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John Robinson: Taking a Stand

Graphic image of a megaphone

Join us for a new series of stories from the Center for Local History highlighting members of our community who made a difference in ways that helped shape our history and created positive change. 

Their voices were not always loud, but what they said or did had a significant impact on our community.

John Robinson

John Robinson (1934-2010) was a dedicated community activist who chose to stay and work in the Green Valley neighborhood where he was born and grew up.  He attended Howard University, served in the U.S. Army, and worked briefly with Martin Luther King.  Inspired by King and his work, he founded and was director of the Dr. Marth Luther King Jr. Community Center in Green Valley for over 40 years.

A strong believer in equal rights for all, Robinson provided help to those in need whatever their race or age, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  The Center organized clothing and food drives, provided counseling on drug abuse and assistance for low-income people living in Green Valley, as well as other educational programs.

He was there for the community whether it involved drug-related issues, gang violence, or neighborhood conflicts, and his door was always open, sometimes even providing shelter for the homeless in the Center, especially during the winter.

For four decades, Robinson published the Green Valley News, often distributing it door-to-door himself, to help keep residents informed of events in this predominately African-American neighborhood.

John Robinson

Over the years Robinson was recognized for his many achievements from organizations such as the Northern Virginia Branch of the Washington Urban League, Arlington Branch of the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and was a recipient of the William L. Winston Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Arlington County Bar Foundation.  He was also instrumental in the planning of the Arlington County Action Program in the 1960s.

Robinson died in 2010 at age 75. In. 2020, the Arlington County Board officially named the town square in Green Valley the John Robinson, Jr. Town Square in his honor.

Rendered image of the John Robinson, Jr. Town Square 

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Edible Books: Cookie Bookie Contest Winners

Sugar, Spice and Oh That Book Looks Nice!

We loved seeing all the delicious creations - it was hard to choose the winners, as we adored so many!

Thanks to everyone who submitted, and who attended the virtual decorating programs with the folks at the library.

Best Creation: Kids Up to Grade 5

"The Very Hungry Catepillar" by Brahm

We had fun foraging through the fridge and pantry for this, but at the end, realized we were missing the pie. The McDonalds drive through came through with the apple pie “slice” assist!
Brahm, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" - We had fun foraging through the fridge and pantry for this, but at the end, realized we were missing the pie. The McDonalds drive through came through with the apple pie “slice” assist!

Best Creation: Grade 6-12

"Jurassic Park" by Hunter

Jurassic Park was one of the first long books I read. I wanted to try to recreate a similar picture of what is on the cover of the copy that I own.
Hunter, "Jurassic Park" - Jurassic Park was one of the first long books I read. I wanted to try to recreate a similar picture of what is on the cover of the copy that I own.

Best Creation: Adult

"My Favorite Books!" by Adriana

My son is only 13 but he is an avid reader. When I told him about the edible book contest he was very excited. He couldn't choose just one book so we settled on FOUR of HIS favorite books and their iconic covers. In the end he didn't help much with making the actual cookies but he gave me a lot of support and encouragement while I was making these and he will definitely help me eat them!
Adriana, "My Favorite Books!" - My son is only 13 but he is an avid reader. When I told him about the edible book contest he was very excited. He couldn't choose just one book so we settled on FOUR of HIS favorite books and their iconic covers. In the end he didn't help much with making the actual cookies but he gave me a lot of support and encouragement while I was making these and he will definitely help me eat them!

Honorable Mention

"(Return of the) King Cake" by Maria

This is a Galette des Rois decorated with marzipan. The design is based on Houghton Mifflin 1999 edition cover of "The Ring Sets Out," the first part of the Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien. My title is a pun on the English name of the cake--King Cake--and the title of the final volume of the Lord of the Rings, Return of the King.
Maria, "(Return of the) King Cake" - This is a Galette des Rois decorated with marzipan. The design is based on Houghton Mifflin 1999 edition cover of "The Ring Sets Out," the first part of the Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien. My title is a pun on the English name of the cake--King Cake--and the title of the final volume of the Lord of the Rings, "Return of the King".

Check out these other scrumptious, bookish creations we loved!

