Falls Church News-Press - March 13, 2008

The Virginia State Board of Elections certified a referendum question for the May 6 ballot in Falls Church that would, if passed, change the City’s charter by imposing a strict limit on the ratio of commercial to residential square feet in any new mixed use development project.

See page 5

The Council voted 6-0 to give a preliminary “first reading” approval to waivers and special exceptions needed for the construction of a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in the 700 block of West Broad Street.

See News Briefs, page 7

Barack Obama had a theory. It was that the voters are tired of the partisan paralysis of the past 20 years.

The theory was that if Obama could inspire a grass-roots movement with a new kind of leadership, he could ride it to the White House and end gridlock in Washington.

See page 10

Breaking from the recent liveaction versions of “The Cat in the Hat” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who!” is done up in CGI and looks to be a winner. Starring Jim Carrey as Horton and Steve Carrell as the Mayor of Who-ville.

See page 30

While the residential real estate crisis had led some surrounding Northern Virginia jurisdictions to grapple with the prospect of monstrous hikes in their real estate tax rates, the City of Falls Church will not be similarly impacted, City Manager Wyatt Shields reported to the City Council here this Monday.

Shields presented his recommended $70,427,560 FY ’09 budget to the Council Monday, noting that a hefty $101 million in assessments from new construction has ameliorated the impact of declining residential assessments, limiting the need for a tax rate hike to only three cents.

Due to the new construction, mostly new mixed-use construction in the City’s commerciallyzoned corridors, Shields said that average net taxes owed by City residential homeowners will actually decline in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Since the median assessment for a single family home in Falls Church declined from $651,600 to $622,000 in the past year, he noted that even with a proposed tax rate of $1.04, up from the current $1.01 per $100 of assessed valuation, the median tax bill for single family homeowners will decline by $112.

That’s because the new construction has accounted for three percent of the total assessments in the new budget, and will add far more in the coming years as projects now approved or under construction are completed.

The news comes in the conContinued on Page 13

Page 2

March 13 - 19, 2008

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Vol. XVIII, No. 2 March 13 - 19, 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 last 10 days marked the conjunction of three momentous and, to our minds, interrelated developments in the City of Falls Church.

The final approval by the City Council of the $317 million Atlantic Realty City Center project on Feb. 28 was followed by the celebration of 17 years of consecutive, unbroken weekly publication of the Falls Church News-Press, and the recognition of our chief, the News-Press’ founder, owner and editor Nicholas F. Benton, as the “Business Person of the Year” by the City Council last Monday.

Since the News-Press was founded by Benton in March 1991 with the blessing and moral support of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, the paper has editorialized relentlessly for the kind of large-scale development along the City’s commercially-zoned corridors, which achieved a milestone and major inflection point with the approval of the City Center project last month.

In only the paper’s fourth edition, on April 18, 1991, Benton penned an editorial entitled, “Go Out and Get It.” He wrote, “The single biggest factor threatening the City’s fiscal well-being in recent years has been the steady decline in revenues generated from business activity…It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that unless steps are taken to swiftly reverse that trend in the coming year, the future viability of the City as we have come to know it will be in question.”

He added, “But to get the kind of business to locate here that we want, we have to go out after it, and make some changes of our own, if necessary, to get it here. This does not contradict the goals of those who see quality of life and quality of education as paramount for Falls Church. Without the tax base to support these objectives, they cannot be obtained or maintained.”

The same month, the City Council dedicated a small sum of $50,000 to the creation of what became a new, fledgling economic development instrument, a so-called “Private-Public Partnership,” and Benton was on its founding Board of Directors. Benton then became presidentelect, and subsequently served two terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and has served on its Board of Directors ever since.

Upon becoming president of the Chamber in 1993, Benton created something called the Chamber’s “Parent-Teacher-Student Advisory Committee.” This novel innovation was designed to enable the Chamber to reach out to the Falls Church community, to create a better appreciation for how business development and maintaining quality schools are in concert, and not at odds, each with the other.

Then, in a stunning move, the Chamber went on record in April 1995 supporting the full funding of the City School Board’s budget request. Psychologically, that turned the corner for the City to fully embrace economic development, setting the table for all that has followed since.

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Editor, If you haven’t seen the language of the proposed development referendum, you should take a very close look. Whatever the intentions behind this effort, the referendum itself is confusing and badly structured, to the point of being pointless. What is a “pending project” (as opposed to a “project”)? How did 60% become a magic number? What if zoning or uses change? Are all commercial and retail uses preferable to residential – or is the mix important?

The City Center South project has been approved, and we

have already changed the Comp Plan to prohibit residential on the North Side of City Center.

This referendum now seems intended to just try and stop the FCHC’s proposed affordable housing project on the South Side (not a very worthy goal) – and maybe Akridge’s somewhat interesting proposal for North Washington Street.

(Remember that Akridge was the City’s former Master Developer.) I can’t imagine why either of those objectives is meaningful enough to muckup our charter with this piece of political theater.

Don’t listen to the hype

Editor, How disappointing it was to see the City Council, city staff and a local politico tie up court time trying to remove from the ballot the recently certified referendum brought forth by over 600 citizens of our city. It is one thing for the politico, a citizen of our city to bring a case forward. But for the City Council to ask the City Attorney to weigh in, this seems wholly undemocratic.

When a group of citizens bring forth a ballot measure, no matter how silly it might

seem to the city leaders, they should have the right to have their voice heard through a public vote, not suppressed in the courts. The sitting city leaders should rightly fear a backlash of voter discord come May. Michael F. Thomas Falls Church (Editor replies — The F.C. City Attorney’s explanation is reported elsewhere this edition.)

Editor, We got our 2008 real estate assessment statement today complete with a five-color logo More Letters on Page 6

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 3

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March 13 - 19, 2008

“Is the proposed 3 cent tax rate hike in F.C. reasonable?”

• Yes • No

The Virginia State Board of Elections certified this week a referendum question for the May 6 ballot in the City of Falls Church that would, if passed, change the City’s charter by imposing a strict limit on the ratio of commercial to residential square feet in any new mixed use development project.

Acting in accordance with the unanimous backing of the Falls Church City Council during a closed session on March 3, F.C. City Attorney Roy Thorpe appeared with City Councilman Hal Lippman in the Arlington Circuit Court on March 5 to seek a delay in the decision to place the referendum question on the May ballot, but was overruled

by Judge Benjamin Kendrick.

Thorpe argued there were some unclear matters that needed to be resolved in the language of the proposed resolution.

But when the matter went to the Virginia State Board of Elections, they initially ruled against the referendum on grounds of ambiguous language, reflecting some

of Thorpe’s concerns. However, in subsequent consultations with legal counsel of the proponents of the referendum, a minor modification to the language was permitted by the Board of Elections, which then approved the referendum for the ballot.

At this Monday’s public City Council meeting, Thorpe explained what happened, insisting that “it was never the intention block a vote, but to ensure that what was voted on is consistent with the Code of Virginia.”

Councilman David Snyder took exception, however, stating the City’s role, “was a transparent attempt to stop voters from expressing a point of view.”

“The politics of this are evident,” he said, noting that he’d been absent from the March 3 meeting authorizing Thorpe’s petition for a delay, and that had he been there he would not have supported it.

Thorpe rejoined, saying, “Despite accusations of partisanship, I presented a legal issue of importance, only. There was a clear issue of potential vested rights of property owners

that I hoped to have more time to consider.”

He noted that a spokesman in favor of the referendum effectively conceded this when he said that any “potential conflicts” in the referendum, “should be left to another day.”

Lippman confirmed that what Thorpe did was, “consistent with the will of the City Council.”

Snyder urged that the transcript of the court hearing be made available.

Thorpe reminded the Council that, if approved by voters, the referendum question would require approval by the Virginia General Assembly, which would not take it up until next January, and if passed, would not go into effect until July 1, 2009.

That suggested that if the matter were delayed until the November ballot, it would have had no effect on the time it would become law.

As it is, the referendum question will join eight candidates running for three City Council seats and four candidates running for three School Board seats on the May 6 City of Falls Church ballot.

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Page 5

$8000.00 The 24-hour-a-day Crisis Link hotline is due to lose all of its $135,000 annual funding from Fairfax County if the Fairfax Supervisors follow the proposal of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, the program’s director reported this week.

The hotline, which served 27,000 callers last year, is a vital component of the services provided by Crisis Link, a comprehensive suicide and crisis prevention organization that provides support and resources for life crises, trauma and suicide throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Crisis Link organizers are mobilizing their supporters to contact Fairfax Supervisors to urge the funding be maintained.

They are calling for a large turnout at the April 2 County Board meeting to make the case.

Calls to the hotline have soared in the past five years, up by 78.1% in Fairfax County, while the calls from youths are up by 227%. Suicide-related calls are up 50.5%, including 583 calls from Fairfax County residents.

In 2006, there were 90 suicide deaths in Fairfax County and Falls Church, up 32% since 2004. Suicides here outnumber homicides by five to one.

“The Fairfax youth suicide rate is second only to Arlington in Northern Virginia,” according to a Crisis Link memo. “Crisis Link’s hotlines are the safety value and last resort before tragedy strikes. What’s not on the nightly news are all the stories of desperate people successfully de-escalated by Crisis Link’s hotlines, untold stories that would literally fill volumes.”

Crisis Link has partnered with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services board for 39 years, but the board was tasked by the County Executive to slash its budget by 4% this year, leading to the recommendation to cut off all its funding to the hotline.

By contrast to its proposed funding cut, Crisis Link estimates it saved Fairfax County taxpayers $1,078,550 in ambulance, police, 9-1-1, hospital and treatment costs by talking its callers out of suicide attempts.

Unauthorized use of Vehicle, Koons Ford, 1051 E Broad St., March 4, 12:10 p.m., police arrested a male, 41, of Arlington, VA for Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle.

Drunkenness, 100 blk. W Broad St., March 4, 10:51 a.m., police arrested a male, 40, of NO FIXED ADDRESS, for DIP. Fraud, 400 blk. Rollins St., between February 13 and March 4, unknown person(s) has used victim’s credit card to make unauthorized online purchases.

Driving under the Influence, 6500 blk. Flagmaker Ct., March 5, 4:07 p.m., police arrested a female, 27, of Falls Church, VA for DUI and No Operator’s License.

Larceny, Exxon, 400 W Broad St., March 5, 4:10 p.m., unknown person(s) pumped $31.96 worth of unleaded gasoline and drove off without paying for it.

Urinating in Public, 6500 blk.

Flagmaker Ct., March 5, 4:57 p.m., police arrested a male, 26, of Falls Church, VA for Urinating in Public.

Drunkenness, 7Eleven, 804 S Washington St., March 5, 6:21 p.m., police arrested a male, 42, of NO FIXED ADDRESS, for DIP. Larceny from Building, 400 N Washington St., #100, between March 5, 5:30 p.m. and March 6, 10:22 a.m., unknown person(s) entered an office and stole an IBM Laptop Computer and $180.00 cash.

Larceny from Building, The Falls Church, 150 S Washington St., between March 5, 4:00 p.m. and March 6, 12:30

p.m., unknown person(s) entered the establishment and stole $500.00 cash.

Liquor Law Violation, 6787 Wilson Blvd., #A, March 6, 8:02 p.m., police arrested a male, 41, of Falls Church, VA for alcoholic beverages on the premises of a restaurant without a license.

Weapons Law Offense, 6763 Wilson Blvd., #R3, March 6, 8:53 p.m., police arrested a male, 28, of Silver Spring, MD for DIP. Incident to the case, after searching Suspect Tat, police recovered on his persons a .22 caliber automatic handgun in the inside jacket pocket.

Destruction of Property, The Byron, 513 W Broad St., March 7, 10:51 a.m., unknown person(s) broke the towel bar, being used to hold (7) real estate lock boxes.

Larceny, Shoplifting, Rite Aid, 1003 W Broad St., police arrested a male, 38, of Falls Church, VA for stealing duct tape and gloves. The items were recovered. Incident to the case, after searching Suspect, police recovered on his persons a pellet gun, black in color and strongly resembled a real, functional handgun tucked into the abdomen area of his hooded sweatshirt. Upon exiting the establishment with Suspect, police discovered the vehicle he was operating had been reported “carjacked” out of Fairfax County. Fairfax County Police arrived on the scene with witnesses who were able to positively identify Suspect as the “carjacker.”

Larceny from Vehicle, 800 blk. W Broad St., March 8, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., unknown person(s) stole four hubcaps off a 2006 Toyota.

Driving under the Influence, 100 blk. E Broad St., March 9, 3:45 a.m., police arrested a male, 47, of Washington, DC for DUI. Larceny, Shoplifting, Giant Foods, 1230 W Broad St., March 9, 9:15 p.m., police arrested a female, 22, of Falls Church, VA for stealing shampoo, conditioner, foundation, lip coloring, Lotrimin and (3) DVDs.

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on the letterhead.

If the City is trying to cut back on expenses why would a department make the statements look better by adding all this color?

Compare the expense of an all black-and-white logo versus a five-color logo to go out to city residents while looking at really trying to do administrative cutbacks. It works both ways.

Citizens bundled their twigs, recycle in $1 sticker bags each Monday and bundle cardboard. I would hope City Hall will put some effort into cutting its expenses and not just let City residents take on the burden.

Mary Kimble Falls Church

Editor, It’s time for a change. This

March 13 - 19, 2008

has been the common theme of this election season.

Responding to my Letter to the Editor questioning the apparent lack of fiscal responsibility demonstrated by the City Manager, several City residents called and inquired as to whether I was interested in running for a seat on the City Council.

At that time I was not planning to run, but then I heard that the incumbent Mayor and Vice Mayor were pursuing reelection for their third fouryear term.

These incumbents have had eight years on the City Council and have served as rubber stamps for Dan McKeever and Wyatt Shields. How many City residents can truthfully say they are better off today than they were eight years ago? On their watch City residents now pay some of the highest taxes in the area.

During these eight years there has been a plethora of building—residential and commercial—and even though the real estate bubble has burst the City leaders encourage more developers to continue building. The most costly of these will be the City Center. There will be a referendum on the ballot in May concerning this project and even though the Council knew this they voted

unanimously to approve the City Center plans.

The elected governing body of the City of Falls Church essentially thumbed its nose at a good percentage of City residents.

There’s also the budget. The City is essentially broke. From where is all this money coming—is there another $100,000,000.00 water account we don’t know about?

The City Manager and the City Council, led by Mayor Gardner and Vice Mayor Hockenberry, have failed to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to the residents of the City of Falls Church.

I am asking you to give me the most precious freedom you own—your vote. This right to vote in free elections is what keeps our country the greatest democracy on this earth.

My name is Margaret Housen and I am an Independent candidate running for a seat on the City Council. I have been a resident of the City since July 2006, as well as being a former employee of the City.

I was also an employee of the City for 27 months and this knowledge and experience gives me a unique perspective of the challenges it faces.

Margaret Housen Falls Church

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 7

Sen. Webb Endorses Byrne for Congress U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) announced he’s endorsing Leslie Byrne for Congress in the 11th District Democratic Primary. Byrne, who became the first woman elected to Congress in Virginia history when she won the seat in 1992, is in a tough race with Gerry Connolly, chair of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, and Gulf War veteran Doug Denneny. Democrats are hoping to regain the seat occupied by Rep. Tom Davis since 1994. Davis announced he will not seek re-election this year.

The Democratic primary election will be held June 10. “I am convinced Leslie Byrne is our best candidate,� Webb wrote. “She shares my values about economic fairness and the need to re-order our national security priorities, both in Iraq and throughout the world.� Webb is slated to appear at a fundraiser for Byrne on March 31.

F.C. Council Preliminarily OK’s Hilton Hotel

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Park Ave.

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The Falls Church City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to give a preliminary “first reading� approval to waivers and special exceptions needed for the construction of a 110-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel in the 700 block of West Broad Street. A large contingent of concerned parents and educators at the neighboring St. James School were in attendance to oppose the project for its proximity to the school. But the Council had examined the project in previous work sessions and was pleased with the improvements to its architecture and design that were made since its first application by the Young Group in August 2007. The project includes a three-story office building at its rear facing onto Park Avenue, and a two-level parking garage. It is projected by the City staff to provide net revenues to the City of $475,000 a year.

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Judge Upholds Falls Church City Zoning Ruling

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Arlington Circuit Court Judge Benjamin N. A. Kendrick issued an opinion this week upholding the actions of the Falls Church City staff to refuse a building permit to a property owner. The property owner acquired a 6,000 square foot parcel of property with the intent to subdivide it. Judge Kendrick ruled the plaintiffs in the case, Smith V. Fraser and the Falls Church City Council, “illegally subdivided� the seller’s property. F.C. Councilman Dan Maller, who as an attorney was allowed to brief and argue the case on behalf of the City, urged citizens to continue efforts to “stop the subversion of our zoning ordinance and the pattern of reckless residential infill that has occurred over the past several years.�

F.C. Schools to Conduct Triennial Census The Falls Church City Public Schools will join Virginia’s 131 other school divisions in conducting the 2008 Triennial School Census of Children. The census count is conducted every three years, and the data are used to determine how much sales tax revenue should be returned to local communities. “It is important for all families with children up to age 19 to respond to the census, even if their children attend private or parochial schools, are home-schooled, or are away in the military or at college,� said Hunter Kimble, assistant superintendent. “Otherwise, the City will receive less than its fair share of state sales tax revenue.� The accurate count of school-age children is expected to generate nearly $1,0000 per child per year in the City of Falls Church.

New Postmaster to Be Sworn In for Falls Church On March 21, Donna Bradley will take the oath of office to become the 32nd Postmaster of Falls Church, Virginia, according to a press release from the U.S. Postal Service. During the last year, Ms. Bradley served as the officer in charge of the Falls Church Post Office, which recently earned the 5-Star customer service award for the eighth consecutive quarter. As Postmaster, she will oversee operations of post office locations in Falls Church, Bailey’s Crossroads, Mosby, Pimmit and Seven Corners. With 47,200 deliveries a day on 106 routes, she will manage a staff of over 200 employees and managers.

Spectrum Grand Opening Celebration This Weekend Waterford Development will hold a grand opening celebration for Spectrum, a brand new mixed-use project approaching completion in the 400 block of West Broad St. The two-day event starts at noon and will feature tours of a variety of condominium residences, building amenities and the green roof. It will include refreshments, incentives and several giveaways. During the weekend, anyone who buys a new Spectrum condo will receive a $2,500 gift certificate to Crate & Barrel, Best Buy or West Elm, to be used after move-in to help furnish their new home. MIX 107.3 radio personality Jimmy Alexander will be on hand.

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March 13 - 19, 2008

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Falls Church News-Press owner Nicholas F. Benton, the City of Falls Church’s “2007 Business Person of the Year,” has run his business in the City for 20 years, but almost all the other award winners feted by the City Council Monday night are brand new.

Garrett Rambler’s Vantage Health and Fitness, named the “Business of the Year,” has been up and running in Falls Church all of three years. “Excellence in Customer Service” co-winners Spectrum Cleaners and Natalia’s Elegant Creations, are even newer. The “Environmental Stewardship” award recipient, Bob Young’s Read Building at 402 W. Broad is only months old as is, of course, the “New Business of the Year” winner, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack.

The same goes for the “Most Improved Property” winner, Falls Church Cabinetry at the intersection of W. Broad and S. West.

The only other veteran business feted Monday was Mark Klostermeyer’s Design Frames, winner of the “Innovative Technology” award.

It was a grand weekend for honoring the City’s businesses and their leaders, as the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce presented four of its own awards at its annual banquet Saturday night. With over 170 in attendance, Matt Smith of SmithGifford won the Chamber’s “Pillar of the Community” honors, Barbara Cram won the Carroll V. Shreve Award for meritorious community service, Marybeth Connelly of the F.C. City Schools and Robert O. Beach of SAID/Quick Copy won the Chamber’s “Appreciation Award,” and David C. Welch

won its James S. Elkin Award for Humanitarianism.

The City’s Business Awards were presented at the beginning of Monday’s City Council meeting to a standing room only crowd that included family and friends of the recipients. It followed a reception for the winners and their guests hosted by the City Council at the City Hall Training Room.

The Business Award choices were chosen from among nominees by the City Council, the City’s Economic Development Authority, the Environmental Services Council and the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.

“It is a testament to the positive impact of the recent years’ successes in bringing mixed use development to Falls Church that so many of the winners this year are new businesses

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BOB YOUNG’S (LEFT) READ BUILDING won the City of Falls Church’s 2008 “Enviornmental Stewardship” Award, shown here with F.C. Councilman Hal Lippman. (News-Press photo)

located in or, in the case of the Read Building, being a new development, itself,” said Sally Cole, executive director of the Chamber. “For some of the other new businesses, they were attracted here at least in part by the dynamic environment generated by the new development.”

Benton founded Benton Communications, Inc., in the City in October 1987 and founded the Falls Church News-Press in March 1991. The News-Press has won the City’s “Business of the Year” award twice, in 1991 and 2001, and its “Business Contribution to the Community” award in 1997. Benton has also won the Chamber’s “Pillar of the Community” award twice, in 1992 and 2003. Last week, the News-Press hosted a community-wide party at its offices to celebrate the completion of 17 years of consecutive weekly publication.

This year’s Chamber “Pillar” winner, Matt Smith, whose Smith-Gifford firm is one of the region’s finest marketing outfits, volunteered to design the logos for the Falls Church City Public Schools and the Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered to help a number of local businesses with marketing ideas.

Last week, Smith’s firm also won a number of Addy Awards from the Advertising Club of Washington, D.C. for advertising design (see story elsewhere this edition).

Cram, this year’s Chamber “Shreve Award” recipient, is also a former winner of the “Pillar” award, as is Robert O. Beach. Among her many community service projects, she

March 13 - 19, 2008

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spearheaded the organization of last New Year’s Eve’s “Watch Night” in Falls Church and has been the City’s point person for Virginia’s 400th Anniversary Year.

