. Members of thepublic and organizations areencouraged to provide commentsonline, go to parkplanning.nps.gov/forthunt, navigate the menu on theleft hand side of the page toDocument List, then 2015 PublicScoping Materials, and Comment onDocument. Comments may also besubmitted in writing to: Attn: FortHunt Park EA, National Park Service,George Washington MemorialParkway, c/o Turkey Run Park,McLean, VA 22101.

THURSDAY/MARCH 5Business Roundtable. 8:30-10 a.m. at

Holiday Inn Express, 6055 RichmondHighway, Alexandria. SoutheastFairfax Development Corporationpresents “Successful Networking” aspart of its monthly BusinessRoundtable Speaker Series. Allsessions include presentations, a lightbreakfast, and time for networking.Free. RSVP to [email protected] or visitwww.sfdc.org/whats-happening formore.

MONDAY/MARCH 9Citizens Group Meeting. 7 p.m. in

Room 104 A/B, at the MarthaWashington Public Library, 6614 FortHunt Road, Alexandria. VirginiaCitizens Coalition for PoliceAccountability, Inc. meets monthly.Visit virginiaccpa.com, [email protected], or call 703-768-6700.

Bulletin Board

Email announcements to gazette@ connectionnewspapers.com. Include date, time,location, description and contact for event: phone, email and/or website. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.

With the assistance of the Officeof the Medical Examiner, FairfaxCounty police detectives haveidentified the body found in thewooded area in the 7500 block ofVernon Square Drive on Friday,Feb. 13.

The deceased was LeonardoOrellana, 30, of the Lorton area.His body was found about eightfeet down in a drainage ditch. The

Found Body Identified


Opinion

A national report released on Feb. 11highlighted the prevalence of peoplewith mental illness incarcerated inlocal jails.

“Serious mental illness, which includes bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, and major de-pression, affects an estimated 14.5 per-cent of men and 31 percent of womenin jails — rates that are four to six timeshigher than in the general population.… While most people with serious mental ill-ness in jails, both men and women, enter jailcharged with minor, nonviolent crimes, theyend up staying in jail for longer periods oftime.” See vera.org.

Natasha McKenna, a woman with a long his-tory of severe mental illness, died on Feb. 8,five days after being repeatedly shocked witha taser, restrained, hooded and forcibly re-moved from her cell by six deputy sheriffs “pur-suant to its protocols for managing combativeinmates.”

McKenna, a small woman according to press

reports, had been held in the Fairfax CountyDetention Center since Jan. 26, on a warrantfrom the City of Alexandria. Fairfax deputieswere forcibly extracting her from her cell soshe could be transported to the Alexandria jail.

Here is part of the police release on the inci-dent:

“During the struggle to restrain McKenna, amember of the Sheriff’s Emergency ResponseTeam deployed a conducted energy weapon(Taser) on McKenna. While being restrained,deputies placed a spit net (which is designedto restrict and prevent spitting) on McKenna.

A nurse from the ADC medical staff waspresent at that time to check on herprior to transport and cleared her fortransport. Deputies attempted to put

her in a medical transport chair, but McKennacontinued to be combative and was moved toa restraint chair for transport.”

To understand a little of what was happen-ing, search for images of “spit net” and “pris-oner restraint chair.”

When the emergency response team wasgetting ready to load McKenna into a vehicle,“medical personnel from the Fairfax CountySheriff’s Office checked McKenna and deter-mined she was experiencing a medical emer-gency.”

McKenna never regained consciousness.

Natasha McKenna’sdeath provides windowon national concern.

Managing Mental Illness in JailsThe incident was recorded on video, but “the

video is currently retained as evidence by de-tectives from the Fairfax County Police Depart-ment and will not be released at this time.”

Less than two weeks after McKenna’s death,the public knows a lot more about the detailsof this incident than previous cases involvingthe Fairfax County Police, but questions of whathappened, how and why, greatly outnumberanswers.

It is standard operating procedure in theUnited States to warehouse disruptive peoplewith mental illness in jails. A 2006 SpecialReport by the Bureau of Justice Statistics esti-mated that 705,600 mentally ill adults wereincarcerated in state prisons, 78,800 in Fed-eral prisons and 479,900 in local jails, accord-ing to the National Institute for Corrections.

We have to ask what constitutes humane,effective treatment for people with mental ill-ness, and often substance use disorders, whoend up in jails. Are the brutal images of NatashaMcKenna’s handling a common experience forpeople with severe mental illness in jails? Whiledeaths resulting from such incidents are rare,they do occur. What can be done to providetreatment?

— Mary Kimm

[email protected]

Editorial

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:[email protected]

Steven MaurenEditor, 703-778-9415

[email protected]

Tim PetersonCommunity Reporter

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Jeanne Theismann703-778-9436

[email protected]@TheismannMedia

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[email protected]@jonroetman

ADVERTISING:For advertising information

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Editor & PublisherMary Kimm

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Editor in ChiefSteven MaurenPhotography:

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CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426Circulation Manager:

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azette

Letters to the Editor

Stop theStonewallingTo the Editor:

The Fairfax County Board ofSupervisors must do their own job.They continue to look elsewherefor answers to the lack of leader-ship instead of within themselves.The long tenure and lack of politi-

cal competition for these boardseats is a major contributor to thepassive approach to the lack ofpolice accountability taken by theboard. 2015 is an election year forthe Board of Supervisors. All 10board seats, including thechairman’s, are up for election orre-election. The citizens of FairfaxCounty must make the rightchoices come the election.

Four conditions contributed tothis stonewalling that, withoutchanges in policy and procedures,the stonewalling will merely con-tinue when the next unarmed po-lice shooting occurs and the boardwill wring its hands and continueto avoid accountability and re-sponsibility for a lack of leader-ship. What is the saying? We havemet the enemy and it is us! I rec-

ommend the following steps betaken:

❖ Establish a Citizen PoliceOversight Board. ChairmanSharon Bulova means well, butcontinues to say they are usingtheir auditor to investigate policecomplaints. No oversight board isneeded and she refers to rubberstamp district citizen boards hand-picked to support the police withno agenda or authority to investi-gate citizen complaints. This issad. Clearly the police chiefs (oneretired but reemployed as a deputycounty executive for public safety;the other hand picked by the re-employed former police chief) runthe show with little or no account-ability to the board. There are 150Citizen Police Oversight Boardsoperating in the U.S. If one formof these were operating in FairfaxCounty today it could have re-sulted in recommendations for agrand jury to investigate the Geercase, or pursue another option tospeed up the process and do it inthe open. The oversight boardwould be a useful political andsubstantive vehicle to avoid stone-walling and move forward the caseof John Geer and others that neverwere resolved to the satisfactionof the victim’s families and friendswho were killed by police. IsFairfax County so elite that it can’tstoop to operate in the sunshine

See Letters, Page 18


Opinion

By Scott A. Surovell

State Delegate (D-44)

In the fifth week of the General As-sembly session, several of my billsmoved toward passage and a fewcontroversial bills are being de-

bated.First, my legislation to protect Earned

Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Creditproceeds, plus child support and spou-sal support arrearages from creditors,passed the full Senate Courts Commit-tee and should clear the full Senate on Monday as Iwrite this column. Second, my legislation to simplifythe process of continuing lawsuits when parties passaway cleared the Senate last week and was sent tothe Governor.

Third, my bill to waive Standards of Learning testsfor elementary and secondary students with highscores on Advanced Placement or International Bac-calaureate tests was added to another bill to grantgreater flexibility to school systems to waive Stan-dards of Learning tests. That legislation will likelypass the Senate as well.

Fourth, Republican Del. Manoli Loupassi and Icrafted legislation providing new remedies for peoplewhose criminal charges are publicized by private datacompanies after the individuals are found not guiltyand the charges have been expunged from theirrecord. We also proposed to create a remedy againstcompanies who post criminal conviction informationon websites and will only remove the informationafter extorting a payment of money. These compa-nies have been popping up around the world andrepublishing information from Fairfax County.

The Senate modified our bill to remove theexpungement cause of action, and we will continueto refine the legislation. The legislation creating anaction for extortion passed the Senate Courts Com-mittee and will move through both bodies as modi-fied this week.

ON TUESDAY, the House of Delegates passed leg-islation legalizing the sale of switchblades, ballisticdarts and throwing stars. After a public outcry, theHouse reconsidered the bill the following day andkilled it.

That same day, the House, on a 62-34 vote, ap-proved legislation allowing individuals who hold con-cealed weapon permits to carry loaded shotguns invehicles even if local ordinances ban this conduct. Iled the floor debate against this legislation, arguing

that the last thing Virginia needs isloaded shotguns in Northern Virginiatraffic. I highlighted numerous road rageincidents involving shotguns, includingone that took place just 20 hours beforewe debated the bill.

Also, all of Virginia’s hunter educationcourses specifically teach hunters not totransport loaded shotguns and all shot-gun manufacturers specifically advise

shotgun owners to never transport loaded shotguns.We heard testimony about a Virginia state trooperwho was killed when a vehicle was rolled over andthe shotgun went off.

You can watch my speech on my You Tube chan-nel.

I discovered that Fairfax, Arlington, Prince Will-iam and Loudoun Counties have not taken advan-tage of their authority to enact local bans on trans-porting loaded shotguns. Supervisor Gerry Hylandhas started work on a Fairfax County ordinance.

EACH YEAR, we debate legislation to allow home-schooled athletes to participate in public school sportsprograms. I routinely vote against this because I feelthat it is unfair to public school athletes who mustmeet grade and conduct standards when it is impos-sible to enforce the same standards with home-schooled students. Also, public education cannot bea la carte or the entire system will become dysfunc-tional. This legislation normally dies in the Senate,but this year, it was amended to allow the policy tobecome a local option instead of a state mandate.The bill is heading for a likely veto.

BOTH HOUSES voted to repeal A through F grad-ing of public schools and former GovernorMcDonnell’s “Opportunity Education Institute” (OEI),an effort to allow state takeover of local schools. Inhindsight, school grading was seen as potentiallydestructive of communities and the OEI was held tobe unconstitutional.

We should conclude writing the budget this weekand complete work on all legislation in joint confer-ence committees. We appear to be heading for anon-time conclusion, which has been a rarity since Ihave been in office.

Please continue emailing me your feedback [email protected]. It is an honor to serve asyour state delegate.

Ninja Weapons and ShotgunsCommentary

The following incidents were reportedby the Mount Vernon District Police Sta-tion.

ROBBERY, 2400 block of Byrd Lane,Feb. 20, 8 p.m. The victim was walkingand was approached by a man from be-hind. The suspect assaulted the victimand demanded property. The suspecttook property and fled on foot. Therewere no injuries. The suspect was de-scribed as black, about 6 feet tall andwearing dark-colored hoodie and bluejeans.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 5900block of Mount Eagle Drive, Feb. 23,12:40 a.m. The victim was walking andapproached by two men. The suspectsassaulted the victim and searched one ofhis pockets, then fled on foot. The sus-pects were described as males ofunknown race, about 5 feet 6 inches to5 feet 8 inches tall and wearing dark-colored coats with hoodies.

BURGLARY, 1600 block of BelleView Boulevard, Feb. 20. A resident re-ported someone entered the residenceand took property.

ROBBERY, 2400 block of PhillipsDrive, Feb. 17, 12:05 a.m. The first vic-tim was outside of an apartmentbuilding and observed a man being as-saulted by two men. The first victimwent to assist the man being assaultedand was subsequently assaulted by theone of the suspects. The suspects tookproperty and cash and fled on foot. Thevictims incurred non-life threateninginjuries. The first suspect was describedas black, about 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet8 inches tall, thin build and wearing ahoodie with a jacket over it. The secondsuspect was described as black, about 5feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, shoulder-length hair and wearing a beige jacketand jeans.

BURGLARY, 5800 block of Cameron

Run Terrace, Feb. 16. A resident re-ported someone entered the residenceand took property.

BURGLARY , 6300 block of OldTowne Court, Feb. 17. A resident re-ported someone entered the residenceand took property.

