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Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 20-26, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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August 20, 2015Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper

See Policy Changes, Page 6

See Former Police, Page 6

By Tim Peterson

The Gazette

About half of the inmates inthe Fairfax County Jailhave a mental health ill-

ness or substance abuse disorders.The Mental Health and Crisis In-tervention Team subcommittee ofthe Fairfax County Ad Hoc PolicePractices Review Commission in-cluded this information fromCounty Sheriff Stacey Kincaid inthe introduction to its list of policychange recommendations to thefull commission on Aug. 17.

The subcommittee compiled 26recommendations, grouped intofive different sets: items for theFairfax County Police Department,the Sheriff’s Office and Commu-nity Services Board, the Judiciary

and Mental Health Dockets, morethorough implementation of theVirginia Crisis Intervention TeamEssential Elements and increasedcommunity and county involve-ment in mental health awareness.

Del. Marcus Simon (D-53) is acommission member and chair ofthe Mental Health and Crisis In-tervention Team subcommittee.He said one of the overarchinggoals of the recommendations is

to “create a situation where it’sreally easy for Crisis InterventionTeam officers to start doing theirjobs.

“We want to make sure folkswho don’t belong in jail don’t endup there in the first place,” Simonadded.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMtraining for law enforcement of

Policy Changes Recommended on Mental Health and Crisis Intervention26 recommendations grouped into five different sets.

Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid (center) attendedthe Aug. 17 Ad Hoc police policies review commissionand joined the conversation regarding mental health andCrisis Intervention Team training.

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By Tim Peterson

The Gazette

Adam Torres has been chargedwith murdering John Geer.Though Torres shot the unarmedman once in the chest nearly two

years ago, the then-Fairfax County Policeofficer remained on the department’s pay-roll until being terminated July 31, 2015.

Commonwealth Attorney RaymondMorrogh had convened a special grand juryto hear testimony from officers and otherwitnesses to determine whether Torres hadcommitted any criminal wrongdoing. It firstmet for a week beginning July 27 and re-sumed on Aug. 17. The indictment of sec-ond-degree murder was announced later inthe day Aug. 17.

Fairfax County Chief of Police EdwinRoessler and Board of Supervisors chairmanSharon Bulova held a joint press conferenceto discuss the new charge.

Roessler opened by sharing that he hadreached out to the Geer family to again of-fer them “my personal condolences andsympathy.” But he didn’t stop there. “To themen and women of Fairfax County PoliceDepartment and our great community, myheartfelt sympathy to everybody, becausethe loss of life in this case impacts the Geerfamily and all of us.”

TORRES was in the process of surrender-

ing himself and being processed at theFairfax County Adult Detention Centerwhile the press conference was taking place.He’s currently being held without bond, apolice report said. An arraignment hearingwas scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesdaymorning, Aug. 19, where a judge may ormay not set a trial date, Commonwealth’sAttorney Raymond F Morrogh said in anemail.

On Aug. 29, 2013, Geer had been stand-ing in the doorway of his Springfield homefor around 40 minutes, talking with offic-

ers who had their guns trained on his chest.Geer’s longtime partner Maura Harringtoncalled the police earlier because Geer hadbeen throwing her belongings out of thehouse after she previously told him she wasplanning to move out of the residence andhe became upset.

In police reports of the incident, Torresclaimed to see Geer quickly lower his arms,presenting a perceived threat. The otherofficers present provided contradicting ac-counts, that Geer’s movements were slowerand nonthreatening. Torres fired once, strik-

ing Geer in the chest.Roessler said he decided to terminate

Torres because after reviewing the incidentinvestigation, “the use of force was not rea-sonably necessary in this matter” and vio-lated police general order 540.1.

Despite the tragedy of the incident itself,Geer’s case drew public and media atten-tion because it highlighted a perceived lackof transparency and accountability in theway Fairfax County and the police depart-ment handled communication and other

Former Police Officer Charged with John Geer Murder

Torres ArraignedCommonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh(center) speaks with reporters outside the FairfaxCounty Courthouse following the arraignment hear-ing for former Fairfax County Police officer AdamTorres. Judge Stephen Shannon denied Torres’counsel’s request to set a bond; Torres was releasedto the custody of the Sheriff’s Office. Both partiesagreed to begin a jury trial on Dec. 14.

John Geer’s friend Jeff Stewart (center) speaks toreporters outside the Fairfax County Courthousefollowing Adam Torres’ arraignment hearing. Torreswas indicted Aug. 17 by a special grand jury andfaces second-degree murder charges in the August2013 shooting death of John Geer.

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Adam Torres indictedby special grand jury.

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2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 20-26, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


Suspect ArrestedFor Homicide

Fairfax Countypolice have arrested19-year-old MichaelNorman Powell ofAlexandria andcharged him withsecond-degreemurder in the deathof KhalidAboumalik, 42.

Powell wasarrested Aug. 13,just over a weekafter police identi-fied Aboumalik’s dead body in HuntingtonPark and determined it an apparenthomicide.

A Fairfax County Police FugitiveDetectives and U.S. Marshals Service taskforce captured Powell. He’s currentlybeing held in the Fairfax County AdultDetention Center without bond, accordingto police.

— Tim Peterson

MichaelNorman

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NewsMount Vernon Gazette Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

gaged with their children’s school.Carroll caught any parents walking by with

strollers or small children to tell them aboutthe availability of Imagination Library, aninitiative created by Dolly Parton to havemore young people read to. A free book issent each month to the parents of a child frominfancy until they reach five years of age —a crucial time in language development.

One floor down from the school supplies,Bonnie Lilley headed up the free physicalsfor children new to Fairfax County. Any stu-dent who is uninsured and has joined the

School kits ready to be distributed.

By Emily Rabbitt

The Gazette

Opportunity Neighborhood, acollaborative effort of FairfaxCounty Government, FairfaxCounty Public Schools,

United Community Ministries, and variousother non-profits, hosted a Back-to-SchoolOpportunity Fair for families at the SouthCounty Government Center in Alexandria.

Opportunity Neighborhood is a collabo-rative effort between government, non-prof-its, and residents, that seeks to capitalizeon the strengths of a community whileworking to identify needs and target re-sources there.

“We look at families and communitiesfrom a strength perspective,” said FairfaxCountry Community Developer RamonaCarroll. Bringing residents to the table is akey focus of the collaborative efforts.

The event took place simultaneously onthree levels of the government center, thetop which had at the ready 1,600 kits withcore school supplies like books, pencils andpens. Representatives from each school inthe area were available including Woodlawn,Riverside, and Mount Vernon Woods Elemen-tary schools, Whitman Middle School, andMount Vernon High School. Students whoshowed up from other schools were also pro-vided with school supplies.

Opportunity Neighborhoods focuses onconnecting families with services. “Childrenwho are successful in school are ones withengaged, involved parents,” Carroll said.

As families filed by carrying binders andschool supplies, Carroll collected their“passports,” sheets of paper with contactinformation that asks questions of parentssuch as: “do you read to your children?”and “do you know where your local libraryis?” as a way to gauge what residents knowabout the services available in their com-munity and ways to help their child suc-ceed. The information collected will helpOpportunity Neighborhood to follow upwith families and tell them about back-to-school nights and other ways to stay en-

school district within the last year gets aphysical, immunizations, and this year, adental check-up. Students who get the freecheck-ups get a free backpack. The serviceis available for preschool through 6th grad-ers (middle and high school students don’tneed a physical in Fairfax County).

“Everyone is a volunteer,” Lilley said, in-cluding doctors and nurses that volunteertheir time, and Lilley herself, who is a re-tired school social worker.

On the bottom floor and in the parkinglot, Cox was helping families check to see ifthey were eligible for theirConnect2Compete program, which offerslow cost ($9.95 a month) internet accessfor families with school-aged children thatmeet qualifiers like receiving free lunch orSNAP benefits.

Emma Inman of Cox said that “FairfaxCounty Public Schools have been a tremen-dous partner, because they have the infor-mation about who qualifies.”Connect2Compete is essential, said Inman,because “76 percent of K-12 teachers assignhomework via internet, and we’re trying tobridge that gap.”

Cox volunteers were on hand and assisted46 families to enroll or begin the enrollmentprocess for the service. Thirty families re-ceived desktop computers.

Strengthening communities by supporting families.

Working Together for Back-to-School Opportunity FairA Back-to-School Opportunity Fair was held at the South County Government Center. Cox volunteers unload computers.

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For the first time, the non-partisan Meetand Greet Candidates Forum for certifiedcandidates, both for the State Senate andthe House of Delegates, will be broadcastlive on a special extended edition of InsideScoop on Aug. 31, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.The studio is located at 2929-S EskridgeRoad in the Mosaic District of Fairfax. Allof the candidates have been invited to re-spond to questions from a studio audiencefor an hour and then to meet with the pub-lic informally in a conference room next tothe studio. Viewers at home will be able toe-mail or phone in questions during thebroadcast to [email protected] or 1-571-749-1166. To join the live audience, go

to the studio. Directions are on the Chan-nel 10 website. To stream the program, goto www.insidescoopproductions.com. Tenminutes before the program starts, touchthe WATCH LIVE button on the screen. Thestreaming will last till the program ends. Avideotape of the broadcast will be postedboth on the League of Women Voters of theFairfax Area (LWVFA) website and onYouTube.

Candidates for the Senate and House ofDelegates in the eastern region of thecounty, Mount Vernon, Lee, and Mason dis-tricts, will be in the studio with their con-stituents from 7 to 8 p.m. Candidates fordistricts in the central region, Braddock,

Providence, and Springfield, will be in thestudio from 8 to 9 p.m., and candidates withdistricts primarily in the western region willbe in the studio from 9 to 10 p.m.

This event is the first of 13 Meet andGreets sponsored this year by the LWVFAand its co-sponsors: the American Associa-tion of University Women of Virginia(AAUW), the Fairfax County Council ofPTAs, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., andthe Voice of Vietnamese Americans.

A companion program for candidates forSheriff, Commonwealth Attorney, Clerk of theCourt, and Directors of the Northern VirginiaSoil and Water Conservation District will airon Monday, Sept. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Candidates Face Off on Fairfax Public Access’s ‘Inside Scoop’


Interested in a Career in Real Estate? Pre-licensing courses are available soon. Call Managing Broker, Mark Ackermann, at 703-851-8100 for further information.

Alexandria$1,050,000

Near the Seminary.Sensational all-brickhome boasting 2 cargarage, 4 bedroomsand 2.5 baths.Located on the quietcul-de-sac atWalleston Court, notfar from King StreetMetro. Two fireplaces.Enjoy cool autumnevenings on privatedeck surrounded byparkland.

Diann Hicks –Carlson

703-628-2440

Alexandria $799,0005901 Mount Eagle Dr. #1617 & 1618. Welcome home! This condo has stunningVilleroy & Boch foyer, lovely Potomac River sunrise view w/ 180-degree sweep to treedview w/sunsets. 2 gourmet kitchens, 2 BA, 4 BR, 3 encl. balconies, all recently renovated.Built-in cabinetry, FP & 10 closets. 2,545 SF condo perfect for a home office, in-law suite,guests & entertaining. Indoor & outdoor pools, tennis, gym, café, & shuttle bus; pet-friendly, 24/7 security. 2 lights fr/ Old Town. Never has had a special assessment!!Cindy Baggett 703-593-1418 and Leslie Rodriguez 703-400-3010

AlexandriaRunnymeade

$439,9006067 Knights Ridge Way.Beautiful remodeled homeon quiet cul-de-sac inRunnymeade neighborhood.Remodeled kitchen withgranite counters, largepantry & desk area.Hardwood floors on mainlevel; composite deck offmain level. Two mastersuites up each withremodeled full baths &granite counters. Masterbath with whirlpool tub &walk in close. Basement withfamily room, third bedroomand remodeled full bath.