One of the new businesses, John and Yeon Lee’s Spectrum Cleaners, toughed it out through the early construction phase of the new Spectrum Building. It and its neighbor, the Koi Koi Restaurant, were featured on the front page of the NewsPress last fall for being almost completely blocked off by the construction.

The other “customer service” award winner, Natalia Lupichuk’s Natalia’s Elegant Creations, has satisfied many a sweet tooth in Falls Church since its recent founding, and catered the City Hall reception for the Business Award winners Monday.

Another of the new businesses, Mark Middendorf’s and Michael Dolgas’ Falls Church Cabinetry, put an entirely new

and elegant exterior onto their W. Broad and S. West location that had been an visually unimpressive carpet store for the previous 16 years.

Brother and sister, Rebecca and David Tax opened Clare and Don’s adjacent the State Theatre last year, choosing to relocate from the Clarendon section of Arlington to Falls Church for the ambiance of the City. They also own the Lazy Sundae ice cream shop adjacent the 7-Eleven on N. West Street at Park Ave. Klostermeyer’s Design Frames in Rowell Court was feted for its innovative use of technology in its computer imaging, providing customers an opportunity to see how framing options will blend with their paintings or photographs prior to placing an order.

Bob Young’s Read Building has the first “green roof” technology in the history of Falls Church, along with a number of other environmentally-friendly

innovations.

Vantage Health and Fitness, located in the Read Building, began three years ago at a location renovated by Bob Young on S. Washington St. It then became the first commercial tenant in the Read Building, occupying the entire second floor. Numerous local celebrities can be seen working out there, attracted by its central location, talented staff and welcoming boutique ambiance.

The City also recognized two businesses for 25 years of service in Falls Church, Military Living Publications and the Hair Cuttery #334 in the Falls Plaza.

Welch, the Chamber’s Elkin Award winner, was honored for creating a charitable organization and launching a web site to educate the public about brain cancer. It has had over six million “hits” from over 90 countries.

Connelly and Beach, winners of the Chamber’s “Appreciation Awards,” were selected for their

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March 13 - 19, 2008

Barack Obama had a theory. It was that the voters are tired of the partisan paralysis of the past 20 years. The theory was that if Obama could inspire a grass-roots movement with a new kind of leadership, he could ride it to the White House and end gridlock in Washington.

Obama has built his entire campaign on this theory. He’s run against negativity and cheap-shot campaigning.

He’s claimed that there’s an “awakening” in this country -- people “hungry for a different kind of politics.”

This message has made him the front-runner.

It has brought millions of new voters into politics. It has given him grounds to fend off attacks.

In debate after debate, he has accused Hillary Clinton and others of practicing the old kind of politics. When he was under assault in South Carolina, he rose above the barrage and made the Clintons look sleazy.

Yet at different times during this election, he’s been told to get off the white horse and start fighting. In the current issue of Time magazine, Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs report on a meeting that took place in Chicago last Labor Day. All of Obama’s experienced advisers told him: “You gotta get down, get dirty, get tough.”

Obama refused. He argued that if he did that, the entire basis for his campaign would evaporate. “If I gotta kneecap her,” he said, “I’m not gonna go there.”

Now, the Obama campaign is facing another test. There are a few ways to interpret the losses in Texas and Ohio. One is demographic. He didn’t carry the groups he often has trouble with -- white women, Latinos, the less educated. The other is tactical. Clinton attacked him, and the attacks worked.

The consultants, needless to say, gravitate toward the tactical interpretation. And once again the cry has gone up for Obama to get tough. This advice gets wrapped in metaphors.

Obama has to start “throwing punches” or “taking the gloves off.”

Beneath the euphemisms, what the advice really means is that Obama has to start accusing Clinton of things.

This time, Obama, whose competitive juices are flowing, has apparently accepted the advice.

The Obama campaign is now making a big issue

of Clinton’s tax returns and dropping hints about donations to President Clinton’s library and her secret White House papers. It’s willing to launch an ethics assault. “If Sen. Clinton wants to take the debate to various places, we’ll join that debate,” the Obama strategist David Axelrod told reporters the other day.

These attacks are supposed to show that Obama can’t be pushed around. But, of course, what it really suggests is that Obama’s big theory is bankrupt. You can’t really win with the new style of politics. Sooner or later, you have to play by the conventional rules.

The Obama people seem to have persuaded themselves they can go on the attack, but in the right way. They can be tough and keep their virginity, too. But there are more than five long months between now and the convention.

Unless they consciously reject conventional politics, the accusations will build on each other.

The BlackBerries will buzz. The passions will rise. The Obama forces will see hints of Clinton corruption all around, and they’ll accuse and accuse again. The war will begin to take control, and once you’re halfway through you can’t suddenly surrender because it’s become too rough.

And the Clinton people will draw them every step of the way. Clinton can’t compete on personality, but a knife fight is her only real hope of victory.

She has nothing to lose because she never promised to purify America. Her campaign doesn’t depend on the enthusiasm of upper-middle-class goo-goos.

On Thursday, a Clinton aide likened Obama to Ken Starr just to badger them on.

As the trench warfare stretches on through the spring, the excitement of Obama-mania will seem like a distant, childish mirage. People will wonder if Obama ever believed any of that stuff himself.

And even if he goes on to win the nomination, he won’t represent anything new. He’ll just be a oneterm senator running for president.

In short, a candidate should never betray the core theory of his campaign, or head down a road that leads to that betrayal. Obama doesn’t have an impressive record of experience or a unique policy profile. New politics is all he’s got. He loses that, and he loses everything. Every day that he looks conventional is a bad day for him.

Besides, the real softness of the campaign is not that Obama is a wimp. It’s that he has never explained how this new politics would actually produce bread-and-butter benefits to people in places like Youngstown and Altoona.

If he can’t explain that, he’s going to lose at some point anyway.

Now that the economic crunch is reaching those near the top of the pyramid, there is finally a sense that the United States is facing a real crisis.

Forget about a soft landing. The stock markets continue to tumble. The dollar has weakened. The subprime mortgage debacle has morphed into a full-fledged panic.

And Joe Stiglitz is telling us the war in Iraq will cost $3 trillion.

M a y b e now we can stop listening to the geniuses who insisted that the way to nirvana was to ignore the broad national interest while catering to the desires of those who were already the wealthiest among us.

We have always gotten a distorted picture of how well Americans were doing from politicians and the media. The United States has a

population of 300 million. Thirty-seven million, many of them children, live in poverty. Close to 60 million are just one notch above the official poverty line. These near-poor Americans live in households with annual incomes that range from $20,000 to $40,000 for a family of four.

It is disgraceful that in a nation as wealthy as the United States, nearly a third of the people are poor or near-poor.

Former Sen. John Edwards touched on the quality of the lives of those perched precariously above the abyss of poverty in his foreword to the book, “The Missing Class: Portraits of the NearPoor in America,” by Katherine S. Newman and Victor Tan Chen. Edwards wrote: “When we set about fixing welfare in the 1990s, we said we were going to encourage work. Near-poor Americans do work, usually in jobs that the rest of us do not want -- jobs with stagnant wages, no retirement funds and inadequate health insurance, if they have it at all.

Continued on Page 46

Friday’s employment report -- which was so weak that it had many economists declaring that we’re already in a recession -- was bad news. But it was actually less disturbing than what’s going on in the financial markets.

The scariest thing I’ve read recently is a speech given last week

by Tim Geithner, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Geithner came as close as a Fed official can to saying that we’re in the midst of a financial meltdown.

To understand the gravity of the situation, you have to know what the Fed did last summer, and again last fall.

As late as August the favorite buzzword of financial officials was “contained”: problems in subprime mortgages, we were assured, wouldn’t spread to other financial markets or to the economy as a whole.

Soon afterward, however, a full-fledged financial panic began.

Investors pulled hundreds of billions of dollars out of asset-backed commercial paper, a little-known but important market that has taken over a lot of the work banks used to do. This de facto bank run sent shock waves through the financial system.

The Fed responded by rushing money to banks, and markets partially calmed down, for a little while. But by December the panic was back.

Again, the Fed responded by rushing money to banks, this time via a new arrangement called the Term Auction Facility. Again the markets calmed down, for a while.

But again, the respite was only temporary. Last month another market you’ve never heard of, the $300 billion market for auction-rate securities (don’t ask), suffered the equivalent of a bank run. Last week two big financial companies announced that they had been unable to raise the cash demanded by their lenders. Even Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the giant government-sponsored mortgage agencies long regarded as safe places to put your money, are now having trouble attracting funds.

One consequence of the crisis is that while the Fed has been cutting the interest rate it controls -- the so-called Fed funds rate -- the rates that matter most directly to the economy, including rates on mortgages and corporate bonds, have been rising. And that’s sure to worsen the economic downturn.

What’s going on? Geithner described a vicious circle in which banks and other market players who took on too much risk are all trying to get out of unsafe investments at the same time, causing “significant collateral damage to market functioning.”

A March 7 report by JPMorgan Chase was even more blunt. It described what’s happening as a “systemic margin call,” in which the whole financial system is facing demands to come up with cash it doesn’t have. (A financial joke making the rounds, via the blog Calculated Risk: “Who is this guy Margin that keeps calling me?”)

The Fed’s latest plan to break this vicious circle is -- as the financial Web site interfluidity.com cruelly but accurately describes it -to turn itself into Wall Street’s pawnbroker. Banks that might have raised cash by selling assets will be encouraged, instead, to borrow money from the Fed, using the assets as collateral. In a worst-case scenario, the Federal Reserve would find itself owning around $200 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities.

Some observers worry that the Fed is taking over the banks’ financial risk. But what worries me more is that the move seems trivial compared with the size of the problem: $200 billion may sound like a lot of money, but when you compare it with the size of the markets that are melting down -- there are $11 trillion in U.S. mortgages outstanding -- it’s a drop in the bucket.

The only way the Fed’s action could work is through the slapin-the-face effect: by creating a pause in the selling frenzy, the Fed could give hysterical markets a chance to regain their sense of perspective. And to be fair, that has worked in the past.

But slap-in-the-face only works if the market’s problems are mainly a matter of psychology. And given that the Fed has already slapped the market in the face twice, only to see the financial crisis come roaring back, that’s hard to believe.

The third time could be the charm. But I doubt it. We’ll probably have to do something about reducing the risks investors face.

A plan to restore the credibility of municipal bond insurance would be a start (how crazy is it that New York State, rather than the federal government, is taking the lead here?). I also suspect that the feds will have to get explicit about guaranteeing the debt of Fannie and Freddie, which really are too big to fail.

Nobody wants to put taxpayers on the hook for the financial industry’s follies; we can all hope that, in the end, a bailout won’t be necessary. But hope is not a plan.

March 13 - 19, 2008

The precipitous fall from grace of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer this week has routinely left the pundits shaking their heads. His case, and those of Sen. Larry Craig, former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, the Rev. Ted Haggard and so many others in political or religious leadership positions, always raise the same questions. Why would anyone risk so much for apparently so little?

These guys are bright, and clearly skilled in navigating their rises to power and influence. So why would they take such chances and consort with such danger to their careers, reputations and families? It’s happened so much with high profile people lately that it seems almost to have reached epidemic proportions, yet most folks remain baffled when it comes to explaining it.

It’s not worth spending the ink on rehearsing the growing list of important names that have been found in the company of mistresses, male and female prostitutes, drug dealers, and others involved in illicit personal behaviors. That’s not to mention those found guilty of embezzlement, graft, corruption and other more serious criminal behaviors.

Ironically, some have survived their exposed trysts, politically, but others have not. That often has to do with the degree, or lack, of personal grit of the persons involved, and with the depth of loyalty and support they’ve built up around them over time.

But the worst cases involve those whose private behaviors were at the most extreme opposite to what they stood for publicly. For such cases, it is the sheer hypocrisy, more than any illicit act, that is the greatest transgression.

I’ve never forgotten a vivid dream I had while a seminary student in Berkeley. It was one of those bizarre dreams that one can have during a brief afternoon nap.

In my dream, there was a group of people who were telling me they wanted me to be their leader. While feeling flattered, when I asked them why, their eyes suddenly began to glow, like the children in the old horror movie, “Village of the Damned.” They said, in creepy unison, “Because we want to kill you!”

That woke me up with a start and my heart was pounding.

Some might analyze that dream as my inner fear of taking responsibility for the lives of others, or some such nonsense. But to me the meaning was clear. When one assumes formal leadership to any significant degree, one gives up a lot, and it may even be one’s, at least spiritual, life.

It is true that when someone runs for public office, or seeks ordination to a ministry, one is applying for a job. As much as politicians or ministers may appear to be those with the power, in fact, they are working for someone else. Their employment, especially in those professions, requires that everything about their personal lives and thoughts conform to an unyielding model of virtual perfection.

Anyone who thinks it should not be a problem for qualified persons to live up to such a standard is obviously not willing to acknowledge much about human nature.

The dichotomy between the outward persona and the inward self becomes exaggerated in many such persons, and the outer persona can feel like prison walls to a stifled and repressed inner self that cries out for expression.

The inner self can find no outlet for its anguish other than ones that do not sully the perfect outward persona, and so it is forced into the shadows of illicit, secret behaviors.

It is a terrible irony that the public’s demand that its political and religious leaders adhere to a standard of veritable perfection necessarily tends to special forms of duplicity and deceit, the exact opposite of what the public wants.

But in addition to betraying the public’s expectations, the behavior uniquely tortures those who engage in it, and devastates the lives of those closest to them.

Society is not likely to ease up on its expectations, so there is no simple solution to this problem. One can only imagine how many more such officials there are out there, only waiting with profound personal dread for when it will be their turn to get caught. Many may even secretly wish for it, seeing it as the only way to begin to restore a modicum of integrity to their lives.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com

Page 11

FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. -Just when I thought my head would explode from trying to figure out delegate math, I’m hit with call-girl math.

The arithmetic of procuring a prostitute who is both experienced and inspirational is even more complicated than the arithmetic of procuring a president who is both experienced and inspirational.

If you’re a frugal governor who doesn’t even like paying his political consultant bills, as opposed to an Arab sheik or a Vegas high roller, do you really need to shell out $4,300, plus minibar expenses, to a shell company for two hours with a shady lady? Aren’t there cheaper hooker hookups on Craigslist? It makes you wonder how sharp Eliot Spitzer’s pencil was on the state’s fiscal discipline.

And how does it add up that Steamroller No. 1 suddenly morphs into Client No. 9, a nom d’amour with the ring of an overpriced Gucci cologne for men, giving untold thousands for untold years to a prostitution ring that has hourly rates based on rating its girls on a diamond scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being $3,100, and above 7 in a special club for $5,500 and up?

(A friend of mine, who knows the ways of the wayward, explained that the flesh-peddlers no doubt had a shell game as well as a shell company: “They say, ‘You can have Jane. She’s $1,000 an hour. Or, you can have Tiffany for $5,000 an hour.’ The client doesn’t know that Jane and Tiffany are the same girl. It’s not like clients are going to compare notes. ‘I paid $5,000 for Kristen. You only paid 1,000 for Chrissy?’”).

If blood will have blood, as Shakespeare said in “Macbeth,” power will have sex.

Some people took the saga of Eliot Ness in the boudoir, the old yarn of holier-than-thou caught in flagrante delicto, as a sign that a woman should be president.

“I would think the story about our esteemed governor is all the proof we need that we should have a woman as president,” a woman I know said in an e-mail message.

Another woman e-mailed the reverse to a friend: “I hope this makes people think back to Monica Lewinsky. Can sex scandals be well timed?”

In modern times, you rarely see any men having to stand ashenly by their women.

But in the past, women got tangled up with sex and power. When Bette Davis played

Elizabeth I, she was always sending her lovers off to the Tower of London when they made eyes at her pretty ladiesin-waiting. Catherine the Great was hardly known for her restraint. And there were Agrippina and Cleopatra, of

course.

Hillary could not have been pleased to be in all the TV stand-by-your-man features, or to hear David Letterman’s Spitzer Top Ten list, which included, “I thought Bill Clinton legalized this years ago.”

Lyndon Johnson once observed that the two things that make politicians more stupid than anything else are sex and envy.

Even as Spitzer struggled with the sex story Tuesday, the Clinton campaign struggled with the envy story.

Geraldine Ferraro, who helped Walter Mondale lose 49 states in 1984, was clearly stung at what she considered Obama’s easy rise to celebrity and electoral success. Last Friday, Ferraro, who is on Hillary’s national finance committee, told The Daily Breeze, a newspaper in Torrance, Calif.: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color), he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

Obama acknowledged when he arrived in the Senate that he got more attention, his big book deal and his celebrity because he is not white.

He was only the third black senator elected since Reconstruction.

But as he campaigned here Tuesday, he was outraged at Ferraro’s comments. “They are divisive,” he said. “I think anybody who understands the history of this country knows they are patently absurd.”

Obama’s campaign strategist, David Axelrod, said Ferraro should be removed from her campaign post, and that made her even more irritated. She told The Times on Tuesday night that she was “livid,” adding: “Anytime you say anything to anybody about the Obama campaign, it immediately becomes a racist attack.”

When Ferraro felt patronized by Mondale’s staff, she suggested that his aides “should pretend every time they talk to me or even look at me that I’m a gray-haired Southern gentleman, a senator from Texas.”

Hillary would never have to pretend to be a man to get aides to respect her, proving that she has moved past gender in a way Ferraro never did.

Page 12

Spitzer Sputters: Republicans, it seems, account for the majority of sleazy sex scandals, but the Democrats do the illicit affair with theatrical flare. Who will ever forget presidential hopeful Gary Hart on the yacht “Monkey Business” with Donna Rice sitting in his lap or Bill Clinton taking it too far with the cigar?

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer provided the latest Democratic doozie after it was revealed that he was “Client Number 9” in a prostitution sting. Trying to slither out of his role in the “ho-ring” he dragged his forlorn wife by the wedding ring on-stage for his press conference.

This exploitation of his family was hardly a way to win sympathy and only exacerbated public disgust with a man who was once viewed as “Mr. Clean.”

It is clear that Spitzer must immediately resign. What bothers me most about the incident is the extreme hypocrisy. The New York Times reports that as state attorney general, he prosecuted prostitution businesses with fervor. He grandstanded and raged that this industry was exploitative, involved in human trafficking, drug dealing and money laundering. On Staten Island, in 2004, Mr. Spitzer expressed particular indignation over 16 people arrested for upscale prostitution. There is simply no place in government for officials who badly abuse the public trust and apply a double standard to their own behavior.

Jamaica Boycott: Jamaica’s anti-gay climate was “strongly condemned” this week by The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). However, they offered a toothless response and failed to call for a much-needed boycott.

“IGLTA is in complete solidarity with Jamaica’s own LGBT leadership, J-FLAG. Therefore, like J-flag, it is not our intention to provoke reprisals or political condemnation in Jamaica by supporting a global tourism boycott. We understand this step could be counter-productive to making true progress in that Caribbean nation, and instead we will focus on education, publicity and market competition to highlight and help curb these terrible abuses.”

This was an abdication of leadership and the Jamaicans are likely laughing in their faces. If IGLTA hasn’t noticed, reprisals are already happening on the island and political condemnation against homosexuality is frequent. While cruising into the sunset may be good for business, it is no way to succeed at activism.

It is also disappointing that IGLTA is hiding behind J-FLAG - a Jamaican gay rights group. I do understand that JFLAG has an incredibly difficult job and I admire the courage of the group’s leaders. But choosing to not place real outside pressure on Jamaican officials won’t help the situation of gays on the island. Trading lasting change for the short-term illusion of peace has not traditionally worked and creates a mirage of progress.

To its credit, IGLTA announced it will “highlight the degrading situation in Jamaica, and call on all global hospitality industry leaders to unite in condemning this and any hostile and violent climate towards our community” at its upcoming 25th Anniversary Convention.

Unfortunately, this is not enough. The only way things will change in Jamaica is a full boycott that will hit Jamaica’s elite in their pockets. IGLTA is basically endorsing the status quo because it is skittish about rolling up its sleeves, getting its hands dirty and engaging in real advocacy that will have a lasting impact.

Outrageous In Oklahoma: In an ominous sign for the GOP, Democrat Bill Foster won the reliably Republican seat that was previously occupied by House Speaker Dennis Hastert. The Democrats also now occupy former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s seat.

If you wonder why the GOP is collapsing, one just has to look at the bigoted comments made by Oklahoma House Rep. Sally Kern.

In a speech to 50 supporters - and one person with a concealed tape recorder - Kern portrayed homosexuality as the largest threat to this nation - even more dangerous than terrorism.

Like a crazed, self-important martyr, Kern stepped-forward to defend her views. Earnest in her ignorance and defiant in her arrogance, the wild-eyed legislator appeared backwards and brainwashed. On a day when a bomber killed five U.S. soldiers in Baghdad, a week dominated by fears of recession and a month with painfully high gas prices, Kern was obsessing about gay people.

This made her - and the GOP - seem freakishly out of touch with the bread and butter issues facing American families.

No matter what America’s real problems are -- all the religious right seems to do is yell “Abortion” and “Homosexuality.” The nation, including some younger Evangelicals, has grown weary of these two-note nags.

If they don’t change their tired tune, America may finally tune them out.

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

March 13 - 19, 2008

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Page 13

Assessments, the strike team and the continuing gloomy financial outlook were on tap as the Board of Supervisors met all day Saturday for a budget workshop at the Fairfax County Government Center. Department of Tax Administration (DTA) Director Kevin Greenlief was on the hot seat as Board members grilled him about the real estate assessment process that resulted in topsy-turvy land values to structure values throughout Fairfax County.

Assessments are governed by Virginia’s Constitution (Article X, Sec. 2) that mandates that “all assessments of real estate…shall be at their fair market value.” This requirement, Mr. Greenlief pointed out, speaks to the total property value. Then, DTA is required by state statute to split the total between land and building. Appraisal theory says the use of vacant land sales is the preferred method for allocating value to land for residentially improved properties, but he also admitted that there are other valid appraisal options that can be used. In response to questions from Board members, Mr. Greenlief said that DTA staff has begun working on reallocations for most single-family improved residential properties, and letters providing the reallocated assessments and explanation will be mailed during the next few weeks. He reminded Board members that the bottom line assessments are unlikely to change.

