Falls Church News-Press - January 31, 2008 by Falls Church News-Press

Januar y 31 - Febr uar y 6, 2008

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Inside This Week Va. State Senate Votes to Repeal Abusive Driver Fees By a 39-0 vote, the Virginia State Senate passed legislation yesterday to repeal the unpopular abusive driver fees. An emergency clause was added to the bill to ensure the repeal would go into effect immediately upon passage in the House of Delegates and signing by the governor.

Byrne-Connolly Primary Roil Expected as Davis Bows Out NEW YEAR REDUX

See News Briefs, page 7

Stuart, Falls Church Split Doubleheader

by Nicholas F. Benton

The Lady Jags of Falls Church High won on a last-second shot in the girls basketball game, while the J.E.B. Stuart Raider boys defeated their crosstown rivals.

Falls Church News-Press

See page 18

Maureen Dowd: Seeing Red Over Hillary Even newly armored by the spirit of Camelot, Barack Obama is still distressed by the sight of a certain damsel. It’s already famous as The Snub, the moment before the State of the Union when Obama turned away to talk to Claire McCaskill instead of trying to join Teddy Kennedy in shaking hands with Hillary. See page 11

Eva Goes From ‘Desperate’ to ‘Dead’ After a wedding accident results in her untimely demise, Eva Longoria takes a crack at haunting her boyfriend’s attempt at a new relationship with a psychic. See page 30

WITH THE CHINESE NEW YEAR commencing next Thursday, scenes like this one will be commonplace. Celebrations at the Eden Center in Falls Church and a New Year Festival at Luther Jackson Middle School on Gallows Road this weekend will welcome the Year of the Rat. (Courtesy Photo)

Chinese New Year Set to Steep Area in Asian Culture by Lisa Socarras

Falls Church News-Press

Index Editorial..................2 Letters..........2, 6, 41 Crime Report.........5 Comment........10-13 Community News & Notes..............14-15 Business News & Notes...................16 Sports.............18-21 Roger Ebert....30-32 Press Pass..........33 Calendar.........34-35

Restaurant Spotlight ............................36 Sodoku................39 Comics.................39 Crossword...........39 Classified Ads......42 Business & Services Directory..............43 Weekly Focus 44-45 Critter Corner.......46 Business Listing..47

Dems See Key Chance to Gain In Congress

Chinese New Year 2008 will be celebrated in a big way starting this weekend in Falls Church. While New Year’s, itself, is officially next Thursday, the incoming “Year of the Rat” will be kicked off with by a gala celebration this Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It will culminate on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Eden Center, on the corner of Roosevelt and Wilson Boulevard at Seven Corners, with a traditional Lion Dance at 11 a.m. Chinese and other Asian cultures are closely linked to the Northern Virginia area. More than 200,000, or about 15 percent, of Northern Virginia residents are of Asian descent, according to the U.S. Census in 2000. Many of them will be taking part in the rich blend of

traditions and customs, rooted in a deep history, and observed during the New Year celebration, with Eden Center, a local cultural landmark for the past 20 years with its unique Asian shops and restaurants, serving as a focal point. Chinese New Year focuses on the remembrance of ancestors, family unity, hospitality, honor, happiness, good luck and wealth in the New Year. Continued on Page 8

A long-standing, sharp intra-Democratic Party rivalry between Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Gerry Connolly and former U.S. Rep. Leslie Byrne is expected to translate into a white-hot Democratic primary contest to replace Rep. Thomas M. Davis III this spring. With Davis’ official announcement yesterday that he will not seek re-election to his 11th District Congressional seat in the fall, Democrats see a golden opportunity to pick up an extra seat in the U.S. Congress. It goes hand-in-hand with their hopes of gaining an extra seat in the U.S. Senate from Virginia as well, given the plans of U.S. Sen. John W. Warner to retire. Davis’ retirement has been expected for months now, and rumors have also been flying that Connolly, the powerful head of the Fairfax government who easily won re-election in November, would seek to replace him. Two months ago, Davis ditched plans to run to fill Sen. Warner’s U.S. Senate seat when Virginia Republicans set up a nominating plan that would almost certainly exclude him. This was in the context of the expected Davis retirement and Connolly’s bid that Byrne cut to the front of the line last November with a preemptive announcement of her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 11th District, and an aggressive fundraising campaign and pursuit of endorsements. Connolly has not yet formally announced he will run. But, like Byrne, he was swift to Continued on Page 4

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

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Vol. XVII, No. 48 January 31 - February 6, 2008 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association • • Audited Circulation: 30,500 •

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The challenge of being P.C. refers in this case, not to “political correctness,” but to the Planning Commission, Falls Church’s to be specific. The Planning Commission is reviewing the ambitious Atlantic Realty-City of Falls Church City Center Plan this month after a unanimous, preliminary vote of approval by the City Council. The Commissioners will hear public comment, deliberate, and make their recommendations hopefully in time for the City Council to cast its final vote on the project before the end of February. There are indications that the Planning Commission is split and could fail to recommend in favor of the plan. While the Planners’ advisory role is important, regardless of how they vote, the burden of deciding whether the project will go forward remains solely with the City Council. Aside from providing helpful insights, the only real clout the Commission has is its capacity to filibuster and delay the process. But even that is limited. By law, if it does not act within 60 days, its time is up and the matter reverts automatically to the Council. Unlike the Council, Planning Commissioners are appointed and not elected, and therefore do not necessarily live with the same acute sense of obligation to constituents who voted them to their jobs. Further, the opinions of the Planning Commission, especially when prejudiced going in and not focused on providing sound advice to the Council, are rightly not definitive. The Commission has no responsibility to consider matters with an eye to their impact on the overall fiscal well-being of the City. On the other hand, it is the elected City Council that must consider not only individual development projects, but their primary task of crafting a City-wide budget every year that includes, especially this year, very tough decisions. The budget process this year, because of an expected flat-lining of tax revenues from the City’s residential housing sector, will involve a painful effort to wrestle with no growth in revenues, on the one hand, and unyielding pressures to maintain basic vital services, including education, whose costs continue rising. The City Council by necessity brings to its job a focused attitude of gravitas that is the only proper approach to difficult decisions that impact people’s lives, including those especially dependent on their decisions, such as the elderly and young. The City Council knows that the revenue from the City Center project will be vital to the future fiscal well-being of the City and its people, if not this year, beginning with the next and culminating with the completion of the project a few years out. No one unwilling or incapable of evaluating the City Center project from this perspective can appreciate what’s at stake. Anyone who would simply knock it down without suggesting an alternative, credible plan for meeting the City’s pressing revenue needs is boxing thin air.

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The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 450 W. Broad Street #321, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2008 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

Letters to the Editor

Pedestrian Hit On West Broad St. Speaks Out Editor, I am the pedestrian who was hit by the car at the intersection of Broad St. and Virginia Ave. This was the second time, as I was also hit three years ago. The circumstances were about the same. Most recently, I was crossing Broad Street in front of the Exxon to get the bus. The light was green; I was in the cross walking and the car appeared out of nowhere. I was lucky. Though nothing was broken, my knees were hurt, making it nearly impossible to walk for at least a week. My knees are just now feeling better. I was hit three years ago after

getting off the bus in front of the Pancake House. This time a pickup truck, again turning from Virginia Avenue onto Broad, struck me. I received a few broken ribs in that incident. Given the fact that I have now been struck twice, my fear, or should I say paranoia, has increased. The two intersections at Broad & Virginia and Annandale & Virginia are very dangerous to pedestrians. The cars turning onto Broad Street, more often than not, enter the intersection before pedestrians have an opportunity to get out of the way. There have been many times where a vehicle has

been within arm’s reach, almost touching my body because they are too impatient to wait and yield to pedestrians. I live on the corner of Broad and Annandale in Winter Hill. Vehicles turning onto Annandale often do not use the turn signal, so I stand there, afraid to step out into the street, not knowing for sure who’s turning or not. To venture across Broad Street at this corner is also extremely dangerous because drivers continue to speed around that corner even when the light is green and the walk signal is flashing. It is a shame that pedestrians have to be afraid to cross the streets in Falls Church City. It’s not as if we’re crossing Route 50 at Seven Corners. We are crossing what is a narrow street, what was one time a “city” street. It’s now almost a narrow highway. This is often the topic of conversation at the bus stop as we watch each other just

miss getting hit. I sent an email to the F.C. mayor and she said it would be looked into. I have not been notified of the results of that; if it’s being reviewed at all. I hope it will be. We, as pedestrians, in a city which is small enough to just about walk anywhere, shouldn’t have to take our lives in our hands just to cross the streets. Sandra Bolivar Falls Church

Money, Not Common Sense Drives Gun Law Editor, Is this a bad dream? The Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted against More Letters on Page 6

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Davis Announces Retirement; Byrne, Connolly Will Face Off Continued from Page 1

issue a written statement in response to Davis’ announcement yesterday. While praising Davis for 30 years of public service in the area, Connolly noted that Davis’ retirement “reminds us that a new day is dawning in Northern Virginia.” He wrote, “In the few weeks short weeks since I formed an exploratory committee to weigh the possibility of running for Congress here in the 11th District, I’ve been overwhelmed by the response. Elected officials, Democratic activists and everyday citizens from across the district have encouraged me to make my candidacy official.” He added, “I plan to make an announcement regarding my political plans very soon.” In her response to the news, Byrne issued the following: “While I have disagreed with Rep. Davis more often than not, like his vote against the bi-partisan stimulus package in the

U.S. House yesterday, I salute his service to the 11th District. I know he was recently disappointed by his constituents, the Virginia Republican Party and his minority status in the U.S. House, but that does not negate his efforts on behalf of D.C. voting rights, funding for Metro and building a strong technology industry in Northern Virginia. I will keep those efforts in mind as I pursue my election to the 11th Congressional District.” Byrne’s reference to Davis’ being “disappointed by his constituents” was referencing the failure of his wife, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, to win a state senate seat last November, in a district that heavily overlaps Davis’ own. The winner of that race, Democrat State Sen. Chap Petersen, has since jumped on board the Byrne for Congress campaign. The expected ByrneConnolly face off, which will include the announced candidacy of Iraq War veteran Doug Denneny, will be titanic

struggle between now and the June Democratic primary date. Byrne announced last week that she raised $115,000 in her first two months since announcing her candidacy, and Connolly’s “Exploratory Committee” reported yesterday that it raised $160,930 in the three weeks since its formation. Davis has been masterful in winning, and holding onto the 11th District seat since he first took control of it in 1994. That’s because it was brought into being as a new district in Virginia in 1992, reflecting the state’s population growth, by Democrats then controlling the Virginia state legislature. The Democrats carefully crafted the District to favor a Democratic voting majority by about a two percentagepoint margin. It was originally expected that young entrepreneur Mark Warner would seek the seat, but he chose instead to become the chair of the State Democratic Party, and then get elected governor. Mark Warner

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will most likely seek to fill U.S. Senator John Warner’s seat in the fall. But it was Byrne who wound up running for the Democrats in the 11th District in 1992, and she won to become the first female U.S. Congressman ever elected from Virginia. Prior to that she’d been a state delegate representing the 38th District,

Yes 71% with offices on E. Broad St. in Falls Church. In 1994, however, Davis challenged her and won a narrow victory. A former Fairfax Supervisor with a reputation for moderate, pro-business views, he’s maintained that profile during his years in the U.S. Continued on Page 29

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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Gov. Kaine: Sen. Webb Would Be Great Running Rate for Obama by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

With the Feb. 12 Democratic primary in Virginia now on the horizon, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, an early supporter of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, told the News-Press in Richmond last week that he felt Obama, if nominated, “would be well served” by selecting Virginia’s junior U.S. Sen. Jim Webb as his running mate. Kaine acknowledged that Virginia is now considered a key “battleground state” in the race for the presidency, joining such critical states as Florida and Ohio. In light of that, he was asked if Obama should choose a vice presidential running mate from Virginia. “I think he should choose someone who is strong in foreign policy and defense issues,” he said. He then went on to drop the name of Sen. Webb. Kaine was making an appearance at the annual state legislative reception sponsored by Equality Virginia, held in the Library of Virginia, last

Thursday. His unsolicited suggestion of Sen. Webb contrasted to the reaction of his predecessor, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, a likely candidate to run for the U.S. Senate this November to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. John Warner. When asked by the NewsPress about the idea of including Sen. Webb on the Democratic presidential ticket, Mark Warner said only, “I think Sen. Webb has his hands full and is enjoying doing a fantastic job as a U.S. Senator.” The comment came during a visit to a Jan. 7 fundraiser for State Del. Adam Ebbin, in the Lake Barcroft section of greater Falls Church. The subject did not come up when Sen. Webb hosted a telephone conference call with journalists from all over the region prior to President Bush’s State of the Union address on Monday. Webb, who as a barelysworn in freshman senator gave the Democratic response to the State of the Union address a

year ago, focused in the call on where the country is going since he delivered his response on Jan. 23, 2007. “The issues I raised then are still paramount,” Webb said on the conference call, pointing to foreign policy and the economy. On foreign policy, he said that military gains in Iraq do not address the issues of the formation of an effective Iraqi government or of the region “writ large.” Overall, he said, “there has been an increase in volatility from Lebanon to Pakistan.” While the efforts of al-Qaeda may have diminished in Iraq, it has led to rises elsewhere, such as in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also cited the Turk-Kurd crisis and the problems presented by 2.5 million refugees spilling out of Iraq into Syria and Jordan. As to whether the military “surge” in Iraq is working, he said that “it takes time to reply to that, because there are a lot of moving parts.” Continued on Page 29

For Week of January 22 - 28, 2008 Driving under the Influence, 500 blk. S Washington St., January 22, 12:25 a.m., police arrested a female, 30, of Falls Church, VA for DUI. Drunkenness, 800 blk. W Broad St., January 22, 9:09 p.m., police arrested a male, 59, of Falls Church, VA for DIP. Drug/Narcotic Violation, 500 blk. W Annandale Rd., January 23, 3:34 p.m., police arrested a male, 18, of Arlington, VA for Possession of Marijuana, Driving Suspended, and Stop Sign Violation. Drug/Narcotic Violation, 1000 blk. Broad St., January 23, 7:45

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p.m., police arrested a male, 52, of Falls Church, VA for Inhaling Drugs. Driving under the Influence, 400 blk. W Broad St., January 23, 8:11 p.m., police arrested a female, 27, of Washington, DC for DUI. Driving under the Influence, 6700 blk. Wilson Blvd., January 25, 1:35 a.m., police arrested a male, 27, of Annandale, VA for DUI. Drunkenness, 100 blk. E Broad St., January 27, 1:04 a.m., police arrested a male, 33, of Vienna, VA for DIP. Fraud, 100 blk. Chanel Ter., between January 17 and January 27, unknown person(s) stole victim’s credit card number and charged a total of $179.48 to the card. Larceny from Building, 407 N Washington St., January 28, 2:28 p.m., unknown person(s) entered an unlocked office door and stole a brown leather jacket from a coat rack that was located next to the door.

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closing the gun show loop-hole. Fairfax County’s own, Senator Ken Cuccinelli, voted, along with seven other Senate Courts of Justice Committee members, to ensure that felons and mentally unstable individuals retain their access to guns. On January 22, I took my son to Richmond to see laws in the making. I sat in the same room as Virginia Tech parents, college students from all around Virginia, and so many others who came to support SB 109. The police chiefs gave their accounts. The first thing that the Virginia Tech Commission reported on was a unanimous decision in recommending closure of the gun show loop-hole. I heard with my own ears when Colonel Massengill, former Superintendent of State Police said, “We can bet there’s another Cho out there.” I heard the sensible pleas that brought tears to my eyes from those Virginia Tech parents, even though the room was so packed that I couldn’t see their faces. The gun rights advocates were there too, even though

January 31 - February 6, 2008

greatly outnumbered. They spoke without any rational voice. A gun show organizer proclaimed that it would be “onerous” to make gun owners obtain background checks on potential gun buyers. It should only take a few minutes, but it once took overnight! That’s just too much to ask for a two day gun show. Is it difficult to imagine that this statement caused gasps that filled the room in disbelief? I continued to listen in anguish as Joel Partridge, Virginia liaison for the NRA, explained that right now anyone can buy a gun from anywhere in Virginia without a background check. Even a licensed gun dealer can sell from their own private stock without a background check—from their store, home or a gun show. Philip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League stated that he believes the problem is that everyone doesn’t have guns to defend themselves. It is tragic that anyone would vote against a law that would help to keep guns out of the hands of those who have committed a criminal act, who are mentally unbalanced or who are abusers to obtain a gun while at a gun show. Especially tragic was the “nay” vote from the legislator who represents Virginia Tech. Common sense has not prevailed. Money prevails. NRA

and other gun rights activists have filled campaigns with their blood money. Seven of those who voted against reporting the bill out to the full Senate committee received a combined $15,250 in contributions from gun groups and firearms dealers during the last four-year Senate election cycle, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which compiles and analyzes campaign spending. In my opinion, those legislators voting against the bill have blood on their hands—they might as well pull the trigger themselves. Joanie Hunn Fairfax Station

NRA Muscle Defeated AntiGun Legislation Editor, The recent defeat of the AntiGun Bill in Richmond unfortunately demonstrates, once again, the financial and political lobbying muscle of the National Rifle Association. How many preventable deaths does it take before the NRA gets the message? A majority of Americans want these lethal products kept out of mainstream society. Andrew Brown Via the Internet

LWV Favors Bi-Partisan Re-Districting Editor, The League of Women Voters of Falls Church believes the time is right to reform Virginia’s legislative redistricting process. We believe that with the Senate controlled by the Democratic Party and the House of Delegates controlled by the Republican Party, both parties should now commit to approve a bipartisan approach for the legislative redistricting that will take place in 2011. Taking this step now will help ensure that neither party will be able to politicize that process, no matter which party controls the Senate and House of Delegates four years from now. The League has grown increasingly concerned about several trends in the state of Virginia that may have been negatively impacted by partisan redistricting. In the most recent races for the Senate, 17 out of 40 candidates faced no opposition. Moreover, in races where candidates faced opposition, only nine races were considered “competitive,” -- resulting in a margin of fewer than 10 percentage points. Continued on Page 41

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

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State Senate Passes Repeal of Abusive Driver Fees By a 39-0 vote, with Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) not voting, the Virginia State Senate passed legislation yesterday to repeal the unpopular abusive driver fees that went into effect last July. Adding a sense of urgency, an emergency clause was added to the bill to ensure the repeal would go into effect immediately upon passage in the House of Delegates and signing by the governor instead of having to wait until July 1. The bi-partisan supported amendments to the bill also called for refunds of the fines paid by everyone under the abusive fee policy. Senate Bill 1 was sponsored by Sen. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania) with Northern Virginia Senators George Barker (D-Fairfax) and Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) among the billâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patrons. Among other things, the abusive driver law â&#x20AC;&#x201C; put in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transportation funding package â&#x20AC;&#x201C; failed to produce the level of revenue anticipated, State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple told a town meeting in Falls Church recently. She said she suspected that was because the police and courts were reluctant to enforce it. She added that it was also supposed to add to safety on the roads, but there was no evidence of that. She conceded the whole thing was just â&#x20AC;&#x153;a bad idea.â&#x20AC;?

An opening reception kicking off a year-long series of performances, workshops, and art exhibits in the City of Falls Church inspired by Michael Gelbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book, How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, will be held Friday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Falls Church Arts Gallery, 111 Park Avenue. Falls Church Arts is partnering with Creative Cauldron in the year-long series, also described as, â&#x20AC;&#x153;an interactive exhibit of works, in various media, that will lead you on an investigation of da Vinciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principles of genius.â&#x20AC;? Later in the month, on Feb. 16, the first workshop will be held at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 222 N. Washington St. F.C. Day Care Task Force Recommends No Changes The final report of the Falls Church Day Care Task force, formed by the School Board to review the long-standing day care policies of the City schools, issued its final report of recommendations this week, concluding that no changes to the current policy should occur. The report goes to the School Board as input for any policy changes it may make. The Task Force was formed when a number of citizens complained that the policy adopted in 1975 did not conform with the needs of changed lifestyles of modern families that include more work-at-home situations. While the current policy allows for non-resident children attending Falls Church schools access to day care, it does not allow the same for City residents where one parent is at home. CBC Candidates Greet Friday, Sharpe Seeks Re-Election With veteran Falls Church public servant Kieran Sharpe announcing he will seek another term on the F.C. School Board in May, the Citizens for a Better City will hold a kickoff to the 2008 Falls Church municipal elections this Friday evening with an informal â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meet the Candidatesâ&#x20AC;? event at Stacyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coffee Parlor, 709 W. Broad St., starting at 5:30 p.m. Any and all announced and prospective candidates for the Falls Church City Council and School Board seeking CBC support are invited to show up, as is the public to meet them. The CBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nominating convention will be held Feb. 23. F.C. Area Woman Is Areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11th Victim of Assault On Monday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. Fairfax Police officers responded to the 7300 block of Allan Avenue in Falls Church for a woman who was assaulted. The 63-year old woman was walking home from a bus stop when she was attacked. The suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into a dark area. The attacker fled when a vehicle drove by. The victim was only injured. Police report this as the sixth similar incident Fairfax County and 10th total of similar incidents throughout the Northern Virginia regions. In all cases the suspects have been wearing dark clothing and a ski mask. The only similarities among the victims are that they were walking alone in hours of darkness. News-Press Report of Obama Rally Incorrect The News-Press apologizes for forwarding word last week of a Barack Obama rally scheduled in Falls Church. Campaign officials denied the veracity of the report. According to Cristina Chiappe of Virginia for Obama, a Northern Virginia rally for Obama before the Feb. 12 primary is being organized, but the location of Cherry Hill Park â&#x20AC;&#x153;is simply not true.â&#x20AC;? Certain City of F.C. officials were contacted by a Secret Service advance team, according to reports, but no solid plans were set.

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Region Readies to Ring in Year of Rat Continued from Page 1

2008 marks the Year of the Rat on the Chinese calendar, one of 12 animal names recycled every 12 years. Legend has it that those born in each animal year have some of that animal’s personality. Rats are said to be the most industrious, hard working and successful, and are often leaders, pioneers and conquerors. Famous people born in the Year of the Rat include George Washington, Shakespeare, Mozart and actors Samuel Jackson and Scarlett Johansson. Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days until the Lantern Festival, which falls on February 21 this year. This year is also known as “Wu Zhi,” its formal name in the Stem-Branch system; 2008 is year nine in the 60-year naming cycle. The current year is Year 4705 by the Chinese calendar. Practices for the new year vary depending upon which part of China you are from. Northern China celebrates the

New Year with families making boiled dumplings together, symbolic of staying together, warm and full in the New Year. Southern China feasts on sticky rice rolled in balls, with a special stuffing inside. “Both in the North and in the South, the theme is the same even though the food may vary,” says Lisa Fan, photographer for the Asian Community Service Center in Vienna. “Harmony and union is what the meal means. One thing you must have at the meal is a whole fish, and some of the fish must be left on the plate to represent savings and prosperity for next year.” Traditions include wearing new clothes and shoes, hanging red lanterns and banners with words of good fortune around doors — to bring good blessings and ward off evil — and cleaning the house thoroughly before festivities. There is no cleaning during festivities however, as it is thought to sweep away good luck. Another tradition is using the lotus flower as decoration.