I used this book to teach the alphabet (both in english and spanish), and the difference between majuscules and minuscules to my sons when they were toddlers. We always sang the text instead of simply reading it out loud. I also teach "Typography" as a GMU adjunct faculty, so I'm always surrounded by letters. I dream of having a home-based baking business (IG: @love_at_350).
Jessica, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" - I used this book to teach the alphabet (both in english and spanish), and the difference between majuscules and minuscules to my sons when they were toddlers. We always sang the text instead of simply reading it out loud. I also teach "Typography" as a GMU adjunct faculty, so I'm always surrounded by letters. I dream of having a home-based baking business (IG: @love_at_350).
This edible book is based on the book The Big Field by Mike Lupica and I will tell you some things about how I made it. The grass I made by putting green gel icing on cardboard and sprinkling green sugar sprinkles on top. Then for the baselines I put white cookie icing along the baselines and pitchers mound and then sprinkled very crushed up graham cracker shards and let it dry. Then for the bases, pitchers mound and home plate, I cut marshmallows and shaped them to look like first, second, third base, home plate and the pitchers mound. Then, for the foul lines, I put white cookie icing on top of the grass to make it 3-D. For the foul poles, I used fettuccine pasta noodles and I cut it and put it in a marshmallow, and then I iced the marshmallow to the ground. Then for the fence I cut up a tortilla into strips and microwaved them for about 30 seconds. After that, I shaped them and iced them to the grass. Finally for the dugouts I broke gram crackers into squares and rectangles and iced them to the grass. Then I took a Hershey square and melted a half Hershey square to it using a warm plate to melt the chocolate and I did that on each side to make one bench. Then because it was too wide, I melted it so it was half the width. Then I put some more liquid chocolate on the cardboard and stuck the benches to it. I did the same process for the second one. For the fence behind home plate I used some leftover microwaved tortilla to make it and iced it to the cardboard. Finally for the baseball I rolled a mini marshmallow and put icing on it rolled it in red sprinkles. It is detached and it can roll around. This is how I made the field. Now I will tell you why I made a baseball field. So I chose the book the big field by Mike Lupica but it could really have been any of the Mike Lupica baseball books because he wrote a lot of them and I have read The Big Field and another one but the big Field is about a boy named Hutch who plays shortstop on his travel baseball team and his dad also played and he was about to be in the minors but they said he wasn’t good enough and that kind of broke his heart so he basically never played baseball with Houchin very much but part of its about really him trying to get his dad to play with him but it’s mostly about him playing baseball and the main setting is a baseball field so that’s why I thought that I should make a baseball field. Some of the baseball books that I know Mike Lupica has written are Heat, The Big Field, The Bat Boy, Strike Zone, and Team Players. I hope you enjoyed this and happy judging!
Loren, "Baseball Field" - This edible book is based on the book "The Big Field" by Mike Lupica and I will tell you some things about how I made it. The grass I made by putting green gel icing on cardboard and sprinkling green sugar sprinkles on top. Then for the baselines I put white cookie icing along the baselines and pitchers mound and then sprinkled very crushed up graham cracker shards and let it dry. Then for the bases, pitchers mound and home plate, I cut marshmallows and shaped them to look like first, second, third base, home plate and the pitchers mound. Then, for the foul lines, I put white cookie icing on top of the grass to make it 3-D. For the foul poles, I used fettuccine pasta noodles and I cut it and put it in a marshmallow, and then I iced the marshmallow to the ground. Then for the fence I cut up a tortilla into strips and microwaved them for about 30 seconds. After that, I shaped them and iced them to the grass. Finally for the dugouts I broke gram crackers into squares and rectangles and iced them to the grass. Then I took a Hershey square and melted a half Hershey square to it using a warm plate to melt the chocolate and I did that on each side to make one bench. Then because it was too wide, I melted it so it was half the width. Then I put some more liquid chocolate on the cardboard and stuck the benches to it. I did the same process for the second one. For the fence behind home plate I used some leftover microwaved tortilla to make it and iced it to the cardboard. Finally for the baseball I rolled a mini marshmallow and put icing on it rolled it in red sprinkles. It is detached and it can roll around. This is how I made the field. Now I will tell you why I made a baseball field. So I chose the book the big field by Mike Lupica but it could really have been any of the Mike Lupica baseball books because he wrote a lot of them and I have read The Big Field and another one but the big Field is about a boy named Hutch who plays shortstop on his travel baseball team and his dad also played and he was about to be in the minors but they said he wasn’t good enough and that kind of broke his heart so he basically never played baseball with Houchin very much but part of its about really him trying to get his dad to play with him but it’s mostly about him playing baseball and the main setting is a baseball field so that’s why I thought that I should make a baseball field. Some of the baseball books that I know Mike Lupica has written are Heat, The Big Field, The Bat Boy, Strike Zone, and Team Players. I hope you enjoyed this and happy judging!