The administrative appeal process deadline for assessments has been extended to April 18.

Appeals to the Board of Equalization must be filed by June 2. Additional information is available by calling 703/222-8234 (the number in last week’s column was incorrect) or log on to the Fairfax County Web site: www.fairfaxcounty. gov/dta.

Strike team funding also was a focus of the bud-

Continued from Page 1

text of vastly different fiscal conditions in other regional jurisdictions, where steeper declines in residential real estate values, and relatively stagnant commercial and new development conditions, have led to the need for residents to bear a far higher burden of new taxes.

Some are contending with the prospect of maintaining current levels of services only if tax rate hikes are 20 cents or higher.

Draconian cuts in vital programs in those jurisdictions are predicted.

That could bring some relief to the efforts of the Falls Church City Schools to maintain their competitiveness with school districts in surrounding jurisdictions, noted School Board Chair Craig Cheney, who also addressed the City Council here Monday.

Despite a hefty enrollment growth in the past year, which has been determined not to be linked to the new construction, the School Board approved a budget seeking only a 3.7% increase from the City. Cheney said that despite the tough budget times,

get workshop. The strike team, composed of Code Enforcement, Zoning, Fire Marshall, Health Department, and other county agency personnel, was created by the Board of Supervisors last spring to address the increasing numbers of multiple occupancy complaints received by Board members.

Two strike teams were created, and a third one is needed to address the workload of cases reported. The strike team has investigated 218 properties across the county; 18 were found to have no violations; 20 came into compliance. Forty-one cases have been referred for civil prosecution by the courts; another 35 are in the criminal court process. The balance are still under investigation and more complaints are added every day. At Saturday’s meeting, Chairman Gerry Connolly made a motion, called a “consideration item,” to allocate $1 million for an additional strike team. His motion, supported by several Board members including me, will be taken up during budget deliberations in April.

A gloomy financial forecast continues to plague local governments across the nation.

Sales tax receipts are down, home foreclosures are up, and revenue growth rates are flat. Fairfax County is fortunate that job creation, good schools, and prudent financial management combine to put the county on a more stable footing than other localities. In fact, the president of Volkswagen America, which is moving its headquarters and 400 employees to Fairfax, was quoted Tuesday that the relocation was because of a very low crime rate and a school system that is “just perfect.” Keeping it that way is our challenge!

Supervisor Penny Gross may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov 

the School Board responded with innovative and cost-efficient means to continue investing in the quality of the system.

That includes extending the International Baccalaureate program, currently operational at George Mason High School, to the two elementary schools in the City, a move designed to “inculcate in every student better critical thinking skills,” Cheney said. The aim is to then extend the program to the middle school.

New courses in Arabic and Chinese are also being added.

Cheney conceded that the budget includes the elimination of six full-time-equivalent staff positions, compared to 500 cuts being proposed in the Fairfax County system. As a percentage of the total workforce, the cuts in the two district are comparable, he said.

But comparing the compensation of the professional staff with the City’s neighbors, under the current fiscal conditions, “we’ll be in very good shape,” he said, “but we can’t fall behind.”

Shields noted that the Cityside operational budget is zerogrowth, but that some new initiatives are being proposed nonetheless, including “daylighting” of

streams and a Cavalier Trail Park skate park, not to mention a bonded $6 million contribution to the long-awaited downtown parking garage as part of the first phase of the construction of the new City Center, approved on Feb. 28.

Vice-Mayor Lindy Hockenberry, who presided over Monday’s meeting, commented, “We are steady as we go, while others are facing draconian conditions.”

Mayor Robin Gardner, who was away from Monday’s meeting on business, issued the following statement, “I know that the City Manager and his staff worked very hard on this budget. I will note that the proposed tax increase is solely for the City schools. The government budget remained flat. That being said, I will make it my duty to go through the entire budget, line by line, to make sure that we are using City funds wisely, and I will try to find savings that will allow us to lower the overall City budget.”

The City Council will hold a series of budget hearings and work sessions, meeting twice weekly up to the date of final adoption of the new budget slated for April 28.

Almost Done The General Assembly was scheduled for final adjournment of the 60-day 2008 session this past Saturday.

But, as has happened for, I believe, the fifth time in eight years, we have not finished on time.

Perhaps by happenstance, that period of time also coincides with Republican control of either the Senate or House of Delegates.

As in the past, the hangup is between the House and Senate over the budget. But, there is one difference.

Unlike in past years, we do not have extra cash to spend.

The 2008 fiscal year, which began on July 1, saw budget cuts.

Due to declining revenues, Governor Kaine had to cut state agency funding last year as it became clear that revenues were down.

In fact, as it became clear that the economy was in a downturn, he had to readjust his revenue estimates in February.

This caused the Governor to submit amendments to the two-year spending plan he asked for in December.

More With Less?

Yet, at the same time, he was requesting spending on some new programs. I saw that as a problem, as did the House majority.

The House version of the budget passed with only five dissenting votes this year and negotiations began with the Senate.

I voted for the budget, but I did have one problem with it and that was the recalculation of the school funding formula.

While the Appropriations Committee made the change sound reasonable, it would have resulted in reducing long term funding for Northern Virginia.

Luckily, after House Democrats repeatedly attacked this in floor speeches and the Senate resisted, the House GOP leadership gave in.

A Failure to Communicate But, then other problems developed. Frankly, the big

problem seems to be personality clashes among the budget conferees.

That is not unique, but the lead conferees from both chambers, while experienced, are new chairs of their respective committees.

You have a new Democratic majority in the Senate with two new budget conferees and two new Republican conferees in the House.

It was clear by last Friday night that no budget deal would be forthcoming. But, we had to wait to determine how long it would take.

The House finished its business by about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, but we had to wait for about four hours on the Senate.

Finally, an agreement was reached to extend the session until Tuesday even though it was doubtful that a budget agreement could be concluded by then.

When we arrived in Richmond on Tuesday, we discovered that the major issues had generally been agreed upon.

But, about 50 small items still need to be settled and we voted to extend the session once again until today at 4:00 p.m.

My thinking is that we will probably extend the session once again this afternoon, hopefully for only a day or two.

Not Again!

But, then, we face the possibility of coming back in April to take care of our unresolved transportation problems.

Hopefully, the House Republican majority will finally realize that we need an equitable statewide increase in revenue without gimmicks.

Perhaps I am just dreaming. After all, we did pass a balanced transportation plan last year.

Yes, half of it was constitutional and the other have was not.

Delegate Bob Hull may be emailed at del_hull@house. state.va.us 

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

Page 14

March 13 - 19, 2008

Kid’s Cooking Camps and Easter Dinner Kids ages 8 to 16 are invited to attend Kid’s Cooking Camps sponsored by Entrée Vous (2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington) on the week of March 17. On each day, kids can make dinner either at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. for $50, with meals feeding 4-6 people. In about two hours, the kids will put together dinner while being provided drinks, snacks and supervision. For more information, call Entrée Vous to register at 703-532-1515. An Easter dinner is also available

for purchase at $39.99.

Falls Church High School Mulch Sale Volunteer parents from Falls Church High School are holding a mulch sale to raise funds for providing the graduating seniors a safe, alcohol-free, drug-free all-night graduation celebration. Bags of 3 cubicft. of mulch are $5, with $2 of every bag being tax deductible.

The order deadline is Monday, March 24, with the mulch delivery/pickup scheduled for Saturday, March 29. An order form is available at www.pin-

toblue.com/angc2008.htm. For more information, contact Lynn at lksforte1@aol.com or call 703-298-8458.

Fairfax County Citizen of the Year The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations and The Washington Post named John Horejsi, founder of Social Action Linking Together (2007), the 2007 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year. Horejsi founded SALT in 1983 to influence public policy for individuals and families disenfranchised by eco-

nomic and social standing. The organization now has over 1,000 social justice volunteers. He helped the passage of Virginia’s Earned Income Tax Credit and the creation of the Homeless Intervention Program. Former Fairfax County Supervisors Elaine McConnell, Joan DuBois and Dana Kauffman will be recognized with Special Gratitude Awards. The award winners were at the 57th Anuual Awards Banquet on Sunday, March 9 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (1960 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons Corner).

Capitol Steps for McLean Graduation Celebration The Capitol Steps’ annual

The ‘Treypoppindaddies’ strike a triumphant pose for the camera after winning the Falls Church Rec League’s 15-18 year-old boys tournament on the evening of March 10. From left to right are: Daniel Montano, Phil Singer, Julian Camacho, Charley O’Hara (coach), Sam Terhune (partially obscured), Michael Duning, Anthony Iacobucci, Reilly O’Hara, PJ Anderson, Brian Klena, Nick Kuipers and Brian Liebold. (Photo: Courtesy Charley O’Hara)

Dr. Madeline Hidalgo Dental Health Q&A Dear Dr. Madeline,

Q: How can I treat and stop the spread of gum disease?

A: Treatment will depend on the type of periodontal disease and how far the condition has progressed. Treatment options include: Scaling.-cleaning the teeth in order to remove deposits above and below gumline. Root planning.-smoothes rough surfaces so the gum can heal.

Oral irrigation.-directs liquid to the gumline to flush below out and kill germs and allow the re growth of healthy tissue. If the pockets are found and bone has been destroyed, your dentist may recommend periodontal surgery.

To help protect against periodontal disease, it is a key to prevent the build up of plaque. Remember to have regular professional cleanings in addition to brushing and flossing every day.

Dr. Madeline Hidalgo, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry An expert in all phases of modern dentistry, including the perfect smiles.

Send your questions to: Dr. Madeline Hidalgo 6521 Arlington Boulevard #112 Falls Church, VA 22042 • 703-237-9025 drhidalgo@mysmileydentist.com • www.mysmileydentist.com

performance at McLean High School will be held on Sunday, April 13 at 4 p.m., with proceeds from tickets going to benefit the Class of 2008’s All Night Graduation Party. Tickets are on sale now, and the fundraiser will help provide graduating seniors a safe, alcohol and drug free graduation night to remember. Tickets are $30.

To order tickets, please e-mail angp08cs@yahoo.com.

Police Offer Rape Defense Course The City of Falls Church Police Department is offering a free Rape Aggression Defense program of realistic self-defense tactics and tech-

The Mighty Mini Mustangs won the Falls Church Recreation 9-10 girls basketball championship March 10, in a thrilling, hard fought game that was up in the air until the final seconds. Kneeling (from left to right) are Leah Hudson, Jessica Nunley, Nicole Soria and Megan Butler. Standing are Coach Jim Ferguson, Alice Castillo, Annie Ferguson, Katie Franke, Hannah Hudson, Char Franke, Carolyn Worley and Coach Craig Worley. (Photo: Courtesy Jim Ferguson)

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 15

niques for women ages 12 and older. Classes will take place at St. James School (830 W. Broad St., Falls Church) and are offered in four, three-hour sessions on Tuesdays, April 8 and 15 and Thursdays, April 10 and 17 from 6 – 9 p.m. The Rape Aggression Defense course is a comprehensive, women-only course that addresses awareness, prevention, risk reduction, risk avoidance and the basics of hands-on self-defense training.

Nationally certified instructors from the City Police Department teach the course. Participants are required to attend all four sessions. For more information and to register, e-mail jcarter@fallschurchva.gov or ksdempsey@verizon.net.

Super Giant Opens in Falls Church Giant Food will open its latest “Super Giant” prototype store on Friday, March 14 at 7235 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church.

Grand opening activities will take place throughout the day, including entertainment, food sampling, prizes and face-painting activities for children. Proceeds from a three-day hot dog and soda

sidewalk sale will be donated to the Falls Church Community Service Food Bank, an organization that provides emergency food assistance to low-income individuals and families in the Falls Church area. The store will be open from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Monday – Saturday, and 6 a.m.

– 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Deadline for Virginia Arts Commission The Virginia Commission of the Arts (223 Governor St., Richmond) announced a 5 p.m., April 1 deadline for the Commission’s Local Government Challenge Grants and 2009-2010 Performing Artist Tour Directory. The Local Government Challenge Grants are intended to encourage local governments to support the arts, where the Commission will match up to $5,000 in tax money given by independent town, city and county governments to arts organizations and jurisdictions.

The Performing Arts Touring Directory is intended to support Virginia performing artists and ensembles as well as increase opportunities for Virginians to experience high quality per-

forming arts events statewide.

For more information, contact the Virginia Commission of the Arts at arts@arts.virginia.gov or 804-225-3132.

Curves’ GMU Art Show Curves of Falls Church is having an art exhibit featuring works from George Mason High School art students this month, with the art on display for the club members throughout the month. In conjunction with the art show, Curves is also reaching out to high school females to encourage fitness and health.

To encourage the young women to start healthy habits, Curves is offering deep discounts until the end of June for young women between the ages of 15 and 18. For more information, call Curves at 703-556-0140.

Speech Competition for Toastmasters Club The NOVA Toastmasters Club is holding their International Speech and

WELCOMING A NEW retail tenant to the nearly-completed Spectrum mixed-use project at 444 W. Broad, the Waterford Company’s Chris Ciliberti (left) greets Jamil T. Myrie, executive vice president of For Eyes. The eyeglass store will relocate from the 200 block of West Broad to its new digs in three months. (PHOTO: NEWS-PRESS)

Evaluation Competition on Wednesday, March 19 at Falls Church High School (7521 Jaguar Trail, Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) at 7:15 p.m. Participants will present speeches while evaluation contests will be held on the speeches to be made by the model speaker. The event will teach audiences to organize logical thought and present it self-assuredly. Winners from different clubs will compete in area level competitions, followed by division and district competitions.

McLean Symphony Tribute to American Composers For the fourth year, McLean Symphony Conductor Dingwall Fleary will lead young pianists in the renowned Carol Ann Barry Piano Studio and an orchestra of professional and high school musicians in a tribute to American composers Robert Vandall, Daniel Alexander and Anna Asche.

Special guest composer Asche

will be honored. The event will take place on Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Word of Life Church (5225 Backlick Rd., Springfield).

Free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Nancy Prescott at 703-3104384.

Red Cross’ March Mania The Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross held March Mania, its largest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, March 8 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 S. 2nd St., Arlington). The main event was a double elimination basketball tournament with 16 teams. Besides the tournament, there were basketball shooting competitions, a silent auction, an exhibition game by the NOVA United Senior Women’s Basketball Association, moon bounces and face painting for the kids. There was also a blood drive from 8 a.m. – noon on the day of March Mania.

ROTARY MUSIC COMPETITION: George Mason High School Senior, Emily Perry, is shown receiving the $50 first place award from Falls Church Rotary Club President Charli Lucier at the Graham Green III Memorial Music Competition on Thursday evening, March 6, while Bishop O’Connell High School Music Dept. host, Robert Casal, and second place winner Morgan Moscati, also a George Mason High School senior, (left to right) look on. Emily will advance to the Area Music Competition in Northern Virginia’s Rotary District 7610, where three finalists will be selected to compete at the Rotary District Conference in Hot Springs Virginia on April 5 for a $3,000 scholarship for music studies. Second and third place finalists will receive music study scholarships of $1,500 and $500, respectively. (PHOTO: COURTESY JOE SCHEIBELER)

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March 13 - 19, 2008

FREE C oncert This Sunday! March 16th at 7:00 pm

One Performance Only!

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE (TO8-07) Ordinance Setting The Rate Of Tax Levy On Real Estate, Personal Property And Machinery And Tools, And All Other Property Segregated By Law For Local Taxation In The City Of Falls Church, Virginia, For The Tax Year 2008 The City of Falls Church proposes to increase property levies.

Palm Sunday – March 16, 2008 7:00 p.m.

Presented by the Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra and Drama Team.

103 West Columbia St., Falls Church, VA 22046 columbiabaptist.org • 703-534-5700 Free childcare provided for infants & preschoolers.

Join Us Next Easter Morning Services Sunday For: Sunday, March 23 at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:15!

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1. Assessment Increase. Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, is lower than last year’s total assessed value of real property by 2.3 percent.

2. Rate Necessary to Offset Decreased Assessment. The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above would be $1.03 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.”

3. Effective Rate Increase. The City of Falls Church proposes to adopt a tax rate of $1.04 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.01 per $100, or 0.09 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.”

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase. Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the City of Falls Church will exceed last year’s by 8.8 percent.

Public hearings on the increase will be held on March 24th, April 15, and April 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as they may be heard, in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. The hearings shall be open to the public. The Governing Body shall permit persons desiring to be heard an opportunity to present oral testimony within such reasonable time limits as shall be determined by the Governing Body.

KATHLEEN CLARKEN BUSCHOW CITY CLERK

March 13 - 19, 2008

Events are moving faster and faster. Equity markets and the dollar are dropping. Oil, gas, diesel and commodities are surging as the investment of last resort. Margin calls are endangering the financial system. Real estate values and markets are falling. Exotic debt obligations are turning worthless by the billions. Central bankers have started the printing presses and are injecting unprecedented billions of “liquidity� into their banking systems in what so far seems to be a futile effort.

One by one, however, talking heads appear on the business channels to assure us that all will be well by the “third quarter� and that this is a lifetime opportunity to buy equities which will never again be a better bargain. In recent days however, some of the tone of optimistic confidence that has obtained for the last eight months has started to darken a bit and some will even confess it might be a little longer before the good times return.

Missing from all this talk is a realistic appreciation of the role of oil in the world’s economy and the role increasing oil prices will play in the coming economic “recovery.� Although oil prices are discussed dozens of times each day, increases are nearly always attributed to a temporary flight of capital from equities into the safety of commodities. Discussions are formulated around the premise that high oil prices may be unpleasant, but are, as yet, a long way from doing real harm to the country.

Eight or nine dollar gasoline in Europe is cited as proof that prices can go much higher without disastrous consequences.

For many months now, the U.S. government and allies in Europe have announced plan after plan to head off further economic declines. Some of these have been quite innovative but few observers have been able to discern any appreciable benefits other than a one or two day jump in the equity markets, a shortlived jump in the dollar and an occasional drop in oil prices.

This week’s plan called a “Term Securities Lending Facility� will permit the U.S. Federal Reserve to loan banks and other financial institutions up to $200 billion worth of U.S. Treasury Bills using a range of mortgagedbacked securities, some of dubious value, as collateral.

As several major financial

Page 17

institutions appeared to be on the edge of insolvency earlier this week due to margin calls, the new plan is clearly an act of desperation. The hope is that with the government standing ready to accept securities everyone is pretending still have some value, banks will stop hounding financial institutions with margin calls because there is a rich institution ready to take their dubious paper.

For many months, the Federal Reserve has been relying largely on interest rate cuts to prop up the equities markets. With each cut however, the dollar sank, oil

will continue to fall and oil prices will continue to rise. The downward spiral will continue.

What is largely ignored in all the discussion of economic recovery is that world oil production is likely to start its final decline somewhere in the next 36 to 48 months. Once this becomes evident, prices will start moving much, much higher and shortages will develop.

In an environment such as this, recovery from a recession will be far more difficult and is likely to be measured in decades rather than months.

The final spiral will not be difficult to recognize when it comes.

Equity markets will drop precipitously.

Nearly all economic indicators will turn negative. Oil and other commodities will continue to climb. While this phenomenon will start, or has already started, from the U.S. housing situation, it will spread to other OECD countries, and Asia. For a while, perhaps decades, the oil producing and exporting states will fare much better than those dependent on large imports.

There is much heated debate over whether and how soon there will be a “techno-fix� for the decline of oil – wind, wave, and solar power, electric transport and much lower energy consumption.

The factors bearing on how the various techno-fixes will play out are so numerous and interdependent that it is impossible to make much of a judgment about when or whether they will come in sufficient quantities to continue with anything resembling current civilization.

The decline in the availability of affordable oil is likely to come in a relatively quick spiral while widely implemented replacements for oil are likely to be measured in decades.

.

prices rose and the prospects for run-away inflation loomed larger. While this week’s plan sent the Dow Jones soaring up 400 points in the hours after it was announced, nothing has really changed. Oil prices ended the day settled at $108 a barrel, a new all-time high. The government’s new-found willingness to accept over-rated paper that some say may be worth as little as 25 cents on the dollar as collateral changes nothing.

So where does oil fit into all this? The most recent reporting shows that world oil production remains flat and Asian consumption continues to increase.

The Chinese just announced that their imports during February were up by 18 percent over February 2007. It is not difficult to fathom why we are seeing record gas and diesel prices in mid-March and why they will be still higher by summer.

Unless the Federal Reserve reverses policy and stops making interest rate cuts in an effort to prop up the equity markets, an event which is widely considered to be highly unlikely, the dollar

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

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March 13 - 19, 2008

The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce held is 2008 Awards Gala and Silent Auction on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Clarendon Ballroom. The James S. Elkin Memorial Award for Humanitarianism was awarded to David C. Welch for the creation of a website (www.38lemon.com – named for his age at diagnosis and the size of his tumor) that educates the public about brain cancer and provides a platform for those with brain cancer to communicate with others suffering the same diagnosis. Two Chamber Appreciation Awards were granted – one to Marybeth Connelly of the Falls Church City Schools for her Chamber volunteerism and efforts to support the business community by developing partnerships with schools and the other to Robert O. Beach, owner of SAID/Quick Copy, for his ongoing support of the Chamber office including the provision of discounted office space, printing and copying services. The Carroll V. Shreve Award was bestowed upon Barbara Cram for her work on behalf of the Chamber spearheading Falls Church’s involvement in the Jamestown 400th Anniversary Celebration, coordinating the Falls Church Watch Night festivities, and beautifying the Falls Church downtown business area. The Chamber’s longest standing and most prestigious honor, the Pillar of the Community Award, went to Matt Smith of the Falls Church-based advertising agency Smith Gifford. Smith was honored for his support of school and community and his volunteer design work includes logos for the Falls Church City Public Schools, the BIE Partnership Council and the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.