EDEN CENTER, shown here, will play host to a variety of events and activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Saturday, Feb. 9. (News-Press Photo: Nate Taylor) “The lotus flower represents high moral standards. It grows in dirty mud but symbolizes purity and high moral standards,” says Tiny Tang, vice-president of the Asian Community Service Center. “This is a time to fully respect our parents and remember our ancestors. We follow good values which are meaningful for people. It is a reminder of our tradition.” The entire community is

invited to participate in the festivities and experience the magical lure of Asia, its food, music, dance and traditions at the celebrations. The February 2 Chinese New Year Festival all-day event, sponsored by the Asian Community Service Center and the Epoch Times Chinese newspaper, Washington, D.C., will feature colorful live performances of dragon, fairy and lion dances,

Chinese cooking demonstrations — with free samples — of fried rice, traditional New Year foods and other favorites, as well as Chinese language, meditation and medicine workshops. Other activities will include Chinese checkers, a ping pong competition, paper crafts, martial arts and much more. “We want to teach people Continued on Page 23

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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The Kennedy Mystique Last week there was the widespread revulsion at the Clintons’ toxic attempts to ghettoize Barack Obama. In private and occasionally in public, leading Democrats lost patience with the hyperpartisan style of politics -- the distortion of facts, the demonizing of foes, the secret admiration for brassknuckle brawling and the ever-present assumption that it’s necessary to pollute the public sphere to win. All the suppressed suspicions of Clintonian narcissism came back to the fore. Are these peoNEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE ple really serving the larger cause of the Democratic Party, or are they using the party as a vehicle for themselves? And then Monday, something equally astonishing happened. A throng of Kennedys came to the Bender Arena at American University in Washington to endorse Obama. Caroline Kennedy evoked her father. Sen. Edward Kennedy’s slightly hunched form carried with it the recent history of the Democratic Party. The Kennedy endorsements will help among working-class Democrats, Catholics and the millions of women who have followed Caroline’s path to maturity. Furthermore, here was Edward Kennedy, the consummate legislative craftsman, vouching for the fact that Obama is ready to be president on Day One. But the event was striking for another reason, having to do with the confluence of themes and generations. The Kennedys and Obama hit the same contrasts again and again in their speeches: the high road versus the low road; inspiration versus calculation; future versus the past; and most of all, service versus selfishness. “With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion,” Edward Kennedy declared. “With Barack Obama, there is a new national leader who has given America a different kind of campaign -- a campaign not just about himself, but about all of us,” he said. The Clintons started this fight, and in his grand and graceful way, Kennedy returned the volley with interest. Kennedy went on to talk about the 1960s. But he didn’t talk much about the late ‘60s, when Bill and Hillary came to political activism. He talked about the early ‘60s, and the idealism of the generation that had seen World War II, the idealism of the generation that marched in jacket and ties, the

David Brooks

idealism of a generation whose activism was relatively unmarked by drug use and self-indulgence. Then, in the speech’s most striking passage, he set Bill Clinton afloat on the receding tide of memory. “There was another time,” Kennedy said, “when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a New Frontier.” But, he continued, another former Democratic president, Harry Truman, said he should have patience. He said he lacked experience. John Kennedy replied: “The world is changing. The old ways will not do!” The audience at American University roared. It was mostly young people, and to them, the Clintons are as old as the Trumans were in 1960. And in the students’ rapture for Kennedy’s message, you began to see the folding over of generations, the service generation of John and Robert Kennedy united with the service generation of the One Campaign. The grandparents and children united against the parents. How could the septuagenarian Kennedy cast the younger Clintons into the past? He could do it because he evoked the New Frontier, which again seems fresh. He could do it because he himself has come to live a life of service. After his callow youth, Kennedy came to realize that life would not give him the chance to be president. But life did ask him to be a senator, and he has embraced that role and served that institution with more distinction than anyone else now living -- as any of his colleagues, Republican or Democrat, will tell you. And he could do it because culture really does have rhythms. The respect for institutions that was prevalent during the early ‘60s is prevalent with the young again today. The earnest industriousness that was common then is back today. The awareness that we are not self-made individualists, free to be you and me, but emerge as parts of networks, webs and communities; that awareness is back again today. Sept. 11 really did leave a residue -- an unconsummated desire for sacrifice and service. The old Clintonian style of politics clashes with that desire. When Sidney Blumenthal expresses the Clinton creed by telling George Packer of The New Yorker, “It’s not a question of transcending partisanship. It’s a question of fulfilling it,” that clashes with the desire as well. It’s not clear how far this altered public mood will carry Obama in this election. But there was something important and memorable about the way the 75-year-old Kennedy communed and bonded with a rapturous crowd half a century his junior. The old guy stole the show.

Bush to Leave Unfinished Business WASHINGTON -- With a year to go in the White House, President Bush has said he will sprint to the finish line. But in his lackluster final State of the Union address this week, the president acknowledged that he is leaving behind a troubled nation and a shaky economy for his successor. He also offered no clue on how to end the needless war he started five years ago against Iraq. hearst newspapers He finds solace in a drop in the U.S. casualty rate, with 160,000 American troops and nearly as many mercenary private contractors on assignment in Iraq. But American soldiers are still dying in Iraq -- there were five lost on the day he spoke to Congress. On another front, Bush said “our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty.” That’s a

Helen Thomas

huge euphemism in light of the assessments by some economists that the country is already on the verge of a recession. “And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future,” he added. Bush set no lofty goals in his farewell address but simply pushed the measures that fit into the art of the possible. “Minimalist” is probably the best way to describe his lame-duck agenda. Oh yes, he is proposing $300 million to help children in poorly-run schools to attend private schools. It’s a pseudonym for school vouchers. Why not use this money to improve our public schools and pay better salaries for hard-pressed teachers? Bush is going out with a whimper, and leaving a stash of unfinished business. Of course, you wouldn’t have known it from the boisterous welcome he received Monday night from star-struck members of Congress. Continued on Page 46

Paul Krugman NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

Lessons of 1992 It’s starting to feel a bit like 1992 again. A Bush is in the White House, the economy is a mess, and there’s a candidate who, in the view of a number of observers, is running on a message of hope, of moving past partisan differences, that resembles Bill Clinton’s campaign 16 years ago. Now, I’m not sure that’s a fair characterization of the 1992 Clinton campaign, which had a strong streak of populism, beginning with a speech in which Clinton described the 1980s as a “gilded age of greed.” Still, to the extent that Barack Obama 2008 does sound like Bill Clinton 1992, here’s my question: Has everyone forgotten what happened after the 1992 election? Let’s review the sad tale, starting with the politics. Whatever hopes people might have had that Clinton would usher in a new era of national unity were quickly dashed. Within just a few months the country was wracked by the bitter partisanship Obama has decried. This bitter partisanship wasn’t the result of anything the Clintons did. Instead, from Day 1 they faced an all-out assault from conservatives determined to use any means at hand to discredit a Democratic president. For those who are reaching for their smelling salts because Democratic candidates are saying slightly critical things about each other, it’s worth revisiting those years, simply to get a sense of what dirty politics really looks like. No accusation was considered too outlandish: A group supported by Jerry Falwell put out a film suggesting that the Clintons had arranged for the murder of an associate, and The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page repeatedly hinted that Bill Clinton might have been in cahoots with a drug smuggler. So what good did Clinton’s message of inclusiveness do him? Meanwhile, though Clinton may not have run as postpartisan a campaign as legend has it, he did avoid some conflict by being strategically vague about policy. In particular, he promised health care reform, but left the business of producing an actual plan until after the election. This turned out to be a disaster. Much has been written about the process by which the Clinton health care plan was put together: it was too secretive, too top-down, too politically tone-deaf. Above all, however, it was too slow. Clinton didn’t deliver legislation to Congress until Nov. 20, 1993 -- by which time the momentum from his electoral victory had evaporated, and opponents had had plenty of time to organize against him. The failure of health care reform, in turn, doomed the Clinton presidency to second-rank status. The government was well run (something we’ve learned to appreciate now that we’ve seen what a badly run government looks like), but -- as Obama correctly says -- there was no change in the country’s fundamental trajectory. So what are the lessons for today’s Democrats? First, those who don’t want to nominate Hillary Clinton because they don’t want to return to the nastiness of the 1990s -- a sizable group, at least in the punditocracy -- are deluding themselves. Any Democrat who makes it to the White House can expect the same treatment: an unending procession of wild charges and fake scandals, dutifully given credence by major media organizations that somehow can’t bring themselves to declare the accusations unequivocally false (at least not on Page 1). The point is that while there are valid reasons one might support Obama over Clinton, the desire to avoid unpleasantness isn’t one of them. Second, the policy proposals candidates run on matter. I have colleagues who tell me that Obama’s rejection of health insurance mandates -- which are an essential element of any workable plan for universal coverage -- doesn’t really matter, because by the time health care reform gets through Congress it will be very different from the president’s initial proposal anyway. But this misses the lesson of the Clinton failure: if the next president doesn’t arrive with a plan that is broadly workable in outline, by the time the thing gets fixed the window of opportunity may well have passed. My sense is that the fight for the Democratic nomination has gotten terribly off track. The blame is widely shared. Yes, Bill Clinton has been somewhat boorish. But many Obama supporters also seem far too ready to demonize their opponents. What the Democrats should do is get back to talking about issues -- a focus on issues has been the great contribution of John Edwards to this campaign -- and about who is best prepared to push their agenda forward. Otherwise, even if a Democrat wins the general election, it will be 1992 all over again. And that would be a bad thing.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 11

The Cost of Jilting Florida Dems What’s with the Democrats disenfranchising their own voter base in Michigan and Florida? The Democratic National Committee cronies who decided to deny delegates to its voter bases in Michigan and Florida may find their stunt will come back to haunt them, and go down in history as one of the incredible ways they blew an otherwise shoe-in presidential election in 2008. How stupid could such a move be? Florida Democrats underscored that very fact by dismissing the DNC’s ruling and pouring out to the polls in stunningly large numbers in Falls church news-press the primary Tuesday. Don’t Democrats think they’re going to need not only the votes, but the strong support of those Floridians in November? Do they think they’ll get the level of support they’ll need from down there if they continue to snub their noses at those otherwise loyal supporters? Now, the only candidate who stands a chance of rallying the jilted Democrats of Michigan and Florida is Hillary Clinton. In both states she vowed to fight to reinstate and seat their delegates. That promise had a lot to do with her winning those primaries by wide margins. She took their side. No other Democrat did. On the other hand, Barack Obama, if he were to win the nomination, would have a hard time looking any Democrat in the face in either state, because he crassly turned his back on them, abandoning them to the cruel fate of the “rules.” The conventional wisdom, of course, is that Democratic voters will support their party’s nominee no matter what, no matter how abused they are by their own leadership. It’s sort of the “male-chauvinist pig” view of the world. But it seems plausible that, whomever the Republican nominee will be, almost certainly John McCain at this point, he will march into Michigan and Florida and try to exploit DNC’s, including Obama’s, indifference. To a lot of middle-of-the-road Democrats and jilted Dems, still smarting from their party’s disregard for them, this could go a long way toward sparking a protest, and toward getting even in the voting booth in November. The blatant contradiction between a party that gives lip service to enfranchising people but practices the opposite will also motivate them. Even if that’s only a marginal group, and it may be more widespread than that, in those battleground states it could be decisive. Was the DNC so self-absorbed in asserting its authority over the states that it forgot, or ceased to care about, what happened with the general election vote in Florida in 2000? People are not politicians, and they don’t think like them. Politicians and party hacks too often forget that. People have been inspired by Obama’s campaign because of its lofty appeals to idealism and a new enfranchisement of the average Jane and Joe. How ironic that the same campaign turned a cold, blind eye to its party’s disenfranchisement of millions of its own supporters. So, don’t you think that people, as opposed to the politicians, smell the putrid contradiction in that? Don’t you think that impacts how such folk will behave for the rest of the campaign, either by dropping out or looking to get even? Obama could easily have exhibited a gracious acknowledgment of the voters in Michigan and Florida by saying he, like Clinton, would favor a reversal of the DNC ruling, and the seating the delegates from those states at the national convention. Had he done so prior to those states’ primaries, he might have won them. But even if he was a large enough person to affirm those voters’ right to representation after the primaries, it would have been an expression of a magnanimous respect in keeping with the spirit of his campaign that would have gained him far more than it would cost him. Even from a calculating political standpoint it would have been a smart thing to do. Now, not only has Clinton gained the high ground, and deservedly so, but the pressure will grow on the DNC to eat crow and reverse itself by convention time, anyway.

Nicholas F. Benton

 Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com

Seeing Red Over Hillary Maureen Dowd

WASHINGTON -- Even and she iced him. She might newly armored by the spirit of have frozen him out once more Camelot, Barack Obama is still Monday night had he actually distressed by the sight of a certried to reach out. tain damsel. But now Obama is like that It’s already famous as The cat Mark Twain wrote about Snub, the moment before the New York Times News Service who wouldn’t jump on the stove State of the Union when Obama again for fear of being burned. turned away to talk to Claire McCaskill instead It was only after the distortions of the Clintons of trying to join Teddy Kennedy in shaking hands in South Carolina that he changed his tone and with Hillary. took on Hillary in a tough way in the debate there. Nobody cared about W., whose presidency had Afterward, one of his advisers said that it was crumpled into a belated concern about earmarks. as though a dam had broken and Obama finally The only union that fascinated was Obama began using all the sharp lines against Hillary that and Hillary, once more creeping around each strategists had been suggesting for months. other. Why had it taken so long for Obama to push It would have been the natural thing for the back against Hillary? “He respected her as a Illinois senator, only hours after his emotional senator,” the adviser replied. “He even defendembrace by the Kennedys and an arena full of ed her privately when she cried, saying that no deliriously shrieking students, to follow the lead one knows how hard these campaigns are.” of Uncle Teddy and greet the rebuffed Hillary. But Obama’s outrage makes him seem a little She was impossible to miss in the sea of dark jejune. He is surely the only person in the country suits and Supreme Court dark robes. Like Scarlett who was surprised when the Clintons teamed up O’Hara after a public humiliation, Hillary showed to dissemble and smear when confronted with an up at the gathering wearing a defiant shade of impediment to their ambitions. red. Knowing that it helped her when Obama But the fact that he didn’t do so shows that seemed to be surly with her during the New Obama cannot hide how much the Clintons rattle Hampshire debate, telling her without looking him, and that he is still taking the race very per- up from his notes that she was “likable enough” sonally. -- another instance of Obama not being able to On a flight to Kansas on Tuesday to collect hide his bruised feelings -- Hillary went on ABC another big endorsement, this one from Gov. News on Tuesday night to insinuate that he had Kathleen Sebelius, Obama said he was “sur- been rude Monday. prised” by reports of The Snub. “Well, I reached my hand out in friendship “I was turning away because Claire asked and unity and my hand is still reaching out,” she me a question as Sen. Kennedy was reaching said, lapsing back into the dissed-woman mode. forward,” he said. “Sen. Clinton and I have “And I look forward to shaking his hand somehad very cordial relations off the floor and on time soon.” the floor. I waved at her as I was coming into Something’s being stretched here, but it’s not the Senate chamber before we walked over last her hand. She wasn’t reaching out to him at all. night. I think there is just a lot more tea leaf The New York state chapter of NOW issued reading going on here than I think people are an absurd statement on Monday calling Teddy suggesting.” Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama “the ultimate But that answer is disingenuous. Their rela- betrayal”: “He’s picked the new guy over us.” tions have been frosty and fraught ever since But Obama is the more emotionally delithe young Chicago prince challenged Queen cate candidate, and the one who has the more Hillary’s royal proclamation that it was her turn feminine consensus management style, and the to rule. not-blinded-by-testosterone ability to object to a Last winter, after news broke that he was phony war. thinking of running, he winked at her and took As first lady, Alpha Hillary’s abrasive and her elbow on the Senate floor to say hi, in his secretive management of health care doomed customary languid, friendly way, and she coldly it. She voted to enable W. on Iraq so she could brushed him off. run as someone tough enough to command It bothered him, and he called a friend to say: armies. You would not believe what just happened with Given her brazen quote to ABC News, Obama Hillary. is right to be scared of Hillary. He just needs to Again and again at debates, he looked eager learn that Uncle Teddy can’t fight all his fights, to greet her or be friendly during the evening and that a little chivalry goes a long way.

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Stop Blaming Hillary For Culture Wars I caught the political bug while in college in 1992, seduced by the charming optimism of Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign. At the time, I was interning as a radio news reporter at KQED in San Francisco. One of my assignments was to cover a Clinton visit. Although I was still a political neophyte, there was something special about this candidate. With a central theme of “change” he inspired and instilled hope – while making the future seem limitless. Beyond his political gifts, Clinton substantively appealed to me because he was in favor of gay and lesbian equality. I had come out four years earlier and a pervasive silence on GLBT issues had been the norm for political discourse. Bill Clinton changed this. On May 11, 1992, the presidential candidate made an unprecedented appearance at a gay fundraiser at the Palace Theater in Hollywood. Organized by GLBT advocate David Mixner, $100,000 was raised for the Clinton campaign. The candidate gave an historic speech that led the By Wayne Besen audience to break out in spontaneous applause on several occasions. “Tonight I want to talk to you about how we can be one people again, without regard to race or gender or sexual orientation or age or region or income,” Clinton told the appreciative crowd. “Those of you who are here tonight represent a community of our nation’s gifted people whom we have been willing to squander. We cannot afford to waste the capacity, the contributions, the heart, the soul and the mind of gay and lesbian Americans…What I came here to tell you in simple terms, is, I have a vision and you’re a part of it.” Today’s young people (and many older voters) forget Clinton’s mesmerizing and momentous outreach to the GLBT community. He offered groundbreaking opportunities and an unsurpassed vision of hope. Clinton’s call for unity sparked the imagination and inspired a new generation who wanted a break from the old ways. Indeed, it becomes crystal clear when one reads Clinton’s old speeches that he was the Barack The House passed an ecoObama of 1992 - the change agent who would transform Washington. nomic stimulus package this So, what happened? From the moment the Clintons set foot in the week. The deal, brokered by White House, they endured unrelenting attacks by the right, who saw Speaker Pelosi and Minority the family as illegitimate usurpers of ascendant conservative power. Leader Boehner, in concert The far right – mostly Republicans, but some Democrats, such as with President Bush, provides a Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA) – kneecapped Clinton’s efforts to allow gays to timely, temporary and targeted serve openly in the military. Of course, Clinton deserves blame for cra- boost to the U.S. economy in venly capitulating and allowing the disastrous, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” order to avoid a looming recespolicy to become law. But, let’s not forget that it was a concerted effort sion or lessen its impact. by the right wing to humiliate Clinton that resulted in this fiasco. But what do these soundLed by the Clinton-hating tycoon Richard Mellon Scaife and Rev. bite friendly descriptions mean? Jerry Falwell, the barrage of phony “scandals” and outrageous alle- “Timely” refers to the need for a gations continued unabated. Matters got worse when the irrepress- stimulus package to be enacted ible Newt Gingrich became House Speaker in 1994. The Clinton quickly. In past years, political obsession reached a head, so to speak, during the Monica Lewinsky wrangling and partisan bickerdrama. In what amounted to an attempted coup d’état, the right wing ing have resulted in stimulus tried to impeach Clinton for private sexual relations. packages being delayed so long The truth is, the conservative movement is as pugnacious as it is repug- that the country is no longer in nant. It is arrogance with a self-centered sense of entitlement – with its recession when the economic unpatriotic actions wrapped in the flag and justified in the name of God. boost is realized. “Temporary” As imperfect – and at times disappointing - as the Clintons may have speaks to the practice of includbeen, for many years, they were all that stood in the way of the conserva- ing permanent and far-reaching tive movement’s complete domination and takeover of America. policy changes in stimulus packUnfortunately, for their successful efforts at partially derailing the ages; using economic anxiety to conservative juggernaut, the Clintons are being blamed for sullying the bring about changes in other less tone in Washington. This twisted line of reasoning reminds me of the kid directly relevant policy areas. who finally retaliates against his bullying tormentors, only to be sent to the The phrase “targeted” is used to school’s office and reprimanded for fighting. The historical revisionism describe the goal of a stimulus 219191A02 on the Clinton era must stop because it does not conform to reality. They package -- to get money into did not pick the fights, they just retaliated – and often won. If Obama is the hands of those who need the elected president and faces the same frontal assault as Bill and Hillary, he extra income and will spend it, will suffer the precise partisan fate. We can only hope that he has the killer instinct and resourcefulness to effectively fight back. There are many reasons to vote for Obama – he is smart, inspiring, and an historic figure that would likely make a terrific president. But, changing the tone in Washington is not a reason to cast your vote on his behalf. The conservatives are still there serving their movement rather than America. We ought to reward candidates who stand up to their evil agenda, rather than peg them as divisive and part of the problem. While this may make great campaign rhetoric, Bill Clinton’s presidency is a cautionary tale. Nothing in Washington is going to “change” until the modern conservative movement is transformed or vanquished.

Anything But Straight

Congressman Moran’s News Commentary

Wayne Besen is a columnist and author of the book, “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.” 

Rep. James P. Moran Virginia’s 8th Congressional District Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives

boosting the economy. It looks better than 50-50 that our economy will hit a recession. How quickly we can enact this stimulus package may determine whether this is a short-lived economic downturn, similar to the downturn in the early 90’s and early 2000’s, or something longer and more painful. The economic stimulus package passed by the House this week includes a tax rebate of $600 for every American making under $75,000 and $1,200 for couples earning up to $150,000 (including $300 per child). Small businesses will be allowed to double the amount they can write off on taxes for new invest-

ments. A one-year increase in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s loan limits (from $417,000 to $729,000) and a permanent increase in the Federal Housing Administration’s loan limit (from $367,000 to $729,750) are also included. The Senate is working on their version of the stimulus this week. I am hopeful they will produce a package that is very similar to the timely, temporary and targeted stimulus the House leadership negotiated with the White House. The deal brokered in the House included an agreement to exclude debate on extending the expensive, farreaching Bush tax cuts. It avoids a visceral, partisan debate that would probably doom the stimulus’ chances for enactment. We will be watching what they produce very closely. Straying too far from the compromise could endanger the bipartisan agreement and ultimately leave the American people without the economic boost needed to help stave off a more serious recession.