Julie Hall703-786-3634

South Arlington $475,0001727 S Pollard Street. Every day will be a “staycation” when this charming 3 bedroom/1 bathsouth Arlington bungalow is all yours. Workday stress will disappear after relaxing on a frontscreened porch. Move-in ready with fresh paint, gas fireplace & just-refinished floors. Threefinished levels. Rear deck plus a flat .19 acre lot to accommodate future expansion. Four yearyoung HVAC system. So close to Shirlington & Columbia Pike. Call today for a privateappointment.Greg Koons 703-209-7678 and Joni Koons 703-209-7277

Alexandria/DelRay $569,900512 E. Luray Avenue.Beautiful end unittownhome in the Del Rayneighborhood just a shortstroll to Braddock RoadMetro. This lovely homefeatures updated kitchenand bathrooms andgleaming hardwood floorsthroughout the main andupper levels. From thedining room step out tothe deck and fenced yard,perfect for summerentertaining. Convenientoff-street parking.

Bobi Bomar703-927-2213

Alexandria/South $609,0004600 Ferry Landing Rd. Nothing on the market compares with this price improvement.How could you use these 5 bedrooms & 3 full baths, 1,995 sq ft with 2 master suites-youdecide what works for your current & future lifestyles. Space for all with main level living &dining rooms as well as a kitchen with bump-out breakfast room. A cozy family room withwall of built-ins. One of a kind garage with separate HVAC, cable TV, fridg & built-ins.Contractor-owner has maintained and upated this home over the years. Call to see it today!Greg Koons 703-209-7678 and Joni Koons 703-209-7277

Alexandria/Village at Gum Springs

$359,0003015 Colonial SpringsCt. 4 level Townhouse inSought after AlexandriaArea! Greatneighborhood, walk toshopping, restaurantsand much more. Steps tothe Metro Bus. Gorgeousupdated MasterBathroom. Eat inKitchen,3 bedrooms,21/2 bathrooms,Hardwood floors andceramic tiles. Deck offthe kitchen. Seller isMotivated!Chris Salvatore757-630-6688

PRICE REDUCED

Alexandria/River Towers $174,9006621 Wakefield Dr. #620 Bright and airy condo, freshly paintedwith new carpets and flooring throughout. 1 year old Stainlessappliances and 2 years on HVAC. Easy walk to shopping anddining or to river and parks. All utilities included in condo fee.

Matt Richards703-731-8579

COMING SOON

Alexandria/Governor’s Hill $799,0005852 Governor’s Hill Drive. Seller says they’ve transferred, so theirloss is your gain! Dramatic & spacious (4300+SF), minutes from OldTown, 495 & Metro. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths on top level. Family rm w/gas fireplace, open to large kitchen; main level office or convert to 3rdmaster suite; finished lower level w/ full bath, perfect for in-law suite +rec room & huge storage room. http://5852GovernorsHillDr.comCindy Baggett 703-593-1418 and Leslie Rodriguez 703-400-3010

Alexandria/Rosemont $749,0007 W. Myrtle Street. Updated and expanded 3 bedroom, 2 bath brickbungalow with 3 finished levels and off street parking. Great locationblocks from 2 METRO stations, shops and restaurants in Old Town and DelRay. Main level family room with vaulted ceilings and lower level recreationroom with bonus room. Fenced yard with deck and new flagstone patio.

Christine Garner 703-587-4855

PRICE IMPROVED

OPEN SUNDAY 1-4

DEL RAY

Alexandria/Fairlington Towne $389,9003800 King Street. Delightful 2 level, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathend unit townhouse with tons of upgrades. Open kitchenwith new cabinets, granite, backsplash and upgraded tile.Wood floors. Newly updated bathrooms. Newer appliances.Back patio is perfect for grilling and entertaining. Easycommute to Pentagon, DC

Julie Hall 703-786-3634

COMING SOON

Alexandria $349,5005902 Mount Eagle Dr #1510. This spacious, bright, renovatedcondo features a huge, private enclosed balcony with dramaticpanoramic views of the National Harbor, the Potomac river, andtrees. Just 2 lights from Old Town, in gated, resort-likeMontebello. Beautiful renovation includes kitchen, baths & woodfloors; 1160SF + balcony, 2BR/2BA.

Cindy Baggett 703-593-1418 Leslie Rodriguez 703-400-3010

NEW LISTING

OPEN SUNDAY 1-4

UNDER CONTRACT

NEW LISTING

OPEN SUNDAY 1-4


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Peoplewanttoknowhowmuchyoucarebeforetheycarehowmuchyouknow.—James F. Hind

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

[email protected]

Rex ReileyRE/MAX Allegiance

Alex./Yacht Haven • $832,7004505 Dolphin Lane

4,000 sq. ft. of renovated luxury in this5 BR/4 BA Split – Updates: Kitchen, all4 baths, spectacular cherry hdwd floors– Great room opens to beautiful sun-room addition that opens to spectacu-lar 35K deck overlooking an unbeliev-able custom landscaped bkyd. Housedesigned for independent living on

either level. Two updated HVAC systems plus tankless HWH – the list goes on &on. Walk to marina, clubhouse & pool. Nothing better in all of Mount Vernon.

Alex/Fairfield $398,5004212 Alcott Street

“Postcard Perfect” Best describesthis lovely 3BR, 2BA, meticulouslymaintained split with fireplace,refinished hdwd floors, updated kit& baths & over sized 1 car garage.Add a spectacular yard that backsto county land & forest. Beautifulviews of wild life, quiet and seren-ity await your pleasure from this

remarkable setting. 8 mins to Ft. Belvoir, 20 mins to Huntington Metro &Old Town Alex. This is a Gem!

Alex./Riverside Estates • $519,9008602 Cherry Valley Lane

Stunning 4 BR, 2.5 BA Colonialw/2-car garage and sunroom on abeautiful lot. Meticulously main-tained. Many updates: newerkitchen and baths, refinished hard-wood floors, freshly painted inte-rior, Family Room w/fireplace offthe kitchen. Lower level has new

carpet and fresh paint. Can be used as rec room or office. 10 mins to Ft.Belvoir, 15 mins to Old Town, Alex, 25 mins to National Airport.

Alex./Windsor Estates • $459,9006500 Windham Avenue

Beautifully renovated, 2-levelRambler w/2,200 sq ft, 4 BRs,2 BAs & finished lower level withwalkout, on a huge .61 acre lot.Freshly painted, refinished hdwdfloors on main level, new carpet onlower level, renovated kitchen &baths & new interior doors. Solidhome w/tons of storage, 2 work-

shops & great community! Great location – Close to Kingstowne Center,Springfield Mall & Fort Belvoir. Walk to Springfield Metro.

Alex./Sulgrave Manor • $539,900 4101 Sulgrave Drive

Spacious & renovated 3 BR, 2.5 BASplit – Beautifully refinished hard-woods, freshly painted interior &exterior – updated kitchen & baths.Lovely sunroom or formal diningrm addition. Stunning brick FPL inliving rm & separate gas-poweredwood stove in rec rm. Large spec-tacular landscaped corner lot

w/beautiful stone/brick patio – walkways meander thru the gardens. 5mins to Ft. Belvoir, 15 mins to Old Town – This home is a treasure!!

NEW

LISTING

OPEN

SUNDAY 1–4

Yacht Haven Estates • $574,900 4625 Tarpon Lane

Beautiful 4 BR, 3 BA home on 1/2 acre insought-after waterfront community of YachtHaven, close to G.W. Parkway, Potomac River,and 5 mins to Ft.Belvoir. Custom-built familyroom addition with cathedral ceiling is breath-taking – a masterpiece of design and crafts-manship. Hardwood floors throughout mainand upper level. Open floor plan. Light floodsin thru kitchen and living room skylights. Large

kitchen with newly installed granite, sink, and gas cooktop. French doors open to large deck over-looking the lovely backyard with large shed. ATTRACTIVELY PRICED, this home is a winner!

Alex./Woodlawn Estates • $759,9008896 McNair Drive

Spectacular Colonial w/3 finished levels,large 2-car garage on a quiet cul-de-sac look-ing across to the 9th fairway of MountVernon Country Club. 3,800 sq. ft. of livingspace w/beautiful hardwood floors, hugebedrms, master bedrm w/sitting room, 3.5updated baths including MBA suite. Totallyremodeled kitchen w/SS, granite, ceramic tileflr. Huge walk-up lower level w/recreation

rm, game rm, full bath & 500 sq.ft. of storage (can use RR as 5th bedrm). Spectacular land-scaped lot w/beautiful stone patio & private hot tub. 5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir – A 10!!!

NEW

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SUNDAY 1–4

OPEN

SUNDAY 1–4

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

ROBBERY, Frye Road near Rich-mond Highway, Aug. 17 at about 3:30a.m. The victim was walking and wasapproached by of a group of five toseven men. The suspects assaulted thevictim, took cash and property and fled.The victim was transported to a localhospital with non-life-threatening inju-ries. The suspects were described as intheir 20s.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, MountWoodley Place/Sherwood Hall Lane,Aug. 15 at about1 0:11 p.m. The victimwas walking and was approached by aman. The suspect assaulted the victimand attempted to take property from thevictim prior to fleeing on foot. The vic-tim incurred non-life threateninginjuries. The suspect was described as awhite male in his late teens, wearing ablack shirt and blue jeans.

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 5900block of Richmond Highway, Aug. 11 atabout 4:04 p.m. A man walked out of abathroom of a hotel and exposed him-self to an employee. The suspect wasdescribed as a black male, about 6 feettall, wearing a white tank top and darkbasketball shorts.

PEEPING: 7900 block of Janna LeeAvenue, Aug. 10 at about 11:24 a.m.Two different residents reported a juve-nile male looking into their rooms onthe same day. The suspect was de-scribed as a Hispanic male, 16-years-old,wearing a blue T-shirt, blue shorts anda grey baseball hat.

PEEPING: 6700 block of WestWakfield Drive, Aug. 9 at about 10:05a.m. and 10:39 p.m. A resident reporteda male looking into the rooms of theresidence. The suspect fled prior to po-

lice arrival. The suspect was describedas a Hispanic male, 26 to 30 years old,about 6 feet tall, 175 to 185 pounds, andwearing a navy blue short-sleeve shirt,long khaki shorts and a grey baseballhat.

ROBBERY: 6200 block of RichmondHighway, Aug. 9 at about 10:32 hours.The victim was standing at a bus stopwhen an unknown male took her walletfrom her hand. The suspect punched thevictim and ran off with her wallet andfled in an unknown vehicle. The victimdid not require any medical attention.The suspect was described a black malein his 30’s, about 5 feet 11 inches, wear-ing a striped polo style shirt, jeans anda white hat.