Photos of the awards ceremony are available at www.brendasphotos.com. A video presentation of the event is being produced by Falls Church Community Access Television and will soon be aired on Cox Channel 12, RCN/Starpower Channel 2, and Verizon FiOS Channel 35. Visit www.fcctv.net/ for the programming schedule. *** The City of Falls Church held its 2007 business awards during its City Council meeting Monday, March 10, 2008. Honored for Excellence in Customer Service were Spectrum Cleaners and Natalia’s Elegant Creations. The Innovative Technology Award went to Design Frames, the award for Most Improved Commercial Property was awarded to Falls Church Cabinetry, and the Award for Environmental Stewardship was granted to The Read Building developed by The Young Group. New Business of the Year was Clare & Don’s Beach Shack and Business of the Year was Vantage Fitness. Business Person of the Year went to Nick Benton, owner/editor-inchief of the Falls Church News-Press. *** Giant Food will host a grand opening for its new “Super Giant” located at 7235 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church on Friday, March 14. The new is 57,861 square-foot grocery store features a new layout, décor, signage, and larger food and pharmacy departments in a state-of-the-art energy-efficient building. It will offer a Starbucks and feature a new cheese shop with more than 200 varieties of imported and domestic cheeses. The new prototype store also features high-efficiency cooling and heating systems, a white membrane roof that reflects, rather than absorbs solar energy, and infrared actuated faucets and toilet flush valves that conserve water usage. Grand opening activities include entertainment, food sampling, prizes, and face-painting activities for children. Proceeds from a three-day hot dog and soda sidewalk sale will be donated to the Falls Church Community Service Food Bank.

Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, MD, operates 184 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, and employs approximately 21,000 associates. For more on Giant, visit www.giantfood.com. *** Curves of Falls Church is hosting an art exhibit featuring works from George Mason High School art students throughout the month of March. In conjunction with the art show, the Falls Church Curves is also reaching out to high school females to encourage fitness and health and offering significant discounts until the end of June for young women between the ages of 15 and 18. Curves, a women’s only exercise facility, works every major muscle group with strength training, cardio and stretching in every 30 minute workout. For more information, please call the Falls Church club at 703-526-0140. *** Businesses interested in selling to Fairfax County are invited to attend “Selling to Fairfax County” from 8 – 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19 at the Fairfax Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 315C). Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the county’s purchasing department and become familiar with the county’s process. The workshop will discuss the county’s process, upcoming contracting opportunities and address any questions or concerns businesses have about doing business with the county. To register call (703) 324-3201 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpsm/osb/workshop.htm. *** Malene Smith Davis, president and CEO of Falls Church-based Capital Hospice and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Pain Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to improving quality of life for people in pain. For more information about Capital Hospice, visit www.capitalhospice.org. For more information about the American Pain Foundation, visit www.painfoundation.org. *** The Washington City Paper is hosting a contest to determine readers’ favorite haunts, celebrities and decision makers. To vote for your favorite establishments and people, go to www.washingtoncitypaper.com.  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

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 19

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Page 20

Mike, What are your thoughts on this news item: The Oregon Urology Institute is promoting an event for men to get vasectomies prior to the NCAA Tournament. I think this is wonderful, but do you think this is a good idea?

Lorena Look, if this is the sort of deal you need to negotiate with your spouse to watch the tournament in peace, you need to seriously reevaluate your relationship.

That said, if you do go through with the procedure, see if you can get one of those plastic cones they give to dogs post-operation. I think that would be a great accessory to tourney watching. You put that bad boy on and fill it up with popcorn, Crackerjack, whatever.

That’s livin’ right there.

Hume, Harvard got nailed by the New York Times for some questionable recruiting practices, and since hiring Head Coach Tommy Amaker they’ve admittedly dropped their academic standards for basketball recruits. The questionable practices include hiring a coach a few days after he played pick up ball with two recruits and Amaker bumping into a recruit’s parents at the grocery store. Does the Crimson deserve a scarlet letter for this behavior?

Hester Much like the shadowy recruiting practices Amaker and his staff have allegedly been engaging in, there are some shades of gray here.

Was it poor form for Harvard to fire former coach Frank Sullivan after holding his recruits to higher academic standards and then turn around and give Amaker carte blanche? Yes. Does lowering the academic bar to compete in their own league make the school a shameful scourge? I don’t think so. Saying Harvard is gravely compromising its reputation to get onto the athletic fast track is a little extreme.

Look, some schools consider extracurricular skills like basket weaving or interpretive dancing huge pluses on college applications. Those skills can and do compensate for grades or scores below those of most admitted students.

The PC crowd loves this because it shows that schools are embracing diversity. When the standards are lowered for athletes though, it’s seen as an evil practice.

Think about it, Ivy League

March 13 - 19, 2008

schools can admit celebrities and the offspring of tycoons, but they can’t admit kids who play basketball? Kids who might give something back to the school community besides daddy’s sixdigit checks? Please.

One more thing, one of recruits mentioned in the Times article was Bishop O’Connell’s 6-foot-10 center Frank Ben-Eze. The article states that Ben-Eze has yet to reach the required minimum for acceptance to Harvard. It also notes that he was being recruited by “traditional power” Penn. Last I checked, Penn was an Ivy League school. If other Ivies are recruiting kids like Ben-Eze — who since decommited from Harvard — there is no reason for Harvard to be chastened for it.

The recruiting tactics noted in the article might not be legit, and if they are dirty then the NCAA will certainly act. However, the standards of a university’s admissions should be determined by the university alone. If its alums (read: donors) disagree with this new approach to the basketball program, then I suspect Harvard will reverse its course rather quickly ... Oh, wait ...

Looks like that didn’t take long. As I write this Tuesday morning, the Washington Post’s Josh Barr has just reported that the reason for Ben-Eze’s decommitment was that Harvard revised its academic requirements for him. Initially they told Ben-Eze he needed to score just 30 points higher on his SAT. After the Times article broke, that goal was revised by the school to a 90point improvement, according to Joe Wooten, Ben-Eze’s coach at O’Connell. If that’s true, that’s just pathetic on Harvard’s part and a lot worse than lowering the bar in the first place. Now the school has wasted this kid’s time and gone back on its promises.

I’m sure the Harvard campus will be a much better place for it.

George Mason’s back in the Dance, baby! That’s Awesome with a capital A, baby! Can the Kryptonite Kids make a run to the Final Four, baby? Baby!!!!

Richard V. I’m not sure if Cinderella’s glass slipper still fits the Patriots of 2008. I hear late-game collapses (see losses to Georgia State and Delaware) can make your feet swell. But who knows? Once you’re in the bracket, anything can happen. That’s what makes March so awesome — Oh, what the heck — baby!  Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com.

The book closed on the 2007-2008 wrestling season last Saturday at the Single A state wrestling tournament in Salem, Va., and when the final entries had been written, all four of the George Mason wrestlers participating had earned all-state status.

David Ray (140 lbs.) and Barratt Kennett (171 lbs.) finished in third place in their respective weight classes, while Steven Parks (189 lbs.) finished fourth and Jake Schwind (152 lbs.) placed eighth. On the strength of the points generated by those four wrestlers, Mason tied for 10th in the team standings. Mason’s Region B, and the Bull Run District in particular, dominated the state tournament, as they have for much of the past decade. Four of the top 10 teams in the state hail from the Bull Run District, including state-champion Manassas Park, third-place finisher Strasburg, seventh-place Madison County, and George Mason.

Throughout the course of the season Parks, Kennett and Ray, one of Mason’s most successful trios, have been in pursuit of several Mason wrestling records, most notably those of season pins and season wins.

Kennett was the first to break the season pin record of 20 set

by Mac Cohe in 2004, which he did in January at the Oakton tournament, but as the season progressed Parks was able to overtake Kennett and establish a new record of 27. Ray also surpassed the old mark, and he and Kennett finished with 23

falls apiece.

The three standouts also established new season win marks in the process. Both Parks and Ray finished the year at 445 and Kennett at 40-8, eclipsing the old record of 36 held jointly

by Dominic Clark and brothers Joey and Mac Cohe.

In the final analysis, it was a very successful season for the three Mason standouts as each either won or finished near the top of every tournament they entered. Parks closes his career as the winner of the prestigious 2007 NOVA Classic, the Region B champion, and fourth in the state. Kennett wraps his career up as Bull Run District champion, Region B champion, and third in the state. Ray, who will return next year, finishes as Bull Run District champion, Region B champion and third in

the state.

Despite the loss of two highly successful wrestlers, coach Bryan Harris was very optimistic about the future for Mason’s wrestling program.

“We could be even better next year,” said Harris. “Not only will we have David and Jake to lead us but we will have Tim [Hillegass, who was an alternate to the state tournament] and a lot of young guys who should be able to build on their experiences.

“I was particularly pleased with the progress of Jack Thomas, Drew Dixon, Brian Costelloe, Manuel Veiga-Diaz and David Kutchma. All of these young men were new to wrestling this year and now that they have a season’s experience I expect next year they will really step up.”

March 13 - 19, 2008

Three weeks ago, before their opening round contest of the Region B tournament against Strasburg, the George Mason High School varsity girls’ basketball squad came to a consensus decision. After having fallen to the Rams a couple days prior, the team stood in the locker room, about to take the court of second-seeded Strasburg, and shed their old warm-ups in favor of their customized t-shirts.

Printed on the front is the word “family,” which has come to symbolize the unity which has catapulted the Mustangs into the Virginia single A state semifinals, while on the back is the phrase “84 x 32 x 30.”

The phrase on the back was coined by Mason Head Coach Bill Broderick at the beginning of the season, standing for the Mustangs’ formula for success: 84, meaning the length of the basketball court, 32, standing for the number of minutes in a game, and 30, representing the number of games in a season.

Should Mason play hard for the various numbers on the shirt, Broderick said, they should come out victorious.

So far, the formula has

Page 21

worked perfectly.

Following their spontaneous change against Strasburg, the Cinderella Mustangs have been on a tear, upsetting three higherseeds in the Region tournament, taking the Region B crown, as well as making quick work of Middlesex High last Saturday in the first round of States.

Every member of the Mustang “family” entered the contest against Middlesex, which took place at Robinson High, and each one contributed to the 55-23 trouncing of the Chargers.

The Mustangs hit their stride in the second period, as their offense began to take shape against the slower and shorter Chargers, who were without their second leading scorer. In addition, their vaunted defense, which has not given up more than 50 points since Jan. 10, held Middlesex without a field goal in the second quarter, going into the break up 16 points.

Kim Kenny, who has had a stellar postseason, dominated the post, as the Mustang lead kept growing and growing. The junior was five for seven from the field and tacked on eight rebounds, four on the offensive end.

Broderick’s squad used a

torrid third quarter to push the lead to 34 points, while holding Middlesex to a mere six points. The Mustangs emptied their bench shortly thereafter, as all but three players for Mason scored.

Sophomore Nicole Mitchell, fresh off her Honorable Mention All-Region recognition, snatched six offensive boards, as well as four assists, consistently flashing to the elbow on a high-low look to lob it in to Kenny for the high percentage bucket.

Guard Chantal Thomas provided a spark off the bench, adding six points and six rebounds, while senior Olivia Scott added four points. Classmate Meredith Hamme, coming off a scorching shooting streak in the Region B tournament, was held to three points, all on free-throws, but still dished out two assists and had three steals. Senior Annie Zweighaft tacked on four points and five rebounds, as well.

Baumgardner and a pair of juniors in Mayssa Chehata and Abby Stroup each had two points, while JV call-up Kelsey Kane made full use of her fourth quarter time with five defensive rebounds.

A two-hour power outage at the school merely delayed the tip-off, but it did very little to affect the latest chapter in the story that has been Mason’s playoff run. With the power company unable to restore the lights in the gym, the Mustangs passed the time by talking, listening to music and, of all things, performing the Macarena.

“I think the delay was a positive thing for us,” said senior captain Hannah Baumgardner.

“They had to drive three hours, and we play better with delays anyways. It gives us more time to relax.”

Once the game finally got underway though, the effects of the delay were evident, as neither team could muster a field goal for the first four and a half minutes of the game, leaving

2, the squad will take on Floyd County (23-3), the Region C champion, who is unofficially ranked No. 1 in the state by the Associated Press.

Floyd brings a wealth of experience — they have reached the state final four each of the past two years, falling in last year’s final to Clarke County,

the score at 1-0 for the majority of the quarter.

The period ended with Mason up 10-6, thanks in large part to the hot shooting of senior Bailey Walton (15 points), who came off the bench to ignite the offense, nailing all three of her shots from beyond the arc in the first half.

Despite the seemingly easy victory versus Middlesex, the road to the Division 2 state championship only gets increasingly tougher from here for the Mustangs (20-9). This Friday, at

a district rival of Mason. Floyd also features a potent offense — the Buffaloes have scored over 75 points eight times, compared to once for the Mustangs — as well as a relentless full-court press, much like their counterparts from Falls Church.

Mason has already downed one top-ranked team in Strasburg, but looks ahead to the contest at Virginia Commonwealth University as the biggest game thus far. A win against the Buffaloes would place them in the final on Saturday.

Page 22

By Mike Hume

Falls Church News-Press

A year after the graduation of key contributors Byron Mendenhall, Jimmy Piscopo and Matt Dorr, a new cast of characters looks to pick up the baton and lead the George Mason High School varsity baseball team into the 2008 season.

Inheriting Mendenhall’s former role at the top of the Mason pitching rotation will be senior Mike Straub. He’ll be joined in the rotation by three sophomores, Brian Lubnow, Tyler Roth and lefty Quinn Casteel.

While the fresh-faced sophs will see their fair share of innings, according to head coach Adam Amerine, the senior Straub, a 6foot-5 right-hander, will toe the rubber for the Mustangs’ toughest matchups. There are more than a few games of that variety on Mason’s 2008 schedule. The Mustangs are already scheduled to lock horns with perennial AAA juggernauts Robinson and Oakton (the reigning Northern Region Champions), and open their regular season March 12 with the first part of a home and home series against AA Dulles District champs Broad Run. Results of the season-

With a new coach at the helm and a strong core of returning runners, the George Mason High School track team looks poised for another strong showing throughout their Single A schedule this season.

After coach Julie Bravin stepped down earlier this year, long time assistant Bianca White, a teacher at Mason, took the reins of the squad, inheriting an extremely deep field of runners.

Senior Susanna Sullivan, a Second-Team All-Met cross country runner, as named by The Washington Post, was a double champion in the state meet last year, placing first in the 1600 meter and the 3200 meter runs. The Division-I recruit finished her previous track season in strong fashion,

March 13 - 19, 2008

opener were not available at press time.

In between the Broad Run games Mason will participate in a spring break tournament in Bradenton Beach, Fla. beginning March 17. While the Mustangs will get to enjoy a warmer climate, Amerine said the time will definitely be considered “spring training” and not “spring break.”

“We need to get our young talent up to varsity speed. Going to Florida and playing for a week straight will get everyone on the same page and working towards our team goals,” Amerine said.

“It will be a bonus to be out of the soft, squishy infields of Northern Virginia and in the warm sun, but trust me, the kids may come back from Florida needing a vacation and hating me.”

Part of the reason Amerine is pushing his team to start the season on the right foot is the prospect of a particularly tough year in the Bull Run District.

Strasburg returns this season as the reigning Class A state champions, Rappahannock advanced to the Region B tournament last year and Madison County is set to enjoy an influx of talented youngsters that claimed the district’s JV crown for the Mountaineers

setting a personal record in the 1600m as well.

Sullivan will be joined by a pair of senior hurdlers in Karina Robarge and Amelia Nystrom in leading the Mustangs, who went 4-0 in district dual meets last season.

Robarge placed fourth in both the 100m and the 300m hurdles at the state meet, while Nystrom placed seventh in the 100m hurdles, both earning allstate honors.

Even though the boys runners lost every district meet last year, the experience of senior sprinter Josh Jenkins should come in handy throughout this year. The loss of their two top hurdlers will sting for the time being, but the emergence of a strong field team will help springboard the Mustangs into competition this year.

Jenkins, who finished third in the 400 meters at

each of the past two seasons.

Furthermore, Amerine points out that Manassas Park boasts two of the district’s top arms in Nate Hoffa and southpaw Gipper Breeden.

At the plate, the Mustangs will again utilize a “small ball” approach to offense, manufacturing runs through plate discipline, bunting and aggressive baserunning more often than waiting

the Southern Track Classic Invitational against some of the best runners in the area, also placed third in the 400m at the state meet, earning All-State honors.

After the graduation of hurdler Derek Devore (third in the 110m hurdles at States), as well as the departure of senior Yusof Becker, who turned to a prosperous career in music in favor of running hurdles, the Mustangs will turn to their field team, headed by a pair of seniors, Matt Geurtsen and Austin Lucas, to score points throughout the season.

Both the boys and the girls kick off the season with a home meet against district rival Manassas Park on April 3, followed by the two-day Metro Run & Walk Northern Virginia Invitational at Westfield High on April 11 and 12.

for a key extra-base hit. Heading that attack will be senior Alex Prewitt, who will bat leadoff for the Mustangs. Amerine believes that those batting behind him, including Lubnow, Andrew Lieber and Mike Ward could compose a formidable group.

Lonnie Millard will shift from his part-time DH role last season to that of everyday catcher and could spend some time at the top

Those who stay tuned following the NCAA Tournament Selection Special will be able to see Falls Church resident Ed Henderson in the commercial-free presentation of “Black Magic,” a documentary film by Dan Klores. The film tells the story of the civil rights movement viewed through the prism of the experiences of black basketball players, and the fight to desegregate professional and interscholastic basketball.

Ed Henderson is the grandson of the legendary Edwin Bancroft Henderson. Known to his friends as E.B., the Washington, D.C. native born in 1883, has been called, “the father of black basketball.”

That moniker is no hyperbole.

In addition to his accomplishments as a basketball player, E.B. Henderson was critical in the formation of institutions

of the Mason order as well.

The Mustangs haven’t had too many problems generating runs so far, posting a 15-1 final over J.E.B. Stuart and a 5-0 win over Washington-Lee in two preseason scrimmages. After returning from Florida, Mason will play its first home game March 28 against cross-town foe Falls Church. That game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

that would allow interscholastic black basketball to exist.

In 1965, E.B. moved down to Tuskegee, Ala. to live with his son and his son’s family, which of course included the then 10year-old Ed Henderson.

“He was always full of stories,” Ed Henderson recalls. “The stories about him he used to tell were never braggadocios or bravado, but something relating to teaching me a life lesson.”

Ed was aware of his grandfather’s work, but E.B.’s legendary status was driven home for Ed when he was throwing the discus at the Georgia State Olympics.

“Jessie Owens was the keynote speaker,” recalls Ed. “After it was over … he came up, shook my hand, and asked me how Grandpa was.” Owens was the not only legendary athlete who was an admirer or E.B. “Lenny Moore … he came by the house to spend time with Grandpa, these are the types of people that looked up to him.”

March 13 - 19, 2008

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Page 24

Elementary Science Fair Gunston Elementary will hold a schoolwide Science Fair on Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m. The fair is open to all K-6 students, giving them the chance to exhibit their own displays of topical interests in science.

More than 60 projects will be on display including demonstrations, models and experiments.

International Art Night at Hayfield Art with an international flair will be the theme of Art in the Schools and International Night at Hayfield Elementary this Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m. Activities will include a parade of nations fashion show, Chinese brush painting, Matisse collages and color by number. Performances include those by the West Potomac Academy dance students and the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance. Hayfield Secondary Advanced Placement (AP) foreign language students will host a story time. The evening will be brought to a close with an auction of international goodie baskets contributed by each grade level.

As American as Apple ‘Pi’ Clearview Elementary will hold a Pi Day Roundabout celebrate the number pi and eat pie Friday, March 14. Sixth graders will travel to stations to draw circles, compute the circle’s area and calculate and graph the number pi. By the end of the day, a colorful paper chain representing the first 1,000 digits of pi will circle the cafeteria to show there’s no predictable pattern or end to the irrational number. Students in grades K-6 will begin memorizing signs of the first 20 digits of pi in the library windows two weeks prior to Pi Day in preparation for the Pi Day memorization contest.

Last year’s winners memorized nearly 300 digits of pi.

Second Graders ‘Bug’ Out Second grade students at Hayfield Elementary will see the world through an insect’s eyes in the musical “Goin’ Buggy,” scheduled for Friday, March 14, at 1 p.m. Students become members of the insect population and demand the respect and positive attention these creatures have lacked for so long in the play.

Their story is told with songs, dances and humor, teaching the audience about the insects as they perform.

March 13 - 19, 2008

Herndon Earns Technology Award Herndon Middle’s technology education program has been given the program excellence award by the International Technology Education Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

The award is the most prestigious given in recognition of technology education programs in the U.S. The Herndon Middle program was recognized as one of the top technology programs in the country and was the only program from Virginia recognized by the two groups. This is the second award for the program, which was also recognized by the Virginia Technology Education Association (VTEA) last summer. James Gralton and James Bullock were honored as teachers of the year by the VTEA. Students Run for Their ‘Healthy’ Lives Lynbrook Elementary students have won their seventh consecutive Healthy School Award from the Marine Corps Marathon for having the greatest number of students in the medium-size school category participating in the 2007 Healthy Kids Fun Run, a onemile run for fun held the day before the marathon. A total of 168 Lynbrook students participated. Eagle View Elementary was also recognized for having the most students, 195 total, in the large school category. The 2008 Healthy Kids Fun Run is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Excellence Award. The award is one of the highest honors given to technology education classroom teachers and is presented in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding contribution to the profession and his or her students.

Students Save Their Pennies for Cancer Over $1,300 was collected during February by students at Terraset Elementary to benefit Pennies for Patients. The money raised will help more than 1,000 cancer patients in the Washington metropolitan area.

Students learned about blood cancers and how they could make a difference in the lives of others.