PURSUIT/ASSAULT ON POLICE,Richmond Highway/Sherwood HallLane, Feb. 9, 11:42 p.m. A police officerattempted to stop a vehicle for trafficcharges. The driver of the vehicle spedaway and attempted to flee but eventu-ally was stopped on Richmond Highwaynear Arlington Drive. The driver refusedto cooperate and when ordered from hisvehicle, he rolled his window up on anofficer’s arm. Officers deployed pepperspray and used a baton to break thewindow and free the officer’s arm. Po-lice said the driver then assaulted an

Crime Report

See Crime, Page 10


Wednesday, March 4, 2015from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

~ Parents Only ~

Open House

Montessori School of Alexandria6300 Florence Lane,

Alexandria, VA 22310703-960-3498

montessorischoolofalexandria.com

MSA: Whereexceptional

learning begins.“Come watch children

working with joy”

Opinion

By Adam P. Ebbin

State Senator (D-30)

With only a few days leftin this year’s legislativesession, the General As-sembly has finished

much of its business. Republicans havedefeated commonsense proposals toraise the minimum wage, close thehealth care coverage gap, and my bill tokeep guns away from toddlers. Negotia-tors from the House and Senate are inch-ing closer to a final budget deal. Governor McAuliffehas already begun signing some bills into law.

Even so, a handful of high-profile issues have yetto be resolved. Notably, we are still working towardsa final compromise on how best to prevent and re-spond to sexual assaults at our colleges and univer-sities. In both the House and Senate, multiple piecesof legislation were introduced to address this criti-cal issue; those bills were eventually rolled into twovehicles. As of this writing, those remaining bills —SB712 and HB1930 — differ slightly, but the basicoutlines are very similar.

Both bills strike a careful balance between pro-tecting the rights and privacy of victims and keep-ing college communities as safe as possible. Eachproposal would require colleges to establish memo-randums of understanding with local victim supportservices, ensuring that students who have been as-saulted are aware of and able to access resources tohelp them. Both bills require university employeeswho become aware of a sexual assault to report it totheir school’s Title IX coordinator. Each bill estab-lishes review teams to promptly assess the cases thatare brought to that coordinator. Based on those pro-ceedings, each bill provides for team members todetermine whether to release identifying informa-tion about the victim and begin a law enforcementinvestigation.

It’s important to me that the final legislation ex-plicitly protects victims’ anonymity during assess-ments, and leaves post-assessment decisions abouthow to proceed in the hands of the Title IX coordi-nator. (These have been points of dispute betweenthe House and Senate.) In any event, we need tomake our students safer and prevent future trag-edies.

Passing a compromise measure, however, will notmean our work is done. As we strive to prevent fu-

ture crimes, we must also seek justicefor those who have already been hurt.

Last year I co-sponsored SB658, a bi-partisan bill that required state and lo-cal law enforcement to inventory theuntested physical evidence recovery kits(PERKs) in their possession — that is,the kits used to collect and preservephysical evidence following a rape orsexual assault.

The findings were troubling. Virginiahas a backlog of at least 2,279 unanalyzed PERKs —and I expect the final total to be above 4,000. Evi-dence from these kits is often the key to putting rap-ists behind bars. If we’re truly going to crack downon sexual violence, it’s not enough to pass new pro-tections. We also have to ensure that existing lawsare working as they should. That means giving ourDepartment of Forensic Services the resources it needsto work through this substantial backlog.

In 2014, I carried a successful budget amendmentto do exactly that. My proposal provided $600,000over two years so the Commonwealth could hire newforensic scientists to work through these untestedPERKs.

The original budget as introduced would havesharply reduced that funding. I have worked to pro-tect it, and the budget put forward by the SenateFinance Committee restores much of the money theDepartment of Forensic Science was slated to lose. Ihave every hope that the final budget — the compro-mise to which both the House and Senate will even-tually agree — will do the same.

The legislature this year meets for just 46 days.That isn’t enough time to solve all the problems weface — especially in the face of partisan gridlock onso many critical issues. Still, I take heart in knowingthat on this issue, at least, Democrats and Republi-cans have been able to come together to do what’snecessary and right. It’s a path I hope my colleagueswill follow on many, many other issues when we re-convene next year.

You can email me at [email protected] sign up for my weekly email updates atwww.AdamEbbin.com. I am active on Twitter@AdamEbbin and Facebook at www.facebook.com/EbbinCampaign.

It is my continued honor to represent the citizensof the 30th Senate District.

Commentary

Addressing Campus Sexual Assault

From Page 9

officer before he was taken into custody.A 28-year-old man from Burke wascharged with driving on suspendeddriver’s license (DWI related), speed toelude, obstruction of justice, assault on

police and defective equipment.AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 6000

block of Richmond Highway, Feb. 7, 4:10a.m. The two victims were walking andapproached by a group of six men. Thesuspects assaulted the victims and fled on

foot. The victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries at the scene.

BURGLARY , 7700 block ofRidgecrest Drive, Feb. 8. An employeereported someone entered the businessand took property.

Crime Report

From Page 5

dogs regularly visit U.S. military personnel assignedto the PTSD unit at the Fort Belvoir community hos-pital.

ANOTHER NON-PROFIT animal rescue organi-zation visiting the Belle View Shopping Center inMount Vernon, Animal Allies, was presenting res-cue cats at the retail store, Pro Feed. Animal Allies isan all volunteer organization concentrating on plac-ing cats for adoption. Last year they placed 204 catsfor adoption.

Dog and Cat Adoption OpportunitiesIts mission statement: “Animal Allies is a non-profit,

all volunteer, no kill organization dedicated to therescue of homeless and abandoned animals. AA isdevoted to curbing the overpopulation of animalsthrough trap, neuter, and return (TNR) efforts as wellas educating the public about the importance of spay/neuter programs. AA volunteers foster in their homeslost, abandoned, or stray animals until loving homescan be found. All animals in their system are vettedto check for disease and spayed and neutered to stopthe cycle of unwanted animals.”

Visit www.animalallies.com or call 703-940-9183.


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Great Falls/McLean 816 Towlston Road, McLean, VAHuge price reduction for over 6,600 fin. sq. ft.; great room propor-tions, 2+ acres of beauty and peaceful! 5 BR, 4.5 BA center hallcolonial w/2-car garage and private lane. $1,450,000Bonnie Rivkin CBmove.com/AX88477497

Kingstowne 6022 Masondale Road, Alexandria, VATruly a SPECTACULAR home! Stone front, charming porch, 4 BR,4.5 BA stunning colonial, chef’s kitchen, open floor plan, sited on apremium corner lot, backs to trees, 2-car garage. $824,900Karen Leonard CBmove.com/FX8547675

The Middleton 329-335 Royal N, Alexandria, VAWelcome to The Middleton. Four luxury 4 level town-homes nearcompletion in the heart of Old Town Alexandria! Beautiful finishesw/2 off-street parking spaces. $1.6M+-$1.8M+ Michelle MitchellCBmove.com/AX8423162

Open Sun 2-4pm Old Town 600 South Lee Street, Alexandria, VAOverlooking park and Potomac River, beautiful 4 BR, 3.5 BA endtownhome w/great attention to detail, high ceilings, open floorplan, moldings – have all Old Town has to offer! $1,199,000Bonnie Rivkin CBmove.com/AX8496964

Olde Belhaven Towne 6317 Barrister Place, Alexandria, VAJust Listed – 3 BR, 3.5 BA, renovated townhome on quiet sidestreet, updated baths, kitchen, new roof, HVAC, HWH, shed andmore! Located close to G.W. Parkway, I-495, I-395, Old Town, D.C.$639,900 Bonnie Rivkin CBmove.com/FX8557421

Occoquan Pointe/Barrington 418 Fortress Way, Occoquan, VAWalk to historic Occoquan! One-Level living, totally renovated open floor planground flr terrace condo, all the updates are done. Gourmet kitchen, woodfloors, designer baths. A showplace to move in to now! 2 BR, 2 BA. $304,990Susan Gray Chambers CBmove.com/PW8554970

Mason Neck 10521 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VAJust listed Mason Neck peninsula hidden jewel surrounded by parkland.Privately sited 2 ac custom built with wrap-around porches, soaring ceilings,stone fireplaces, gourmet kitchen & Mn Flr Mstr Suite. 3 BR, 3.5 BA. $975,000Susan Gray Chambers CBmove.com/FX8554818

Belle Haven on The Green 1789 Duffield Ln, Alexandria, VAFabulous TH w/Palladian window, French Doors, 2-Story Foyer,Vaulted Ceiling & More! Rare Finished LL, FP & Great flr plan. Closeto Huntington Metro, Metro Bus, Bellehaven CC & Shops! $625,000Gayl Warman CBmove.com/FX8541411

River Towers 6631 Wakefield Dr. #718, Alexandria, VAGreat 1 Bed/1 Bath unit, 714 sq ft, hw flrs, tile BA. Utilities included in condofee are central heat & A/C, gas, water, electricity, a recreational facility pass,sewer, trash removal. Fantastic commuter property close to G.W. Pkwy, Rt 1& Huntington Metro. $174,000 Jane King CBmove.com/FX8524943

Open Sun 1-4pm Maple Heights 4202 Maple Tree Court,Alexandria, VA Beautifully renovated center-hall colonial. Over4,000 sq ft above grade, open floor plan, stunning kitchen & light-filled great rm & fully fin bsmt. Large lot on cul-de-sac. $1,499,000The York Group CBmove.com/AX8539710

Nethergate/Virginia Village1217 Michigan Ct,Alexandria, VA

Beautiful & Bright Brick TownHouse in Old Town. 2Bedrooms, 2 Full & 2 HalfBaths on 4 Levels. UpdatedKitchen & Baths, HardwoodFloors, 3 Fireplaces, Built-Ins,2 Parking Spaces. $619,000

Greg DohertyCBmove.com/AX8555095


By Jeanne Theismann

The Gazette

It was one of the best kept se-crets of World War II. When 20-year-old U.S. Army Medic Rob-ert Wineland arrived in the vil-

lage of Laudersfeld, the wooded coun-tryside of far eastern Belgium wasrelatively peaceful, a quiet buffer zonedisrupted only by occasional artilleryfire and brief skirmishes between op-posing infantry patrols. But on Dec.16, 1944, the sleepy Ardennes frontwas about to wake up. The Battle ofthe Bulge had begun.

“I was having a conversation withmy captain and two young cooks out-side the farmhouse we were stayingin when I realized I had forgotten mywool cap,” recalled Wineland. “Idarted inside to retrieve it and noticed

a windowwas ajar.Just as Ireached upto close it,a loud ex-p l o s i o nshatteredthe glassand blewme back-wards. Ithought tom y s e l f ,‘Good go-ing, Bob.Here it is,

the first day of action and you gotshot.’”

When he realized he was not in-jured, Wineland made his way backoutside. As he looked for his captain,he saw something on an adjacent hill-top that stopped him dead in histracks.

“I knew what it was immediately,”Wineland said. “A German King Tigertank, one of the biggest tanks ever

built and nearly twice the size of ourSherman tanks. It had fired an 88mm shell,blowing off the heads of those two youngcooks.”

Despite the danger, Wineland crawled onthe ground to tag the two casualties then,still on his belly, made his way to a nearbybarn to hunker down. Under cover of dark-ness that night, he made his way throughthe Belgian countryside, at one point get-ting lost in the Ardennes Forest for severaldays. Reunited with his comrades inVielsalm just before Christmas, he remainedon the front lines as the battle continuedthroughout January 1945.

“Germany’s surprise attack had thrownthe Allies into disarray,” the Alexandria resi-dent recalled as the 70th anniversary of thebattle’s end neared on Jan. 28. “In a singlebrief engagement, my 106th Division suf-fered more losses in casualties and capturedthan any other American division in WorldWar II. We were anni-hilated.”

The Battle of theBulge — so nicknamed

because of the “bulge” in the map whereGerman forces broke through the Allied line— was the last major offensive on the West-ern Front during WWII.

But despite the success of the initial at-tack, timely reinforcements and improvingweather that allowed Allied air forces totake to the skies reversed the fate of theGermans.

“It was the largest battle fought by Ameri-can forces during World War II,” Winelandsaid. With 840,000 troops committed, it wasalso among the bloodiest with more than186,000 casualties.

Discharged in December 1945, Winelandreturned home to Anacostia to continue hispre-med studies at George Washington Uni-versity. He went on to complete his medi-cal degree there in 1951, the same year hemarried Stuart de Murguiondo. Followingresidencies at the Children’s Hospital inWashington and University of ColoradoHospital in Denver, the two settled in Alex-

andria in1955.