BURGLARY OF AN OCCUPIEDDWELLING: 2400 block of HuntingtonPark Drive, Aug. 9 at about 12:47 a.m.A resident reported a white male enter-ing his garage, then riding away on abicycle. Officers located the suspect andarrested him. The juvenile suspect waswanted on a probation violation. Inves-tigation continues.

BURGLARY OF AN OCCUPIEDDWELLING: 2400 block of HuntingtonPark Drive, Aug. 9 at about 5:44 p.m. Ahomeowner had returned from a bikeride when he was approached by a ju-venile who asked for money for the bus.While the homeowner was distractedthe suspect rode off with the victim’sbicycle. Officers recovered the bicyclebut the suspect was not located. Thesuspect was described as a Hispanic ju-venile, thin build, and wearing a bluepolo style shirt and khaki shorts.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 6600block of Richmond Highway, Aug. 6 atabout 9:35 p.m. The victim was in theparking lot of the TGI Fridays and wasapproached by three men. The suspectsassaulted the victim and fled in an older

model SUV. The victim was transportedto a local hospital and incurred non-life-threatening injuries.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLEWITH APPREHENSION, 6000 blockof Richmond Highway, Aug. 5 at about4:50 a.m. Officers responded for a re-port of vehicle tampering in progress.Officers arrested the suspect after a brieffoot pursuit. A 27-year-old man fromWashington D.C. was charged with twocounts of destruction of property, lar-ceny, trespassing, and possession ofschedule III drugs.

BURGLARY: 8000 block ofCapistrano Place, Aug. 3 at about 6:37p.m. A resident reported that an un-known person went into a residence andtook property.

UNLAWFUL ENTRY: 2800 block ofJefferson Drive, Aug. 3 at about 10:47a.m. A property manager reported thatan unknown person had been living ina vacant home.

ROBBERY: 6300 block of SouthKings Highway, Aug.1 at about 1:30a.m. Two men approached the victimand one displayed a knife and de-manded money. The victim gave upsome cash and the suspects ran away.The victim did not need medical atten-tion.

BURGLARY: 4400 block ofFlintstone Road, Aug. 1 at about 6:02p.m. A resident reported an unknownperson entered the residence and tookproperty.

LARCENIES5900 block of Grand Pavilion Way,

phone from business.2600 block of Groveton Street, prop-

erty from residence.7600 block of Richmond Highway,

purse from business.8800 block of Badger Drive, property

from residence.

Crime Report


News

Former Police Officer Charged with John Geer MurderFrom Page 1

Adam Torres wasfired by FairfaxCounty Police onJuly 31 and in-dicted for thesecond-degreemurder of JohnGeer on Aug. 17.

Fairfax CountyChief of PoliceEdwin Roesslerexpressed hissympathy for theGeer family, policeofficers and thecommunity at apress conferenceannouncing theindictment of former officer AdamTorres for second degree murderof John Geer.

Board of Supervi-sors chairmanSharon Bulovacalled Monday “asad day” for theGeer family andpolice department,with one of theirown being chargedwith murder.

John Geer standing in his doorway in Springfield, minutes before hewas shot by a Fairfax County Police officer.

policies such as use of force.One response to the criticism was Board

of Supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova’screation of an ad hoc commission to reviewpolice policies.

“Fairfax County has learned a lot throughthis very difficult process,” Bulova said atthe press conference, “learned a lot aboutsharing information in a timely way.”

Though Geer was killed Aug. 29, 2013,

very little information about the case wasmade public, much less released to Geer’sfamily following the incident. Ongoing in-vestigations by the police department, Com-monwealth Attorney’s Office and Depart-ment of Justice were cited as reasons whyinformation such as the name of the officerwho shot Geer was withheld for a year anda half.Geer’s family finally filed a $12 mil-lion civil suit against the county, includingthe request for information. Fairfax Countysettled out of court, paying nearly $3 mil-lion, and released over 11,000 pages ofdocuments from the incident investigation.

“This is the first time we’ve had a situa-tion like this where there has not been arelatively fast resolution to a police-involvedshooting,” Bulova said. The chairman re-ferred to the situation as a “convoluted” onethat “held things up in a way that frustratedthe Board of Supervisors. We were nothappy that things ended up not moving for-ward to resolution, that instead it wound

up at the federal level.”

THE AD HOC COMMISSION is sched-uled to present its final recommendationsto the Board of Supervisors in October, how-ever Bulova and Roessler said the countyhasn’t waited to begin already implement-ing some of the suggestions that have al-ready been put forward by the commission.

“I have every confidence a scenario likethis won’t happen again,” Bulova said.

Many others are hopeful for that as well.“Nothing you can do is going to justify

his death,” said Jeff Stewart, Geer’s friendwho witnessed the shooting and also serveson the ad hoc commission. “The only thingI can hope is through this commission, andother things, it vindicates his life. I thinkhe’d be proud of that — we keep thesethings from happening in the future.”

Stewart said after he heard about the in-dictment, he had “mixed emotions.” “It’scertainly a big weight, felt like a weight hadbeen lifted, but it’s hard to get past the fact[Torres] has two kids of his own. His fam-ily didn’t sign on for this either. It’s tragic.”

With regards to closure, Stewart said, “Ithink we’re there already.

“The grand jury heard the evidence andgot it right. I trust when it goes to trial,they’ll get it right as well. I’ve trusted thesystem up to now — I’ve said, if he was in-dicted, I would trust the system to makethe right decision.”

And while Torres received the indictment,“more went wrong here than just Torrespulling the trigger,” Stewart said. “Youshould have supervisors in front of you,answering for why an officer was there, vio-lating procedures, and no one was doing

anything about it.” “While he did kill some-one, we can’t really blame him for every-thing after that,” said Mike Curtis of North-ern Virginia Cop Block and founder of theFacebook group Justice for John Geer, whichhas staged numerous protests since the fall.“He can’t decide to charge himself with thecrime, he can’t prosecute himself.

“You can’t blame him for the stonewall-ing,” Curtis continued. “That’s one thing I’mworried about now. We’ve gotten the onestep done, but hardest thing is holdingBulova, Roessler, (County Attorney) DavidBobzien accountable. There needs to besome opposition to people who’ve been onthe Board of Supervisors for years. They’rethe ones who make these employmentchoices. These patterns keep repeating.

“Unfortunately, it’s not an issue to mostpeople,” Curtis said.

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County Police Department

From Page 1

Policy Changes Recommended on Mental Health and Crisis InterventionWho to Call for HelpWhat is the CSB?

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Ser-vices Board is the public agency that pro-vides services for people who have mentalillness, substance use disorders, and/or in-tellectual disability. The CSB also providescrisis intervention and suicide preventionservices.

In emergency situations (24/7)❖ CSB Emergency Services, 703-573-

5679, TTY 711❖ Fairfax Detoxification Center, 703-502-

7000, TTY 703-322-9080❖ CrisisLink suicide hotline, 703-527-

4077❖ CrisisLink suicide text hotline, 703-940-

0888❖ Call 911 for a life-threatening emer-

gency

During business hours:❖ CSB Entry & Referral Services, 703-

383-8500, TTY 711v Infant & Toddler Connection, 703-246-

7121, TTY 703-324-4495For basic needs: food, housing, medical

care, etc., 703-222-0880, TTY 711Staff at all of the numbers listed above

can take calls in English and Spanish andcan access other languages when needed.

— Ken Moore

ficers helps them to “recognize, evaluateand de-escalate encounters with individu-als in mental distress,” the subcommittee’sreport says.

Subcommittee members researched “TheMemphis Model” for Crisis InterventionTeam training, as established in MemphisCity after the fatal shooting of a man withmental illness by a city police officer. “Inthe City of Memphis,” the subcommitteereport reads, “the change in approach hasresulted in an attitudinal shift within thepolice department as it relates to all theirencounters with the community, a shift frommilitary/aggressive or warrior mentality toa community/service or guardian one.”

Members of the subcommittee and FairfaxCounty Sheriff Stacey Kincaid visited BexarCounty, Texas, said to be a current exampleof the Memphis Model in practice. Thecounty adopted the model eight years ago,Simon explained from the report, and hassince seen savings of $5 million a year in

jail costs from diverting more than 4,000individuals with mental health problemsaway from the jail, as well as significantlyreducing the number of use of force inci-dents inside the jail.

Recommendations 8 through 18 deal spe-cifically with the Sheriff’s Office and Com-munity Services Board, including reorganiz-ing the Board to expand its capacity, as wellas expanding the Mobile Crisis Unit pro-gram — an emergency on-scene service of-fering treatment, evaluation and crisis in-tervention.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS chairman

Sharon Bulova commented that the super-visors were already including funding forthe mobile crisis unit in the budgetcarryover package.

“The Board of Supervisors is very sensi-tive to the issues being discussed,” she said,“and not waiting for October for those rec-ommendations.

“It’s really going to make a sea change,”

Bulova added.Simon reminded Bulova he plans to be a

“bird dog” when it comes to following upon the recommendations of the subcommit-tee and full commission.

“To have all this information sitting onshelves would be a shame,” he said. “Nowwe’ve got a roadmap to solve a lot of theseproblems.”


The Aug. 12 Use of Force subcom-mittee meeting began with a dis-cussion of the Fairfax County Chief

of Police Edwin Roessler’s public release ofbrief summaries of every officer-involvedshooting going back to 2005.

Though the summaries do provide moreinformation that had previously been re-leased, they do not mention victims’ namesor officers’ names who were involved. Mem-bers of the subcommittee questionedwhether the summaries were completeenough or sufficient to help that body withits mission of crafting suggestions for policychanges.

“The people who’ve prepared this are inthe best position to see if these have policyissues embedded in them,” said Sal Culosi,who is also a member of the full Ad Hoccommission to review police policies. “The

Use of Force Subcommittee To Pilot Case Review ProcessPolice Department is in the best position tohelp us identify … If they can’t do it, we’renot going to be able to do it.”

Subcommittee and commission memberMary Kimm raised the possibility of request-ing access to full incident reports for “three,five, seven cases, to see if we can find out alittle more about it? A couple might help usunderstand the procedures.”

Roessler confirmed that rather than grantunrestricted access to incident reports, sev-eral subcommittee members will participatein a “pilot effort” where they’ll be able toask dedicated police staff questions relatedto particular cases. Those staff members willhave access to the files.

Roessler said the first such meeting isbeing scheduled in the near future.

— Tim Peterson

Image courtesy of Fairfax County Police Department

Summaries of 37 cases of officer-involved shootings, between 2005 and2015, are searchable by year or location through the policedepartment’s website.

News

By Tim Peterson

The Gazette

Alex Horton waited patiently forhis chance to speak. Meanwhilethe Use of Force subcommitteeof the Fairfax County ad hoc com-

mission to review police policies and pro-cedures waded through the results of a sur-vey to determine the content and languageof policy change recommendations it willeventually bring to the full commission.

Once it was time for public comment,Horton pulled out a prepared statementand proceeded to read from it whileseated outside the ring of subcommitteemembers.

On the morning of June 14, Horton wasasleep in a model apartment in his build-ing in the Huntington area of Alexandria.He had been staying there briefly while re-pairs were taking place in his own unit.Upon seeing the door to the apartment ajar,a dentist with an office across the hall calledFairfax County Police and reported a va-grant in the building.

Police gained access to the building andunit, and reportedly announced themselvesrepeatedly.