FCPS Students Make Music Statewide Seventy-two students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) were named to the 2008 Virginia All-State Band, and 37 were named to the 2008 Virginia All-State Orchestra.

Both groups will perform at Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg, Va. at 1 p.m. on April 5. Additional students were honored as alternates.

Thirteen students were named alternates to the All-State Band, as well as four to the All-State Orchestra. Thirteen FCPS students were named alternates to the All-State Band, and four FCPS students were named alternates to the All-State Orchestra.

Key Middle School students (left to right) Max Benitos, Kelly Catherine and Zachary Adams created art as a means of universal communication with students in Ghana who will receive the art in April and, in response, create their own to send back to Key Middle. (Photo: Elyse Rosenburg) Educators Day in the Workplace More than 200 teachers, counselors, administrators, media center specialists and employment transition specialists participated in Fairfax County Public Schools’ Educators Day in the Workplace on Wednesday, March 12. The educators learned about the current workplace climate so they can share this information with students to help them understand the skills, knowledge and education needed to fill available jobs, as well as job opportunities available in the metropolitan Washington area.

A panel discussion about essential workplace skills and information from Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin and President of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Gerald Gordon was given. After the presentations, educators broke into smaller groups and traveled

to local businesses to observe employees on the job and talk to them about workplace trends, the variety of careers at each business, the career paths taken by employees and the skills necessary to work for each company.

Student’s PSA Featured at Film Festival A public service announcement (PSA) by Marcus Clarke, a professional television production student at West Potomac Academy, was featured at the Cinema City International Film Festival March 9-10 in Hollywood. Clarke’s 30-second PSA won the top prize and an all-expenses paid trip to the film festival. Clarke’s PSA raised awareness of “Best Buddies,” an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by providing opportunities for one-toone friendships and integrated employment.

‘Black History Month Hero’ at Ravensworth Ravensworth Elementary building supervisor Laverne Brown was selected as the “Black History Month Hero” by ABC 7. The school submitted a video of Brown doing her job and greeting students and their parents. The video also featured students and staff members explaining why Brown is their hero. Ravensworth won the video contest, and Brown won a cash prize.

Winning Teacher of Technology Steven Snyder of Robinson Secondary was recently honored by the International Technology Education Association as one of 38 teachers from across the U.S. to receive its Teacher

Franconia elementary students (left to right) Larinda Kearny, Dan Cook and Jenae Barnes performed songs at Laurel Grove School, a historic one-room schoolhouse dating to the 1800s where African American students were taught many years ago, in honor of Black History Month during the first week in March. (Photo: Courtesy Theresa Doubleday and Lydia Hunter)

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 25

Hurt frontman J. Loren bristles at the “alt-metal” label so often affixed to his band. Sure there are similarities between Hurt and the sound of Staind, Seether or Saliva and other top-of-the-charts acts that root their music in distorted guitars and growling vocals, but how many of them initially script their songs on a violin?

Besides, who needs a broader category when Loren nailed it the first time? When you listen to Loren’s often-brooding, lament-laden compositions there aren’t many words that cover his music better than the band’s moniker of “Hurt.”

Between the wrenching notes and Loren’s lyrics, Hurt’s music summarizes the songwriter’s often painful life.

Languishing lines — “Because I’ve strangely become immune / to the thought of seeing you / and the smell of cheap perfume / and all the liquor I’ve consumed / ... There’s no more beauty in this world,” (“Alone With the Sea”) — are seldom few and far between on Loren’s latest album,

Vol. II. The Capitol Records-backed disc is the aptly titled sequel to Volume I and continues to illustrate the various slings and arrows that have beset the bard.

The struggles of the songwriting lifestyle are enough to torment most, but Loren has also lost many who are close to him. Less than a month ago one of his best — he says “remaining” — friends died from a drug overdose.

“You can’t play with fire,” Loren says somberly, and declines to list any more of the dearly departed. “That’s been the worst thing in my life. You never do get used to it, especially young people, when they die.”

Fortunately for Loren, he’s had an outlet for his grief. Composing songs has helped him compose his thoughts and given him, and his fans, an avenue of happiness — even if it is sometimes misconstrued by others.

“There’s also this idea that I’m a hateful man. That I talk about how you should just off yourself from the planet earth. It’s completely the opposite,” Loren says. “I understand how they get that impression, but in almost every song I’m trying to say

how it was, how things are and the irony of the situation. I think that my music is very uplifting, I think it’s a misconception that I mean to do damage with it ... Life is beautiful. I write about whatever I see and whatever I feel like writing about. I don’t intentionally focus on the morbid. But it kind of helps you when you write about it.”

His message has certainly come through crystal clear for some of his fans, many of whom regularly thank Loren for setting their thoughts to song.

“It has really touched my soul,” Loren says. “Almost every single night now, I’ve been told by fans how my music changed their lives for the better and it saved their lives, or helped them through hard times.”

The compliments mean so much to Loren in part because he takes his music so personally.

“The only thing I like about me is the music that I’ve made,” Loren says. “So when someone’s talking about my music and complimenting my music, I can actually take that compliment. Now when I hear those things every night, I feel like I haven’t made a total waste of my life.”

Though the sadness of Loren’s music apparently comes from his sense of self dissatisfaction, his skill as a songwriter comes from a lifetime of practice that began while growing up in Halifax, Va. Living without running water and electricity for several years, Loren was faced with a simple upbringing.

“Let’s just say that when your grandfather tells you those stories about walking to school in the snow and going uphill both ways — I know what he’s talking about,” Loren jokes.

With limited means to entertain himself, Loren had plenty of time to practice, playing violin for himself and others at “stews,” Appalachian-style musical gatherings. The bluegrass stylings of his youth emerge as undertones on Vol. II, particularly with the gently-plucked banjo on “Alone With the Sea.” The sparse lifestyle also helped him deal with the meager meal plan he and his bandmates — Evan Johns, Josh Ansley and Paul Spatola — have had to deal with while recording their albums over a series of 18-20 hours days.

“We are [McDonald’s] ‘dollar menunaires,’” Loren says, noting that Ramen Noodles aren’t an option after he developed an MSG allergy. “I see a lot of peanut butter in my future.”

Hopefully the back-stage spread at the State Theatre will be a little more robust on Thursday night (March 13) when Hurt performs live. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 7 p.m.

• For more on Hurt, visit www.hurtband.com.

Page 26

There are no cars are parked in the driveways ofn many new subdivision cul-de-sacs. “For Sale” signs litter the yards in outlying areas of Fairfax and Prince William County. Some new developments appear to be ghost towns. No children ride their bikes down the sidewalks — instead there are moving trucks loading up personal belongings as families wipe away tears and kiss their dream homes good-bye. The foreclosure epidemic has struck and its effects ripple across the area.

A new report released by the Fairfax County Government on February 25 reveals that declining property values will deal the 2009 Fiscal Year budget a $17 million blow. Declining revenues will greatly impact the county’s school system, with the initial budget falling $64 million short of the school board’s requested sum.

Residential property values have fallen 3 percent and the average homeowner will pay $163 less in taxes next year.

Though the board is considering adjusting the tax rate, a $200 million deficit is predicted by 2010.

Foreclosures have a huge impact locally since 59.9 percent of the overall revenue of Fairfax County comes from real estate taxes, says Merni Fitzgerald, spokesperson for Fairfax County. Fitzgerald noted that 35 percent of homes sold in Fairfax County during 2007’s third quarter were sold due to foreclosure.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has stepped in to try and rescue troubled Virginia homeowners with new proposed legislation, announced February 27. The proposed bill is aimed at protecting and preserving homeownership by providing access to financial counseling prior to default notice, and grants the option of pausing foreclosure for 30 days while finances are put in order.

It is hoped that the General Assembly will approve the bill before adjournment March 8.

However, the foreclosure dilemma is a far-reaching one that shakes individual families, local government and the national economy. On each level, people are attempting to come to terms with the crisis, assess how they should proceed and, in some cases, even turn the situation to their advantage.

‘Why Not Just Walk Away?’

The foreclosure epidemic hit the U.S. hard in 2007, with a 75-percent increase in foreclosure filings from 2006, and a 149-percent increase from 2005, according to RealtyTrac Inc., an on-line real estate tracking company based in Irvine, Calif. Virginia ranks 24th in the nation in rate of foreclosure. In Northern Virginia, hardest hit areas include Prince William County, where some newly built neighborhoods are mostly made up of

March 13 - 19, 2008

foreclosure homes.

Development has decreased as empty homes saturate the area, producing a domino effect.

“There is a gradually slowing economy because the housing market has slowed down because new home construction slowed down,” says Stephen Fuller, professor of public policy and director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, and member of the Governor’s Advisory Board of Economists.

The cause of foreclosures can be attributed to more than one factor, he says.

“Foreclosures are caused by a combination of several things,” says Fuller. “Liberal lending policies, people thought they would enjoy price appreciation in ’03 and ’05 and later refinance. The market cooled off in ’06, housing prices decreased and the mortgage was more than the house was valued. They couldn’t refinance because their income hadn’t changed. In some cases, the rates tripled. People had no money in the house, so why not just walk away?”

Fuller says that some people were not in the right financial position to be purchasing a home.

“The American dream is to own a home, but in reality, some people should just have been renters,” Fuller explains.

He says that there was probably some fraud involved on behalf of the loan officers in misleading people.

Others agree.

“I wouldn’t put my clients into those adjustable rate loans that they should not be in,” says JD Callander of the Old Dominion Office of Weichert Realtors. Another reason for failure to make payments is that people were not required to show proof of income or W-2’s, Callander says.

“People only had to declare ‘stated income’ — now they must have documentation,” Callander says.

Foreclosures can also occur because life circumstances change.

“A lot of foreclosures happen because there is a change in situation,” says Brian Block, a realtor and attorney with ReMax Allegiance of Alexandria.

“Oftentimes they occur because of a medical condition where there are outstanding bills, or a divorce, in addition to the cases where the type of loan is to blame.”

Forestalling Foreclosure and Repairing Credit Once a homeowner has missed a few payments, the property goes into pre-foreclosure, also called ‘default’ status, says Darren Blomquist, Marketing Communications Manager at RealtyTrac.

“The owner has a chance to stop foreclosure by paying off what is delinquent,” says Blomquist. “The owner can come up with the cash, or if they do nothing, the bank proceeds with the foreclosure process.

“Before this happens, you should call the bank and try to work something out,” says Blomquist. “In most cases, banks are willing to work with homeowners,” he adds.

Blomquist says that if nothing is done and payments are not being made, the property goes to an auction. If the property doesn’t sell, it then goes back to the bank who can sell it or list it with a realtor. Those properties are sold at a different type of auction, called a REO (Real Estate Owned by Lender) Auction. Often times held in convention centers or hotel ballrooms with hired auctioneers, this is where most deals are made.

“Banks want to get as much money as they can for the property,” says Blomquist. “Although, sometimes purchases can be made for 50 percent of the appraised value.”

When asked what was the best deal that he had heard about, Blomquist said there were some record bargains in Detroit on slightly damaged properties in need of repair.

“I’ve heard about some $10,000 ‘scratch and dent’ properties in some distressed areas of Detroit where you could buy a house cheaper than a car,” he says.

If people are going through financial difficulties, free help is out there.

Bruce McClarey is a certified financial specialist with ClearPoint Financial Solutions, a non-profit, free credit counseling business based in Richmond, Va., with offices in Fredericksburg, Va. and Landham, Md. “We try to reach people before they have to go through foreclosure,” says McClarey. “We want to help people avoid it. We have housing counselors available. The earlier people call, the better. There are more options available for people who are one payment behind than five payments behind.”

In October, the Bush administration created “Hope Now,” a group of lenders, investors and non-profit groups pulled together to assist homeowners in finan-

March 13 - 19, 2008

cial distress in the hopes of preventing foreclosure. The Homeowner HOPE hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-888-995-HOPE (4673). Online counseling sessions are also available.

“Project Lifeline” was also created this month

by Bank of America, Citigroup, Countrywide, J.P. Morgan, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo — a group that accounts for 50 percent of mortgage companies — with the goal of giving homeowners time to work with lenders to avoid foreclosure.

If your home has gone into foreclosure, you will have to rebuild your credit to be able to eventually buy a home again.

“It’s not that you won’t be able to buy another home ever,” says McClarey. “You should build up your credit by paying bills on time. The longer you wait to purchase a new home, the better your chance of getting a good interest rate on your future loan.”

He says that you might be approved for a new loan after one year following foreclosure, but the rate would be high. Waiting four to five years would bring a much better rate.

The ‘Flip’ Side RealtyTrac shows there are currently 24,199 Virginia properties in foreclosure, 403 in Falls Church, including those in pre-foreclosure status with default payments on record. These listings are available for consumers with a seven day free trial, then for $49.95 per month by subscribing to the service, or they are available through county records filed under “default homes.”

Recently, numerous ads and seminars have touted foreclosed homes as a solid-gold investment opportunity that will allow buyers to acquire properties on the cheap and then flip the houses for millions in profit. While such investment potential exists, the process is not a simple one, and ReMax’s Block cautions against getting caught up in these “get rich quick” schemes.

“The seminar people make money by selling their tapes, CDs, books, manuals, additional courses, etc., not by doing real estate deals,” Block says. “They typically draw people in with a free seminar, which is used to get people excited and then up sell them these other items.”

Those interested in attending and bidding at a home auction need to prepare themselves accordingly. Bidders should bring an approval letter from a lender to the auction, along with a certified check, advises Block.

“Usually a certified check for $10,000 payable to themselves is required to place a deposit on a home at the auction,” says Block. He says to take advantage of the open houses of the auction homes, bring along a contractor to assess the condition.

RealtyTrac’s Bloomquist likewise advises due diligence before attending an auction.

“Look for a good property in a good neighborhood,” says Blomquist. “You could buy a property for 35 percent below the market and be fine, but it would be better to aim for 40-50 percent lower.

That would be a great deal. The property you buy could lose value after you own it. Buy it at 50 percent lower in case it goes lower in value.”

If possible, talk to the neighbors to get more information about the house.

“There could have been a crime or drug dealer living in the house,” says Leslie Hutchison of ReMax Distinctive in McLean. She says that in California, where she previously worked, she had talked to neighbors for her clients and saved them from purchasing a mistake.

Page 27

“There had been a crystal methamphetamine lab in the basement of a foreclosure home in California. People were coming to buy drugs all night long,” says Hutchison.

A downside of buying at auction is that you may not have had a chance to see the home ahead of time, and there is a possibility that the lender will not accept the home inspection. By law, homeowners are required to disclose a flooded basement, banks are not.

“Banks are not governed by the same laws as homeowners,” says Blomquist. “They are not obligated to full disclosure.”

“The bank is not obligated to tell you there was a triple murder in the basement,” says Hutchison.

“It’s a gamble. A lot of people make good money — a lot of people get burned. If your dad is a contractor and could walk the house with you ahead of time, then it’s not such a risk.”

Hutchison says that many times previous owners take the stove, kitchen faucets, light fixtures, even new carpeting or light bulbs in an attempt to garner what they can from the house.

Another caution is that banks can have their own addendum to the contract. Sometimes there can be additional closing costs or fees.

“The title company will search the title to see if there are mechanical leans or additional money owed by past owners,” says Block. “Tax leans could have been incurred.

You should have an attorney take a look at the contract before closing. You can usually get out of a foreclosure purchase with an attorney.”

If a foreclosure home does not sell at the auction, it will go back on the market.

Block says that about 10-15 percent of his clients want foreclosure properties.

“A lot of times the foreclosure idea will bring them in the door,” he says. “You have to have a flexible closing date and be willing to wait weeks.”

There is also extra paperwork, which takes time.

“Foreclosure purchasing is not for the faint of heart,” Block says.

An option with possible less hassle is a “short sale” during pre-foreclosure.

“A good deal is a short sale,” says Blomquist.

“The owner wants to sell the property. He owes more than the property can sell for — you both go to the lender and ask them to do a short sale.

This cleans out the mortgage for the full amount of the loan. In many cases, the lender will agree because it will cost them less in the long run. You may offer $70,000 when $100,000 is owed. It’s a good opportunity.” Realtors can find out if the property is in this stage for their clients.

A Road to Recovery Fuller says that the number of foreclosures will increase before it starts to get better.

“The subprime loans from ’05 and ’06 haven’t reset yet,” Fuller explains. “Before anything happens, we’ll see it get worse for six months … Banks and government are helping to freeze foreclosures by changing them over to conventional loans.

“In 2009, things will start to get better. Even Prince William County where it is very bad will get better in 2010.”

Fuller also notes another challenge. After facing foreclosure, some former home owners may require social services, further straining government coffers. In the long run, however, he is not worried about the area’s ability to recover.

“Fairfax County has one of the healthiest housing markets in the region,” he adds. “The economy will get stronger within three months.

Fairfax has a only 2.2 percent unemployment rate. The economy will start growing and 2009 will be much better.”

Local News, National Appeal Every Week in the

News-Press

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March 13 - 19, 2008

March 13 - 19, 2008

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March 13 - 19, 2008

“HILARIOUS!” Ben Lyons, E!



CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR SHOWTIMES

M o b i l e Users: F o r S h o w t i m e s - Tex t Me s s ag e HORTON and y our Z I P C ODE t o 4 3 K IX ( 4 3 5 4 9 )

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On the 14th of March, from the faux jungle of Nool, comes a glitzy Hollywood hybrid.

What’s a true Seuss fan to do?

If you admire and respect the artistry of the late Theodor Geisel, you’ll probably approach the new computeranimated “Horton Hears a Who!” with trepidation. Not to worry. Although Blue Sky Studios, the 20th Century Fox division that conjured up the “Ice Age” series and “Robots,” has created a state-of-the-animated art “Horton,” with an allstar cast and all the Hollywood trappings, the movie remains essentially Seussical.

Comedy kings Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, along with

Horton........................ Jim Carrey The Mayor................ Steve Carell Kangaroo...............Carol Burnett Morton.......................Seth Rogen Vlad............................. Will Arnett Jo-Jo............... Jesse McCartney Sally O’Mally.......... Amy Poehler Narrator............. Charles Osgood 20th Century Fox presents an

their good-humor zeitgeisters Seth Rogen, Amy Poehler, Jonah Hill and Will Arnett, provide the voices of the fauna and flora of Nool. Dr. Seuss’ fable, originally published in 1954, unfolds in a fantasy world where Horton the big-hearted elephant rescues the Whos of Who-ville, a universe of little

“A TOTAL KNOCKOUT! SENSATIONAL!” – EARL DITTMAN, WIRELESS MAGAZINE

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animated film directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino. Produced by Bob Gordon and Bruce Anderson. Written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul. Based on the book by Dr. Seuss. Art direction by Thomas Cardone. Edited by Tim Nordquist. Music by John Powell.

Running time: 86 minutes.

Classified: G

people cast adrift on a speck of dust, because he reasons, “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Meanwhile, there’s nothing small about the run-up to the release of “Horton Hears a Who!” From the television talk shows to the commercial tieins, it’s been all Horton all the time. Which has the fans down in Fanville worried. Witness this recent post on the imdb. com message boards: “Don’t these people have enough money yet? One viewing of the (‘Horton’) TV commercial was enough to convince me that not a single shred of authentic Seuss-iness remains.

I don’t get why this A-list of creeps would line up to wipe their b---- with the work of a real artist. My mind reels when I try to grasp what might have led the estate to allow this travesty to be made. Congratulations to everyone involved for making the world a sadder, creepier, crappier place.”

Now there’s somebody who probably saw “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000) and “The Cat in the Hat” (2003), those two sorry, live-action Seuss adaptations, and jumped to conclusions. But if you’re willing to ignore the Hollywood gloss and enjoy the cinematic experience, you’ll find a “Horton” that’s faithful, if not 100 percent, to the spirit of the beloved children’s classic. Besides, the radiant colors and vivid detail of the computer-generated images become almost mesmerizing.

To fill out the tale to feature length, Dr. Seuss’ story has been adapted by debut co-directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino, along with screenwriters Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (the latter also is responsible for the horrid, justreleased “College Road Trip”).

CBS News fixture Charles Osgood, who narrates the story, delivers the classic Seussian anapestic tetrameter verse in avuncular style.

For the most part, the filmmakers’ embellishments don’t take “Horton” too far off-

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 31

F

unny Games (Horror, R, 112 minutes). The new Hollywood edition of “Funny Games,” a clinical re-enactment of Michael Haneke’s Austrian torture-comedy experiment from 10 years ago, is an attempt to replicate the earlier study under English-language conditions. Two young men wearing white sweaters and white gloves humiliate, torture and kill a family

and their dog. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth star. If you liked those pictures from Abu Ghraib, you’ll love “Funny Games”! Rating: One half star. (Jim Emerson)

L

et’s Get Lost (Documentary, not rated, 119 minutes). An atmospheric black-and-white portrait of jazz trumpet player Chet Baker, an exemplar of West Coast “cool jazz”

“ delightful champagne A cocktail of a comedy!”

LEAH ROZEN, PEOPLE

course. We get lots of action and slapstick for the kids, with segments that wouldn’t be out of place in a Three Stooges short. Fortunately, Osgood’s calm narration helps to rein in the often fast and furious proceedings.

Plus, there are lots of snarky comments and pop-culture references for the kids’ adult keepers. All the Who youth yak away on their Who phones, while the Who elders are commanded to “keep watching the skies” (in a nod to another ‘50s classic, “The Thing From Another World”). And a Whoette named Miss Yelp brags about her 15,000 friends on her MySpace-like page.

All of the usual “Horton” suspects are present and accounted for, with the rabblerousing Kangaroo getting a jolt of old-school adrenaline from comedy veteran Carol Burnett, who smoothly pulls off oneliners like “My kid is pouchschooled.” Other characters mainly help to pad out the plot. As befitting his “40-YearOld Virgin”/”The Office” boxoffice clout, Carell gets co-star status as the Mayor of Whoville, a harried Don Knotts sort with 96 daughters and one son, Jo-Jo (an effective turn by popmusic star Jesse McCartney).