“When Ifirst startedmy practicein 1955,there were nohospitals inAlexandria orF a i r f a xCounty otherthan Alexan-dria Hospi-tal,” saidW i n e l a n d ,who was thesole pediatri-cian betweenAlexandr iaand Rich-mond. “Sowhen the Al-e x a n d r i aHospital an-nounced its

move from Old Town to the far West End ofthe city in 1959, a small group of doctorsdecided to search for a site for a new, morelocal hospital.”

Meeting in the living room of Wineland’sHollin Hills home, the “Doctors Group,” asthey called themselves, began seeking sup-port for their idea. The Mount Vernon-LeeCitizens Association became strong support-ers of the drive for a new hospital and aftermuch debate, the Fairfax County govern-ment approved the creation of a new hos-pital to be built in the Mount Vernon dis-trict.

“That was also the start of many meet-ings and long hours when we tried to plana hospital and hold our families and prac-tices together,” said Wineland, by now afather of four.

Wineland’s efforts came to fruition on Oct.26, 1976, when Mount Vernon Hospitalopened its doors. The next day he wasnamed the first president of the medicalstaff. Throughout this time, Wineland alsomade medical mission trips to treat childrenin Algiers and Hondurus.

The couple’s love of exotic travel took thefamily all over the world, including a tripto the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“Although I am still active, some thingsare different than they used to be,” saidWineland, who will turn 91 in July. “ButStuart and I have had full lives and aim toenjoy watching the progress of our familyas long as the Lord allows.”

Still known to many as “Dr. Bob,”Wineland remains an active member of theAlexandria Rotary Club and shared hisWWII recollections with club members TomRoberts and Drew Carroll, whose fathersalso fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

“I was very lucky to get out,” Winelandsaid. “As I look back, it was a profoundlearning experience. I saw the collapse ofan empire and people reacting under everyimaginable situation. The war left me allthe more convinced that I wanted to go intomedicine and help people.”

‘We Were Annihilated’People

WWII veteran remembersThe Battle of the Bulge.

Army Medic Robert Wineland, inBelgium in late 1944, was part ofthe 106th Division during theBattle of the Bulge.

The idea for Mount Vernon Hospital began in 1959 in the Hollin Hillsliving room of Dr. Robert Wineland.

Stuart and Robert Wineland in the Hollins Hills homethey have lived in since 1955.

With a French priest as a translator,Dr. Robert Wineland treats childrenduring a mission trip to Algiers.

“The war left meall the more

convinced that Iwanted to go into

medicine andhelp people.”

— Robert Wineland,co-founder of Mount

Vernon Hospital

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Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ONGOINGMount Vernon Celebrates Black

History Month. Through Februaryat Mount Vernon, 3200 MountVernon Highway, Mount Vernon. Inobservance of Black History Month,George Washington’s Mount Vernonhighlights the lives and contributionsof the slaves who built and operatedthe plantation home of George andMartha Washington. Throughout themonth, a daily Slave Life at MountVernon Tour explores the lives andcontributions of the slaves who lived

at Mount Vernon at 11:30 a.m. Thetour will conclude with a wreathlaying at the Slave Memorial site.Black History Month activities areincluded in admission. Visitwww.mountvernon.org for more.

Annual Student/Faculty Show - ArtLeague School. Through March 1,Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday,noon-6 p.m., at The Torpedo Factory,105 North Union St., Studio 21. TheArt League’s annual Student/FacultyShow showcases faculty worksalongside hundreds of paintings,drawings, printmaking, stained glass,jewelry, ceramics, pottery, fiber,mosaics, sculpture created bystudents. Visit www.theartleague.org.Call the gallery at 703-683-1780 orthe school at 703-683-2323.

“Bessie’s Blues.” Through March 15at MetroStage, 1201 North Royal St.,Alexandria. “Bessie’s Blues,” features

Bernardine Mitchell, Roz White, TCCarson and a cast of actors andmusicians who will tell the story ofBessie Smith through a musicalodyssey of the blues. WilliamKnowles is music director.Performances are Wednesday-Friday,8 p.m.; Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m.; andSunday, 3 and 7 p.m. $55-60. Visitwww.metrostage.org or call 800-494-8497.

“Front and Back.” Through March15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m.- 9p.m. second Thursday of the monthat Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery inStudio 18 of the Torpedo Factory ArtCenter at 105 North Union Street,Alexandria. Artists’ imagination playswith Items that are different front vsback; right vs left; top vs bottom;inside vs outside; right side up vs upside down; positive space vs negativespace. Anything that has two or moresides can be used to show two

different visuals. Free admission. Seewww.potomacfiberartsgallery.comfor more.

“Considering Harm.” ThroughSaturday, March 21 at The Gallery atConvergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane,Alexandria. Artist Pamela Flynnpresents an exhibition titled“Considering Harm.” This art projectfocuses on the issue of gun violenceand bringing awareness to ourcommunity. Visitwww.ourconvergence.org orwww.pamelaflynnart.com for more.

“In and of the Land.” ThroughSunday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.and during performances at TheRachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall &Arts Center, Margaret W. and JosephL. Fisher Art Gallery at theAlexandria Campus of NorthernVirginia Community College, 4915East Campus Drive, Alexandria. “Inand of the Land” is a two person

exhibition of recent work in paintingsby Clive Pates and ceramics byVirginia Rood Pates. Visitwww.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter/Gallery for more.

Nine Paintings from JohnChapman. Through May 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Donald W. ReynoldsMuseum and Education CenterMount Vernon, 3200 Mount VernonHighway, Mount Vernon. Nineunique paintings by the Virginia bornartist John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1889) illustrating landscape scenesimportant to George Washington’sbiography are on view. Visitwww.mountvernon.org.

“Paws ‘N Claws for Art.” Runsthrough May 31 at Vola LawsonAnimal Shelter, 4101 EisenhowerAve., Alexandria. Del Ray Artisansand Animal Welfare League ofAlexandria teamed up to present thisanimal-themed, fundraising exhibit.

By Steve Hibbard

The Gazette

The Little Theatre of Alexandriais staging “God of Carnage” Feb.28 to March 21. The TonyAward-winning play centers

around a playground altercation betweentwo boys which brings two sets of parentstogether for a meeting to resolve the mat-ter.

At first all is well, but as the eveningprogresses, the rum flows, the gloves comeoff, and the night becomes a side-splittingfree-for-all with the parents behaving badly.

“What happens next is that we find outthat the parents are worse than the kids indealing with each other,” said Director

Christopher Dykton.He said “God of Carnage” follows in the

literary traditions of black comedy and sat-ire.

“I think this play gives a chance to lookat how we behave at times in not the bestway, while at the same time allowing us tolaugh at ourselves. We know that under-neath our social self is that Neanderthalwaiting to pop out,” Dykton said.

Co-producer Sharon Field has seen boththe play and the movie and liked it verymuch. She had also worked with Christo-pher Dykton previously and proposed thatRance Willis consider producing with her.After seeing the movie and reading thescript, he agreed.

“We knew the director and the quality of

his work. We were fortunate to be able toget the best designers and production staffto assist in creating just the right settingfor this production,” she said. “Seeing re-hearsals, we have gained a greater insightinto the writing and the subtle character-izations brought out by the director andactors. We think the audiences will comeaway with a greater appreciation of thecomedy and a significant appreciation foreach of the characters.”

Allison Block plays the role of AnnetteRaleigh, the reserved, tightly-wound wifeof Alan and mother of Benjamin.

“The subject matter is close to the heart(I am a mother of two school-age children),but very dark, so it often takes me placesthat I am reluctant to feel as a parent,” shesaid. “The premise of the play is also de-ceptively simple and the challenges of some-times playing a darker moment filled withoddly comic elements are everywhere in thescript.”

She said, “It’s a moment in time. Anevening when four people are not at theirbest, but are meeting for a noble purpose— for the sake of their children.”

Jack Stein plays Alan Raleigh, a bulldogof a corporate lawyer who likes to be incontrol of his situations.

“As a social worker by profession, I’mpretty much the antithesis of Alan, particu-larly with respect to his ethics and attitudes.It’s been an interesting challenge to tap intowhat makes him tick and find some human-ity in the man.”

Stein said, “Humans are unique beingsbut there’s only a fine line separating us assuch. We need to keep reminding ourselvesof this uniqueness, especially when witness-ing so many unfortunate savage atrocitiesgoing on in the world.”

The Little Theater of Alexandria is staging“God of Carnage” Friday, Feb. 28-Saturday,March 21. Show times are Wednesdaysthrough Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3p.m. Tickets are $19-$22. For tickets, call703-683-0496. The Little Theater of Alexan-dria is located at 600 Wolfe Street, Alexan-dria. Visit www.thelittletheatre.com.

Entertainment

Allison Block and Jack B. Stein star in The Little Theatre of Alexandria’sproduction of “God of Carnage.”

Chuck Dluhy and Karen Shotts star in The Little Theatre of Alexandria’sproduction of “God of Carnage.”

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LTA Stages ‘God of Carnage’Parents behave badly as the gloves come offin this side-splitting free-for-all.

Calendar


Exp. 3/31/15

[email protected]

703-447-6497804-436-2962

ContactAmy Jo Southard,

Licensed VA Realtor

Unbelievable prices from$250,000 for waterfronthomes in the N.Neck of VAon the Bay. I had 4 waterfronthome sales in January alone.Call Amy for a Free Tour andFree Lunch at Merroir’s onthe Rappahannock. Come ondown only 2 1/2 hrs. fromAlexandria.

WATER! WATER!EVERYWHERE!

WATER! WATER!EVERYWHERE!

Both nonprofits receive a percentageof each sale. Also showing, but notfor sale, will be UpCycle’s Fur-Vorproject community-based student-recycled dog art. Visitwww.TheDelRayArtisans.org/GWWfor more.

Alexandria Cars & Coffee invites carenthusiasts to meet for coffee atHollin Hall Shopping Center in frontof Roseina’s, 1307 Shenandoah Road.Owners of classic cars, hot rods,exotic cars, motorcycles and moremeet to share car stories and drinkcoffee. Group meets the first Sundayof every month. 8:30-11 a.m.

George Washington’s MountVernon has joined ThomasJefferson’s Monticello and JamesMadison’s Montpelier to expand the“Presidents Passport,” Virginia’spremier presidential trail. As anadded bonus to this year’s program,visitors to the Alexandria VisitorsCenter at 221 King St. showing orpurchasing a ticket to any of thethree presidential estates will, uponrequest, receive for free Alexandria’s“Key to the City” pass, which grantsaccess into nine historic sites andmuseums in Alexandria-a $26 addedvalue. Visitwww.PresPassport.Monticello.org formore.

Fifty Years of Collecting. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundaysnoon-5 p.m. Fort Ward Museum4301 West Braddock Road. Ananniversary exhibit of objects fromthe Fort Ward collection. Free. Visitwww.fortward.org or call 703-746-4848.

Dinner for the Washingtons. Noonat George Washington’s MountVernon, 3200 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. A walking tourthat goes behind the scenes to findout how food was prepared andserved before the era of microwavesand TV dinners. $5 in addition toestate admission. Visitwww.mountvernon.org/ for more.

Second Thursday Music.Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. 7 pm.Second Thursday of every month.Visit nvfaa.org to view concertcalendar and listen to upcomingSecond Thursday Music artists.

The Monday Morning Birdwalk hasbeen a weekly event at HuntleyMeadows since 1985. It takes placeevery week, rain or shine (exceptduring electrical storms, strongwinds, or icy trails), at 7 a.m. (8 a.m.November through March), is free ofcharge, requires no reservation, andis open to all. Birders meet in theparking lot at the park’s entrance at3701 Lockheed Blvd. Direct questionsto Park staff during normal businesshours at 703-768-2525.

CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPSSummer of Smiles. The Recreation,

Parks and Cultural Activities’Summer Fun Guide, is now available.Summer camps and activities areavailable for youth ages 2-17 andinclude sports, dance, creative arts,computer, chess, enrichment, nature,adventure, Out of School Time(residents only) and classic camps.The guide has an index listing campsby week offered and age group.Registration opens Wednesday,March 18 for City of Alexandriaresidents and Friday, March 20 fornonresidents. Interested participantsmay register online or in-person atthe Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.The Summer Fun Guide is availablefor download atwww.alexandriava.gov/Recreation.Free printed brochures will beavailable at City Hall, recreationcenters, and public libraries. Call theRegistration and Reservation Officeat 703-746-5414.