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The region is reeling from a blow deliv90 percent of the residents of Northern ered by Federal Transit Administration Virginia have already reached – that the (FTA) head James Simpson last week that funding support of the federal governthe FTA was likely to declare the Rail to ment is crucial to the expansion of the Dulles Project unfit for federal funding. Metrorail system to Dulles. A motion to An extension of Metrorail to the region’s approve the language of the Chairman’s premier, and growing, international airletter passed: six yeas, three nays, and port, has been contemplated for more than one abstention. A substitute motion by four decades. During the last 10 years, Supervisor Pat Herrity to scrap the Rail By Penny Gross major exploratory and design work was to Dulles project in favor of a bus rapid Mason District completed to move the project forward, transit system failed by a vote of 2 to 8. Supervisor; and there was significant evidence that the With no clear favorite in either politiFairfax County project met all of the FTA’s New Starts Board of Supervisors cal party, the Virginia presidential prievaluation criteria for federal funding. mary on February 12 could give Virginia In a letter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors voters an important role in the selection of the 2008 to FTA Administrator Simpson, Chairman Gerry presidential candidates. For the first time in many Connolly pointed out that the Dulles Corridor is the years, both major political parties will field candifastest growing area in the region, housing more than dates in the primary. Voters in Virginia do not regis2,300 private businesses with 250,000 employees. Six ter by party, but voters must select whether they wish Fortune 500 companies have their national headquar- to vote a Democratic or Republican ballot. Fairfax ters in the corridor, and serve the federal government County voters may vote at their regular polling place in the defense, telecommunication, IT, and homeland on Tuesday, February 12, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., security indus-tries. The federal government is a or you may vote absentee by mail or in-person. critical partner, along with the Commonwealth of Absentee ballot applications are available on-line at Virginia, in meeting its responsibility for improving www.fairfaxcounty.gov, and at county government transportation for the entire National Capital Region. centers and libraries. The deadline to apply for an The project is cost-effective; costs have been veri- absentee ballot by mail is February 5. You may vote fied by two indepen-dent contractors selected by the absentee in-person at the Fairfax County Government FTA. Both the Metropolitan Washington Airports Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite Authority and the Washington Metropolitan Area 323, in Fairfax: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. Transportation Authority have the ability, respec- until 6 p.m., or Saturday, February 9, the last day to tively, to construct and operate the Metrorail project. vote in-person absentee, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Chairman Connolly’s letter exhorted Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the FTA to take a closer  Supervisor Penny Gross may be emailed at look and reach the same conclusion that the Board and mason@fairfaxcounty.gov

18:40

12/13/01

democracy it has become. The continuation of this process is essential to the maintenance and strengthening of our democratic political culture. Then, there is the whole question of language. Many who want to toss out all 12 million alleged illegal immigrants also want to make English the “official” language of the United States. English is, de facto, the official language of the U.S. and always will be. And there is absolutely no evidence that the traditional patterns of the language of immigrant waves entering the country throughout our history is changing. The first generation speaks its native language almost exclusively; second generation is bilingual – strongly leaning toward English; and the third generation speaking English almost exclusively. I grew up in South Louisiana, where a significant number of people still spoke Creole French, there families having immigrated here some two hundred years ago. Some radio programs and much advertising were done in both English and French – still are. Yet these people were true blue Americans in every sense of the word – and proud of it! So the motives of those press-

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ing to make English the official language leave me very uncomfortable. In fact, we can make the argument that it is really they who are “un- American.” Then there is the question of simple logistics. Regardless of what our prejudices and concerns, we simply cannot throw twelve million people out of the country. The social, economic, and foreign relations costs would be staggering and very destructive to our nation. Arlington as a local jurisdiction has handled the immigration issue well – certainly much better than the jingoists in Prince William Co. It works to enforce the enforceable laws, but refuses to take retaliatory or discriminatory actions. I strongly recommend you read Arlington County Manager Ron Carlee’s statement of the county’s immigration policies on the county’s web page. Yes, we do need to strengthen our immigration laws. Yes, we do need to provide more understandable paths toward permanent residency and citizenships. But in doing so, we cannot act in a discriminatory or punitive way. Richard Barton may be emailed at rbarton@towervillas.com

Page 13 Dolev

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Our Man in Arlington The immigration “debate” that seems to be growing in this country and throughout Virginia has many disquieting overtones. The most ichard obvious, of Barton course, are the thinly veiled expressions of deep racial and ethnic prejudice. These are strongly and heatedly denied, but I grew up in the Deep South in the 40s and 50s and I know one when I hear it. But there is also a profound ignorance of - or a conscious dismissal of - our history and culture. We are very profoundly “A Nation of Immigrants” as John F. Kennedy indicated in the title of his excellent book. Kennedy wrote, “Immigration reminds every American, old and new, that…American society is a process, not a conclusion.” It is a process that has been going on ever since the first colonists began to settle here in the late 16th and early 17th century. Even those coming from England came from different counties, with profoundly different cultures, habits, and even language patterns. The assimilation of vastly different immigrants into a common, but ever-changing, culture is what made America the great



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Page 14

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Healthy Hearts The Washington, D.C. National Women’s Heart Health Fair will be held at Verizon Center (601 F St., NW, DC) on Friday, Feb. 1 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. as part of a nationwide effort to prevent heart disease among women. Free heart health screenings will be provided by the Sister to Sister Foundation, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and Washington Adventist Hospital. For more information, visit www.sistertosister. org. Volunteer Management Boot Camp Volunteer Fairfax (10530 Page Ave., Fairfax) begins its 2008 Nonprofit Training Series on Thursday, Jan. 31 with Volunteer Management Boot Camp, a training service for nonprofit volunteer managers. Led by Volunteer Fairfax’s Training and Special Events Manager Emily Gibbs, participants will learn planning, recruitment, retention and supervision. This session is geared towards beginners, focusing on the core practices of volunteer management, with a fee of $35. For more information, e-mail egibbs@volunteerfairfax.org. Vienna Arts Society Winter Show The Vienna Arts Society (115 Pleasant St. NW, Vienna) will be holding its first Judged Winter Show titled “What Happens in February…”, with a reception on Friday, Feb. 1 from 7

– 9 p.m. The show is open to all mediums of art, with artists interpreting February for themselves, through any subject matter they deem appropriate. The show is judged with prizes, and is open to all artists. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.viennaartssociety.org. Mardi Gras Festivities Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church (4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington) is holding a Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 7 – 11 p.m. Come enjoy a live band, cash bar, New Orleans style food and prizes. Benefits Choralis performance and Habitat for Humanity’s Musician’s Village. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. For more information, visit www.choralis.org or call 703-237-2499. Lights, Camera, Auction! The Congressional Schools of Virginia’s annual Online Auction will run from Sunday, Feb. 3 through Tuesday, Mar. 4. Prizes available for bidding include dining and travel packages, professional services, landscaping, wine tasting and cultural events. All proceeds will fund technology improvements for students at The Congressional Schools of Virginia, a preschool – grade 8 school in Falls Church. For bidding information, visit www.Bid4Colts.com. For more information about the school, visit www.congres-

sionalschools.org. Chipotle Grand Opening and Fundraiser A new Chipotle (8191 Strawberry Ln., Falls Church) is opening on Saturday, Feb. 8 in the new Merrifield Town Center with a unique promotion. On Friday, Feb. 7 they are throwing a pre-opening fundraiser for Falls Church High School from 5 – 8 p.m. A $5 donation at the door is rewarded with a dinner of any menu item and a fountain drink, with all of the money going to support the school’s student activities. Volunteers Needed for Meals on Wheels Program

to benefit heart research and education. Saks Fifth Avenue-Chevy Chase will present the Lafayette 148 Spring Collection for 2008. All profits go directly to funding fellowships and grants for research in cardiovascular disease. For more information, call 703-248-1712 or email roxana. hoveyda@heart.org Falls Church Arts Launches New Exhibit In partnership with Creative Cauldron, Falls Church Arts is sponsoring an interactive exhibit, “da Vinci Passport.” The exhibit will present its opening reception Friday, Feb.

Homestretch, a transitional housing program in Northern Virginia, is in search of volunteers to assist in their English as a Second Language classes. Classes are held Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and

“Affair of the Heart” Luncheon and Show The Woman’s Board of the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region will be putting on a fashion show and luncheon Friday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel (2660 Woodley Rd., NW, Washington)

AUSTIN LUCAS (second from left) of Boy Scout Trooop 681 was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor Ceremony on January 26 at the Scout House. Austin is a senior at George Mason High School, shown here with his parents, Captain Ted Lucas, USN, Mauri Lucas and his brother, Dylan. (Photo: Richard Lobb)

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Those interested should contact Sadira at sdahear@homestretch-inc.org or call 703-237-2035 ext. 101. Local Educator Honored As “Hometown Hero” Founder and executive director of the Child and Family Network Centers (CFNC) Barbara Mason will be the focus of a month-long WETA “Hometown Heroes” profile airing Monday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. Mason ensures needy children receive high-quality education from CFNC with her self-created teaching program modeled after the High Scope Curriculum. For more information, visit www. weta.org/heroes. Superbowl Party at Beach Shack Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (3014 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) will be throwing a Superbowl Party on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. The party will be featuring delicious food honor-

Page 15

ing the regions of the two opponents, such as New England clam chowder and Nathan’s hotdogs. Advanced tickets are on sale for $40 and may be purchased at the restaurant. For more information, call 703-532-9283. Arlington Resident Enters Peace Corps Helen Rortvedt, a 25-yearold resident of Arlington, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will be departing for Bolivia on Jan. 28 to begin preservice training as an environmental education Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon graduation from training in April, Rortvedt will be working in schools and with youth groups to develop an ethic of environmental stewardship. Rortvedt, a graduate of St. Olaf College, will be living with a host family for her first three months in Bolivia and will serve for two years in the country. FC Gardeners Unite The Falls Church Garden

DAVID BELL, Clerk of the Arlington Circuit Court since 1971 until his retirement on January 1, was honored with a special reception and proclamation signed by Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner (right) Monday night. Falls Church has been served by the Arlington Circuit Court since 1988. Bell was Arlington County’s longest-serving elected official. (PHOTO: NEWS-PRESS)

Club will be having their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). Featured speaker Henry Zoller, a reference librarian at the US Geological Survey, will talk about musthave books and magazines for your collection. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 703698-5081.

community, with a portion of each sale of Political Dog Biscuits to be donated to the

Washington Humane Society. For more information, call 703931-5241.

Let Your Pup Get Political At Doggy Kitchen Organic Doggy Kitchen (Falls Church) and Nature’s Nibbles ( 2601 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria) are jointly hosting the Virginia Doggy Primary on Saturday, Feb. 2 from noon – 3 p.m. at Nature’s Nibbles. Organic Doggy Kitchen’s new Political Dog Biscuits, shaped as elephants and donkeys for the two parties, will be offered as free samples to any dog who visits Nature’s Nibbles during the event. They will keep a scoreboard to see which “party animal” is more popular among the Northern Virginia canine

OVER 40 PERSONS attended the Falls Church Faith Community Forum on Preventing and Ending Homelessness held at the Dulin United Methodist Church Saturday. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the F.C. Winter Homeless Shelter, Homestretch and the F.C. Community Service Council. A new implementation plan aims to end homelessness in the region in 10 years. Presenters including Kerrie Wilson of Reston Interfaith, Pam Michel of New Hope Housing, Jim Brigl of FACETS and Michelle Krocker of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance. (PHOTO: NEWS-PRESS)

A KICK-OFF EVENT to organize for the annual Relay For Life rally in Falls Church in May was held at George Mason High School Saturday. The American Cancer Society sponsored Relay For Life rallies all across the U.S. to inspire hope and raise money for cancer research. Here, some cancer survivors and their loved ones walked a symbolic relay as others watched. The May 31 event will be held at the GMHS football field, starting at dusk and going all night with teams organized to carry on a relay race the entire time. (PHOTO: NEWS-PRESS)

Page 16

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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A number of local businesses will participate in FIRSTFriday of Falls Church sponsored by the Falls Church Economic Development Authority on Friday, February 1. For a listing of participating business events and available discounts and of restaurants offering lunch time and other specials, visit www.firstfridayoffallschurch.com. *** Falls Church-based Organic Doggy Kitchen and Alexandriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nibles are hosting a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doggy Primaryâ&#x20AC;? from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 2. Organic Doggy Kitchen will provide free samples of their Capitol Dog Bakery Political Dog Biscuits which include Republican elephants and Democratic donkeys. The organic biscuits are all peanut butter and honey flavored. Participating dogs will have the opportunity to pick which party animal or political ideology they prefer and a scoreboard will keep track to determine the final canine vote. The event will take place at Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nibles, located at 2601 Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray area of Alexandria. For more information contact Tomoko Kawasumi at 703-532-7387. *** The Falls Church Business & Professional Women cordially invite local business women to attend their Monday, February 4, 2008 dinner meeting at LaPromessa (7630 Lee Highway). A presentation on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women & Heart Healthâ&#x20AC;? will be provided. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Interested parties are welcome to show up at the event or call for more information, call 703-560-0527. *** The Falls Church Economic Development Authorityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s February Developerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Forum will include a presentation on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hotel Development: How are Lodging Industry Decisions Made and What are the Prospects for Falls Church City in the Marketplace?â&#x20AC;? The forum will take place at 6:30 on Tuesday, February 5 in the Falls Church Community Center (Teen Center Room on the upper level). Economics Research Associates, a national consulting firm, will provide a detailed examination of the local hotel market with a focus on the feasibility of a full-service hotel product in Falls Church. It will include an overview of lodging industry practices and guidelines for site selection, market demand findings for Falls Church, and recommended market niches for the City. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact Lovey Testa at 703-248-5491 or ltesta@fallschurchva.gov. *** FedEx Kinkoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will be opening a new office and print center at 8190 Strawberry Lane in Falls Church on February 11. The new center is part of their global expansion effort which has resulted in the opening of more than 400 new centers since June 2006. The new location, designed with the smaller store format, will focus on the provision of greater access to office, printing and shipping services to small businesses and mobile professionals. The new center will be open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information call 703-280-0125. *** 2941 Restaurant has secured Bertrand Chemel as its new Executive Chef, replacing founding chef Jonathan Krinn who left the restaurant in October. Chemel, a native of the Auvergne region of France, has studied and worked in some of the finest kitchens throughout France, London, and New York. Most recently, he served as the Chef de Cuisine of CafĂŠ Boulud on Manhattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Upper East Side in New York City where he received a three-star review from Frank Bruni at the New York Times. Chemel will be creating new, innovative menus and managing the day-to-day operations of the kitchen. 2941 Restaurant, which will be closed on Sunday, February 3, is located at 2941 Fairview Park Drive in Falls Church. Reservations are recommended. Call (703) 270-1500. *** Exemplar Strategic Communications, a consulting company founded by Patrick R. Riccards that partners with companies and organizations to develop strategic planning, public affairs, and advocacy communications solutions, has opened up shop in Falls Church. Riccards more than 15 years of experience including SVP and VP positions with DC-based public affairs companies, VP of marketing for a Texas-based education company, and senior communications positions for U.S. Senators Robert Byrd and Bill Bradley and U.S. Congressman John Olver. He has also served as executive director of the DC-based Coalition to Protect Community Not-for-Profit Hospitals. For more information about Exemplar Strategic Communications call 703-298-8283 or visit www.exemplarpr.com. *** Merrifieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FineLines Furnishings, owned and operated by former Nextel executive Lauren M. Simmons, recently celebrated its first year anniversary. FineLines features furnishings and gifts ranging from traditional items to unique designer furniture and also includes smaller gifts for the home. The store also does special orders from a large group of high-end and designer vendors. FineLines is located at 2711 Dorr Avenue, Suite C in Fairfax. *** PRS, Inc. has named Mr. Ray Glover from the Safeway Food Store at 5821 Crossroads Center Way in Falls Church, the 2007 PRS Mount Vernon Employer of the Year. PRS Employment Services Specialists have worked with Mr. Glover at this Safeway location and at the Olde Towne and Belleview location for eight years and he has assisted us in finding employment for several clients at both locations as Courtesy Clerks, Deli Clerks and Stock People. PRS is a community-based nonprofit organization that provides training and support to men and women with psychiatric disabilities so that they may live independently in the community. Additional information about PRS can be found at www.prsinc.org. ď ľ The Business News & Notes section is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@ fallschurchchamber.org

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 17

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The Future of Cars – Part 2 by Tom Whipple

Falls Church News-Press

Within the next ten years the size, shape, efficiency, fuel and numbers of private automobiles is going to undergo a radical change. The nine million gallons of gasoline we currently use in the U.S. each day simply will not be available in the quantities desired at any price. If a transition to a more abundant fuel source than gasoline and diesel does not take place on a widespread basis before the shortages begin, there will be troubles. It is virtually certain that at some point the government will have to impose rationing that will keep functions vital to our society such as food, water, utilities and public safety functioning. The rest of us are going to have to find alternative means of transportation. The solution to this problem is likely to be a much more diverse set of vehicles and modes of transportation than we have become accustomed to in the last 100 years of the automobile age. Despite their terribly low efficiency, the automobiles we now enjoy are incredibly flexible machines that can take us comfortably and inexpensively down the block or across the country in nearly all kinds of weather. In some forms the personal car could not only carry us, and a goodly number of friends or relatives, but also an incredible amount of stuff. As gasoline has nearly always been cheap and plentiful few gave a second thought to using a 4000 pound vehicle to transport a 150 pound person many miles to buy a pack of cigarettes at who-cares-how-few miles per gallon. Our options for personal transport in the nearer-thanwe-think future are going to be highly dependent on the timing of a number of situations currently developing. For example, if some manmade or natural catastrophe takes away a large portion of our gasoline supply overnight, there would, by definition, be no choice than to cut way back on driving, form car pools and use whatever public transit is available. While it may be a shock to our sensibilities and accustomed lifestyles, loading four to 15 people in a car, SUV or van can provide a lot

of passenger-miles for a fraction of the fuel we use today. It would take a lot of organization and an undreamed amount of inconvenience, but I suspect that gasoline consumption in the U.S. could be cut in half rather quickly if necessary. There are, of course, many uses for gasoline and diesel that would be much more difficult to reduce such as that used to deliver food, support utility maintenance and provide for public safety. When the troubles come, the burden of doing without will fall on our cars and light

‘‘ G

The main reason natural gas hasn’t caught on in the U.S. is that it needs to be stored under pressure in big bottles that take up a lot more space than gasoline for a given range. As long as gasoline was cheap, few were willing to give up a 300+ mile range for 150 miles and trouble finding a place to refuel. Unless you were a really dedicated tree-hugger who felt better driving a car with near zero emissions, then you weren’t about to go to the expense or hassle of owning one. So what are the prospects for a massive switch to natural gas vehicles? Given the option of natural gas with a few minor drawbacks, or walking, the answer to that is a no-brainer. Where do I buy one? Actually, you can, for Honda recently started selling the natural gas version of its Civic to the general public rather than just to fleets. Don’t run out and order one, however, until you fully understand the limits on the availability of natural gas and how you plan to use it. As the price of imported gasoline goes off the scale, there is no reason why American Industry can’t start cranking out large quantities of natural gas powered cars, kits to convert existing cars, and natural gas compressing pumps to create fuel either at home or filling stations. The big show stopper is whether we will have enough natural gas supply to heat our homes and water, make our fertilizer and generate enough electricity for our air conditioners, much less power some fraction of our 230 million cars. The answer is a resounding NO! U.S. natural gas production has been flat for years and the only way we can keep it that way is by drilling more and more gas wells each year. Our friends in Canada just announced that their natural gas production, read exports to the U.S., is about to start declining. While it sounds like a great idea, we are not going to have enough natural gas and can clearly find better uses for that which remains.

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asoline consumption in the U.S. could be cut in half rather quickly if necessary.

”

trucks. Other scenarios would have our gasoline supply gradually slipping away over a period of years or simply becoming too expensive to allow virtually unlimited use of cars as we do today. If this is the way things turn out, then there will be a race for new power sources and probably shapes for personal cars. For the foreseeable future, the only alternative sources of power for private cars are electricity and compressed natural gas. There are other candidates to power vehicles, such as hydrogen, compressed air and solar panels and there is no reason why one or more of these might not become viable someday. However, given the current technology, it is likely to be decades before they could come into widespread use. Our remaining candidates require little in the way of technological improvements. Except for buses, natural gas vehicles are virtually unknown in the U.S. although there are about 7 million of them in operation worldwide. In some South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Iran and Pakistan, the natural gas powered vehicles make up about 25 percent of the cars on the road. Tehran which must import nearly half of its gasoline recently declared that from here on out cars are to be powered by natural gas in order to reduce reliance on imported gasoline. Sounds sort of familiar, doesn’t it?

 Tom Whipple is a retired government analyst and has been following the peak oil issue for several years.

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Wolf Will Wow Ya In the brief time that able — he actually enjoys it. the revamped “American “When a bull gets a hold Gladiators” has been on the air, of you and starts hooking you Don “Hollywood” Yates, better around the arena, that’s when you known by his gladiatorial name know you’re in there,” he says. of Wolf, has established himself It’s at this point in the interas a fan favorite, perhaps even the view that I feel confident that face of the show. With a mane I can write the following: Don of scraggly, possibly feathered “Hollywood” Yates is cut from hair, a blood curdling howl, an a different cloth than most. Most arsenal of smack-rich one-liners people, even thrill seekers, would — all his own creations — and be content to get the feeling of a ferocious approach to the com- being “in there” without the bull petition, Hollywood’s character being in them. Such was the case of Wolf has inspired fear from when Hollywood was gored in contestants and awe from audi- 2006, the bull impaling him nineences. Here’s the thing though: inches deep on one horn. Still, Hollywood and Wolf — they’re six months later, Hollywood one in the same. was back in the “Really, the bull fighting ring. character is me,” Picking Splinters A few months after says Hollywood, that he was training By who got the Wolf to be an American Mike Hume nickname from his Gladiator. wife because of his So yeah, fear, facial similarities with one of the not so much. I’m not sure couples’ five dogs, a wolf/husky the same should be said for mix. “I always let out a guttural “Gladiator” contestants going up yell when I’m competing, I just against Wolf however. refined it to a howl.” “I’m not trying to break their Hollywood’s imposing per- backs or kill them,” he says. sonality left its mark on the show “But I am trying to hurt them. even before the cameras started “When I wrap my legs around rolling. After being recruited them [on the rings in Hang for “Gladiators” while walking Tough] and they know they can’t around a Mr. and Ms. Olympia get away, I look into their eyes show in Las Vegas, Hollywood and just watch their soul leave made quite the impression at his them. That’s pretty enjoyable.” interview. Hollywood didn’t always “I kind of kicked in the door, occupy the role of the bully. In jumped in the room and let out a fact, as a freshman in high school yell,” he recalls. “Three people he had barely cracked five feet either ducked or tried to run out in height, making him a choice of the room.” target for abuse. That came to an Prior to signing on with end the following year. “Gladiators,” Hollywood “Sophomore year I stepped enjoyed a stint as a wrestler up,” Hollywood says. “I threw with the WWE. He also worked a few guys into lockers, a few the rodeo circuit, where he guys into cars. I made it clear spent 20-plus years of his life. that if you messed with me, There he competed as a bull you’re going to limp home, or fighter, a sport created to dem- not get home at all.” onstrate that rodeo clowns — By the time he was 23, of which Hollywood was one Hollywood shot up to 6-foot— were more than “idiots run- 4. But even after he packed ning around the ring and tell- on pounds to reach his current ings jokes,” as he puts it. “[Bull weight of 225, some people still fighting] is basically a 20-sec- haven’t gotten the memo that ond game of tag between rodeo Wolf is not one to be trifled clowns and the bull,” he elabo- with. Take the example of one rates. “The closer you could get pompous contestant from the without getting hit, the more show’s first season. points you would get.” “I don’t mind contestants comIf you’re already questioning ing in cocky, but one guy was just the sanity of anyone willing to a jerk to everyone, even the wardplay “tag” with a one-ton ani- robe people,” Hollywood says. mal, consider how Hollywood “When you’re walking around would finish his fights with the the lot thinking you’re Brad Pitt, bulls: “I would end my routine that’s not right. So I took it upon by running straight at the bull, myself to do everything in my and at the last second, I’d hurdle power to hurt him.” him. I’d jump him head to tail.” By the end of the compeI’ll pause now to allow you to tition, the arrogant contestant recover your jaw from the floor. left with a bloodied shoulder, It’s fairly safe to say that several bumps and bruises, and “fear” is not a popular word in even cried on camera. Hollywood’s vocabulary. Rather “That was very satisfying,” than viewing his bull fights as a Hollywood says. good opportunity to die — a possibility he acknowledges  Mike Hume may be emailed and with which he is comfort- at mhume@fcnp.com.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Stuart-FCHS Split Rivarly Doubleheader Tuesday Last-Second Shot Lifts Lady Jags By Mike Hume

Falls Church News-Press

It may have taken a few tries, but on their final possession, the Lady Jaguars got the hoop and the win, 38-37, over the rival Raiders on a three-point shot from senior guard Almarys Ortiz with 13 seconds remaining. J.E.B. Stuart, which led for most of the contest, held a two-point lead with less than a minute to play, but couldn’t pull down a crucial rebound in crunch time. Time and again Falls Church fired off an errant shot, only to grab the loose ball and launch another until Ortiz finally connected from the top of the key. Madeline Ahlborn and Jayme Harris both scored 13 points to pace the Raiders, while Alison Gibbons scored 11 for Falls Church. Ortiz led her team with 13, though none bigger than her final three. The hard-fought girls game served as a precursor for the boys varsity clash that followed. Through the first half, it appeared as though the boys game had all the earmarks of another last-second shootout. For Falls Church, winless to date this season, it may have

FCHS player Claudia Valdivieso fights for a rebound late in Tuesday’s game against Stuart High. (Photo: News-Press) been the most complete first half of the season. The Jaguars hustled for loose balls, scrapped for rebounds and converted tough, contested layups under the hoop. The effort was typified by the Jaguars’ Evan Hansen. Hansen routinely battled Stuart’s taller and lankier post players, Raymond Watson and Mahamed Ibrahim, for rebounds and turned them into points, finishing with eight on the night. However, the

first half fire was extinguished by Stuart in the second half. Trailing 22-20 after the first 16 minutes, the Raiders exploded in the third quarter behind Watson, who proved unstoppable offensively. Stuart pulled away, holding Falls Church to just four points in the quarter and 10 in the entire second half to post a 53-32 victory. Watson’s 24 points powered the Raiders’ offense, with Ibrahim adding eight.