Hearing no response, they entered andperformed a sweep of the room, brandish-ing their service weapons. In a July letterpublished in The Washington Post, Hortondescribes waking up in shock while this wastaking place.

The letter goes on to explain no shotswere fired and the situation de-escalatedafter Horton produced proof that he livedin the building.

Horton came to the subcommittee meet-ing not as much to complain about the of-ficers’ tactics specifically, but rather his ex-perience with the police department after-wards. An Iraq war veteran, Horton said heunderstood the process officers used to

sweep the room.“My chief complaint,” Horton said, “is

how the officers failed to reasonably ex-haust all opportunities to gather informa-tion before raiding the bedroom with gunsdrawn and leveled at me.”

Following Horton’s letter in the newspa-per, Fairfax County Chief of Police EdwinRoessler announced an investigation of thematter would take place. Aug. 7, the chiefreleased recordings of the 911 call and dis-patch call, as well as a five-page responseletter to Horton, to the public.

At Horton’s request, the two met in per-son to discuss his concerns.

“I felt it was helpful and constructive,”Horton said.

In addition to the case, Roessler said thetwo had “a good, healthy discussion aboutphilosophical issues with policing in thenational dialogue. He made good pointsabout the profession, I wanted to get hisinput.”

In his statement at the meeting, Hortonsaid the chief justified the officers’ proce-dures because they were executed by the

book. “Whether the book itself needs rewrit-ing is a question I hope Chief Roessler andother leaders will answer in the comingweeks and months,” said Horton.

Horton was also critical that the chief’ssummary in the letter to him said officerstried but were unsuccessful in obtaininginformation from the security guard at theapartment complex.

“A representative from the security com-pany told me precisely the opposite of whatwas found in the report,” Horton said, “Theofficers only asked the guard which build-ing the 9-1-1 caller had identified and theywent in. That’s it, no questions, no fact-gath-ering.”

Horton played recordings he’d made ofconversations with the security guard whoencountered the police, as well as a policesupervisor with knowledge of the incident.That supervisor asserted the officers didn’tdo anything wrong by not gathering moreinformation.

Horton’s next major complaint was withstatements made by Fairfax County PoliceInternal Affairs commander Maj. Michael

Kline, who attended the previous subcom-mittee meeting and spoke about how theincident transpired and the ensuing inves-tigation.

During his explanation (which is avail-able on YouTube at https://w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v =k82WIL9Uvo4), Kline walks the subcommit-tee members through the mentality of theofficers who responded to the vagrancy call.

Whether they’re homeless just looking fora place to stay the night, drug addicts strungout, a fugitive, someone who is mentallyill, “these things are in the back of the mindof the patrol officer as he’s prepared to makethat entry.”

Kline said the officers knocked and an-nounced themselves, standard procedure,and hearing no response, entered the roomwith a mindset that the person inside mightbe trying to barricade themselves or set upan ambush.

“It can be pretty well inferred, our inves-tigation indicates, that he had spent thenight before drinking rather heavily,” Klinesaid. “He didn’t hear the knock and an-nounce because he was still in bed andasleep when we went in.”

“This is untrue and pure conjecture,”Horton responded. “By all accounts, theofficers said I was cooperative and compli-ant, and nothing would have indicated I wasinebriated.

“Whether consciously or not,” Hortoncontinued, “he seized on the harmful tropeof the damaged, drunk and disheveled warveteran that my community has sought toamend in the wake of Vietnam.”

Horton went on to say he shared this com-plaint with Roessler as well. Roessler con-firmed that the matter is a “personnel is-sue, under inquiry by me.”

Though Kline was in the room for the Aug.12 meeting, he didn’t immediately respondto Horton’s statement.

Iraq war veteran calls Internal Affairs commander’s statements “victim blaming.”

Questions Pursued after Encounter with Police

Alex Horton of theHuntington area ofAlexandria, readshis latest state-ment at the Aug.12 Use of Forcesubcommittee ofthe ad hoc policepolicies reviewcommission,calling for a con-tinued “construc-tive dialogue”about police ac-countability, pro-fessionalism andtransparency.

Photo by Tim Peterson/The Gazette


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Opinion

Yesterday, for the first time in the his-tory of Fairfax County Police Depart-ment, a Fairfax County Police officerwas charged in a shooting death.

On Monday, Aug. 17, former Fairfax CountyPolice officer Adam Torres was charged withthe second-degree murder of John Geer, fol-lowing an indictment returned by a specialgrand jury convened by Fairfax CountyCommonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh. Itappears to be only the second time in historythat the Commonwealth’s Attorney has con-vened a grand jury in an officer-in-volved shooting.

John Geer was shot dead in the door-way to his own own home on Aug. 29,2013 after police were called in a domesticdispute. Torres was fired in July 2015, almosttwo years later.

FCPD began by releasing almost no infor-mation. It took a year-and-a-half, a judge’s or-der, a U.S. senator’s probing, and public out-rage (the most important of these being thecourt order) to get information about the in-vestigation.

But the public outrage led the Fairfax CountyBoard of Supervisors to form the Fairfax CountyAd Hoc Police Practices Review Commission,which has been meeting since April both as acommission and five subcommittees involvingthousands of hours of work by about 70 people.

Areas of focus by committee include Use ofForce; Communications; Mental Health; Re-cruitment, Diversity and Vetting; and Indepen-dent Investigations and Oversight.

Communications recommendations cameout last month, well worth reading on the com-mission website.

Police and county officials recognize that theworld is changing around them, and have en-gaged in the process. The kind of changesneeded represent a massive change in cultureand approach, and none of it will happen over-

night, but the process has started.Several developments, beyond the in-

dictment of Torres, mark progress andopportunity for change.

Last week, FCPD Chief Edwin Roesslerposted a website summary of all officer in-volved shootings, a major step and a work inprogress. The department is wrestling withcommunications initiatives on many levels.

This week, the report released from the Men-tal Health and Crisis Intervention TrainingCommittee marks a remarkable opportunity forFairfax County to transform the way it providesservices to people with mental illness. Recom-mendations reach beyond the police depart-ment to the county jail and the CommunityServices Board, which provides mental healthservices in the county.

Police are often the first responders in a

Report offers blueprint for transformingaspects of policing, jail and services forpeople with mental illness.

Sea Changes in Policing?

mental health crisis. The jail is the county’slargest facility for people with mental illness.The costs, financial and human, of dealing withmental health in this way are enormous. The26 recommendations of the Mental HealthSubcommittee, presented by committee chairand state delegate Marcus Simon, offer thecounty a path to getting it right.

Recommendations including fully imple-menting the “Memphis model” of crisis inter-vention, which provides for response teamsincluding officers specially trained in de-esca-lating situations with people in mental healthcrisis; creating a system of getting treatmentrather than incarceration for people with men-tal illness; creating a mental health docket inthe courts; funding a second Mobile Crisis Unitunder the Community Services Board; estab-lish strategically located, 24-hour crisis inter-vention sites where police can safely transfercustody of person in crisis without taking themto jail.

How much will it cost? It will require upfrontmoney, but it costs $50,000 annually to housesomeone in the Fairfax County Detention Cen-ter. To provide intensive therapy in the com-munity costs $7,500 a year.

— Mary Kimm

Get InvolvedThe public is invited to speak at the next meeting of the

Fairfax County Ad Hoc Police Practices ReviewCommission:

Monday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.Walt Whitman Middle School2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria VA 22306http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/❖ Read the Mental Health Subcommittee’s final report

and recommendations:http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/

materials/mhcit-draft-report-august14.pdf❖ See Fairfax County Police Department website on

Officer Involved Shootingshttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/inside-fcpd/

063015ois.htm

Editorial

WriteThe Gazette welcomes views on

any public issue.The deadline for all material isnoon Friday. Letters must be

signed. Include home address andhome and business numbers.

Letters are routinely edited forlibel, grammar, good taste and

factual errors.Send to:

Letters to the EditorThe Gazette

1606 King St.Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.

By e-mail:[email protected]

Policy ChangeWarrantedTo the Editor:

I was disappointed to read theletter [“Ignoring Will of thePeople,” The Gazette, July 16] re-garding Dan Storck’s position onthe changes to the non-discrimi-nation policy and the family life(FLE) curriculum regarding gen-der identity.

All of our FCPS students deservethe right to attend school withoutfear or bullying, and the expansionof these policies to includetransgender students underscoresthat right.

Almost half of transgenderyouth will have had at least onesuicide attempt before they are 20years old compared to 8 percentfor youth nationwide. Therefore,school policies that help minimizean environment of bullying andharassment are actually a matterof life and death.

The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Edu-cation Network (GLSEN) con-ducted an analysis of the effective-ness of anti-bullying policiesaround the country and found that

LGBT students attending schoolsthat specifically have LGBT-inclu-sive policies reported greater feel-ings of safety, lower rates of vic-timization and other harassment,and more effective response fromstaff when students did report in-cidents of bullying to them thanLGBT students who attend schoolsthat do not have LGBT-inclusivepolicies. When school districts de-cline to include gender identity,they are leaving it to teachers andprincipals who may not have train-ing to figure out how to managethis issue.

A growing body of research alsoindicates the individual LGBTyouth who hear about themselvesin health and family life curriculado better on a wide range of indi-cators: better attendance, bettergrades, better post-secondary out-comes, improved mental health in-dicators. These are things we wantfor all of our students.

Adolescence is a challengingtime for all children. I am proudthat our School Board overwhelm-ingly voted to serve the needs ofall of our students by expandingthe non-discrimination policies toinclude gender identity as well as

Letters to the Editor

revising the FLE curriculum. Thepeople I know in Mount Vernon donot support any form of discrimi-nation. This is the 21st century, notthe 19th.

I appreciate Mr. Storck’s supporton these issues and I’m happy tosupport him in the race for MountVernon supervisor.

Sherry DanaSpringfield

WrongEmphasisTo the Editor:

I take exception to part of thetone on the article [“Mount VernonFootball Looking for First WinSince 2013,” The Gazette, Aug. 6]about the upcoming season for theMount Vernon football team. Thatpart is the emphasis on winninggames. At this level of play theemphasis should be on playingwell as a team, not on winning.The coach’s job is to give his play-ers endurance and team skills, butit is beyond his (or her) capabili-ties to deal with the advantagethat a team my have because it has

more players, and there is only somuch a coach can do to overcomethe latent talent that may lie in anopposing player, or to develop thelatent talent in his own players.

Sports should never be the mainfocus of one high school educa-tion. Emphasis in sports should beon every player performing up totheir potential. Winning is often anatural consequence of this.

John DickertAlexandria


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Frances Dowdle Abbott“Smokie” Lyon, 91, of Mt. Pleas-ant, S.C., died on Tuesday, Aug.11, 2015. Frances was born inRome, Ga., on March 21, 1924, adaughter of John Westley andLucille Field Dowdle. She grew upin Columbia and Florence, S.C.,and graduated Columbia HighSchool and Draughon’s BusinessCollege with honors. She was amember of the Columbia ChoralSociety, the Trianon Club and theEpiscopal Church of the GoodShepherd. A member of the Na-tional Honor Society, Frances laterworked for Military Personnel atFort Jackson and the Army AirBase in Columbia during WorldWar II.