Tavern Toddlers. Every Monday(except Federal Holidays) 10:30-11:30 a.m. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum,134 North Royal Street, Alexandria.

Join other families with toddlers(walkers through 36 months) to havefun in Gadsby’s historic ballroom.Playtime features a craft table, bookcorner, toys and group dancing. $7for a group of three. Visitwww.alexandria.gov/gadsbystavernor call 703-746-4242.

Photography Workshop. 10:30 a.m.-noon at Multiple Exposures Galleryon 105 N. Union St. Photographersand enthusiasts of all skill levels areinvited to share work, ideas, andquestions at this free workshop heldon the last Sunday of each month,except December. No reservations.Call 703-683-2205.

Life Drawing. Del Ray Artisans offers arange of open life drawing sessionsfor anyone to develop life-drawingskills further. Drop-in for the sessionand bring supplies to draw or paintour live models. Fee ranges from $8-$12. All skill levels are welcome. DelRay Artisans is located at 2704Mount Vernon Ave. Visitwww.TheDelRayArtisans.org for aschedule.

THURSDAY/FEB. 26-SUNDAY/MARCH 1Robert Cwiok / Enveloping Time.

12-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday andSunday; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays at theAthanaeum, 201 Prince St.,Alexandria. Paintings, collage, andmixed media works representing allphases of Cwiok’s 40-year career leadvisitors on a tour through thedevelopment of an artist. Visitnvfaa.org for more.

FRIDAY/FEB. 27Family Fun Night. 6-9 p.m. at

Chinquapin Park Recreation Center &Aquatics Facility, 3210 King St. Bringthe whole family to Family FunNights for swimming and fun for allages on Friday evenings. Pool gamesinclude beach ball relays, waterbasketball, diving for prizes and funon the ‘Aqua Challenge’ floatingobstacle course. Participate inswimming skill assessments for

youth, learn pool safety tips andmore. Admission, $4 per person. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov/c/10280 formore.

Gala Benefit. 7-10 p.m. at Virtue Feedand Grain, 106 South Union St.,Alexandria. Gala will benefit TheCenter for Alexandria’s Children, theCity’s primary resource for theprevention, investigation andtreatment of child abuse. Attendeeswill “Get Up and Boogie” to the discosounds of the 1970s, enjoying anevening that includes a cocktailbuffet, silent auction, 50/50 raffle,and “Be A Superstar” booth wherepatrons can purchase items to benefitthe Center. Tickets start at $150.Available online at http://2015cacgala.eventbrite.com. Call703-746-6008 or visitwww.centerforalexandriaschildren.org.

Mike + The Mechanics 30thAnniversary Tour. 7:30 p.m. TheBirchmere Music Hall, 3701 MountVernon Ave., Alexandria. Their firstAmerican tour in almost 25 years.Visit www.birchmere.com or call703-549-7500.

SATURDAY/FEB. 282015 Generation to Generation

Gala. 6-11 p.m. at Hilton AlexandriaMark Center, 5000 Seminary Road,Alexandria. Join Senior Services ofAlexandria at the 2015 Generation toGeneration Gala to celebratehonorees Christopher Campagna andhis mother June Geoffray; John andBea Taylor and their daughters KarenTaylor Chandler and Rhonda Taylor;and the first recipient of the SSAPhilanthropist Award, Ronald M.Bradley. Cocktails, silent auction,dinner and dancing. Black tieoptional. Tickets atwww.seniorservicesalex.org or 703-836-4414.

Andrew O’Day. 8-11 p.m., at JohnStrongbow’s Tavern, 710 King St.,Alexandria. Visitwww.johnstrongbows.com or call703-329-3075.

Entertainment

Pets

FRIDAY/FEB. 27Opening Reception. 7-9 p.m. at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, 4101

Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria. “Paws ‘N Claws for Art,” Del Ray Artisans andAnimal Welfare League of Alexandria show animal-themed art withUpCycle’s Fur-Vor student-created dog art. Visitwww.TheDelRayArtisans.org/GWW for more.

“Paws ‘N Claws for Art.” Runs through May 31 at Vola Lawson AnimalShelter, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria. Del Ray Artisans and AnimalWelfare League of Alexandria teamed up to present this animal-themed,fundraising exhibit. Both nonprofits receive a percentage of each sale. Alsoshowing, but not for sale, will be UpCycle’s Fur-Vor project community-based student-recycled dog art. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org/GWW.

SATURDAY/MARCH 7Fun Dog Show. March 7, 11 a.m., Market Square, 301 King St., Alexandria.

Register your dogs to win the contests ranging from Best Tail Wag to BestIrish Costume. The show starts at 11:15 a.m., and afterwards all dogs arewelcome to walk in the annual Old Town Alexandria St. Patrick’s DayParade. Register at www.ballyshaners.org/parade/ParadeInfo_dogshow.htm.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 27-29Super Pet Expo. At Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly. The Super Pet Expo is the

largest, most amazing event for animal lovers in the DC Metro. Learn, shopand be entertained with hundreds of vendors and fun activities. Before theexpo on Saturday morning, join us and hundreds of other dogs and thepeople who love them to attempt to set a doggie-kissing record in theDulles Expo Center parking lot, 9 a.m. Visit www.superpetexpo.com formore.

SATURDAY/MARCH 28City Walks. Four-week session begins Saturday, March 28 at Villages of

Shirlington. This class is for the dog that responds really well to basicobedience cues at home or in the classroom but could use more practicearound everyday distractions. This class is also great way to continuesocializing your dog to new surroundings and helping them to feelcomfortable with a variety of visual stimuli and sounds. It is a class that iswell worth repeating to perfect good manners in public settings. Four-weeksession, $165. Visit www.furgetmenot.com.


Cats benefit from being in a foster home. We needlong- and short-term fosters for cats of all ages,mothers with litters and kittens on their own.

Adopt/Donate/Volunteer at www.lostdogrescue.org

Consider Fostering

You Can Make a Difference

visit our website, cl ick on Participate

SUNDAY/MARCH 1Play Reading/Fundraiser. 2-5 p.m.

at at Beth El Hebrew Congregation,3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria.Beth El Hebrew CongregationWomen are performing a reader’splay, “Love, Loss and What I Wore,”written by Nora Ephron and DeliaEphron based on a book by IleneBeckerman. This is a collection offunny, powerful monologues aboutwomen and memories. $15/perperson at the door. Guest Readerswill include Hillary Howard, WTOPanchor and host of TV’s It’sAcademic. Other readers will beCatherine Weinraub, SuzieShalewitz, and Joanne Rhodes allmembers of the Beth El Sisterhood.Visit www.bethelhebrew.org formore.

Author Event. 2-4 p.m. in the GreatRoom of the Cameron StationClubhouse, 200 Cameron StationBlvd., Alexandria. The AlexandriaBranch ofAmerican Association ofUniversity Women will present“Presidents’ Gardens,” with adiscussion and a slide presentation byauthor Linda Holden Hoyt. [email protected] or 202-331-3074 for more.

Closing Reception. 2-4 p.m. at TheTorpedo Factory, 105 North UnionSt., Studio 21. The Art League’sannual Student/Faculty Show, onview through March 1, 2015,showcases work by faculty alongsidehundreds of paintings, drawings,printmaking, stained glass, jewelry,ceramics, pottery, fiber, mosaics,sculpture created by the studentbody. Visit www.theartleague.org orcall the gallery at 703-683-1780 orthe school at 703-683-2323.

Barbershop Harmony Concert. 3p.m. at Mount Vernon UnitarianChurch, 1909 Windmill Lane,Alexandria. The 30-memberHarmony Heritage Singers present“Forward March,” a concert offamiliar patriotic and popular music.The men’s acapella chorus presentsmore than 25 performances a year inthe Washington area. No ticketsrequired, offering taken for UnitedCommunity Ministries. Call 703-765-4779 or [email protected].

Opening Reception. 4-6 p.m. at TheAthenaeum, 201 Prince St.,Alexandria. Opening for “EnvelopingTime,” an exhibition of the works ofRobert Cwiok in the Athenaeumgallery. Cwiok’s paintings, collage,and mixed media works lead visitorson a visual tour through thedevelopment of an artist. Text, printephemera and envelopes are visualleitmotifs throughout his career.Free. Visit www.nvfaa.org.

PLTI Fundraiser. 5:30 p.m. at ABACA,1201 North Royal Street, Alexandriaand MetroStage. The ParentLeadership Institute of Alexandria

will hold its annual fundraiser atMetroStage and ABACA. The eveningwill begin with a dinner buffet and asilent auction at 5:30 p.m., followedby “Bessie’s Blues” at 7 atMetroStage. $85 per person for thedinner and show. Visit www.plti-alex.org or contact Fay Slotnick at703-409-6872 or [email protected] tickets.

SUNDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 1-29“Four.” Through Sunday, March 29 11

a.m.-6 p.m. at The Associates Gallery,Studio 319, at the Torpedo Factory,105 North Union St., Alexandria. TheTorpedo Factory’s newest gallerypresents the fantastic “Four,”featuring photographer Julie Patrick,mixed media artist Kara Hammond,painter Jill Finsen and painting/mixed media artist Barbara Muth.TAG will present a new show eachmonth. Visit torpedofactory.org formore.

MONDAY/MARCH 2R.E. Lee Camp Dinner. 6:15 p.m. at

the American Legion Hall, 400Cameron St., Alexandria (behindGatsby’s Tavern on Royal Street).Social hour is followed by a catereddinner. Hear speaker Philip Schreier,the senior curator at the NationalRifle Association talk about “TheEnglish Enfield in ConfederateService.” $25 per person; $12.50 forthose 17 and under. RSVP with acheck made out to R.E. Lee Camp#726 and mailed to 401 Wilkes St.,Alexandria, VA 22314. Must bereceived by Feb. 27. For additionalinformation, visit www.leecamp.org.

Film Screening and Discussion. 7p.m. at the U.S. Patent & TrademarkOffice, 600 Dulany St., Alexandria.Following a screening of “The Raisingof America,” hear from earlychildhood experts on early childhoodand the future of our nation. Free.RSVP at http://bit.ly/1wQqjFF

TUESDAY/MARCH 3National Pancake Day. Participating

local IHOPs celebrate by giving awayone free short stack of pancakes withthe hopes that patrons will make adonation to The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society’s National CapitalArea Chapter in lieu of payment forpancakes. Visit www.ihop.com formore.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 4Witness to War & Reunion. 7:30

p.m. in the Lecture Hall of TheLyceum, 201 S Washington St.,Alexandria. This spring lecture serieslooks at the end of the Civil War, andits aftermath. “Iron Confederacies:Southern Railways, Klan Violenceand Reconstruction,” by Scott Nelson,

The College of William & Mary. $5.Seating is limited, make reservationsin person, at shop.alexandriava.govor 703-746-4994.

THURSDAY/MARCH 5Concert. 8 p.m. at the Lyceum History

Museum, 201 S. Washington St.,Alexandria. The United States AirForce Band-Chamber Players concertfeaturing eclectic music for Tuba-Euphonium Quartet. Concert subjectto cancellation due to inclement

weather. Free. Call 202-767-5658 orvisit www.usafband.af.mil.

FRIDAY/MARCH 6“Family Paint Night.” 6-8 p.m. at the

Durant Arts Center, 1605 CameronSt., Alexandria. Explore the arts withfeatured artist Teresa Brunsonguiding participants through paintingtheir own masterpiece. No experienceneeded. Art supplies, pizza and sodaprovided. $15 per adult, childrenunder 12 years old are free and must

be accompanied by one adult. Forreservations, stop by the Durant ArtsCenter, call 706-746-5560, or [email protected].

Scottish Social and Tasting. 7-9p.m. at Lloyd House, 220 NWashington St., Alexandria. The Cityof Alexandria’s Sister City Committeeis holding a fundraiser to supporteducational and cultural exchanges.The program includes discussion,whisky tasting instructions, and aQ&A led by a Scotch whisky expert;there’s plenty for the non-whisky

Port City Stages ‘Shining City’Set in Ireland, play tells of troubledhuman relationships and a ghost story.