Mason Boys Swimmers Dominate Meet Last Saturday it was merely the same story, just a different chapter for the George Mason High School swim team. The boys dominated the competition at the Region B meet held at Strasburg High, taking their second straight regional title, while the girls came a mere .26 seconds away from capturing their own championship. With the top two finishers in each event moving on to the state tournament next weekend, the boys completed every event with a Mustang placing either first or second, a testament to the incredible depth of the squad. As they have done all season, the boys’ 200-yard medley relay team, comprised of seniors Jeff Williams, Kyle Nette and Andrew Breen, as well as sophomore Sam Parker, kicked off the meet with a victory. Parker took first in the 200yard individual medley and second in the 100-yard breaststroke, while Williams finished first in

the 100-yard freestyle and third in the 100-yard backstroke. Nette additionally took first in the 100-yard butterfly, while freshman Will Doty finished second in the same event, as well as in the 100-yard backstroke. Doty, Williams, Nette and junior Carlos Clark completed the meet with a victory in the last event, the 400-yard freestyle. Clark will be heading to states in two events, the 500yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle, finishing first and second, respectively. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Breen, Clark, Nette and freshman Sam Butler finished just a mere .57 seconds behind Clarke County, but will move on to the state meet at George Mason University nonetheless. Rounding out the individual winners on the boys’ side was Butler in the 50-yard freestyle, who finished with Breen .7 seconds behind. Mason finished with 167 total points for their

efforts in the events, 30 points ahead of the nearest competitor. The Lady Mustangs were tied with Clarke going into the 400 yard freestyle relay, and a strong start by the Eagles saw Mason behind early going into the final leg. However, freshman Kelley Frank swam an incredible 100 yards, making up the difference, only to be out-touched by Cammie Genda of Clarke, who took the victory in the event and with it, the Region B title. Frank, who finished fourth in the state meet last year, rides into the February 8 match with a plethora of victories under her swim cap, as she finished first in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 500-yard freestyle, winning by 13 and 55 seconds, respectively. In addition, Frank served as the anchor leg for the 200-yard medley relay team of seniors Jourdan Frankovich and Krisie Continued on Page 25

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Winter Sports Briefs

Falls Church Gets First ‘W’ After Washington-Lee Forfeits Washington-Lee Forfeits Three Victories After discovering the team was using an ineligible player, the Washington-Lee boys’ varsity basketball team was forced to forfeit all three of their wins this season, as confirmed by Coach Bobby Dobson. The student, a senior transfer, was in violation of a Virginia High School League rule that requires a student to have guardianship in his or her residence. The rulebook states a “student shall not have enrolled in one high school and subsequently transferred to and enrolled in another high school without a corresponding change in the residence of his/her parents, parent or guardian.” The student in violation began the year at Falls Church High School. When he turned 18, he moved into his aunt’s house in the Washington-Lee school district. Dobson noted that the move was spurred due to a “hardship with his family,” according to an article in the Washington Post. Because of this violation, the Generals’ wins over Jefferson, H.D. Woodson, and Falls Church will be forfeited; however, Dobson has already begun an appeal process with the Virginia High School League. The forfeit gives the Falls Church High School Jaguars their first win of the season. To this point, the Jags had sported a record of 0-16. Marshall Boys Varsity Basketball On Friday, Jan. 25, the George C. Marshall Statesmen boys varsity basketball team stayed competitive for a half, but collapsed down the stretch against the James Madison Warhawks, losing 57-41 at Madison High School. Senior Nate Whittington scored four baskets, including two threepointers, and added three foul shots for a total of 13 points. However, the Statesmen could not compete with the depth and balance of the Warhawks. Despite trailing 26-22 at the half, the Warhawks came out firing in the second half, and had two scorers in double-digits by the end of the game. The Statesmen were looking for a chance for their second conference win on Tuesday

night, but fared no better against W.T. Woodson, falling 69-50. Senior guard Scott Bugby, one of two Statesmen in double figures, led the team with 16 points, while Bryan Whittington added 12. The losses dropped Marshall’s season record to 5-12, with a 1-8 district record. The Statesmen take to the road Friday, Feb. 1 to face Thomas Jefferson High School. They’ll return home on Monday, Feb. 4 to battle Stone Bridge, the lone district team Marshall has beaten to date. Marshall Girls Varsity Basketball The Marshall girls varsity team faced a tall order on Friday, Jan. 25, as they found themselves matched up against the 12th ranked Madison Warhawks at home. This game pitted two teams with virtually opposite seasons against each other; the Warhawks boasted a 14-1 (7-0) record entering the game, while the Lady Statesmen were looking to bolster their 4-10 record with their first conference win of the year. However, it was not to be, as the Madison Warhawks soundly beat Marshall, 63-28. Despite two three-pointers each from sophomores Theresa Hackett and Carlie Zirkle, the Lady Statesmen found themselves overwhelmed by the offensive prowess of Madison. Eight different girls scored for Madison, with senior Marygrace Jay leading the way with 20 points, while only six Statesmen found themselves on the stat sheet, none scoring in double digits. Marshall’s lack of offense was again its undoing on Tuesday night, when the Lady Statesmen dropped a 59-36 decision to W.T. Woodson. Zirkle and Hackett again led the team with seven points apiece. Marshall, whose record now stands at 4-12 overall and 0-9 in the Liberty district, host Thomas Jefferson on Friday, Feb. 1 before traveling to face Stone Bridge on Monday, Feb. 4. McLean Boys Varsity Basketball The McLean boys varsity team found itself on the road Friday night against a tough Langley team and ultimately could not overcome their Liberty Conference rivals, losing 60-49.

Langley, whose only two losses this season have both come in-conference, was looking to avenge a 50-48 loss to McLean from earlier this season, and did so primarily thanks to the hot shooting of senior guard Ryan Davenport, who drained four three-pointers on his way to a 24-point scoring outburst. The Highlanders had no answer for Davenport’s stroke all night, despite an equally impressive performance from senior guard/forward Tarek Ammoury, who scored 22. Despite relatively even three-point shooting from both teams — a 6-5 advantage for Langley — the Saxons found ways to penetrate McLean’s defense repeatedly, with three scorers in double digits by the end of the game. The win moved Langley to 14-2 overall, 6-2 in the district. The Highlanders rebounded on Tuesday night with a 5341 win over Thomas Jefferson. Ammoury again led the way, posting 21 points, including a 10 of 12 performance from the foul line. Junior guard Peter Brosnan also finished in double digits with 11 points. The weekly split moved McLean’s record to 10-7 overall, with a 5-4 record in Liberty play. A pair of tough games await, as the Highlanders square off against W.T. Woodson at home this Friday, Feb. 1 then travel to take on Madison on Tuesday, Feb. 5. McLean fell to both teams in their first meetings this

MCLEAN HIGH SCHOOL junior Caitlin Flint sprints upcourtduring action earlier this season for the Highlanders. McLean split a pair of games aganst Langley and Thomas Jefferson this week. (Photo: Courtesy Heromoment.com) season. McLean Girls Varsity Basketball A pair of free throws by McLean’s Becca Altmeyer sent the Highlanders’ Tuesday night game against Thomas Jefferson to overtime, where McLean would eke out a two-point victory by a final margin of 4038. Jessica Stillman finished with seven points, all in the final quarter and overtime to contribute in the clutch. The Highlanders (11-5 overall, 6-3 in the Liberty District) were led by eight points from freshman guard Andie Romness, while Altmeyer finished with seven points. The win erased some of the bitterness stemming from Friday’s loss to rival Langley,

43-37. Langley featured three girls in double figures, while McLean’s only double-digit scorer was Romness. Trinity Player Nets 1,000th Point Trinity at Meadow View boys varsity basketball player junior John Mysliewiec scored the 1,000th point of his high school career against Hearts Home Schooled team. John is the first Trinity player to reach this milestone. Under the coaching of Ron Kerstetter, Trinity went on to beat Hearts 76-28 and John had scored 24 points by halftime. Both the Trinity Boys team and the Trinity Girls team remain undefeated in their conference. — Bryan Toporek

GMHS Wrestlers Find Individual Success Falls Church City’s George Mason High faces an annual dilemma as a member of the Bull Run District — geography. Mason’s closest District opponent is over 30 miles away and the farthest, Madison County, requires a trip of two hours by school bus. Over the course of the past several years, it was not uncommon to spend more time in the bus than on the mat competing, so to address this issue the District decided that this year they would eliminate the familiar Wednesday night District Dual and try a District Dual

Saturday. And so it was, that this past Saturday the Mason Mustangs found themselves at Strasburg High, where they would wrestle all five District foes during the course of the day. Team-wise they did not fare too well, but for five of the Mustang wrestlers it was a pretty good day. Steve Parks (189 lbs.), Barratt Kennett (171 lbs.) and David Ray (140 lbs.) each went undefeated, which means they will get the top seed in their weight class at the District tournament. Jake Schwind went 4-1, which will give him second seed at 152 lbs. and Tim

Hillegass went 3-2, which will place him in the No. 3 seed at 145 lbs. Those who place in the top four at the District Tournament, which takes place at Strasburg on Saturday, Feb. 16, will advance to the Region B tournament, so claiming a favorable seed can go a long way toward success. Mason wrestles at home this coming Saturday, Feb. 2 in what is their final regular season competition. Five teams will be participating in a dual meet format. There will be five rounds of matches starting at 10 a.m., with the final round at 4 p.m.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 21

Northern Virginia Skaters Advance To International Championships By Lois Elfman

Special to the News-Press

A couple of content skaters from Northern Virginia got right back to work this week after returning from the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota. Senior ladies bronze medalist Ashley Wagner of Alexandria is soon off to the International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Championships in Goyang City, Korea, which starts on Feb. 11, and then to the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, starting March 17. Thanks to the age requirements for ISU championships, Wagner, 16, will be the topranked U.S. woman at the two competitions. New U.S. ladies champion Mirai Nagasu, silver medalist Rachael Flatt and pewter medalist Caroline Zhang are all ineligible to compete. Instead, they’re headed to the World Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, where they will be joined by Tommy Steenberg of Annandale, who was named to the team after a strong ninth-place finish in the senior men’s competition. “I’ve been wanting to go to Junior Worlds for a few years

now. I’ve been an alternate. To get it this year, my last year of being age eligible, is really exciting for me,” says Steenberg, 19. In U.S. competition, the junior and senior ranks are differentiated by ability level, but internationally it is based on age. “I’m going with this great team to Junior Worlds.” Between now and when he goes to Bulgaria (the championships start on Feb. 25), he will rechoreograph his short program, as the required elements are completely different. The free skate will require less reworking, but he will drop one spin combination because the junior program length is 30 seconds shorter. This was Steenberg’s third year in the senior men’s division at the U.S. Championships, and he felt real progress in his skating. “I broke into the middle this year, being ninth out of 18, and my points were pretty close to a couple of guys ahead of me,” he says. “I feel, give me another year with even more determination. This was definitely a motivating experience. It reconfirmed to me my potential and what I can really do. “In comparing myself to the

Mason Girls Gear Up for Clarke Co. By Alex Prewitt

Falls Church News-Press

Returning from a four-day weekend due to exams, the George Mason High School varsity girls’ basketball team had little rust to shake off, dispatching Potomac Falls in a non-district contest Monday night, 55-42. Using a swarming defense — the Mustangs recorded 17 steals — coupled with a strong start to the second half, Mason improved to 11-6 on their campaign. Downing the AA Panthers served as ample warm-up for the Mustangs with an upcoming home showdown Friday against defending state champion Clarke County, a match that promises to be the biggest home date of the Mustangs’ season. Against Potomac, sophomore Nicole Mitchell led the squad offensively, tallying 13 points and three steals. Seniors Olivia Scott and Bailey Walton each chipped in eight points, while Walton led

other guys, I think next year I can take it to a whole other level,” he adds. “I made it to the middle group this year and I can make it into the top group very soon as long as I keep my head on straight and work hard. “I felt like I attacked really well. I was pretty calm. I felt I had prepared myself well for this event and I was ready to go for everything with no regrets.” Evan Lysacek, 22, originally from Naperville, Ill. and now living in Los Angeles, successfully defended the senior men’s title by the narrowest of margins over threetime U.S. Men’s Champion Johnny Weir, 23. They actually finished the competition tied at 244.77 points — virtually unheard of under the international judging system — and Lysacek’s win in the free skate got him the gold. “I don’t even know how that happened,” Steenberg says. “To go all the way down to a hundredth of a point, that is really weird. For it to be a National Championship, and it’s not like it’s between two lower placements. It was one and two. The chances of that are freaky.

the perimeter shooting assault, tacking on two from beyond the arc. Entering the break with a mere fourpoint lead, Mason finished the third quarter with a 14 point edge, securing the victory. According to Mustang coach Bill Broderick, all 10 players who suited up for the squad contributed to the win. Senior Rachel Kazman directed the offense, tacking on six assists to go along with three points. Junior Kim Kenny and senior Annie Zweighaft each chipped in seven points, with Kenny controlling the paint, adding seven rebounds and three steals. Zweighaft continued the defensive prowess she has established throughout the season, adding four steals. Sophomore Chantal Thomas and junior Abby Stroup rounded out the scorers for Mason, adding five and four points respectively. This Wednesday, the Mustangs traveled to Rappahannock County High School to take on the Panthers in a Bull Run District match-up. Results of the game were not available at press time. However, all roads point to Friday’s home date with Clarke County (12-4, 51), who currently stands alone in second place in the district. Should they down the Eagles, Mason would move into a tie for second place in the district. With a February 6 date at undefeated Strasburg looming as well, the Mustangs hope to make some noise in the district tournament beginning later

ASHLEY WAGNER. (Photo: J. Barry Mittan) “I think everyone did a good job. It seemed like the general consensus for the entire men’s event was that everyone skated pretty solid for the short

and the long programs. In the long program, a lot of people put out good performances. A lot of people got off the ice relieved or happy.”

Mason Boys Slam Strasburg, Showdown Mountaineers Next By Mike Hume

Falls Church News-Press

The George Mason High School boys continue to keep ticking despite licking their many wounds this season. Most recently the Mustangs lost two players to academic ineligibility — school policy demands that all players pass five core classes to remain eligible — and may yet lose another. Couple that with three players lost for the season due to injuries and the team has been forced to buoy its roster with additions from the junior varsity team. And yet the Mustangs have battled on, narrowly losing on the road to Manassas Park on Jan. 25, 52-50, and smashing Strasburg by a score of 61-45 on Tuesday night. “Joel Chandler had 15 points and really sparked us,” Mason High Head Coach Chris Capannola said. “Josh Brew found his shot too, and Jake Johnson was solid running the point.” Capannola also applauded sophomore Mike Wolfe in his varsity debut.

“He scored, dished and defended like a veteran.” As he has done so often this season, Joel Chandler led the Mustangs in scoring, this time racking up 18 points, including nine on first-half three pointers. Mason hit eight shots from behind the arc in the game, a season high in that category. The long range attack helped Mason build a 35-18 lead at halftime and cruise to victory from there. “The game was close until we hit three-pointers on four straight possessions,” Capannola said. “It was 18-16 us, and the next thing you know it’s 30-18. The win against Strasburg gives Mason a mark of 7-11 overall and 4-2 in the Bull Run District, adding to the importance of Thursday’s home game against Madison County, who currently stands at 3-1 in the district. The Mountaineers defeated the Mustangs earlier this season at Madison County. “If we shoot anywhere near like we did [on Tuesday], we will be tough to beat on our floor,” Capannola said.

Page 22

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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Page 23

Festivities, Tradition Mark Celebration of Chinese New Year Continued from Page 8

about Asian culture,” says Mindy Ge, president of the Asian Community Service Center and event organizer. “We want to introduce our 5,000-year essence to American society. More and more people want to learn more about the Chinese. Our first step is this festival.” Local Northern Virginia artists from Cambodia, China, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries will demonstrate their traditions and customs for people of all ages. “We can translate people’s names into Chinese,” says Tang. “We will be teaching many things like how to speak and write Chinese, how to fold paper lotus flowers and how Chinese culture has respect for parents, each other and heaven.” Tang says all of the children attending the February 2 festival will receive little red envelopes of “lucky money,” which tradition attests will bring good luck. There will be door prize drawings, dances and shows throughout the day. Local politicians planning to attend include Fairfax County Chairman Gerry Connolly, state Senator Janet Howell, Delegate Dave Marsden and Delegate Kenneth Plum. They will be addressing the crowd in the auditorium at 1 p.m. “This is a great opportunity to remind the broader community of the importance of the Chinese community,” says Chairman Connolly. “I look

forward to this celebration every year.” “Asian Americans have a significant influence in our community,” says Delegate Plum. “They contribute to our economy, our culture and our wonderful quality of life. I am pleased to join in the New Year Festival celebration.” Also, attending the New Year celebration will be Siaoyan Zhang, a new Virginia resident. “I came to the United States three months ago from China,” says Zhang. “My family of four will attend the festival.” She says that she is married to an American and that the festival reminds her of celebrations in her homeland. “We invite everyone as our guest,” says Tang, event organizer. “Just as in China, we all open our doors and welcome and visit each other.” She says that it is important to pass on this custom to the next generation. Alan Frank, senior vicepresident of the Eden Center, also extends an invitation to the public to celebrate Chinese New Year on Saturday. “The whole center is decorated with New Year’s decorations. The restaurants are planning special New Year’s dishes and we have the best Lion Dance in town,” says Frank. Both the February 2 and February 9 New Year celebrations are free to the public, but there will be a charge for food. For more information go to www.chinesenewyearfestival. org.

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Catherine Day: ‘The Fabric of Memory’ Through Feb. 8, in the Waddell Art Gallery (Waddell Building) at Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus (1000 Harry Flood Byrd Hwy. (Rt. 7), Sterling, Va.). Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. For further information, call 703-450-2627, or see www.nvcc.edu/Loudon/ ArtGallery. McLean art photographer Catherine Day rarely shows in this area, but has run through area art galleries like Sherman en route to Atlanta since her show with the McLean Project for the Arts last July ... and with good reason. We may not be New York, but we know cool art when we see it. It’s good work that has taken an innovative twist of late, and vaulted her into that heady, elusive and much-coveted territory known as “edgy.” You work your whole life in relative obscurity, turn a corner and find a party just for you in full swing. It’s wacky the way this all works sometimes. Mind you, Day has laid a broad spectrum base in drawing, painting, sculpture and pottery before she ever took off as a photographer. It’s a classic example of a notion I talk about frequently. Whether it’s architecture, design, drawing, painting or photography, it all basically comes from the same place. Cross pollination only makes you stronger. The current show at NVCC features many pieces from the MPA show reviewed here on July 12. We’ll concentrate on the new work this time. The July 12 review can still be read online in the News-Press archives. (Ed. Note: Use the search feature in the top right and type in “Catherine Day.”) Day began her foray into digital printing on fabric with a traditionalist’s adherence to black and white imagery. Working off old, unprinted work she shot at grave yards, the work focused mainly on grave markers and the stuff left around them. There are a few new black and white images here, most notably the four part series titled “Ewell’s Funeral.” Here we see a decidedly cinematic series of

January 31 - February 6, 2008

lower legs standing in a cemetery. It’s exactly the sort of snippet assemblage that makes up what we refer to as memory. It’s all highly personal, not always obviously relevant, but it all goes into the mix and, put together, makes up a memory of one particular event. This one feels like a child’s eye view of something they don’t quite understand and is mashing it together to try and make sense of things going on around them. The blurry presentation comes via the multi-layered diaphanous fabric printing and certainly adds enormously to this image, and its sense of confusion. The main departure of late is a wholly unexpected turn towards color in Day’s work. Here we find a series of fairly large-scale portraits printed from a 1940s photo of her mother in her youth. It’s a fairly innocuous, even generic photo. It has a certain unidentifiable timelessness to it that could pass for most of the 20th century. At least in its original state. Here, Day has taken her mother’s image and presented it repeatedly, utilizing different fabrics and printing techniques, thus imbuing each image with a unique spin all it’s own. It’s a perfect display of the notion that we each see the world through our own unique filter. Looking at exactly the same person, we all see something different in the person before us. “Carolyn, blue, yellow” is printed with an alternating blue and yellow dot pattern within the image. It has a Pop Art feel to it that seems to reference both John Baldessari and Roy Lichtenstein without aping either one. This is awfully difficult territory to traverse without falling into either of those sand traps. “Carolyn, sky blue” offers a blue-toned image of her mother with a screen of what seems to be a night sky full of stars. The sense of limitless, youthful opportunity and boundless zest for life overwhelms this image. You can’t help but be uplifted by it. “Carolyn, dusty rose” shows her mother in a deep red tone inlayed with a damask-like pink rose-patterned fabric. Here we feel the terrible weight of tradition and stereotypical sexual roles and expectations. Combined

‘Carolyn, dusty rose’ photo printed on multi-layered fabric, by Catherine Day. Part of her solo show titled ‘The Fabric of Memory’ at NVCC Loudoun Campus, through Feb. 8. with the youthful smile of her mother’s visage, we have a sense of how tradition tends to beat the youthful vigor out of us as we go through life. Where blue sky seems boundless, this one seems heavily weighted and more fated that hopeful. The series is comprised of seven images, but in some ways “Carolyn, pink roses” is the best. Here the pink rose fabric pattern and overall deep red coloration is fairly irrelevant. More than anything, what stands out here is the three-dimension effect that the multi-layered printing has given the image. Here, we see not a two-dimensional image like every last photograph ever printed has, but rather a threedimensional portrait that has form and shape. That actually moves as your relationship to the various layers changes. This is so hard to do it’s almost impossible to accomplish without special viewers or filtered 3-D glasses. This sort of threedimensional effect is really the rarest of rare in straightforward imagery. We’re absolutely awash in a daily flood of photography. To the point that we ignore photography’s short comings and take its two-dimensional presentation as three dimensions since we know that the objects portrayed are in fact three dimensional. The last time I saw a portrait

that had this sort of life was a painting at the Frick Museum by Rembrandt. It was so real it absolutely blew photography out of the water. Done with layers of paint and glazing, it’s a more traditional notion of what Day is up to here. We give this one two thumbs up, and can’t wait to see where the next six months take her work. Bravo! Falls Church Art Assault On Dupont Circle “Wise Guys.” Through March 28 at Georgetown Optician Gallery, Dupont Circle (1710 Connecticut Ave. NW, D.C.). Gallery Hours : Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Opening Reception is part of the Dupont Circle Galleries First Friday Art Walk, Friday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. For more information, call 202-939-1444. This show marks the return of the old Irvine Contemporary gallery space to its artistic past. The main optical shop show room, the examination room and the back room will be all art, and nothing but art. This nearly-all-Falls-Church art show features the photographic work of Shaun van Steyn, the Neo-Geo abstract paintings of Donna Byrne, watercolor paintings by Bill Able and Conté figure drawings by myself, Kevin Mellema. Also shown will be

a large crushed egg shell piece from Gallerie Brigitte of Reston. Around the corner and down the block you’ll find the oil and mixed media abstract paintings of Joyce McCarten through February 23 at Studio Gallery (2108 R St. NW, D.C.). Gallery Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 1 - 7 p.m., Friday 1 - 8 p.m., Saturday 1- 6 p.m. Galleries of Dupont Circle First Friday Art Walk Friday, Feb. 1, from 6 - 8 p.m., as well as an Artist Reception Saturday, Feb. 9 from 5 - 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.studiogallerydc.com. First Friday in Falls Church Falls Church Arts opens its year long series of shows and performances titles “da Vinci Passport” at Art and Frame (111 Park Ave., Falls Church). The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 1 from 6 - 8 p.m. This show runs through March 22. Normal gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For further information, call 703-534-4202, or see www. FallsChurchArts.org.  The Northern Virginia Art Beat is compiled by Kevin Mellema. See www.fcnp.com for photos and more. To e-mail submissions, send them to mulsane@aol.com.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 25

Self Sets Dive Record In Final Marshall Meet BY ALEX PREWITT

Amanda Crider took second and third, respectively, in the 200yard IM, while junior Lauren Hahm and freshman Amanda Campbell placed second and third in the 50-yard freestyle, respectively. The lone bright spot on the boys side came from Hynwoo Koo, who placed third in the 100-yard freestyle. In the district meet this past week, Self broke the Marshall school record point total of 399.80 in the dive competition. With the Statesmen’s season now over, Self will now look forward to entering college, where she will dive for Clemson next fall.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

In its last meet before the Liberty District competition, the George C. Marshall High School swim and dive team was defeated by Thomas Jefferson High. However, the girls scored a season high 101 points, and entered the district meet with high hopes. Against Jefferson, senior Cassie Self placed first in the dive competition, while freshman Leah Noordhuizen took first in both the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke. Juniors Lexie Jones and

Mason Girls Just Shy Of District Swim Title relay team. Although they finished 10 points behind Clarke, Mason saw their female swimmers place first or second in all but three events as well. In two of those three events, a Mustang took third. The team will take the quick journey to Manassas to swim at George Mason University’s pool next Friday and Saturday. In a meet comprised primarily of AA high schools, the Mustangs are looking to surprise and make a name for themselves.