Frances later transferred toWashington, D.C., and in 1948,married Army Captain JacksonMiles Abbott, of Boston, Mass.Residing in Alexandria, they raisedfour children in Waynewood,property along the Potomac Riveronce a part of GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernon es-tate. Active in her community,Frances was involved in GirlScouts, Boy Scouts, the PTA andvolunteered with countless otherorganizations. The Abbotts weremembers of the Children of theAmerican Revolution (CAR) andlisted in the Social Register ofWashington, D.C. A lifelong stu-dent of history, Frances is a descen-dant of Richard Stockton of NewJersey, signer of The Declarationof Independence. She served manyyears as chairman of the “GeorgeWashington Birth Night Supper &Ball” as a member of the VirginiaState Commission to celebrateWashington’s 250th Birthday(1982), and five years on the steer-ing committee establishing theNeighborhood Friends of HistoricMount Vernon. During her tenureas chairman of the Birth NightBall, it became an “invitation only”affair and was attended by theGovernor of Virginia and Mrs.John Dalton (1978), the Lt. Gov-ernor and Mrs. Charles Robb(1979), and the Attorney Generaland Mrs. Marshall Coleman(1980), various ambassadors andtheir wives and other distin-guished guests. Frances receivedmany special awards for her vol-unteer activities on behalf ofMount Vernon in furthering theremembrance of George Washing-ton.

Frances later pursued a 20-yearcareer as librarian and researchassociate at Gadsby’s Tavern Mu-seum in Old Town Alexandria. Sheespecially enjoyed its connectionsto George Washington and Tho-mas Jefferson and was instrumen-tal in beginning a series of books

holding all the AlexandriaGazette’s clippings relating toGadsby’s Tavern from 1749 to itspresent day as a city museum.Frances was a 50-plus year mem-ber of the Daughters of the Ameri-can Revolution (DAR), duringwhich time she chaired many com-mittees. At the time of her death,she was a member of the FortSullivan Chapter of Charleston.

Other activities included: fea-ture writer and Mount Vernon cor-respondent for the AlexandriaGazette newspaper; District Chair-man of the Mount Vernon Marchof Dimes; Secretary-Treasurer ofthe Mount Vernon Citizen’s Asso-ciation; and volunteering once aweek at the White House duringthe Reagan years. She also enjoyedmodeling for various military andcivilian organizations in the Wash-ington, D.C., area. For years, shewas listed in Who’s Who of Ameri-can Women.

After her first husband died in1988, Frances married Archibald(Archie) W. Lyon, BG U.S. Army(Ret.) in 1993. They travelledwidely and enjoyed sharing theirlove of history until Archie died in1998. Frances later moved toCharleston. In addition to mem-bership at Christ Church where shewas an active member of the“Seekers” Life Group and Daugh-ters of the King, she belonged tothe West Point Society of Charles-ton, South Carolina Historical So-ciety, The Nature Conservancy,Charleston Chapter of NationalSojourners, Charleston Chapter ofMilitary Officers Association ofAmerica and the Hat Ladies ofCharleston.

She is survived by her four chil-dren, Elizabeth Youngs (Steven),of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., MedoraFrances Abbott, North Charleston,S.C., David Field Abbott (Patty),of Columbus, Ohio, Robert Jack-son Abbott (Sandra), of Woodbine,Md.; stepson, David Allen Lyon, ofWashington D.C.; her beloved sis-ter, Medora Dowdle Jackson, ofColumbia, S.C.; two grandsons,Jackson Byron Youngs and JacobMiles Abbott; and a large and lov-ing extended family. A funeral ser-vice will be held at Christ Church,2304 N Hwy. 17, Mt. Pleasant, SC29466 on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015at 5 p.m., followed by a receptionat the church. She will be buriedat Arlington Memorial Cemetery,Arlington, beside her first hus-band, the late Jackson MilesAbbott, LTC USAR (Ret.) at a laterdate.

Memorial donations may bemade in honor to Christ ChurchBuilding Fund, 2304 Highway 17N, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. or to Gadsby’sTavern Museum, 134 N. Royal

Street, Alexan-dria, VA 22314.Expressions ofsympathy maybe viewed or submitted online atwww.McAlister-Smith.com. Ar-rangements have been entrustedto McAlister-Smith Funeral Home,Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1520 RifleRange Road, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.,843-884-3833. Visit the guestbookat www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston.

Frances Dowdle Abbott “Smokie” Lyon

Obituary

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By Marilyn Campbell

The Gazette

As the lazy days of summer winddown, beach trips, lemonadestands and lax bedtimes give wayto alarm clocks, textbooks and

backpacks. Public health officials say that aback-to-school list should include more thanpencils and paper. For many, the first orderof business is a well-child physical, a den-tal exam and required immunizations.

During a physical exam, parents shoulddouble check that immunizations are up todate, ask if their child’s growth is on targetand what normal developmental changesthey should expect during the next year.Parents should also be prepared to answerquestions about their child’s sleep patternsand eating habits.

“Vision checks are an important part of aroutine school entry physical so make sureto ask for one,” said Caroline Sutter, a fam-ily nurse practitioner, DNP-BC, co-directorof Mason and Partners (MAP) clinics andan assistant professor of nursing at GeorgeMason University in Fairfax. “Dental exams

are important to maintain health. Ask for areferral for a dental visit.”

George Mason University’s College ofHealth and Human Services runs MAP clin-ics, which offers school entry physicals atno cost.

The Fairfax County Health Departmentprovides free school-required immuniza-tions at five locations in the county. “We areoffering some special extended hours inAugust and September to accommodate theback-to-school rush, but we recommendthat parents make the appointment now,”said John Silcox, public safety informationofficer, Fairfax County Health Department.

IN CONJUNCTION with Inova HealthSystem’s Partnership for Healthier Kids, theFairfax County health department also of-fers free physicals for school entry to unin-sured children. The health department alsooperates three dental clinics that provideservices to children based on eligibility.

“We operate three health centers in FallsChurch, Alexandria and Reston that provideprimary health services for low income, un-insured residents who cannot afford pri-

Local governments, clinics offer free immunizationsfor all and physical exams for the uninsured.

Checking the Back-to-School Healthcare BlocksHealth Care ResourcesMason and Partners (MAP) ClinicsFor physical exams:Wednesdays: SpringfieldSpringfield Family Resource Center7224 Commerce Street, Apartment T4Springfield, VA 220519 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thursdays: CulmoreCulmore Family Resource Center3304 B Culmore CourtFalls Church, VA 220419 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other Fairfax County, Virginia, health careresources:

Fairfax County Health DepartmentCommunity Health Care Network (CHCN)

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/pcs/hdchcn.htmhttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/pcs/hdchcn.htm

❖ CHCN - South County8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 301Alexandria, VA 22309703-704-5333

Fairfax County Health Department’s DentalClinics

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/pcs/hddental.htm❖ Joseph Willard Health Center3750 Old Lee HighwayFairfax, VA, 22030703-246-7100❖ Mount Vernon Office8350 Richmond highway, Suite 233Alexandria, VA 22309703-704-6181.

Fairfax County Immunizationswww.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/immun/

immunupdate.htm

mary medical care services for themselvesand their families,” said Silcox.

Sutter says proper sleep and physical ac-tivity are also part of the pediatric healthcare picture and should not be overlooked.Transitioning from a summer of sleepinglate to a school year of early wake-up callscan be challenging if children are not pre-pared. “Establish a sleep schedule now,” saidSutter. “With summer coming to an end, itis important to get kids on a regular sleepschedule before school starts.

“Stress the importance of routine physi-cal activity with your child,” she continued.“Talk about sports they might be interestedin during the school year or other ways tostay physically fit but most important set agood example. Exercise regularly yourselfor with your children.”

For those experiencing anxiety about re-turning to school, Sutter suggests address-ing the issue before the first day of school.“Come up with a good plan to addressthem,” she said. “Talk to your children aboutkindness and what to do if he or she is avictim of bullying and how to ask for helpif needed.”


The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but notbe limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may includeapproximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warrantedand you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliatedwith Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are notemployees of the Company. ©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved.Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act andthe Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, theColdwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews Internationaland the Previews logo are registered and unregistered servicemarks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.10713WDC_05/15

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NeighborhoodResource FairReturns Sept. 12

From animal control and code com-pliance to stormwater management andcommunity revitalization, Lee Districtcommunity members will have a chanceto get a variety of county service ques-tions answered — all in one place.

Next month, the biennial Lee Dis-trict Neighborhood Resource Fair,sponsored by Supervisor Jeff McKay(D-Lee) will bring Fairfax County de-partment experts to the FranconiaGovernmental Center to interact withresidents face-to-face.

The fair is scheduled to take placeSept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at theFranconia Governmental Center lo-cated at 6121 Franconia Road in Al-exandria. For more information, call703-971-6262.

— Tim Peterson

Farmers Market Supports UCMEvery Wednesday afternoon, vendors at the Fairfax County FarmersMarket at Sherwood Hall donate unsold fresh produce and bakedgoods to the UCM Cynthia Hull Food Pantry to benefit families inneed. Recently, UCM received crates full of fresh squash, tomatoes,eggplant, corn, herbs, baked goods, and fresh flowers. Above, withUCM Food Pantry volunteers is Alexandria resident Pamela Beggan,left, who has been volunteering for more than 20 years to pick upand deliver the donations to UCM, along with Mount VernonKiwanis Club members.

Photo Contributed

News

Photo courtesy of Melinda Hunter

Little Free LibraryMount Vernon-area resident LizSchroeder erected a “lendinglibrary” on the corner of her prop-erty, named “Wheat’s Corner” inhonor of her late uncle Len Wheat.The Little Free Library is free foranyone to use and includes a signencouraging users to take or leavebooks, and write friendly messagesin the books they return.

Martha Carucci of Alex-andria has been namedprogram manager of Na-tional Breast Center Foun-dation. With a back-ground in lobbying, ad-ministration and eventplanning, Carucci waschief lobbyist to the U.S. House of Repre-sentatives for the Cellular Telecommunica-tions and Internet Association and the man-ager of administration and events for theNational Association of Broadcasters. Shehas extensive volunteer and fundraising

experience essential for the foundation.Carucci will develop and implement strat-

egies to maximize program efforts and ser-vices, supporting the foundation’s missionto improve the lives of women by remov-ing barriers that prevent them from gettingproper screening, diagnosis, and educationabout breast cancer. Visitwww.nationalbreastcenter.com.

A graduate of the University of Pennsyl-vania, Carucci also studied at Georgetownand Harvard Universities. She is marriedwith three children. She can be reached [email protected].

Carucci Joins National Breast Center Foundation


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.

ONGOINGBroadway Musical Dance

Workshop. Through Aug. 24, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Mondays at Hollin HallSenior Center, 1500 ShenandoahRoad. Dance class involving jazz andBroadway music. All skills levelswelcome. Free; donations accepted.Register by calling 703-765-4573.

Paintings by Stanley Agbontaen.Through Aug. 28 at The Rachel M.Schlesinger Concert Hall & ArtsCenter, 4915 E. Campus Drive. TheMaryland-based international artist’sdepictions of scenes are painted onoil canvas. Free. Visit www.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter.

“Au Naturel” Exhibit. Through Aug.30, first Thursdays, 12-9 p.m.,Thursdays, 12-6 p.m., Fridays andSaturdays, 12-9 p.m., Sundays, 12-6p.m. at Del Ray Artisans Gallery,2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. View artworkmade in the “Au Naturel” orminimalist style. Admission is free.Visit www.TheDelrayArtisans.org.