By Steve Hibbard

The Gazette

Port City Playhouse in Alexandria is stag-ing “Shining City,” a story of troubledhuman relationships overlaid with ahint of a ghost story. Set in Dublin, the

play by Irish playwright Connor McPherson tellshow a man comes to a psychiatrist for help afterhe starts seeing a ghost since his wife’s death in acar accident.

Director Becky Patton said the play is about re-lationships and how we communicate (or don’t)with them. “The parallels between the character’sexperiences in their relationships brings the mes-sage home that honest communication in evencasual relationships is key, but incredibly hard toachieve and maintain,” she said. “We can hearthe words when they are said, but it is how wechoose to accept or reject them that makes allthe difference. I hope people will listen more in-tentionally.”

Producer Jim Howard decided to produce“Shining City” because he liked its intense dia-logue and subject matter. “Secondly, I owe thedirector (Becky Patton) a lot for her help in manyprojects over the past several years, and I thinkshe is one good director. Her vision is always clearon what she wants out of her production staff,and especially her actors.”

Tom Flatt plays John, a recently widowed sales-man who is visited by the ghost of his wife, andthen seeks therapeutic counseling. He said themost challenging aspect of the play was the lan-

guage.“The writer has composed the piece very poeti-

cally to simulate the broken rhythms of everydayspeech, so my challenge is to turn the fracturedprose into a natural and emotionally transparentperformance,” he said.

Andy De plays Ian, a man who cares deeply forothers but often ignores his own needs. He saidthe challenge was that Ian’s emotional growthtakes on wild shifts from scene to scene.

“And on top of that he has quite a bit of troubleexpressing himself and getting complete thoughtsout due to his own insecurity,” he said.

Ashley Amidon plays Neasa, Ian’s girlfriend andthe mother of his child. She said the role was emo-tionally challenging for her.

“Neasa has built her life into a partnership withIan, so when he out of the blue says that theirrelationship is over, she feels devastated, and likeshe should have seen this coming,” she said. “I’vebeen in that place where you know that this per-son that you love is leaving no matter what, butyou want to walk away having been totally hon-est. Neasa doesn’t want to ever look back on herbreakup with Ian and wonder ‘what if?’”

Port City presents “Shining City” Friday-Saturday,Feb. 27-28, March 6-7 and 13-14, and Tuesday,March 10, at 8 p.m.; with Saturday matinees March7 and 14 at 2 p.m. Port City Playhouse is located at1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302. Tick-ets are $18 regular and $16 for students/seniors/military. Visit the website atwww.portcityplayhouse.org.

Entertainment


2ND ANNUAL

Friday, March 6, 2015The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

The Boys & Girls Clubs of GreaterWashington/Fairfax Region helphundreds of at-risk youth every dayright here in Fairfax County.

We invite your organization to consider sponsorshipopportunities for our 2nd Annual Boys and Girls Clubsof Greater Washington, Fairfax Region Casino Night.

Casino Night is a fun-filled evening featuring:• Full complement of staffed gaming tables including Texas Hold ’em, Black Jack and Craps, Roulette• Fabulous dinner buffet * open bar * amazing raffles, live and silent auction• Celebrity Emcee with music and dancing.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean, Virginia 22102 • On the Silver Line

Friday, March 6, 20156:30-11:30pm

Tickets: $95.00 per person,$175.00 per couple

Special Overnight Guest Room Rateat the Ritz-Carlton for

Friday March 6, 2015 -- $119.00

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington/Fairfax Region help boysand girls of all backgrounds build confidence, develop character, and acquireskills fundamental to becoming productive, civic-minded, responsible adults.

BGCGW provides a safe and positive environment for our youth.

Tickets: www.bgcgw.org/fairfax/casino-night/

Boys & Girls Club Fairfax Casino Night

OF GREATER WASHINGTONFAIRFAX COUNTY REGION

drinkers: dinner, wine and other beverages willbe served. $40. RSVP to [email protected] checks to Robert Hay, ASCC, 300 N.Washington St #205, Alexandria VA 22314 orvisit https://shop.alexandriava.gov/ to makepayment.

Opening Reception. 7-9 p.m. at Del Ray ArtisansGallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Local areaartists express their dreams through their art in“DREAM ON!” Visit www.thedelrayartisans.orgor call 703-838-4827.

MARCH 6-29“DREAM ON!” Runs through Sunday, March 29 at

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount VernonAve., Alexandria Local area artists use anymedia to explore and express their dreams in the“DREAM ON!” exhibit at Del Ray Artisansgallery. Using their imaginations, artistsinterpret their dreams—from weird towonderful, scary to surreal. Visitwww.thedelrayartisans.org or call 703-838-4827.

SATURDAY/MARCH 7Country-Western Dance. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at

Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710 North ChamblissSt., Alexandria. The Northern Virginia Country-Western Dance Association will hold a dancewith a lesson at 6:30 p.m. and open dancing, 7-9:30 p.m. A DJ provides music. Couples andsingles welcome. Admission for NVCWDAmembers $10; non-members $12; childrenunder 18 accompanied by a paying adult $5.Smoke-free, alcohol-free. BYO refreshments.Visit www.nvcwda.org or call 703-860-4941.

Live Music. 7 p.m. at St. Aidan’s EpiscopalChurch, 8531 Riverside Road, Alexandria. Focuspresents folk singer/songwriter Peter Mayer,with guest Doug Alan Wilcox. $18 general, $15in advance at www.focusmusic.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 7-8Thomas Lynch, Poet-Undertaker. Saturday,

5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30, 9:45, and 11:15 a.m.

at Aldersgate Church, 1301 Collingwood Road,Alexandria. Thomas Lynch, author andinspiration behind the HBO series “Six FeetUnder” will speak at Aldersgate Church. Therewill be a question/answer session and booksigning at Aldersgate on Sunday, March 8, 12:30p.m. $10 per person, pre-registration required atwww.aldersgate.net/lynch.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/MARCH 7-22March150. Through Sunday, March 22 in the

Target Gallery at Torpedo Factory, 105 N. UnionSt., Alexandria. The exhibition will feature200+ works of original art by local arts, allcreated on 10" square panels and sold for $150each, until the night of the Art Party on March20, when all the work is discounted to $100.Visit torpedofactory.org/event/march-150/ formore.

SUNDAY/MARCH 8International Women’s Day at Ten

Thousand Villages. Noon-6 p.m. at 915 KingSt., Alexandria. Shoppers can find the perfectfair trade gift for the women in their lives; thatgift was most likely made by one of thethousands of female artisans working with TenThousand Villages; on March 8 the store willdonate a portion of the day’s sales to the City ofAlexandria’s programs combating domesticviolence. Visitwww.alexandria.tenthousandvillages.com formore.

WEDNESDAY/MARCH 11Illustrated Lecture. 7:30 p.m. at Lloyd House,

220 N. Washington St., Alexandria. First Ladiesof the Civil War, an illustrated lecture exploringthe lives of Varina Howell Davis and Mary ToddLincoln as First Ladies, wives, mothers, andwidows, will be presented by Kelly R. Hancock,Manager of Education and Programs, TheAmerican Civil War Museum and White Houseof the Confederacy. Free. Call 703-746-4554.

Entertainment


WriteThe Gazette welcomes views on

any public issue. The deadline forall material is noon Friday. Letters

must be signed. Include homeaddress and home and businessnumbers. Letters are routinelyedited for libel, grammar, good

taste and factual errors. Send to:Letters to the Editor

The Gazette1606 King St.

Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444

Email:[email protected]

From Page 8

and, when necessary, seek the counsel anddebate the merits of a citizen police over-sight board? If you ask other city and othercounty governments and police depart-ments that have citizen advisory panels youwill readily see that they can be helpful andlead to strong police-community relation-ships. Right now in Fairfax County the po-lice are viewed by many in a negative light.Rogue cops, cowboys, arrogant, unap-proachable and ultimately scary. That is veryunfortunate and unnecessary. The last timeI looked, as a retired homicide detective,our country is still a democracy and not abanana republic dictatorship. An oversightboard with adequate authority to look intocomplaints can be a valuable tool for thepolice and the board. The board should atleast try it; limit its life to two years and doa public review to determine if it should beretained or abolished.

❖ Revise the Virginia Freedom of Infor-mation Act regulations to allow for a judi-cial appeal when a FOIA request is deniedand there is little or no justification for thedenial, or the release of information, suchas classically in the John Geer court order.Without the intervention of an outside au-thority figure we would still be watchingthe police and county stonewalling. In theabsence of a change in the Virginia FOIAlaw that now grants police a blanket exemp-tion for an unlimited time period the policein Fairfax County and elsewhere in the Com-monwealth will continue to operate as se-cret police with no incentive to release po-lice incident reports or internal investiga-tion reports in order to inform the publicabout the truth of what happened in a par-ticular police action.

❖ Hire a new police chief and deputycounty executive for public safety from out-side the county government. Start with anew team with no baggage. No police chiefhas ever been selected from outside of theFairfax County Police Department in mod-ern times. This is a breeding ground forstonewalling. A secret fraternity that eventhe board, who is supposed to oversee them,can’t crack the vice lock they have on infor-mation. The board, in desperation, is hir-ing outside attorneys, information manage-ment consultants and advice from the stateattorney general. What are they thinking?The last time I looked, the police were sup-posed to be working for the board; theyhave a stable of attorneys; and their bud-get is approximately a billion dollars; halfgoes to the School Board but the other halfgoes to probably a bloated bureaucracy thathas long ago circled the wagons for thepolice department which from an outsider’spoint of view in watching the lack of lead-ership on the Geer case reports to no oneand is neither responsive nor accountableto no one.

❖ Reduce the presence of Fairfax CountySWAT teams. Responding to calls on domes-tic disputes, delivering warrants for pettycrimes, is not something new and perhapsthe Obama administration will tackle thisissue in their policing task force. Examplesof “overkill” abound; the latest example isthe ramming of the hapless John Geer’stownhome. Lacking police incident reports

to verify the authenticity of circumstancesthat justified the police shootings, one can’tvalidate the use of lethal force or justifySWAT team involvement in the shooting ofunarmed citizens. Nevertheless here is a listof eight people who were shot and killedby police since 2006:

❖ 2006: Dr. Salvatore J. Culosi - Shot andkilled by a SWAT team member who claimedhe accidentally bumped his elbow on hisvehicle door and shot Culosi in the chest.The SWAT team was delivering a warrantfor Culosi’s arrest for sports gambling.Fairfax County settled out of court on awrongful death suit.

❖ 2007: Randall Leroy Collins - Shot 11times and castrated; killed by a SWAT team.African American; no police incident reportreleased.

❖ 2008: Heilu Brook - Ethiopian; shotmultiple times in the back; allegedly robbeda bank with a gun (toy gun) and fled area;killed by Fairfax County police. No policeincident report released.

❖ 2009: David Masters -Shot in the backwhile sitting in his car unarmed on a ser-vice road and surrounded by armed police.He was suspected of stealing a flower plantfrom a retail store. He fled in his car. Un-armed. No police incident report released.After more than a year, the shooter wasidentified.

❖ 2010: Ian C. Smith - Known mentallyill patient shot in his own home in the base-ment; had a toy gun and refused to drop it.Family called mental health personnel whowere not available to come to the home sothe police went on the call. No police inci-dent report released. Patient permanentlyincapacitated as a result of the gunshotwound.

❖ 2012: Nicholas Allen Kaelber - Shotmultiple times in the back and killed. Po-lice stated he looked suspicious and whenthey asked him to stop, he fled and theyshot him.

❖ 2013: John Geer - Shot in the chestwhile standing in the doorway of his ownhome speaking to a police negotiator; nocrime had been committed. Left to bleed todeath. SWAT team arrived with a batteringram vehicle that caved in the front of thehouse. Geer found dead lying in the foyerby the door. No police incident report re-leased until pressure from the U.S. Sen.Charles Grassley caused the Fairfax Countycourt system to order release of documents.Internal investigation documents still notavailable.

❖ 2013: James Bryant - Homeless shel-ter resident who went into a rage; unarmed.Shot and killed inside the homeless shelter.police stated he resisted arrest and wasuncontrollable. police also said use of nonlethal equipment was not successful in sub-duing him. African American.

SWAT team availability and need is ques-tionable. Perhaps a regional unit that mo-bilizes when called upon as back up or theneed for a major police presence is some-thing that could be looked into. However,the incidences of crime committed that needmilitary-style operations is at the least ex-cessive and probably overkill.