I love TWINS because they are twin sisters who, at first, are really close, then one runs for school president (like I want to one day!). The other runs against her. They become really angry and mad at each other. At the end, they talked and became inseparable again. My older sister and I fight a lot, but I always love her.
Mila, "Twins: A Graphic Novel" - I love TWINS because they are twin sisters who, at first, are really close, then one runs for school president (like I want to one day!). The other runs against her. They become really angry and mad at each other. At the end, they talked and became inseparable again. My older sister and I fight a lot, but I always love her.
I’ve always loved David Wiesner’s wonderfully illustrated picture books and my daughter loves every story about the three little pigs. I thought it would be fun to do an edible spoof on Wiesner’s version, The Three Pigs, in which the pigs change into a different style of illustration when they step out of their story.
Kelley, "3 Little Pigs" - I’ve always loved David Wiesner’s wonderfully illustrated picture books and my daughter loves every story about the three little pigs. I thought it would be fun to do an edible spoof on Wiesner’s version, The Three Pigs, in which the pigs change into a different style of illustration when they step out of their story.
This little donut caterpillar just make us so hungry!
Nicholas & Maria, "The Very Hungary Caterpillar" - This little donut caterpillar just make us so hungry!
This gingerbread is a tribute to the book Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi. In Gingerbread, Harriet makes gingerbread. She is from the country of Druhástrana. Reading the book made me want to eat gingerbread, so I'm glad that could come to fruition!
Nikki, "Druhástrana" - This gingerbread is a tribute to the book Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi. In Gingerbread, Harriet makes gingerbread. She is from the country of Druhástrana. Reading the book made me want to eat gingerbread, so I'm glad that could come to fruition!
Writers & Lovers, by Lily King, was my favorite book I read this year. Like many of us, I struggled with reading throughout the spring, but hit a better stride over the summer, when I read this book. Geese play a role in the book (which I will not spoil), and this is my tribute to them. May we all take flight in 2021!
Amanda, "The Geese (aka minor characters in Writers & Lovers)" - Writers & Lovers, by Lily King, was my favorite book I read this year. Like many of us, I struggled with reading throughout the spring, but hit a better stride over the summer, when I read this book. Geese play a role in the book (which I will not spoil), and this is my tribute to them. May we all take flight in 2021!
Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie knows dinosaurs are extinct - and tries desperately to convince everyone in town. Despite his railing against the darling Edwina for page after page, she bakes him cookies and listens patiently to his excellent arguments. SHE LISTENS. Suddenly, those arguments seem meaningless. Edwina is free to continue living her best dinosaur life and an unshackled Reginald can tilt at new windmills. An important reminder at the power and gift of just being heard.
Rachael, "Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct" - Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie knows dinosaurs are extinct - and tries desperately to convince everyone in town. Despite his railing against the darling Edwina for page after page, she bakes him cookies and listens patiently to his excellent arguments. SHE LISTENS. Suddenly, those arguments seem meaningless. Edwina is free to continue living her best dinosaur life and an unshackled Reginald can tilt at new windmills. An important reminder at the power and gift of just being heard.
Thank you for the opportunity to combine a seasonal treat with one of my most loved books.
Bronson, "Walden" - Thank you for the opportunity to combine a seasonal treat with one of my most loved books.
Keira, "Arnie the Doughnut"
My entry for the Arlington Library’s 2020 edible books contest is inspired by “The Last Leaf”, a short story by O. Henry. The story is set against the backdrop of a pneumonia epidemic in Greenwich Village in the early 1900s. Briefly, it is the story of a failed old painter who sacrifices his own life, in order to gift his young female neighbor dying from pneumonia, the urge to continue living. This simple but elegant tale published more than a century ago, offers in these tough times, a powerful and fitting reminder of the redemptive powers of altruistic kindness, hope, and renewed resolve in the face of adversity.
Sucharitha, "The Last Leaf by O. Henry" - My entry for the Arlington Library’s 2020 edible books contest is inspired by “The Last Leaf”, a short story by O. Henry. The story is set against the backdrop of a pneumonia epidemic in Greenwich Village in the early 1900s. Briefly, it is the story of a failed old painter who sacrifices his own life, in order to gift his young female neighbor dying from pneumonia, the urge to continue living. This simple but elegant tale published more than a century ago, offers in these tough times, a powerful and fitting reminder of the redemptive powers of altruistic kindness, hope, and renewed resolve in the face of adversity.
Gabriel, "Harry Potter"
Inspired by my 3-year-old's newfound love of the Grinch!
Anne, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" - Inspired by my 3-year-old's newfound love of the Grinch!