Continued from Page 20

Southern, as well as sophomore Karen Hamill. Aside from Frank, Frankovich was the only other female individual winner, besting the nearest competitor in the 200-yard freestyle by 14 seconds. Southern and Hamill each finished second in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke, respectively. Southern, Gorhandas, Frankovich and Hamill joined to make up the winning 200-yard freestyle

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Students’ Bill Heads to Virginia Senate Over 500 senior government students at Centreville High School of Fairfax County experienced the lawmaking process as participants rather than bystanders. Students have written bills related to problems or issues in Virginia as part of their government classes. Students in 18 government classes worked in pairs to create bills on topics such as establishing scholarship programs, ending smoking in public buildings, prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, requiring mandatory drug testing for steroids in any high school sport in which participants are eligible to compete for a state title, requiring homes and businesses to recycle and requiring citizens over 70 years old to take vision and driving tests each time they renew their driver’s licenses. As a result of the students debating the bills, producing speeches and commercials to support them and campaigning for them, one bill, SJ 119, has been selected to be introduced to the Virginia State Senate by Sen. George Barker of the 39th District. The bill proposes to install reflective strips on all posted signs in busy traffic areas or in areas in which a large number of traffic accidents have occurred. Students will be called to testify on the bill before the committee and will follow the bill as it goes through the legislative process, while lobbying senators and General Assembly members to support the bill. The winning bill was created in response to the steadily increasing number of car crashes in the state and was supported by student research that showed crashes more than doubling in a nine year period. Of those, a large number resulted from drivers running through traffic control, failing to yield and speeding or turning improperly. Students suggest that the Virginia Highway Safety Corridors program, funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation, undertake the project. Diversity Through Dance Students at Gunston Elementary will be putting on their dancing shoes as part of their social studies curriculum. An appreciation of cultures and customs will be performed by the students at the Gunston’s Annual Dance Extravaganza on Friday, Feb. 1 beginning at

January 31 - February 6, 2008

8:40 a.m. In-school dance lessons will be given by teachers as part of a dance unit. Music teachers Randy Benton and Mary Ann Haffly and physical education teachers Brenda Knitter and Patrick Noel collaborated to dedicate a month of instruction to the dance unit, which involved students in grades K-6. Children in each grade level are exposed to international and social experiences that teach teamwork, rhythm, timing and cooperation skills.

ing equipment will be recovered and reused in other FCPS facilities or stored as spare parts for other older buildings. The lot on which the old school stood and the current parking lot will be converted into athletic fields for school and community use once the old school has been demolished. The new school was completed eight months ahead of schedule.

Students Write ‘Books of Hope’

Former Miss Virginia Adrienna Sgarlata, who serves as the Virginia director of Bully Police USA, presented a program titled Behaving Respectfully and Valuing Others (BRAVO) at Parklawn Elementary on Wednesday. Sgarlata spoke on the four rules of the Olweus Anti-Bullying program and shared some personal stories and examples with Parklawn students, who heard presentations tailored for their age group.

Books of Hope, a service learning project for elementary and secondary school students, plans to pair up with Key Middle in early February. Students will write, illustrate and design their own books to be sent to students in Uganda. Books of Hope was founded three years ago to provide help and hope to children who lost their homes in Uganda over the past decade. One of the goals of the project is to help Ugandan children, who are now returning home, to learn to read and write English. Pledge on WMZQ-FM Tune into WMZQ-FM radio during late January and early February to hear local youngsters recite the Pledge of Allegiance. First, second, and third grade students from Fox Mill Elementary have been chosen to grace the studios with hands covering their hearts. The student’s recitations were recorded for use on the station following the 6:55 a.m. newscast.

Queen Wants More Than World Peace

Student Production Wins 3rd at Festival George C. Marshall High hosted the 2008 Liberty District one act play competition and won third place. Eight area high schools joined the competition for the “Theater Festival.” GCM performed “Everything in Essence,” written by GCM student-authors Natalie Butz and Aeneas Hemphill, and directed by students Anna Dausmen and Bernardo Guzman, for the first time during the night of

Fox mill elementary second grade students from a Japanese Immersion class, taught by Lear Sensei and Mrs. McCarthy, recite the pledge of allegiance, which was recorded for use on WMZQ-FM radio to be used following the 6:55 a.m. newscast. (Photo: Linda Roberts) the festival. All other plays performed in the festival were from professional theater scripts. Notably, two of the four judges put Marshall’s “Everything in Essence” at first place. Actual first place was awarded to Stone Bridge, while Madison took second. Higher Horizons Starts New Learning Program Higher Horizons Daycare Center of Falls Church are using two folk tales, “The Farmer’s Wife” and “The Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water,” that have been popular with little ones for centuries in Afghanistan as part of an innovative new program to teach literacy and thinking skills to disadvantaged children. Established in 1963, Higher Horizons serves 224 children from the lowest-income families of very diverse backgrounds in the Bailey’s Crossroads and Falls Church communities of Fairfax

County. Both folk tales, written by the Afghan author Idries Shah, are based on traditional Afghan stories that have been favorites for centuries throughout Central Asia and the Middle East and have been extremely well-received in the U.S. since their publication in 1998 by California based Hoopoe Books. Twenty-three Higher Horizons teachers and aides will receive professional development training in the effective use of “The Farmer’s Wife” to develop reading and thinking skills, along with a curriculum guide of related activities for classroom use. 194 students will each receive a copy of the book, along with a bilingual audio CD of the story and a “Read Together” newsletter that models supportive parental behavior and family activities. The parents of many of the children attending Higher Horizons are immigrants, about half of them from Spanish-speaking countries.

Glasgow Becomes Energy Savvy A new Glasgow Middle School building, constructed with energy efficiency in mind, opened for the second semester of the 2007-08 school year. Designs include solar water heating for domestic hot water through roof-mounted solar panels, recycled steel and building tiles, automatic temperature controls with off-site central monitoring capabilities, low flow plumbing fixtures and more. The old Glasgow building will be taken apart and some of the building materials will be recycled. Computers, furniture, kitchen equipment, mechanical and electrical equipment, fire alarm devices, security system devices, cable TV and network-

‘Everything in Essence,’ the only play written and produced by George C. Marshall High School students was performed for the first time during the 2008 Liberty District Theatre Festival. The one act play, set in the time of 1915 Paris, won third place in the competition. (Photo: Keith Conway)

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 27

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cakes, cookies, pastries, tarts, and more for any occasion and uses only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Gluten-free desserts are also available daily. Come in and enjoy your pastry with a selection of fine coffees, espressos, teas, "Tea Service", "Lemonade Fruit Floats" and other beverages, gourmet fruit and cheese plates, homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches for either sit-down or take-out. We also have Gift Certificates and Catering menus available upon request.

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Hotel Development: How are Lodging Industry Decisions Made and What are the Prospects for Falls Church City in the Marketplace? The City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority Presents: Developers Forum Tuesday, February 5, 2008 6:30 p.m. WHO: Economics Research Associates (ERA), established in 1958, is a national consulting firm with offices in Washington, DC. ERA conducts research and analysis for real estate development and specializes in the lodging industry. WHAT: The City of Falls Church is the potential location of two new hotels. Both City Center and the 800 block of West Broad Street are proposed sites for popular hotel brands. The City has engaged ERA to provide a detailed examination of the local hotel market with a focus on the feasibility of a full-service hotel product. The consultants have examined the competitive hotel market for the area surrounding Falls Church to best inform their recommendations for hotel product positioning, size, amenities, event space and other opportunities. This will be an educational presentation by ERA that will include an overview of lodging industry practices and guidelines for site selection, market demand findings for Falls Church, and recommended market niches for the City. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. WHEN: Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 6:30 – 8 p.m. WHERE: Falls Church Community Center (Teen Center Room on the upper level).

The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703) 248-5491, (TTY 711).

Page 28

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 29

Davis to Retire, But Some Think Not for Good Continued from Page 4

Congress. He’s held the seat without a serious challenge ever since, succeeding in six re-election bids. With redistricting in 2002, the 11th District moved further into Fairfax County, where it encompasses almost the entire Mason District of Fairfax County, considered part of greater Falls Church. It is adjacent to, but not in, the City of Falls Church, among other areas. The Byrne-Connolly rivalry predates the formation of the 11th District, back to the days when they clashed as political heavyweights in the Mason District. They’ve consistently been on different sides of intraparty issues since. Connolly went on to win an election to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors from the Providence District prior to his first election as chairman of the County Board in 2002. Byrne went on to win an election to a term in the Virginia State Senate, and in 2006 won the Democratic nomination for Virginia Lieutenant Governor in a tough race against three challengers. She narrowly lost the general election. She and her husband Larry have continued to

live in the Sleepy Hollow section of greater Falls Church. As for Rep. Davis, two setbacks in rapid succession last fall contributed to his decision to retire. First was the defeat of his wife in her race for the State Senate and the second was the state GOP’s decision to effectively preclude his nomination to replace Sen. John Warner,

by opting for a nominating convention instead of an open primary. That move ensured that the state’s most conservative Republicans would dictate the party’s nominees. Moreover, the demographic shift that led to the defeat of his wife would have left Davis vulnerable to defeat in his next re-election bid, had he chosen

Kaine Touts Webb as Obama Running Mate Continued from Page 5

Among the factors, he said, the cost of the war in human terms and fiscally for the U.S. economy. “What we really need is firm diplomatic leadership,” he added. The issue of the military role of the U.S. in Iraq will become “a major presidential campaign issue,” he said, noting that Sen. John McCain has said that U.S. troops may remain there for 50 years. “But with the right leadership, we can eliminate our military in Iraq.” On the economy, he said the nation faces “a great risk on a wide variety of fronts.” He said that long-term trade

to run. But in his retirement announcement yesterday, Davis said he is “confident we will keep my seat in Republican hands.” “The time is right to take a sabbatical from public life,” he said in a statement. “I want to emphasize that I am not closing the door on future public ser-

policies with China have made the U.S. vulnerable. “They’re a strategic adversary and at the same time our banker,” he noted, saying he supports more investigation into foreign, so-called, “sovereign wealth funds.” Overall, he said, “After one year, I wish we were in a better place.” He decried the lack of bi-partisanship in the Senate, although he hailed the cooperation he’d experienced from fellow Virginia Senator John Warner. But the Republicans in the Senate adopted a “conscious strategy” not to allow significant legislation through Congress by filibustering. Since it takes 60 votes to end a filibuster, “Republicans have put their own welfare ahead of the welfare of the nation.” He said that the most filibusters in the history of Congress were 61 during a two-

vice, but after 29 years in office, winning 11 elections, I think it is time for a respite.” According to the Congressional Quarterly however, Davis “will be regarded as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012, when Democratic incumbent Jim Webb will be up for re-election.

year Congressional cycle, but this last one year alone, there were 62. Finally, Webb touted the formation of the Webb-McCaskill Commission on Wartime Contracting, an independent, bi-partisan body, which was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act by President Bush. “The Commission is modeled after the ‘Truman Committee’ which investigated defense contracts during World War II and was credited with saving $15 billion in 1943 taxpayer dollars,” he said. In a statement issued yesterday, he challenged Bush’s claim that the commission “would inhibit the President’s ability to execute his authority as commander in chief. “Those of us in Congress have an obligation to the American taxpayer to be proper stewards of their tax dollars,” Webb said.

      

    

        

  

    

       

 

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Swinging Mardi Gras!

Movie Review

‘Over Her Dead Body’

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Why is nobody utterly in awe of ghosts in “Over Her Dead Body” and so many other ghostcoms? Here is a supernatural manifestation from another realm, and everybody treats it as a plot device. The movie even drags in a Catholic priest, who seems bewilderingly ignorant of his church’s beliefs about ghosts (they don’t exist) and treats the situation as an opportunity for counseling. The setup: It’s the wedding day of Henry and Kate (Paul Rudd and Eva Longoria). She’s a Type A perfectionist

Kate ...........Eva Longoria Parker Henry.......................... Paul Rudd Ashley .......................... Lake Bell Chloe ................. Lindsay Sloane Sculptor ................ Stephen Root Dan......................... Jason Biggs

Father Marks.William Morgan Sheppard

New Line Cinema presents a film written and directed by Jeff Lowell.

who races manically around the reception venue, straightening place settings, adjusting decorations, and flying into a rage at the ice sculptor (Stephen Root) who has delivered an ice angel - without wings! She orders him

COMES

THE FUNNIEST ROMANTIC COMEDY OF THE YEAR! “Hilarious! Don’t miss this one!” James Thomas, ABC-TV, St. Louis

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Washington Sub.ISPress THE ‘SILENCE OF THE LAMBS’ “‘UNTRACEABLE’ EVA LONGORIA PARKER

PAUL RUDD

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ON EVA LONGORIA PARKER PAUL RUDD NEW LINE CINEMA AND GOLD CIRCLE FILMS PRESENT A SAFRAN COMPANYCASTIPRODUCTI NG MUSIC LI N DSAY SLOANE AND JASON BIGGS BY EYDE BELASCO, C.S.A. SUPERVISOR SARAH WEBSTER “OVER HER DEAD BODY”LAKE BELL MUSIC COCOSTUME EDITED PRODUCTION BY DAVID KITAY PRODUCERS JEFF LEVINE CHRISANN VERGES DESIGNER TRACY TYNAN BY MATTHEW FRIEDMAN DESIGNER CORY LORENZEN DIRECTOR OF WRITTEN AND PRODUCED EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN BAILEY, ASC PRODUCERS SCOTT NIEMEYER NORM WAITT BY PAUL BROOKS PETER SAFRAN DIRECTED BY JEFF LOWELL SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE

www.overherdeadbodymovie.com

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“Very cool...in the spirit of ‘SEVEN’and all the other great, creepy, intense movies.”

Produced by Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, Peter Safran and Norm Waitt. Photographed by John Bailey. Edited by Matt Friedman. Music by David Kitay. Running time: 95 minutes. Classified: PG-13 (for sexual content and language).

to take it back and bring her one with wings, which, as everybody knows, all angels possess. He argues reasonably that you can’t just stick wings on an ice sculpture. In a tragic accident involving the sculpture, Kate is killed. Flash forward a decent amount of time and Henry, still in mourning, is informed by his sister, Chloe (Lindsay Sloane), that it’s time for his life to begin again. He should start dating. He won’t hear of it. He’s still in love with Kate. She persuades him to visit Ashley (Lake Bell), a psychic she knows. He does so. Is she a real psychic? Sometimes. She begins to get vibes. So does he. Neither one needs to be psychic to realize they are falling in love with each other. I guess it’s all right for psychics (as opposed to psychiatrists) to date their clients, but Ashley seeks advice. She gets it from Dan (Jason Biggs), her partner in a catering business. Also from Father Marks (William Morgan Sheppard), who also doesn’t know that his church doesn’t believe in psychics. (Was he ordained by mail order? The church teaches that consulting a psychic is a sin, although it doesn’t totally rule out info from the other side, suggesting it could be disinformation from Satan.) Anyway, meanwhile ... eek! The ghost of Kate appears, none too pleased that another woman has designs on her2/22/02 man. She intends AB to sabo85 Dolev 0:40: tage their romance. What happens then? Kate looks completely real, although she has no material presence and can walk through walls, etc. I always wonder why walls are meaningless to such beings, but they never fall through floors.

Steve Oldfield, FOX-TV

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January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 31

(“Chopper”), who depicts the criminal and the coward in a dance of death. Rating: Three and a half stars.

Mini Movie Reviews OPENING IN THEATERS

the much better “Elizabeth” (1998). Rating: Two and a half stars.

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HE ASSASSINATION OF LIZABETH: THE GOLDEN JESSE JAMES BY THE AGE (Historical drama, PGCOWARD ROBERT FORD 13, 114 m., 2007). Weighed (Western, R, 160 m., 2007). One of down by its splendor. There are the founders of the cult of celebrity, scenes where the costumes are so sumptuous, the sets so vast, the ruthless outlaw Jesse James the music so insistent, that we (Brad Pitt) attracts a young heroworshipper (Casey Affleck) whose lose sight of the humans behind the dazzle of the production. But adoration shades into dangerous Cate Blanchett is magnificently obsession. A big-canvas Western with an epic scope, sensationally regal in the title role, and Clive photographed by Roger Deakins Owen plays a romantic, swash- ROLAND (MACAULAY CULKIN) (LEFT), MARY (JENA MALONE), inCASSANDRA the tradition and AND (EVA AMURRI)ofIN U“McCabe NITED ARTISTS' COMEDY buckling, if historically inaccurate, "S AVED!" © 2004 - UNITED ARTISTS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Mrs. Miller” and “Days of Heaven.” Sir Walter Raleigh. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, who also made Directed by Andrew Dominik

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Do elevators go up without them? Never mind. The plot plays out as you would expect it to, as the amazing presence of a ghost is effortlessly absorbed into the formula plot. If it were me and a ghost, I’d put my personal agenda on hold and ask all sorts of questions about the afterlife. Wouldn’t you? Heaven, in this movie, is represented in the standard way: Everything is blindingly white, and everyone is garbed in white, even an angel (Kali Rocha) who has, by the way, no wings. Well of course it doesn’t. Being a pure spirit, it has no need to fly. Kate switches back to a conventional wardrobe for her sojourns here below. How would I depict heaven? As a featureless void with speaking voices. I haven’t decided about subtitles. Even in a movie with a ghost,

TRIPLE DUCE SPECIAL the hardest thing to believe is a revelation that Dan makes to Ashley. They have worked together five years, and yet she is astonished. I will leave the revelation for you to discover, only adding that I believe it would be impossible for Dan to work five years in the catering industry without his secret being obvious to everyone. Consider for a moment how this movie might play if it took itself seriously. Would it be better than as a comedy? I suspect so. Does the premise “her ghost turns up and fights the new romance” make you chuckle? Me neither. It’s the kind of angle that could seem funny only at a pitch meeting. Not only have we been there, done that, we didn’t want to go there, do that in the first place.

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HE BRAVE ONE (Thriller, R, 122 m., 2007). Jodie Foster plays a radio talker whose fiance is murdered by muggers in Central Park. Recovering from her own wounds, she buys a gun for self-protection, which turns into revenge. This superior, perceptive thriller isn’t a “Death Wish” remake, but a psychological study of a subtle understanding that takes shadowy form between Foster and a detective played by Terrence Howard. Directed by Neil Jordan. Rating: Three and a half stars.

CROSS THE UNIVERSE (Musical, PG-13, 133 m., 2007). Here is a bold, beautiful, visually enchanting musical where we walk INTO the theater humming the songs. Julie Taymor’s “Across the Universe” is an audacious marriage of cutting-edge visual techniques, heartwarming performances, 1960s history and the Beatles songbook. With Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther and T.V. Carpio, who sings “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and I realized how wrong I was to ever think that was a happy song. It’s not happy if it’s a hand you are never, ever going to hold. Lurking here and there: Bono, Eddie Izzard and Joe Cocker. Rating: Four stars.

HE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB (Romantic comedy, PG-13, 105 m., 2007). Six members of a book club read Jane Austen’s six novels over six months of their lives, in a wise and witty romantic comedy where Austen sometimes seems to be advising them. You don’t need to have read the books to enjoy the movie

Continued on Page 32

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Mini Reviews Continued from Page 31 (but you may want to afterward). With Kathy Baker, Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Hugh Dancy, Maggie Grace, Lynn Redgrave and Jimmy Smits. Rating: Three and a half stars.

DAYS IN PARIS (Comedy, R, 96 m., 2007). Julie Delpy and Adam Goldberg play a New York couple, she French, who wrap up a miserable European holiday by spending two days in Paris, living above her parents. Not your usual lovers-in-Paris movie, but about two original, quirky characters so obsessed with their differences that Paris is almost a distraction. Written, directed, co-produced, edited and scored by Delpy; when a woman takes that many jobs, we slap her down for vanity. When a man does, we call him the new Orson Welles. Rating: Three stars.

EAST OF LOVE (Romantic drama, R, 102 m., 2007). Morgan Freeman plays the wise and benevolent counselor who looks on as a variety of couples join, split up and make a mess of love. All centers on a Portland coffee chop owned by Greg Kinnear, who is the unluckiest in love of

January 31 - February 6, 2008

all. Also starring Jane Alexander, Selma Blair, Toby Hemingway, Radha Mitchell, Stana Katic and Fred Ward. Directed by Robert Benton, who has made better films. Rating: Two stars.

HE INVASION (Sci-fi horror, PG-13, 95 m., 2007). The fourth, and the least, of the movies made from Jack Finney’s classic science fiction novel “The Body Snatchers.” Here is a great story born to be creepy, and the movie churns through it like a road company production. If the first three movies served as parables for their times, this one keeps shoot-

ing off parable rockets that fizzle out. Nicole Kidman stars as a mom fighting off alien spores for herself and her son, Daniel Craig is her current squeeze, Jeremy Northam her ominous ex-husband, Jeffrey Wright the brilliant scientist who solves everything in two concise speeches, and Jackson Bond is Kidman’s young son. The actors do what they can with a plot that we concede must be implausible but does not necessarily have to upstage the Mad magazine version. Rating: Two stars.

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Page 33

Jan.

sd Thur

Phil Vassar The Birchmere 7:30 p.m. 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria 703-549-7500 • birchmere.com

Feb.