In the book, Jo-Jo is “a very small shirker,” but in a clever twist, he becomes an emo boy, complete with a sullen face,

droopy bangs and an overall goth-by-way-of-”The Lorax” look.

The movie also introduces a new Seussical-style denizen: Horton’s pal, Morton the mouse (Seth Rogen), who looks like Scrat from “Ice Age” and acts like he just wandered in from that series. Some critters go the hammy route, such as the villainous vulture Vlad Vladi-koff (Arnett), who comes off like Bela Lugosi in his terminal “Plan 9” phase.

Though he indulges in plenty of shtick, Carrey sounds less like a Gerald McBoing-Boing than might be expected. His Horton’s so likable, you’ll even forgive Carrey for his forays into unlikely impersonations (Henry Kissinger and JFK -- “we’ll have a man on the moon before the end of the decade!”). On the way to the finale, as Horton’s saved from death by beezlenut oil, the filmmakers roll out their heavy sentimental arsenal.

If you can get past the climactic rendition of REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling” -let’s hope they’re being ironic here -- you’ll find your cynical heart growing three sizes larger.

Because a Seuss is a Seuss, no matter how loose.  Laura Emerick, an editor and staff writer for The Chicago Sun-Times, is filling in for Roger Ebert as he recovers from surgery.

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in the age when rapid-fire bebop was hot, whose life, career and face were ruined by his various addictions. That’s not an unfamiliar story among musicians of any stripe. But you can see what attracted director Bruce Weber, the famous fashion photographer best-known for his iconic, homoerotic Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch advertising images, to this particular subject.

Baker had the cool charisma of James Dean. Rating: Three stars.

(Jim Emerson)

M

arried Life (Crime drama, PG-13, 90 minutes). Chris Cooper confides to trusted friend Pierce Brosnan that he plans to leave his wife (Patricia Clarkson) to be with a much younger woman (Rachel McAdams) who truly loves him.

But he has such pity on his wife that rather than break her heart with this news, he plans to murder her. Sort of a mercy killing. A very strange and twisted film that satisfies only if you like not being quite satisfied. Directed by Ira Sachs.

Rating: Three stars.

N

ever Back Down (Action drama, PG-13, 110 minutes).

This fun and shamelessly formulaic tale provides a dazzling highlight reel for mixed martial arts fighting. Essentially a remake of “The Karate Kid.” Sean Faris is the new kid, humiliated by the local bully (Cam Gigandet) for having a crush on his girlfriend (Amber Heard).

Djimon Hounsou is the stoic African MMA master who teaches the kid to fight. Rated: Two and a half stars.

(Bryant Manning)

P

aranoid Park (Drama, R, 90 minutes). A Northwestern companion piece to “Elephant” and “Last Days,” Gus Van Sant’s “Paranoid Park” explores the troubled conscience of Alex (Gabe Nevins), the teenager who narrates the movie and who actually sounds like a teenager when doing so. In

Continued on Page 32

Page 32

Continued from Page 31 voice-over, Alex reads aloud from his journal as if he were delivering a book report in class, but he’s trying to confess the darkest secret of his young life. Rating: Three and a half stars. (Jim Emerson)

S

leepwalking (Drama, R, 101 minutes). A sad and grim drama about people forever scarred after being raised by a cruel, sadistic father -- an experience that threatens to be visited on another generation. A predictable plot and even more predictable outcome. Outstanding performances by Charlize Theron, Nick Stahl and AnnaSophia Robb provide the only reasons to see this film. Rating: Two and a half stars. (Bill Zwecker)

A

TONEMENT (Drama, R, 122 m., 2007). An event on the lawn of an English country house is misinterpreted by a 13-year-old girl and leads her to a wicked lie that destroys all possibility of happiness for herself, her older sister (Keira Knightley) and her sister’s lover (James McAvoy).

Begins in sheer happiness, ventures through the horror of the war in France and London, ends in darkest irony. One of the year’s best films, a best picture nominee.

Rating: Four stars.

I

AM LEGEND (Sci-fi action, PG13, 114 m., 2007). Will Smith is the last healthy man on Manhattan, maybe on Earth, as a virus mutates humans into zombies. Kept company by his loyal dog, he is a scientist trying to find a cure for the plague, while barricaded inside a town house. Two more survivors turn up, played by Alice Braga and young Charlie Tahan; can he protect them? Awesome special effects of an abandoned Manhattan, dicey special effects of unconvincing zombies; works, despite raising lots of questions.

Rating: Three stars.

March 13 - 19, 2008

E

NCHANTED (Musical romance, PG, 108 m., 2007). Amy Adams, Oscarnominated for “Junebug,” is effortlessly charming as Giselle, a young girl from a fairy-tale world who is transported to modern New York City by a jealous queen (Susan Sarandon). The film starts as animation, then becomes live action but still plays by fantasy rules, in a winning musical romance also starring Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden and Timothy Spall.

Rating: Three stars.

S

OUTHLAND TALES (Drama/ fantasy, R, 144 m., 2007).

A complete mess, about a revolutionary America populated apparently by characters with funny names. After I saw the first cut at Cannes 2006, I was dazed, confused, bewildered, bored, affronted and deafened by the boos all around me, at the most disastrous Cannes press screening since, yes, “The Brown Bunny.” But now here is the director’s cut, which is 20 minutes shorter, lops off a couple of characters and a few of the infinite subplots, and is even more of a mess.

I recommend that director Richard Kelly keep right on cutting until he whittles it down to a ukulele pick.

Rating: One star.

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OVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA (Romantic drama, R, 138 m., 2007). The magic of the great Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel fails to translate into cinema; perhaps his light-footed prose resists being nailed down to specific actors and locations. The cast, led

by Javier Bardem, looks promising, but the 19th-century Colombian love story, spanning decades, plods when it should fly. Rating: One and a half stars.

money. A masterpiece based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, written, directed and edited by Joel and Ethan Coen. As good as their “Fargo,” which is saying something.

Rating: Four stars.

D

AN IN REAL LIFE (Romantic comedy, PG-13, 93 m., 2007). Steve Carell (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) is a widower with three girls who goes home to Rhode Island for Thanksgiving and meets a woman (Juliette Binoche) in a bookstore; they fall into the early stages of love, but it turns out she’s the girlfriend of his brother (Dane Cook). Makes for an awkward weekend. With John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest as the parents. Sweet, low-key, a good time. Rating: Three stars.

B

EE MOVIE (Animated comedy, PG, 100 m., 2007).

Jerry Seinfeld does the voice for a rebel bee who refuses to settle down to a lifetime of drudgery before he explores outside the hive. That leads to a lawsuit against the human race for exploiting honey. We learn at the outset of the movie that bees theoretically cannot fly. Unfortunately, in the movie, that applies only to the screenplay. It is really, really, really hard to care much about a platonic romantic relationship between Renee Zellweger and a bee. Rating: Two stars. (c) 2008 The Ebert Co.

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O COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Drama, R, 123 m., 2007). Regards a completely evil man with wonderment, as if astonished that such a merciless creature could exist. He is Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), who travels Texas and kills people with a cattle stun gun. He is one strand in a plot involving a drug deal gone bad. Another is a sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) and a third is a hunter (Josh Brolin), a poor man who comes across $2 million in drug

SUZANNE FAUBER, REALTOR® SENIOR ASSOCIATE BUCK & ASSOCIATES, INC. Office (703) 528-2288 x14 Cell (703) 395-8741 suzanne@buckrealtors.com www.suzannefauber.com

Kids don’t get enough art these days. For Ten Simple Ways to get more art in kids’ lives, visit AmericansForTheArts.org.

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March 13 - 19, 2008

‘Lida Moser - A Retrospective’ Friday, March 14 through April 5, at Fraser Gallery (7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E, Bethesda, Md.). Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., or by appointment.

Call 301-718-9651 or see www. thefrasergallery.com for more information. Opening Reception Friday, March 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 15 Lida Moser will discuss her work and screen two documentaries about her life and work.

While her interest in shooting photos has waned, at 87 and counting Lida Moser is still full of life. Her time and energies are now taken up with maintaining and servicing her lifetime body of work. Born and raised in New York City, she has resided in Rockville, Md. since 1997.

Moser worked for the Army during World War II. After the war she noticed the need for photographers and decided that’s what she wanted to do. Although a tad hard to comprehend now, she reports that many people didn’t have cameras and needed portraits. Ultimately she wound up working for Vogue, Bazaar, Look and other magazines. On a trip to D.C. to transfer the rights on some of her photos, she decided the D.C. area was were she wanted to live, and moved here.

In reviewing Moser’s work, I was repeatedly reminded of Lillian Baseman’s photographs.

While both did some of their best work in the same time and general area they didn’t personally know each other.

Moser tells of a time after World War II when there were no photography schools.

Photographers banded together and helped each other learn their craft. In the 1960s, some of the struggling photographers began to teach photography to make ends meet. Moser wrote several photo books, but had no interest in teaching per se. She felt that the camera was a magic key to everything in her life, and she wanted to be out there shooting photos.

She became proficient at special effects with color photography and did many covers for paperback books at a time when virtually all paperback covers

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were illustrated. This show will concentrate on her black and white work.

While these are essentially all straight photographs, they are anything but snapshots. Here, we see a highly educated eye that simultaneously works on the abstract and representational levels.

Likely to her detriment, Moser never shot fashion work, but was asked to shoot a fashion portfolio for a young, head strong aspiring model named Judy. Moser agreed, as long as she could shoot it on a truck loading dock. During the shoot the two ladies encountered a band of irrepressible, and equally headstrong boys. Not quite being able to shake them off, Moser used them to her advantage and made a wonderful series of shots with Judy posing while the boys mocked her poses. Moser recalls that images from the series sold to several magazines.

Moser turned out high quality work that no doubt should be better remembered than it has been so far. Hopefully these two documentaries will help rectify that.

In any event, the opening event and artist talk the following day promise to be quite a treat.

‘NEW — Marie Ringwald’ Through April 5 at Gallery Neptune (4901 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, Md.). Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon - 7 p.m., or by appointment. Call 301-718-0809, or see www.galleryneptune.com for more information.

Open for Bethesda Art Walk Friday, March 14, 6 - 9 p.m. Artists Talk event will be held April 5 at 5 p.m. Note: Gallery will be closed March 26 through 29.

Ringwald taught at the Corcoran School of Art and Design for 27 years. Having left academia for the studio, she now concentrates full time on her own artwork.

Ringwald’s current works could best be described as architectonic assemblages, at times encompassing the full structure(s), at other times offering snippets both literal and abstract. Her vernacular ad hoc structures are hardly the icy hard-edged forms you’d expect from a fan of minimalism. These are more akin to the High Touch

school of thought. Here we find textural materials assembled in a hand-hewn fashion that invites adjectives such as quaint, warm, friendly and inviting.

While the full and partial structures are quite nice, her most captivating works seem to be the nearly total abstract assemblages made up of these irregularly hewn materials. These works remind one of Chinese jigsaw puzzles. The interlocking irregular materials captivate the mind and eye. To be sure it’s entertaining and accessible work.

Artist Opportunities The Falls Church Arts entry form deadline for the big Spring show fast approaches. Get your dues paid up and forms in by Sunday, March 16. For complete details and forms, see www. fallschurcharts.org.

Arts Council @ Grace This annual show at Greater Reston Arts Center traditionally gets heavy weight judges to select the work to be shown. This time entries will be judged by Ragan Cole-Cunningham, Director of Exhibitions and Education at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia (CAC) in Virginia Beach.

Cole-Cunningham received her MFA from CalArts, and served on the staff at MOCA in Los Angeles. Should be another one of those judges that draws out some of the best work in the area. The “must be able to get it in the door” size limitation assures the “scale it up” folks won’t be shut out.

The postmark deadline for submissions Friday, March 28 and the cash prize package totals $2,000.

Additional Note: The submission deadline for solo show proposals at GRACE is June 15.

See their website for complete details and submission forms: www.restonarts.org/exhibitions/ Exhibit-Opps.htm, or call 703471.9242 Trawick Prize 2008 Lastly, but far from least ...

Bethesda Arts and Entertainment District’s annual Trawick Prize once again offers a $14,000 prize package. Artists over the age of 18 and residents of Maryland, Virginia or D.C. are eligible. Any two or three dimensional work 96 inches or smaller is acceptable. For complete details and entry form, see www.bethesda. org/arts/trawick.htm. The delivery deadline for submission form and image photos/CD April 11.  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.

Follow the Art Beat Every Week Online at FCNP.com

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Betsy Twigg Preferred: 703-967-4391 e-mail: betsy.twigg@longandfoster.com web: betsytwigg.LNFRE.com

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March 13 - 19, 2008

Community Events THURSDAY, MARCH 13 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. For more information, call 703-538-6266.

Rotary Club. Private Trainer Jackie Knee will speak about keeping fit while on a busy schedule.

Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). $10. 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Farmers’ Market in Falls Church.

Falls Church City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – noon.

Jodi Picoult. Reading and signing of Change of Heart. Borders (Baileys Crossroads 5871 Crossroads Center Way, Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-998-0404.

Linda Fairstein. Discussion and signing of Killer Heat. Borders (Baileys Crossroads 5971 Crossroads Center Way, Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-998-0404.

Meet Author Laura Numeroff.

This New York Times best selling author will introduce her newest book, The Jellybeans and the Big Dance. Aladdin’s Lamp (2499 Harrison St. Suite 10, Arlington).

10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-241-8281.

Presentation on Internet Safety.

Presented by Barbara Gill, MSW; learn about the rise in

internet crimes and how to prevent them in your own home.

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Cafeteria (7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). For more information, call 703-248-5540.

Meet Kaia, the Big Black Newfoundland Dog. Jane Totten and her friendly dog will read fun, humorous dog stories; ages 3-8.

Aladdin’s Lamp (2499 Harrison St. Suite 10, Arlington). 11 a.m. For more information, call 703-2418281.

Extreme Dinosaur: Africa’s Long Necked Fern Mower. Learn about the Nigersaurus (“reptile from Niger”.) National Geographic Society- Explorers Hall (1145 17th St. NW, D.C.). Free. 9 a.m. For more information, call 202-8577588.

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.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 Washington St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Dancers, bagpipers and bands. (Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th Streets NW, D.C.). $5. Noon. For more information, call 202-619-7222.

MONDAY, MARCH 17 Stories and Rhymes. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For 2-5 year olds. Free. 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-248-5030.

Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coffee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-538-6266.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 Stories and Rhymes. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For ages 18-36 months. Free. 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-248-5030.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 Twilight Tales. A walk-in story hour for children ages 3-6. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N.

&

The Tides and the Tempest.

Students from Alaska’s Glacier Valley Elementary School perform a locally written play. Millennium 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.

Maria Bamford. One of Variety’s “Top Ten Comedians To Watch” and one of the stars in Comedy Central’s “Comedians of Comedy Tour.” Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington). $22. 9:45 p.m. For more information, call 703-4862345.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 The Great Zucchini. Well known and received throughout the two to six year old set, this entertainer performs a comedy and magic show. Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington). $8.

Noon. For more information, call 703-486-2345.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16

Blues Alley Youth Orchestra.

This orchestra, made up of many promising young musicians, has performed with jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie in the past. Millennium StageThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F

Lions and Lambs. Storyteller and guitarist Marlena Thompson helps welcome spring with songs and stories featuring animals.

Aladdin’s Lamp (2499 Harrison St. Suite 10, Arlington). 11 a.m.

For more information, call 703241-8281.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Story Hour. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. Mon. – Thurs.

10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-248-5077.

Rotary Club. Rosemary Lauler will speak about “Devotion to Children.” Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). $10. 6:30 p.m.

International Spy Musuem Presents: Hot Topics- The Bomber Behind the Veil. Muslim Women and Violent Jihad.

International Spy Museum (800 F St., NW, D.C.). 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www. spymuseum.org.

T

Theater Fine Arts FRIDAY, MARCH 14

Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free.

7 p.m. For more information, call 703-248-5030.

St. NW, D.C.). Free. 6 p.m. For more information, call 202467-4600.

DCist Exposed Photography Show. Editors of the local blog selected 50 photographers from more than 600 that submitted work. Civilian Art Projects (406 7th St. NW, 3rd Floors, D.C.). 2-6 p.m. For more information, call 202-7833933.

Reuben Breslar: Black/White.

The mixed media artist demonstrates color in this show. His paintings, collages and installations are also showcased. Athanaeum (201 Prince St., Alexandria). Free.

For more information, call 703-548-0035.

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Nationals Vs. Orioles Spring Training Game Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Sunday, March 16, 2 p.m.

T

he forecast is for sunshine and low 80s this weekend for the final Spring Training head-to-head between these two regional rivals. Plenty of flights to get you there to join myself and some of my most valued News-Press colleagues for a weekend with gentle breezes and no sneezes. Take your significant other, so it will also be “with squeezes.” Don’t just yearn for Florida, take the plunge. We’ll see you on the sand, if not at the ballpark. Text message me if you’re coming so we can also hit Le Tub, the restaurant rated by GQ magazine with the best burger in America.

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 35

live_music&nightlife THURSDAY, MARCH 13

SATURDAY, MARCH 15

8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340.

L��� J���. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). For more information, call 703-5731616.

K������ N����. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

10 p.m.- 1:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-573-1616.

E������ H��� ���� TONIC. Also Bill Deasy. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $12 in advance/$15 at the door. 7:30 p.m. For more information,call 703-255-1566.

T�� A����� B���� P���� T���.

Rock/Pop. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $30. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

H���. Rock/Hard Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $10. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 T���� R�����. Folk/Rock/Soul.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-2551566.

MONDAY, MARCH 17

T�� L���������. 80’s Rock and Roll. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $15.

Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

C����� M���� C������. Enjoy a lively evening of Irish music with the band Poirt o’ Call. Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). $12. 8 p.m. For more information, call 703-248-5171.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16

B��� B��� V����. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church).

7-9:30 p.m. 703-534-0095.

O��� J�� S������. With Sam Prather. Twins Jazz (1244 U St. NW, D.C.). 8 p.m. 202-234-0072.

B������� “C�������� W����” CD R������ S��� ��� T���� �� F���. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $10. Doors open: 9:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

M������� A S������ L�������’� S��� �� B������ T�� N�� D������� C������. Acoustic.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $25 minimum donation.

2 p.m. For more information, call 703-255-1566.

P�� M������� T���. Jazz/Fusion/ Post Bop. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $59. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8 p.m. 703-237-0300.

M��� M������� ��� ��� ����.

With Hilary McRae. IOTA (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10.

A� E������ ���� A� P������� ��� A�� W����. Acoustic.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $20. 7:30 p.m. 703-2551566.

O��� M��. Hosted by David Cotton.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). Free. 7 p.m.

S�. P����’� D�� R���� F���.

Featuring Justin Jones and the Driving Rain, Sketch, Robert Francis and Yarn. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $10. 8 p.m.

703-255-1566.

O���-M�� P�����. Arrive early to get on the list. Bar Nun (1326 U St. NW, D.C.). $5. 9 p.m. For more information, call 202-6676680.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 S��������� S�������. Pop/Rock.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $13 in advance/$15 at the door. 6:30 p.m. 703-2551566.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 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. For more information, call 703-538-6266.

K������ ��� ��������. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. 703573-1616.

C���� T������, M��� M������� ��� S������ C�����. Acoustic pop/Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $10. 8 p.m.

703-255-1566.

T����� K����. Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $10 in advance/$12 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m.

Showtime: 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-237-0300.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 L��� J���. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). For more information, call 703-5731616.

T�� G���� S���, W�� T����� ��� ��� S�������, L������,TX ��� C������ S��������. Roots/Rock.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). $10. 8 p.m. 703-2551566.

A������. Russian Rock and Roll.

The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $20 in advance/$23 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-237-0300

P������� A����...

L

et’s see: what’s on the agenda for St. Patty’s Day this year? Consume mass quantities of beer? Check.

Shout Irish songs at the top of your lungs? Check.

Don the traditional green plastic derby that’ll crack before 9 p.m.? Check. Rest for 364 days and repeat? Check. While the order of your personal St. Patrick’s Day checklist may vary, the items tend to stay the same.

Here’s a new ritual you can add to the list: Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Draft & Darts.

Sponsored by thingstododc.com, this dart competition will be held at Ireland’s Four Fields in Washington D.C. this Sunday, St. Patty’s Day Eve. Featuring a two-hour open beer bar with selected Irish beers, an assortment of appetizers and a prize-for-the-winner dart contest, it sounds like a winner and the perfect warm up for the 17th.

For the safety of the revelers, here’s hoping the darts come at the early-end of the open bar.

What: thingstododc.com’s Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Drafts & Darts When: Sunday, March 16, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Ireland’s Four Fields, 3412 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 Cost: $30 Visit www.thingstododc.com for tickets and more info

Wednesday, April 2- Grand Sushi and Sake Tasting. Chefs from Japanese restaurants prepare sushi dishes for your enjoyment.

National Geographic Store at Explorers Hall (1145 17th St. NW, D.C.). $95. 6-9 p.m. 202-661-7585.

Saturday, April 19- Jaguar 5K Run/Walk and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run. Registration ends March 28th. Falls Church High School (7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church). 8 a.m. Registration information can be found at www.jaguar5k.com or by calling 703-207-4023.

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

March 13 - 19, 2008

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.

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

By Bryan Toporek Those who have had the pleasure of feasting upon a real Italian pizza in Italy know that despite delicious diversions in America, nothing can compare to the true Italian taste. Luckily, in 1986, Italians in Treviso, Italy came to the same conclusion when they attempted to redefine the Italian pizzeria in their own special way.

They dubbed their creation “Piola.”

Now, 22 years later, Piola has spread across the world, from the heart of Italy to the bottom of South America in Argentina. For local residents, a Piola restaurant has also sprung up only a few blocks away from the Rosslyn Metro station, right across the Key Bridge.