See upcoming programs for all ages on the library's event page.

Video: Multiracial Coalitions in the Civil Rights Era

The Poor People’s Campaign, held in Washington, D.C., during the spring of 1968, has long been overshadowed by the assassination of its architect, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the political turmoil of that year.

But while the campaign did not achieve its lofty goals — including a rededication to the War on Poverty and an end to rampant police brutality — it did prove to be an illustrative moment of a “long” civil rights movement that highlighted the essential yet oft-forgotten objective of economic justice and everything that entailed. This multiracial campaign also shed lights on the interdependent relationship between racial identity and political coalition among African Americans and Mexican Americans. While the fight against poverty held great potential for Black-Latino cooperation, such efforts also exposed the complex dynamics between the nation’s two largest minority groups.

Presenter Gordon K. Mantler is Executive Director of the University Writing Program and Associate Professor of Writing and of History at the George Washington University. Mantler has taught writing and history since 2006 at GW, Duke University, and Guilford College in North Carolina. Since 1999, Mantler has specialized in the history and rhetoric of 20th century social justice movements and the African American and Latino experience in the United States, as well as public, oral, and film history. He has received numerous awards and grants, including financial support from the Mellon Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Black Metropolis Research Consortium, and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: The Library will be Closed Monday, Jan. 18 and Wednesday, Jan. 20

The Library and all Arlington County Government offices and services will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Wednesday, Jan. 20 for Inauguration Day.

Central Library will be open Tuesday, Jan. 19 on our regular schedule for holds pickup.

Arlington’s annual tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is virtual in 2021! Join us for a free online experience where you can choose what you want to see, when you want to see it. From music and dance to spoken word and community dialogues, there will be something for everyone. Help us carry on Dr. King’s legacy by remembering our history and joining us in a call to shape our future.

Notes on the Arlington Symphony

Between 1945 and 2005, Arlington County was home to the renowned Arlington Symphony, organized and maintained as a volunteer effort by members of the community.

Over its 60-year run, the symphony performed a wide variety of music across the County and was one of Arlington's first, and longest-running, arts organizations.

Excerpt from the Washington Post’s 40th-anniversary feature on the Arlington Symphony. Image courtesy of the Washington Post.

First Movement

The Arlington Symphony was organized in the years following World War II, providing a source of respite from the turmoil of the wartime years.

Van Lier Lanning – an Arlington resident – was the leader of these initial organizing efforts. Lanning had also organized and directed the War Production Board orchestra during WWII. Lanning’s vision was to establish a suburban orchestra. This dream materialized in late 1945 as local citizens began to sign on to establish what was called a “civic orchestra.”

A volunteer group of Arlingtonians formed a Steering Committee and recruited players, who also chipped in $10 apiece for the purchase of sheet music. Ellis Chasens, former concertmaster of the War Production Board Orchestra, signed on as the Arlington Symphony’s first concertmaster.

Opening Night

Program excerpts from the Arlington Symphony’s first concert on April 3, 1946.

The premiere concert took place on Friday, April 3, 1946, at Washington-Lee High School (now Washington-Liberty). This opening night featured baritone soloist Paul Hume,  who went on to serve as the Washington Post’s music critic. The evening was a resounding success, and a second performance followed the next evening. Another performance in June followed, and by fall 1946, plans for a full program were underway.