Leigh Merrill: “Cloud Seeding.”Through Sept. 7, during galleryhours at Torpedo Factory Art Center,105 N Union St. Texas-based artistLeigh Merrill shows photography andvideo in her solo exhibition CloudSeeding. Merrill’s work examines theconstruction of desire, fiction andbeauty in urban landscapes bydigitally compositing thousands ofimages and videos into imaginaryspaces. Admission is free. Visitwww.torpedofactory.org.

Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery JuriedShow. Through Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-5p.m., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on the secondThursday of each month. TorpedoFactory Art Center, 105 N Union St.Studio 18. View parade-themedartwork. Admission is free. Visitwww.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com orcall 717-359-7724.

Cool Yoga. Wednesdays through Sept.2, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at 1900 Mt.Vernon Ave. Participate in groupyoga sessions taught by PrasadaYoga’s Maureen Clyne and enjoyrefreshments provided by St. Elmo’sCoffee Pub and other local eateries.Suitable for all levels. Bring mat,towel and water. Free. Call 703-671-2000.

“Fields.” Through Sept. 6, duringgallery hours at The AthenaeumGallery, 201 Prince St. AbstractArtists David Carlson and Pat Gosleemake art based on their interests inspiritual exploration and energyfields. Free. Visit www.nvfaa.org formore.

Special Family Museum Tours.Saturdays through Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum,134 N Royal St. Flexible tours andhands-on activities provide a deeperexperience into the social andpolitical life of Alexandria in the 18th

and 19th centuries. Tickets are $5 foradults ($4 with AAA card), $3children ages 5-12, and children ages4 and under as well as AlexandriaPublic School and Blue Star familiesreceive free admission. Couponsaccepted. Call 703-746-4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org.

Art Exhibit: Sultry Colors. ThroughSept. 7, 10 a.m- 6 p.m. at TorpedoFactory Arts Center, 105 N. Union St.The Enamelists at The TorpedoFactory collaborate for an exhibitfilled with sultry colors and patterns.Visit www.torpedofactory.org/event/sultry-colors/ or call 703-838-4565.

Exhibit: “Scapes.” Through Sept. 7,10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Art League

Gallery, 105 NUnion St. Viewthe annualAugustlandscapeexhibit juriedby ElizabethPeak. Free.Visitwww.theartleague.org.

Exhibit:“TakingShape.”Through Sept.7, 10 a.m. to 6p.m. at TheArt LeagueGallery, 105 NUnion St. Thisexhibitfeatures three-dimensionalworks by ArtLeaguememberartists. Free.Visitwww.theartleague.org.

Baseball Boatto NationalsPark.Through Sept.26 at varioustimes. Leavesfrom theAlexandriaMarina, 1Cameron St.Baseball fanscan avoidheavy trafficand cruisealong thePotomac toNationalsPark. Ticketsare $20 one-way and $25round-trip,Monday-Thursday, $28roundtripFriday-Sunday. Visitwww.potomacriverboatco.com.

Doggy HappyHour.Tuesdaysthrough Oct.at 5-8 p.m. atJackson 20, 480 King St. Enjoydiscounted drinks and treats withone’s dog. Free. Visitwww.jackson20.com.

Water Taxi to the National Mall.Through Nov. 1, at various times atAlexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St.Cruise from Old Town to D.C. on theMiss Sophie, while stopping to viewsome of the area’s most popularattractions. Tickets are $28 roundtripand $14 one-way for adults. Forchildren under 12, tickets are $16roundtrip and $8 one-way. Visitwww.potomacriverboatco.com/.

Mount Vernon in 3-D: Then &Now. Through Nov. 20 duringregular operating hours at GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernon, 3200Mount Vernon Highway. Visitors willhave the chance to travel back intime, and in 3-D, to see how theestate appeared more than 100 yearsago through a special photographyexhibition. The exhibition is includedin the regular admission fee of $17for adults, $16 for seniors, $9 foryouth and free for childre youngerthan 5. To view the historicstereoview images as well as themodern 3-D anaglyphs, visitwww.mountvernon.org/3D.

“Not-So-Modern” Jazz QuartetPerformance. Thursdays throughDec. 31, 7:30-10 p.m. at St. Elmo’sCoffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave.Not So Modern Jazz Music playsmusic from the glory days of

traditional jazz, including tunes fromtraditional Dixieland and the Swingera. Free. Visitwww.stelmoscoffeepub.com formore.

Flamenco Show. Wednesdays andThursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at LaTasca, 607 King St. Watch dancersand guitarists perform traditionalflamenco. Free to attend. Call 703-299-9810 or visitwww.latascausa.com.

French Movie Night. Every Thursday,7 p.m. in the back room of FontaineCaffe & Creperie, 119 S Royal St.View a French film in the company offriends or a date. Free to attend. NoRSVP necessary. Call 703-535-8151or visit www.fontainecaffe.com/reviews.html.

Journey to Be Free: AlexandriaFreedmen’s Cemetery. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. AlexandriaBlack History Museum, 902 WytheSt. A new exhibit tracing the 150-year history of the long-forgottenFreedmen’s Cemetery, its rediscoveryand how the new Contrabands andFreedmen’s Cemetery Memorial wascreated at the site. Call 703-746-4356.

Their Fates Intertwined: The Leesof Alexandria in the War of1812. Wednesday- Saturday, 10a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Lee-Fendall House and Gardens, 614Oronoco St. A new exhibit on theexperiences of the Lee family in

Alexandria during the War of 1812examines the contributions ofAlexandria’s citizens during theconflict that led to the writing of ournational anthem through the lives ofthis iconic Virginia family. Visitwww.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-548-1789.

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.

Fifty Years of Collecting. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays12-5 p.m. Fort Ward Museum, 4301W Braddock Road. An anniversaryexhibit of objects from the Fort Wardcollection. Free. Visitwww.fortward.org or call 703-746-4848.

Dinner for the Washingtons. 12p.m. at 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 Birdwalktakes place weekly, rain or shine(except during electrical storms,strong winds, or icy trails), at 7 a.m.(8 a.m. November through March), isfree, requires no reservation and isopen 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.

Art for Life. Third Thursday of everymonth. 4:30-7:30 p.m. at TorpedoFactory, 105 N. Union St. HyattRegency Crystal City has partneredwill the National Kidney Foundationfor a program highlighting a differentartist each month for a year.

Civil War Sundays. 1-5 p.m. atAlexandria Archaeology Museum,105 North Union St., #327. Learnmore about the Civil War as itoccurred in Alexandria. Finddioramas, newspaper articles andmore. Free. Visitwww.alexandriaarchaeology.org.

CAMPS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPSTiny Dancers 2015 Summer

Camps. Each session includes dailyinstruction in ballet, a snack, finemotor exercise through a theme-related craft and a story with dress-up dance interpretation. The sessionculminates with a recital and

Entertainment

Clockwise from top left: “OBX” by Eileen Doughty,“One Red Window” by Joanne Bast, “Summer on theSirannon” by Eileen Doughty, and “Close Encounter”by Dianne Thomas

Art Imitates Vacation at Fiber Arts GalleryFor the “What I Did On My Summer Vacation” exhibit at the Potomac Fi-

ber Arts Gallery, artists used textiles to depict their summer vacations. Theexhibit will run Aug. 31-Oct. 18 at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N Union St. Ad-mission to the Gallery is free. Visit www.potomacfiberartsgallery.com for more.


A Community Partner

reception. Tiny Dancers is designedfor ages 2-12, featuring aperformance based ballet, tap, jazzand musical theater curriculum. Thestudio is at 621 S. Washington St.,Alexandria. Call 703-739-0900 orvisit www.tinydancers.com.

Summer 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 lists camps by weekoffered and age group. Registeronline or at the Lee Center, 1108Jefferson St. The guide is availablefor download atwww.alexandriava.gov/Recreation.Free printed brochures are availableat City Hall, recreation centers, andpublic libraries. Call the Registrationand Reservation Office at 703-746-5414.

Photography Workshop. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 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.

THROUGH SEPT. 18International Guild of Realism

10th Annual InternationalJuried Exhibition. During galleryhours at Principle Gallery, 208 KingSt. The International Guild ofRealism is dedicated to theadvancement of realism in fine art.Admission to the gallery is free. Visitwww.principlegallery.com/alexandria for more.

THURSDAY/AUG. 20Scott Fallon Performance. 5 p.m. at

Blackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5Cameron St. Acoustic artist, ScottFallon, will be performing. Free. Visitwww.theblackwallhitch.com.

Visiting Artist Program: MarcelDeolazo and Sol Hill. 5 p.m. atstudio 333 and 316 at the TorpedoFactory Art Center, 105 N Union St.Hear from artists who areparticipating in the Visiting ArtistProgram at the Torpedo Factory.Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Records & Rarities GrandOpening. 5 p.m. at Landmark Mall,2nd floor E224. Record retailerRecords & Rarities will celebrate thegrand opening of a new location witha skateboard signing by the C1rcaSkateboard Team, and a skate demoevent. Free. Call 703-490-9028 formore.

Business After Hours. 5:30-7 p.m. atGlobal Health College, 6101Stevenson Ave. Tour the campus,enjoy refreshments and network withbusiness professionals. $10 formembers and $25 for non-members.Visit www.alexchamber.com.

Chris Stapleton-In The Flex Stage.7:30 p.m. at The Birchmere MusicHall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave.Tickets are $20. Call 703-549-7500or visit www.birchmere.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/AUG. 21-30Alexandria Summer Restaurant

Week. Neighborhood restaurantsoffer specials and deals forcustomers. Prices and times vary.Visit www.AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com.

FRIDAY/AUG. 21Whiskey Tasting and Dinner. 6:30-

9:45 p.m. at the Distillery &Gristmill, 5513 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. Learn howwhiskey was made in colonial timesand taste whiskey paired with adinner. Tickets are $125 per person.Visit www.mountvernon.org.

Bruce Givens Performance. 7 p.m.at Blackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5Cameron St. Acoustic artist BruceGivens will be performing. Free. Visitwww.theblackwallhitch.com.

Community Dance with the Mt.Vernon Swing Band. 7:30-9:30p.m. at the Hollin Hall Senior Center,1500 Shenandoah Rd. Participate inthe Community Dance, featuring aswing band. Live music conducted byOwen Hammet. Admission is $4. Call703-765-4573.

Anthony David. 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.at The Carlyle Club, 2050 BallengerAve. R&B singer-songwriter AnthonyDavid performs live, joined by specialguest Zo! and Carmen Rodgers.Tickets start at $35. There is a $25minimum food and beveragepurchase required per guest, exceptfor general admission tickets. Fortickets, visitwww.thecarlyleclub.com.

Libby Wiebel Performance. 8-10p.m. at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300Mount Vernon Ave. Libby Wiebel is afolk singer and songwriter who usesthe guitar and piano to tell thestories of her travels. Free to attend.Visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com.

SATURDAY/AUG. 22Elephant Appreciation Day. 8 a.m.-

4:30 p.m. at Ten Thousand Villages,915 King St. Learn about thedwindling elephant population andhow to protect it. Also find ademonstration of elephant dungpaper-making, an EQ (ElephantQuotient) test for adults, an elephantquiz for children, an elephant tattooparlor, elephant themed refreshmentsand more. Visitwww.alexandria.tenthousandvillages.comfor more.