Frida

Blue Öyster Cult

BY MATT SAPSFORD

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

When actor Jeff Daniels moved away from the Hollywood community in 1986, many feared that returning home to his Michigan roots would mark the end of his film career. When he founded the Purple Rose Theater Company in 1991, critics claimed that a small-town production company featuring new American plays from Midwestern playwrights couldn’t succeed. And when he took the stage for a 2001 fundraiser, armed with just a guitar and a previously undisclosed talent, people thought he was just another actor pretending to be a musician. So far, the doubters are 0 for 3. “They thought by marching me out on

stage with a guitar, maybe we could raise a little money for the theater,” Daniels says of his first performance. Although he had no intentions of pursuing music any further than fundraising, the rousing success of the shows had people talking — and after working through some initial jitters, Daniels found that he had a true passion for performing folk music. “It was difficult at first, because [performing] is very different than being on stage as an actor,” says Daniels. “With music, there is no filter, no character or script to hide behind. It’s very naked. After a while though, it becomes another creative challenge. The playwright in me is helping with the storytelling, the actor is helping with the timing and interaction with the audience, and the

The State Theatre 7 p.m. 220 N Washington St., Falls Church 703-237-0300 • thestatetheatre.com

d Satur

Jeff Daniels The Barns at Wolf Trap 7:30 p.m. 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna 703-255-1900 • wolftrap.org

Aimee Mann The Birchmere 10 p.m. 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria 703-549-7500 • birchmere.com

Mond

Sara Hickman Jammin’ Java 8 p.m. 227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna 703-255-1566 • jamminjava.com

The FCNP crew has been bobbin’ and weavin’ to these jams this week:  

Mike Hume— Love and Some Verses by Iron & Wine Nicholas Benton— Unchained Melody by Righteous Brothers



Jody Fellows— Sweetest Girl by Wyclef Jean

director is gauging the show and changing the set based on the audience reaction.” Ever the stage performer, Daniels relies on his years of experience to engage the crowd, and his ability to improvise to give each show a life of its own. “While there is a general idea, a basic set list, the majority of the show is dictated by the crowd. Some nights they want to hear stories, some nights there is a lot of interaction, and some nights the crowd just wants to listen and not interact at all.” His music is influenced by folk music storytellers such as Steve Goodman, Utah Phillips and Christine Lavine. In fact, Lavine’s encouragement ultimately persuaded Daniels to pursue his music beyond the occasional fundraiser. Like his folk singing compatriots, Daniels’ songs are rooted in the tradition of storytelling. His topics range from humorous accounts of road rage, to the trials of being a lifelong Tigers fan, to sentimental songs about his grandfather. Each is written and performed with sincerity and candor. “I’m not trying to write hits,” Daniels acknowledges, “but I want to be honest and connect with the audience.” This honesty includes admitting the fact that he is another Hollywood actor trying his hand at music, as evidenced by the song “If William Shatner Can, I Can Too.” “I’m not trying to hide the fact that I’m Jeff Daniels the actor,” he says. “We acknowledge the elephant in the room and have fun with it. I like to peel back the curtain and give people an insight as to what it’s like to live in Hollywood, or be shot by Clint Eastwood.” While Daniels openly acknowledges that he is an actor, his skill on the guitar proves that he is more than merely pretending to be a musician. “I want people to see that I’m serious about this and that I’m not trying to fake it,” he says. Although Daniels has been playing the guitar for more than 30 years, he is constantly striving for improvement through hours of practice, instructional DVDs, or even a personal lesson from acclaimed blues guitarist Keb’ Mo’. Daniels even went so far as to make the pilgrimage to Clarksdale, Miss. to visit the legendary Crossroads. While he didn’t meet the devil, it did inspire a song — “Forgive Me, Robert Johnson.” That song and more should be on display, Saturday, Feb. 2, when Jeff Daniels brings his humor and sincerity to The Barns at Wolf Trap. Showtime is 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $25.  For more on Jeff Daniels, visit www. jeffdaniels.com. Tickets can be purchased online www.wolftrap.org or at the Wolf Trap ticket office.

Page 34

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Send community event submissions to the News-Press by e-mail at calendar@fcnp.com; fax 703-532-3396; or by regular mail to 450 West Broad Street #321, Falls Church, VA 22046. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.

Community Events THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 Story Hour. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. Mon. – Thurs. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5077 (TTY 711). Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-5386266. Rotary Club Meeting. Kwame Acquaah will present a talk entitled, “Out of Africa.” Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). $10. 6:30 p.m. Film Showing: Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel in America (7054 Haycock Rd., West Falls Church-Room 221). Free. 7:30 p.m. Fore more information, visit www.focusthenation.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Farmers’ Market in Falls Church. Falls Church City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – noon. Swinging Mardi Gras. Live band, New Orleans food and more. Unitarian Universalist Church (4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington). $30 in advance/$35 at door. For

more information, visit www. choralis.org. Storytelling Family Day. Films, performances, hands-on crafts and storytelling celebrating all Native cultures. National Museum of the American IndianSmithsonian Institution (Fourth St. and Independence Ave. SW, D.C.). Free, 10:30a.m. - 3 p.m. Call 202-633-1000 for more information. American Folk Songs for Families. Musicians and edicators teach traditional children’s songs through sign language, movement and instruments. The Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda). $25. 11 a.m.- Noon. Call 301-581-5100 for more information.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Washington Auto Show. This annual exhibit showcases 700 new cars from 40 manufacturers. Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place, D.C.).Weekdays: $10, children $5; Weekends: $12, children $5. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Awesome

African

American

Women Artists. See work by Alma Thomas, Lois Mailou Jones and Amalia Amaki; children make their own artwork. National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave. NW, D.C.). Free. 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-783-7370. Books Come Alive. Four short ﬁlms. National Gallery of Art (600 Counstitution Ave. NW, D.C.). Free. 11:30 a.m. 202-789-3030.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Stories and Rhymes. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For 2-5 year olds. Free. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5030. Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-5386266.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Stories and Rhymes. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For ages 18-36 months. Free. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5030. Roy Gutman and Jess Bravin. Book signing and discussion on “Crimes

Choreographers’ Showcase. 25th annual show presents a variety of dance styles. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at Maryland (University of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, College Park, Md.). $30, $7 students. 2 and 8 p.m. For more information, call 301405-2787. Suzanne Westenhoefer. One of the �irst openly gay comedians. Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-5497500.

The State Dance Ensemble. Young dancers and drummers

perform traditional and modern Sri Lankan dance. Millenium Stage- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F St., NW, D.C.). Free. 6 p.m. For more information, call 202467-4600.

Jackie Flynn. This comedian has been in multiple movies including “There’s Something About Mary” and “Stuck on You.” The Improv (1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, D.C.). $15-$17. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Call 202-296-7008 for more information. Wakeness Monster. A new musical about a young girl who is unexpectedly kept up at night by monsters under her bed. Theatre on the Run (3700

Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade. Floats, live music. Court House Metro Station (2100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). Free. 8 p.m. 703-8128881.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Twilight Tales. A walk-in story hour for children ages 3-6. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7 p.m. 703-248-5030.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-5386266. Story Hour. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. Mon. – Thurs. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5077 Rotary Club Meeting. Rotarian Rex Hayes will present “Abe Lincoln’s Unoﬃcial Biography.” Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). $10. 6:30 p.m.

Theater Fine Arts SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

of War 2.0” Borders (18th and L St. NW, D.C.). 7 p.m. For more information, call 202-499-4999.

S. Four Mile Run, Shirlington, Va.). $10. 11 a.m. For more information, call 202-3337009.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Black Expressions: Hip Hop Festival. 5th annual festival with numerous D.C. hip hop artists. Dance Place (3225 8th St. NE, D.C.). $22; $8 ages 17 and under. 4 p.m. 202-2691600. Washington Ballet-Genius! A prgram of works by Mark Morris, Christopher Wheeldon and Twyla Tharp. Shakespeare Theatre- Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW, D.C.). $30-$80. 1 and 5:30 p.m. Call 202-5471122 for more information.

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Your Academy AwardsNominated ‘Bests’ Check Off List

he 80th annual Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 24, and of course, there are no assurances yet that the big gala will even happen this time. But the nominations for the past year’s best talent have been released, and if you want to enjoy the ceremonies to the max, you must get out to as many of the films with nominations as you can in the next three and a half weeks. I find it is a challenge just to get to all those nominated for “Best Picture,” and have seen only one of the five so far. I’ll let you know how I wind up doing. One early prediction: since the Chinese New Year is upon us, and it launches the Year of the Rat, I predict “Ratatouille” will win for Best Animated Film, and rightly so.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 35

live_music&nightlife THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Vienna). Free. 7 p.m. 703-2551566.

L�� J��. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 703-573-1616.

K�� N��. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m.- 1:30 a.m. 703-573-1616.

S��’� F��, P�� B�� . Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

E�� . Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld). $20 in advance/$22 day of show. 4:30 p.m. 703-569-5940.

G�� L��, T�� P��, S�� J��, J�� W�� T�� L��. Blues Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $16. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. 703-237-0300.

B��. Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 in advance/$12 at door. 10 p.m. 703-255-1566.

D�� Q��. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St., Falls Church). Free. Through Feb. 2. 703-534-8999.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 S��, R�� F��. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld). $10 in advance/$12 day of show. 5 p.m. 703-5695940. P��. Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. B�� O�� C��. Hard Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $25. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

O�� S�� CD R�� S��. Progressive/Experimental. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566. T�� B�� RAQ. Jam/Funk/ Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $12 in advance/$14 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 S�� P��. 24 foot screen, high deﬁnition projection; food and drinks. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). Doors open: 4 p.m. Superbowl Kick Oﬀ- 6 p.m. 703237-0300.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 O�� M��. Hosted by David Cotton. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E

O��-M�� P��. Arrive early to get on the list. Bar Nun (1326 U St. NW, D.C.). $5. 9 p.m. 202-6676680. S�� H��. Acoustic/Folk. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 8 p.m. 703-2551566.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 G�� M�� K��. The Reef (2446 18th St. NW, D.C.). Free. 9:30 p.m. L�� O�� A�� T��. Including Rotting Christ, Immolation and more. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld). $22 in advance/$25 day of show. 6 p.m. 703-569-5940. T�� D’��, E. J�� A�� A. Pop/Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 O�� M�� N��. Sign up at the door, anyone is welcome. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 – 9 p.m. 703538-6266. K�� . Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls

Church). 10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. 703573-1616. F�� L�� L��, D�� S�� I��. Rock. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld). $10 in advance/$12 day of show. 5 p.m. 703-569-5940. J�� R��, B�� J�� M�� B��. Acoustic/Pop. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 in advance/$12 at door. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. E�� L�� O�� T��. Modern Electric Blues. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $13 in advance/$16 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-237-0300.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 M�� W�� T�� G��. Acoustic/ Pop. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 8 p.m. For more information, call 703-255-1566. P�� G��. Rock/Jam. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $12 in advance/$14 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-237-0300. L�� J��. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 703-573-1616.

P�� A��...

ith Valentine’s Day looming on the horizon, I was all set to recommend the 2008 Crafts and Kisses Fair to all guys looking for a unique VDay gift for their significant other. That is, until I saw the date of the fair: February 3. Potentially something I would never live down, I can’t, in my right mind, recommend this event for the fellas. But, I do offer it up to all you women out there. Let’s face it, most of you know who’s playing Sunday, let alone care who wins. The only thing you’re looking forward to during the Super Bowl are the commercials, and they’ll be on YouTube the next day anyway. So, go ahead, check out the Crafts and Kisses Valentine Fair where over 30 artists, artisans and indie designers who specialize in cool, hip, one-of-a-kind items will be hawking their wares. The fair also features a “kissing booth” where you can get your photo taken with friends and a safe sex booth educating on the impact of HIV/AIDS, STD’s and more. What: 2008 Crafts & Kisses Fair When: Sunday, February 3 at noon-5 p.m. Where: Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th Street, NW Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.craftsandkisses.com

Saturday, February 23 — Mechanical Bull Riding Contest. McFaddeb’s Restaurant and Saloon (2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, D.C.). 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. Saturday, March 29 — Gunston Hall Kite Festival. Plenty of room for kite ﬂying just oﬀ the Potomac. Gunston Hall Plantation (10709 Gunston Rd., Mason Neck). $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 ages 6-18, free children under 6. Noon-5 p.m. 703-550-9220.

C�� S�� Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.

Email: calendar@fcnp.com Fax: 703-532-3396; Attn: FCNP Calendar Mail: 450 West Broad Street, #321, Falls Church, VA 22046

Page 36

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Restaurant Spotlight

a e r A h c r u Falls Ch e d i u G t n a r Restau Anthony’s Restaurant 309 W. Broad St., Falls Church • 703-5320100 •Type of Food: Greek, American & Italian Cuisine • Features: Breakfast (Sat & Sun Only) • Hours: Mon-Thurs -10 am - 11 pm, Fri - 10 am -12 am, Sat - 8 am - 12 am, Sun - 8 am - 10 pm

Argia’s Restaurant 124 N. Washington St., Falls Church • 703-5341033 • www.argias.com • Type of Food: Italian • Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants, Zagat Rated, Full Bar, No Reservations • Hours: Lunch: Mon - Sat 11:30 am - 5 pm; Dinner: Mon - Thur 5 - 9:30 pm, Fri & Sat 5 - 10:30 pm, Sun 5 - 9 pm.

Celebrity delly 7263-A Arlington Blvd. (Loehmann’s Plaza), Falls Church • 703-573-9002 • Type of Food: Delicatessen • Features: Catering, Sandwiches, Submarines, Soups & Salads • Hours: Mon-Fri - 9 am - 9 pm, Sat - 8 am - 9 pm, Sun - 8 am - 4 pm

Chicken Corner 2816 Graham Rd., Falls Church (Next to Magruder's) • 703-573-0112 • Type of Food: Peruvian Pollo • Features: Rotisserie Chicken, subs, salads, fresh fish • Hours: Mon-Thu - 10:30 a.m. - 9 pm - 9 pm, Fri-Sat - 10 am - 930 pm.

Frozen Dairy Bar & Boardwalk Pizza 6641 Arlington Blvd. (Sleepy Hollow Shopping Center), Falls Church • 703-534-4200 • Type of Food: Ice Cream and Pizza Parlor • Features: Catering, Homemade Frozen Custard, Pizza Subs. • Hours: Sun-Thur - 11 am - 10 pm, Fri & Sat - 11 am - Midnight

Harvest Moon Restaurant and Lounge 7260 Arlington Blvd. (Graham Center across from Loehmann’s Plaza), Falls Church • 703573-6000 • www.harvestmoon.com • Type of Food: Chinese • Features: Lunch / dinner buffets, banquet facilities up to 700 people • Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.

Hoang’s Grill and Sushi Bar 502 W. Broad St., Falls Church • 703-536-7777 • Type of Food: Pan-Asian • Features: Single and Mingle Thursday Nights. • Hours: MonThurs 11 am - 10 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am - 10:30 pm, Sun - 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

Ireland’s Four Provinces 105 W. Broad St., Falls Church • www.4psfallschurch.com • 703-534-8999 • Type of Food: Irish • Features: Full Bar, Live Entertainment, Sunday Brunch • Hours: Daily - 11 am – 2 am

Koi Koi 450 W. Broad St., Ste. 117, Falls Church • 703-237-0101 • Type of Food: Japanese • Features: Sushi, Sashimi, Grill BBQ, Party Platters • Hours: Mon.–Fri. - 11 am – 10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun.: Noon - 10 p.m.

of the

Week

The Auld Shebeen

La Côte D’Or Café 6876 Lee Highway, Falls Church • www.lacotedorcafe.com • 703-538-3033 • Type of Food: French Cuisine • Features: Full Bar • Hours: Mon.–Fri - 11:30 am – 3 p.m, 5–10 pm; Sat.: 11:30 am – 3 pm; 5:30 –10 pm; Sun - 11 am – 3 pm, 5:30–9 pm

Ledo Pizza Restaurant & Pub 7510 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church • 703-8475336 • Type of Food: Pizza & Pasta, American/ Family • Features: Full Bar, Wine Menu, 5 TV’s-Sports • Hours: Mon-Thur - 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat - 11 am-11 pm; Sun - 12-10 pm

The Original Pancake House 370 West Broad Street, Falls Church • 703891-0148 • www.originalpancakehouse.com • Type of Food: American/Family • Features: Breakfast, Weekday Specials - Breakfast & Lunch • Hours: 7 am - 3 pm Daily

Red Hot & Blue 169 Hillwood Ave., (Hillwood Square), Falls Church • 703-538-6466 • Type of Food: Memphis Style Bar-b-que • Features: Full Service Catering and Delivery • Hours: Sun. - Thu. 11 am - 9 pm, Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Robeks 1063 W. Broad St., (West End Plaza), Falls Church • 703-538-4111 • www.robeks.com • Type of Food: Smoothies, Juices, Wraps & Salads • Features: Catering • Hours: Mon. - Fri. 6 am - 9 pm, Sat. & Sun. 8 am - 9 pm.

Sign of the Whale 7279 Arlington Blvd. (Loehmann’s Plaza), Falls Church • 703-573-1616 • Type of Food: American • Features: Seafood Night and Steak Night • Hours: 11:30 am - 2 am, 7 days a week

Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant 6304 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church • 703-2373888; 2153 Chain Bridge Rd., Vienna • 703319-3888 • www.crystalsunflower.com • Type of Food: 99% vegan • Features: Japanese, Chinese, Continental • Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm; Sun 12 pm - 10 pm.

Sweet Rice Thai Restaurant 1113 W. Broad St. (next to Don Beyer Volvo), Falls Church • 703-241-8582 • Type of Food: Thai Cuisine • Features: Free delivery ($15 min., limited area) • Hours: Mon. - Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 am - 11 p.m.; Sat. Noon - 11 p.m.; Sun. Noon - 10 p.m.

Yorktown Bistro 5171 Lee Hwy, Arlington • www.yorktownbistro.com • 703-532-6060 • Type of Food: American/Wine Bar • Features: Romantic Bar and Lounge • Hours: Mon-Thurs - 11 am - 11 pm; Fri-Sat - 11 am - 12 am; Sun 11 am - 10 pm.

Falls Church News-Press Restaurant Guide Rates: $350 for 3 Months • $600 for 6 Months • $1000 for 1 Year

GET YOUR KICKS AT AULD SHEBEEN: The pub-style eatery in Old Town Fairfax attracts football fans of all ages. (Photo: News-Press) By Natalie Bedell Leaving Old Town Fairfax and entering a scene straight from the streets of Dublin, The Auld Shebeen offers a relaxed pub atmosphere ideal for anyone looking for traditional Irish dining paired with a low key, yet fully stocked bar. Located on the corner of Chain Bridge Road and North Street, the dimmed lighting and clover green accents set the stage for the fiddle-heavy Irish music that plays throughout the restaurant. Irish blessings are painted atop every wall, right above a display of various Irish landscapes and historical sites matted in gold frames. Equipped with more than five oversized flat-screen television sets, the bar broadcasts anything from American football to English football, better known here as soccer. The mix is sure to satisfy any sports fan, young or old. A father with his son, who was sporting an Arsenal soccer jersey, snagged a cocktail table for a front row seat to the game and enjoyed father-son moment while eating burgers and fries. Without any hesitation, the host sat me at a booth near a small stage where live Irish music can be heard every Friday and Saturday from 7 - 9:30 p.m. Tuesday is karaoke night, Wednesday poker, Thursday dance party and Friday features local bands that play in their cellar below. These are just some of the weekly events locals can frequent at Auld Shebeen. The menu featured an extensive selection of Irish favorites ranging from Shepard’s Pie ($10.95) to Burdock’s Fish and Chips ($12.95). American favorites, like the Classic Reuben with fries ($7.95), are also served. For starters, the Sausage Rolls ($6.95) came encased in buttery and flaky puff pastry with a side of mustard dip and adorned with parsley bits. The melt-in-yourmouth pastry and sausage combo was made for the spicy mustard like ketchup was for fries. With the perfect amount to whet any appetite without spoiling it, it was time for the main course. Sticking with my homage to Irish cooking, I followed with the Corned Beef and Cabbage ($11.95). It arrived by way of delectable presentation, including smoothly mashed potatoes and boiled cabbage topped with generous pieces of tender corned beef and covered in a cream sauce. It was accompanied by a side of freshly steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. The perfect comfort food, every layer of this dish got better by the bite and left me full and content like my mother’s home cooking. Like any real connoisseur of comfort food knows, the comfort’s never fully reached until dessert. For my sweet finish, I took the waitress’ advice and went with the Shebeen Bread Pudding ($4.95). It arrived hot, atop a plate drizzled in chocolate syrup and crème anglais sauce beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a dollop of whip cream, complete with a strawberry on top. The bread pudding was baked firm to perfection, sprinkled with sweet powdered sugar and packed with hints of cinnamon and raisins. The vanilla ice cream cooled down the warm treat and was the perfect ending to Irish tradition done right. With delightfully accommodating service, it was an experience of overall Irish charm. The Auld Shebeen is the perfect place to catch a game on the tube, take a load off after your 9 - 5 or just take in the atmosphere with friends and family. So for those of you who go by the “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” rule, stop by the pub. May your pints of Guinness be many and your troubles be few … or something like that. The Auld Shebeen 3971 Chain Bridge Rd Fairfax, VA 22030 703 293-9600 www.theauldshebeenva.com Hours: Sunday - Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 37

Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance at Sunrise at Bluemont Park It’s our Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance! Join us at Sunrise at Bluemont Park as we enjoy a selection of cocktails - including our lavish martini bar - and dance the night away to live entertainment. Since 1981, Sunrise Senior Living has been committed to providing seniors, families and caregivers with innovative senior living and care options. Sunrise at Bluemont Park offers extraordinary rental retirement living in a gracious setting ideally located close to the best the area has to offer. Whatever you delight in, Sunrise at Bluemont Park makes it possible. Stop by to learn more about our exceptional community. RSVP today for this complimentary event, as space is limited. Bring a friend or two!

Sunrise at Bluemont Park

EVENT DETAILS

Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance

at Sunrise at Bluemont Park, The Shenandoah Friday, February 15th 7:30pm-10:00pm RSVP to our Concierge at 703-536-1060 by February 11th

703-536-1060

5910 Wilson Blvd.

News-Press On the Web: www.FCNP.com

`i«i `i ÌÊ Û }ÊÊUÊ ÃÃ ÃÌi`Ê Û }ÊUÊ â i iÀ½ÃÊ >Ài

For more information and a FREE online newsletter, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com

BW N-08QAT0132-REV001 Sunrise Senior Living Community:BL PARK JAM Pub: FALLS CHURCH NEWSNow serving Pizza! Argia’s own homemade Title: SWEETHEART’S DANCE 2/15 5.7” X 7” pizza dough with all of yourSize: favorite toppings. Insertion: 1/31 Saturday lunch special: buy one pizza get one at half price from 11:30 am 5 pm

(void with other offers or coupons, 2nd pie must be equal or lesser price)

124 N. Washington St. Falls Church, VA By the intersections or Rts. 7 & 29 Free Parking in Rear (703) 534-1033

Touch their heart and their sweet tooth!

Valentine’s Day is February 14th To order, please call or visit:

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Visit Us And Save $4 on yyour order when you mention this ad.

*Valid for pick-up orders only. Offer valid on select products. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer code must be used when placing the order. Offer expires 12/31/08 Code: FCNP0908

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Franchises Available. Call 1-888-727-4258

Page 38

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Daniel Negreanu on Poker

‘Green Fairy’ Flits Back Playing Trips From To Legal U.S. Status The Small Blind When the first legal absinthe in a century went on sale in the U.S. a few weeks ago, it kicked off a demand for the controversial liquor all across the country. In Alameda, Calif., where St. George Spirits, an artisinal distiller operating out of a former naval warehouse in San Francisco Bay, was given the OK to sell its version of absinthe by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, customers lined up for a wait of two or more hours to get into the facility to sample the 120-proof spirit and purchase it at $75 a bottle or $300 a case. Master distiller Lance Winters, 42, created the absinthe -- something he’s been tinkering with for years -- for boss Jorg Rupf, a renowned maker of fruit brandies and Hangar One vodka in his St. George facility. Winters’ recipe includes a grape-based brandy blended with such herbs as wormwood, By William M. Dowd tarragon, basil, mint, anise and HEARST NEWSPAPERS fennel. St. George does not have the field to itself. Three foreign manufacturers have begun exporting absinthe to the U.S. -Kubler (Switzerland), Absinto Camargo (Brazil) and Lucid (France). Plus, it is likely other domestic distillers will join the wave to restore absinthe to consumer consciousness. The licorice-flavored spirit that began as a medicine had been blamed for bad judgment, poor health, even outright madness. Nevertheless, it was the drink beloved of 19th century Parisian cafe society, enjoyed by such writers and artists as Baudelaire, Lautrec, Picasso, Degas and Manet. In fact, in those times the cocktail hour was referred to as l’heure verte -- the Green Hour -- in honor of absinthe. There are those who theorize that the anti-absinthe forces were funded by the wine industry, which was losing ground in the marketplace to la Fee Verte, the “Green Fairy,” as the drink was known. Any link, no matter how tenuous, between evildoers and absinthe was loudly proclaimed until enough of the public grew fearful of its continued availability to demand a ban around the time of World War I. Absinthe began its comeback several years ago in England, where entrepreneurs discovered no legal ban remained in effect prohibiting sale or consumption of absinthe. Classical absinthe is made by steeping dried herbs in ethyl alcohol, then distilling the liquor. The main herbs are nothing unusual -- anise and star anise, peppermint, wormwood, fennel, perhaps a few others, depending upon which recipe one prefers. Wormwood is the catalyst for a chemical change during the process that, combined with the very high alcohol content (usually in excess of 120 proof, or 60 percent, compared to the 80 proof strength of most spirits), gives the drink its potency through release of the chemical thujone.