As you would expect, Piola has earned its reputable name in the restaurant world for its pizza. Each Piola pizza has a distinct Italian influence that could only come from the birthplace of the pizza. Piola’s main strengths lie in thin-crust, oven-fired pizzas. However, they strive to create many variations on the typical tomato-andcheese pizza, with over 50 choices of pizzas for customers to choose from.

Start with a traditional Italian appetizer — the ever-popular Bruschetta ($5.50).

The bruschetta — home-baked bread loaded with fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil — often begins an Italian meal for customers at the restaurant and it's easy to see why. Piola’s bruschetta redefines what bruschetta should taste like. The tomatoes on the bread have a particular sweetness to them, which, combined with the baked bread, assaults taste buds in all the right ways.

Piola’s reputation for their pizza prowess is very legitimately earned. The pizzas come sliced in four equal quarter slices, yet only the strong-of-stomach will be able to finish the entire pizza in one sitting.

The Carbonara Pizza ($12), a thin-crust selection with tomato sauce, mozzarella, bacon, egg and Parmesan cheese, seems to affirm the “Pizza Bagel” theory of making a delicious combination between breakfast foods and pizza. Each ingredient is deliciously fresh, combining to make a particularly enjoyable pie. For those looking towards the more traditional pizzas, Piola also offers the Margherita ($8.95) with just tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil, or the Diavola, known as a pepperoni pizza to the non-Italian crowd.

Despite offering traditional forms of pizza, the restaurant also specializes in its creativity when it comes to pizza combinations. The Rio de Janiero ($14), consisting of tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken, catupiry cheese and parsley is a favorite at Piola. The catupiry cheese is a heavy Brazilian cheese melted onto the pizza that tastes slightly like an alfredo sauce. Whatever the exact taste may be, a mixture of the Rio de Janiero and the Carbonara made for an extremely satisfying — and filling — meal. The restaurant also offers pizzas such as the Honolulu ($12), traditionally known as a Hawaiian pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and pineapple, or the Brooklyn, a combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella, broccoli, cheese, chicken and Gorgonzola cheese.

Piola revels in its Italian heritage, evident from the entire ambiance in the restaurant. Our particular server happened to be of Italian descent, as were most of the chefs and servers in the restaurant. The restaurant also features a bar at the front, with happy hour specials running from 4:30 – 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Overall, the experience of Piola can make you forget about the cold winter, and make you feel like you’ve taken a long trip abroad to Italy once you sit down for a delicious Italian pizza.

Piola Restaurant 1550 Wilson Blvd.

Rosslyn, Va. 22209 703-528-1502 Mon. – Thurs.: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri.: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m., Sat.: 12 p.m. – 1 a.m., Sun.: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 37

What will the Bunny bring this Easter?

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Page 38

March 13 - 19, 2008

The hunt is always on for the trophy Sonoma red from Chateau St. Jean. Called Cinq Cepages, French for five grapes, it is a perennial candidate for wine of the year. It’s difficult to find, even at $80 a bottle, and that’s considered good value compared to top French prices.

I saw it for $40 in a local wine shop.

The catch? It was a half-bottle, 375 ml in metric volume or two generous glasses and a few extra sips in real life. Not enough to wallow in, but plenty for solid tastes of a great wine.

There were more. If you’ve heard about Rombauer’s terrific chardonnay, you can try it for $15 instead of $30. Other wine stores stock rare treats like the lush pinot blancs of Robert Sinskey at $20 or the great Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2004 for $30.

“It was the only way we could get it (Cinq Cepages), and we went through several cases,” said Tom-Erik BockmanPedersen of American Spirits in St. Petersburg.

There are more half-bottles than ever on the shelves, if not as many as we wish for. Among the labels are Coppola, Whitehall Lane, Vieux Telegraph, Duckhorn, Truchard, Caymus Conundrum and d’Arenburg.

The numbers grow slowly, but the half-bottle gets more respect today from storekeepers, restaurants and wineries.

The smaller bottles, once used only for dessert wines, ports, sherries and Champagne, are now also filled with the best cabernets, zinfandels and white wines.

“We’ve had the late harvest riesling in half-bottles since, well, forever,” says Jennifer Scott of Chateau St. Jean. A few years ago, the Kenwood, Calif., winery started to put its prized cabernet blend into half-bottles for restaurant sales.

Half-bottles got a first futile push in the 1980s and seem to have won a second look in the wine packaging revolution of screwcaps, square bottles, synthetic corqs, boxes and cans.

A fine half-bottle that might sell for $30 at retail could be $75 in a restaurant, more than you might pay for a full bottle to drink at home. Still it’s less than buying a full bottle at a marked-up price of perhaps $150. And some restaurants and bars use half-bottles to serve wine cheaper than by-the-glass prices, as at Tampa Bay Brewing Company, which has an all-half-bottle wine list of two dozen wines, priced $9 to $20.

Because of the balance of exposure to air and glass, wine in small bottles matures faster and is ready to drink sooner.

It is not bottled to last decades in the cellar.

Half-bottles suit modern drinkers better, especially the single diner, a couple that does not want to finish a full bottle, or a small table that wants two tastes, a Rhone for her lamb chops and a pinot noir for his salmon.

The smaller bottles also keep on giving as great vessels of recycling. Rinse out a half-bottle to use as a container for wine from a full bottle you didn’t finish. That wine will keep better for a few days than the same amount in a half-empty standard bottle.

A half-bottle is always better than none.  Chris Sherman can be reached at cshermansptimes.com or (727) 893-8585.

We l l a • L ’ O r é a l • N i o x i n • S e b a s t i a n

Universal Beauty Supply & Salon Professional care is best for your hair The #1 STOP FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTY NEEDS! Hair • Skin • Nails G ift Fragrances &Appliances at Discount C

A er va tif Call for Appointment - 703.534.7926 ila ic www.universalbeautysupply.cjb.net bl ate e s Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10a.m. - 7p.m.; Sat 10a.m. - 6p.m.

1055 W. Broad St. (West End Plaza)

Falls Church, VA

O P I • M a t r i x • R e d ke n • P. M i t ch e l l a n d m o re

Online play has revived No Limit Texas Hold’em heads-up poker, a game that has become especially popular among today’s young players. Even I’ve become caught up in this trend.

The correct strategy in headsup poker is based on identifying and acting upon your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. There are also specific bet-sizing and positional play considerations that will make you more successful in this challenging format.

Get Aggressive on the Button In poker, position is power.

When you’ve got position, play more hands and apply more pressure before the flop.

There’s a misconception that you should always raise three times the big blind. Well, that’s not the case in heads-up play.

A raise of that size can actually encourage your opponent to play more conservatively. It may, in fact, force him to fold his marginal hand. That’s bad because you want him to play more pots after the flop – not fewer – when you’re in charge.

Consider this example.

In heads-up play with 10/20 blinds, you’ve got 1,500 chips in front of you and make a huge raise to 500. Your opponent will only call if he’s got a premium hand. More likely, though, if he does have the goods, he’ll move all-in. That would be a disaster for you unless you’ve got a monster hand yourself.

A minimum raise may seem weak, but in heads-up play, it’s actually a decent option when you’ve got position.

Tighten Up Out of Position If you merely make the minimum raise on the button while your opponent elects to raise three times the blind when it’s his button, it might seem that he has the advantage because he’s playing bigger pots in position.

You can offset that perceived advantage, however, by only playing premium hands out of position, and laying down all others.

Yes, it’s true that your opponent will often pick up the blinds before the flop. But on the other hand, he’ll get fewer opportunities to play big pots when he’s in position.

If your opponent chooses to make minimum-sized raises, you’ll probably end up playing a few more hands since the price being laid is less significant.

Play Marginal Hands Cautiously A heads-up match features plenty of back and forth jabbing.

Jab all you want but don’t throw a wild knockout punch that could leave you open to a crippling

counterpunch. You don’t want to be all-in on the flop unless you’ve got a monster hand or a monster draw.

Play marginal hands cautiously after the flop by checking or making small bets no larger than 50-65 percent of the pot.

If you’re raised, lean towards folding unless you sense a bluff and have a hand that is strong enough to call with.

Don’t Bluff Too Much The biggest mistake in heads-up play is that players attempt too many pointless bluffs in hopeless situations. Bluffing is most effective when done sporadically; bluff too often and you’ll blow your credibility.

It’s far more effective to try to trap your opponent into making the first big mistake, especially if you’re a better player than he is.

Induce Bluffs This can be a deadly weapon when playing out of position

against an aggressive oppo-

nent.

Try checking your strong hand all the way down when facing an aggressive player who’s capable of bluffing a hand to the river. The reasoning is simple.

If he has nothing and you bet, he’ll fold. If he has nothing and you check, he may bluff. If he also has a strong hand, well, he’ll do the betting for you.

Once your opponent figures out that you’re using this ploy, you’ll have him tamed. He’ll likely play less aggressively in future hands.  Visit www.cardsharkmedia. com/book.html for information about Daniel Negreanu’s new book, Hold’em Wisdom for All Players. © 2008 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

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 39

crossword / By David Levinson Wilk

Level: 1 3

2 4

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

3/16/08

© 2008 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

1. “Fawlty Towers” network 4. Way 8. Become flabby 14. Historic time 15. Release 16. Writer with an award named after him 17. ____ Andreas Fault 18. “____ unrelated note ...”

19. Actress Langtry 20. Sorcerer who is Southeast Asian but works in the Emerald City?

23. Saudi Arabia neighbor 24. Perfumery word 25. Parts of lbs.

27. Offer made by a person holding a worm and a hook?

32. Dust Bowl state: Abbr.

33. Synthesizer pioneer Robert 34. Winter forecast 35. Plunder a clawed delicacy?

39. Not a secret 41. “Cheerio!”

42. “Thanks, but ____ already” 43. Send a postcard to the Velvet Fog? 48. Radar gun no.

49. Greek “H” 51. August people, perhaps?

52. The Pope’s advice to lapsed Catholics who live in homes where the walls are peeling?

58. Take steps 59. Greek “I” 60. “Forget it” 61. Position oneself to hear better 62. Fervor 63. Clinch 64. Actor Welles and others 65. This, in Tijuana 66. Neither here ____ there

1

2

Grant The Creator, to a Hindu Palestine, in the Bible Feline line Present opener?

“Charlie’s Angels” actress 1992 erupter Yitzhak’s predecessor

THE QUIGMANS Buddy Hickerson

4

5

6

7

8

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

10

24

27

28

29

30

31

12

13

26

32 34

36

37

40

38

41

42

43

48

49 52

11

25

33 35 39

9

22

23

44

50

45

46

51

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

47

9. Buckeye State sch.

38. Mo. town 10. Conde Nast women’s 39. Kipling classic 1.

"Fawlty Towers" network magazine 40. Dot-com founded in 1999 4.

11.Way Witness 43. Deface 12.Become Form into small, crisp curls 44. Motor add-on 8. flabby 13.Historic Rope used 45. Curb 14. time in sailing 21. Holiday ____ 46. Grace land?

15. Release 22. Like Gen. Powell 47. Book of the Bible that 16. with an award named afterdoes him not mention the word 26.Writer Perched 17. ____ Andreas Fault 28. Ugandan tyrant “God” 29."____ Physique, slangily 49. Conclude with 18. unrelated note ..."

30.

Yahoo! rival 50. Future twentysome19. Actress Langtry 31. Jim Croce’s “____ things 20. Sorcerer who is Southeast Asian but works in the Emerald City?

Name” 53. El ____ 23.

Arabia neighbor 32.Saudi “Bravo, torero!”

54. Magnitude 24. word in the ER 34.Perfumery Immediately, 55. Some deer 35.Parts 1997oftax-law creations 56. Coup d’____ 25. lbs.

36. Stun 57. ____ Alto, Calif.

27. Offer made by a person holding a worm and a hook?

37. Ling of “The Crow” 58. ____-pitch softball Across

32. Dust Bowl state: Abbr.

Last Thursday’s 33. Synthesizer pioneer Robert Puzzle Solved 34.

AWinter G SforecastB E A T A

I R W A Y

R E A S E

Down 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

3

© 2008 David Levinson Wilk

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

ACROSS

D U E T W O P P I G A A N

A N A L A T E L T E R Y E P A S R O D S U S A O S H E L M U R E L A C I P P I M E D E T

N A L D T O W I N C Z O B L O N E O N S O N E O S E R M A L D O D O E M I L R I V E S T A S

W E L L H R U O N T A G I N N G N E M I N Y P O T A H N A S H O E

S L Y E

E X P L O D E

D A H G A S

P I G S T Y

S L O T H S

nick knack

© 2008 N. F. Benton

Page 40

March 13 - 19, 2008

On St. Patrick's Day You’ll flip for our Green Eggs and Ham! The eggs will be green, the ham pink and the pancakes green.

Also weekdays: free Wi-Fi at selected locations and a new Senior Menu!

Free

Parking Availab le

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The First Name in Pancakes 7700 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 301-986-0285

GET ON TOP OF YOU R DEBT. THE VIEW IS MUCH BETTER FROM HERE.

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370 West Broad St. Falls Church,VA 703-891-0148

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Must maintain a line of credit balance of $150,000 or more and a Benefit Banking relationship to quality for this APR. Maximum loan to value is 89%. Rates may vary and are subject to change. Benefit Banking discount may not be combined with any other discounts. Lines of credit with lower balances and/or with an LTV greater than 89% are also available with different conditions and rates. Subject to credit approval. Consult your tax advisor regarding interest deductibility. Maximum APR in MD, DC, VA, NJ, and DE is 24% and 18% APR in PA. Closing costs will be waived and normally range from $150 to $900. Your actual closing costs could be higher depending on loan amount and property location. Customer is responsible for closing costs if account is closed within three years. Adequate property insurance is required.

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March 13 - 19, 2008

RETAIL GARDEN CENTER POSITION

For Sale COMPUTER Internet Desktop Tower set includes Linux. Pickup $200 703-370-0706

DIGITAL TRANSFERS Record and tapes to CD. Home videos to DVD. WWW.SAVEITONCD.COM 703-263-9212

HOUSE FOR SALE 3205 Cofer Road Falls Church, VA. $465.000.

Wonderful 3 Bedrooms plus DETACHED GARAGE, 2 Full BAs and 1 Half BA, Lg Family Room Addition, Granite Countertops and 42” Cabinets in Kitchen, Roof replaced in 2004.

Furnace replaced in 2007. Great Commuter Location.

Schools: Sleepy Hollow, Glassgow, Stuart. High Speed Internet Ready. Motivated Sellers. Owners are Licensed Real Estate Agents.

Contact: Ryad Daoussi, 703-863-9875 IKON Realty, Inc.

MULCH TOP SOIL WOOD CHIPS Free delivery. 703-623-0101

NEW DOUBLE CRYPT - ABOVE GROUND National Memorial Park. Reg. $6600. $5250. 630-443-3460

Bargain

SUPER SALE NEW- REBUILT COPIERS 50% Off List Price. Call 703-560-3900 Washington Photo Copy.

Help Wanted BOOKEEPER Part Time Help Needed with knowledge of Bookeeping and Taxes. Pls call between the hrs of 10:30 - 8:00 pm.

DRIVERS - DEDICATED FREIGHT Out & Back! Weekly Pay, Great Hometime!

Healthcare Avail. CDL- A OwnerOps Welcome!

Equal Opportunity Small Family Owned Comapny.

WJL:800-999-5551

SECURITY OFFICERS Alexandria/Fairfax area must work night and weekends full-time experienced preferred.

(703) 765-0407. DCJS Lic. 11-1027.

FOOD SERVERS Chevys is currently hiring Full-time and Part-time Food Servers at our Arlington location. Apply Now! Mondays through Fridays from 11am - 5pm at: 1201 S. Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202.

Chevys Fresh Mex offers competitive pay, good benefits and plenty of room for advancement! EOE

HELP WANTED Sheet Metal Mechanic or experienced helper.

Dixie Sheet Metal. 703/533 -1111.

HELP WANTED pie-tanza, Gourmet Wood-Fired Pizza & Italian Fare, is now hiring FT & PT Servers, Hosts, Cashier and Food Runners for the opening of our Falls Church location (located next to the West Falls Church Metro). If you want to make GREAT money and have a flexible schedule please apply in person between 2pm - 5pm at our Arlington location - 2503B N. Harrison Street (Lee-Harrison Center). www.pie-tanza.com

LANDSCAPING SPRAY TECHNICIAN Applicators license required, excellent pay and benefits, 703-573-3029

PRODUCTION MANAGER For Service Company, professional experience required, 703-573-3029

Bell Nursery, a nationally recognized grower/vendor of quality bedding plants and nursery stock, is looking for energetci, enthusiatic people to merchandise our products at a Home Depot center near you. Supervisory and Merchandising positions are available. Please view job descriptions, locations and apply online at www.bellimpact.com

SUMMER FUN 2008 Teen Excursion Camp Leaders are needed to drive 15 passenger City van taking school age children on daily field trips & provide leadership during the excursions. Must be 21 yrs of age, HS grad plus taken college courses in childcare development, recreation or related field, plus First Aid & CPR preferred & good driving record. $14.38 p/h, work hours varies between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F 6/16 – 8/22, 2008.

Water Safety Instructors are needed to teach children swimming & operate open-swim program.

Must be 18 yrs of age, with Pool Operator, Red Cross WSI & American Red Cross Lifeguard certifications. Up to $16 p//h; depending on qualifications, work hours 35-40 hrs per week, 8:00am 5:00pm M-F 6/16 - 8/22, 2008 Playground Counselors are needed to assist the Director in operating the summer program for 5 -12 yr old children. Must be 18 yrs of age plus taken courses in child development & exp in leading children’s playgroups. Salary: $10.25 per hour, work hours 35-40 hours per week, 8:00am - 5:00pm M-F 6/16 - 8/22, 2008 A Summer Laborer is needed to work with Park Maintenance Staff doing a variety of tasks including maintaining parks, playgrounds & ball fields. Must be 18 yrs of age with a good driving records.

Salary is $13.08/hr, for 40 hour work week M-F. Start & end dates are flexible. VA To Apply: Send City application or resume with driving record & certifications for any of these positions to City of Falls Church, HR Div; 300 Park Ave, Falls Church VA 22046 or hr@fallschurchva.gov.

For Rent OFFICE SPACE - FOR RENT 700 s.f., 4 large offices with storage and bathroom, $1300/mo., 703-573-3029

ORLANDO/DISNEY 3m from Disney 5br, 4fba, furn beautiful home w/ pool for Daily & Wkly Rental. Sleeps 12. Brochure.

703-241-1537 www.360house.com/76559

Ch News-Press Classified Clas eck OAds ut O si

A&R HOME IMPROVEMENT Interior & Exterior Painting, Drywall Repairs and Installation, Wood Replacement, Bath Remodeling, Stone and Brick Patios, Pressure Washing, Outdoor Illumination. We are licensed and insured.

Call for free estimate - 703-992-7040 Cell: 571-436-3382

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

CHILD CARE Experienced childcare provider provides quality care for your infant in F.C. home. (703) 241-0605. great references, excellent job call Maria 703.277.1098/703.626.0665

HANDYMAN SERVICE Windows, doors, rotted wood, petdoors, lighting, fans, faucets, fences, bath, Flat screen TV installation and kitchen remodeling. Insured Free estimates. Call Doug (703) 556-4276 www.novahandyman.com Need a little help before you need a lot of help?

Call us for brick, stone and all types of repairs and installation. Powerwashing too. Jeff Cadle 703/698-1390

HOME IMPROVEMENT Interior Painting and Installation & Repairs on marble, tiles & stone. Call Jose 703-909-2715

(Box Ads are $20 per column inch)

Deadline: 2 p.m. Tuesdays

Please include payment (check or money order) with your ad or call us to arrange payment by credit card.

For public and legal notices, please email legalads@fcnp.com The Falls Church News-Press accepts no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements. Advertising which has minor discrepancies such as misspelling or small type transposition, but which do not affect the ability of the reader to respond to the ad will be considered substantially correct and full payment is required. The Falls Church News-Press is not responsible if the original copy is not typewritten or legible and clear. The Falls Church News-Press is not responsible for copy changes made by telephone.

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES Pie-tanza Falls Church LLC. trading as Pietanza 1216 W. Broad Street Fall Church Church VA 22046 - Fairfax County is applying to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a beer & wine license on premises to sell or manufacture alchololic beverages. Karen Waltman Owner

GET NOTICED! in the

News-Press!

The Board of Zoning Appeals of the City of Falls Church, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on March 13, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia, for the Renewal of Special Use Permit (U1474-06) by Jefferson 402 LLC of McLean, Virginia for a bank drive-through facility as an accessory use at 402 West Broad Street.

Copies of the above file may be reviewed in the office of the Zoning Administrator, City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046.

“Size Matters Not.” — Yoda

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March 13 - 19, 2008

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>

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*

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city calendar

MARCH 13 Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

Aurora House Citizens’ Advisory Committee, 7:30 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals, 7:30 p.m.

15 Federal Corporate Income Taxes Due Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon Celtic Music Concert, 8 p.m.

16 Palm Sunday 17 School Spring Break/ No School for Students Yard Waste, Bundled Brush, & Special Collections Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

City Council Work Session, 7:30 p.m.

Planning Commission, 7:45 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day 18 School Spring Break/ No School for Students Senior Book Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.

Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

Historical Commission, 7:30 p.m.

19 School Spring Break/ No School for Students General District Court in Session Senior Citizens Commission, 4 p.m.

Story Hour, 7 p.m.

Library Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m.

Tree Commission, 7:30 p.m.

20 School Spring Break/ No School for Students City Meals Tax Due (Commissioner of the Revenue) Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

Human Services Advisory Council, 7 p.m.

First Day of Spring 21 School Spring Break/ No School for Students Good Friday 22 Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon Easter Egg Hunt at Cherry Hill Park, 10 a.m.

Preschool Open House Parents interested in enrolling their children ages 3-5 in the City of Falls Church Preschool Program are invited to meet the teacher, ask questions, and check out the classroom. The Preschool Open House will be held Monday, March 17 from 10-11 a.m. in the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls Street).