A program of eight concerts was approved for the following year: four of them would be evening, adults-only, concerts and four would be Sunday afternoon children’s concerts, followed by performances of a youth orchestra. This set the pattern for the orchestra’s early schedules.

Tickets in this first program year were 75 cents for the adult concerts and 30 cents for the children’s concerts. From 1951-1968, programming was free, but tickets were reinstated in later years to accommodate for budgeting gaps.

Numerous conductors served in these early years, but by the 1954-1955 season, the position went unoccupied due to insufficient funds for the part-time work. Later that year, John Wigent signed on to the job. Wigent, a trained clarinetist and double bassist, had previously served as Harry Truman’s pianist and as an organ player at the Arlington Temple in Rosslyn. Karl Rucht signed on as the next director, where he served for more than 15 years. Rucht was known for his drama, flare, and “spectaculars” – including full concert versions of operas, special soloists, and concerts with more than 300 performers on stage.

Karl Rucht, the Arlington Symphony’s Music Director from 1960-1985.

Style and Substance

One of the Symphony’s signature elements was solo performers, who were featured in the hundreds over the course of the symphony’s seasons. The soloist program was not only a chance to highlight talent, but it also broadened the scope of the Symphony, as they included performers from across the nation and abroad. One of the Symphony’s most popular soloists was Evelyn Swartout, who performed four consecutive years in a row.

The soloist program was also a way to incorporate younger members of the Arlington community, who were sometimes selected from the Association’s scholarship program. In the 1940s, public education in music was limited, and the Symphony filled this gap with its musical programming, even as the move toward public music courses increased in later decades.

Organization and Funding

The Symphony Association, County government, and other civic and social groups often worked together to help support the group’s artistic efforts. Spaces for rehearsals and concerts were provided by the School Board for no or reduced fees, and in 1966, members of the Association met with County Manager Bert Johnson, who provided $3,600 in funding from the County budget. This arrangement lasted for much of the symphony’s lifetime, increasing over the years due to inflation. Other fees were supplemented by Association fundraising and external grants.

The Association’s Board of Directors was incorporated in 1966 and consisted of 26 to 30 members. The group was augmented and supported by a Women’s Committee for the Symphony, as well, which consisted of 114 members by 1980.

 

Music preference poll sent out by the Arlington Civic Symphony Association in April 1961.

In 1980, March was designated as “Arlington Symphony Month” by the Arlington County Board.

In 1985, the Arlington Symphony celebrated its 40th anniversary – among its members that season was a 40-year veteran of the symphony, Caurine Easterling. A write-up on the event in the Washington Post notes the symphony’s range of ages – from teenagers to octogenarians – and also notes that this was the final season Karl Rucht served as musical director.

Photo of the Arlington Symphony, from “The Story of the Arlington Symphony Association: Trials and Triumphs of a Volunteer Effort,” published in 1980.

Final Act

The Arlington Symphony came to a close in 2005 after declaring bankruptcy. Its final music director was Ruben Vartanyan, who served with the symphony for 13 years. In 2006, a group of former Symphony members joined together as the Arlington Philharmonic, and Vartanyan directed the new group’s inaugural concert, leading a performance of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, Op. 48.

Arlington is still home to the Arlington Philharmonic, as well as the Arlington Concert Band and many other classically-focused musical groups and other musical organizations.

Program for a 1983 Youth Scholarship Concert held by the Arlington Symphony.

Advertisement for the Arlington Symphony’s 1999 “Swing into Summer” benefit concert.

Want to learn more? Arlington’s Center for Local History holds records of the Arlington Symphony in RG 54, and documents related to the Arlington Symphony are also available in RG 57, the personal papers of Hugh Johnson, who served as one of the Symphony’s presidents.

CLH also has an oral history interview in its collections with Theodore and Jean Taylor, where the couple describes the early days of the symphony and their involvement in the group, including Jean Taylor’s role as president of the Women’s Committee.

To learn more about Arlington's history, visit the Center for Local History on the first floor of the Central Library.

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Kathryn Stone: Speaking Out

Graphic image of a megaphone

Join us for a new series of stories from the Center for Local History highlighting members of our community who made a difference in ways that helped shape our history and created positive change. 