Dowd on Drinks

How to Drink It: Pour 1 1/2 ounces of absinthe into an old-fashioned tumbler, then place a tea strainer containing one sugar cube on top of the glass. Pack a bit of crushed or cracked ice on top of the sugar. When the ice melts, it will drip into the absinth, taking the sugar with it and turning the green liquid milky.  William M. Dowd covers the world of adult beverages on BillDowd.com.

Let’s Play Music! Qualiﬁed Instruction • Weekly Lessons • Beginning to Advanced

Guitar • Bass • drums and now... piano lessons! Serious lessons yes, But we keep them fun!

Call 703-237-0099

707 West Broad Street, Falls Church

I recently played in a $25-50 No Limit Hold’em game online. The hand discussed in this column was interesting because it taught a valuable lesson regarding position, the board cards, and reading betting patterns. At a full table, the first player decided to limp in (call the big blind rather than raise) from under the gun. The button also called. I was in the small blind holding Qh-8d. I called, too, since I already had half the bet in the pot. The big blind checked. Four of us took the flop: QhQd-4c. Bingo! Hoping to pick off a bluff, I tried to disguise my trips by checking. The next two players also checked but the button bet $150. I didn’t raise. Instead, I just called so that I could gauge the interest of the other players. The player under the gun also called and that had me worried. Yes, I flopped trips but my kicker wasn’t very good. My thinking was that the original bettor could have had a wide range of hands and might have been trying to steal the pot. Also, the other player probably had a strong hand because he called the first bet even after I had called. The turn card was the 10s. I checked again. The players after me also checked so I felt like there was a decent chance that I had the best hand. I’d know soon enough if the limper was planning to check-raise the turn with a better hand than mine. He didn’t. The river brought the Js. That card filled the straight for anyone with A-K. The good news, though, was that the jack nullified my kicker. My hand was now Q-Q-Q-J-10 rather than Q-Q-Q-10-8. Still, I took the cautious route and checked. The first limper bet $400 and the button folded. With $650 already in the pot, I was getting pretty decent odds on my money, about 2.6-to-1. What’s the right play? Well, most players in this situation see only the strength of their own hand and think, “I have trips; I have to call.” They act on impulse. That’s not the right way to act in this situation. It’s much better to break down the hand in a way that allows you to make an educated decision. Take the time to ask yourself two key questions. Could my opponent have the same hand as me? Not likely. Remember, he

called from first position. Most players under the gun act conservatively. If he had a queen, he’d likely have a ten, jack, king, or ace to go with it. So, a split pot is extremely unlikely. What hands would my opponent play in this manner that I can beat? First, try to determine the premium hands that you can beat. Maybe he was slow playing pocket aces or pocket kings before the flop. Those would be the only two big hands that you can beat. On the other hand, if he limped in with big slick, the river card made his straight. Next, try to figure out how likely it is that your opponent has one of the hands you can beat. If, for example, you think you’ll have the best hand about 40 percent of the time, then the pot would definitely be laying the right price for you to call.

B u t t h a t wasn’t the case in this hand. In fact, based on the information available, I thought my chances of winning were closer to 10 percent. So, I folded my trips. The other player, incidentally, had A-Q and would have had the winning hand, but that’s irrelevant. The important lesson is to slow down, and collect and analyze the available information before you make critical poker decisions. There’s just no need to act impulsively.  Visit www.fullcontactpoker. com/news to submit your questions and comments to poker champion Daniel Negreanu. © 2007 Card Shark Media. All rights reserved.

Thai Restaurant and Bar Live Music

926 W. Broad St, Falls Church, VA, 22046 703-534-0095

Dinner: Tues-Sun: 5:00-10:00PM Fri & Sat 5:00-11:00PM Bar: Sun-Thurs 5:00-11:00PM Fri & Sat 5:00-1:30AM Live Music: Tues-Thu: 7:30-11:00PM Fri & Sat: 8:30-1:00AM, Sun: 7:00-10:30PM

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 39

Level: 1 3

2 4

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

2/3/08

ACROSS 1. Deep down 8. He’s green and mean 15. 1996 movie that got a PG13 rating for “intense depiction of very bad weather” 16. Turn 17. Largest of the British Virgin Islands 18. Kind of candidate 19. With 36- and 41-Across, how the playwright of “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” responded in 1967 when asked what his play was about 21. Protestant denom. 22. Beat decisively 23. Dirty literature 25. The “N” in the 2007 movie “TMNT” 29. Go in 31. Sly as ____ 33. Astronaut Armstrong 34. Candy brand that asked in 2007 print ads “Is sex better than chocolate and peanut butter?” 36. See 19-Across 38. “The Simpsons Movie” character 40. ____ Vegas 41. See 19-Across 46. Flower part 51. Butterlike spread 52. Nile queen, for short 54. What “there is nothin’ like” 55. Blanket-toting friend of Charlie Brown 57. Kennel sounds 59. “I cannot tell ____” 60. Not pos. 62. “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” playwright 64. French carmaker 68. Port-au-Prince native 69. Compare with 70. Che Guevara’s first name 71. Small, as apartments go 72. Bruce Springsteen’s ____ Band

Down 1. Dresser 2. Like Japan’s flag, colorwise 3. Hairy 4. Homes of the rich and famous 5. Get from ____ (progress a bit) 6. Moves, to a Realtor 7. Center of a hospital

THE QUIGMANS Buddy Hickerson

54 58

62 67

46 53

40 45

60 64

25 32

21 24

38 41

59 63

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

crossword / By David Levinson Wilk

8. Credit reporting co. now 39. Jackie Robinson’s alma mater known as Experian 41. TV dial: Abbr. 1. down 9. Deep Chef’s seasoning 42. Inventor Whitney 8. green Spring and mean 10.He's Poland competitor 43. Stimpy’s sidekick on TV 11.1996 Eye-catching huea PG-13 rating 44.forNot as gray 15. movie that got "intense depiction of very bad weather" 12.Turn Suffix with glob 45. One of a matched pair 16. 13. 56, in Roman numerals 47. Electrical device 17. Largest of the British Virgin Islands 14. “Jeopardy!” multimillion48. The blahs 18. of candidate aireKind Jennings 49. Abu Dhabi, e.g. 19. 36- of andhair 41-Across, how the50. playwright of "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are D 20.With Clump Is unobliged to 1967 when asked what his play was about 24. Plane or square, e.g. 53. “My Country ‘Tis ____” 21. denom. ____ 26.Protestant Hillary Clinton, 56. “I ____ reason for ...” Rodham 58. Takes to the sky 22. Beat decisively 27. Puppeteer Henson 61. Attend 23. Dirty literature 28. Tavern offering 63. Tavern offering 25. The "N" in the 2007 movie "TMNT" 30. Bring up 64. Gaza Strip org. 29. 32.Go St.inNick’s holiday 65. “Ich bin ____ Berliner” 35. Sly ____ Span (cleaner brand) 66. It’s strummed in Maui 31. as&____ 37.Astronaut Hollywood canine 67. First name of 62-Across 33. Armstrong Across

34. Candy brand asked in 2007 print ads "Is sex better than chocolate and peanut b Lastthat Thursday’s Puzzle Solved 36. See 19-Across

Z A G A S A C H I T I J A C K A F A I Y A K R E D E I C A R F L I M T E N H A T E E V I N N E T T

S O C C E R U S E F O R C E

A A H E D T P K L O S E R

S H H U A T D S M I H A L A X I L I C I M O F U N A M X M R I A C W E

I S L A S

D E A D H E W A A T S M L I I S F F T I S T

I G I T N A T E S S I E C S T M A S H A P O E Y I V E I Q S I N U S G E I A O R A F F D E A Z E N

nick knack

Page 40

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Welcome To Falls Church, Va. People in 5 Zip Codes (Greater Falls Church & North Arlington)

Annual Discretionary Spending

3 Competing Major Retail Centers (Source: School of Public Policy, George Mason U.)

(Tysons Corner, Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossroads, Ballston Corridor)

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With 36,500 targeted deliveries weekly, and a fiercely-loyal readership, the Falls Church News-Press will get it done for you!

For Advertising Rates: 703-532-3267 www.fcnp.com

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Continued from Page 6

In the House of Delegates races, 57 incumbents (31 Democrats and 26 Republicans) ran unopposed. Only 12 of the 100 House of Delegates races turned out to be “competitive.” No matter how well qualified a candidate may be, this lack of opposition cannot be good for the long-term health of our electoral system. Voter turnout continues to decline as voters see no point in bothering to go to the polls when the result is, in most cases, preordained. For example, in the 31st Senate District, which includes the City of Falls Church, where incumbent Mary Margaret Whipple’s only opposition was a third-party candidate, turnout dropped to 24.65 percent, compared with 31.17 percent in the comparable election four years ago. The League of Women Voters of Virginia has joined the Virginia Redistricting Coalition to work for redistricting reform. See www.fixthelines.com for more information. Joan Lewis, President F.C. League of Women Voters

Page 41

their counterparts. Krugman describes conservative praise of “Reaganomics” as rewriting history. Referring to Sen. Obama’s balanced remarks about Reagan’s economic policies, Krugman questions, “But where in his remarks was the clear declaration that Reaganomics failed?” Huh! This is both postmodern revisionist history and hilarious spin. In 1979, my salary was $15,000 a year. I lived in a Hillwood Square co-op and did the grocery shopping for a family of four. I vividly remember watching the sticker prices on

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revenues in 1988 were leaping ahead at and average annual rate of 8% and had been since 1983. Employment was “full” and had been for much of the decade. Our economic engine had funded the West’s victory in the Cold War. However, the biggest gain was in the annual net value of salaries earned by working Americans and retired people on fixed incomes and/or Social Security. With respect to the latter, maybe Krugman should read E.J. Dionne’s latest Washington Post column, “The Ideas Bill Forgot.” Obviously he hadn’t before he wrote his column.

Comfortable Truth #10

Although Dionne did not mention economics he clearly had a more balance view, as did Clinton in 1991 and forgot when he commended Reagan for winning the Cold War. How does Krugman think that was paid for? There is only one active Republican candidate, who could get me to vote for Krugman’s candidate, Hillary Clinton. It is Ron Paul. Then I’d vote enthusiastically for her. She is so much like Nixon and Carter that I’d be expecting history to repeat itself. M. F. Johnson Falls Church

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Editor, I’m a fan of Tom Whipple; and skydiving is an energywasteful way to have fun (I haven’t ever). But, how are we going to decide in the future of energy scarcity what is not allowed? I ride horses, which does not seem energy-wasteful at first glance, but I truck in hay and feed from hundreds of miles away, and occasionally my horse to a show. How do we rate what fun activities are too wasteful? Eventually, we do nothing fun. Is that our future? Keith Goossen Via the Internet

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Editor, When I saw the headline, “The Reagan Myth,” on Paul Krugman’s latest column my immediate reaction was, “This ought to be good!” After reading the column, it is clear why Rush Limbaugh rakes in millions of dollars every year and Al Franken’s radio program is in the tank. Socialists are far more interesting and fun than

food leaping higher and higher each time I visited the Giant at 7-Corners. We ate a lot of spaghetti. Inflation, resulting in part from the overly controlling economic policies of Nixon, Ford and Carter had reached 12%. Inflation is a very cruel tax, because it is highly regressive. Imagine your net income, if fixed, dropping 12% a year. With the economy in the depths of “stagflation” one had nowhere to turn except spaghetti with dog food looking better and better. Between 1979 and 1989 the GDP had doubled. Federal

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Page 42

January 31 - February 6, 2008

FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER

Announcements DO YOU REMEMBER FATHER REINECKE? PMB #109 245 S. Van Dorn Street Alexandria, Va 22304

FALLS CHURCH CITY PUB. SCHOOLS

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2002 VWPASSAT WAGON $9300

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BISCHON-FRISE PUPPIES Pure breed, parent on perm. Home raised all shots pedigree papers. 703-534-7162

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Elementary School Principal - Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Falls Church, Virginia is a suburb of Washington D.C. The Falls Church City Public Schools enjoys a reputation for excellence. Falls Church City Public Schools have four schools which serve more than 1900 students. Thomas Jefferson Elementary School serves more than 400 students in grades 2-4 and offers a progressive and challenging curriculum for students. We seek a principal who: Demonstrates strong instructional leadership. Has experience implementing and supervising innovative and developmentally appropriate programs that address the needs of a diverse student population. Demonstrates leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members to promote high academic achievement. Has success working with an involved community. Possesses a Postgraduate Professional License with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision. Has at least three years of successful experience as a school administrator. Employment Date: July 1, 2006 Application Deadline: March 14, 2008

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Local, weekly newspaper is looking for a freelance photographer to be available on an "on call" basis for covering events including sports, community events, photo ops, etc. Compensation based on photos published. Email resume and portfolio to jfellows@fcnp.com. Please include any schedule constraints.

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Help Wanted

Application Process: Submit a completed application, current resume, three letters of reference and a copy of current state teaching license. You may visit our website: www.fccps.org/hr for the applications.

RN/LPN/’S Sleepy Hollow Pediatrics, a division of Capital Area Pediatrics, has openings for Full and Part-Time LPN\’s and RN\’s. Must have a current VA license and enjoy working with children. Also available is a Full Time RN Clinical Coordinator position, pediatric and management experienced preferred. Fax resume to Rodney/Suzanne at 703-383-9574 or email to humanresources@capitalareapediatrics.com

For Rent ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT & VAN DRIVER PT Activities Assistant needed for upscale and very active assisted living community in the McLean/Falls Church area. Must be energetic, pleasant, able to drive activities van, host field trips and assist Activities Director as needed. Our residents like to have fun! Apply in person at Chesterbrook Residences, 2030 Westmoreland St, Falls Church, VA 22043 or email resume to aanderson@cri-va.org

CHESTERBROOK RESIDENCES HIRING Dining Room Servers, Dish & Pot Washers, Cooks needed for upscale assisted living community in Falls Church/McLean. Apply in person at Chesterbrook Residences, 2030 Westmoreland St. Falls Church, VA 22043 or email resume to Chef Bonita Woods at bwoods@cri-va.org

BASEMENT APARTMENT 1 bath, kichinette, own entrance, utilities included, no smoking or pets $750/mo. 703-906-4836

ROOM FOR RENT FC near Graham Rd. Mature female. Hugh room. Share kitchen & bath. Background & credit report required - $475. 703-538-2298

ROUTE 50 OFFICE WITH SIGNAGE 3 office suite at 6500 Arlington Blvd. $1,250 mo incl util 703/243-4808

CHILD CARE Experienced childcare provider provides quality care for your infant in F.C. home. (703) 241-0605.

SECURITY OFFICERS Alexandria/Fairfax area must work night and weekends full-time experienced preferred. (703) 765-0407. DCJS Lic. 11-1027.

DRAPERY SEAMSTRESS/SUPERVISOR Top-notch work for Custom Drapery Treatments. English Speaking a must. Fully Experienced Only. Top Pay. 703-212-9084

DRIVERS Local OPPTY! Great Sal/Benefits. Route Sales/Svc Rep. HS Grad, CDL-B a plus. 703-3310516 Recruiter-north@safety-kleen.com.

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Services COMPUTER SOLUTIONS Affordable At Last!! Individualized Residential & Small Business PC Repair, Consulting, Preventive Maintenance, Upgrades, Installations, Virus Removal, Data Recovery & more! (55/hr On-Site Service) Please send Inquiries to EsotericaComputers@gmail.com or Call 703-7985763 (Ask for Allan)

GET RID OF IT For Removal of Junk, Trash, Yard Debris, Appliances, Furniture & Estate clean-ups. Call Mike Barnes 703-533-0094/571-251-5962

HANDYMAN SERVICE Windows, doors, rotted wood, petdoors, lighting, fans, faucets, fences, bath and kitchen remodeling + insured free estimates. Call Doug (703) 556-4276 www.novahandyman.com

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Available 7 days a week. Week, biweekly, monthly or one time. Good references in Falls Church City. 10 years experience. For further information call me at 703-848-8322. Senior discount, Ask: Susy.

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Low rates. Good references. Call Dolores 571/232-1091.

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PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The legislation referenced below were given first reading on January 14, 2008; and second reading and public hearing will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard. This legislation relates to Atlantic Realty's City Center Project. City Boards and Commissions are in the process of reviewing the legislation and making comments to City Council. The Planning Commission will hold one or two public hearings before making recommendations to the City Council prior to second reading. Please check public notices in this newspaper and the city website www.fallschurchva.gov for more information. Letters to City Council may be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. (1) (TO8-02) An Ordinance To Authorize Condemnation Of Two Parcels Of Land For Road Construction And To Appropriate The Necessary Funds For The Land Acquisition (2) (TO8-03) An Ordinance to Amend the Official Zoning District Map of the City of Falls Church, Virginia, by rezoning approximately 0.69 acres of land from R-M, Multifamily Residential District, to B-2, Central Business District, for properties located at 202, 204, 206, and 208 Gibson Street (Real Property Code Numbers 52-209-002, 52-309-003, 52-309-004 and 52-309-005) to Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. (3) (TR8-02) A Resolution to Grant Special Exceptions for Residential Mixed Use, Residential Mixed Use Height Bonus and Commercial Height Bonus for approximately 8.77 acres of land located at the intersection on W. Annandale Road and South Maple Avenue (Real Property Code Numbers 52-309-121, 52-309120, 52-305-014, 52-305-025, 52-305-023, portion of 52-309-112, portion of 52-309-113, 52-209-002, 52-309-003, 52-309-004 and 52-309-005) to Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. (4) (TO8-04) Ordinance Approving the City Center Economic Development Agreement to be entered into by the City of Falls Church, City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority, and Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. (5) (TR8-03) Resolution to Amend the City of Falls Church Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4, "Land Use and Economic Development," To Revise City Center Text. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Copies of legislation may be obtained from the City Clerk's office (703-248-5014) or at cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Special services or assistance to persons with disabilities may be requested in advance. To speak at a public hearing, fill out a speaker slip and give it to the Clerk at the left front table. Speakers will be called forward by the Mayor at the appropriate time. KATHLEEN CLARKEN BUSCHOW CITY CLERK

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PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE The Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on February 21, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following subject: U1486-08 an application for a Special Use Permit by Chevy Chase Bank, FSB for a bank drivethrough facility as an accessory use to a proposed development at 934 W. Broad Street, such accessory use not otherwise permitted by right and as provided by 38-25(b)(10) and 38-37(4), premises known as Lot 1 Ellison RPC #51-202-009 and Lots 1,2, and 1A of RPC #51-202-028 of the Falls Church Real Property Map Zoned B-3, General Business. The Planning Commission will also consider this matter on February 19, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. for purposes of making a recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Information on this item is available in the Zoning Administrator's office at City hall, West Wing 301, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia.

CBIRT PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE Wednesday, 6 February 2008 - 9 AM City Hall - Planning Conference Room (G04) The City's Chesapeake Bay Interdisciplinary Review Team (CBIRT) will review the following project for compliance with the Chesapeake Bay Protection Ordinance's (CBPO) General Performance Criteria to ensure that the development disturbs the environment and water quality as little as possible. Application CB08-05, 410 S. Virginia Ave. to Construct a New Wood Fence within the City's Resource Protection Area (RPA). The CBIRT will not review aesthetics, construction scheduling, massing, or functionality. Concerns other than CBPO General Performance Criteria should be directed to the appropriate City staff prior to the meeting.

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PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES ABC LICENSE CAW Partners trading as Dogwood Tavern 132 W. Broad St.., Falls Church, Fairfax County, Virginia 22046 is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL for a WIne and Beer on premises/Mixed Beverages on premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Adam Lubar, Treasurer

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS On Monday, February 4, 2008, beginning at 7:45 PM, the Planning Commission will hold public hearings during their regularly scheduled meeting, in the City Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church Virginia 22046, on the following applications and legislation related to future City Center development plans: " (TO8-03) An Ordinance to Amend the Official Zoning District Map of the City of Falls Church, Virginia, by rezoning approximately 0.69 acres of land from R-M, Multifamily Residential District, to B-2, Central Business District, for properties located at 202, 204, 206, and 208 Gibson Street (Real Property Code Numbers 52-209-002, 52-309-003, 52-309-004 and 52-309-005) to Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. " (TR8-02) A Resolution to Grant Special Exceptions for Residential Mixed Use, Residential Mixed Use Height Bonus and Commercial Height Bonus for approximately 8.77 acres of land located at the intersection of W. Annandale Road and South Maple Avenue (Real Property Code Numbers 52-309-121, 52-309120, 52-305-014, 52-305-025, 52-305-023, portion of 52-309-112, portion of 52-309-113, 52-209-002, 52-309-003, 52-309-004 and 52-309-005) to Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. " (TR8-03) A Resolution to Amend the City of Falls Church Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4, "Land Use and Economic Development," To Revise City Center Text. Interested persons may appear and present their views on the proposed applications and legislation. Information or copies of the referenced items and related plans are available in City's Planning Division, at 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church VA., Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, 703-248-5040.

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Mayor Robin S. Gardner . . . . . . . . . . Vice Mayor M. R. Lindy Hockenberry . . . . City Council David C. Chavern . . . . . . . . . . Harold Lippman. . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Maller . . . . . . . . . . . . . David F. Snyder. . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel X. Sze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City Manager Wyatt Shields. . . . . . . . . . . . . Home Page <www.fallschurchva.gov>

January 31 - February 6, 2008

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city calendar

january 31 2008 Business License Renewal Forms Mailed Out Dog License Renewals Due Story Hour, 10:30 a.m Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m.

FEBRuary 1

FIRSTfriday Event Economic Development Authority, 1 p.m.

Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon

Yard Waste, Bundled Brush, & Special Collections Holiday Tree Collection Summer Camp Registration Begins for City Residents Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. City Council Work Session, 7:30 p.m. Planning Commission, 7:45 p.m.

Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. Economic Development Authority, 6:30 p.m.

General District Court in Session Falls Church Cable Access Board, 7 p.m. Recreation & Parks Advisory Board, 7 p.m. Story Hour, 7 p.m.

Architectural Advisory Board, 7:45 p.m. Ash Wednesday

Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. Retirement Board, 5:30 p.m. Human Services Advisory Council, 7 p.m. Book Discussion Group, 7:30 p.m.

The Week

703-534-8644 703-241-0934 703-538-2398 703-237-9089 703-731-8433 703-241-0419 703-538-5986 703-248-5004*

Chinese & Vietnamese New Year

Council Repeals Gym User Fee for NonResident Youth At their Jan. 22 Work Session, the City Council repealed the $2 gym user fee previously charged to youth ages 18 and younger. Non-resident youth can now use the gym for free. Open gym hours for youth ages 18 and younger are Monday-Friday from 3-5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m.-midnight when no other events are scheduled. The gym user fee for non-resident adults ages 19 and up will remain at $3 per use. Call 703-248-5125 for the open gym schedule for adults. All City residents can continue to use the gym at no cost.

provided as a public service by the city of falls church

Questions or Comments? City of Falls Church, Harry E.Wells Building, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church,VA 22046 703-248-5003 (TTY 711) The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711).

Sewer Rehab Project May Emit Harmless Odor Water and sewer customers may notice a harmless, yet unpleasant odor in the coming weeks as the annual sanitary sewer rehabilitation project gets underway. The project involves lining sanitary sewer lines with a resin containing styrene, which produces the harmless odor. On streets where lining is taking place, this odor may enter homes through dry drain traps. To eliminate any possibility of this odor entering your home, pour some water into all drains prior to the start of the lining work, including basement floor and air conditioner condensation drains, to ensure water is in the trap thereby

creating a seal. Customers will be notified and provided with more detailed information shortly before the sewer line serving their residence is scheduled for rehabilitation. Customers on the following streets will be affected: Jackson Street, Rosemary Lane, East Fairfax Street, North Spring Street, Park Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Highland Avenue, Spring Street, Anne Street, Fowler Street, Sewell Avenue, and Kent Street. Lining work is expected to begin in early February and continue through mid-April. Call 703-248-5070 (TTY 711) for more information.