Fall Preschool registration begins May 12 for City residents and May 19 for non-residents.

To register or for further information, contact the Falls Church Community Center at 703-248-5077 (TTY 711).

Register for the City’s Online Newsletter at www.fallschurchva.gov

Register to Receive Emergency Alerts

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).

Celtic Music Concert This Saturday Enjoy a lively evening of Irish music at the annual Celtic Music Concert at Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave.) this Saturday. Musicians from the band Poirt o’ Call will perform on banjo, mandolin, fiddle, flute, concertina, and guitar in the intimate atmosphere of the Farmhouse parlor. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

City Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. For more information, call 703-248-5171 (TTY 711).

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 703-248-5077 (TTY 711).

Tickets cost $12; advance purchase recommended at the Falls Church

Free Rape Aggression Defense Course The City’s Police Department is offering a FREE Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) program of realistic selfdefense tactics and techniques for women, 12 years of age and older.

The course is offered in four, threehour sessions. Classes will be held at St. James School (830 West Broad Street in Falls Church) on Tuesdays, Apr. 8 and 15 and Thursdays, Apr. 10 and 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only course that address-

es awareness, prevention, risk reduction, risk avoidance, and the basics of hands-on self-defense training.

R.A.D. is not a martial arts program.

Nationally certified R.A.D. instructors from the City Police Department teach the course.

Participants are required to attend all four sessions. For more information and to register, e-mail jcarter@ fallschurchva.gov or ksdempsey@ verizon.net.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt Rolls On March 22 The Recreation & Parks Division will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m. in Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.). In addition to scrambling for eggs, children are invited to meet the Easter Bunny. Please bring a basket to collect eggs. This event is FREE to the public.

In the event of rain, the Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Monday, March 24 at 4 p.m. in Cherry Hill Park.

Call for volunteers! Volunteers are needed from 8 a.m.-noon the day of the event. Call Jenny Elmore at 703-248-5199 (TTY 711) to volunteer.

For more information on the Easter Egg Hunt, call 703-248-5178.

Student Artwork Available for Pickup All artwork submitted to the 2007 Student Art Contest can be picked up from the Office of Communications in City Hall, 300 Park Ave., East Wing, third floor, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Summer Camp Brochure Available Online Registration is now open for the Recreation & Parks Division’s annual summer camp program, which offers fun-filled activities for youth of all ages. Programs are offered June through August, and range from sports (from dance to swimming to horseback riding!) to art and theatre.

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.

Become a Certified Emergency Volunteer Responder The City of Falls Church will offer its first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course this April and May. Emergency responders will train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for the Falls Church City area.

Class schedule and registration information is available at www.fallschurchvfd.org. The course is free and open to persons ages 18 and up. The course takes approximately 30 hours to complete, and

classes meet on a series of Wednesday evenings and a few Saturdays.

Registration is on a first-come, firstserved basis with initial preference given to Falls Church City residents.

The training will address: • disaster preparedness; • fire safety; • disaster medical operations– hygiene, assessment, triage, and treatment; • light search and rescue team organization; • disaster psychology; and • terrorism.

FOR THE WEEK of

Classes and Events Youth Classes

Classic Tales ‘n Tunes (ages 1 ½-4 with adult) Saturday, April 5, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, April 9, 9:15 or 10:15 a.m.

Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. Preview this outstanding theme-oriented program of stories, music, movement, and puppetry, enriched with Spanish and American Sign Language! FREE, but spaces are limited.

To register, call 703-248-5077 (TTY 711). Visit www.classictnt.com for more information.

Tiny Tunes (ages birth-17 months) Wednesday, April 9, 11:15 a.m. or noon Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. Beloved teacher Susan Hayes delights the tiniest learners with music, movement, puppetry, and sign language! Call 703-248-5077 (TTY 711) to reserve your spot. Visit www.classictnt.com for more information.

The following classes, camps and trips require paid registration. Call 703-248-5077 (TTY 711) for fees and more information.

Abrakadoodle Twoosy Doodlers (ages 20-36 months) Call for dates and times This is a special art class for toddlers and parents (or helpers). Little fingers will experiment with painting, gluing, sticking, printing and creating, while developing fine motor, language, and selfhelp skills.

Abrakadoodle Mini Doodlers (ages 3-6) Call for dates and times Children develop their creativity through carefully designed lessons that ignite the imagination and develop skills. Using real artists’ materials including watercolors, tempera paints, oil pastels, creative tools and more, children create masterpieces that are truly unique.

Medieval Times Saturday, March 22, 3-10 p.m.

Set within the walls of an 11th century Europeanstyle Castle, this live horse show recreates a Middle Ages tournament of skill and sport,featuring valiant knights and powerful stallions.The fee ($54 children 12 and under; $63 adults) includes a four-course meal, tax, gratuity, transportation, and the show.

Thoroughly Modern Millie at Riverside Dinner Theater Thursday, March 27, 5:30-11:30 p.m.

Experience this great Broadway musical from your dining table.Everyone is dancing the Charleston in a 1920s NewYork full of intrigue,jazz,and change.Enter youngMillieDillmountfromKansas,intentonbecoming“modern”and marrying a wealthy executive.

Basic skills will be taught including grooming, saddling, stopping, steering, and posting the trot.

Long pants and smooth, hard soled shoes are required.NO tennis shoes,hiking boots,or slip-ons.

Helmets are provided by the facility. Weight limit 200 lbs.Transportation is not provided.

Basic Beading for Beginners Adults Thursday, March 27, 7-9 p.m.

Learn the basic techniques for making your own unique jewelry. Using simple tools and quality materials, you will string and finish your own beaded necklace, bracelet, and matching earrings.

View samples or contact the instructor with questions at www.joiedebeads.com.

Homework and Organization I (ages 8 and older) Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m.-noon This course is for students who want to take control of their learning situation. Learn how to organize your activities and environment, so that you can be more independent. Bring any issues that you may have with homework or organization and your hardest assignments.

Bellobration Friday, April 4, 5 p.m. or Saturday, April 5, 1 p.m.

George Mason University Patriot Center (transportation provided from Falls Church Community Center) Bring your family to see Bello,the daredevil clown, acrobats,elephants,horses,12 ferocious tigers and more! Before the show, step onto the arena floor for an all-access pre-show with dancers, clowns and other stars of the show! Registration ends March 29.

Spring Break Camps

Middle School Spring Break Excursion Camp Monday, March 17-Friday, March 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Campers will go rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, Day Quest, and caving. This camp is for 57th graders. Transportation provided. Daily times for camps vary.

Camp Olympia Horseback Riding Camp (ages 8-15) Monday, March 24-Friday, March 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Beginning to advanced riders will ride and participate in daily activities, including balance and coordination exercises, horse grooming, tacking up, cleaning the barn and tack, and other horserelated activities.

Beginner Horseback Riding (ages 14 and older) Thursdays, March 27-May 1, 11 a.m.-noon or 7:30-8:20 p.m.

Camp Olympia Riding Center, Rockville, MD

Book Collection Drive The Falls Church Area American Association of University Women (AAUW) is collecting books of all kinds for its annual book sale to be held on April 11 and 12 at the Falls Church Community Center. The book sale benefits scholarship programs for women.

The AAUW needs all kinds of books: hardcovers, paperbacks, novels, non-fiction, children’s, cookbooks, etc. that are suitable for re-sale (no magazines, encyclopedias, text books, or damaged books, please). To arrange for your tax-deductible donation of books, call 703-941-5643.

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

March 13 - 19, 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

mArch 13-19, 2008

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

Support Staff of the Year Nominees Announced Five longtime Falls Church City Public Schools support staff members have been nominated to be this year’s FCCPS Support Staff Employee of the Year.

“From the bus stop to the final bell, our support staff employees provide invaluable service to our students and staff,” said Superintendent, Lois Berlin. “They are true multi-tasking marvels who demonstrate extraordinary abilities to work individually and as a team.” barbara cooper – Thomas Jefferson Elementary Principal’s Secretary Marco De Las casas – School Bus Driver / Courier cecilia guerra – Special Education Secretary

and childhood starvation to the global oil crisis and climate change.

The students are judged throughout the conference with awards for their public speaking skills and effectiveness in presenting their positions.

The Model UN is a student simulation of the real United Nations, which attempts to catapult young people’s minds and imaginations into real-world crises, diplomacy and negotiation.

This year’s nominees are:

Barbara Cooper

Lori Knight – MEHMS Day Care Center Supervisor Kathy Poff – Thomas Jefferson Elementary Aide Superintendent Berlin surprised each nominee last week with the announcement, a bouquet of flowers and a copy of their nomination letters.

Prior to last weekend’s meeting, each attending school was assigned a country to represent. Its students were then divided among various committees to draft resolutions and argue positions on a myriad of topics ranging from immigration reform

The heritages of delegates to the 2008 Model UN held at George Mason High School last weekend were as varied as the many countries they came to represent.

Henderson Exhibit Open through March 31st

The support employee of the year winner will be announced in the near future. All support staff nominees will be recognized by the Falls Church City School Board at a reception later this spring.

Marco De Las Casas

What better way to celebrate and commemorate Women’s History Month than by enjoying a new exhibit highlighting the extraordinary lifetime accomplishments of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School’s namesake.

The exhibit is on display through the end of the month in the lobby of MEHMS. It chronicles local civil rights struggles, the Henderson family’s history and Mary Ellen Henderson’s dedication to her students.

Kathy Poff

Lori Knight

Cecilia Guerra

FCC-TV Spotlight: Ablevision Tune in to Falls Church Community Television (FCC-TV) to watch Ablevision.

Ablevision is a 30 minute show produced entirely by people with disabilities.

They cover issues such as pet therapy, living as a blind person, and self-defense for the handicapped. Ablevision airs on FCC-TV at the following times: • Mondays at 9:30am

• Thursdays at 10:30am and 6:30pm

FCC-TV airs on Cox Channel 12, Verizon FiOS Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2. For more information about FCC-TV, or complete schedule of the variety of community programs on FCC-TV, visit www.fcctv.net or call 703-248-5538.

BIE Partner of the Week Gary LaPorta Miniatures from the Attic School involvement: Served as Read Across America guest reader at both Mt. Daniel and Thomas Jefferson Elementary; worked with Thomas Jefferson fourth grade teachers to present a series of classes on fractions, ratios, scale and architecture using doll houses as models; serves on the Business in Education Advisory Committee.

Why Gary is a BIE partner: “Volunteering in schools is always a joy.

My first experience working with the Falls Church schools was in 2006 when TJ fourth grade students visited my shop. Since I don’t have a store for a field trip anymore, I make sure to visit the schools often, and support the work of our wonderful teachers.”

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.

A reproduction of “Ms. Nellie’s” gown, her personal photos, books and letters are also included in the exhibit.

The Mary Ellen Henderson traveling museum exhibit is on display through March 31st in the lobby of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.

gM Scholastic Team Wins ninth Straight Title It sounds ominous to say the George Mason High School Scholastic Team has never lost a Bull Run District Tournament since before the turn of the century. But it’s the truth.

The defending state champion quiz masters brought home their ninth straight district title and their fourth straight Region B championship banner last month. The accomplishment sent them to their seventh consecutive state tournament appearance and came away tied for fifth with an impressive 29-4 record.

Last weekend, the team was invited back to the NBC4 studios for a second appearance on the long running “It’s Academic” television show. The videotaped program will air on Saturday, April 26th at 10:30 a.m.

nFL Ravens Sign FccPS Para A George Mason High School special education paraprofessional will arguably enjoy one of the best seats in the house for all Baltimore Ravens home football games next season.

Lance Logan, who also serves the school as cheerleading coach, has been signed to the NFL team’s co-ed stunt team. The two-time All-Star Legacy national champion competed against more than two dozen men for one of six spots on the roster.

In addition to performances at Raven home games, Logan will also travel with the team to any postseason contests.

GM paraprofessional Lance Logan balances a stunt teammate with one hand.

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

* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

Model UN XX General Assembly Opens More than 480 student delegates from 18 schools in the Washington metro area gathered last weekend for the twentieth annual General Assembly of the Model United Nations at George Mason High School.

703-237-6931 703-534-4951

SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES ARE SubjEcT To chAngE March 13 4:00 p.m. T.C. Williams @ Mason (G Tennis) 7:30 p.m. Internet Safety Presentation (MEH) 7:30 p.m. Budget Work Session w/ City Council (City Hall – Training Room) 7:30 p.m. 1st Grade Musical (MD) 7:30 p.m. Trinity @ Mason (B Lacrosse) 14 2:00 p.m. Mason @ V.C.U. (G Basketball)

7:15 p.m. Freedom @ Mason (G Lacrosse) 7:30 p.m. Mason @ Freedom (B Lacrosse) 17–21 Spring Break (Schools Closed / Day Care Open) 24 7:15 p.m. Mason@ Parkview (G Lacrosse) 7:30 p.m. Parkview @ Mason (B Lacrosse) 25 TJ Spring Picture Day 4:30 p.m. Mason @ Wash. & Lee (G Tennis) 6:00 p.m. Mason @ Freedom (Softball) 6:30 p.m. School Board Work Session (City Hall) 7:30 p.m. School Board Regular Meeting (City Hall) 7:30 p.m. Mason @ Potomac Falls (G Soccer) 7:30 p.m. Potomac Falls @ Mason (B Soccer) 7:30 p.m. PTA & 5th Grade Band Concert (MEH) 26 5:00 p.m. Potomac Falls @ Mason (Softball) 5:00 p.m. Broad Run @ Mason (Baseball) 7:00 p.m. Elementary PTA (TJ) 27 7:30 p.m. Family Life Education Advisory Committee (GM) 7:30 p.m. Budget Work Session w/ City Council (City Hall – Training Room) (MD) Mt. Daniel Elementary (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High Check the FCCPS Web site for more calendar information. www.fccps.org

Page 46

March 13 - 19, 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

IN THE

Falls Church News-Press Vol II, No. 51 • March 11, 1993

Lasso Surprises Council With Plan For Lower-Than-Expected Tax Hike “Falls Church City Manager David Lasso unveiled his recommended $25.5 million budget to the City Council Monday night, suggesting a boost in real estate taxes that will cost the average resident $175 more in Fiscal Year 1994, which begins this July 1.

“Businesses in the city will also be expected to chip in an extra $356,000 to cover costs in the budget, which Lasso said is “zero growth”...

Bob Herbert Continued from Page 10

While their wages stay the same, the cost of everything else -- energy, housing, transportation, tuition -- goes up.”

The economic pain and anxiety felt for so long by the poor and the near-poor has been spreading like a stain in the middle class as well. It’s hardly been a secret. But neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have stepped up to this fundamental long-term challenge, and that includes the three remaining candidates for president.

No one will tackle the crucial issue of employment in a serious way. The cornerstone of a middle-class life in America (and that means the cornerstone of the American dream) is a good job.

The American dream is on life support because men and women by the millions who want very much to work -- who still have in their heads the ideal of a thriving family in a nice home with maybe a picket fence -- are unable to find a decent job.

For years, families have been fighting weakness on the employment front with every other option imaginable. Wives and mothers have gone to work.

People have been putting in more hours and working additional jobs.

And Americans have plunged like Olympic diving champions into every form of debt they could find.

As Andrew Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, told me some months ago: “Workers are incredibly, legitimately scared that the American dream, particularly the belief that their kids will do better, is ending.”

It is. The dream is in grave danger because the ruling elite stopped looking out for the collective interests of the society and all but stopped investing in the future. We are swimming in a vast sea of indebtedness, most of it bringing no worthwhile return.

Former Sen. Bill Bradley, in a conversation the other day,

NEWS-P PREESS

Falls Church News-Press Vol VII, No. 52 • March 12, 1998

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

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

Holmes: City is ‘Getting a Bum Rap’ From Untrue Rumors of High Taxes “The City of Falls Church “is being given a bum rap on business taxes,” and when “the truth comes out,” the City may be able to offer newcomers a lower net tax than surrounding jurisdictions, City Economic Development Authority Executive Director David Holmes reported to the City Council here Monday Night.

“Holmes cited the case of one business seriously considering...”

described the amount of public and private indebtedness in the U.S. as “ominous.” In his book, “The New American Story,” Bradley said: “For almost a generation, America has cheated our future and lived only in the here and now. Economic growth depends on the level of investment in both physical capital -machines, infrastructure, technology -- and human capital, which consists of the combined skills and health of our work force.”

Instead of making those investments, we’ve neglected our physical and human infrastructure, squeezed the daylights out of the work force (now a fearful and demoralized lot) and tried to hide the resulting debacle behind the fool’s gold of debt and denial.

Americans save virtually nothing. They have looted the equity in their homes and driven their credit card balances to staggering heights.

Meanwhile, the Bush administration has claimed colossal new standards of fiscal irresponsibility. At some point, to take just one example, someone will have to pay the $3 trillion for the war.

This craziness is not sustainable.

Without an educated and empowered work force, without sustained investment in the infrastructure and technologies that foster long-term employment, and without a system of taxation that can actually pay for the services provided by government, the American dream as we know it will expire.

Another new listing in Falls Church City Open Sunday 3/16 1-4pm

THIS IS SANDY, the five-year-old schitzu of the Farrell family, seen here looking rather surprised (as schitzus are wont to do) whilst peeking out from under a chair in their living room.

This portrait was taken by award winning Critter Corner photographer Natalie Farrell, also of the Farrell family. When she isn't mugging for the camera, Sandy spends her time playing with Woody, a 14 year old golden retriever who is also of the Farrell family. If neither Woody, or a critter paparazzo are available, Sandy does her lupine duty of guarding the house from dangerous elements, most notably the Farrell's next-door neighbors, who Sandy keeps at bay by fiercely barking at them through the picket fence.

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

Welcome Baby Ryker

413 Hampton Court Absolutely stunning, totally remodeled end unit town home in Winter Hill neighborhood. Spacious 2 BR, (former 3BR) 1BA home situated on a huge corner lot. Fabulous kitchen w/ designer cabinets.

French doors, hardwood floors, archways and custom molding.. Main level washer and dryer. Walk to Metro, Starbucks, State Theatre and Farmer’s Market.

FCC Schools!

Offered at $395,000

Louise Molton, Realtor Weichert Realtors 703 821 8300 (Office) 703 244 -1992 (Direct) Email Louise@agentlouise.com

Turning Houses into Homes!

The Falls Church Animal Hospital family keeps on growing!!!!

Congratulations to Dr. Kelly and Bill and to big sister - Savannah and to big brothers - Dakota and Breccan

March 13 - 19, 2008

Page 43

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

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ANTIQUES & cOLLECTIBLES

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

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ASSisted living

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Attorneys

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Clock repair

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home care

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Computer services

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home improvement

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Construction

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Counseling

Sunrise of Falls Church . . . . . . . . . . . 534-2700 Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 John A. Boneta & Associates . . . . . . 536-6166 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . . .312-0410

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Automotive

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

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banking

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

beauty

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

Falls Church Clockworks . . . . . . . . . . 536-6731 Fast Teks On-Site Computer Srvcs . . 496-7807 Alba Construction, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-0733 Carol S. Miller, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-4980 George Coyne, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 328-4112 Career/Life/Retirement Coach . . . . . 241-2620 Josette Millman, APRN . . . . . . . . . . . 855-0396

Dentists

Drs. William Dougherty, Julie D. Tran 532-3300 Drs. Mark A. Miller, Melanie R. Love . . 241-2911 Dr. Mike McCombs, Orthodontist . . . . 820-1011 Dr. Nimisha V. Patel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1993

Equipment REntal/Sale

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

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Eyewear

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FLorists

Universal Beauty Supply & Salon . . . 534-7926

book Binding

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

Framing

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

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Furniture

catering

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health & FItness

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

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chiropractor

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Cleaning Services

Dr. Raymond Solano, drsolano.com . 536-4366 Pressure Washing/Deck, Siding . . . . 980-0225 Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 Carpets, Ducts, Windows . . . . . . . . . 823-1922

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Bratt Decor Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-6833 Antique & Contemporary Restoration 241-8255 Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0140 Sacred Well Yoga and Healing . . . . . 989-8316 Authentic Pilates (Arlington) . . . . . . . 527-9626 Personal Fitness Training . . . . . . . . . 309-8500

physical therapy

NED Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7457 James Roofing & Home Improvement 593-3383 Joseph Home Improvement . . . . . . . 507-5005 FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 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

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Plumbing

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Political Parties

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real estate

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tailor

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therapy

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Travel

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Tutors

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Other Services

insurance

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jewelry

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lawn & garden

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Nationwide/Bob Pierce Agency . . . . . 241-7847 State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105 www.ofallthebeads.com . . . . . . . . . . . 901-3738 9th Green Lawn Service - Full Svc. . 538-5869 Weaver Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323-9351 Seven Brothers Landscaping . . . . . . 241-4990 Lawn Care Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 691-2351

masonry

Mottern Masonry Design . . . . . . . 571-212-1711 Jeff L. Cadle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698-1390 n

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massage

Massage & Hair Removal . . . . . . . 571-282-4522 Healthy by Intention, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 534-1321 Sheraton Premiere Women’s Massage 403-9328

medical

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

music

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pet services

Hobbies & Collectibles

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

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

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

BUSINESS SERVICES

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

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

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

Theracare Wellness Center . . . . . . . 560-4300 Williams Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . 571-274-6831 Falls Church Democratic Committee 534-8644 Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 www.RoadstoHome.com, Chris Rhodes 405-6800 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones . . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 H&R Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 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 Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886 Neurofeedback Center of VA . . . . . . . 536-2690 All Travel & Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970-4091 Your Computer Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-2821 Huntington Learning Center . . . . . . . 379-8810 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

Dog Trainer - Nicole Kibler . . . . . . . . 593-6340

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

Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be!

Out of Area?

CH, HUR S C FALL RGINIA VI • .COM CNP W.F WW • E R F E

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07 27 , 20 21 NDE

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 Falls Church, Va 22046

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Page 48

March 13 - 19, 2008

Just Sold in Falls Church City

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