Thank you for considering these thoughtsas the legal process slowly continues on theJohn Geer case. Instead of the end, the Geer

Letters

case we believe should be the beginning ofa detailed investigation of the county boardand police by the civil rights division of thejustice Department to determine if there isa pattern and practice of the use of exces-sive force. One solution to reform the po-lice department and end the excessive useof force is to appoint an outside monitor toimplement recommendations to end the useof SWAT teams for minor incidents and toend the practice, in violation of their owngeneral orders on the use of force, to shootunarmed individuals who pose no threat ofharm to the police.

Nicholas BeltranteExecutive Director

Virginia Citizens Coalition for PoliceAccountability, Inc.

Matter ofJudgmentTo the Editor:

In my letter published in the Feb. 12, 2015Gazette, I highlighted several votes takenby Del. Scott Surovell (D-44th) that heneeds to explain as he seeks to be elevatedto the State Senate. Jeff Carver respondedto my letter last week. After describing him-self as loathe to quote himself from earlierletters, he did so.

Mr. Carver quoted himself from a lettersent three years earlier claiming, at thattime, it had appeared I had just discoveredthat Delegate Surovell votes to the left ofcenter in the House of Delegates. Of course,I knew it then and certainly know it now.Mr. Carver believes voters should just burytheir heads in the sand and ignore reality,voting without regard to the practicalitiesof the results of their votes.

In fact, most of the examples I gave con-cerning Surovell votes have less to do withhis ideology than they have to do with whatappears to be just a lack of good judgment.Which ideology would cause a politician toconsistently vote against permitting home-schooled children to participate in publicschool extracurricular activities? Among thenumerous people who have been home-schooled are Susan B. Anthony, AlexanderGraham Bell, Lewis Carroll, Thomas Edison,Robert Frost, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,Florence Nightingale, Presidents WoodrowWilson, Theodore Roosevelt and FranklinD. Roosevelt, and Tim Tebow. DelegateSurovell says his opposition is because (1)he thinks it is unfair to public school ath-letes who must meet grade and conductstandards, and (2) turns public educationinto an “a la carte” situation. Regarding (1),does anyone really think the public schoolathletes would find it unfair that a home-schooled athlete can help their team win?Regarding (2), the percentage of studentswho are home-schooled is small. They savethe county money since they don’t take upclassroom space while their parents pay thesame taxes as those attending public schoolclasses. Preventing home-schooled childrenfrom being able to participate in publicschool activities, where their parents arepaying taxes like everyone else, makes nosense.

Another example I gave was a bill op-

posed by Delegate Surovell that would au-thorize the House of Delegates or VirginiaSenate to intervene as a party representingVirginia if the Governor or Attorney Gen-eral refused to defend in court an enactedVirginia law or Constitutional provision.This issue is devoid of ideology, equallyapplying to any political party. Another ex-ample I gave is Delegate Surovell’s consis-tent opposition to requiring voters to iden-tify themselves with a photo ID. Ironically,when the N.A.A.C.P. conducted a meetingin which they took the position that photoIDs should not be required for voters, theyrequired attendees to show a photo ID toenter the meeting hall.

Other examples I gave included his op-position to bills providing civil immunity foruse of force against intruders in one’s homeand authorizing physical force against suchintruders. I am confident if someone breaksinto a person’s home, the resident won’t bethinking about his ideology when he decideswhat he needs to do. Delegate Surovell’sopposition to keeping court records confi-dential concerning those whose have ob-tained permits to carry concealed weaponsis equally devoid of politics and logic. Whatsocietal benefit accrues from outing thosepermittees?

I did discuss Delegate Surovell’s politicalparty pertaining to the local desire for ex-tension of Metro’s Yellow Line to FortBelvoir, with which I agree. The reality oflife is that Democrats are the minority partyin the Virginia General Assembly. Thismeans that Democratic transportation pri-orities for Northern Virginia are unlikely tosee the light of day, even though NorthernVirginia is Virginia’s economic engine. Acitizen can keep his head in the sand andcontinue driving down vehicle-choked Rich-mond Highway or he can gain a dose ofpragmatism and vote for a state senatormore likely to be able to convince the Gen-eral Assembly of the value of an extendedsubway line to the economy of the Com-monwealth of Virginia.

The evidence shows that, ideology aside,Scott Surovell lacks the good judgment nec-essary to deserve elevation to the VirginiaSenate.

H. Jay Spiegel Mount Vernon


Robert A. (Bob) Clark, 91,born Jan. 17, 1922, NewYork, N.Y., retired U.S.Navy carrier fighter ace

and 48-year resident of Mount Vernon,died on Jan. 21, 2015, of pneumonia.

Clark, a child of the “Roaring Twen-ties,” grew up in a New York City or-phanage. Upon graduation from highschool, he got his first job with LookMagazine.

It was from a later job at the AlcoaAluminum Company in Fairfield,Conn. that Clark entered the U.S.Navy in December 1942. Qualifyingfor naval air training, Clark spent 16months as a naval cadet. Assigned tothe Bombing/Fighter Air Group 17,flying the F6F Hellcat, Clark spent amonth on Guam Island before board-ing the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-12)on Feb. 1, 1945. Hornet completed a10-day shakedown cruise on the wayto Ulithi Atoll, a then secret naval basein the Caroline Island chain. Fromthere she steamed as part of Task Force58 toward Japan. On Feb 16, Clarkparticipated in the first carrier airstrikes on Tokyo since the Doolittleraid three years earlier.

Throughout February 1945, braving in-tense Japanese air defense fire and highlyadverse weather conditions, Clark flew com-bat air cover and strafing attack missionson enemy military installations, aircraft andships in Tokyo and Kyushu. Clark next flewmissions in support of the U.S. Marine in-vasion of Iwo Jima.

On March 4, Clark got a brief respite fromcombat operations. Hornet returned toUlithi for a short rest period. As part of aselect group of 12 pilots, however, Clark waschosen to ferry some severely battle dam-aged “flying dud” aircraft back to Guam forrepair or cannibalization. The fighter as-signed to Clark had taken a hit from a Japa-nese 5-inch anti-aircraft gun at Iwo Jima.It had many shell perforations on the star-board side, holes in the cockpit and seat,and an engine which Clark wrote, “...sounded like Hell. Popped like corn ... Gladto be out of that pile of junk.” After the 350-mile flight to Guam, Clark was back aboardHornet at Ulithi three days later.

In mid-March, Hornet resumed attacks onthe Japanese mainland, this time againstJapanese airfields on Kyushu. Clark was partof a 20 fighter attack group heading for Kurenaval base when the force encountered aflight of about 60 Japanese fighters head-ing toward the Hornet’s task force. TheAmerican fighters immediately engaged theenemy in a dogfight above an inland sea.Clark was attacked by an enemy “George,”Japan’s most capable fighter which enteredservice only at the end of the war. After theenemy turned into him, firing all the way,Clark maneuvered his Hellcat into a tail-shot position and fired his machine guns.The “George” smoked, splintered, burnedand crashed; Clark’s first kill. Soon after,Clark heard a loud crash and realized hehad been hit in the starboard wing by a trail-

ing Japanese “Zeke (Zero).” Clark rolled hisHellcat and split out, coming around for anattack from the side against the “Zeke.” Hesaw tracers hit the engine and shatter thecockpit canopy of the enemy plane whichcrashed into the sea. This was Clark’s sec-ond kill on the same day. Out of ammuni-tion, and with only a handful of enemyplanes remaining, he returned to the Hor-net with 12 other Hellcats from his groupas still another Kamikaze attack against thetask force was underway. Clark wasawarded his first Distinguished Flying Crossfor his actions that day.

USS Hornet then began preparations forthe invasion of Okinawa. Clark flew mis-sions against the Okinawa mainland as wellas troopships and supply ships enroute toOkinawa. On April 1, Clark flew groundsupport missions, dropping napalm on en-emy targets as marines were landing on theisland. Strikes in support of Okinawa op-eration continued until April 7 when Clarkand his unit joined a group of 360 carrieraircraft to attack a Japanese fleet off themain island of Kyushu. It was during thisraid that the Japanese super-battleshipYamato was sunk as well as an aircraft car-rier and six destroyers.

After a few days of routine patrols, onApril 12, the fighters of USS Hornet inter-cepted numerous enemy aircraft includingone flight of “Kate” torpedo bombers and“Jack” fighters attacking the task force.Three of the “Kates” were downed by Clark’sfellow fliers as Clark chased a “Jack” at 500feet in close proximity to the U.S. carriers.He shot the “Jack” out of the air, his thirdkill, but a 40 millimeter shell fired from hisown ship almost blew the tail off his Hellcat.Despite the damage, he managed a safelanding.

Two days later, Clark scored his fourth and

fifth kills, both “Zekes,” duringa 90-minute dogfight. Clarkqualified as a Fighter Ace andwas awarded a second Distin-guished Flying Cross for his hero-ism.

The following day, as otherHornet aircraft struck groundtargets on Okinawa, Clark waspart of a fighter sweep of 220planes launched against KyushuAir Base, some 240 miles distant.The force accounted for ninemore enemy planes, contributingto the Hornet’s daily total of 42destroyed. One day later, April16, Clark again headed toKyushu on another fightersweep. The group encountereda flight of 20 “Zekes” over theattack area, of which 13 wereshot down, including Clark’ssixth kill.

After more almost daily strikeson Okinawa, Clark and Hornetarrived back at the Ulithi base forrepairs and re-provisioning onApril 30. The day after the Ger-man surrender in Europe (VEDay) on May 8, Hornet began

her last combat sortie of the war, returningto Okinawa to support ground operations.Her pilots then flew numerous missionsagainst the Japanese homeland. On May 19,Clark was awarded his third DistinguishedFlying Cross for his overall service in thePacific campaign.

In September 1945, after 33 months ofactive service, Ensign Robert A. Clark leftthe Navy in Jacksonville, Fla. and returnedto civilian life, although he remained in theU.S. Naval Reserve. From 1946 to 1950, hetook advantage of the GI Bill and attaineda degree in English literature from WesleyanUniversity in Middletown, Conn.

In February 1951, Clark was recalled toactive Navy duty for the Korean conflict. Hereturned to flight school to be checked outon jet fighters; then he was assigned toFighter Squadron 831, Air Group 15 aboardthe aircraft carrier USS Antietam (CV-36)in January 1952. Piloting a F9F Pantherfighter jet, Clark began flying combat mis-sions over Korea the following month. Bymid-March 1952, he had completed 20 com-bat missions. From October through Decem-ber 1952, Clark completed 20 more com-bat missions launched from USS Antietam.

With so much active and reserve serviceunder his belt, Clark decided to make theNavy a career. In July 1955, Clark rejoinedthe crew of USS Hornet for a cruise to thewestern Pacific. Hornet encountered 13 se-vere typhoons which extensively damagedthe ship, forcing an early return to San Di-ego. The damage spurred the developmentof a new “hurricane bow” which is a fea-ture of all modern carriers. In 1957, Clarkserved as Officer in Charge of the aerial re-connaissance unit aboard the carrier USSRandolph (CVA-15).

By 1961, Clark had been promoted andassigned to Washington D.C. He met and

married his “Farm Girl,” Darlene, who wasfrom Rheatown, Tenn. but worked in D.C.for the Navy Department.

Shortly after their marriage, Clark wasassigned as Executive Officer, and laterCommanding Officer of the VU-10 FleetUtility Squadron at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.The unit operated combat and support air-craft to assist the fleets during training op-erations and provided escort services forunarmed U.S. aircraft flying in the vicinityof Cuba. With the start of the Cuba MissileCrisis on Oct. 22.1962, the squadron wascalled upon to perform to the maximum ofits capabilities. The first order of businessfor Clark’s unit was the evacuation of allU.S. dependents from the island. The unittook on the role of primary air defense forGuantanamo and flew continuous combatair patrols over the base. Working closelywith the Navy’s VFP-63 light reconnaissancesquadron at the Jacksonville, Fla. Naval AirStation, F8U Crusader aircraft of Clark’s unitflew numerous photo-recon missions overCuba to document the Soviet missile build-up. This photography was flown immedi-ately by couriers in the supersonic Crusad-ers to Andrews Air Force Base where theywere met by helicopters which delivered thefilm directly to the White House. Thesephotos are now an important part of Ameri-can history. Clark said that it got mightylonely flying up the east coast at 2 a.m. withjust himself “and the Man in the Moon.”