Their voices were not always loud, but what they said or did had a significant impact on our community.

Kathryn Stone

Kathryn Stone, the first woman from Northern Virginia elected to the Virginia General Assembly, was one of a small minority of voices in Virginia that courageously fought against the state’s policy of “massive resistance” to school desegregation.  Arguing to keep the public schools open and begin desegregation, she accused long-time proponent of segregation, Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. and his organization of fostering “a spirit of lawlessness and disrespect for constitutional government.”

"Vote for Kathryn Stone" flyer

A solitary voice, she warned the General Assembly against passing a series of bills aimed at stopping the NAACP from bringing desegregation lawsuits to court which, she argued, curbed freedom of speech and assembly:

“You are stooping in panic as you desert the Bill of Rights, which was born in the mind and hearts of the greatest Virginians.”

As a lawmaker, Stone also played an influential role in the creation of the Virginia community college system and was a leader in legislation to improve youth services, mental health, education, and welfare, but first and foremost, she will always be remembered as a symbol of progressive change and as an undaunted champion of the cause to end segregation in the schools.

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The Top Books of 2020

The Books That Made Us Think and Feel This Year

Books helped Arlington readers feel a little more normal this year.

In the words of skilled writers we sought safe spaces in a year of unpredictability. We embraced calm in a year of upheaval and reached for learning in a year of strife. And we found company in a year of solitude.

These are the books Arlington readers turned to the most in 2020. Unsurprisingly, many top fiction titles were part of a series, and many top nonfiction titles reflect a yearning for social justice and a desire for human connection.
Looking for something new? We also put together lists of well-reviewed books that might have flown under your radar in 2020.

2020 Year End Reflection

Season's Greetings from All of Us!

So much in 2020 has changed...

From the way we operate, to how we check out print books, to moving all our events to a virtual environment.

What hasn’t changed...

Is our shared passion for reading, learning, and curiosity.

Our belief in free and open access to knowledge and opportunity for all.

Our tireless dedication to:

  • Bringing you the books you love, in every format
  • Filming fun storytimes for our new YouTube For Kids channel
  • Planning exciting new author events
  • Connecting with you by text and chat, or during online book club meetings and workshops

The staff at Arlington Public Library misses you and will see you all in 2021. We wish you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Librarians Grid 1 (2)
Watch the Video on YouTube

Interested in reading one of the books included in the video? Check out our "End of Year Video" booklist to get a copy. 

Leonard “Doc” Muse: Taking a Stand

Graphic image of a megaphone

Join us for a new series of stories from the Center for Local History highlighting members of our community who made a difference in ways that helped shape our history and created positive change. 

Their voices were not always loud, but what they said or did had a significant impact on our community.

Leonard “Doc” Muse

Leonard “Doc” Muse (1923-2017), was an African-American pharmacist and social activist, and the owner of Green Valley Pharmacy, a neighborhood institution whose importance extended far beyond that of a typical pharmacy.

Muse was born in Florida, served in World War II, and then used his GI benefits to attend the Howard University School of Pharmacy. In 1952, along with partner Waverly Jones, he purchased the property which was formerly Hyman’s Grocery, and opened the Green Valley Pharmacy. In addition to being a drug store and filling prescriptions for the neighborhood, it functioned as a gathering place featuring a lunch counter which provided free meals every Wednesday afternoon and on occasion providing free prescriptions for those unable to afford them.

With this role in the community came the challenge of dealing with myriad interests and pressures, but Muse negotiated these rough waters with determination and skill.

Green Valley Pharmacy

In an oral history conducted by the Center for Local History, when asked about his motivation to become a pharmacist, Muse said:

“Oh, it’s a long story.  I was a kid, and the lady next door…asked me to go and get a prescription filled for her…I got there, I was tired, and I went to sit down, and that guy told me, “You can’t sit here.”  So I went out and sat on the sidewalk until they filled the prescription.  And I had the idea, I said, well, we need a pharmacy where we can sit wherever we want to –“.

Green Valley Pharmacy was named as a Historic Landmark by the Arlington County Board in 2013, and Muse received a Community Appreciation Award from the Arlington NAACP, and continuing to work and be a constant presence until his death in 2017.

Green Valley Pharmacy 2008

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