3rd Annual Artist MaterialsMarket. 10 a.m-3 p.m. at theTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105 NUnion St. Sell, buy, and swap gentlyused art supplies, tools, materials,and more. There are approximately20 tables available for purchase on afirst-come, first-served basis. Reserveyour table for $25 at eventbrite.combefore Aug. 19.

Tom Walker Performance. 7 p.m. atBlackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5Cameron St. Musician Tom Walkerwill be performing. Free. Visitwww.theblackwallhitch.com.

Kitty Donohoe Concert. 7 p.m. at St.Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531Riverside Road. Songwriter KittyDonohoe, famous for the 9/11-inspired song “There Are No Words,”will be performing as a part of theFocus Music series. Tickets are $15.Visit www.focusmusic.org.

Movie Night. 7 p.m. at WaterfrontPark, 1A Prince St. Enjoy music,snacks and children’s crafts beforewatching “Hook” at sundown.Sponsored by @home Realtor CookieBalcha. Free. Call 703-928-0591 fordetails.

Dan Berry Band Performance. 8-10p.m. at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300Mount Vernon Ave. Singer-songwriter Dan Berry will performwith his band. Free to attend. Visitwww.stelmoscoffeepub.com.

WEDNESDAY/AUG. 26Tony Martirano Performance. 7

p.m. at Blackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5Cameron St. Artist Tony Martiranowill be performing. Free. Visitwww.theblackwallhitch.com.

AUG. 26-NOV. 20Young at Art Juried Art Show.

Monday-Friday, 5-10 p.m. at DurantArts Center, 1605 Cameron St. Artists55 and older can contribute theirartwork for the exhibition. OnThursday, Aug. 20, artists can bringtheir work to the Durant Center from10 a.m.-noon to be registered anddisplayed. Artists must fill out anEntry and Artist/Lender Agreementand pay an entry fee of $20 for up tothree works of art, $5 for anyadditional pieces. Entry forms can befound at www.seniorservicesalex.orgor by calling Mary Lee Anderson at703-836-4414, extension 111.

Entertainment


WEDNESDAY/AUG. 26Port City Beer Dinner at Wildfire.

6:30-9 p.m. at Wildfire, 2001International Drive, McLean. Fourcourses will be paired withAlexandria’s Port City Beers. Ticketsare $50. Visitwww.portcitybrewing.com for more.

THURSDAY/AUG. 27FACE It You Can Paint: Paint Your

Own Flower Garden. 10-11:30a.m. at Convergence, 1801 N QuakerLane. Learn simple brush techniquesto create garden paintings. $45 for 1adult/1 child and $15 for additionalchildren. Visitwww.metamorphosisaec.com toregister.

Tim Cretella Performance. 5 p.m. atBlackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5Cameron St. Singer-songwriter, TimCretella, will be performing. Free.Visit www.theblackwallhitch.com.

Movie Screening. 6 p.m. at MarthaWashington Library, 6614 Fort HuntRoad. Watch “Selma” and engage ina discussion about women’s roles inthe Civil Rights Movement. Free. Visitwww.nwhm.ticketleap.com/movie-night-selma/.

FRIDAY/AUG. 28FACE It You Can Paint: Paint Your

Own Flower Garden. 3:30-5 p.m.at Convergence, 1801 N QuakerLane. Learn simple brush techniquesto create garden paintings. $45 for 1adult/1 child and $15 for additionalchildren. Visitwww.metamorphosisaec.com.

Red Wine Diaries Performance. 7p.m. at Blackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5Cameron St. Acoustic band, RedWine Diaries, will be performing.

Free. Visittheblackwallhitch.com.

SATURDAY/AUG. 29The Washington School of Ballet

Open Auditions. 9:30 a.m.registration and 10-11 a.m. auditionsfor 4-5 year olds; 10:30 a.m.registration and 11:15 a.m.-12:15p.m. auditions for 6-7-year olds; 12p.m. registration and 12:30-2 p.m.auditions for 8-10 years at TheWashington School of Ballet, 3515Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington D.C.This fall, the Washington School ofBallet will be offering Pre-balletthrough Level 1A classes at theAthenaeum. There is no audition fee.Visit www.washingtonballet.org formore.

The General’s Tour. 1 p.m. at theLee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St.Take a guided walking tour of Leefamily homes in Alexandria’s HistoricOld Town. Locations and storiesassociated with the Confederategeneral’s life in Alexandria, hishometown from the age of five andresidence of his “earliest and oldestfriends” will be highlighted on thetour. Admission is free for museummember, $10 in advance, and $15 atthe door.. Visitwww.leefendallhouse.org for more.

AUG. 31-OCT. 18Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery Juried

Show: “What I Did On MySummer Vacation.” 10-5 p.m.,10-9 p.m. on the second Thursday ofeach month. Torpedo Factory ArtCenter, 105 N Union St., Studio 18.View summer vacation-themedartwork. Admission is free. Visitwww.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com.

TUESDAY/SEPT. 1Tuesday Morning Stroll. 11 a.m.-12

p.m. at the Simpson Park Gardens,420 E. Monroe St. Residents areinvited to visit the garden, receivefree seed packets and have theirgardening questions answered byexperts. Free. [email protected] for more.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 4Big Chalk Draw 2015. 8-10 a.m. at St

Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531Riverside Road. School supplydonations are welcome at this chalkart community event. Free. Call 703-360-4220 or visitwww.staidansepiscopal.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 5-6“Labor at Lee-Fendall” Tours. 11

a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, 2 p.m.on Sunday at the Lee-Fendall House,614 Oronoco St. Learn more aboutthe life and times of the free andenslaved laborers who inhabited thegrounds. Admission is free formuseum members and $7 inadvance. Visitwww.leefendallhouse.org.

TUESDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 8-OCT. 18Photography Exhibit. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursdays atThe Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105N Union St. View the work ofphotographer Karen Keating, whocombines both words and images inher art. Free. Visitwww.multipleexposuresgallery.com.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 10-OCT. 18“Angel Soldier Dance Sublime.” 10

a.m.-6 p.m. at the Target Gallery,Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 NUnion St. View work exploringfemininity and masculinity by femaleartists from Maine’s Blue HillPeninsula. Free. Visittorpedofactory.org.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 10-OCT. 25Athenaeum Invitational

Exhibition. During gallery hours atthe Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Worksinspired by the song “Don’t Fence MeIn,” by Cole Porter, will be ondisplay. Free. Visit nvfaa.org.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 10Business Breakfast. 8-9:30 a.m. at

Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 FortHunt Road. The Mount Vernon LeeChamber of Commerce SeptemberBusiness Breakfast will discussupcoming economic development inAlexandria City. Tickets are $25 perperson. Visit www.MtVernon-LeeChamber.org.

Second Thursday Live: Rhythmand Roots Experience. 7 p.m. atthe Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Thisperformance will feature WestAfrican music. Admission is $15. Visitnvfaa.org.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 11SPARK Health and Fitness

Festival. 4-8 p.m. at John CarlylePark, 300 John Carlyle St. Hosted bySPARK Physiotherapy, LLC., fun andsafe games, competitions,entertainment, raffles and giveaways.Free.Visit www.sparkphysio.com/home/make-your-health-happen-health-and-fitness-festival/ or [email protected].

Four Mile Summer Movie Festival.

Movies start at dusk and are shownat the Four Mile ConservatoryBuilding, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave.National Community Church’sInaugural summer movie festival isco-sponsored by the City ofAlexandria. Film is “Cool Runnings.”Bring a blanket or chair. Free. Visitwww.theaterchurch.com for more.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 12Civil War Walking Tour. 10 a.m. at

The Lyceum, 201 S Washington St.Discover locations and storiesassociated with soldiers, citizens, andthe enslaved, including Robert E.Lee’s departure from his hometown,the occupation of Alexandria, andemancipation. Admission is free formuseum members, $12 in advance,and $15 on the day of the event. Visitwww.leefendallhouse.org for more.

Canine Cruise. 11 a.m. at AlexandriaCity Marina, 1 Cameron St. Thefamily dog is welcome to join in onan hour-long cruise through theAlexandria Seaport. Tickets are $16for adults and $10 for children. Dogsride free. Visitwww.potomacriverboatco.com.

Music Festival. 12-4 p.m. Four MileRun Park Community Building, 4109Mt. Vernon Ave. There will be liveentertainment, local performers,children’s interactive games andcrafts, food, face painting andvarious vendors. Free. [email protected] or call703-746-5465.

Collective Delusion. 9:30 p.m. atJohn Strongbow’s Tavern, 710 KingSt. Local band will perform rocksongs from the 1970s to the present.Free. Visitwww.collectivedelusion.net.

Entertainment


Dealers

★ Mount Vernon Antique Center ★8101 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria

703-619-5100www.mtvantiques.com

Discover the secret source of many collectors, dealers,decorators and shoppers with “good eyes” and great taste.

Followus onFacebook &Twitter

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

Exp. 9/30/15

MONDAY/SEPT. 14Dance Class: The Art of Ballroom

Dance. 7-7:45 p.m. practice and7:45-8:30 p.m. dance at theAthenaeum, 201 Prince St. Comewith or without a partner to learnseveral classic dance styles from GaryStephans. Admission is $15. Call 703-505-5998 for details.

History Lecture: Medical Heroismin Alexandria. 7 p.m. at theAthenaeum, 201 Prince St. Learn

about the Athenaeum’s role in theCivil War and medical efforts inAlexandria from historian TomShultz. Free. Visit nvfaa.org.

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 16What is a Healthy Forest? 7:30 p.m.

at Huntley Meadows Park-NormaHoffman Visitor Center, 3701Lockheed Blvd. Listen to geology andforest ecology instructor Joe Marxdiscuss issues facing Mid-Atlantic

forests. Free. Visit www.vnps.org/potowmack.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 19-20King Street Art Festival. Saturday,

10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5p.m., 480 King St. In its 13th year, thefestival features art displays, artgiveaways and sales and live music.Free. Visit www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/artfest.

Entertainment

Clockwise from top left: “B-4-Now” by Linda Elliff, “Shorty’s Long Note” byTheresa Kulstad, and “The Watch” By Guy Jones

Local Artists Featured in Katrina Anniversary ExhibitIn honor of the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, artists from all over the country, including Alexandria’s

Del Ray Artisans members Linda Elliff, Theresa Kulstad, and Guy Jones, will participate in the “Thanks Y’all” ex-hibit. The exhibit will open in Waveland, Miss. on Aug. 29 following a special “Remembrance of Lost Lives” programat the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum. To learn more about the exhibit contact Vicki Niolet at 228-671-9790 [email protected].


Sports

By Bonnie Schipper

The Gazette

The West Potomac volleyball pro-gram hasn’t posted a winningrecord since 2007, and went 5-11 last season.

This year, however, Nancy Nixon washired as the head coach, and her playersbelieve that this could be the first step tochanging the Wolverines’ reputation.

“[Nixon] is very well educated in volley-ball,” rising junior outside hitter LindsayCullen said. “She always has sources, sowhen we ask ‘Why are we doing this?’ shehas an article or a scientist that proved thatit was right and can help us. She’s very fo-cused on not only making us a better team,but better individual players as well. Sheunderstands that it’s not just six people onthe court, it’s six different people.”