Clark retired from the Navy with the rankof Lieutenant Commander and almost 22years of active and retired service in Febru-ary, 1964. During his Navy career, heamassed three Distinguished Flying Crosses,eight Air Medals, two Presidential Unit Ci-tations, the Asia/Pacific Campaign Medalwith three Campaign Stars, The World WarTwo Victory Medal, the Korean ServiceMedal, the United Nations service Medal,the Navy Occupation Medal, the Naval Re-serve Medal, the National Defense ServiceMedal, and the American Campaign Medal.

Deciding that he and Darlene would settlein the Washington area, he bought a homein the Mount Vernon area and began a newcareer as a Navy civilian employee, writingand producing Navy training and documen-tary films for a number of years. His lastfilm was entitled “Kamikazi.” He laterworked for 10 years in the Office of theChief of Naval Operations as a foreign mili-tary sales specialist. Clark retired for thesecond time and last time in 1984.

In retirement, Clark continued to enjoyflying in his WWII vintage, open cockpitFairchild PT-23 Navy trainer. He would alsohitch the occasional ride with his “Hurri-cane Hunter” buddies in Isla Grande, PuertoRico. He relished going to the “getawayhouse” he and Darlene acquired in herhometown of Rheatown. Until the age of90, Clark loved to take walks along MountVernon Parkway and play tennis with hisfriends.

Clark is survived by Darlene Clark, his be-loved wife of 53 years, their daughter, TerryClark, son-in- law, Robert S. Clark, and grand-sons Trey and Tyler Clark, all of Alexandria.

Obituary

Robert A. Clark: World War II Navy Carrier Ace

Robert A. Clark


News

From Page 1

Bulova To Create Transparency Review Commissionas much info as possible.”

Amid U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member of the JudiciaryCommittee, writing letters to the county asto why Geer’s investigation has taken solong and how it’s been handled, as well aspublic pressure from organizations such asthe Justice for John Geer Facebook groupand Citizens Coalition for Police Account-ability, Bulova previously announced theboard would seek outside expertise to ex-amine its policies for releasing informationon police action.

AT THE FEB. 17 MEETING of the board,District Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Spring-field) introduced a draft policy for trans-

parency that had been making its way tothe Fairfax City Council.

“You don’t have to look far to find a goodpolicy on transparency,” said Herrity. “If thishad been enforced, we wouldn’t have hada lot of the problems with the Geer case.”

That Fairfax proposal mandated a releaseof basic facts, any conflicting informationand confirmed identities of individuals in-volved with the incident — all within 72hours of the incident itself.

“There were some good recommenda-tions,” Bulova said, “but I’m not sure that isthe only thing that we want to consider.We’re prepared to take a look at a numberof models and best practices, to include theone the City of Fairfax is considering.”

On Feb. 20, Bulova took another step and

announced the creation of a new commis-sion, made up of citizens, members of thelegal community and other organizationssuch as the NAACP, to review police poli-cies.

“This gives the community an opportu-nity to take part in our review,” said Bulova.

In her release, the chairman namedMichael Hershman, founder of the FairfaxGroup and a citizen appointee to the Boardof Supervisors Audit Committee, chair ofthis commission. She plans to bring it be-fore the board in its March 3 meeting forendorsement. At that time, Bulova has saidshe will also announce the rest of thecommission’s membership.

Though the commission is a step, Herrityremains critical of the board’s lack of open

discussion on the Geer case and others in-volving excessive and or lethal force by po-lice officers.

“The most disturbing thing to me is wehaven’t had a Public Safety Committeemeeting in well over a year,” he said. “I don’tknow why not, there’s not a good answer.And too much of the board’s discussion hasbeen in closed session.

We need to get out into open session andhave a dialog on our policies and practicesand get them fixed.”

Bulova’s commision will have the oppor-tunity to review both the county’s searchfor “independent expertise” on releasinginformation on officer-involved incidentsand the Police Department’s policies andtraining regarding use of force.

Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce to Install New ChairmanFrom Page 1

Sean O’Connell will be installed as the new chairman of the MountVernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce at its March 12 “Biz Breakfast.”

Pho

to

by Tim

Peterso

n/T

he G

azette

“It’s rare to geteveryone to agreeto everything. Ithink thechamber’s invery good handswith him.”

— Tony Riolo

different chambers of commerce becausethe area is so diverse,” said O’Connell, ref-erencing everything from mom-and-popshops and other retail to restaurants andWalmart. “It would never be served by onechamber.”

He acknowledged the greater FairfaxCounty Chamber of Commerce, but whereasthey’re geared more to larger bus, “we’retypically more connected to owner-man-aged businesses,” he said.

O’Connell was formerly president of theMount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commercebut took on the role of chairman at the be-ginning of February. He’ll be installed for-mally at the group’s March 11 “Biz Break-fast” networking event at Belle Haven Coun-try Club, featuring commentary from thenew Hilltop Village Center Wegmans storemanager Mike Dempsey and service man-ager Matt Spath.

Engaging with more of those diverse busi-nesses are among O’Connell’s goals for histerm as chairman.

“We see the area growing, with a lot ofadditional businesses and folks that haven’tbeen a member of any chamber,” he said.“We need to reach out to them, get them tounderstand what we can do for them andtheir business. That rises everyone’s boat,if we have a larger mem-bership.”

One of the changes al-ready taking place in thechamber is the shift from asystem of dues based onthe size of the business totiers of sponsorship for thecombination of services thebusiness wants from itsmembership. These includeaccess to networking op-portunities, having thechamber advocate for busi-ness positions and workwith legislative affairs.

“We’re seeing this as thefuture of the chamber,” said O’Connell,“something that fits more into their bud-get.”

The new chairman is also committed to

increasing the dialogue among board mem-bers and the 317 member organizations.Typically feedback about the services mem-bers receive has occurred informally,O’Connell said, but, “For those not on theboard, we want to systematically have dis-

cussions with them to gettheir input on what they’dlike to see, changes they’dlike to explore, touchingbase and reporting back.”

FRANCONIA RESIDENTTony Riolo is a communitylender with Burke &Herbert Bank, and sat onthe board of the MountVernon Lee Chamber ofCommerce for 20 years.Becoming chairman is thestructured progressionfrom vice president andpresident of the chamber’s

board, but he also believes O’Connell is verywell suited to the position.

“He has an even temperament, I don’tthink ever seen him upset about anything,”

said Riolo. “Maybe that has to do with be-ing a CPA, you roll with the punches. I’veworked with Sean on the budget commit-tee and he’s just a nice person to deal with.”

Riolo has seen O’Connell’s even keel helpdraw a consensus numerous times on thechamber’s board, a quality he thinks willcontinue to serve him as chair.

“When you have 20 people on a board,it’s like herding cats,” Riolo said. “It’s rareto get everyone to agree to everything. Ithink the chamber’s in very good hands withhim.”

Mark Adams of west Alexandria owns aninformation technology services companyworking with the federal government. He’sworked with O’Connell and his firm for ac-counting services over the course of man-aging three smaller similar companies.

“He’s very imaginative,” said Adams, “tocome up with solutions to problems youthought may not have had solutions and stillstay on the right side of the deal. It’s un-usual to have a number-cruncher guy, sohigh in his profession, to be able to add ahigh level of imagination.”

Adams thinks O’Connell’s highly nuanced

approach to helping his businesses growshould benefit the larger communitythrough his role as chair.

“I have a high level of trust and confi-dence in his recommendations and sugges-tions,” said Adams.

“He would give me the right suggestionsand alternatives for what we were doing ina tax sense and I think that will all carryover.”

O’Connell sees the need for imaginationin finding new ways to grow with the mem-bership and community, interacting not onlywith businesses, but also charity groups andhistorical resources.

“We have issues with people who speakEnglish as a second language,” he said, “ingaining life skills, transportation, workforce,the fact that there are plenty of jobs, plentyof need in the community, it’s just match-ing up the workers with the positions.

“We hear from the charities involved withthe chamber,” he continued, “their experi-ence with homelessness, poverty and healthchallenges right around our community.”

O’CONNELL is also a leader in his faithcommunity, the Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints. Keith Davey of MountVernon is the stake president of the samechurch and has seen O’Connell’s leadershipfrom both a business side and in the faith-based context.

“He’s very professional, very calm, me-thodical and detailed.” said Davey.

“He has a clear vision of where he wantsto go and lays out a good action plan to getthere. He has not an overly effusive de-meanor, but a quiet confidence and trustand respect.”

Davey recalled a recent example whenO’Connell coordinated the field trip of 3012-18-year olds and 10 adult leaders to visitand worship at the Mormon Temple. Man-aging the logistics was no small task, hesaid: “Sean was very careful to elicit theopinions and insights of those that wouldbe directly involved in delivering that to asuccessful conclusion.”

For more information on the MountVernon Lee Chamber of Commerce, visitwww.mountvernon-leechamber.org.


The Fairfax county travel basketball or-ganization has named their MVP and all-league players for the 2014-2015 season.

Briana Johns (seventh-grade division twogirls), Ebony Bordley (eighth-grade divisiontwo girls) and George Rizzo (sixth-gradedivision two boys) were named MVPs.

The following players were selected forall league honors: Kyra Hopper (fifth-gradedivision two girls); Kaitlyn Lee (seventh-grade division two girls); Reilly Casey(eighth-grade division two girls); Gabby

Hopper (eighth-grade division two girls);Aidan McClanahan (fifth-grade division oneboys); Ben Chambers (sixth-grade divisionthree boys); Chris Knight (sixth-grade divi-sion three boys); Ben Wayer (seventh-gradedivision one boys); and Malik Johnson(eighth-grade division two boys).

Fort Hunt coaches nominated 24 players,12 of whom were selected for honors. Eachteam could nominate three players, andcoaches could not vote for players on theirrespective teams.

Fort Hunt Youth Basketball Players Honored

Audrey Sisel, a freshman in the College of Artsand Sciences, was named to the Creighton Univer-sity (Omaha, Ne.) dean’s list for fall 2014.

Francesca Gilley graduated from Southwest-ern College (Winfield, Ks.) with a bachelor of artsdegree in elementary education.

Natalie Felice and Isabelle Marie

Marquez have been named to the University ofDelaware dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester.

Tommy Cheung, a third-year student in thecomputing security program in Rochester Instituteof Technology’s B. Thomas Golisano College ofComputing and Information Sciences (Rochester,NY), made the dean’s list for the fall 2014-2015semester.

School NotesEmail announcements to [email protected].

Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome.

Mount Vernon wrestler BillAdusei-Poku used his loss inthe 2014 132-pound statechampionship match as mo-

tivation entering his junior year.He hasn’t lost a VHSL match since.Adusei-Poku capped an undefeated

junior season by winning the 5A 138-pound state title on Feb. 20 at duringthe VHSL state meet at Robinson Sec-

ondary School. Adusei-Poku defeatedKempsville’s Kobe Laxa via 5-3 decisionin the state final.

The win improved Adusei-Poku’s 2014-15 record to 33-0.

“[It] just made me more motivated towin,” Adusei-Poku wrote in an email, “andto work harder to accomplish my goals.”

The state championship was Adusei-Poku’s second in three years. As a freshman,

he won the AAA 126-pound championship.“It felt great being back on top of the po-

dium,” Adusei-Poku wrote, “and I can’t saythat it felt better than the last becausethey’re both great feelings.”

Matoaca won the 5A team championshipwith a score of 78. Broad Run finished run-ner-up (67), followed by Hickory (52),Great Bridge (51) and Mountain View (43).

Mount Vernon tied for 14th place with

19 points.In the 6A tournament, West Potomac’s

Joshua Carter placed fourth in the 160-pound bracket. Carter, a 6A North regionchampion, lost to Riverbend’s Alex Miller,9-3, in the third-place match.

The Wolverines finished 26th in the teamstandings with eight points.

— Jon Roetman

Mount Vernon Wrestler Adusei-Poku Wins 138-Pound State Title

Photos by Craig Sterbutzel/The Gazette

Mount Vernon junior Bill Adusei-Poku wrestles Kempsville’s Kobe Laxain the 5A 138-pound final during the VHSL state meet on Feb. 20 atRobinson Secondary School.