February Developers Forum Highlights Hotel Development The City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority presents: Hotel Development – How are Lodging Industry Decisions Made and What are the Prospects for Falls Church City in the Marketplace? WHO: Economics Research Associates (ERA) is a national consulting firm that conducts research and analysis for real estate development and specializes in the lodging industry. WHAT: The City is the potential location of two new hotels. Both City Center and the 800 block of West Broad Street are proposed sites for popular hotel brands. The City has engaged ERA to provide a detailed examination of the local hotel market with a focus on the feasibility of a full-service hotel product.

This will be an educational presentation by ERA that will include an overview of lodging industry practices and guidelines for site selection, market demand findings for Falls Church, and recommended market niches for the City. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. WHERE: Falls Church Community Center (Teen Center on the upper level). The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5491 (TTY 711).

• Photo identification • Social Security card (or Individual Tax

Identification Number, ITIN) for the taxpayer, spouse and all dependents • All W-2, W-2G, 1099INT, 1099DIV forms • Other income documentation (unemployment or worker’s compensation) • Day care payments and day care provider’s name, address and federal ID number • Student loan interest payments, Form 1098-E • Student tuition and fees, Form 1098-T • Copy of 2006 tax return • Banking information (voided check) for refund deposits

Submit Your Nomination for Memorial Day Grand Marshal Register for the City’s Online Newsletter at www.fallschurchva.gov

Classes and Events The following trips and classes require paid registration. Call 703-248-5077 (TTY 711) for fees and more information. Ski and Snow Board Trip to Whitetail Saturday, Feb. 2, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. There are several packages to choose from and all include a meal voucher.Waivers are required. Babysitting Fundamentals II (ages 8 and older) Saturday, Feb. 2 and 16, 9 a.m.-noon Learn the psychological and physical aspects of care, along with business and other approaches. Bring your childcare concerns, issues and questions. Beginning Knitting Saturdays beginning Feb. 2, 9-11 a.m. First-time knitters will be taught the basics of knitting and pattern reading.Participants will knit a scarf and a hat! This class is appropriate for ages 12 and older.

Global Arts – MiniTravelers (ages 3-5) Saturdays beginning Feb. 2 Zoom around the world exploring music, movement, folktales, art, drama, geography, language and games in a specially designed, developmentally appropriate curriculum. Basic Beading for Beginners Sunday, Feb. 3, 2-4 p.m. Learn the basic techniques to make your own unique jewelry. Using simple tools and quality materials, you will string and finish your own beaded necklace, bracelet, and matching earrings. Babysitting Fundamentals (Ages 8 and older) Sunday, Feb. 10, 2:30-5:30 p.m. This is an introductory course in child care. Bring your childcare concerns, issues and questions (bring a snack, too!).

Knitting Workshop Saturday, Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 23, noon-2 p.m. Get help on your current projects. Bring your projects and knitting supplies with you. Sign up for one, two, three, or all four Saturdays! This class is appropriate for ages 12 and older.

City of Falls Church Farmers Market Every Saturday from 9 a.m. - Noon

Going Green

Order Free Leaf Mulch NOW! Don’t miss out on free leaf mulch offered by the Department of Environmental Services! Falls Church City residents who place their orders will receive top priority through Feb.15.After that date, orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis for addresses within a five-mile radius of the City.This is the 14th year of the popular leaf mulch program, which saves tax dollars, brings life back to your soil, and helps control stormwater runoff. Leaf mulch request forms are available at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N.Virginia Ave.), the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.), City Hall Lobby, the Commissioner of Revenue Office and the Treasurer’s Office (300 Park Ave., East Wing), and the Department of Environmental Services (300 Park Ave.,West Wing, 3rd floor). Forms may also be downloaded at www.fallschurchva.gov. Make the most of your mulch by following these basic rules:

FREE Income Tax Preparation The City of Falls Church Housing and Human Services Division is offering FREE tax preparation for eligible taxpayers who live or work in the City of Falls Church and earned less than $40,000 in 2007. Feb. 1-April 11, 2008 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. By Appointment Only - Call 703-2485005 (TTY 711) Documentation Required:

FOR THE WEEK of

The 2008 Falls Church City Memorial Day Parade & Festival Committee is seeking nominations for the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. Please contact Jenny Elmore in the Recreation & Parks Division at 703-248-5199 (TTY 711) or jelmore@fallschurchva.gov with nominations or questions.

Summer Camp Brochure Available Online The Recreation & Parks Division’s annual summer camp program offers a variety of activities for youth of all ages. Programs are offered June through August, and range from sports to art and theatre. Registration begins Monday, Feb. 4 for City residents and Monday, Feb. 11 for non-City residents. The 2008 Summer Camp brochure is available at the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.) and online at www.fallschurchva.gov. Call 703-248-5077 (TTY 711) for more information.

• Spread mulch under the tree’s canopy. • Applythe mulch in a layer that is 2” to 4” high. • NEVERpile mulch against the trunk of the tree. • Keep the mulched area free of weeds. For more information about the leaf mulch program, contact the City’s Environmental Programs Specialist at 703-248-5176 (TTY 711). For questions about mulch delivery, contact the Assistant Director of Operations at 703-248-5281 (TTY 711).

Learn the facts about City Center and share your feedback. Details and the public meeting schedule available at www.fallschurchva.gov/ citycenter.html.

Falls Church Recreation & Parks Division 223 Little Falls Street Falls Church, VA 22046 703-248-5077* Phone Numbers Open Gym/Weather Hotline 703-248-5125* Special Events Hotline 703-248-5178* Fax 703-536-5125 Senior Center 703-248-5020*/21* Community Center Hours Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - Midnight Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Midnight Sunday Noon - 6 p.m. Open Gym Hours Open Gym hours are updated on a bi-weekly basis and are also posted on the Open Gym Hotline, 703-248-5125*. All hours are subject to change. * Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 45

ly Focus

Chairman: Craig Cheney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Chairman: Ronald Peppe II . . . . . . . . . . School Board Rosaura Aguerrebere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Kearney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kieran Sharpe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Wodiska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superintendent: Dr. Lois Berlin . . . . . . . . . . .

government and the falls church city public schools

january 31-FEBRUARY 6, 2008

Children’s Author Takes Residence at MEHMS Celebrated children’s author, Doreen Rappaport arrives February 12 as Artist-in-Residence at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Rappaport has penned numerous nonfiction and historical fiction books for children that draw heavily on primary sources and integrate historical figures’ own words into the text. In her sessions with Henderson students she will stress the research and writing process from idea to finished book. In advance of her three day visit, Rappaport has sent copies of her books for teachers and students to read, along with a list of activities and projects. She has also sent a draft of a chapter from the book that she is currently working on, for the students in seventh grade to critique and edit for her. A New York City native, Mrs. Rappaport majored in music at Brandeis University and taught music and reading at a junior high school in both New York City and New Rochelle, New York. In 1965 she went to McComb, Mississippi to teach at a freedom school. This experience had a profound affect on her as she writes “the courage and determination of the Southern

For more news about the Falls Church City Public Schools visit: www.fccps.org

Budget Calendar Update NOTICE: Due to a scheduling conflict, the Falls Church City School Board has set February 20th as the date of the final public hearing and work session on the FY’09 budget.

February 9 8:30 a.m. Budget Work Session - #2 (MEH) February 12 7:30 p.m. Public Hearing - #2 (City Hall) February 20 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing - #3 (MEH) 7:30 p.m. Budget Work Session - # 3 (MEH) February 26 7:30 p.m. School Board Votes on Budget (City Hall)

black Americans who confronted violence with nonviolence transformed my life and ideas.” Rappaport has received numerous honors and awards including a Coretta Scott King Honor and Caldecott Honor Book, the Flora Stieglitz Straw Award, Notable Trade Books in the field of Social Studies, an ALA Notable Book award, and most recently, the Washington Post 2007 Children’s Book Guild Award for Nonfiction (for which she will be honored at a banquet in April.

At Henderson It’s a “Soup-er Bowl” Look out New England Patriots. You may be favored in this Sunday’s Super Bowl, but at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School you can’t hold a spoon to the New York Giants. For the past two weeks, students have been collecting canned goods for the Salvation Army and showing their support for their favorite team in the process. Brightly decorated

boxes, one for the Patriots and another for the Giants, are in each homebase room in a campaign aptly titled “Block Out Hunger” As of last Thursday, the Giants were leading. The final score won’t be known until tomorrow. But we already know the winner…the Salvation Army’s pantry where some 1,000 cans are expected to be delivered soon.

For more information about Doreen Rappaport and her work, visit her web site at www.doreenrappaport.com.

You can watch NASA: Destination Tomorrow on FCC-TV at the following times: • Tuesdays at 9:00am & 4:00pm • Thursdays at 5:30pm • Sundays 1:30pm

Megan Atkinson Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School School involvement: Organizes Field Day, and worked with Robek’s to give smoothies to all participants; serves on BIE Advisory Committee and FCCPS Wellness Committee. Why Megan is a BIE partner: “As a physical education and health teacher, I believe in the importance of teaching children things that will help them throughout their lives. It is a pleasure to work with local businesses to reinforce the lifelong aspects of health and wellness.” For more information about sharing your expertise through the BIE Partnership, visit www.fccps.org or contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps.org. School content published in The Weekly Focus is written and edited by the Falls Church City Public Schools. For more information, contact the Falls Church City Public Schools Communications Office. Phone: (703) 248-5699 Fax: (703) 248-5613.

DATES ARE SubjEcT To chAngE January 7:30 p.m. Family Life Education 31 Adv. Comm. (GM) 7:30 p.m. Madison Co. @ Mason (B Basketball) February 1 7:30 p.m. Clarke Co. @ Mason (G Basketball) 10:00 a.m. Dual Tournament @ 2 Mason (Wrestling) 12:00 p.m. Mason @ Luray Tournament (Academic Team) 4

7:00 p.m. Special Education Adv. Comm. (TJ)

5 6

7:30 p.m. Mason @ Clarke Co. (B Basketball) 7:30 p.m. PTSA (GM)

7:30 p.m. Mason @ Strasburg (G Basketball) 6:30 p.m. Family Literacy Night (MD) 7:30 p.m. Rapp. Co. @ Mason (B Basketball)

8:30 a.m. School Board Budget Worksession (MEH)

11–12 Kuder Interest Inventory Testing (GM) 11–15 Stanford Testing (TJ) 11

7:30 p.m. Gifted and Talented Adv. Comm. (TJ) (MD) Mt. Daniel Elementary (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High

Mt. Daniel book Fair coming Feb. 25-29

Tune in to Falls Church Community Television (FCC-TV) to watch NASA: Destination Tomorrow. This 30-minute program, produced by NASA, focuses on NASA research, including new technologies, advanced aerodynamics, past achievements and medical breakthroughs. Each program gives an inside look at NASA, and demonstrates how it’s research and technology relates to our everyday lives.

BIE Partner of the Week

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Check the FCCPS Web site for more calendar information. www.fccps.org

FCC-TV Spotlight: NASA: Destination Tomorrow

FCC-TV airs on Cox Channel 12, Verizon FiOS Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2. For a complete schedule of the variety of community programs on FCC-TV, visit www.fcctv.net.

703-536-8638 703-536-7564 703-532-0321 703-536-3130 703-533-1248 703-248-5601*

* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

upcoming Important budget Dates

Doreen Rappaport, Artist-in-Residence at MEHMS February 12-14.

703-237-6931 703-534-4951

A sneak peak at the competition in history teacher, Rory Dippold’s class finds the Giants fans (left) outpacing the Patriots fans by a 2 to 1 ratio. Boxes similar to these are in every homeroom at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. The school is hoping to raise 1,000 cans of food for the Salvation Army in the drive.

Kindergarten Registration Packets coming Soon to city Residents Parents of children who will be five years old by September 30, 2008, should begin planning for kindergarten at Mount Daniel School. To help you better understand the process, Mount Daniel administrators and faculty will present a Kindergarten Information Night on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s multipurpose room. A brief overview of the school day, curriculum, day care program, and registration requirements will be presented through a video and panel discussion. Parents will receive a packet of registration information by mail prior to that evening with instructions for on-line registration. To request a packet visit www.fccps.org/md. Registration will be held for kindergarten parents and students Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Parents will be notified of a time that will be reserved for them and their child to see a classroom and turn in completed registration forms.

Volunteers are being sought for the Mt. Daniel Elementary Spring Book Fair to be held February 25-29. Both day and evening volunteer opportunities are available including set-up, assisting children with wish lists, story time readers, and cashiers. The PTA is looking to continue the successful traditions of previous book fairs including: • Titles for pre-K to 4th grade — easy, young and middle readers, science & non-fiction, Spanish titles • Special interest books for parents • Bargain books • Tuesday and Wednesday evening sales: 5:30–8:30 pm • Story time for children during evening sales • Teacher wish lists As little as an hour of your time can make a big difference! Please contact Mary Beth MacKinnon at 703-533-1615.

Page 46

January 31 - February 6, 2008

BACK IN THE DAY dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the w No for all time cows od go me to to coaid of the pastheir Now ture.

15 s Yearo Ag

time is the all for cows good me to to coaid of the pastheir Now ture. time is the all for cows good me to to coaid of the their.

15 & 10 YEARS AGO Falls Church News-Press Vol II, No. 46 • February 4, 1993

LASSO GETS IT! “At a special meeting Tuesday night the City Council voted 6-0 (Dover absent) to name David R. Lasso the new City Manager. “After a five-month search that drew 190 applicants from all over the country, the Council found its choice in its own backyard. “Lasso, 40, has been the City Attorny since 1982 and has been Acting City Manager since the resignation of John V. Doane in September. Lasso...”

Helen Thomas Continued from Page 10

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle fell all over themselves to shake his hand and get his autograph. He delivered his remarks in a defiant manner -- sometimes dripping with sarcasm -- such as his comments during Congress to make his tax cuts permanent. “Others have said they would be personally happy to pay higher taxes,” he said with a smile. “I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.” He was rewarded for that jibe with a big laugh from the crowd. Bush, who once styled himself a “compassionate conservative,” did not tell the nation he is leaving behind a $9 trillion national debt -- something for future generations to deal with. Throughout his speech he spoke of his “trust” in the American people. “And so long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be

Read all of the New York Times columnists on the Web at www.FCNP.com

IN THE

NEWS-P PREESS

It is now the time for all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up

Falls Church News-Press Vol VII, No. 47 • February 5, 1998

CRITTER CORNER 10 Year s Ago

It is now the time for all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * * * Throw Pour it it up. up

3 More Candidates Annouce for City Council Race Here “Three more candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to run for Falls Church City Council in the upcoming May 5 general election. Dan Gardener will seek the endorsement of the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) when it holds its nominating convention Feb. 17, but the other two - Kathie Winckler and Roger Neighborgall - are planning to run as independents. “Campaign statements begin...”

secure and the state of our union will remain strong,” he declared. Unfortunately, Bush has conducted the most secretive administration in recent history, so the trust has not been a twoway street. If he actually trusted the will of the people he would have pulled up stakes from his Iraqi blunder a long time ago. The polls have shown that the American people want to bring the troops home from Iraq. They also show Bush is hovering around 29 percent in popularity. Bush seems to have no qualms in dumping the mess he created in foreign and domestic matters on his successor. Among the first priorities for a successor Democrat or Republican--is to repair the U.S. standing in world opinion.

If Americans want to claim that they are “Canadian” when they go abroad -- and many have -we surely have lost our pedestal.By the way, Canada -our friendly neighbor -- listed the U.S. in a military training manual as among the nations that tortures prisoners. As he heads into the sunset, it can be said the president has been consistent, never wavering in his self-righteous defense of his unprovoked attack on Iraq; tax cuts for the wealthiest people in the country, and taxpayer revenues for government social programs shared with private religious charities, among other things. Bush seems to be confident that history is always kinder and forgiving toward past presidents. That may be his consolation. © 2007 Hearst Newspapers

HERE WE SEE THE MIGHTY JAKE, carrying his recently vanquished foe, in this case (and in all cases), a tennis ball. Since Jake was adopted from Lab Rescue by Falls Church resident Robert Fransen, he performed admirably in the pursuit of loose, and therefore dangerous, tennis balls. The sheer destruction that a single tennis ball can cause is often overlooked by the mainstream media, and our so-called public servants continue to do nothing. Only Jake and those of his kind are fighting the good fight against this menace, tirelessly hunting down these fuzzy green abominations again and again and again until it's time to sleep. Treat Jake and his kind like you would any American hero, and give them a pat on the head. If you would like to see your pet here, e-mail us at crittercorner@fcnp.com or send a picture and short description to Falls Church News-Press c/o Critter Corner, 450 W. Broad St., Suite 321, Falls Church, VA 22046.

1249 W. Broad Street Falls Church, Va. 22046 (703) 532-6121

Have you noticed........

MY PET!

how unpredictable the weather is in this area? Who would have thought on January 8th the temperature would be 71 degrees? That is why we recommend all of our patients be on heartworm preventive and a flea/tick protection program all year long.

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Page 47

The

Directory Listings:

3 months - $150 6 months - $270

CALL US AT

Business Listing

703-532-3267 n

Diener & Associates, CPA.. . . . . . . . . 241-8807 Demeo PLLC, CPA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 931-0815 Mark Sullivan, CPA. . . . . . . . . . . 571-214-4511 Hahn & Associates, PC, CPAs. . . . . . 533-3777 n

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Falls Church Antique Company . . . . . 241-7074 Antique Annex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-9642 n

Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 Carpets, Ducts, Windows. . . . . . . . . . 823-1922

ACCOUNTING

ASSISTED LIVING

Falls Church Clockworks . . . . . . . . . . 536-6731 n

AUTOMOTIVE

Amsoil Dealer 526099 . . . . . . . . 580-748-0055 VA Auto Repair (Wittstatts). . . . . . . . . 533-3000 Beyer Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5000 n

BEAUTY

BUSINESS SERVICES

CATERING

CLEANING SERVICES

Pressure Washing/Deck, Siding. . . . . 980-0225

FRAMING

FURNITURE

HEALTH & FITNESS

Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0140 Sacred Well Yoga and Healing . . . . . 989-8316 Authentic Pilates (Arlington). . . . . . . . 527-9626 Personal Fitness Training. . . . . . . . . . 309-8500

CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Raymond Solano, drsolano.com . 536-4366 n

FLORISTS

HOBBIES & COLLECTIBLES

Miniatures from the Attic . . . . . . . . . . . 237-0066

HOME IMPROVEMENT

9th Green Lawn Service - Full Svc. . . 538-5869 Weaver Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323-9351 Seven Brothers Landscaping. . . . . . . 241-4990 Lawn Care Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691-2351 n

MASONRY

Jeff L. Cadle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698-1390 n

THERAPY

Neurofeedback Center of VA . . . . . . . 536-2690 n

TRAVEL

All Travel & Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970-4091

MEDICAL

Academy of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938-8054 Columbia Institute - Fine Arts. . . . . . . 534-2508 Foxes Music Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7393

TAILOR

Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886 n

MASSAGE

MUSIC

REAL ESTATE

Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 www.RoadstoHome.com, Chris Rhodes405-6800 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones. . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 Leslie Hutchison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .675-2188 www.Mortgage1040.com . . . . . . . . . . 448-3508 The Young Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356-8800 Shaun Murphy, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . 868-5999 www.TheJeffersonatBallston.com . . . 741-7562 Susan Fauber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-8741

Dr Gordon Theisz, Family Medicine. . 533-7555 The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy. . . . 536-4042

POLITICAL PARTIES

Falls Church Democratic Committee 534-8644 n

TUTORS

Your Computer Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-2821 Huntington Learning Center. . . . . . . . 379-8810

VA Massage Combination . . . . . . .571-282-4522 Sheraton Premiere Women’s Massage 403-9328 n

PLUMBING

Williams Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . 571-274-6831 n

INSURANCE

LAWN & GARDEN

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Theracare Wellness Center . . . . . . . . 560-4300

Nationwide/Bob Pierce Agency . . . . . 241-7847 State Farm Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105

EYEWEAR

Bratt Decor Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-6833 Antique & Contemporary Restoration 241-8255

B.D.G. Design Catering . . . . . . . . . . . 237-2964 n

EQUIPMENT RENTAL/SALE

Art and Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-4202

CARPET CLEANING

Mike’s Carpet Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 978-2270 n

DENTISTS

Galleria Florist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0770 Falls Church Florist, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1333

BOOK BINDING

SS Business Brokerage . . . . . . . 703-830-9526 Jon Rizalvo, PAYCHEX . . . . 698-6910 x27045

COUNSELING

Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-6500 n

BCR Binders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9181

CONSTRUCTION

VA Outdoor Power Equipment . . . . . . 207-2000 Ace Tool & Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 532-5600

Universal Beauty Supply & Salon . . . 534-7926 n

COMPUTER SERVICES

Drs. William Dougherty, Julie D. Tran 532-3300 Dr. Mike McCombs, Orthodontist . . . . 820-1011 Dr. Nimisha V. Patel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1993

BANKING

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co.. . . 519-1634 BB&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-3505 Acacia Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-8100 n

HOME CARE

NED Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7457 Hudson Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5310 Alex Mac Cormack... “Repairs” . . . . . 534-1815 FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 Ideal Custom Painting . . . . . . . . 202-277-8136 James Roofing & Home Improvement 593-3383 Joseph Home Improvement. . . . . . . . 507-5005 M.D. Painting & Decorating Co.. . . . . 966-2954 DAST Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 898-8318 Shiner Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560-7663 J & S Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-1171 The Vinyl Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793-3111

Carol S. Miller, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-4980 George Coyne, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 328-4112 Career/Life/Retirement Coach . . . . . . 241-2620 Josette Millman, APRN . . . . . . . . . . . 855-0396

ATTORNEYS

Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 John A. Boneta & Associates . . . . . . 536-6166 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . .312-0410

Alba Construction, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-0733 n

1 Line Maximum

(30 characters + Ph. #, incl. spaces)

Human Touch Home Health. . . . . . . . 531-0540

Fast Teks On-Site Computer Srvcs . . 496-7807

Sunrise of Falls Church . . . . . . . . . . . 534-2700 n

CLOCK REPAIR

1 year - $450

OTHER SERVICES

Phillip J. Walsh & Associates, P.C. . . 448-0073 Miss Theresa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-317-7955 Identity Theft Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635-3791 Soo Young Lim Sewing Lessons . . . . 300-1188

PET SERVICES

Falls Church Animal Hospital . . . . . . . .532-6121

All numbers have a ‘703’ prefix unless otherwise indicated.

To see your business here, call us at 703-532-3267, fax 703-342-0352 or E-Mail us at ADS@FCNP.com

Make Your Pet a Star! Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be!

Visit Us Online

Snap a pic of your critter and email it to: CRITTERCORNER@FCNP.COM OR mail it to Critter Corner c/o Falls Church News-Press 450 W. Broad Street #321

Critter

Falls Church, Va 22046

Corner

www.fcnp.com News•Photos•Online Polls•Sports and More

Page 48

January 31 - February 6, 2008

Sold! The market is alive and well in Falls Church City!

Sold with four offers on the table to choose from after less than week on the market! Absolutely charming and beautifully updated Cape on sought-after, tree-lined street. Spacious Living room with Fireplace, large separate Dining Room with lovely moulding and French Doors to Stone patio and large beautifully landscaped yard. Stunning granite and stainless steel kitchen has large island with seating area on three sides, custom ceramic tile floor and backsplash, built in desk with granite top, and top-of-the-line appliances, including 6 burner cook top and two ovens. Wonderful first floor family room has Fireplace flanked by bookcases, built-in window seat with storage, and door to patio. Two master bedrooms – total of four bedrooms and four full baths. Hardwood floors,wine closet & more.$895,000. Let Merelyn market your house!

Merelyn Kaye Selling Falls Church Since 1970

Life Member, NVAR TopProducer Member 20+ Million Dollar Sales Club Top 1/2% of all Agents Nationwide

Home 241-2577 Office 790-9090 X418 Mobile 362-1112

Just Google “Merelyn” For Your Real Estate Needs www.kayes.com

1320 Old Chain Bridge Road McLean, Virginia 22101