Nixon served as West Potomac’s juniorvarsity coach for two years in 2012 and2013, and worked as an assistant coach atNorthern Virginia Community College lastfall.

“Coach Nixon was my JV coach,” Cullen

said. “Having worked with her in the past,it’s easier for some of us to understand herphilosophy and know where she’s comingfrom.”

Hoping to improve the team’s record byincreasing the strength of her players, Nixonimplemented a more intense practice sched-ule and conditioning program than WestPotomac has had in past years. It’s not un-common for regular practices to run from9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with specialized practicesfor certain positions continuing until 3 onsome days.

“Most practices during the summer runat least five hours long. We do a lot of workto be as good as we can be,” rising sopho-more setter Rebekah Jenne said. “We do alot of conditioning for our legs and arms inorder to help our stability and make us con-sistent players.”

On the court, Nixon plans to keep every-thing as simple as possible in order to suc-ceed. With several underclassmen in start-ing positions, she wants to ensure they learn“correct techniques” and “understand thegame.”

“We are working on the basics and devel-

oping our skills,” Nixon said. “Technique isour focus.”

Where other teams may have superiorskills, the Wolverines hope to be smarter.

“We aren’t asstrong as otherteams, so wehave to hustleand be smarterthan them tomake up for it,”rising senior out-side hitter SydneyNixon, thecoach’s daughter,said. “We have toput the ballwhere the otherteam isn’t and nottry to do toomuch.”

Jenne and ris-ing sophomore setter Ashlyn Hendrix aretwo of the underclassmen who will be ex-pected to step up this season. Both in theirfirst year on varsity, they have been doing alot of work to catch up to their teammates.

Nixon, however, expects that the two set-ters will be one of the strengths of the team.

“There’s a lot of pressure on us as sopho-mores on varsity to be able to set for al-most every hitter on the court,” Jenne said.

Some of the more experienced players onthe team areCullen andNixon. With sev-eral more seasonsof volleyball ex-perience undertheir belts, CoachNixon expectsthat they will beleaders on thecourt.

“Having mymom as a coach isdifferent thanwe’re at home,”Nixon said. “It’s adifferent atmo-sphere here. I re-

spect her as a coach and she looks at me asone of her players, not her kid, and she ex-pects a lot from me.”

The Wolverines will begin their season athome on Aug. 27 against Falls Church.

Wolverines looking for first winning season since 2007.

Nixon Takes Over as West Potomac Volleyball Coach

Photos by Bonnie Schipper/The Gazette

First-year West Potomac volleyball coach Nancy Nixon instructs risingjunior middle blocker Laura Aaron during a recent practice.

Rising sophomore setter Ashlyn Hendrix and the West Potomac volley-ball team open the 2015 season at home against Falls Church at 7:15p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27.

“[Nancy Nixon] is very welleducated in volleyball. Shealways has sources, so whenwe ask ‘Why are we doingthis?’ she has an article or ascientist that proved that itwas right and can help us.”

— West Potomac rising junior outsidehitter Lindsay Cullen

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.

SATURDAY/AUG. 22West Potomac Band Car Wash. 9

a.m.-2 p.m. at Belle View ElementarySchool, 6701 Fort Hunt Road. TheWest Potomac High School Band willbe accepting donations. ContactCourtney May [email protected].

WEDNESDAY/SEPT. 9MOMS Club Meeting. 10:30 a.m.-12:30

p.m. at Mount Vernon PresbyterianChurch, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane.Attend the meeting to hear about theprocess of language development froma speech pathologist. Children mayattend. Free. Contact Melissa Holmesat 571-217-4171 [email protected], or visitsouthalexandriamomsclub.webs.com.

THURSDAY/SEPT. 10Virginia Citizens Coalition for

Police Accountability Meeting. 7

p.m. at The Martha WashingtonPublic Library, Room 104 A/B, 6614Fort Hunt Road. An advocacy groupconcerned with discussing actions ofthe police force meets. Free. Visitvirginiaccpa.com.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 12Mount Vernon 2015 Day To Serve.

9-11 a.m. at Heritage PresbyterianChurch, 8503 Fort Hunt Road. Helpprepare meals for the Food for Othersprogram, which provides food to localstudents on the weekends. Free. Visitwww.heritagechurchva.org/.

MONDAY/SEPT. 14Ad Hoc Police Practices Review

Commission Meeting. 7:30 p.m. atWalt Whitman Middle School, 2500Parkers Lane. The public is welcometo attend. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission.

TUESDAY/SEPT. 19Worship Watch Meeting. 8:30-12

p.m. at Aldersgate United MethodistChurch, 1301 Collingwood Rd.Participate in a crime preventionmeeting focused on preventing crime

targeted toward places of worship.Admission is free. Call 703-360-8928or [email protected].

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Mount Vernon Adult Day

Health Care Center in Alexandrianeeds a licensed beautician, a socialcompanion and a Spanish-speakingsocial companion. For these and othervolunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadultsand click on Volunteer Solutionsunder “Get Involved.”

Bulletin Board


Childcare StaffFull and part-time employment

available. Seeking mature professional individuals for positions as lead

teachers, teacher assistants and after-noon aides. Lead teacher must have at least an Associate’s Degree/ CDA. For full time we pay all federal holidays. Benefits include earned leave, health

and dental insurance. 401K and annual training provided. Competitive salary.

EOE. Please email resume to [email protected] or fax to

703.765.7801.

Experienced Wait Staff and Line Cooks

Elsies Magic Skillet Restaurant 8166 Richmond Hwy Alex, VA 22309

571-969-8145

TRUCK MECHANICWe have an immediate need for a First

Class Truck Mechanic. We offer tophourly rate of pay; 401K; company paid

employee medical, dental anddisability benefits; paid holidays; overtime

opportunities; steady year around work and a great work environment. If you have your own truck we pay an ample

allowance and expenses, or should you prefer, we will provide a company truck.

Applicant must have worked a minimum of five years with heavy trucks, have

your own tools, a clean driving record, experience in engine repair, hydraulics,

fuel, braking, transmission and electrical systems, a working knowledge of DOT

requirements and safety regulations and be computer savvy.

For immediate consideration please call Yvette at 240-788-3613.

EOE/Male/Female/VeteranQualified Females Encouraged to Apply

Zone 3 Ad Deadline:

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A&S CONSTRUCTIONThe reward of a thing

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EmploymentEmployment

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Zone 3 Ad Deadline:

Tuesday Noon

703-778-9411

Zone 3: • Alexandria

• Mount VernonClassifiedClassified

OBITUARY

John Kenneth Severson, Sr.John “Big Al” or “Uncle Al the Nation’s Pal”

Severson, longtime owner and proprietor of Al’s Steak House on Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria died peacefully in his home on

Saturday, August 15. 2015. He was born in Hawaii on October 28, 1941 to the late Elizabeth and Arthur Severson.

He is survived by his son, John (Bo) Severson and his daugh-ter and son-in-law, Lisa and David Swales and their three children of Crozet, Virginia. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Anna Severson of Savannah, GA, and his brother, Arthur (Sonny) Severson of Falls Church and their families.

John began what would be his lifetime career at Al’s Steak House at the age of twelve when he began cutting onions af-ter school for the original Al. After a very brief career as a mail carrier, John and his wife, Patricia, bought Al’s Steak House in 1966 and he began his reign over Del Ray as “Steak King.” During decades of rapid growth and change, John refused to change anything. He prided himself on providing customers who returned far and wide with a local institution that offered the same massive cheese steaks and familiar surroundings year after year. Definitely a colorful character, John never let anyone leave Al’s hungry whether they could pay or not and he wanted to be remembered as someone always ready to help others.

The family offers their thanks to the many doctors, nurses, and hospice workers for their loving care and support during his year-long battle with lung cancer.

The family will receive friends at Everly Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA on Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 6-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held

on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1427 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA.

A private family burial will take place at Mount Comfort Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, due to allergies, the family requests that donations may be made to Alive! So that “Big Al” can contin-ue to feed the hungry in Alexandria. In addition to the serv-ices, a celebration of John’s life will take place at later date.

21 Announcements 21 Announcements

21 Announcements 21 Announcements 21 Announcements


PUBLIC NOTICE

Please be advised that a brief fireworks display will take place as part of a private event at George Washington’s Mount Vernon on the following date:

Saturday, August 29, between 8:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. (3 minutes)

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association thanks you for your tolerance and apologizes for any disruption. To receive Mount Vernon fireworks notifications via e-mail, write to [email protected].


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

JEWELRY, COSTUME JEWELRY, FURNITURE, PAINTINGS AND CLOCKS.

Schefer Antiques703-241-0790

[email protected]

26 Antiques 26 Antiques

JENNIFER SMITH ❖ Serving the Area Since 1995

➣ Speed Up SlowComputers

➣ Virus Removal

➣ Computer Setup➣ Help with Windows 8

571-265-2038

HDICOMPUTER SOLUTIONS

[email protected]

101 Computers 101 Computers

ADOPTIONADOPTING A NEWBORN IS OUR

DREAM! Let us provide your baby with a wonderful life filled with endless opportunities,

education, close extended family and LOVE. Expenses paid Maria/Rob

1-800-586-4121 or OurWish2Adopt.com

117 Adoption 117 Adoption

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEThe Ugly Mug, LLC trading as

Katherines Catering, 4116 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria, VA 22304. The above establish-

ment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Mixed

Beverage Caterer Limited license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Gaynor

Jablonski, memberNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be

submitted to ABC no later that 30 days from the publishing

date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

objections should be regis-tered at www.abc.virginia.gov

or 800-552-3200.

21 Announcements

ABC LICENSEPeenong, LLC trading as Peenong, 8501 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DE-PARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer on Prem-ises license to sell or manufac-ture alcoholic beverages. Yomkwan Kuntri, ownerNOTE: Objections to the issu-ance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Ob-jections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

21 Announcements

LEGAL NOTICEPursuant 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.

29 Misc. for Sale

Piano For Sale - Sohmer Studio Piano. 100th Anniversary Model, 1972. Pecan finish, 41"

high. Excellent condition. $2,000 or best offer.703-451-6576.

Handyman (FT) for large, luxury hi-rise condo in

Alexandria. Requires knowledge and skill in basic plumbing, electrical and

mechanical maintenance and repair. Punch-out experience required. Duties

include inspections and repairs as well as grounds work and general maintenance

throughout 37-acre property. OSHA certification a plus. Requires

background/drug screening. Job offers health, life and dental benefits.

$17-20/hr. Send letter and resume to: [email protected].

Absolutely no phone calls or drop-ins.

Resident ServicesRepresentative

(FT/PT) for large, luxury hi-rise in Alexandria. Must be able to communicate

effectively in person and on phone. Professional appearance.

Requires familiarity with MS Office programs and top-tier customer service

skills. Background/drug screening req’d.$12.50-$13.50/hr. Send letter and resume

to: [email protected] no phone calls or drop-ins.

School Age / Camp DirectorSchool age program seeking mature

experienced Program/Camp director. Must have supervisory experience in

child care field. Position requires CDL or willingness to obtain CDL immediately.

Applicant must be an effective communicator. Children’s activity

planning required. This is a year round position full time Mon - Fri. Excellent benefits, all fed holidays paid and off,

earned annual leave, health and dental insurance, 401K.

IMMEDIATE OPENING.Please send resume to

[email protected] or fax resume to 703.765.7801. EOE

EmploymentEmployment

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