Mount Vernon wrestler Bill Adusei-Poku won his second state title inthree years, capturing the 5A 138-pound championship on Feb. 20 with a5-3 decision over Kempsville’s Kobe Laxa in the final at Robinson Sec-ondary School.

Sports

To theChampsionshipsWest Potomac seniorLozie Goolsby will com-pete in the 500 meters,300 meters and highjump during the VHSL5A/6A state indoor trackchampionships March 5-6 at the Boo WilliamsSportsplex in Hampton.

Photo contributed

Photo by Tim Peterson/The Gazette

Swimmers Shine at StatesFriends and teammates from West Potomac (from left, sophomoreAlexandria Puskar-Beckett and freshman Cassidy Bayer) and W.T.Woodson (from left senior Leah Rogers and sophomore AllisonGoldblatt) link up after an awards ceremony at the Virginia HighSchool League 6A swimming championship meet in Richmond on Feb.20. For final results of the meet, visit www.swimtechusa.com/Vhsl.


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Editorial Assistant/Assistant EditorFull-time assistant editor to help with allaspects of producing award-winning weeklynewspapers, including daily web and socialmedia updates.Must be a prolific, efficient, accuratewriter/rewriter with good basic knowledgeof AP style and clean copy. Self-starter withexcellent time management skills who can towork independently and collaboratively withstrong organizational skills, high productivity,attention to detail. Exciting opportunity tolearn from excellent editors.Essential Responsibilities:Generating local content daily for print andonline, including calendar & entertainmentlistings, news briefs, crime reports, businessbriefs, school and education notes, faith notes,photo galleries, etc.Monitor never-ending email, prioritize,download, edit, compile, post.Community engagement, communicationwith readers and sources. Continuouslyseeking new sources of local information.Copy editing, fact checking, familiarity withAP Style.Design and paginate weekly entertainment,calendar and notes pages for multiple papers.Update websites daily, post to social media.Stay on top of local breaking news, work witheditor and reporters to update.Help transition to digital first workflow.Salary approximately $30K, health insurance,paid vacation. Office is 2 blocks from KingStreet Metro station. Free parking.Send letter, resume, three clips or examples ofwork to [email protected]

Educational InternshipsUnusual opportunity to learn manyaspects of the newspaper business.Internships available in reporting,photography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students, and foradults considering change of career.Unpaid. E-mail [email protected]


21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements


Zone 3 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 3: • Alexandria

• Mount VernonClassifiedClassified

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLSINVITATION TO BID NUMBER 15-01-07

The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seeking proposals for the replacement/repair of the Stage Curtains at the following locations: John Adams Elemen-tary School, Samuel Tucker Elementary School, Charles Bar-rett Elementary School, William Ramsey Elementary School, and Francis Hammond Middle School.Sealed Proposals with the notation RFP# 15-01-07 Stage Curtains & RelatedEquipment will be received in the Central Procurement Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Suite 620, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, on or before 3:00 pm, March 24, 2015. The time of receipt shall be determined by the time clock stamp in the Procurement of-fice. Proposals appropriately received will be opened and the names of the firms responding will be read aloud. RFP docu-ments may be obtained at the above Procurement Officeor by calling 703-619-8162, or by downloading the RFP from the ACPS website at www.acps.k12.va.us, Administration, Financial Services, Procurement and GeneralServices, Current Bids and, Request for Proposals. All ques-tions must be submitted before 1:00 p.m., March 13, 2015. If necessary, an addendum will be issued and posted to the ACPS web site. No RFP may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after the opening of proposals except as may be set forth in the RFP. ACPS reserves the right to cancel this RFP and/or reject any or all proposals and towaive any informalities in any proposal.Gerald W. Amacker (Jerry)ACPS Senior Buyer

21 Announcements 21 Announcements


The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seeking competitive bids from qualified Bidders to provide Network Switching and Wi-Fi Equipment.Sealed Bids with the notation ITB# 15-02-06 Wide Area Net-work Infrastructure Equipment will be received in the Central Procurement Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Suite 620, Alexan-dria, Virginia 22314, on or before 3:00 pm, March 20, 2015. The time of receipt shall be determined by the time clock stamp in the Procurement office. Bids appropriatelyreceived will be opened and the names of the firms responding will be read aloud. Bid documents may be obtained at the above Procurement Office or by calling 703-619-8181, orby downloading the ITB from the ACPS website at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/financial-services/purchasing/bids.php All questions must be submitted before 5:00 p.m., March 13, 2015. If necessary, an addendum will be issued and posted to the ACPS web site. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the opening of bids except as may be set forth in the ITB. ACPS reserves the right to cancel this ITB and/or reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in any bid.Chris GuyProcurement Manager



The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seeking competitive bids from qualified Bidders to provide Network Switching and Wi-Fi Equipment.Sealed Bids with the notation ITB# 15-02-07 Network Switch-ing and Wi-Fi Equipment, will be received in the Central Pro-curement Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Suite 620, Alexandria,Virginia 22314, on or before 3:00 pm, March 20, 2015. The time of receipt shall be determined by the time clock stamp in the Procurement office. Bids appropriately receivedwill be opened and the names of the firms responding will be read aloud. Bid documents may be obtained at the above Pro-curement Office or by calling 703-619-8181, or bydownloading the ITB from the ACPS website at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/financial- services/purchasing/bids.phpAll questions must be submitted before 5:00 p.m., March 13, 2015. If necessary, an addendum will be issued and posted to the ACPS web site. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the opening of bids except asmay be set forth in the ITB. ACPS reserves the right to cancel this ITB and/or reject any or all bids and to waive anyinformalities in any bid.Chris GuyProcurement Manager


ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLSREQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NUMBER 15-02-10

The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seeking competitive proposals from qualified Offer-ors to provide Internet Service.Sealed Proposals with the notation RFP# 15-02-10 Internet Service will be received in the Central Procurement Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Suite 620, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, on or before 3:00 pm, March 20, 2015. The time of receipt shall be determined by the time clock stamp in the Procurement of-fice. Proposals appropriately received will be opened and thenames of the firms responding will be read aloud. RFP docu-ments may be obtained at the above Procurement Office or by calling 703-619-8181, or by downloading the RFP from theACPS website at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/financial-services/purchasing/bids.phpAll questions must be submitted before 4:30 p.m., March 10, 2015. If necessary, an addendum will be issued and posted to the ACPS web site. No Proposal may be withdrawn for a peri-od of ninety (90) days after the opening of proposals except as may be set forth in the RFP. ACPS reserves the right to cancel this RFP and/or reject any or all offers and to waive anyinformalities in any proposal.Chris GuyProcurement Manager


ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLSREQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NUMBER 15-02-04

The Alexandria City School Board dba Alexandria City Public Schools is seeking proposals for Roof Maintenance Services.

There will be a non-mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference on March 4, 2015 at 10:30AM at Alexandria City Public Schools Central Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Conference Room 620-1 , on the 6th floor, Alexandria, VA 22314. All Offerors interested in submitting a proposal for Roof Maintenance are encouraged to attend.

Minimum experience required for any firm submitting a re-sponse to this RFP, and for providing the services therein, is five(5) years.

Sealed Proposals with the notation RFP# 15-02-04 Roof Main-tenance will be received in the Central Procurement Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Suite 620, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, on or before 3:00pm, March 23, 2015. The time of receipt shall be determined by the time clock stamp in the Procurement Of-fice. Proposals appropriately received will be opened and the names of the firms responding will be read aloud. RFP docu-ments may be obtained at the Procurement Office or by calling 703-619-8043, or by downloading the RFP from the ACPS website www.acps.k12.va.us, Administration, Financial Serv-ices, Procurement and General Services - Current Bids and Request for Proposals. All questions must be submitted before 4:30pm, March 13, 2015. If necessary, an addendum will be issued and posted to the ACPS website.

No RFP may be withdrawn for a period of ninety(90) days after the opening of proposals except as may be set forth in the RFP.

ACPS reserves the right to cancel this RFP and/or reject any or all proposals and to waive any informalities in any proposal.

Sharon T Lewis MLS, VCO, CPM, CPPBDirector or Procurement & General Services


LEGAL NOTICESealed proposals for the City of Alexandria per specifications

will be received in the office of the Purchasing Division until the date and time designated as follows:

RFP No. 00000515: Title: Architectural Design Services, Engineering Services and Construction Administration

Services for Fire Station 203 RFP Closing Date and Time: April 2, 2015, 4 p.m., prevailing local time

Pre-Proposal Conference: March 10, 2015For general inquiries contact Michel F. Hauer, CPPO, CPPB,

Acting Purchasing Agent at 703.746.4295.The City of Alexandria reserves the right to reject any and all

proposals, cancel this solicitation, and to waive any informalities or irregularities in procedure. THE CITY

REQUIRES ITS CONTRACTORS TO BE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS.



25 Sales & Auctions 25 Sales & Auctions

PRIVATE SWORDCOLLECTION FOR SALEAntique swords from the United

States and United Kingdom. Call 703-371-1765

26 Antiques 26 Antiques

HDI COMPUTER SOLUTIONSJENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed up Slow Computers➣ Troubleshooting➣ Virus Removal➣ Computer Setup

(571) [email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers


10 Storage

Wanted:Garage to rent

for storage of an Antique/

Classic car.

Contact David 703-765-8983 or

[email protected]

21 AnnouncementsLEGAL NOTICE

Pursuant to the provision of section 4-1-16 of the code of

the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Police Department located at 3600 Wheeler Ave-nue, Alexandria, VA 22304 is

now in possession of un-claimed bicycles, mopeds, lawn equipment, money,

scooters, and other items. All persons having valid claim to

the property should file a claim to the property with reasona-ble proof of ownership or the items will be sold, destroyed, converted or donated. For a

complete listing go to http://alexandriava.gov/police/and contact the Police Proper-ty Section at (703) 746-6709.

26 Antiques

We pay top $ for STERLING, MEN'S WATCHES,

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY, FURNITURE,

PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.Schefer Antiques

[email protected]

102 Instruction

ENGLISH/FOREIGNERS BY

SKYPE expert teacher learn at

home $10 per hr. 703-378-1714 Mary

An expert is someone who knowssome of the

worst mistakesthat can bemade in his

subject and howto avoid them.

-WernerHeisenberg

CLASSIFIEDDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6.....Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4.....Tues @ noonE-mail ad with zone choices to:

[email protected]


EMPLOYMENTDEADLINESZones 1, 5, 6.....Mon @ noonZones 2, 3, 4.....Tues @ noonE-mail ad with zone choices to:

[email protected]


ZONESZone 1: The Reston Connection The Oak Hill/

Herndon ConnectionZone 2: The Springfield Connection The Burke Connection The Fairfax Connection The Fairfax Station/Clifton/

Lorton ConnectionZone 3: The Alexandria

Gazette PacketThe Mount Vernon Gazette

Zone 4: Centre View North Centre View SouthZone 5: The Potomac AlmanacZone 6: The Arlington Connection

The Vienna/OaktonConnection

The McLean ConnectionThe Great Falls Connection

Newspapers & Online

HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO


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Add Dealer Processing Fee of $599. $1,250 Cash Back from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. available on new 2015 Prius.Customers can receive cash back from Toyota or can apply to down payment. Excludes plug-in models. See dealer fordetails. ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled service. Plan is 2 years or 25k miles, whichever comes first. Thenew vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial fleet, or a livery/taxi vehicle. See participating Toyota dealer forplan details. Valid only in the continental U.S. and Alaska. Roadside assistance does not include parts and fluids. Priusplug-in hybrid comes with an extra year of roadside assistance, for a total of three (3) years from date of purchase.Lease, APR and Cash Back offers may not be combined. See dealer for details. Offers expire 3/2/2015.

Add Dealer Processing Fee of $599. 0.9% APR financing up to 60 months available to qualified buyers thru Toyota FinancialServices. Total financed cannot exceed MSRP plus options, tax and license fees. 60 monthly payments of $17.05 for each$1,000 borrowed. Not all buyers will qualify. ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled service. Plan is 2 years or 25kmiles, whichever comes first. The new vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial fleet, or a livery/taxi vehicle. See par-ticipating Toyota dealer for plan details. Valid only in the continental U.S. and Alaska. Roadside assistance does not includeparts and fluids. Prius plug-in hybrid comes with an extra year of roadside assistance, for a total of three (3) years from dateof purchase. Lease, APR and Cash Back offers may not be combined. See dealer for details. Offers expire 3/2/2015.

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